Pick Me Up (Sai/Iris)

[Ishida Sai]

He could see the blood flying in the air. Serenely gliding through the oxygen molecules concealed by their own minuscule size, ever to transparent to let other objects divine itself from its huger entities. The boy stood there, watching as the two titans fought it out. Dual fists smashed against dual blades. The air vibrated by the slashing arcs of the blades and the smashing impacts of the fists.

Sai could only bear witness to this battle in only the age of five...

Ishida Sai shook his head, relieving himself back to the real world under the contemptuous sun, ever so bellowing in laughter above in the sky. It was still another day, yet it wasn't so. It was the day he'd receive a better weapon... The twin blades he has asked from earlier.

But why? That was the question. The knife and his acupuncture needles served well enough as his physical main weapons. It only seemed so, redundant to obtain even more. Besides, his father mainly fought bare-handed, ever rarely using weapons himself despite the Ishida teachings.

He could only continue walking down the path, populated by Death City's denizens as the sun glared down its rays upon him. There were little flashes. Mere temporary flashes of a scene that feels ever so familiar to him. The temple where he usually visited on Japan's traditional holidays... Those visions... Those scenes...

They were drenched in blood...

The boy couldn't make any sense of this... The bizarreness of this situation came to dig him from the inside, craving for some answers that may just end up as mere dismissals of daydreaming. However, perhaps, this craving... May have affected him to the degree of petitioning the Exorcist in forging the weapons.

Sai found himself in front of the death-themed hotel that towered over his height. He shook his head of such previous thoughts, it was useless to dwell on such things...

Entering, a cool breeze greeted him as it was evident the airconditioning was on. Looking around, it wasn't so shabby regardless. Though, it seemed as if the concierges or the employees seemed lacking around here as the place was empty.

"...So much for customer service."

A frown spread on his brow at the lack of people on the floor. Yet, it was alleviated as soon as his eyes spied upon a directory. Laying his eyes upon them, it didn't take long to find where Iris was situated/nestled at in the hotel...

An elevator ride up the next floor took only a few moments... And then a second as her room was just a door away.

It was from there, he could sense her soul from his soul perception capability, verifying her presence.

Then... He knocked on the wooden entrance, heralding his arrival.

[Iris Walker]

Iris had spent much of the morning dwelling on the events of the past few days, completely still and quiet as she sat on the bed, like she was meditating. In the short time she's been here so far, she's managed to get into a fight, and as a result ended up revealing a side of herself that she keeps hidden from people in general. Deep down, while Iris loved to fight, her training under Master Wakahisa has taught her that there's more to fighting than the feeling of satisfaction she gets when she wins. It's supposed to be about protecting others above all else, especially for an Exorcist. Maybe that's what made her stop the fight the way she did. She was going to try to kill the young Meister Ishida Sai, and that would have shattered everything she had been working towards. All to satisfy her need to win. Sai seemed to be driven by some other desire to claim the victory in that fight, and she was wondering what exactly that was. Why did she decide to embrace him? She still barely knows him, and she decided to reveal her true side to him. Of course, at the time that was because he had already hurt her enough to force part of it out. She was so furious over that at the time, that someone inflicted enough pain in one attack to make her cry. It wasn't just the association that crying was something girls did, was the association that it was something that the weak did. It terrified her more than anything. In one moment she had questioned everything she had worked for, but when she decided to keep fighting, the same voice that crept up in her mind telling her to keep fighting also told her to do the unthinkable: Accept him. And now, here she was, ready to make weapons for this boy that she barely knows. Why? She's only ever forged her own sword and the extra blades she changes out on it. What was it about Sai that made her want to make swords for him? Was it her acknowledging his strength as a fighter, or something deeper? That would have to be set aside, though, as she heard a knock on the door. She slowly opened the door, and had a look on her face the likes of which Sai was probably not expecting. She looked vulnerable. She looked, at that moment, like a normal girl. This was Iris Walker as she truly is on the inside. She didn't know what to say to explain it. There was a moment of awkward silence before she finally spoke up. "... Hey Sai."

