Keeping In Mind

[Morinozuka 'Mori' Takashi]

The day had been long and tiring, not that that was any different from the usual. So really, it was just an average day, with the addition of having received their History test results.
Takashi hadn't been so worried about that, being rather knowledgeable on the particular era of which the test was based on, the Tokugawa era where Kendo started to form.
It was more of whether Mitsukuni had learnt enough to suffice a decent grade, as he was more studied on marital arts.
But still, his worries were put to rest as his small cousin placed just a few marks under his grade.
It wouldn't be right if members of the Host club didn't ace their tests, that was something one of the other members had said and they all lived up to it.

Still, it was a relief to have the results. He wouldn't have to worry about anything much till their Algebra test in a few months and he was already studying for that.
With a firm look in his eyes, he brought down his shinai with a steady hand, the bamboo sword making a cutting sound as it travelled through the air, kind of like he was officially closing those worries.
After all, it wasn't good to be mulling over things while practising. People get hurt when your mind wanders.

The tall male had missed out on the week's first practice, Host Club duties had him rather occupied and the captain here had been rather kind in giving him permission to take a day off.
And so, when he bowed to the boy, who happened to also be in his class, he promised himself that he'd train extra hard during next session.
As if to keep honour to his word, spoken or not, he'd arrived 15 minutes early, the other members laughing, without malice, as they came in and saw him.
His enthusiasm seemed to have reached them though, as after they'd changed, the hall had become devoid of the usual beforehand chatter and was filled with sounds of concentration.

Another downward strike and he paused, raising his left hand to his brow and wiping the sweat off with the back of his hand.
His form was still improving, he noticed.
Probably because of the extra club activities, he smiled lightly at that thought, adjusting his grip on the weapon before concentration flashed through his eyes again.
He'd practice his swing a few more times, then see if anyone would want a match.

[Nanyoshi Beni]

Beni figured that after being here a while, it was worth following her ambition, well, one of her ambitions. She had other ambitions, all of which would have to wait until later. For now, she wanted to see if she was able to learn some martial arts. She had already learned a bit of self defense when living in England, and she wanted to continue her training and build up her strength. She didn't want to be one of those defencless women who could have anything happen to them. She wanted to be able to dfeend herself and fight off attacks, rather then screaming and running away. That was all good, but if she was unable to scream or escape, and no one was around to save her, she didn't want to be unable to do anything.

It was why Beni had become so interessted in martial arts, she'd already practiced a bit of the Chinese martial arts; Kung Fu and had earned a belt in it. Though she had decided not to go any further, partly because of the strain it put on her injured leg, and also because she had become so busy. But now that she was in Japan, she hoped to once again learn a form of martial arts. She wasn't sure what she wanted exactly, but from what she had heard, Ouran had two martial arts clubs, The Kendo Club and the Karate Club. So today, Beni had decided to check both of these clubs out and find out more about them, if one intreged her, she would find out if she could join. Of course, she'd have to take it easy, she didn't want to add more strain to her leg.

Approaching the doors of the area where the Kendo Club met, Beni took in a deep breath and opened the door. She was always nervous when first meeting people, and she knew today wouldn't be any different. Besides, how strange would it look for a tiny girl like her, to walk into a place like this? It was probably filled with men, and strong ones at that. Looking around the room, she was appeared to be right, all she could see were male students... and they were big. "Em" She muttered staring blankly at everyone around here. Clearly, this had been a bad idea.

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[Morinozuka 'Mori' Takashi]

The senior had his back to the door as he trained, yet regardless of that, could tell when someone entered.
Not because of the footsteps, as outside shoe-wear sounded heavy on the special wooden floors, but the sudden draft that blew around him.
It was refreshing to say the least. Or it would have been if he'd been paying attention to it.
He was, after all, training and had sworn his complete attention to the task.
Up, right foot forward, down, foot back, and repeat.
His shinai made that whooshing sound a few more times till he was satisfied, coming to an end stance before he finally took a deep breath.

A small voice reached his ears and in a second, all the ignored sensations came rushing to him.
His first thought, before having turned round, was that Haruhi had dropped by, but then, she wouldn't really come here and if she did, he was pretty sure that his fellow club members would somehow motion to him that he had a visitor.
He listened for a moment, not because he was hoping that the girl would leave, but in case another member was already tending to her. It would only be awkward if everyone suddenly rushed up to her.

