Fantasy Two Clans

[hootie0813]

"That's a foolish grin you've got plastered across your face there, boy." An elderly villager growled.


The words snapped Akira's mind back into the present. His mind had momentarily drifted back to the kunoichi and the boy. Something about how that women, as serious as she was towards her duty went out of her way for the members of this village had struck a nerve. It made him happy.


He quickly bounced back, ready with a retort. "Actually sir, I was just thinking about how I got this scar," He traced the line that stretched over his face under both eyes. Everyone around began to look apprehensive, "Actually it's a funny story."


He began a narrative involving high adventure, great battles, and heart-wrenching drama. It was all an outrageous lie, and everyone knew it. He had everyone around him nearby entertained and happy, as this was a lighthearted distraction from the day-to-day worry the struggle between the two clans caused.


He continued to keep an eye out around him though, like he promised Kuriha.

 

[Paravine]

Aoi was still hidden behind the alleyway. He didn't want to be found.. Not yet. He got out of hiding and hears someone telling a story. It was a man who looks a bit older than him with a scar across his face. Despite his looks, the man was pretty good at storytelling. Aoi unknowingly started to wander into plain sight.


Not later, a red ball rolls by his feet. And then a little girl ran towards him, "Sorry mister. I didn't mean to trouble you but can I have my ball back?" She smiles cheekily, showing off her missing front teeth. Aoi nods and handed her the ball. "Thank you!" The girl happily trots back to her friends.


A sad smile formed on Aoi's face. He remembered back in his old life he didn't have the freedom to do what he wanted like Kiki.

 

[maerow]

Kuriha was lost in thought when the sudden commotion brought her attention to the crowd surrounding Akira. He seemed to be telling a story of some sort, and according to the whispering villagers, none of it had been true. The sound of children laughing seemed like a foreign concept in the village, until now. Kuriha was grateful. She wanted to praise Akira, even.


Walking closer to the crowd, Kuriha took a slight detour as she noticed one of the 'villagers' did not seem as engaged as the others. "Don't worry, we won't hurt you." She acted as calmly as ever, casting him a sideways glance. It was as if she was speaking to one of her own. "I don't care what clan you're from," she said, hinting that she already knew he was from the opposing clan. "As long as you don't attack, you are free to be at peace here." Her words were quiet but she made sure Aoi heard every word as she passed by.

 

[hootie0813]

Akira had just finished his story as Kuriha walked by. The children had certainly enjoyed it. The adults had varying reactions, depending on how much they enjoyed a joke or the tale of a braggart.


Kuriha seemed to have said something to someone but nothing much seemed to be going on. Nothing that alarmed him anyways. He thought he had caught a glance of someone skulking around but he, at least for the moment felt no threat.


Akira began politely disengaging himself from the group that had been listening to him, promising the kids that he'd have another story for them some time soon.

 

[Paravine]

Aoi narrowed his eyes. How was she able to tell that he was from another clan? It wasn't possible but who knows what power Kuriha could hold? But he guess it wasn't hard. She was, after all, the elder's closest. He quickly walks away and disappears into the dissolving crowd and into the forest where he laid down onto a tree branch.


"Guess I was too careless.." he mutters to himself. Aoi planned to go back to his clan but decides to stay and watch the girl a little longer. She was something alright. Maybe if he could try convincing her to- no too straightforward. More thoughts formed into his mind until he fell into a deep slumber. Aoi was tired. Sleep hasn't been his friend for two whole days. He was afraid the same nightmare would come once his head hits the snooze button.Afterwards, the nightmare reappears.


His sister, Lily was just going about her morning duty when a couple guys dressed in black came in through the window. They grabbed and attempted to take Lily but she was strong. She fought back and knocked out two guys but the rest ganged on her. Eventually, it got to the point where she was bloodied and unconscious, and Aoi couldn't do a thing. He was helpless. A defenceless child. Weak, frail, and scrawny. For goodness sake, he was just an infant! He remembers a man with white-ish hair and one with bloodshot eyes. They were scary. The one with white hair told them to leave the boy and to take the girl. And again, he couldn't do anything about it. His sister was taken.


Aoi frantically sits up, breathing heavy. He was unaware that he was still in a tree and accidentally hits his head on a branch, causing the young ninja to fall out of the tree. His back hits the ground, knocking the air out from his body. I'm so stupid was the last thing he thought before blacking out.

 

[maerow]

It had been a while since the atmosphere of the village had felt so...soothing. Kuriha had indeed made the right choice in hiring the ronin. The village had definitely become much more lively since his appearance.


