Akio Ryuu Katsu's page

About Akio Ryuu Katsu

"Life, Life in every breath we take, in every action we make. That, is the way of the warrior."

Katsu has heard that saying from his Master more times than he has practiced anything. It was ingrained in him, along with countless upon countless of others. He had learned much in his stay with his master. Not only about Ninjutsu, and the way of the warrior, but about life in general. Many times, his master would say,

"A man, could spend his entire life looking for the perfect cherry blossom, and it would not be a wasted life."

He never understood what that meant, still doesn't. But he feels like it has some deep meaning.

*whack* No! clear your thoughts, your ki is as wild as a mountain goat! now focus! Katsu's master scolded him, a spot already swelling from the countless whacks before this one. Finally, Katsu couldn't take it anymore. (he disliked his meditation training the most) He opened his eyes and asked, what does that mean? the man searching for the cherry blossom I mean?

With a sigh, his master placed the reed cane back on his shoulder before answering. Many things I can teach, and much wisdom can I impart, however, some things must be discovered on your own. The loving smile fades away, Now focus! that interruption earned you an extra hour.

Katsu rubs his head, he swore the constant precision head whacks were making him go bald in that spot. He thought back to how he had managed to get into this situation.

His family was, while not poor, often hard pressed. Ever sense Katsu could walk he managed to get into mischief and trouble. He would often climb the large trees that towered over the village, and at the age of 10, would be found lounging on the rooftops of a nearby human village. He claimed he liked to sit and Listen to a girl playing the flute, by name of Aria, whom he has spoken with on occasion. Due to these chaotic tendencies he was seen as unpredictable, wild, excitable and irresponsible. Thankfully he had a boon, It was his likable and friendly personality that kept him out of most serious trouble. Even if a prank went awry and got out of hand(such as the time he put itching leaves in everyone's pillows) He could often talk his way out of more severe repercussions. And if that failed he always had a knack for disappearing for several hours until things had calmed down. By the age of 13, he was traveling to various other towns within the region, often doing things such as carrying documents, messages, packages and the like in between them. Occasionally he would forget or get distracted which lead to unhappy people once he finally get around to it. Other than that, he rather enjoyed the job, since he was largely free as he worked. However, he was set upon one day, by bandits on the road and was outnumbered 6 to 1, he wouldn't be able to talk his way out of this one. But then, a man appeared, and then vanished, and one by one the bandits fell. Curious, as silence descend and the man never reappeared, Katsu managed to follow a trail left by the strange man to a small, humble dojo set on the edge of the village border along a small stream. Upon entering the clearing in front of the dojo, he was met with a voice.
Very good, I am Kenshin...and you have just passed your first test, now come. You have much to learn..

After his meditation training was over, Katsu went to his scrimshaws, he wanted to finish the wooden carving he had been working on before he went home to visit tomorrow,
My carvings always made pops proud, and happy, so I always try to bring one home to show him my advancements.

It was a symbol, one representing love. He had been making it for his mother, whom he had seen far less as of recently after the sudden apprenticeship. Not that he minded, he loved his new studies, and the wisdom and knowledge his master passed down. But he wished he could see his family more, his training was taking up much of his time. (Hah! you should have seen my mom's face when I told her what I was going to be doing the next 3 or more years... though oddly enough my father approved. Something about directing my creative flow and energy... or something) Katsu was scheduled to have a day off tomorrow so he could go visit again. It was strange, due to his close proximity to the desert, he had began to wear clothes more accustomed to the region and in deed, he rather liked them better. They were looser, more comfortable, and allowed him to pass as a human when he desired due to the clothing covering most of his body.

The next day, as he walked through the dark shade of the trees he was set upon by the same ner'do-wells that had accosted him over two years ago. Get em'! We'll use him to get revenge on that bastard what made fools of us! the lead bandit shouted, As the 5 others closed in around him, Katsu smiled this time.

With a snap he vanished from sight to the bandits surprise and distraught.

Hey! leaf brains! Over here! Katsu called out, while invisible. no no, not there, up here! His voice rings out again as one of the bandits crumples to the ground as katsu reappears.
ok ok, ya got me, I'm here.

As the bandits converge on him he once again vanishes. Two of the charging bandits collide and tangle themselves up on the ground. As yet another crumples as Katsu once again reappears, a wooden staff in his hand.

Oh come on, this barely any fun! he lied before disappearing again. Then the remaining bandits begin to freakout, the leader tries to keep them under control, but as yet another one is dropped they begin to back away.

Boo! He shouts and the remaining bandits flee. Finally, Just the leader and Katsu are left.
well then. shall we? Katsu asks, then the bandit leader yells in a rage and charges at Katsu, who easily sidesteps and gives the bandit a whack to the head. Though it seems to just anger the leader who brings his axe in a sweeping motion trying to catch the elusive ninja. But as he turns once again, the catfolk has all but vanished. Suddenly, the bandit leader hears a lovely tune from a flute, seemingly coming from all around him. It goes on for a long few seconds before finally stopping to.

Well, this was fun but I gotta run. And the bandit leader crumples to the ground.

