|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:12 pm
Rihga Miaka could think of nothing to do but stare blankly at the fox-faced man, trying to comprehend everything he'd just said.
Did he just call me "The girl of legend?" What's that supposed to mean? And then he said I was a priestess... but I'm no priestess! I'm a normal school girl! I don't even have very good grades! What in the world would make him think I was someone special like that? He doesn't even know me, for heaven's sake! This has got to be some kind of trick! I need to get home as soon as I can, before something bad happens. But he seems really nice... he can't be a *bad* guy. Maybe he's just confused. Oh, but now I'M confused too! I don't even really know where I AM, so how am I supposed to be a priestess, or something legendary? This must be some kind of mistake - it HAS to be!
All of this ran through her head, but all she could think of to say amid all of these questions was a very puzzled, "Um, what?"
"Miaka-san, we should get some rest no da," he explained sleepily, "I promise I will explain everything tomorrow, but for now, just know that you're a very important person no da, and I am here to protect you."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 7:18 pm
Miaka wanted more answers than that, but the family was already pushing their grumbling children off to bed. One of the adults bowed politely to her and gestured towards a nearby room. She muttered a puzzled "Arigatou" and followed him to bed, surprised find herself as tired as everyone else looked. All the excitement must have gotten to her.
She dozed off a few minutes later, a thousand questions running through her head. Still, she could always get them answered in the morning. And maybe, just maybe, that funny-looking man could also tell her how she could get home.
((Ok now we can start on the next morning. huzzah 'n' stuff!!))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 8:05 pm
Dreeka It had been a very long night it seemed like, especially since Amiboshi had to remain awake and on watch. He could of easily switched with his twin brother, but when he saw how peaceful Suboshi was asleep, he could not bring himself to wake his brother. So he decided just to fight off the sleep, his eyes in a daze as he watched the small fire in front of him, wondering when that strange woman would ever come back.
Eventually the fire had died and the first rays of lights were finally painting the sky. Amiboshi remained sitting by the fire, his eyes shut to rest just for a moment. But he was still very much awake as he waited for his brother to get up so they continued on their small journey.
"Oi, Aniki," he said sleepily, "Is it morning already? Why didn't you wake me?"
It immediately bothered him that his brother might not have gotten any sleep. He did not want Amiboshi babying him or suffering for him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 31, 2006 10:06 pm
Tomo had slept soundly. More soundly than he had expected. For all his ability, the previous day's exercise in futility had wore him out quite a bit. When he woke, he felt considerably refreshed. He had only woken only once, when a servant entered to freshen the washbin. He was too tired to be bothered at the time, but in reflection, it was slightly irksome that his room was intruded upon and he had not been stirred enough to care.
However, he thought to himself as he lay in bed half awake, it was just a woman. Had it been someone worth my time, I would have taken better notice.
Feeling better about himself, he rose out of bed and washed his face. Before they had left, Tomo had denied the chance to return to the caravan and pack anything. This meant that, regrettably, he did not have his full stock of face paints. He did, however, carry some within the fold of his sirt, in case of emergency. He took meticulous care to not waste what little paints he had. After he was dressed, made up, and his head finely adorned, Tomo was finally ready to start a new day. He stepped out of his room, wondering if those idiot guards had done their job.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 10:28 am
Nakago Just before the sun rose, the familiar sound of soldiers boots could be heard in the upstairs room. The rest of the convoy quickly roused and made preparations to leave, there was another small village...a farming village, that they would reach early today...Nakago had some elite assassins posted there for a particular operation, but they had to get there first. He donned his armor and gave the dry blood spots a glance before making his way out into the main room, soldiers mulling about Assassins at the ready, horses being brough from the stables, and the Carraige being brought around to the front. They were efficient enough for who and what they were, but Nakago was unsettled...something bit at him, and he could not put his finger on it...so even his normal meloncholy bore a hint of a scowl on this morning. Kouji_no_miko (Tasuki) He'd get his tessen back yet, he was bandit, if he couldn't steal he wasn't worthy to be one. 'I'm beat but next time I'll win,' he'd vowed with a grin on his face despite his pain. Rest would be good now though, rest would be very good. Kitty Little (Tomo) Feeling better about himself, he rose out of bed and washed his face. Before they had left, Tomo had denied the chance to return to the caravan and pack anything. This meant that, regrettably, he did not have his full stock of face paints. He did, however, carry some within the fold of his sirt, in case of emergency. He took meticulous care to not waste what little paints he had. After he was dressed, made up, and his head finely adorned, Tomo was finally ready to start a new day. He stepped out of his room, wondering if those idiot guards had done their job. The "idiot guards" could be seen dragging a crudely bandaged and obviously horrendously beated Tasuki out towards the caravan. While others were taking their positions, getting on their horses...looting the inn for things they wanted. They had enough supplies from the Palace that they did not need to...but the state of the Kutou army was such that the individual soldiers took this upon themselves...until the Seishi's emerged. The tessen, still perched at Nakago's belt, flashed a glimmering reflection of the sun, as he stepped out front of the inn. He watched out of the corner of his eye as they hoisted Tasuki on to the back of the Carraige, his hands tied in front loosly....considering his beating, it was a minimul precaution. From there his eyes wandered around the rest of the town. The poverty brought on by the ruling class of Kutou was as prevalent here as anywhere...and many citizens were taking a cautious interest in the caravan...fearing the soldiers, but wondering at the small slice of splendor before them.
