Shinken

I live near some woods, so bugs are a constant problem. Mostly bees, though, and it really pisses me off because they're those little black ones that hurt like hell when they sting, and there's always at least one hundred of them in the pool all day. Plus, I also live near a creek, which means mosquitoes galore. I've got West Nile worries up the wazoo (but don't actually have W.N. ), and there's also those tiny, almost invisible fly-thingies that're always buzzing above you and anything else organic. I swear to God, Steve Irwin would be in heaven around my house (but I'm fresh out of crocodiles).

For me, it's a split between Kenshin and Saito. Both are equals, so I just can't choose.

Sorry for repeating part of it, but I added onto that sentence. :shifty: Well, read on, and I need opinions. [I]"I already told you, I'd lose my edge. But I guess you want a name. You can call me Hokage. And I've come for the Battosai." He said, glaring at the two. The first and only thing that Kenshin could notice about him was his pair of bright orange eyes. "So, which one is it? The runt or the rooster??" "Rooster?! Oooh, why I oughta!!!" Sanosuke yelled, clenching his fists (which would have collided with the ninja's face if Kenshin hadn't been holding him back). "I believe that you're looking for me," Kenshin said, placing his right foot forward. "But I'm afraid that the Battosai is no longer here." "Oh, really? Well, then. I guess I'll just have to smoke him out!" The ninja tossed Yahiko up in the air, Yahiko screaming and flapping his arms as if he could save himself and fly. Hokage reached into the pockets of his hakama, withdrawing six shuriken, one filling each space between his fingers. He deftly threw them at the airborne Yahiko. Kenshin moved as quickly as he could, drawing his sword and deflecting each shuriken in rapid succession. He caught Yahiko and landed on the ground, all within a period of a few seconds; which brought a wide grin to this new opponent's masked face. (The only way to tell was the slight lifting of the cheeks under the eyes.) "Yahiko, where's Miss Kaoru?" Kenshin asked briskly. "She went to town looking for you guys!" Yahiko replied. "Can you use a bokken?" "What?" Yahiko asked, confused. Then he understood. "You got it!" He ran into the dojo, searching frantically. All right. Now that Yahiko's out of danger? Kenshin thought. He stood, looking in Hokage's direction, but he wasn't there. The wandering samurai's eyes darted back and forth, searching diligently for the ninja. Unfortunately, his eyes could not see behind him, and that was where Hokage appeared, kunai knife in hand. "Kenshin, behind you!" Sanosuke yelled, rushing to aid his friend. This course of action was futile, as Kenshin had already noticed. He whipped around, his hand on the hilt of his sword. With lightning speed he drew the sword, his blade meeting that of the small kunai knife. "A sakabato?" Hokage scoffed, struggling to parry Kenshin's attack. "I had heard that you swore not to kill, but to leave yourself defenseless?" "Actually, I've been doing quite well with it!" Kenshin retorted, pushing his opponent's arms up by applying more pressure to his own sword, exposing the torso; an ample strike opportunity, and he took it. The force of the blow sent the ninja sliding backwards, but he managed to keep his footing. "That? hurt." Hokage wheezed, clutching his chest. "You broke my rib! The one that just healed!" "I'm sorry to hear that. I know a good doctor, maybe she could help you with that." Kenshin retorted in an uncharacteristically sarcastic tone. "And maybe I could help you with that whiny attitude of yours!" Sanosuke interjected. "Shut up! You're not the one I want to hear?" the ninja replied quietly as he charged for yet another attack. He withdrew two black tonfas from his side, swinging the L-shaped weapons in menacing arcs. Kenshin easily dodged each assault, bending and sidestepping with ease. With each miss, Hokage's rage increased, as did the distance between the tonfas and their intended target. In a desperate fury, Hokage smashed the long ends of the tonfas together, separating the metal 'sticks' from their handles. What is he doing? Kenshin thought. Then, as Hokage's movement changed, he came to a startling realization. Nunchaku! Kenshin ducked the first swing, but he could not avoid the next attack. Blood and pain clouded his vision as the nunchaku collided with his forehead. Himura was sent flying, rolling and tumbling on the ground as he came back down. "KIAI!" Hokage roared, his voice much higher than it had previously been. Almost immediately, Kenshin's vision blurred as he came to his feet. His ears began ringing, and standing became much more difficult. To his (unbalanced yet expected) disbelief, he fell flat on his back as the world became more chaotic than an Obon festival in August. Hokage let out a rough, hearty laugh. "The kiai no jutsu. Do you approve? It's my very own technique. As you can see-well, maybe you can't?" At this, he let loose another laugh. "The victim of the kiai no jutsu, due to the frequency of my voice, immediately loses balance and hearing. Basically, I just tore out your inner ear!" "Well, that's a colorful way to put it." Sanosuke said, much closer to the ninja than previously. [/I] I think this is going to be a little long... *Yeah, and the Himalayas are a little bigger than the rest...* :blush:

