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Post by blossom on Nov 20, 2006 16:16:37 GMT -5
Good question, Ayame thought, leaning as close to the passage entrance as she dared to hear the answer without revealing herself.
"I don't know for certain," came Hideyori's reply, "But my sources believe the carrier will be a young, well known warrior of the Usagi clan, Usagi Ashitaka."
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 20, 2006 16:19:49 GMT -5
"Surely he'll have some sort of protection?" Kuroki asked.
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Post by blossom on Nov 20, 2006 16:23:16 GMT -5
"Yes," Hideyori confirmed, "He should be travelling with two equally talented soldiers and a constant companion of his, a ninja girl named Ayeka. There are few of them so they don't arouse suspicion, you understand. But again I stress that this information may be inaccurate, so don't be surprised if things are different to the way I've described."
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 20, 2006 16:27:45 GMT -5
"Alright," Kuroki answered, "Thank you."
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Post by blossom on Nov 20, 2006 16:29:27 GMT -5
"You're most welcome, Kuroki-san," Hideyori turned to the others, "Any other questions?"
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 21, 2006 8:56:29 GMT -5
"That should be all I really need to know," Kuroki answered.
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Post by twilightblade on Nov 21, 2006 12:58:17 GMT -5
"Yes, a question," Sayoi spoke up quietly, glancing briefly at the others. "Can Ayame-san, Hotaru, and Yoshi defend themselves or fight? We may outnumber the others, but all of them are fighters, and while Sato and I can fight more than one person at a time, it would help if they could at least shield themselves."
She fell silent, waiting.
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Post by blossom on Nov 21, 2006 14:41:55 GMT -5
Ayame instinctively ducked further into the passage, but listened eagerly for her brother's response.
"My sister and her ladies' maid have both been trained in basic self defence, yes. And I believe you'll find Yoshi a capable lad." Hideyori answered.
Ayame grinned to herself. If only he knew ...
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Post by twilightblade on Nov 21, 2006 17:37:46 GMT -5
Sayoi nodded. "Thankyou. That is all we need to know."
She and Sato exchanged glances, then waited.
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Post by jessimyre on Nov 21, 2006 18:10:23 GMT -5
The day was drawing to a close when Yoshi finally gave up his sparring with invisible opponents, exhausted from his vigerous exercise. He threw down his stick and headed home to the shack in which he and his mother lived. He would be required early in the morning, to once again begin the ritual of chores that marked his days caring for the Lord's horses.
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Post by blossom on Nov 22, 2006 12:03:27 GMT -5
"Very well, if that is all I will have Seiko show you to your rooms for the night. Feel free to make yourselves at home. As for myself, I will inform Ayame, Hotaru and Yoshi of their impending journey."
Ayame was alarmed, and quickly crawled back through the tunnel. She dropped silently to the floor, picked up her sandals and ran to her room in a very unladylike manner. She tore off her ripped kimono, and shoved it under a loose floorboard. Ayame flung open her clothes chest, pulled out the top kimono and hurriedly put it on.
She had just untied her hair when she heard her brother's voice.
"Ayame-chan, are you in there? May I enter?"
"Y-yes, yes!" She called back, flustered. The door slid open and Hideyori entered, just as Ayame finally composed herself.
"Everything all right?"
"Of course Nii-sama," she smiled, "Is your meeting finished?"
"Yes, Aya-chan. I'm sorry you had to be excluded, but it's for your own benefit. Now, I have something to tell - is that a different kimono?" Hideyori frowned.
"Y-yes, Nii-sama. I .... I dropped an onigiri on the other one."
"Oh. I see." Hideyori's expression cleared.
"There was something you wished to tell me?"
"Yes. The four soldiers will be accompanying you, your maid Hotaru and the stable boy, Yoshi, to our cousin's residence tomorrow."
"They will?"
"Yes."
"Does Yoshi know?"
"No, I will tell him after this. A messenger has been dispatched to Hotaru-san's home. So then, I will see you at dinner, Aya-chan."
"Yes, Nii-sama." Hideyori turned to leave, and was almost out the door when Ayame called him back.
"Nii-sama?"
"Yes?"
"We're their cover for something, aren't we?" Hideyori would expect her to figure it out, so she would not disappoint. And it would be nice to hear his excuses for using her this way.
"Yes, sister. I am sorry. It's the best cover we have. Please, ask no more questions." He went, leaving Ayame alone in her room.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 22, 2006 14:34:58 GMT -5
Kuroki went to the room that he had been designated, and set his kodachis near the bed.
Night was growing near, and in the morning he and the others would leave to intercept the message...
Kuroki layed down, his body unable to stay awake, his mind unable to sleep.
A walk would be nice, he thought to himself, getting up and slipping his swords back into his belt.
He slid open the door, and moved down the hallway, making his way outside.
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Post by blossom on Nov 23, 2006 14:09:54 GMT -5
Hideyori emerged from the palace to see Yoshi about to head home.
"Yoshi-kun!" He called, "Would you come here a moment? I need to speak with you."
- - - -
Yuki strolled through the palace gardens, memories surfacing of his time here as a child. It was strange being back here again, yet nice at the same time. It was springtime, so all the flowers were in bloom, and their scents filled the air.