Later that day, after an anonymous tip off, the town miltia from the closest settlement finds the bandits tied up and bound to a tree waiting for apprehension. After arriving home, and spending a while catching up with his mom, dad, and now 5 year old baby sister(who Katsu knows little about, seeing as he left to train under the Hidden Master almost 3 years ago..). He heads off towards the nearby village where Aria is at.

He caught her playing her flute outside her home.

Hey, you are getting really good. Every time I think I'm catching up, I hear you again and realize how bad I am!

Oh. yeah, good job buddy. Smooth.

Aria turns to regard him. Oh, you'll get there eventually, you just have to actually practice, hmm? Oh! did you hear? Some of the local bandits were found tied up today and finally placed in jail. I wonder how that happened. Must be someone heroic, and very brave.

Should I tell her? I hadn't intended to tell anyone...but...

Yeah, uh, about that. um.

Aria interrupts him. Hm? Oh Katsu, don't tell me you're gonna try saying it was you? You wouldn't hurt a fly, much less take time from your sun bathing to do so. She was teasing him, she Knew the Katsu took responsibility more seriously, but she didn't know about his training, only his folks knew.

actually, I, well I mean... He stumbles over his words. OHHHHH, why is it so difficult???! I can talk all day to anyone, and talk my way out of anything, except training, but put me near this one girl and POOF! I'm as sly as a bloody ox with bells on its toes... He seems to find the words he wanted to say however at that moment a Gong was rung, and Aria turned toward the direction it came from. She turned back eyes sparkling. Come on Katsu! It's starting! She runs off into a crowd leaving Katsu standing there.

ahhh... Maybe dad was right, Why did I have to like a human? I remember the day I told them, Dad said nothing but trouble would come of it! Katsu lets out a sigh glancing around. At least I'm not being looked at weird today...

TL:DR summary and more info-
Katsu was the son of Akechi Ryuu, a local craftsman (wooden furniture, gear, bowls etc) and Mia Keade. (A rather independent woman, with a strong sense of right and duty. She doesn't have a particular job, but works around the small village doing various things). Katsu grew up getting in trouble, either for not finishing his chores and duties, pulling pranks, or just plain getting in the way (unintentionally) and due to this natural wanderlust worried his father a great deal. Eventually his father managed to get Katsu a "job" of mail/delivery boy of sorts to put his natural energy and curiosity to use traveling between the regions. Whenever he traveled he preferred to make things interesting. Often, in his own region he would travel by running through the great trees that made up his forest home. Often flipping from branch to branch, and, on occasion, falling and hurting himself, though thanks to his catlike reflexes never to seriously. One day he was carrying a large payment for a shipment of glass back from the Kaze region when he was ambushed by bandits. When he seemed to be good as dead, a mysterious stranger intervened and easily defeated the bandits. His curiosity got the better of him and Katsu managed to follow said man to a dojo, where he introduced himself as Hikari Kenshin. He was taken as an apprentice to the strange man, (who to this day, Katsu finds somewhat strange and aloof) and after speaking to his parents and telling them began living with Kenshin. This was perhaps the best thing for Katsu, as the focus and discipline from the training helped him focus his energy into productive tasks, rather than pranks. (that, and the constant failing of attempts to prank his new teacher) while he still enjoys a good joke, he attempts them much less often. After a year, he found he had a knack, probably inherited from his father, for carving. However he found he was adept at carving wood, bone, stone, just about anything that could be carved(to his father's delight, which now he never returns home without some sort of scrimshaw), and he finally picked up playing the flute. He had always loved the sound of wind instruments, especially when Aria , a girl from a nearby village, would often perform on sunny days. He resolved to get better than her one day, and then surely he would win her heart. While he was much more disciplined and able to focus his energy, he was still a free spirit and fun lover and often still enjoys spending warm, sunny days either exploring, or enjoying a good nap in the sun. He has slowly taken his masters main teaching to heart. Life, in every breath we take.

personality:
Oh, Hi! Hows it going! um, me? Oh, just your average human doing human things like reading, working, and what not, no catfolk here! Oh, what's that? You didn't say anything about catfolk? well neither did I! You must have miss heard me! Anyway, moving along! The Names Akio. The hair? Yes! of course it's naturally crimson! Oh, what? most normals humans don't have crimson hair? Well hah! that's where you're wrong as clearly I do! Anyway friend, as I was saying. I'm just your normal ninja. Doing ninjay things. would you like to hear my flute playing? Or perhaps take a look at my scrimshaws? Oh, you want to see me turn invisible? He lets out a sigh and shakes his head with a sly grin no one ever wants a scrimshaw... *poof* There. Ya happy? Glad you can see me go invisible, now... where am I!? Find me and I'll give you a prize! Nope, not there! no...no not there either. Ok, here's a hint, FOLLOW THE SOUND OF MY VOICE! *audible sigh* why would I be over there??? here, you can see me again, I was in the same spot the whole time. Anyway, who am I? Well, that's a story that can take some time to tell. More time than we have here I'm afraid my friend.