The three trials of the zen master

[Nightstalker]

OOC: All bunnying preapproved through various means of communication

A flash of bright light, heads turn away and eyes close. It was noon in the city of Akashima. A cloud covers the sun, obscuring its rays that had previously been glinting off the crystal spire. Nightstalker took a moment to appreciate the spire, never knowing on the day of his birth his symbol, the black lotus flower, had shown itself within the spire.

Now however, he was hoping it would give him portents as to the directions to his destination. He had been all over the city all day trying to find out about a man that was either dead, or non-existent, depending on who he asked. Nightstalker was looking for a legendary master named Hokkaido. An Aibrone monk of all people had informed Nightstalker about his existence, and that he was once one of the Demons of Akashima.

The Demons of Akashima, the thought of them brought a smile to Nightstalker, for if he had his way, they’d someday be inferior to his own skills. It was thought to be impossible though, for those that did know the demons, knew they were the six greatest ninja in all of Akashima. They served the throne exclusively, and were without equal the world over. Most however believed the demons to be nothing more than a rumor, and a false one at that, which was exactly what they were supposed to believe.

With a sigh, Nightstalker brought his mind back to reality. How was he going to even equal the demons if he couldn’t find the one master who could train him to that degree of skill? The thought of how he was going to convince the man to teach him hadn’t even crossed his mind yet, for Master Hokkaido had no reason to teach anyone, let alone a foolish arrogant nobody like Nightstalker. But Nightstalker was sure he’d convince him somehow.

He wasn’t alone in this quest though. He’d convinced an assassin he’d met in the town of Underwood to come with him to see what she could learn from the man. Right now she was hiding in a bar known as The Red Dragon. This wasn’t because she was in trouble and on the run, far from it. She was actually a vampire, and couldn’t be in the light of day for fear it’d kill her if she wasn’t careful.

As Nightstalker walked to The Red Dragon, he had a small chuckle as he reminisced about the events in Underwood. Both of them wanted to get into The Bandit Brotherhood, which they did achieve. However to get entry, they decided to raid the mansion of the mayor of Underwood, a man known as Lord Nuriken. They did it without a real plan, just up and decided to run in and steal something. His friend, Poison by name, stole a priceless glass artifact from Fallien, while Nightstalker ran the guards all over the mansion in an attempt to catch him. Along the way, he found some rather interesting letters proving Nuriken was playing all three sides of the Corone civil war for his own benefit. Confiscating the letters, the pair barely escaped into the clutches of the Bandit Brotherhood, who welcomed them with open arms after learning what happened.

Nightstalker opened the door to the bar, and wished this new adventure would not be stopped by lack of information. The inside was smokey, as patrons enjoyed opium, tobacco, and a few other drugs the ninja couldn’t identify off hand. He didn’t even bother looking for Poison; he was disappointed in his lack of success, and headed straight for the bar.

“Give me, ehh, give me some plain water, I don’t much feel like anything more.” Nightstalker said with despondency in his voice.

“That sounds like the voice of a man on the verge of giving up.” A young lady in the plain gray robes of a palace servant said. She had black hair and black eyes, like most Akashimans. She was drinking ale, and smiled at Nightstalker with her eyes as she sipped her drink.

They could’ve made the perfect couple, if circumstances were different, for Nightstalker was dressed in his simple farmer’s clothes. Doubtless, that’s all she thought him to be. He hadn’t asked her yet, so he decided he’d give his effort to find Master Hokkaido one last try.

“It’s just so hard to find a Zen master, that’s actually a Zen master, and not just a fraud, you know?” Nightstalker asked, letting frustration sound.

“I understand, it can be quite irritating. I hear they like to hide on top of mountains, where no one will ever think to look for them. My name is Kiku, what’s yours?” the young lady asked, introducing herself.

“Hmm? Oh, Toshi. It’s a pleasure to meet you. What brings you here, besides, being conveniently placed to devastate the heart of any brave young man that dares approach the bar?” Nightstalker asked.