He pulled himself into the carraige, they would leave as soon as Tomo joined them...the rest of the straggling soldiers would be fit for travel then as well.
Edit: Sorry it seemed like I was just leaving... sweatdrop Will try to be more with it next time)- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Niftyness (Yui and Farmer) Yui instinctly squinted her eyes tighter as the morning light shone from the window and directly into her face. A small yawn escaped her lips as she than did her routine stretch with a half asleep expression planted upon her face. It surely hadn't dawned on Yui that she wasn't in her room until the moment she flipped her two legs aside to slide out of bed only to find herself already on the floor. It was than that her eyes blankly glanced around the cozy room where she could hear distinctly chattering of the wife bidding farewell to the farmer.The farmer had been up since way before anyone else, packing up his things for hopefully a good day. He did his usual routine of making sure everything was securely packed and there was not a thing he was missing before he left to bid his wife farewell before turning around to search for Kouji who was suppose to get a ride with him into Kutou. The young lad was nowhere to be seen so there was a possibility that he had left or something else came up. Still, the farmer walked up to his wagon and decided to wait at least five more minutes before taking off. He couldn't afford to wait any longer than that, not if he wanted to get to Kutou at his usual scheduled time. Kouji_no_miko (Kouji) Kouji winced at the sun's rays and shook himself awake. 'Never thought I'd see the sun,' he thought to himself, 'feels like that night lasted forever.' The bandit stood up and stretched before looking around him. 'Genrou is going to kill me,' he decided, a smile spreading across his face. That was right, his lift! "Damnit," he cursed. He headed round to where the cart was but it was gone. "Great," he grumbled, "I'm in for one long walk and I don't even know the way!" The band of goons, ruffians, slavers, and other shady characters...Bandits of the land of Kutou...had gotten up when it was still dark and made their way through the town in a deadly silence. By sunrise the farmer would be gone and they would claim their prize. "Come right at sunrise...My husband is always the first one up and on his way....and he needs to be gone when you come...or he may fight...I do not want anyone getting hurt..." The farmers wife still hurt at what she had done...was doing...but desperation... Theystayed out of sight, watching and listening for the first famer to leave the little village...there was a small semblance of honor, even amoung this band. As soon as he was out of earshot and over the first rise, they emerged from their "hiding" spot out into the morning light, surrounding the farm. The farmers wife had been lsitening until she could no longer hear the cart and then she crpt out and spoke to Yui, whether she was awake or not. "I have some things to do in the fields..." As soon as she turned, atears filled her eyes and she hurried out the back door, not bothering to close it. The bandits coming around the back way recognized her and ignored her...advancing n the house. Around front...the first group...four of them approached the recently awakened Kouji. "I wouldn't worry about that long walk...We'll take good care of you....you do not need to go anywhere." His companions chuckled. The floorboards inside made unfamiliar sounds as three of the bandits entered through the back door. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Opaaru (Chichiri) Chichiri felt like he could barely keep his eyes open. He did however manage to get the drift of Miaka's thoughts. It was kind of sudden, since he hadn't been trying to read the girl's mind.