Well WW2, thank God; it's the miniseries. It'll be on until at least Wednesday. The first two hours weren't exactly as good as I thought, but it was pretty goodfor the time it was made in. I was kind of surprised in the beginning when (no spoiler) the samurai decapitated the fisherman; It's not what you'd expect from a seventies/eighties sort of thing (not sure). Can't wait for tonight, the preview looked pretty good. And, 'Seven Samurai'? When was it made, who made it, was it any good...? I needs the details! :excited:

I figured I'd try and make my own banner instead of bothering Nomad about it :D, and I just wanted to know what people thought about it. Am I any good, or should I quit while I'm ahead?

Tom Cruise can't possibly ruin the movie, I hope. But I do know that I'll be first in line to see it. At least on my street. And, Sadclown, you had a Japanese class? What was it in, HS or college? WW2: it's from nine to eleven, so I'm not sure. They might have condensed it down a lot. I just hope that it's as good as I've heard.

James Clavelle's 'Shogun' is going to be on the Hallmark Channel at 9:00 pm tonight. Just thought somebody might want to know. Has anyone read the book?

I definitely believe that ghosts exist, and I've also got a bit of a theory as to how they can interact with our physical reality. A lot of people have heard that everything has a bio-magnetic/electric (not sure whatcha call it) field around/in their body, and these fields also exist around all objects. My theory is that, when we die, these fields (along with the energy formed/used by our emotions and by our nervous system so we can move), sometimes fractions, and sometimes the whole enchilada, remain behind when we die. And thus, a part of our self remains in this plane of existence. So, certain parts of us are still here, maybe we don't know we're dead, maybe we do, but we interact with our environment. Ghosts might interact with objects by their electromagnetic fields expanding to come in contact with another object's E.M. field, move it, etc. I don't know if I explained it well, or if I'm even right, but that's my theory. I do believe in ghosts.