“Oh that about sums it up, I have the evening off from the palace. So, about this Zen master, what sort were you looking for?” Kiku asked.

“One that from what I’ve been told, is either dead, or non-existent.” Nightstalker said, with a touch of sarcasm.

“My, that’s got to be some Zen, if even after death he’s still widely sought after.” Kiku said, sounding thoroughly impressed.

“Well, I hope master Hokkaido’s not dead, it’s him I’ve been searching so hard for.” Nightstalker said.

Kiku’s hand involuntarily jerked with just the smallest of motions. Not many would notice it, but Nightstalker did.

“Hmm, she defiantly knows something. I better pay close attention to what she says.” Nightstalker thought to himself.

“Master Hokkaido, defiantly sounds like a dead, nonexistent master of Zen to me, sorry your search is fruitless.” Kiku said, looking sorrowful that she couldn’t be of assistance.

“Oh, that’s alright, he was probably just another fraud anyway.” Nightstalker said.

One of Kiku’s eyebrows twitched momentarily, as if in anger.

“Yep, defiantly knows something.” Nightstalker thought to himself.

“Well, even if he was alive, what makes you think he’d bother teaching you his secrets?” Kiku asked.

Nightstalker was fumbling for an answer, but was saved from embarrassment by the feeling of someone watching him from behind. He turned and came face to face with Poison.

“Ahh! My dear friend Amanda! What a surprise, I was just talking to my new friend Kiku here. She works in the Palace. I was just telling her how since I can’t find Master Hokkaido, he must be a fraud and a complete waste of anyone’s time. Kiku, my friend Amanda. Amanda, Kiku.” Nightstalker said, making fast introductions.

“Nice to meet you Amanda. My how pale you look, shouldn’t you get some extra sunlight; it’d make you ever so much prettier. Just don’t get so much you burn up!” Kiku said, smiling.

“Oh, she’s good, and possibly jealous. Poor girl can’t help herself obviously.” Nightstalker thought to himself.

[Poison]

At Nightstalker’s insistence, Poison had agreed to stay indoors while he searched for people that might know the whereabouts of this Master Hokkaido he wanted to see. So long as she did not stay out for too long and kept the hood of her cloak up, she was adequately shielded from the sun. However, she’d been unable to convince Nightstalker that the sun would not immediately kill her. Thus, she’d spent a very boring day people watching and was just about to give up waiting for Nightstalker to return when he walked in and headed straight for the bar. Annoyed that he had not come to tell her how the search for information had gone, she slipped up behind him.

She looked at the girl ‘Stalker introduced her to and almost laughed derisively, ignoring the insinuated insults. She had little use for girls whose main purpose was servitude. She hated the idea of being a servant to anyone, no matter great the pay.

“And how much does the king pay you to screw him when the queen is too busy?”

Kiku smiled, “Hey, a girl’s gotta make money somehow. Can I help it if the king enjoys my company? I’m hardly ever out of the royal court, you know.”

Nightstalker’s eyes narrowed as he listened to the women talking. Could she be one of them? he thought to himself and waited for an appropriate opening between the women’s conversation.

“Boring , if you ask me. Besides, it’s much more fun when it isn’t work, wouldn’t you agree, Toshi? Prostitution is such a desperate line of work, but like you said, Kiku, a girl’s got to make money somehow and if that’s the only way…” she shrugged, leaving the sentence hanging.

Kiku’s eyes glimmered as Nightstalker answered, “Oh yes, very much so. I guess,” he continued, his tone defeated, “ since no one knows anything about Master Hokkaido here, we should head south.”

“Waste of time,” Kiku interjected, “Ninyama Village would better suit you.”

“Ahh, I was born there, but I never heard anything about a Master Hokkaido.”

“Of course you wouldn’t!” Kiku snapped. “You think someone who’s lead his life would go about with this real name? No, no, likely, if he had to go to town he’s probably wear something red and go by the name of Itachi.”

