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The Rokugani Way (me and Anjeru)

Yune nodded, vaguely so, almost to herself as Terao moved off ahead as well. They didn't speak another word the rest of the way in. Their companions were headed towards the INN, as far as she could see, some others doing the same. Such insistant silence was bothersome to her when in a group of people; when she was alone, she could handle it. She was normally a silent type of person to begin with.

It wasn't long before their feet carried them to the building and she allowed Terao to enter before her, following him and the Ize Zume inside. She could use some sleep as well, between the walking and practicing she had put in earlier in the day.
 
They all entered the inn, and the owner came foraward, talking to the monks right away, giving greetings before showing them all to their rooms. They were all separated, and Terao meditated for a hour before settling down to sleep. It didn't last too long, though, before he was roused from sounds outside. He stood up, heading to the door, going to the entrance to see what was going on. What he saw sent a shiver down his spine.

There was roughly 20 goblins attacking the village, breaking into areas and attacking anything that moved. Just coming forward was in the image of two Natsumono and a Kagami no Oni. Terao was quick, going to the rooms that every one was in, yelling to alarm everyone. "Oni! We have oni!"

Kagami_no_Oni.jpg

Kagami no Oni: dense musculator, so it's strong, and adaptive

Natsumono.jpg

Natsumono: fast
 
They were all sent to different rooms and Yune sat for awhile before she sought to rest. Her slumber didn't last long, or had gone very deep, when Terao's pounding and his voice jarred her awake. Oni? There were oni here? She jolted awake in an instant and slid out of the bed, making sure she had her katana and wakizashi before bolting from the room. The door slammed behind her and she was out of the INN rather quickly, eyes surveying what was taking place in the village. Surveying it. Analyzing it. Anticipating what it was that she should do.

Deciding to dwindle their numbers first, Yune's feet carried her swiftly to attacking goblins. She pulled her blades free and began to take out goblins as she went, striking down any that were going after villagers. Her main goal was to protect the people, any innocent villagers that may have been targets of the creatures. The goblins came after her, same as she came after them, and she used her blades to deflect what she could, using her small form and agility to dodge anything deflect.

She'd taken out a few goblins when she caught sight of one of the Natsumono. As long as it didn't see her - as now she'd ducked behind a building and was coming around the other side - she wasn't going to engage it just yet. She wanted to bring their numbers down before she tried to take on the bigger baddies. There were a few more of the goblins here, tearing up and smashing whatever they could get their hands on. She dashed from around the corner and took the first one by surprise, her katana impaling it as she flipped her body around to slice her wakizashi across the body of the nearest foe.

Yune pulled her blade free and this time took her daisho to the goblin she'd sliced, kicking it back as it charged her and slicing its legs out from under its body. She closed in, quick, stabbing it thusly, before moving on. Only stopping a moment to check the positions of Terao, the Ize Zume, and the oni. She had six goblins down so far, and continued on once she located everyone and everything.
 
While Yume went to take care of the goblins, the two monks and Terao went to face off against the Oni. Terao picked out one of the Natsumono's, sizing it up as he drew out his blades. As he was advancing, it was obvious that the Oni spawn had saw him, because it turned his way, preparing itself for a charge. Terao held still, waiting for it, and when the charge came, he easily stepped to the side, his blades coming down and taking off one of the appendages, a ear-splitting cry coming out from the beast. They turned to face each other again, the Natsumono being more careful in it's attack.

Mitsu went after the other Natsumono, getting to it after Yume went behind the building. The tattoos on him shifted until it resembled a tiger. Claws burst from Mitsu's hands, and he let out a animalistic growl as he jumped towards the Oni spawn. The Natsumono hadn't noticed Mitsu until the claws were into the top of the skin, and then it was too late. It ran around wildly, and Mitsu's hand dug into it's eye, blinding it, before he went into a flurry of attacks to destroy the Oni Spawn.

Hoshi moved to intercept the Kagami no Oni, slowly circling it now as it watched, its own blade drawn. Hoshi's hands went to his sides, drawing out a rather ancient looking set of blades. The two sized each other up, holding their ground.
 
