Zen-Blossom

Chapter One Spring 1859 "Come now Toshi," Kondo Isami said as he side-stepped out of the way of the oncoming attack. His movements caused his foe to alter his stance, from offensive to defensive by lowering his center of gravity, and  then Kondo shifted his weight to strike at his opponent's left shoulder with his bokken. Just before the training sword was about to connect with its target, Hijikata Toshizo ducked his head and managed to position his own bokken in between himself and the assailing weapon. There was a loud crack as the swords met, and echoed through the dojo. The sound itself seemed to hold the two young men still for a few