“Hmmm, I think she’s lying,” Nightstalker commented, turning to Poison, “What do you think?”

Poison shrugged, “You grew up there. Do you remember an Itachi that wore red? It sounds iffy to me.”

Nightstalker stroked his chin, thinking carefully, “No, no, I don’t. Every time I went out to the village I never encountered a weirdo from a mountaintop in red.”

“He doesn’t live on top of one,” Kiku said, her irritation clear in her voice, “he lives at the foot of one!” In her irritation, she’d forgotten her previous statement that all Zen Masters lived on top of mountains.

“Well, that’s good,” Poison commented dryly, clearly bored. “I hate mountain climbing.”

“That’s obvious,” Kiku sneered, “You’re so out of shape it must be a feat to climb out of bed.”

“At least I don’t make my living in bed," she retorted contemptuously. "There are much better and more enjoyable ways of making money than whoredom.”

“Like killing people or being a warrior? Who wants to go around getting in fights all the time? I’d rather fight in the arena of wit and logic,” Kiku countered.

“In which you fight unarmed,” Nightstalker put in, grinning.

“Only because that’s all you have,” Poison shot back, not hearing Nightstalker’s addition to the “conversation.” She turned her attention to Nightstalker. “Are we done here, Toshi? I’m getting bored talking to the royal whore.”

“I guess,” he answered. “There are only so many mountains near Ninyama, so let’s start looking near lakes.”


“Rivers would be more fruitful,” Kiku put in off-handedly.
“All right, rivers.”

Poison narrowed her eyes at Kiku. It occurred to her that Kiku was being very helpful and was exceptionally knowledgeable about Master Hokkaido’s whereabouts for being a palace servant. “Why are you being so helpful, Kiku? I thought these masters didn’t want to be found?”

“I owe the old man one for… certain incidents in our past. It’s not as if either of you are worthy of his training anyway. He’ll beat you black and blue and send you away saying that was a free lesson; you needed no others,” Kiku said, rubbing her back absentmindedly.

“I see,” Nightstalker said, “so you found him and failed. No wonder you became a whore, you can’t do any better.”

Kiku moved in the space of an instant, grabbing Nightstalker roughly by his shirt and pressing a dagger against his throat. “I found him and am one of the few students to live. You’re nothing; dog shit is worth more than both of you put together. Why do you think I’ve been so helpful? It’s because you can’t do it, he’ll turn you away. And as for your pet vampire’s information, I’m not a palace whore. I’m a palace Ninja, one of the best you’ll ever meet. I serve the king by my own free will and no other reason. I’ve done things for him that’d make you wake up and piss the bed in the dark of night. So go on, go running on your child’s dream. You’re going to fail, child.” Before either Poison or Nightstalker could react, she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Poison’s eyes glowed in anger, “Pet? PET!? This master of yours had better be worth those insults I just put up with, Toshi.”

Nightstalker was feeling weak, “I knew it! She’s a palace ninja. So he’s by a river at the base of a mountain near Ninyama.”

Poison smirked, not paying attention to what he was saying, “You look a little weak, perhaps you need a drink before we head out. Maybe it will give us the courage to face this mighty ninja.” Her voice dripped sarcasm as she leaned against the bar.

“I was going to suggest heading out tonight so you don’t get sunburn,” Nightstalker said, “A drink sounds good though. Barkeeper, get me something strong!”

“Enjoy your drink. I’m going to get some sleep.” She stood up properly and headed up the stairs to their room. Of the many things about Kiku that bothered her, what bothered the vampires most was how Kiku had realized what she was on sight.

[Nightstalker]

Nightstalker sat at the bar after Poison left, not even touching his drink. His thoughts were turned inward, remembering his first master. He paid no heed to the bar around him, and did not notice anything going on. Why was he worthy? What made him so special he deserved to learn the most powerful secrets of the ninja way?

"Let me tell you a story." his first master, who was also his father, once said.

