The Lion And The Lamb

Rai-Onu was conserned there for a while. For quite some time, he'd started to feel it would soon be time to think about quitting this life of his, travelling the land and hiring his sword to the highest bidder. I'm sure you know how that's like, and how it wears on your body. But what is disgruntled old ex-samurai to do? He needed someone to pass on his heritage to. A child would almost be impossible, he'd travel for so long and could never bear himself to settle down anywhere. Still, he needed someone who could continue his legacy, spread his teaching, carry his sword when he's done. I mean, that's a Damascus-sword. You can't just sell it or give it away. No, he needed to find a pupil, and fast, before he became to old to teach anything.
So far he'd had no luck. Only your average young boy who was out for some revenge or wanted extraordinary power or who claimed he was a "choosen one" (Rai-Onu always thought that the one who "chose" all these young lads should make up his mind one day).

Oddly enough, the one who caught his eyes was likewise the only girl in the bunch. She was apparently orphaned, her village being burnt to a crisp by bandits and her family murdered. It sounded rather like the usual to Rai-Onu, but he saw something strange in that girl. She didn't seem to be out for revenge or anything, as you'd expect from someone with a background like that. Neither did any hate burn at all in her eyes, unlike many of the young boys. In her eyes, he saw only determination. She wanted nothing else than to stop the evil what had caused her so much pain in the past. She didn't want the power for the sake of power alone...
"What is your name, young one?" he asked, his voice rumbling like a minor landslide.
"Kohitsuji, sir" she said, her confidence showing itself even in her voice.
"Tell me, Kohitsuji" he rumbled, "what is the true purpose of my weapon?"
"A weapon is but a tool" she said, again that confidence, "A sword made out of the finest steel can kill a thousand men, or simply be used to stir milk with. It is the wielder, not the weapon, who decides what it's used for."
Rai-Onu was mildly impressed. The boys had answer such things as "Why to vanquish evil with, of course" or "To show your status over others" or "Weapons are made for killing, so your weapon means you decide who lives and who dies".
Without another word, he slowly got up and started to walk down the trail. Kohitsuji looked at him, rather baffled, as he slowly edged his way throught the crowd of remaining young lads who looked equally as confused as her.
"Are you coming or not, Kohi-chan?"
"Y-yes, right away, Sensei!" she responded and edged her way through the now even more baffled crowd and followed her appparent teacher down the road.

She had to admit, she was nervous as heck, but she had tried to ignore the feeling during the questioning. She had but one goal in her life, and he was the only one who could help her, she knew. She also knew she probably had even less of a chanse with all those boys also hoping for a chanse, who's training with swords probably far outmatched hers. Yet, as she walked beside her new teacher, she allowed herself a sigh of relief... oh dear, she sighed much louder than she'd expected! Hope he didn't hear. He didn't seem to! Just walk and look straight forward, mustn't seem respectless...

Rai-Onu hadn't smiled in many years, but his new apprentice made the corner of his mouth edge slightly upwards. What a mismatched couple, he thought...
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Right so, basically, this idea kinda came out of nowhere when I, for no reason, came to think of the "Lamb and Lion" story from the Bible (I think it's from the Bible, at least). Mix it up with some elements from "Lone wolf and Cub", a tiny pinch of "Usagi Yojimbo" and violá!