Yune heard the commotion of the Natsumono's cries of pain and outrage, but she continued on, slicing down anything that got in her way. Shoving occassionaly villagers out of the way to keep them from being injured by some of the goblin's makeshift weapons as they went about smashing things. Two goblins turned to her and rushed her, both weilding make shift clubs to swing at her. She blocked one with her katana, the other with her wakizashi, holding them off, kicking one back with her foot causing it to stumble. Bolting around, she brought her katana down on the goblin she was blocking with her wakizashi.

It fell, just as two more came at her. She was unable to block all three, blocking two as one struck her leg with its make shift weapon. She almost buckled, grunting a little, but managed to kick out her other leg to kick it back again. She thrusted the other two off her blades and snapped around to decapitate to two, before rushing after the one that had struck her. She caught it in the back and pinned it the wall, taking the blade out and gutting it by slicing open its gut.

That made ten. She went on further, pushing villagers to hide or protect themselves, but just to keep back and let her do what she could. Two more fell to her blades, then she picked off four more, one at a time as she hunted them down. She caught sight of two and rushed them, taking advantage of them being distracted. She was panting slightly now, sweat dripping from her as she took the two down from behind.

Two left. She had to stop a moment, resting against the wall of a village home. Her arm was throbbing again. Shit, if these attacks didn't stop she wasn't going to have time to heal inbetween. The hit on her leg was going to leave one hell of a bruise, she knew, and it cut down her speed, though only a little.

Coming from the side of the building, she took aim at one of the remaining goblins and taking it out even as the last one snuck up behind her, tackling her small form over. She fell, but rolled, and jumped back to her feet, slicing her daisho in an 'x' as she rushed it. That made twenty. She panted hard, looking around now, eyes narrowed carefully.
 
Hoshi and the Oni stared down each other for a long moment, before charging forward at each other, trading hard blows with their blades. The clang of the metal rang out for miles, the sound of birds flying off in the forest. Soon, though, Hoshi did a tricky twist with his wrist, cutting the head off the Oni, the beast falling to the ground.

The town was safe now, and everyone was assessing the damage. The two Ize Zume moved together, followed by Terao, waiting for Yume. When she did eventually get there, Mitsu looked at her and took her arm. The tattoos on his chest shifted to the form of a arrowroot. "Hold still." He said, lifting the sleeve of her kimono and revealing the large cut. His hand went over it, and it disappeared like magic. Though, it was obvious a few moments later the cost of that tattoo's power: There was a long cut now along Mitsu's arm. He didn't seem to notice, though, as the two monks went towards the inn.
 
"Thank-you," Yune said to the Ize Zume when he took her wound from her. It was greatly appreciated and she wasn't about to let the monk go unthanked. Now that the village was safe, Yune wanted to return to her room and at least rest. It didn't matter if she didn't sleep, she just wanted a moment to rest. To sit. Maybe to even meditate, or simply think. The Ize Zume were heading back to the INN and, after glancing at Terao to see if he was harmed or not, Yune followed with. She returned to her room and set her daisho down beside where she would rest. Reclining back on the bed some, she let out a small sigh. What had they been thrown into? This couldn't be a simple raid with the crab. Especially if they were headed for the tomb of Luchiban. Deftly, her fingers began to undo her long braids as she merely sat for awhile, before laying back. Eyes open, though. She wasn't really able to sleep.
 
Terao had done his research. He knew the intricacies of the world, how dangerous it could be, all the secrets that were there to uncover. He stood for a moment, assessing the village, before heading back to the inn. He needed his rest, and he was asleep within moments of laying down, this time while wearing his armor to make sure.

He woke early in the morning, just before the sun rose. He meditated a little longer than usual. How were those Oni able to get so far into Rokugan without being seen and destroyed? Things were getting weird. They were still far away from the Shadowlands, there was no way that Oni would appear this far without help. But he found no answers in the calm of his mind, so he simply left his room. He ate quickly before heading outside for some fresh air. It always helped clear his mind more after a meditation. And he was eager to keep moving.
 
Yune was able to retain some sleep that night once the adrenaline and such things had worn off. When the sun rose, she was promptly up, redoing her hair and fastening her daisho back into their rightful place. She'd left her armor on, as well. She was quick to eat what she could, hunger not too high up on her list of worries at this time, rather, she was more concerned about what it was exactly that they were heading into. The attack last night had only solidified her beliefs that something quite sinister was happening. Before too long, she left the INN and allowed her lungs to drag in a breath of fresh, morning air.
 