[Ishida Sai]

His fist slowly fell down to his side, after it knocked on the hardwood door. The eyes continued to stare at the dull entrance, he could hear her footsteps. No, rather, sense them from the wavelengths of her soul. Sai held a grimace, slowly swallowing empty air out of mere trepidation. Though, what reason was there to be nervous? There should be none, after all, the fight was over between the both of them. It was a stand-off at best. Though, there was this sudden regret lurking around. Perhaps, Iris had it too. The regret that---

_________________________

The door opened with a clicking sound, causing the male meister to jolt slightly. Yet, he remained erect in his stature as it started to move to fully reveal the Exorcist inside... His eyes sprung wide at her figure. There was the prior knowledge that she was a thin and fragile appearing individual in the beginning of their meeting. Despite that, it still surprised him to see it again, clearly defined by her even brighter colors other than the jet black attire she usually wore. It was strange. The look made her appear something even more human than the last.

"... Hey Sai."

Iris got his attention, abruptly pulling him back to reality. Blinking, he looked at her one more time. Fragile, yet dangerous... He quirked a lopsided smile to the side as he frowned slightly, there was sheepishness in his demeanor. Sai didn't know what to do, but just greet in return after a pregnant moment of silence.

"...What's up?"

That was all he could say. Though the smile was a small bonus that he was able to jerk out of the depths of his self. Eyes turning to the side, he tried to peer across Iris's figure to see what the hotel room looked like. However, he couldn't get a clear view to a bit of his chagrin. The teen looked back over at Iris a bit dumbly now that some of the earlier emotions died down somehow from the silence breaking words.

Not knowing what else to do, whether she would just hand him the blades or lead him inside--

"...So are you going to let me in or what?" he raised a quizzical eyebrow at her, retaining the usual calmness from before.

_________________________

---that they couldn't finish their fight from before. That emotion was ever still smoldering inside him. A primal instinct that was festering in him...

[Iris Walker]

[atrb=style,border-top: 1px solid #141414; border-bottom: 1px solid #141414; border-left: 1px solid #141414; border-right: 1px solid #141414; -moz-border-radius: 50px; border-radius: 50px;][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=height,550,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i53.tinypic.com/rrrw9t.jpg] [style=float:left; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; border-radius: 10px; height: 100px; width: 100px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/clqUE.png);] [/style] [style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/T1kQX.png); opacity: 0.9; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/ssoMZ.png); opacity: 0.8; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/JpPVD.png); opacity: 0.7; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/MIAS8.png); opacity: 0.6; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/h7k0p.png); opacity: 0.4; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style] [style=font-size: 26px; font-family: impact; color: #8bb0cc; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -10px; height: 90px;] As Long as I Exist[/style][style=padding: 5px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7px; color: #8c77a1; height: 10px; width: 270px; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -18px; border-radius: 10px;]The responsiblity will always be placed with me.[/style] [style=background-color: #000000; padding: 8px; opacity: 0.9; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; color: #8bb0cc; width: 385px; margin-left: 20px; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; border-radius: 20px;] Iris was feeling about ten kind of awkward right now, seeing Sai's reaction to how she looks. His response was about the only one someone could muster in a situation like that, and she wasn't expecting anything else. Still, they were just standing there. She's forgetting something... "...So are you going to let me in or what?" "Oh! Right! ... Sorry. Come in..." she said, having just a tinge of worry in her voice. She held the door open for a moment as she walked away, letting Sai grab it on his way in and close it. She quietly sat down on the end of the bed, refusing to make eye contact. She felt so weird right now, she had been putting on her act for so long now she was forgetting what it was like to act normal. Usually it would take her friend Maria to get her in that mood. She was wishing that she had called her before this to help her get over this feeling of awkwardness. The best she could do was focus on business. She raised her head to make eye contact at last. "So... these swords. What did you have in mind? Something Japanese I'm assuming, otherwise you wouldn't be asking this of me. Not that I mind, really, it just... really surprised me that you wanted me to make swords for you." she said, the worry was gone but something still sounded strange about her voice, the rasp was still there, but it wasn't the deep voice she usually uses. [/style] [style= background: #000000; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; font-family: georgia; italic; font-size: 8pt; color: #8c77a1; text-align: center; text-indent: 15px; letter-spacing: 3px; width: 385px; padding: 3px 9px 3px 3px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -5px; margin-left: 20px; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px;] Table by Ghost from TWP and Yori from OTE[/style]

[Ishida Sai]

"Oh! Right! ... Sorry. Come in..."