She found her usual spot on the roof, overlooking the villagers and getting a good view of the woods Aoi disappeared into. Her instincts told her to go into them, for whatever reason. But her sense of duty left her sitting on the roof in contemplation.

 

[hootie0813]

The quiet of the rooftop was disturbed slightly as the white-haired samurai scrabbled over the edge, not near as gracefully as he could have. He glanced over at Kuriha before looking out over the village, sitting with his legs hanging off the edge.


"Pretty place. Nice people."


He looked over at Kuriha again before shifting himself to sit all the way on the roof a little closer with his legs crossed.


"Nakamura," he said, "My full name's Akira Nakamura. I don't think i stated it before."

 

[maerow]

Kuriha hadn't moved an inch. Her attention remained on the woods while sensing the not-so-subtle movements of Akira. She couldn't form much of a response, there wasn't much to remember from her past. Sometimes she wondered if she would have been a completely different person without the elders guidance. "Nakamura," She started, a relaxing tone that added to the calm aura surrounding her. "Thank you for earlier." It seemed like she wanted to say more, but instead decided to stay quiet and listen to the sounds of the night. It had been enough to lull her to sleep; and maybe tonight she would get the rest she needed.

 

[hootie0813]

Akira sensed the quiet mood Kuriha was in. He shifted into a more comfortable position.


"Of course, Kuriha," there didn't seem to be a need to say more.


He sat there quietly, sorting through his thoughts. This seemed like a good place for him. He had been involved in some unsavory occupations in the past year.. he brushed those thoughts aside. This place would definitely be good for him.


He was looking forward to the coming days and hopefully he'd meet the man everyone here looked up to. Their elder.


The night sounds relaxed him as he sifted through his memories. It had been awhile since he shared a simple quiet moment like this with someone.

 

[Evenice]

Aeri had finished surveying her part of the village. Nothing out of the ordinary. Now, she was back in the trees again, doing her usual routine at night. From a distance, she heard a small thump followed by a louder thud. She stopped in her tracks, trying to feel another's presence. She shifted her head o the direction and quickly went over to the area. She stopped when she saw a man who must've fallen from a tree, judging from his awkward position and the noise earlier. She stayed up the tree to keep a safe distance away. She knew her presence would be known him soon enough. For now, she was to observe him for his activities.


@AceXCrossix

 

[maerow]

Silence filled the air for a while longer until Kuriha spoke out. She thought back on the story he had told the villagers. "What actually happened?" She inquired, referring to the scar on his face. It was probably a sensitive subject, though she wanted to learn more about the man who would be temporarily living in the village. It only seemed natural.

 

[hootie0813]

Akira looked off into the distance, eyes glazing over slightly in a mildly anxious expression. He scratched the line across his face absentmindedly as he thought about what he was going to say.


He loosed the sealed blade from his back and held it out to her.


"Lets start with the worst bit..."


He sighed. "That's a Muramasa katana... I was part of a line of samurai trained to defend it.. it's a particularly dangerous sword, much more keen on killing than some of the others.."


His eyes became bitter as he glared off into the sky. "We were attacked... there's always those who want power over others. At whatever the cost. Their forces were cutting through our own and we were going to die. I had to do something."


Pained determination shone in his eyes. "I broke the seal in the sanctuary and drew the damned sword."


His shoulders sank "I blanked out. When I came to the floor was littered with the dead and dying of the attackers.. everyone I had grown up with was staring at me like I was a monster.."


I had that gash across my face. I'm not sure who did it. Me, one of the enemy, or my master. My katana was taken from me and I was banished. I violated our creed and used the blade. It tasted blood there so the shrine was unable to contain it from then on. They gave it to me to wander with and protect. That was a year ago. I've never needed to draw it again thankfully..."


He seemed to remember where he was all of a sudden.


"I'm sorry. I haven't ever told that story to anyone. Sorry if that hurt your opinion on me. It's not a very nice story..." he hung his head and sighed, his eyes closed.


(Eeeeeemoooooo....)

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Another figure stood out in the village, leaning against the wall of the tavern. He was a rather large man, quite literally standing out because of his height. The hilt of of a no-dachi could be seen sticking above his shoulder, from where it was sheathed on his back. He stood there, a scowl in his face, watching those around him. His samurai armor didn't blend in particularly well either. His dull gray eyes were mostly focused on the two on the roof though. He knew their positions, but not their names. One was a ronin, the other a shinobi from the "Good" village. He didn't care if they saw him or not, as he walked down the street towards them. He was a warrior, not a ninja.


