Name:
Yōshanai Kaze
Age:
22
Appearance:
Weapons:
Kaiken
Wakizashi
Katana
Personality:
If one were to ask him about his own personality, Kaze would simply brush you off without a second thought. Ask any of his closest friends, and they will tell you that he's a brash, paranoid, sadistic, natural born killer, and that Kasegawa was lucky to get him before he went entirely mad. There are some words, however, that nobody would use to describe him. Kind, caring, selfless, and least of all Hoborable. This is a man who holds his beliefs in priority, and who's beliefs are, "honor has no place on the battlefield", and "there is no such thing as too far".
History:
Kaze was born to a Samurai in the Hoseki prefecture, living in relative comfort for a good part of his life. He would often get into fights with the other kids, pounding them mercilessly with a Bokken he had.... acquired from his father, Ritoru. While his mother was always distressed when Kaze came home covered in cuts and bruises, his father was always supportive, of him. "That boy will grow up to become the greatest Samurai this world will ever see," he always used to say. His mother forbade the very concept, but Kaze was ecstatic. He, just like all the other children, had always dreamed of becoming a Samurai. So, when he was finally old enough, his father taught Kaze everything that the boy would need to know. At age 18, he was a fully fledged Samurai. His first battle happened when he was 19. Most say he hasn't been the same, since.
Block. Strike. Don't sweep the leg, no matter how much you wish, to. Your temptation must never get the better of you. Kaze grinned and dropped, lancing out kick into his opponents legs. Sorry, father. The wooden Kaiken just barely made contact with the man's chin, stopping the practice fight, immediately. The man stumbled away, rubbing the bottom of his chin with a scowl.
Always with a scowl, Kaze thought. These people held their honor too tightly. You were either light on your feet and resourceful, or devoid of breath in the afterlife. That's how combat worked. Honor had no part in the clashing of steel. As his next opponent approached, he considered a strategy, to beat him. The man was large. Very large. Built like a tree and, it seemed, only half as stupid. Kaze would have to rely on that other half. He would have to study the big man's moves and see where the tree came into play.
See the tree. Don't be the Tree, Kaze thought with a snicker. Someone should write these things down....
The larger man fell to the floor as Kaze tried to slow his breathing. Always breathe slow. Never appear as if a battle has caused you strain. No samurai worth the blade he wields will tell you he has come from a difficult battle, even if he lacks an arm or a leg because of said battle. All wise words, from his father. The ones Kaze took to heart. Slow clapping could be heard from the entrance of the practice arena. Every single man in the building was bowing to the unknown figure behind Kaze. The samurai slowly straightened himself and looked over his shoulder at the older gentleman in the black robes. One of Kanegawa's advisors, no doubt. Kaze stood and bowed to the man, who beckoned for the room to rise. They did. The man took a few steps over to the man who lay defeated, on the ground. A frown crossed his face, looking up at Kaze. "Did you defeat this man, young Samurai?" Kaze nodded, breathing slowly. Always slowly. The old man laughed. He turned and walked over to one of the windows, looking over to some birds eating nuts in a tree. "Tell me, young Samurai. Do you have an eye for birds?" Kaze shook his head. "I do not. However, I do have one for beauty. Will that help?" The old man turned to look at Kaze, frowning. Kaze sighed. "Very well, then. It seems I must explain this one..." The old man smiled and put his hands behind his back. "Please do." The samurai bowed to the older man and shifted his legs to a more comfortable position. "I hold the philosophy that we, as humans, have three sets of eyes. One pair for survival, one for combat, and one that is unruly. One we must train. In training this third pair of eyes, we can make it into anything we wish. I have trained myself to see beauty. A talent unknown to most men, much less most Samurai." The room was silent for a few minutes before the old man chuckled. "Very well, then." He straightened his back, smiling at Kaze. "For your impressive show of cunning, intelligence, strength of body, strength of mind, strength of soul, and strength of," a small chuckle, "eyes. I, Tesoru Yashagami, loyal advisor to our lord Kanegawa-dono, hereby appoint the Samurai Kaze-sama to the personal guard of our Lord. Congratulations, Kaze-sama." The entire room erupted into applause. Kaze didn't know what to do. So, he did nothing. He bathed in the glory. A single, deep breath.
Breathe slow, my son.
Extra:
Kaze is ambidextrous and has a scar on his left cheek he refuses to explain the origin of