Responding back as the girl stepped back to let him in, "Will do."

He took the first step forward, but stopped there a bit. Hesitation was lingering, yet Sai didn't know exactly why still despite all the reasonings. Regardless, he mustered the next step forward. The next one after that. And the next... The meister found himself finally inside the hotel room after closing the door behind him. To his observations, the area was well-furnished with the necessities. Those including a bed, a refrigerator, and a lamp at best. Though other nonessential pieces of furniture were present. On an overall, the room was simple and basic.

"Not a bad place," Sai remarked with a whistle, "This is actually my first time inside this hotel. It doesn't look as bad as the outside, I guess."

He continued to walk around, in a circular movement as if to pan across the room to get as much of it within his viewpoint as possible. The head with the plain dark matted hair bobbed in a nod with lips quirking in affirmative of the eye's observations. The feet stopped in its tracks, yet the meister still turned his head around to continue observing.

"...Not bad."

There were footsteps softly resounding across the room, Sai turned to watch Iris was taking a seat on the bed with a facial appearance flattened by trouble. As if by cue by a director, the meister slowly took his place in front of her at the chair positioned by the counter with his posture generally relaxed and slightly drooping down with hands folded on his stomach.

He watched the girl have a mental conflict within herself until--

"So... these swords. What did you have in mind? Something Japanese I'm assuming, otherwise you wouldn't be asking this of me. Not that I mind, really, it just... really surprised me that you wanted me to make swords for you."

He huffed through his nose in a laughter sort of way, obviously amused by what she said. The girl had no idea of anything of Japanese culture or traditions, though it's not like she was so obnoxiously ignorant of it though. Which is a good thing, since there were a lot of rude idiots back in school.

A sigh escaped him, as if to make an effort to sit further upright on the chair creaking under his weight.

"Thing is, I just need better tools. Fighting with you sort of..." the teenager paused a bit as he scrunched his brows to find the best next word to continue speaking with, "...Opened my eyes a bit. I can't really just depend on my knife all the time, though. So to sum it up, my arsenals seem a bit lacking, in my point of view. Though, of course, it also means that my skills are lacking. But I think bulking up on my arsenal may also be necessary."

[Iris Walker]

[atrb=style,border-top: 1px solid #141414; border-bottom: 1px solid #141414; border-left: 1px solid #141414; border-right: 1px solid #141414; -moz-border-radius: 50px; border-radius: 50px;][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=height,550,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i53.tinypic.com/rrrw9t.jpg] [style=float:left; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; border-radius: 10px; height: 100px; width: 100px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/clqUE.png);] [/style] [style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/T1kQX.png); opacity: 0.9; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/ssoMZ.png); opacity: 0.8; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/JpPVD.png); opacity: 0.7; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/MIAS8.png); opacity: 0.6; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/h7k0p.png); opacity: 0.4; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style] [style=font-size: 26px; font-family: impact; color: #8bb0cc; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -10px; height: 90px;] As Long as I Exist[/style][style=padding: 5px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7px; color: #8c77a1; height: 10px; width: 270px; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -18px; border-radius: 10px;]The responsiblity will always be placed with me.[/style] [style=background-color: #000000; padding: 8px; opacity: 0.9; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; color: #8bb0cc; width: 385px; margin-left: 20px; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; border-radius: 20px;] Iris raised her eyebrow a little when Sai seemed to be holding back a laugh. What was so funny? What did she say to trigger that? Sai is Japanese... perhaps he doesn't think that she knows what she's talking about? It wouldn't be the first time she's gotten such a reaction from an actual Japanese person. In fact, Master Wakahisa was even harsher, but admittedly he's been the one teaching her what she knows now. Before her knowledge basically extended to her research on the Samurai, how to forge a katana, and some language. She certainly wasn't fluent but she would at least be able to get around Japan if she went. Then Sai decided to answer her inquiry. "Thing is, I just need better tools. Fighting with you sort of... Opened my eyes a bit. I can't really just depend on my knife all the time, though. So to sum it up, my arsenals seem a bit lacking, in my point of view. Though, of course, it also means that my skills are lacking. But I think bulking up on my arsenal may also be necessary." A pain shot across Iris' face as she turned her head away from him. It was like someone just told her she was the worst person on Earth. Is that what this was all about to him? Fighting? Tools?! Her own sword wasn't a tool to her, it was part of her life, a piece of her own soul! All he cares about is how it can further his fighting ability?! This wasn't some shop piece she was going to build for him, this was a custom work, and having a blade made specifically for you is the greatest feeling a swordsman can have! Is he not interested in the spiritual side of this? It can be a great morale booster, feeling a companionship with your weapon. It wasn't that different from how Meisters and Demon Weapons worked, honestly, the only difference being that Iris' sword can't talk to her, but the point stands in her mind. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt for now, since he could very well have just made a poor choice of words. She looked at his face again, and couldn't really tell if he was just having trouble explaining things. She let out a heavy sigh as she responded. She looked away from him again, still having that hurt expression on her face. "... That fight... it's bothering you, isn't it? Look... I know I said it before but I'm really sorry I picked that fight. I... just didn't know how to express my interest in learning more about Shibusen students. Sometimes trying to maintain my image makes me do stupid things. I did enjoy the fight... but I should have shown more self control." she said, and then she turned to face him again. Her face looked more sincere now. "I'll be happy to make weapons for you... if that's what you really want. Just be sure of your intentions for those weapons, though. If we're going to proceed we're going to need materials, and you're buying them all." she said, getting a slight grin going. She really wanted to make these swords, but the thought that Sai might not truly appreciate them was tearing her up inside. This was an art to her, not some simple case of assembling things and throwing them together. If it were so easy, anyone would could make their own swords. [/style] [style= background: #000000; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; font-family: georgia; italic; font-size: 8pt; color: #8c77a1; text-align: center; text-indent: 15px; letter-spacing: 3px; width: 385px; padding: 3px 9px 3px 3px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -5px; margin-left: 20px; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px;] Table by Ghost from TWP and Yori from OTE[/style]