"Miaka-san, we should get some rest no da," he explained sleepily, "I promise I will explain everything tomorrow, but for now, just know that you're a very important person no da, and I am here to protect you." Rihga (Miaka) She dozed off a few minutes later, a thousand questions running through her head. Still, she could always get them answered in the morning. And maybe, just maybe, that funny-looking man could also tell her how she could get home. The rest of the household was up at the crack of dawn, the parents bustling about, the kids doing little chores that they had been assigned by the parents...but all the while, everyone int he residence was abbuzz about their guest. If they had heard right...and interpereted things...their savior was here...and they had found her. It was quite an honor to think of it that way. The smells of breakfast soon began to waft in to all rooms of the house, and the children were getting louder and louder, and the parents were trying to hush them so that they would not disturb the special guests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:43 pm
The moment she sat up, Yui felt an intense headache overwhelm her and she still felt completely exhausted despite the fact that she was able to get some sleep. She laid back and rested her eyes for a few more minutes only to snap out of her daze the moment the wife spoke of going to the fields. Hearing those words, Yui instantly opened her eyes and turned to face the woman, "Ano..." The young girl began to ask but stopped once she realized that the woman had already left before she could even ask if there was something she could do to help around the place. Yui slightly frowned at the fact that the woman had left even before she could offer her assistance. She felt bad for staying here when it was obvious that the farmer barely had enough for him and his wife. Her head was quick to perk back up and her pale blue eyes stared off in the direction the woman had disappeared off to only seconds before the moment she heard the floorboard's soft creak. Had the woman forgotten something or were they just the sounds the old place usually made? Yui waited for a few seconds for the woman to make their presence known before she, herself finally spoke up, "Did you forget something?" Part of her wasn't expecting a reply back, thinking maybe those strange creaks were the result of this old place but it was possible that the woman had come back after just leaving a few seconds ago.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 5:47 pm
Soi had spent the night in a tree, she had come to investigate the source of the disturbance and had found it situated arouns the foreign looking girl. As shocked as she had been at first, Soi quickly recuperated. Several options spread out before her, the first few involved doing away with the annoyance and her companion in a swift manner thus allowing her to continue on her merry way. However, Soi wasn't stupid, she realized (not to mention hoped) that this girl was special. Perhaps...just perhaps, the stranger might be the girl the seishi had been waiting for.
Not that Soi was exactly thrilled at the thought of having to undertake the responsibilities of a seishi, but the fact of the matter was that the priestess of Seiryu was the key to her seeing Nakago again. The memory of the shogun was enough to stay her hand at the moment and bide her time. Her green eyes peeked from beneath the dark cloak she had wrapped around her and saw the farmer leave at the first rosy hints of dawn. The woman left soonafter and nothing seemed out of place at first... that is until a band of men started creeping up towards the house.
The red head scowled. The farmer's wife had sold out the girl. Were there no honest folk left in Kutou? The leapt out of the tree and followed them. A dead girl was no good to her, she needed her alive if she expected to find out the stranger's origins. Needless to say the band was loud enough to wake the dead, and the foolish girl called out to them.
Just tell them where you are why don't you, Soi shook her head and silently slipped into the home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:12 pm
Nakago The rest of the household was up at the crack of dawn, the parents bustling about, the kids doing little chores that they had been assigned by the parents...but all the while, everyone int he residence was abbuzz about their guest. If they had heard right...and interpereted things...their savior was here...and they had found her. It was quite an honor to think of it that way. The smells of breakfast soon began to waft in to all rooms of the house, and the children were getting louder and louder, and the parents were trying to hush them so that they would not disturb the special guests.
She moved one arm as if to swing herself into a sitting position, then yawned hugely, muttered, "Five more minutes Mom," and fell back to pallet, snoring uproariously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 1:29 pm
Genrou was weary as he shuffled forward in the morning light. His ropes were loose and he had made note of that fact but at the moment there wasn't a lot he could do. Even if the bandit did slip his binds he wouldn't get very far in his state. He gritted his teeth, glared at the shogun and then grinned. 'I'll recover quicker than you think,' he thought to himself. For a mere bandit he did tend to recover faster than most, seemed to be that he was just tougher than most. 'When I do I'll be out of here like a lightning bolt but not before I get my tessen back and fry you to a crisp you smug b*****d.'
As the bandit was hoisted onto the back of the carriage he began to wonder what had become of Kouji. 'He will have Hell to pay when I find him,' he grumbled in his head. 'I can't believe I'm in this mess and it's all that idiot's fault! Grr I bet he went and got himself lost again and yet he claims to be the smart one.' He sighed to himself and spat up a spatter of blood. "Well that's just lovely," he remarked brightly to no one in particular.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 03, 2006 2:17 pm
Ahem I couldn't resist. 4laugh So 4 Kutou bandits against Kouji eh...no contest blaugh
Kouji's head turned sharply at the bandit's voice and he grinned at the sight of the four. It'd been a while since he'd had a proper scrap, oh sure he fought with the Mt. Reikaku bandits back home often enough when they were drunk on sake but that was friendly fighting. Yes some people did end up with broken bones and numerous bruises and scars but it was still friendly fighting!