Those were rather powerful Oni that attacked, there was no way that there wouldn't be word of their approach by the time they go there. His hands went back, taking his hair and tying it back at the nape of his neck. He looked around for a moment before slowly walking through the town, assessing the damages the goblins had done.

Yune left the inn about that time, and Terao walked over to her, checking her arm, looking over her features to make sure she was alright. Satisfied after a moment, he took a step back. "What happened last night wasn't the worst of it. I can feel it." He said in a soft voice. "Something big is coming. And we will be in the thick of it when it does. I hope you have been practicing."
 
It was only a moment after she left the inn, that Terao was approaching her. Assessing her. Assessing any damage that she may have taken from the attack the night before. When he was satisfied, he stepped back from her. His words mirrored her thoughts and she gave a soft nod. "You all of people should know I practice, and often," she said with a small smile. She straightened her shoulders and turned her eyes away from him for a moment, before they strayed back.

"Your words...they mirror my thoughts," she admitted. "I feel the same disruption coming. We will be put to our wits end, I'm sure, if not past it." She wondered if they would make it back alive to become more to each other than they already were. She wasn't ready to lose Terao after gaining him not so long ago. "Just keep yourself alive, Terao and I will do the same."
 
He nodded at her words. "We are heading to the Shadowlands. Everything there is tainted, the creatures, land, and water. Be careful, don't get injured, and don't drink or swim in there." He turned away from her and started walking around the village again, making sure everything was ok.

To be honest, he was a little afraid of what was going to happen. But he wouldn't let that get to him. It wasn't long before Mitsu and Hoshi came out of the inn, and they started forward, followed by a group of Phoenix Shugenja and one of their Bushi.
 
Yune was afraid as well, but she was stubborn enough and cut off enough to keep it to herself. The only persons she'd vaguely even showed her emotions to had been her parents, and Terao - whether it had been the jealousy, the envy, or the passion. Otherwise, she was often silent and to herself. She took took note of the village and its current condition, before the Ize Zume, and other came from the inn.

Yune nodded her head to them, acknowlodging their presence. "Thank-you again for your help," she said, bowing her head slightly, before lifting her eyes back to them. "We will be continuing our journey to the shadowlands now, I assume?" the question was merely to assertane whether anything in their plans had changed because of the attack.
 
The two Ize Zume nodded at her question, but otherwise didn't say anything. They walked constantly the whole day, only stopping at Kaesu Toshi for some food around noon. The whole way down was uneventful, and after passing through a mountain range, they stopped at Beiden to rest for the night.

The village was rather small, so they simply camped out in the forest. Terao helped out with the tent. His mind had been on the Shadowlands the whole time, trying to figure out what was going on. But nothing would come to him.
 
Yune was silent the entire way, thoughts on almost the same path as Terao's. Wondering. Watching. Analyzing whatever it was that she could. She didn't like the way things were headed and she wasn't sure how things would turn out. She didn't like that. Yune was a sure woman, as sure of herself and her abilities as any samurai male. That she was frightened didn't bode well.

When they stopped and ate, she ate a little herself to keep her energy up. It wasn't long before the day came to end and they found themselves camping until the next morning came to them. Yune helped with what she could around the campsite, before she took a seat a little off behind everyone.
 
Mitsu used his dragon tattoo to make a bonfire with the wood they were able to find, and they were sitting around it for a while, mostly meditating. Terao was lost in his thoughts, but it wasn't long before he left to sleep. He needed a clear mind, and right now, it definitely wasn't clear.

He woke early the next morning, looking outside of the tents that they had pitched, over the roads. Everything was clear, so it looked like it would be smooth sailings for the day. Or, at least a hour. He went back outside for his morning meditation, keeping himself at ease with the world.
 
She had spent a good amount of time outside before she sought rest for the evening. She was already seated outside, deep in thought when Terao emerged in the morning. Trying to center herself and keep her emotions where they belonged, in hiding. Her duty and her honor as a samurai one of her top priorities. She didn't want to fail in that, no matter when they were pit against and the feeling that something big was coming would not fade. She glanced up as Terao emerged from the tent and nodded her head, though not saying anything to him, or at all, in general.
 
Yune was outside, and she was being quiet, so he didn't disturb her as he went into his meditation. They were met soon by the Ize Zume, and they slowly packed up before moving along. If they were lucky, they would be able to make it to the wall, and then it would only be a few miles to their destination. Hopefully soon.