[Ishida Sai]

One eyebrow curled up in confusion as the eyes watched the slim female face the other way, concealing her visage away from him. He blinked, as if dabbing confusion all over his eyes at the strange happening concerning Iris Walker. It was getting a little bit awkward for Ishida Sai. As of now, he has just entered the realm of a normal boy, heavily contrasting the heavy (usually) Spartan lifestyle up to now. There was no idea in his brain of what he should be doing right now. One would state him as a heartless bastard at first... But the truth is---

"What's wrong?" he craned over to attempt to see her face with a bit of curiosity, "...Did I do something wrong?"

--He is a complete idiot in those kinds of relationships. There was absolutely no experience or even the slightest of common sense in him when dealing with the opposite sex this closely.

It only took a moment until the Exorcist turned back to meet eye to eye. Yet, Sai was rather taken back by the sudden change in her facial features; now crumpled by the emotional hurt from the earlier statement. His teeth bared slightly in surprise as the visual receptors widened likewise. This was Sai's first dilemma. No, rather, his first real danger that beats the top twenty worst situations so far. The heavy sigh added even more to the boiling pot of stress and anxiety he was already feeling...

But before he could muster out any words from the mouth, Iris was the first to spill out her own spiel of her side. Forcing him to close his mouth to listen what she had to say.

"... That fight... it's bothering you, isn't it? Look... I know I said it before but I'm really sorry I picked that fight. I... just didn't know how to express my interest in learning more about Shibusen students. Sometimes trying to maintain my image makes me do stupid things. I did enjoy the fight... but I should have shown more self control."

Sai furrowed his brows in a slightly irritated frown. This was an enigma. He couldn't really understand why she's really apologizing again. There was no reason to and it felt a little off in his point of view of her own usual characterization. That was the reason of his irritation. The Exorcist was leaning towards a facade of which contrasted her cold side, the softer version. Yet, it felt normal to him. But, yet, the real true reason was that the meister felt like he was beating down against a weakling. No, probably worse than that.

"I'll be happy to make weapons for you... if that's what you really want. Just be sure of your intentions for those weapons, though. If we're going to proceed we're going to need materials, and you're buying them all."

The boy observed the shifting visage to a much more earnest one, furthering that irritability in which he wouldn't recognize as guilt. His teeth gnawed on his lip, almost on the verge of piercing it to draw blood in furrows. He sighed at this, attempting to stay calm as he could to address the root of the problem...

"I really appreciate it, Iris, it means a lot," he started out with a quirked lopsided grin completing a poorly concealed troubled visage, "...But seriously, did I say anything wrong though? I think I should know."