"That's not very friendly is it, you should be saying 'good morning' or something like that," Kouji remarked. "Oh and if you're going to take care of me I hope that means you'll be buying me breakfast because I'm starving!" He gave them a wide grin, this part was actually true, the bandit was starving. "Now what exactly do four bandits want with me?" he wondered aloud. "I mean I don't have anything on me worth stealing and I haven't been causing trouble for anyone...Hmm think Kouji, think... Well I suppose they must be after something else Kouji but what? I'm outside someone's house, is there something in there worth stealing and I just happen to be in the way? Sounds plausible Kouji. If that's the case then I'm guessing there're more bandits. It's always possible Kouji, that's the way things work back at Reikaku, of course we have more honour than stealing from poor farmers."
The blue haired bandit was good at physical combat but it wasn't his strength, sword fighting was his strength but should he draw it? Yes they obviously meant trouble but would it be wise for him to be the one to initiate the fight? Although if he drew first he would have the advantage and if it came as unexpected to them he'd also have the element of surprise. What to do? He chanced a glance at the house before turning his gaze back on the bandits. Yui was inside, if there were more bandits she could be in danger.
"Now don't get me wrong, I'd like you to buy me breakfast but unfortunately I don't have time." He unsheathed his sword and went to make a dash for the house.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 12:14 pm
Kitty Little Suboshi stretched as he awoke, yawning loudly. A tight spot below his shoulder blade revealed that he had slept on a rock. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and noticed how light the sy had become.
"Oi, Aniki," he said sleepily, "Is it morning already? Why didn't you wake me?"
It immediately bothered him that his brother might not have gotten any sleep. He did not want Amiboshi babying him or suffering for him.
Amiboshi's eyes widen when he heard the familiar voice. He immediately made himself look less exhausted, knowing exactly that his brother would not apperciate it very much that he stayed up all night. "Good morning," he chirpped out, facing his twin. He then shook his head at Suboshi's words. "You needed the rest," he answered simply as he rose to his feet, walking closer to the other boy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 4:36 pm
Nakago The tessen, still perched at Nakago's belt, flashed a glimmering reflection of the sun, as he stepped out front of the inn. He watched out of the corner of his eye as they hoisted Tasuki on to the back of the Carraige, his hands tied in front loosly....considering his beating, it was a minimul precaution. From there his eyes wandered around the rest of the town. The poverty brought on by the ruling class of Kutou was as prevalent here as anywhere...and many citizens were taking a cautious interest in the caravan...fearing the soldiers, but wondering at the small slice of splendor before them.
He pulled himself into the carraige, they would leave as soon as Tomo joined them...the rest of the straggling soldiers would be fit for travel then as well.
Tomo let his senses roam the area, and immediately went down to the carriage. Judging by the state he saw the bandit in, he knew the night had not been peaceful. And he had missed it all. He would have to assess the situation with the shogun, then find some way to apologize profusely and make it someone else's fault. Finding Nakago in what could only be in an unpleasant mood, Tomo frowned, and stepped inside the carriage. He seated himself and would wait until they got moving before saying anything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:03 pm
Niftyness Yui waited for a few seconds for the woman to make their presence known before she, herself finally spoke up, "Did you forget something?" Part of her wasn't expecting a reply back, thinking maybe those strange creaks were the result of this old place but it was possible that the woman had come back after just leaving a few seconds ago. Opaaru The red head scowled. The farmer's wife had sold out the girl. Were there no honest folk left in Kutou? The leapt out of the tree and followed them. A dead girl was no good to her, she needed her alive if she expected to find out the stranger's origins. Needless to say the band was loud enough to wake the dead, and the foolish girl called out to them.
Just tell them where you are why don't you, Soi shook her head and silently slipped into the home. Kouji_no_miko He chanced a glance at the house before turning his gaze back on the bandits. Yui was inside, if there were more bandits she could be in danger.