Once there was a mighty prince whose touch was as gold. No matter what he turned his hand to, it prospered beyond expectation. As he had never met with failure, he thought himself infallible and decided he was better than everyone else was. This was fine, except soon he began to ignore his own citizens, believing that because he was infallible, everyone was simply using him for their own benefit. No longer did he listen to their problems, and chose to sit aloof in his castle. Crops began to become thinner, for their farmers did not know of the problems in the land. Bandits began to raid, for though the prince's troops were well experienced, they did not have the unique strategy only the prince possessed. Enemies stirred from afar, for no longer would the prince receive emissaries.

Soon, the people turned to a wise man that dwelled in a monastery set atop seven hills of Jade. Upon learning of what was happening, he immediately set off, for he said if the prince was truly infallible, then he would be able to pass a simple test. Therefore, it was that he soon arrived in the prince's court.

"Prince," cried he "I have come to pay tribute to your wise and perfect rule. Truly no better ruler has sat upon the Jade Throne."

The prince, fully in the grasp of his own notions of infallibility, allowed the man to approach closer.

"And what form of tribute could an old man like you give me that is truly worthy of me?" the prince asked.

"The Lotus tea of she who Sheppard’s all the dead to the hereafter. Yet, as much as I would like to simply give it to you, this tea is enchanted, for whoever drinks of this tea will never die having attained immortality. As such, in order to give it to you, that you might possess this tea for yourself, you must answer one simple question," the wise old sage said.

"Pah, what a poor tribute, leave my presence old man, your nothing but a trickster." the prince declared, believing the old man to be trying nothing more than to use the prince's infallibility.

"My question is simple. What makes you worthy of immortality?" The wise old sage asked, and then turned to leave.

"You ask what makes me worthy? Hah, fine, I will play your game. I am the prince that is reason enough." The prince said, believing his answer irrefutable.

"Prince you might be, but princes have died before you, and they shall die after you. Death makes no distinction of rank," the wise old man said.

"My farmer’s fields are overburdened with wheat and rice, because of my good advice." the prince said.

"Your farmer’s fields are barren and empty. Death walks among your citizens, hungering for their souls, because they themselves hunger for food."

"My cities are the safest in the world; no bandit can defeat my guards." The prince said, trying again.

"Your guards cannot even find them, much less defeat them. They require a man who will actually lead them." The wise man replied.

"Well, you cannot argue with this, I have no enemies in foreign countries, for I have maintained good relations with all my neighbors." The prince said.

"Is that why The Emperor of The Seven Mounting Heavens is considering annexing your country to save your people?" The Wise man asked.

"Then why am I worthy?" the prince asked, perplexed.

"That was my question to you." The wise man asked.

"I am defeated, I am not worthy, and since I failed, perhaps I am not infallible. I am just a man who let his successes blind him. However, I will be worthy, someday. I will find a way to be worthy, and I will start with improving my country." The prince said, humbled.

"If you never forget this day, you will someday be far wiser than I.," the wise old man said.

.....................

He could not believe his luck. Nightstalker, here, in this bar. The ronin in the corner pulled the brim of his hat down lower to his face. It was completely unremarkable, except his eyes were not human, they had become as an Oni's, slitted.

The Ronin wondered just what Nightstalker's relationship was to the woman that went upstairs. If she would associate with Nightstalker, she must not be an honorable woman. Yet perhaps she was simply being misled. He would explain to her the exact nature of what Nightstalker was later.

He would keep to himself, for now. He would follow in secret, and resolve his conflict with Nightstalker so he could regain his honor, and end his association with the Oni finally.
.....................

His father's story of the prince and the wise man ran through his head several times. Nightstalker was not worthy, but he would find a way to be worthy. Yet, did he want to be worthy? If Kiku was one of the few students to live, what kind of a Master was Hokkaido, that he would kill his own students? She had to be more than a mere palace ninja. He had encountered them before, and they were usually under a contract of some sort. She claimed to serve of her own free will. Maybe she was one of the legendary Demons of Akashima. How else could she have known Poison was a vampire?