Sai then looked at her directly into the eyes as if to silently transmit a message that he wasn't going to back down until hearing what was the reason for her odd behavior.

[Iris Walker]

[atrb=style,border-top: 1px solid #141414; border-bottom: 1px solid #141414; border-left: 1px solid #141414; border-right: 1px solid #141414; -moz-border-radius: 50px; border-radius: 50px;][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=height,550,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i53.tinypic.com/rrrw9t.jpg] [style=float:left; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; border-radius: 10px; height: 100px; width: 100px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/clqUE.png);] [/style] [style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/T1kQX.png); opacity: 0.9; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/ssoMZ.png); opacity: 0.8; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/JpPVD.png); opacity: 0.7; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/MIAS8.png); opacity: 0.6; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/h7k0p.png); opacity: 0.4; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style] [style=font-size: 26px; font-family: impact; color: #8bb0cc; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -10px; height: 90px;] As Long as I Exist[/style][style=padding: 5px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7px; color: #8c77a1; height: 10px; width: 270px; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -18px; border-radius: 10px;]The responsiblity will always be placed with me.[/style] [style=background-color: #000000; padding: 8px; opacity: 0.9; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; color: #8bb0cc; width: 385px; margin-left: 20px; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; border-radius: 20px;] Iris didn't want to answer, but that look in his eyes spoke just as plainly as his words. She wasn't getting out of this one. How could she answer that without telling a lie? She didn't want to hurt Sai's feelings, but she also didn't want to make swords for someone that wasn't going to appreciate them. She stayed silent, contemplating her options as she stared at the floor. The only way to handle this... was the lay all her cards on the table, so to speak. If it's a misunderstanding, it will be cleared up with this. "... You said you needed 'tools.' Would you consider a Demon Weapon partner a tool?" she said, standing up. She looked strait into Sai's eyes with a serious gaze. She then turned towards the window and started walking towards it, becoming more of a silhouette in the afternoon's light, beaming in on her. "When I forged my sword, I didn't see it as something to fight with. It's part of me, even if I'm not using it, even if I don't have it with me. I don't know what I would be without it. A tool is something that will eventually wear down and need replacing. A weapon, a true weapon, is something that can be kept alive as long as you need it. Yes, alive." she continued. Then she turned to face Sai again. "The Demon Weapons at Shibusen may be humans who can turn into weapons, but a traditional weapon has a soul too, you just can't interact with it. My sword even has a name. If I make these swords, you would have to name them. Can you do that, Ishida Sai?" She glared at him. If her eyes could burn things by looking at them, Sai would already be dead. "This is an important process for me. The blades I make are an extension of my soul. If you can't understand that, then I won't forge the swords." [/style] [style= background: #000000; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; font-family: georgia; italic; font-size: 8pt; color: #8c77a1; text-align: center; text-indent: 15px; letter-spacing: 3px; width: 385px; padding: 3px 9px 3px 3px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -5px; margin-left: 20px; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px;] Table by Ghost from TWP and Yori from OTE[/style]

[Ishida Sai]

He continued to look at her as silence reigned the hotel room. Trepidation crept up his spine at the uncertainty of what Iris was going to say or do in the very near future. But, he stayed grim faced regardless of what was going to happen. Sai is going to hold his ground no matter the cost. And that he was going to do.

"... You said you needed 'tools.' Would you consider a Demon Weapon partner a tool?"

The teen blinked when the Exorcist finally broke the silence. But the topic suddenly became clear by the opening dialogue. It seemed as if she had more to say as her eyes returned back to his with much strength, before getting up to face the sun shining outside the window. The lonesome gait of her transitioning furthered the meister's discomfort, despite his already mostly-solid resolution. The cracks were set, and started to grow reminiscent to a root, spreading its legs to drain the nutrients in the ground. Yet, in this case, it was dispensing what was to come. Vastly contrasting the usual function.

"When I forged my sword, I didn't see it as something to fight with. It's part of me, even if I'm not using it, even if I don't have it with me. I don't know what I would be without it. A tool is something that will eventually wear down and need replacing. A weapon, a true weapon, is something that can be kept alive as long as you need it. Yes, alive."

