A little music to fit the mood

[xin_shan_quan_girl]

Even in the wilds of the Netherworld, there are boulders.

In front of this particular boulder, a figure in pink stands, her palms together, her eyes closed. She focuses.

Slowly, she begins to move -- simply at first, a few punches here, a few kicks there. Graceful, deliberate motions that are almost more of a dance than they are a martial art.

Then faster, with more power. She moves in a circle, running through the moves as if they are built into her very being. Only the smallest beads of sweat break out on her brow.

She puts her palms together again. Calm.

And then -- a hurricane. Faster than the eye can see, she moves, punching, kicking. Her mind as much of a weapon as her body, she is formidable in her actions, and yet as light on her feet as a feather.

A final moment of focus, and she directs one final punch at the boulder.

A beat.

And the boulder splits in half.

She resists the urge to smirk. She hopes Sammo, Yuan and the old man are watching somewhere.

Comments

[youkai-hunting.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Ah! Aren't you tha guard for the Scarlet Devil Mansion? What was her name...China?

[Dimensions away, so unheard comes the shout of "DON'T CALL ME CHINA!"]

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

The whosa whatsa? I have no idea what yer talkin' about lady. I mean, I AM from China, though I've got a name: Li. Li Kuugo.

[youkai-hunting.livejournal.com]

Oh. I thought you were someone from my world. Sorry!

My name is Sanae Kotiya, wind priestess of Moriya Shrine.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Nice t' meet ya, Sanae. So you got dragged to this crazy place too, eh? Lotta folks seem t' be in that situation. Kinda crazy they give ya housin', though.

[youkai-hunting.livejournal.com]

It's nice to meet you too, Kuugo-san!

It is pretty strange. I hope this isn't part of some sinister plot...

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Frankly, if I ain't bein' dragged in front of some demonic nutcase because he thinks I'm fucked in the head fer actually having a goddamn drive and will t'do somethin', it's already an improvement. Don't mean I'm happy about it, but I've had worse.

[youkai-hunting.livejournal.com]

Ah. I've guess you had your own incidents then.

[solidprinny.livejournal.com]

[Snake had sensed the presence of another person whilst he was out on 'patrol'. He snuck over to see what's going on and props himself onto a small stone, and watches her]

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

A deep breath; she opens an eye -- a penguin?

I'm guessin' yer one 'a them "Prinnies" I was hearin' about.

[solidprinny.livejournal.com]

[He nods curtly]

Got it in one. I'm called Snake, have to say that's some impressive technique right there.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Well, I still ain't at the level of the old man, but I'm gettin' there slowly. Gotta keep myself in shape even if I AM stuck in a crazy Netherworld.

Whaddya do to get stuck in that form, anyway?

[solidprinny.livejournal.com]

Eh, I was Military - can't keep clean hands there. But yeah, good idea to keep your strength up, there's a lot of dangerous beasts crawling over the damn place.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Well, it ain't any more dangerous than th' place that Odio shit dragged me to. I ain't too worried about the beasts. Nice t' meet other gals around here that can fight, though. We're kinda unusual where I come from.

[fasterthan-u.livejournal.com]

Whoa, haven't seen anything like that in a while.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

(Giant talkin' hedgehogs? Suppose I've seen weirder.)

Impressed?

[fasterthan-u.livejournal.com]

Heh, reminds me of a knucklehead back at home. But unlike him, you've got... technique, I think it is.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

This is Xin Shan Quan. Some crazy old bastard taught it to me. Figure I oughta keep it up fer his sake. Heh.

[fasterthan-u.livejournal.com]

Heh, teachers, huh?

I've just had the art of speed. Self-taught. Had friends but no teachers. I learn everything by my own experience.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Used t' do that. The old bastard gave me anything, though, it was focus, which I sure as hell didn't have before we met. Been havin' to work on my own moves since he passed on, though. Betcha I've improved on his stuff by now.

[kyoko-needle.livejournal.com]

*Kyoko suddenly appered in a pink puff of smoke behind Li.*

Oh, are you a fist fighter as well? It's very nice to meet someone else that fights with their hands. My name is Kyoko Needleworker.

*She bows*

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Whoa! Geez, what is it with you Japanese ninjas an' appearin' the hell out of nowhere? Between you and that Oboro jackass, I swear...

Ah... guess you could call it that. Kung fu 'n all. I'm Li Kuugo.

[kyoko-needle.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I was just trained that way. I am sorry if I scared you.

So, you learned Kung Fu Miss Li? You should come to my club. I am the leader of the fist club at the school. I can teach you some of the things I know.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I ain't sure how much I really need taught. Though I suppose th' old bastard would tell me I oughta learn from others 'n the like... Maybe I'll swing by sometime.

[kyoko-needle.livejournal.com]

It's always good to learn from other people. I'm sure you have never heard of Netherworld fist arts, such as Splitting shot and Big Bang.

[xinshanquangal.livejournal.com]

Heh. The Netherworld's got its own martial arts, anyway? I met a weird guy once who'd leap at that sorta thing.