Nightstalker shook his head. If as she claimed, she was one of the few to live, then Hokkaido must be a cruel teacher indeed. A smile snuck onto his face. Perhaps it was simply that Master Hokkaido had never had a gifted student like Nightstalker.

Nightstalker left some coin on the table and went upstairs for a nap. Since Poison was a vampire, they would be traveling primarily at night.
.....................

The Ronin got up and left. Nightstalker must be planning to leave later. Well, he had practice to attend to. He walked around to a secluded alley. Another Ronin waited for him, yet, this Ronin was not human, but Oni instead.

"My brother, I have found my target just as the Overseer said. I must keep with my practice, so please, watch for him. A silver haired young woman is with him, she went upstairs to sleep. She keeps herself covered in light, so perhaps they plan on traveling at night," the ronin said.

"Magesha, I will set a pair of Trackers on the door. They know Nightstalker from your description, and once they see him, and the woman, they will have their scents, and be able to follow them anywhere on Althanas. Meanwhile, wait a minute, and we will spar for training." The Oni ronin said. His voice was deep and gravelly. He smelled of sulfur and brimstone. His presence gave off an unwelcome feeling, which was why this alley was avoided.

Minutes later, what appeared to be two humans in dark robes leaned against a building across from the bar. They watched the door, waiting, simply waiting. They seemed, as statues so still was their vigil. Their hoods obscured their faces, and they kept their heads down, so that none could see their true visage. Some few caught their eye, shivered, and hurried on.

[Poison]

((OOC: A bazillion apologies for how long this took me.. had a lot of stuff to work through...)


Shortly before sunset, Poison slipped silently out of their room in search of food. Despite that it had been around two years since she was sired she still hated having to dine on human blood for sustenance. Nearly everything else that had come with vampirism had been helpful. She missed being able to walk freely in sunlight but it was much easier to adjust to that than a steady of diet of blood. Of all the things she missed about her previous life, she missed ‘real’ food and wine the most.

She moved softly along the street, seeking a lone person, preferably a young man, that she could lure into an alley. It didn’t take long to find someone that fit her needs. With just a few seductive kisses, the unsuspecting man eagerly followed her into the alley. He made almost no noise as she whirled on him and sank her fangs into his neck, drinking deeply, but briefly. When she’d had enough, she laid him gently on the ground and tended his puncture wounds as she usually did. He would survive the ordeal, of that she’d made sure, but he would be very weak when he woke. Grimacing, she left the man in the alley and made her way back to the inn.

She walked slowly, gazing at her gloved hands. She had to keep as much of her skin covered as possible to keep from burning. She didn’t understand it. All the stories she’d ever heard about vampires said that sunlight killed them nearly instantly, but she only burned, badly and quickly. She remembered vividly how her hands had looked when she’d been forced into a daylight fight. It had taken nearly a month for her hands to heal, but she didn’t die.

Perhaps this Zen Master will have an idea for why the sun does not kill me…

At the inn now, she went quickly up to the room she was sharing with Nightstalker. She smiled softly to herself as she entered the room and watched him sleeping for a moment or two. Then she went over and shook him gently.

“Hey, wake up. The sun has set and I’ve eaten. So we’re just waiting on you, lover.”

All her previous irritation about the encounter with the female ninja was now gone. As was her moody confusion about her vampirism. She was eager to get on the road and find this Master Hokkaido.

[Nightstalker]

Nightstalker awoke to Poison's eyes staring down at him, he broke into a smile as he sat up to get ready.

“Now there's a lovely vision to inspire a man to get up out of bed.” he said, smiling.

He got ready quickly, and grabbed a bite to eat for the road. With nothing else to do, the pair departed. The two men watching from across the road followed the pair with their eyes as they left, recognizing their targets from their description. Satisfied they had their scents well memorized, they melted into the shadows and disappeared.