It stopped. The cracks froze as darkened reasoning finally arrived. A sword... Alive? The mere thought of it seemed fanciful to actually have a thought of. Yet, this fancy wasn't going to keep one alive no matter how "true" and "wonderful" the counterarguments are. It was a cold fact that it does nothing, but give a false facade of spirituality. Bullshit. There is nothing spiritual in a tool made to kill people in the first place.

His fists whitened as it crunched together in balls, forcing himself to continue lto listen to Iris's fanciful sermon, "The Demon Weapons at Shibusen may be humans who can turn into weapons, but a traditional weapon has a soul too, you just can't interact with it. My sword even has a name. If I make these swords, you would have to name them. Can you do that, Ishida Sai?"

The said person kept his silence. Almost considering how to approach Iris on this fantasy. His stony face plastered a furthered emotionless persona, not giving the girl any openings to read his own concealed self unlike her from the "sparring" before.

"This is an important process for me. The blades I make are an extension of my soul. If you can't understand that, then I won't forge the swords."

The blades I make are an extension of my soul.

Those words reverberated in his skull with such resounding echoes, that made him somber-like. There it was. The exact words that finally drew the line. It was time. He knew it was time to speak his piece. Yet, it would threaten the relationship they had so far. Despite that, Sai opened his mouth to have his say--

"...It looks like we'll have differentiating beliefs, Iris," he began slowly and softly, almost as if carefully enunciating his words so she wouldn't miss anything while also telling her outright there will be friction, "I understand that you believe there is a spiritual side inside non-living weapons."

The meister paused for a bit, again contemplating his next words as the silence set in again while his eyes stared down at the floor.

"Can you still say that after you kill someone with it? With all that blood on it?" he continued looking up straight at Iris, to emphasize the point, "Whether it be a gun, sword, knife, or spear... A mere weapon in the end is a tool to kill the living. That's what weapons are made for in the first place. And it's a truth that no matter how much you reason, it will still be there."

Sai slowly rose from the bed on his feet, ponderously walking over to the window as he peered through it as if to search for something...

"In the end, Iris, your fancy that there is a spiritual side to such things is just a simple fallacy. Only the strong will survive, there's nothing you or anyone can do about it... Because of that... Those who preach about spirituality are just bullshitting themselves. And in the end, when a tool fails you, you have your own skills to rely on. Again, as said earlier, a weapon's sole use is to help gain leverage against your own enemies and to kill in whatever methods depending on its wielder.

The meister looked back at Iris with a sad smile, as if there was something inside causing him to sympathize with her, "It's only up to you to believe on what you want to believe despite the facts. I won't force anyone to accept my own views. I am simply presenting my views, that is all. And, whether you still want to give me those blades I requested is your own decision."

[Iris Walker]

[atrb=style,border-top: 1px solid #141414; border-bottom: 1px solid #141414; border-left: 1px solid #141414; border-right: 1px solid #141414; -moz-border-radius: 50px; border-radius: 50px;][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=height,550,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i53.tinypic.com/rrrw9t.jpg] [style=float:left; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; border-radius: 10px; height: 100px; width: 100px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/clqUE.png);] [/style] [style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/T1kQX.png); opacity: 0.9; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/ssoMZ.png); opacity: 0.8; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/JpPVD.png); opacity: 0.7; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/MIAS8.png); opacity: 0.6; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/h7k0p.png); opacity: 0.4; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style] [style=font-size: 26px; font-family: impact; color: #8bb0cc; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -10px; height: 90px;] As Long as I Exist[/style][style=padding: 5px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7px; color: #8c77a1; height: 10px; width: 270px; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -18px; border-radius: 10px;]The responsiblity will always be placed with me.[/style] [style=background-color: #000000; padding: 8px; opacity: 0.9; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; color: #8bb0cc; width: 385px; margin-left: 20px; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; border-radius: 20px;] Bu-bump bu-bump bu-bump The tension was building in Iris' heart as Sai carried out his own tirade. She felt like it was going to explode at any moment. She didn't even want to look at him, and then... "Again, as said earlier, a weapon's sole use is to help gain leverage against your own enemies and to kill in whatever methods depending on its wielder." Bu-bump... bu-bump... bu-bump... Her heart felt like it was going to stop instead. Iris was nothing short of devastated by the Meister's remarks, no matter how he tried to cover it up with some sort of attempt at understanding. She was handling it fairly well, though, all things considered. She was managing not to tear up, which was remarkable, but it may be less of self control and more of simply being unable to process such an action right now. This guy, who she might have possibly been developing feelings for, just stomped over her entire philosophy when it comes to weapons. When he had asked her to forge these swords, she thought it was because he understood the importance of having a weapon that someone put their heart and soul into crafting, rather than some simple smith making a living, not because she just happened to be convenient to him. That was it. It wasn't respect for her. All he cared about was surpassing her. For the ninja to be greater than the samurai. It was a feeling she understood well, wanting to prove that how they fight is better than everyone else, but no matter what, Iris felt it was more important to hold on to honor than to win, something she didn't expect a ninja to understand. Her heart felt like it was going to stop even more as she slowly slumped back to where she was sitting before. She had shown Sai not once, but twice now, the true side of herself, and this is how he responds to it? Her heart was broken, and she didn't feel like formulating a retort to Sai's rant, so she kept it simple. "... I won't do it. Not until you understand what this means to me... truly understand. I could explain it more, but if I did you wouldn't really learn. ... Please. Leave. When you figure it out, I'll be waiting." she said in a voice so quiet it was just barely above a whisper. [/style] [style= background: #000000; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; font-family: georgia; italic; font-size: 8pt; color: #8c77a1; text-align: center; text-indent: 15px; letter-spacing: 3px; width: 385px; padding: 3px 9px 3px 3px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -5px; margin-left: 20px; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px;] Table by Ghost from TWP and Yori from OTE[/style]