And here's the next installment (warning: these aren't posted by chapters; just as I write them) [I]"Oh? Sorry, Kenshin." Kaoru mumbled, releasing her death grip on Kenshin's throat. Unfortunately, she had managed to press both sides of his throat together. "Th-that's alright, Miss Kao-ack!" He coughed a reply. "I think I'll? go see if I can find Sanosuke, that I will. Yeah, that's it. Find Sano?More like escape." Kenshin mumbled the last portion. "Well, I wonder where Sano could be. I've checked all his old haunts and hideouts, and I can't find him anywhere. Maybe he's at the Aka Beko!" Kenshin said as the old, familiar restaurant met his gaze. He walked in the entrance and was immediately knocked back out by a large projectile, which happened to be Sano. "Oro?" Kenshin mumbled as he lay on the ground. "Kenshin?! What're you doing here?" Sano said as he stood back up, helping his companion to his feet. "Looking for you, Sano. But it seems that trouble found you first?" Kenshin replied, pointing to the doorway of the Aka Beko. A large, burly man stood in the entrance, wiping blood on his kimono. "Uh, what did you do, exactly?" "Caught him stealing from one of the waitresses out back, and the idiot brought it into the restaurant." Sanosuke tightened his red bandana, clenched his fists, and took a fighting stance. "It's alright Kenshin. I can handle him. Why don't you go in and get something to drink?" "Sounds like a good idea." Kenshin walked up to the doorway as the brawny ruffian towered over him. The man put a large hand on Kenshin's shoulder. "Hold it, short stuff. You ain't goin' nowhere." He said in a deep, gruff voice. "You're right. I'm not going nowhere, I'm going into the Aka Beko." Kenshin's eyes flashed for an almost unnoticeable instant, startling the thief. Then, before anyone noticed, the hilt of Kenshin's sword had impacted with the man's chin. As he fell to the ground, Kenshin walked into the Aka Beko. "I'll have some sake, please." It was getting late, so Kenshin and Sanosuke had decided to start for the Kamiya Kashin dojo. It was a calm cool night in June, which meant that the fireflies were out. Their path slightly illuminated, the two began to reminisce. "Man, those were the times. I was the youngest member of the Sekihotai, and it was the best time of my life. We all had something to fight for. Most of us were fighting for family and friends. Some of us fought just because. But we all fought for freedom." Sanosuke said, half to himself. "Yes, we did. Of course, you and I both took separate paths, but the ideal remained the same. We were fighting for something more than ourselves; something that we felt was necessary for our continuing prosperity. And our paths eventually crossed, which led to? this." Kenshin said, his eyes staring into the open doors of the Kamiya Kashin dojo. It was a relatively small dojo, but as a home, it was more than large enough. Then, Kenshin and Sano both noticed something was amiss. "Wait a minute. Why're the doors open? Doesn't Missy always shut them when the sun goes down?" Sano stated, referring to their black-haired doctor friend Megumi Takane. "That she does?" Kenshin muttered, walking slowly into the dojo. As they both stepped into the main courtyard of the dojo, Kenshin noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He whirled around and saw a shadowy figure standing on top of one of the doors, a young boy squirming in one of his arms. "Yahiko!" Sanosuke called, getting a muffled cry for help in reply. "You put him down!" "And why would I do that? I'd lose my edge if I did that." The man's voice was deep and rough, despite his lean figure. "And who's edge would be lost, exactly?" Kenshin shouted. "I already told you, I'd lose my edge. But I guess you want a name. You can call me Hokage. And I've come for the Battosai." [/I] Well, whaddya think? I've got a good plot twist coming, so wait for the next chapter!

I know what you mean, Azazel. I too was the only one who noticed. I thought the movie was good overall, but I didn't particularly like the whole aspect of what happens to his father at the end of the movie. But the giant mutant poodle was funny. Serious scene, funny poodle. The Hulk looked pretty good, too. Although in parts it was a bit too green. I give it a nine out of ten. This is CNN...

Myself, I know a kid like that. He's the kind of guy who thinks he can beat anybody up, and I have no problem with that. But when he goes about spouting it and picking fights just to 'prove' it, then I get ticked. But, on the flip side, every fight (verbal and physical) he's gotten in, he's lost. He started in on me, and I just disproved/picked apart everything he said (it was pretty stupid stuff he said, too). That's how I deal with arrogant people.

An interesting question just popped into my head, and I figured I'd ask the most intelligible people around; the members of OB. So, without further adue, here's my question... What would you fight for? I mean, what is the one thing that you would fight to protect, even if it goes against your morals? Mine is friends, family, and that guy standing on the corner. (i.e. if someone's being bothered, beaten up, or if they just need help, I'll help 'em) And by fight, I DON'T mean just physically. I mean something you'll strain to do for some random cause. Well, whaddya think? (and please, don't tell me I'm an idiot. I already know this. ^^x)

Your environment has an effect on your life; that's for sure. And, in my opinion, you have an effect on your environment (I don't just mean the old, beaten-down topic of people killing/helping the world, I mean your social environment). My environment has definitely had an influence in my being, and it's mostly for the better. When I have to leave my home, I know that everything I've learned there will stick with me, no matter who, what, or where I am. It's just a part of you. You can't deny your past, and your past won't deny you.