"Now don't get me wrong, I'd like you to buy me breakfast but unfortunately I don't have time." He unsheathed his sword and went to make a dash for the house. Everyone in earshot of Kouji's rambling sweatdropped. sweatdrop The banmdits were ready to rumble and it showed as the sword was drawn as they revealed weapons of their own....though they had not expected him to bolt for the house. Everyone would be in one spot though...that would make things nice and easy. The followed a bit cautiously behind headed towards the house, which would have been their final destination anyway. Inside, none of these "ametuers" (in relation to a celestial warior anyway) were aware of the prescence of their new guest...who probably had a few shocking suprises for them. (Could not resist blaugh ) They were continuing on their way "searching" until they heard a voice, young...female...The target. "Nope, we didn't forget anything..." The gruffest of them said as he stepped through the door way, his cohorts following behind. "Our last pickup for the morning is right where it is supposed to be." The other bandits eyed her and smirked. Loud footsteps headed for the front of the house grabbed their attention for a moment how ever, and the apparent leader of this group nodded his head towards the door and one of the other headed towards the front to find out whatever was coming, tho other three mae a make-shift ring, around the bed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Rihga Miaka opened one eye, surprised to hear people moving about the house when the sun was only just barely peeking through the window. Her parents were never up this early...
She moved one arm as if to swing herself into a sitting position, then yawned hugely, muttered, "Five more minutes Mom," and fell back to pallet, snoring uproariously. Finally, the parents could not control it anymore...they, and the kids, were too antsy. The quiet of the morning was officcially broken and children streamed in to the gues room, half to wake the Priestess, the other half to the strange "fox-faced" man. "Wake up1 Wake Up! Breakfast is almost ready!!!" - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Kouji_no_miko As the bandit was hoisted onto the back of the carriage he began to wonder what had become of Kouji. 'He will have Hell to pay when I find him,' he grumbled in his head. 'I can't believe I'm in this mess and it's all that idiot's fault! Grr I bet he went and got himself lost again and yet he claims to be the smart one.' He sighed to himself and spat up a spatter of blood. "Well that's just lovely," he remarked brightly to no one in particular. The rest of the soldiers began to make their way out from the inn and into formation with the rest of the caravan. Nakago drummed his fingers on the armrest. Tomo would not keep them waiting long. Under other circumstances, it would not have mattered...but soemthing was not right, and Nakago did not like not knowing everything that was going on, and knowing that everything was as planned.
He took this time to examine the tessen even more closely than he had before. There were many strange object in the world...artifacts, even things imbued with such powers...but this was the first one of this kind he had ever come across, and it intruiged him.
That fool bandit had tried to take it from him...the more he thought about it, the more ludicrous it had seemed...except...something dawned on him...the bandit had said..."Pathetic that you have to pin me to the wall with your chi"..this couldmake things interesting.Kitty Little
Tomo let his senses roam the area, and immediately went down to the carriage. Judging by the state he saw the bandit in, he knew the night had not been peaceful. And he had missed it all. He would have to assess the situation with the shogun, then find some way to apologize profusely and make it someone else's fault. Finding Nakago in what could only be in an unpleasant mood, Tomo frowned, and stepped inside the carriage. He seated himself and would wait until they got moving before saying anything.
"Move out." Nakago ordered as Tomo entered. The more his thoughts wandered about this new tidbit of information, the lighter his mood became. Things were only getting more interesting, despite the foreboding that he could not shake. He waited until the carraige was at a reasonable pace and then addressed Tomo, staring straight ahead as if looking at something that no one else can could see, while running his fingers over the tessen.
"Our belligerent friend decided to outwit his guards and pay me a visit last night..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 7:36 pm
Nakago Finally, the parents could not control it anymore...they, and the kids, were too antsy. The quiet of the morning was officcially broken and children streamed in to the gues room, half to wake the Priestess, the other half to the strange "fox-faced" man. "Wake up1 Wake Up! Breakfast is almost ready!!!"
"KAPPAS(*)!!!" he yelped and chibi whapped at them with his pillow before fully waking up. He blinked and stared at the children.
"Daa...ohayo no da!" he laughed sheepishly.
(*water sprites/demons not usually friendly)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 8:23 pm
Dreeka
Amiboshi's eyes widen when he heard the familiar voice. He immediately made himself look less exhausted, knowing exactly that his brother would not apperciate it very much that he stayed up all night. "Good morning," he chirpped out, facing his twin. He then shook his head at Suboshi's words. "You needed the rest," he answered simply as he rose to his feet, walking closer to the other boy.
Suboshi got to his feet and stretched more. "I didn't need the rest that bad Aniki," he argued, "That little fight yesterday didn't even make me break a sweat!"
He would have beat his point around more but was interrupted by a low rumble in his stomach. "Do we still have food? And did that lightning Nee-chan come back?"
((Language note: Nee-chan means 'older sister,' which the Japanese can use to refer to young women older than themselves))
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