[Ishida Sai]

There was a silence between them as he finished. He waited for Iris's response to his own side of his beliefs about weapons and combat. As it prolonged, Sai watched the girl slowly slump down in her seat, verifying the worst. He was prepared. But at the same time, not prepared for what will inevitably come very soon. Her utter expression caused the meister to resign himself. There was evidently so much pain inside of her being as she kept her own silence. But it was even more obvious when she finally spoke softly.

"... I won't do it. Not until you understand what this means to me... truly understand. I could explain it more, but if I did you wouldn't really learn. ... Please. Leave. When you figure it out, I'll be waiting."

There it was... The hammer has set. The glass shattered. It was done. Sai stared at her for a few more moments, as if to determine other emotions in Iris. Yet, there was nothing else he could divine under his observation. Especially his soul perception capability. And there wasn't really much else to say as it was evident their beliefs heavily contrasted each other.

There was regret brewing in Sai's heart. Slowly skewering itself into the flesh, as it cruelly turned for the pain. Yet, likewise, his visage didn't betray him. The alien feeling would have irritated him, though in this situation, it only had a depressing effect. Only a sigh escaped him, reoccupying the silence for that second, an attempt to restrain his emotions.

"I thought so as much," Sai responded with his face still keeping up its blank slate while looking at the Exorcist's direction, "I'm sorry about the problems I presented to you... I really am."

He continued with the same tone, albeit it was slightly quavering in emotion after pausing for a bit, "But, like I said, to be clear. That is my own belief. I am not forcing you to accept it. I don't expect you to."

The meister gulped silently, wondering if it was wise to keep talking as his emotions was starting to get the best of him. He bit his lip, tightly enough to pierce through and let the red fluid leak out slowly...

Noticing the leak, Sai quickly dismissed it with a simple wipe with his finger. Temporarily, sealing it with his lip, pursed. He stared into it, almost enchanted. But soon realized it wasn't the time to just stand there.

Turning, he started to walk out of the door. Opening, the teen looked back at Iris for one last say before finally leaving and with his face in the direction outside.

"You know, I actually respect you as a martial artist. I really do, even now. It's not a lie," Sai admitted and then continued with some hesitation, "And... You're the first girl I actually did like."

A small smile spread on his expression as he turned back to look at her one last time, symbolizing his resignation while concealing his regret underneath of his being and the torrent of alien emotions inside.

"Good bye."

Slowly, he exited and closed the door. Watching the entrance swallow her up as it obscured his view, until it clicked. Locking him out.

The meister stood there, staring at the wood. Then, there was a single tear escaped his right eye down his cheek.