The whole time, Terao was silent. He could feel the climactic buildup of tension around in everything. This would be a turning point to everything.
 
Yune followed along after them as the group broke camp and continued on their journey to the shadowlands. If they were diligent and lucky, they might actually reach their desired destination. She was getting the same sense as Terao, that suddenly everything around them was so anti-climactic. Everything was going to change, in a big way, she could feel it. Her hands rested on her belt as she walked, within close range of her blades, ever ready to spring into action. She wasn't about to let herself fall. She wouldn't die unless she took a good number of their enemy with her.
 
Terao was more than watchful for any ambushes or attacks. However, his hands were far enough away from his blades that he looked careless, though he could draw them faster than Yume could at her current range. HE was that dedicated to his family Daisho.

It was near sunset, moving faster than they had yesterday, that they arrived at Kamisori sano Toake Shiro. The fortified castle near the end of the wall would be a restful nights sleep, if not at least protected by many trained Crab Samurai and Shugenja. The two Ize Zume lead the way inside, talking to the guards before heading into the deep recesses of the castle.

The castle was large, going up several stories, helpful for keeping watch over any creatures trying to attack. It was decently comfortable, but more made for battle. Their rooms would be well kept and welcoming, at least.
 
She couldn't help but feel a little more at ease once they reached Kamisori sano Toake Shiro. They would rest here and upon the morrow, she was sure that they would be going into battle. How was one supposed to feel before such a day? A day when one could die? Yune wasn't sure, but she wasn't about to let her apprehension get to her. She followed Terao and the Ize Zume inside of the castle, past the gaurds and into the deep parts of it. They were all fed and taken care of, allowed to and from and such.

Yune ate and was shown to her room which wasn't far from the others. She felt a little more safe inside the castle walls, so she allowed her daisho to rest beside her bedside. She slipped off her footwear and slowly undid her hair as she seated herself on bed with a small sigh. She wanted to see Terao...with what could be happening to them when the next day started. Should she seek him out? She didn't want to interrupt the meditations she knew he could be doing, or the practice he could be getting in. Practice that she too, should be doing. Yet, it was only days ago they'd promised to wed...and now, they were going into a battle she knew was going to be anticlimactic, one that would change, if not all things, her.

She laid back with a small sigh, silently hoping Terao was thinking of her as well and would come to her, where she lacked the courage to go to him. Such a strange thing.
 
Terao had beelined to his room and took off his daisho, putting them up where they wouldn't be kicked around. He stretched, sitting down for a moment to take a deep break, getting a feel of his surroundings. He knew that the Shadowlands were close to their location, hardly a mile, if that. Tomorrow, they would be in a battle, one that would be tolling on everyone in it, and all of Rokugan.

He stood after a moment. They had been so distant for the last few days, he just wanted to be with her that night. He left his room silently, heading to hers. He closed the rice paper door behind him as he entered, slowly walking towards her.

"I couldn't go this night without seeing you." He said in a soft voice, kneeling at the side of her bed, taking her hands in his.
 
Her eyes had shut sometime after she'd reclined but they opened as the heard the paper door to her sliding shut. She rolled onto her side to face him, holding his hands in return as he took them in his. "I'm glad you came, Terao," she said just as softly, her affection for his visible in her dark eyes. It felt like forever since the night they had discovered their faults with their bitter rivalry. She took a hand from his and gently touched her finger tips to his cheek. "I could not go this night without seeing you either," she admitted with a small smile.
 
He smiled as he heard her, feeling her fingertips against his cheek. His head turned, gently kissing the tip of every finger before he slowly moved, so he was on the bed, leaning over her. He kissed her, a light brush of his lips against hers, before he peeled off his armor, letting it drop to the floor. His fingers went over her cheeks and neck, enjoying the soft feel of her skin.
 
Yune couldn't help the soft shiver as he turned his head and kissed each of the fingertips of her right hand. She smiled. Then his lips were on hers and she gladly returned the gentle brush of them. He peeled off his armor and allowed it to fall, before leaning down and gently caressing his fingers across her cheek and neck, seemingly enjoying the softness of her skin. She shivered softly. It was perfect to be this close to him, after the days of distance between them.
 
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