@hootie0813


@kokochii

 

[maerow]

Kuriha gave Akira her undivided attention. Her opinion of him hadn't shifted much, though she understood his purpose a little bit more. The ones who didn't belong to a particular clan, who drifted about, were harder to be trusted. They could turn on either side at any moment- though she didn't sense that intent in Akira. At least not yet.


Shifting a bit in her place, Kuriha glanced at the katana. It was a calculating glance of sorts, as if she was trying to read the weapons aura. "There will come a time when you will have to draw it again," she mumbled, "when that time comes, I believe you will make the right decision." Kuriha was being vague unintentionally. She wasn't very experienced in comforting others, so instead, she decided patting him against the back- rather roughly, would suffice. "You should get some sleep." Just when she spoke, another unknown figure crossed her vision. It was a fairy large man who seemed to keep to himself. Kuriha didn't think much of it, if he was dangerous at all, he would have already attacked.

 

[hootie0813]

Akira quietly took in the kunoichi's words. This year had been rough, with the muramasa sword thirsting for blood every time he was involved in a fight. The effort he had put out to keep his emotions in check. Battling the adrenalin and blood lust the sword emanated whenever he was angry. The thought of drawing the cursed thing terrified him.


He followed her gaze and caught sight of the man walking towards their position. Not a difficult man to notice considering his size.


"Gracious, what is that man? He's huge! His sword is too.."


His training kicked in, analyzing anyone that might ever be an opponent. Akira got a cold feeling imagining a stand-off between him with his two foot wakizashi and a man of that size with a nodachi.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Akira quietly took in the kunoichi's words. This year had been rough, with the muramasa sword thirsting for blood every time he was involved in a fight. The effort he had put out to keep his emotions in check. Battling the adrenalin and blood lust the sword emanated whenever he was angry. The thought of drawing the cursed thing terrified him.
He followed her gaze and caught sight of the man walking towards their position. Not a difficult man to notice considering his size.


"Gracious, what is that man? He's huge! His sword is too.."


His training kicked in, analyzing anyone that might ever be an opponent. Akira got a cold feeling imagining a stand-off between him with his two foot wakizashi and a man of that size with a nodachi.

The man disappeared behind the building for a moment, his pace quickening. They had seen him. Suddenly, he heaved himself up onto the rooftop, getting to his feet. He watched the two infront of them, examining them almost. The ronin seemed to be eyeing him down, probably imagining his moves in order to predict them. That one must be an experienced fighter. "Greetings," he said simply, making no move for his blade. He saw the ronin's sword, and something felt off about it. His family were swordsmiths, and his childhood brought forth unhelpful memories. That couldn't be the sword, he scolded himself.


@kokochii

 

[hootie0813]

Akira stood up and bowed in greeting.


"Hello there. It's a nice night, isn't it?" This was mostly automatic pleasantries. He was deep down concerned what brought this man's interest to the point of coming to them on the roof.


Thankfully he wasn't making any motions for his blade. Akira followed suit, his hands resting safely away from the handle of his wakizashi. He took comfort in the fact he'd be able to draw his little sword and take action before that monster nodachi could be fully drawn.


"Forgive me, this is my first day here and I don't know everyone yet. I haven't had the pleasure of getting to know you, sir." He said this even though he knew darn well this man wasn't a resident here. "My name is Akira, a lowly ronin who has just been granted the opportunity to serve the clan of this lady here," he indicated Kuriha with a gesture of his hand.


"How are you called, sir?"

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Akira stood up and bowed in greeting.
"Hello there. It's a nice night, isn't it?" This was mostly automatic pleasantries. He was deep down concerned what brought this man's interest to the point of coming to them on the roof.


Thankfully he wasn't making any motions for his blade. Akira followed suit, his hands resting safely away from the handle of his wakizashi. He took comfort in the fact he'd be able to draw his little sword and take action before that monster nodachi could be fully drawn.


"Forgive me, this is my first day here and I don't know everyone yet. I haven't had the pleasure of getting to know you, sir." He said this even though he knew darn well this man wasn't a resident here. "My name is Akira, a lowly ronin who has just been granted the opportunity to serve the clan of this lady here," he indicated Kuriha with a gesture of his hand.


"How are you called, sir?"

He merely grunted in response, waving aside all the man's pleasantries. Those were for samurai nobles, with castles, and estates, and peasants groveling at their feet. Huro was just a man. It seemed this ronin was one of those "honorable" shits. Huro wondered just how long that'd last in a real battle. He'd seen it before, plenty of times. All of those arrogant, cocky, "honorable" samurai, using the dirtiest tactics there were in battle, to save their own skins, before shitting themselves, and crying and begging before they died. Pathetic. To believe that they were this land's "Elite warriors" was a huge crock of shit. Which was why Huro respected the Shinobi.