[Iris Walker]

[atrb=style,border-top: 1px solid #141414; border-bottom: 1px solid #141414; border-left: 1px solid #141414; border-right: 1px solid #141414; -moz-border-radius: 50px; border-radius: 50px;][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,450,true][atrb=height,550,true][atrb=width,20%][atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=background, i53.tinypic.com/rrrw9t.jpg] [style=float:left; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius: 10px; border-radius: 10px; height: 100px; width: 100px; background-image: url(http://i.imgur.com/clqUE.png);] [/style] [style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/T1kQX.png); opacity: 0.9; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/ssoMZ.png); opacity: 0.8; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/JpPVD.png); opacity: 0.7; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/MIAS8.png); opacity: 0.6; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style][style=float: left; width: 50px; height: 50px; background: url(http://i.imgur.com/h7k0p.png); opacity: 0.4; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -moz-border-radius-topright: 5px; border-radius-topleft: 10px; border-radius-bottomright: 10px; border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; border-radius-topright: 5px;] [/style] [style=font-size: 26px; font-family: impact; color: #8bb0cc; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -10px; height: 90px;] As Long as I Exist[/style][style=padding: 5px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 7px; color: #8c77a1; height: 10px; width: 270px; margin-left: 130px; margin-top: -18px; border-radius: 10px;]The responsiblity will always be placed with me.[/style] [style=background-color: #000000; padding: 8px; opacity: 0.9; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12px; color: #8bb0cc; width: 385px; margin-left: 20px; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; border-radius: 20px;] Iris lowered her head as Sai walked out the door. She wasn't really sure what to say, because there was nothing that could be said after that. So the young ninja was having the same feelings, huh? Iris fell back into the bed and curled up into the fetal position, grabbing a pillow and squeezing it tightly. Sai was a student, no doubt he was younger than her, but by how much? Could a relationship between a self-styled Samurai and someone who appears to be a true ninja work out? Her thoughts had completely drifted away from the swords and martial arts. She had to decide if she was interested in a boy who had just now broken her heart. "... What... what do I do...?" she thought, closing her eyes as she trembled from the internal conflict happening in her mind. "What if I'm not cut out to be a fighter in the end...? Wouldn't it be nice to be with someone who could fulfill that need for action without having to actually be in danger...? No! This is what I want to do. This is how I can make a difference in the world! By fighting!" she continued to herself, starting to cry as her indecision was starting to bring the two portions of her personality into question. Deep down, Iris is a normal girl who just happens to love fighting. Falling in love is part of her desire as a girl, but as a fighter she feels like it can drag down her performance. Or maybe it can enhance it? "The will to live is stronger than anything" is a quote that pops into mind from one the many anime she's watched over the years. Wouldn't having someone to love create a stronger will to live? That's certainly a possibility, but was Sai that person? Just because he's seen her true self? "Am I that desperate for love...?" is what crossed her mind. She's only been on a date once, and that was over a year ago. It didn't go well because she didn't know how to act, the boy was just... so ordinary to her. She wanted someone capable of matching her, and Sai was able to do that. She was still convinced that the Weaponless Meister could have beaten her if the fight had continued, and if he had a Weapon partner he might have won out-right. No, if she was going to even consider a relationship with a Shibusen student that she's fought, she needed to stay on the same level. Her eyes opened, with a quiet determination in her eyes she reached for her cell phone. After some scrolling through her contact list, she placed her call. "Yes?" is what a stern male voice on the other side answered with. "Master..." Iris started, still audibly upset. "Iris? I wasn't expecting to hear from you while you were on leave. If I recall you still have two weeks left. How are you enjoying Death City?" "Yeah... about that..." "... What's happened? I've never heard you in such low spirits." "Some things happened out here... it made me think... no, it made me realize, it's time for me to learn Battojutsu." "... I see. Normally I would wait until you returned... but I believe I can make arrangements to be there myself in two days. I assume you are happy with that arrangement?" "Yes, Master Wakahisa." she responded, in a more serious, determined tone. The rest of her "vacation" would prove to be interesting, indeed. [/style] [style= background: #000000; border: 3px dotted #5d07b3; font-family: georgia; italic; font-size: 8pt; color: #8c77a1; text-align: center; text-indent: 15px; letter-spacing: 3px; width: 385px; padding: 3px 9px 3px 3px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -5px; margin-left: 20px; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px; -moz-border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px;] Table by Ghost from TWP and Yori from OTE[/style]