Well, the big day's finally coming. HULK is going to burst into theaters tomorrow, and I was just wondering if anyone else was going to see it, and most importantly, what everyone's opinion was on the movie. Stupid concept, or blockbuster in progress? I, for one, am kind of delaying judgement a little bit, as, even though it's ANG LEE, the idea of a big, green neanderthal lumbering through cities might not be the best part to focus on, but I'm sure the movie will rock. The trailers have made me anxious (I'm a HULK fan, so...) Anyways, opinions?

Why do I listen to Smile Empty Soul? I do it for the dr**s, I do it just to feel ali-i-i-ive! :rotflmao: Smile Empty Soul is a good band. See? You're not the only one who's heard of 'em. ^^x

My favorite superhero is... well, it's a split between Spider-Man and Hulk. Spidey because he's kinda like me (but I'm NOWHERE near that nerdy, and I don't have superpowers :bawl: ). Hulk also gets in there because, for one thing, he's just cool (He can jump three miles! THREE MILES!!!) And also because, like him, when I lose my temper, run for the hills. The ones farthest away. Of course, I'm never gonna be that tall, strong, STUPID, or sweaty.

Yaay, I'm not crazy!!! There's just one thing about those movies that gets me; if he's blind, then how the heck does he get around so well? I mean, feudal Japan's towns were pretty far apart, so how did he make it to each different town so easily? But Zatoichi still kicks butt. Even if he can't see it.^^x;

I don't know, Crimson. In almost all reported SHC cases, the victim's body is nothing but a pile of ash and a foot or something. :shifty: And did you know that it takes a very high temperature (I think at least a thousand degrees Fahrenheit) to turn the human body into ash? Plus, as mentioned before, the human body can't really 'crosswire', as nerves aren't really like electrical wires. Quote: "There is no possible way for Ki/chi to exist. A person tapping into his inner strength is just when he needs to and his brain pullls it out of him. " -That is how you would gather/summon ki (however you wish to put it); concentrating. And besides that, I don't think that ki could be just adrenaline, as I have felt an adrenaline rush before, and there is a definite difference. Adrenaline just boosts your confidence and senses only when you ABSOLUTELY need it. Ki, however, can be gathered at any time with enough discipline and practice. If you've seen Bulletproof Monk, you'll get it. (I haven't seen it yet, though, but the trailer pretty much sums it up.) PS: Kamehameha! *kablazmo!!!* ^^x;

Inspirational...?:blush: Thanks. I didn't think it was that good. Guess I'll just have to make another one...

I've got the most BORING honors english class ever! My teacher's got a toupee that'll attack you if you turn your back, but it'd probably teach the class better. One time I zoned out so bad I actually stopped breathing for a second or two, and when I 'came to' I inhaled and got everyone's attention. (Then I sneezed to cover it up ^^; ) Plus, I zone when I listen to music. Oh, and on the bus. I almost forgot to get off the bus one day. o_O;

I would donate my, um... my-no, that wouldn't help... No, that'd kill it... DEFINITELY not that, that's too disgusting... um... I guess I'd just dedicate my drawing skills. Not to sound overconfident, but a lot of people say I can draw better than most. (I tend to disagree. I know at least three people better than me. And that's just off the top of my head. But I'm not too shabby either.)

I was just wondering; Does Otakuboards allow clans? If not, will it happen? (By clans, I mean for both Battle Arena and the general forums. Just friendly rivalry/competition, that sorta thing.)

Dragon Warrior, I hate to burst your bubble, but... that was ME. :devil: I kinda believe in that stuff too. I'm kinda open-minded about that stuff... *KAMEHAMEHA!!!*

Does anyone else here believe that ki/chi (energy present in all living things) is real? I'm not talking specifically about the Kamehameha or something like that, I'm talking about that energy that some people can tap into to (temporarily) heighten senses, increase strength/intelligence, whatever. Well? Am I just insane, or does anyone agree with me that it exists? (If you don't believe me, here's an idea; when you're lying in bed, and it's absolutely quiet, try to just clear any thoughts out of your mind. And if you feel this sense of strength, try concentrating on it becoming stronger/more intense.)

*A mysterious creature emerges from the fridge* "Hey! Let's NOT shoot at it!" ;)