Kyuden Shika

Using a bokken, Moshumaru took to practicing his Iaijutsu.

He had gotten lucky prior, but he needed to understand how good he actually was.

And so, he practiced, trying to feel out his flaws and boons.

Raizo didn't miss plays in the evening, and he didn't miss the dojo at earlier parts of the day.

So the Phoenix ambled in, picked up his go-to practice naginata, and got to work.

The Kitsu nodded at the Shiba, continuing to practice his strikes. After being reminded of the blow-trading he had both witnessed with Raizo and taken from Hikimasu, he began converting his strikes from draws into standard kenjutsu.

"One last practice eh, Shiba-san?"

"Only if I die before tomorrow. Otherwise... there's always more practice."

He chuckled.

"But I take your point."

The Kitsu nodded in return as he struck.

"There are those who say life ends when you are married - and you are reborn again as a partner. If that is true, then perhaps this would be our last practice together, no?"

"Eh. Only one spouse is 'reborn,' generally the one who changes family. And even then... I think that saying's crap. You are you become every day."

He brought he polearm around in a vicious overhand slam.

"Anyone looking- or hoping- for some kind of transformation to escape who they've been will find that their reflection still stares back at them."

The Kitsu paused.

"...Well, that was a deeper response than I was expecting, but I can't refute it. Miai's a surprise all the way to the end, no?"

"Yep. And I hate surprises."

"You and me both. If it helps, I think I've finally found an answer to why the Miai tests are as they are. Do you want to hear it?"

"Sure. I could do with a laugh."