Nightstalker lead Poison on, oblivious to the efforts being made to follow him. He lead her by a tree next to the road, and after they had passed, a demon jumped out of the tree, and disappeared into the night. In the skies above them, a demon followed on a glider, silently watching their every step. He lead her on a path across a field, and after they had crossed, twenty demons slithered out of the field and skirted a wide path around them to get ahead.

Day found them sheltering in an abandoned temple. Demons had taken it, then left it. No one had yet claimed it. Nightstalker never noticed the demon hiding in the dark recesses of the ceiling. Once night fell once more, Nightstalker left, and never turned back, so he never saw that a demon was shillouted against the moon. It wavered and disappeared, like a bad dream.

Ninyama was quiet, and peaceful. Nightstalker thought he knew his hometown well, so he never noticed that the very same men that had been watching Poison and him leave their tavern in Akashima, were now watching them enter another tavern in Ninyama. Nor did he notice that the very same Ronin who had overheard his conversation with Kiku was now sitting in there watching him get a few more supplies for the road.

He left, and took Poison to his father's cabin, now in use by a family friend on the weekends since his father's death. It took three days of searching to find Hokkaido's Pagoda, and during that entire time, he never noticed the owl sitting in the trees watching his every move, nor did he notice the shadowy figures keeping on eye on Poison while he was gone in the daylight.

Nightstalker at last lead Poison to Hokkaido's Pagoda as evening turned into night. Hokkaido was wearing a red Kimono with yellow slippers. His pagoda sat on an island, at the base of a mountain, surrounded by twin waterfalls, fed from a single river above, merging into a single river beyond his island. The waterfalls were quiet. The entire scene was picturesque.

Nightstalker stood on the opposite shore, watching Hokkaido Meditate on a smooth stone in a garden beside his tower.

“Well, let's go.” Nightstalker said.

“So what purpose brings you to Itachi Morimoto, the mountain hermit?” Hokkaido asked, not opening his eyes.

Nightstalker was visibly startled, he didn't know the old man had detected their approach.

“Your silence is deafening. I heard you splashing across my river. One gets used to the waterfalls after awhile.” Hokkaido said.

“I came seeking a master.” Nightstalker said.

“Good luck finding one, no masters reside here, just an old man that wishes to enjoy his last years in peace.” Hokkaido said.

“But, I have heard from both the monks of Aibrone, and others, that you are in fact, a master of the black science, and came to learn it from you.” Nightstalker said.

“They are not infallible, they have lied to you.” Hokkaido said.

“Then there was Kiku, who confirmed what they said, and even gave enough of a description to find you.” Nightstalker said.

Hokkaido cracked open an eye, and looked at the pair.

“I think I shall have to pay her a visit. She broke the code of The Demons. I will have your silence on this now, or you won't leave this island, except in pieces.” Hokkaido said, standing up in one fluid motion.

“I know how to keep a secret, but you were the one to confirm the existence of The Demons, she only said that you were a great master and we were worthless, Master Hokkaido.” Nightstalker said, smiling.

Hokkaido blushed, then cleared his throat.

“I have not been called Master in many years. Not due to lack of students, no, I seem to be found one way or the other. So tell me, what makes you worthy to be my student?” Hokkaido asked.

“I'm not. I don't deserve it, I'm not worthy of such secrets, but I have an honest and sincere desire to learn.”Nightstalker said.

“A formulaic answer. Humility is a good quality, but only when it is sincere.” Hokkaido said.

Nightstalker's thoughts scrambled, and he didn't pay attention to whatever else might happen between Hokkaido and Poison.

“That didn't work? How did he see through that? He must be better than I thought. I'm going to have to try something else, but what?” Nightstalker thought.