"Yukimura-san." A voice hailed him from behind. Yuki spun around to see Ayame stood a little way off. Her hair was loose, and spilled like a black waterfall over one shoulder to her ankles, except for the single white streak at her temple.
"Ayame-sama," Yukimura bowed deeply in greeting.
"Don't," Ayame protested, "It's too strange. I did know you as a child, after all."
"Y-yes," Yuki nodded.
"How are you?" Ayame asked, moving a little closer.
"Ah ... I am well, thank you. Has your brother spoken to you?"
Ayame stopped, and turned to look at the flowers, her expression one of annoyance. Yuki couldn't fathom why she would scowl so at the thought of a trip to her cousin's residence. Ayame herself quickly realised she shouldn't be so annoyed, and school her expression into one of neutrality.
"Yes." She answered.
"You are looking forward to seeing your cousin again, Ayame-sa --"
"I told you. Just Ayame."
"If you wish, Ayame."
"I do." Ayame replied shortly, then sighed, "I'm sorry, Yukimura. I just .... oh, never mind."
Yukimura didn't know how to reply, so they stood in the garden in silence, watching the flowers.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 23, 2006 15:00:34 GMT -5
Kuroki stepped outside, walking to the gate.
Stepping up to the guard, he spoke, "I'm just going out for a walk."
"Be careful, Kuroki-san. The Tokugawas have been sending spies near the area recently."
"No need to worry," Kuroki replied, chuckling lightly, "Tokugawa spies are seldom skilled at anything buy spying."
The guard laughed back, opening the gate for him.
Kuroki moved outside the gate, walking along the path, with thoughts of the past and of the future roaming his mind. He had been in many battles in the war, yet they were all blurred in his mind into one big and endless fight. Although the only thing he knew was fighting, he hoped that one day there would be peace.
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Post by jessimyre on Nov 23, 2006 18:19:10 GMT -5
Yoshi turned as swiftly as a rabbit at the sound of his name being called. He recognised his Lord and hurried to attend him. He bowed, waiting to be spoken to. He felt honoured, Lord Hideyori was speaking to him himself!
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Post by blossom on Nov 24, 2006 5:12:59 GMT -5
"You will be aware that there are some soldier staying with for the night, Yoshi-kun," Hideyori began, "Tomorrow they are to escort my sister and her maid, Hotaru-kun to our cousin Lord Keji's residence. I would like you to accompany them also. They set off at first light, so please be here early with all you will need for the journey. Unless you have any objections to going?"
- - - -
Ayame stood uncomfortably in the garden. There was an awkward silence between herself and Yukimura that neither wanted to break, and neither wished to seem rude by walking away.
It was strange, Ayame thought, seeing Yukimura again. He had definitely changed from the awkward young boy she remembered - he now moved with a soldier's grace, confident and sure in his abilities.
She wondered if it would be this awkward on their journey. Would Yukimura inist on formalities, making Ayame uncomfortable, or would an echo of their former friendship surface?
And what of the others, what would they be like? Would they insist on formalities as well? What would they think of her if she asked them to treat her as a equal?
Ayame sighed. It was all so difficult.
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Post by jessimyre on Nov 24, 2006 19:26:17 GMT -5
"No, my Lord." Yoshi answered respectfully. "I should be honoured to join them. I shall be ready."
And with that he took his Lord's leave and hurried home, excited, to tell his mother of the days events.
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Post by twilightblade on Nov 27, 2006 19:07:18 GMT -5
Sayoi and Sato had only just been shown to their separate rooms and begun to quietly speak in sign language about the meeting when they both sensed the other warriors moving about. They exchanged glances, then Sayoi nodded.
"In the morning," she said softly.
Sato flicked his hand affirmatively and retreated to his room. They would start training again early tomorrow...very early.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 28, 2006 13:10:47 GMT -5
Kuroki walked along the path, planning in his head a good route to take to intercept the message. His companions might want to try a different route, but should they be cooperative, he was sure he could find a quick and less troublesome route by planning ahead instead of just going step by step.
After looking around for a short while, he turned back towards the gates and headed back.
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Post by blossom on Nov 28, 2006 15:35:26 GMT -5
After a while of silence, Ayame excused herself from Yukimura's company, and made her way back through the garden to the front of the house. There she saw the warrior, Kuroki, returning through the gates.
"Good evening Kuroki-san," she called politely.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 28, 2006 15:51:19 GMT -5
"Good evening," Kuroki replied, "Are you out for a walk too?"
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Post by blossom on Nov 29, 2006 9:35:48 GMT -5
"Yes," Ayame nodded, "I find the fresh air clears my mind."
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 29, 2006 9:39:49 GMT -5
"Couldn't have said it better," Kuroki replied, "I was just planning a route to take for when we escort you to your cousin's."
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Post by blossom on Nov 29, 2006 9:43:25 GMT -5
Ayame's smile froze on her face. Slowly, she nodded, deciding it would be best for all concerned if her ... escort ... believed she was unaware of the way she was being used.
"I look forward to seeing Keji-kun again. I trust the route you have planned will not take us too long?"
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Post by Kage Chaos on Nov 29, 2006 9:48:27 GMT -5
"It's the shortest route I know of," Kuroki explained, "Also where we're least likely to be caught off-guard, should there be any attempts on your life. I've been told that you know some self-defense...How well would you say you can fight?"
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