No other sounds reached his ears besides those of training and, as he turned to the girl, he wondered why they didn't have some light music playing. He doubted it would affect the concentration in a bad way.
Standing on her own, this girl seemed fairly new to him, perhaps he'd passed her in the halls once. And she seemed to be feeling rather out of place, what with the way she glanced at all the guys here.
Holding his weapon to his side, he crossed the hall to her, a faint hint of his host smile on his face as he spoke "Can I help you?".

Her appearance made him think that she was a foreigner, then he decided that she could quite possibly be a half blood, like Tamaki-san. For, even though Ouran was widely known through the world among those with their status, it was still a Japanese school and most rich people weren't so bothered to first teach their child the language just to send them here.

[Nanyoshi Beni]

This had definatly been a mistake, she just knew that she should have gone for something like Karate, then again, it would probably be the same. It was clear that girls did not attend things like this. Women at Ouran must just enjoy sitting back and letting men be strong, of course, such views contradicted with Beni's own views, but she had been determined to stay out of the spotlight, to not draw attention to herself in any way. Joining a club like this would contradict that, and she would most likely be the source of gossip, and she didn't want that.

As someone approached her, Beni couldn't help but blush with embarassment, she just wanted to run out, but she couldn't, it was too rude. The gentleman in front of her was very tall, it was almost inhuman. And the fact that he had a Shinai next to him didn't help at all. As he smiled at her, Beni's eyes looked toward the ground, this wasso embarassing. Clearly she had interuppted him, and now there was no reason to. It was obvious she wouldn't fit in here.

"S-Summinasen" She said quickly bowing. "I must have come into the wrong room." It was a pathetic and weak lie, but what else could she do? She would seem strange if she expressed a desire to join the club. She could see from those who were here that only the men attended the club, what impression would she give if she asked to join? Maybe it would be best to get private lessons back at her mansion, at least then no one would need to know.

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[Morinozuka 'Mori' Takashi]

His eyes watched her bow, noting the way she'd averted her gaze to the ground as if embarrassed.
Her words then added reason to her behaviour, yet instead of nodding in understanding, as one usually would, Takashi found his head tilting to one side slightly, his eyebrows furrowing in the slightest.
Regardless of what she now said and the look on her face, it was pretty much in contrast with the way she held herself just moments before he talked to her.
His mind jumped to the more obvious reason for her coming here and her behaviour. She came to see a boy, possibly to confess.
Maybe she'd got the wrong club, or had decided against it at the last moment?
Still, he'd hate to say or do something and then be completely off.

Holding his shinai nonchalantly, for he noticed it had caught her eye, he cast a quick look around the dojo, yet saw that either no one else had noticed their visitor, or she was just unfamiliar with any.
"Are you looking for someone?" His voice was low, yet not deep and quite gentle as he was well aware of how his appearance tended to make new aquaintances rather tense.

[Nanyoshi Beni]

The silent warrior was to say the least, rather unnerving to be around. If he spoke, maybe it would have been easier for Beni. Silent types had always been a weakness for Beni, she just never knew what to say and found it difficult to converse with them. She was always worried about insulting them or coming across in a bad way. At least with talkative people, you got to learn more about them, so it was easier to discover what things should and should not be said around them.

However, though silent ypes and her didn't get along, Beni was a very observant person, and she could pick things up from the slightest movement. A lot of information was given through body language. For instance, when someone crossed their arms, it meant that they were feeling insecure at that moment, or that they were feeling defensive. So many people saw it as a sign that someone was annoyed or relax, but Beni knew what it really meant. And she was finding herself analysing this man. The gentleman tilted his head, which clearly was a sign of intrege and interest, he wanted to know more.

As he finally spoke, Beni felt her cheeks go red, so that was the conclusion he had drawn up? Well, it was perfectly understandable, here she was in a club full of boys, clearly that was the only sane explanation. The true reason she had come would probably never cross the gentleman's mind. "Em, no."/b] Beni said softly, feeling slightly embarassed by what she was about to say. "I actually came here because I'm interessted in learning martial arts." She said muttering the last part, trying her hardest not to be heard.

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