[Poison]

Over hill and dale the two had traveled, resting during the day and moving by night. Though nothing ever crossed their path except a bird or a squirrel here and there, she could not shake a feeling of being watched. Nightstalker, however, did not seem worried, so she said nothing to him and simply chalked it up to being a little paranoid about seeking out a Master in Akashima. She’d never visited Akashima until this trip with Nightstalker. She still wasn’t sure what on earth had possessed her to agree to go along with him in the first place. While further training was always a plus, the idea of having to convince an alleged Master that did not seem to want to be found in the first place did not appeal to her. If it came down to being utterly rejected, her only regret would be the time spent finding this “Master.”

At long last they had arrived at the village of Ninyama. Her feeling of being watched increased here, making the hairs on the back of her neck tingle, though she couldn’t place where the feeling was coming from. Once they’d refilled Nightstalker’s store of food, he’d led the way to a cabin. It was a nice enough cabin she supposed, but was far more interested in getting to the work of finding this “Master” Hokkaido. However, it was much easier to search for him in the daylight, so while Nightstalker searched during the daylight hours, Poison stayed behind in the cabin. Even with Nightstalker gone, the feeling of being watched did not diminish even a little bit. After being by herself for a few days, the feeling began to grow ominous, as though the watcher had evil thoughts in mind for her. At last, after three days of absolute boredom in the quaint cabin, Nightstalker had finally found where Hokkaido lived.

She donned her cloak and gloves, being sure to pull the hood well over in front of her face before allowing Nightstalker to lead her to Hokkaido. Apparently, he had not made his presence properly known before. Regardless, she was not surprised when the old man questioned their arrival without budging an inch. The scenery surrounding the man’s home was truly beautiful, but Poison paid it no mind. She stood silently beside Nightstalker whilst he tried to get the old man to accept them as pupils. She almost chuckled when Hokkaido dismissed the idea of training Nightstalker almost out of hand. At last she rolled her eyes at the conclusion of the conversation between Nightstalker and Hokkaido. No longer amused, she pulled on 'Stalker's arm, "Come on. Clearly he doesn't want any students, probably because he couldn't handle it anymore because of his great age. Let's find someone else."

"Age is irrelevant, if you take proper care of your body."

"Regardless, you clearly aren't interested in passing on whatever legacy you have further. So what good does it do us to remain here?"

"If I have to tell you, then you aren't worthy of any legacy, beyond that which belongs to every quitter.”

"You won't insult me into staying, Hokkaido,” she shrugged, “I don't care what you call me. You've made it abundantly clear that you don't want to teach us anything, so we'll just find some other master who actually wants students."

"A master wants students, yes, but a Master does not want those that will leave after a single challenge has been placed in their path," Hokkaido said, indicating that his obstinacy was perhaps a test to see if they were committed students or just dreamers.

“A challenge? This is hardly a challenge worth my time. I've come as a favor to Nightstalker. He has done nothing but talk of how great you are and how awesome it will be to be taught under the great Master Hokkaido. But from what I see, you're nothing but an obstinate old man and I have better things to do than try to talk you into accepting new students. Goodbye."

She turned on her heel, calling over her shoulder to Nightstalker, “Let’s go.”

"Oho! You think you have better things to do, do you? If this was true, you would be off doing those better things and not here. I know you now, young lady. You are impatient, seeking to get things done, and not properly studying the situation, taking all things at face value. This young man is full of pride, believing himself to be more than he is. Yet, you both are full of potential, the likes of which, I have not seen since my first student. There are three tests you must pass, before I will accept you. Before you think this is more obstinacy, consider this: There are many schools in Akashima, they ask only for money. They accept any that can pay their fees. They have never turned out anyone that is better than average. Yet, there are others, like me, who are selective about their students, refusing to accept just anyone. Most of their students excel in their craft. Your first test will begin tonight at midnight. Be here, or bother me no more."

Poison only continued walking without really listening to what Hokkaido had to say. As far she was concerned, they were done here, but she would leave it up to Nightstalker whether they returned. She waved at Hokkaido as she made her way back across the river. "That will all be up to Nightstalker. Personally, I don't care one way or the other. You coming, 'Stalker?"