[Overdriven]

"Begin!"

Like thunder from the heavens, the voice rang out in the night. For a moment it bounced around the estate, the echo slowly fading to nothingness. The sound of dozens of wings reached into the building, caused by the abrupt and forceful shout, and fell upon a young Ronin's ears.

Unlike the flock of birds, Kurayami remained calm and motionless. He sat cross legged in the center of a living room, eyes closed. Resting on the floor next to him was his primary weapon; Haiiro-rein. His shorter sword had already been attached to his belt, as well as both small tanto and his shuriken. The Reikoku chose not to use his bow for this particular bout. Kurayami had been waiting, deep in meditation, as he prepared for his battle mentally. With a deep, calming breath, the ronin slowly opened his eyes.

It was time for battle.

He rose smoothly and silently, snatching the weapon up as he did with slender fingers. Coming to his full height, he did not bother to attach the sword. He would carry it out with him. Left hand tightly gripping the saya, Kurayami walked to one of the outer doors leading to the courtyard. The sliding door slipped open with ease, basking the courtyard in a little extra light.

Kurayami stepped outside, allowed his first glimpse of his quarry. The man wore mostly leather armor, with the exception of black scalemail armor covering his right shoulder. An attack to any of the leather clad areas would be quite damaging, with the penetrating power of Haiiro-rein. Otherwise the man seemed somewhat out of place, with his hair and beard trimmed in such a way. The fact that he was spending his preparation time absently eating was either very arrogant, or very stupid.

Kurayami quickly sized up his battleground. Good room to maneuver, plenty of open space outside, and decent lighting. He could work in the element he had been given. A light northern wind wind blew his navy touched hair across his forehead, whispering the threats of a thousand fallen soldiers into his ear. He had long before learned to ignore the voices on the wind, for they spoke nothing worth hearing. He would not fear those he had slain, at least not in this life.

"Not that I paticularly care, but may I ask your name?" The man suddenly asked of him, pausing in his gluttony.

"If you did not particularly care, you would not have asked." Kurayami said calmly, his ocean blue eyes landing on the man.

"Kurayami Reikoku." The ronin said simply.

Still gripping Haiiro-rein tightly, Kurayami stepped away from the building and into the courtyard, his footfalls quiet on the stone floor. He moved a bit further into the light of the moon, silver glinting off his dark armor. The Reikoku asked nothing of the man, for he cared not who he was. He had come for a chance to test his skills, not have a friendly chat.