"I'm Huro Kirimoto." he grunted simply towards the girl shinobi. "I've heard of your troubles with the other local clan, and I was here to offer my sword." he stated. "And I am no sir. Sirs are the shits who get their boots licked by peasants as they stomp on their throats. I'm merely a man." Whoever he was, Huro seemed like a very angry individual.


@kokochii

 

[hootie0813]

Akira's polite smile faded as Huro spoke. This guys attitude did a fair job at pissing him off.


Since Huro seemed more interested in speaking to Kuriha, Akira stepped more to the side. He kept his expression blank and focused his eyes on the comings and goings in the village below. He could already tell this was going to be a great job if he had to work with this man.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Akira's polite smile faded as Huro spoke. This guys attitude did a fair job at pissing him off.
Since Huro seemed more interested in speaking to Kuriha, Akira stepped more to the side. He kept his expression blank and focused his eyes on the comings and goings in the village below. He could already tell this was going to be a great job if he had to work with this man.

Huro simply continued to ignore the guy, he was waiting for an answer from the female ninja, whose name he still didn't know.

 

[maerow]

Kuriha could sense the bad vibes resonating from the two. She didn't particularly mind it, a healthy rivalry was always good as long as it didn't get in the way of the mission, which was to protect the villagers and prevent any casualties against the enemy clan. Standing up, Kuriha closed the distance between Huro, the man with the rough exterior. He was fairly tall, but Kuriha still managed to meet his eyes, reading him. "If that is your decision, then I welcome it." She glanced over at Akira, a thoughtful expression placed on her face.


She wondered how she would test the new member. Trust was hard to come by, especially in the brink of war. Kuriha sent her piercing gaze back at Huro. He didn't seem to lack in voicing his thoughts in any way; though she wasn't sure about his physical abilities. Perhaps a friendly duel between the two men was in order soon. It would likely unleash some unwanted tension.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Kuriha could sense the bad vibes resonating from the two. She didn't particularly mind it, a healthy rivalry was always good as long as it didn't get in the way of the mission, which was to protect the villagers and prevent any casualties against the enemy clan. Standing up, Kuriha closed the distance between Huro, the man with the rough exterior. He was fairly tall, but Kuriha still managed to meet his eyes, reading him. "If that is your decision, then I welcome it." She glanced over at Akira, a thoughtful expression placed on her face.
She wondered how she would test the new member. Trust was hard to come by, especially in the brink of war. Kuriha sent her piercing gaze back at Huro. He didn't seem to lack in voicing his thoughts in any way; though she wasn't sure about his physical abilities. Perhaps a friendly duel between the two men was in order soon. It would likely unleash some unwanted tension.

Huro nodded simply. "Are there any tests I need to take? To prove my loyalty or skill in battle?" he asked, glancing over at Akira, a clear message in his eyes, that he wanted to fight the guy. There was no particular reason he wanted to fight Akira, he just sort of did.

 

[hootie0813]

Akira didn't like the looks in the eyes of either his employer, or this new(er)comer. The challenge was out though, that was clear. He was bound to accept it for more than a few reasons.


He adjusted the sword on his back so it was secure. The damned thing pulsed with the knowledge a battle was imminent.


Akira sighed and stepped into position.


"I see what's going on here. Let's just get this over with." He bowed, as is practice before a sparring match and placed his sword hand nearer to the handle of his wakizashi.


"You, big guy, I'd appreciate it if you avoided attempting to cut me in half with that horse killer of yours."

 

[maerow]

Kuriha pondered a few ideas but never voiced them. She stepped back, glancing knowingly between Akira and Huro. A clean duel, without any major injuries, seemed acceptable. "When the time comes, yes..." She replied, eyes glimmering with mysterious intent. For the time being, perhaps observing his skills was enough.

 

[SirDerpingtonIV]

Kuriha pondered a few ideas but never voiced them. She stepped back, glancing knowingly between Akira and Huro. A clean duel, without any major injuries, seemed acceptable. "When the time comes, yes..." She replied, eyes glimmering with mysterious intent. For the time being, perhaps observing his skills was enough.

Huro removed his hands from the hilt of his No Dachi, lowering them to his side. "Some other day, Ronin," he said to Akira. Huro turned, walking over to the edge of the roof, before sitting down, and watching over the village. The village people seemed to be going about their everyday buisness, none of them seeming to be too out of place.... well, besides himself, the Ronin, and the shinobi, but that was besides the point.