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Post by blossom on Dec 8, 2006 15:09:22 GMT -5
Erm .... huh? I'm confused >.<
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 8, 2006 15:26:05 GMT -5
In other words, he's not going to say exactly, while blaming Hideyori for starting everything.
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Post by blossom on Dec 8, 2006 15:31:07 GMT -5
Oh, okay.
"I'm not handing my sister over to you, Ashitaka!" Hideyori stood in front of Ayame, an arm out protectively, his expression daring Ashitaka to try and take her.
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 8, 2006 15:39:33 GMT -5
The man's voice became colder, more firm. "You don't have a choice. Your retainers are taken care of, none will come to your aid. You cannot stand against my archers and swordsmen for long. Send out Ayame."
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Post by blossom on Dec 8, 2006 15:47:06 GMT -5
"I will not give you my sister," Hideyori had lowered his voice, a danger sign. "I swore to protect her."
Ayame hovered behind her brother, unsure what to do. For the first time since she was a child, she felt real fear. It was a cold, hard knot in her stomach, chilling her entire body from the inside out. What was she to do? If Hideyori fought, he would surely be killed. But he would not let her give herself up. What should she do?
Yukimura had half drawn his nodachi, and now stepped forward.
"Do you really think any of us would give up Ayame-sama so easily?"
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 8, 2006 15:48:55 GMT -5
The man's voice sounded amused. "Of course not. Which is why we might have to kill you. Don't take another step."
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Post by blossom on Dec 8, 2006 15:52:05 GMT -5
Yuki stopped moving, but kept his blade half drawn, ready to fight. Ayame moved closer to her brother and whispered,
"Maybe we should do what he wants ..."
"No." Hideyori answered shortly, "Don't even think it, Ayame."
She stayed quiet after that.
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 8, 2006 15:55:39 GMT -5
The man laughed a little. "Thank you warrior." His voice deepened, and hands flashed in the gloom of the hallway. "Hideyori, I will not wait much longer. If this is to be over your body, so be it."
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Post by blossom on Dec 8, 2006 16:01:56 GMT -5
"Do you really think I'm going to hand my sister over to you without any kind of fight?" Hideyori asked disbelievingly.
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 8, 2006 16:11:46 GMT -5
"And what have we been doing but fighting?" the man asked reasonably. "If only with words." He held up a hand. "Archers. Hideyori...not even the greatest blades can block all arrows and darts."
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Post by Kage Chaos on Dec 8, 2006 23:03:00 GMT -5
"You're correct," Kuroki answered with confidence, "It takes great skill and great blades. Of course, if you're archers can fire the arrows, it doesn't matter anyway."
Suddenly, every one of the archers' necks were sliced open, and they frantically grasped at their necks. Kuroki had his connections in the Yakuza of the local villages.
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Post by blossom on Dec 9, 2006 5:55:55 GMT -5
"I already told you, Ashitaka. I will not give my sister to you. And as you can see, your archers are now .... incapacitated. Now leave!" Hideyori commanded his adversary.
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 11, 2006 11:21:39 GMT -5
Ashitaka laughed, fading back into the shadows. "Now."
His swordsmen stepped into view, almost all of them wounded from their sudden fight with the Yakuza traitors in their midst, but some of them had picked up fallen bows and arrows and once more held them ready... They fired all at once, this time aiming to kill and wound...and not to miss.
***
Ayeka followed Ashitaka's plan and flicked the metal-wound ropes silently down around the two below her. Ayame and Hideyori never saw in time what now began to tighten around their arms and necks. And Ayeka was safely beyond the reach of any swordsman...and most of the archers as well.
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Post by Kage Chaos on Dec 11, 2006 11:54:24 GMT -5
Kuroki reacted like a supreme samurai, severing the ropes that had entangled Ayame and Hideyori, "Run, or prepare to defend yourselves!"
Kuroki ran and knocked down several arrows and darts, closing the gap between the swordsmen and killing several of them in a few smooth swings.
"Attack!" Kuroki yelled as loudly as possible.
Several hundred more Yakuza ran from a nearby forest, assisting Kuroki in fending off the Tokugawa forces.
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Post by blossom on Dec 11, 2006 13:30:15 GMT -5
Yukimura rushed forward, drawing his nodachi and attacking in one smooth movement. He ducked, parried and blocked the swordsmen's attacks, expertly using their own strength against them.
- - - -
Free of the ropes that had enmeshed them, Hideyori stayed in front of Ayame, his sword drawn, defending her from the attackers. Ayame longed to help, but dared not reveal her secret - not with Ashitaka no doubt watched their every move.
She knew that Ayeka would be somewhere above them, protected from attack, but able to aid the soldiers. Damn her ... Ayame thought, clenching her fists. She would be the only one fast enough to evade Ayeka in close combat .... but she couldn't even fight.
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 11, 2006 15:03:35 GMT -5
Ayeka shook her head as she watched the ensuing fight. Hideyori must have really paid out the money this time. She moved sliently away, helping Ashitaka out of the building and to their horses. They had been sucessful in throwing suspicion on Sato and Sayoi...and now they would either be killed...or have to flee for their lives. If Sayoi found Sato's bound, unconscious body in time that is. Ashitaka smiled at her. "We did well. Sato and Sayoi are suspected, and we have got rid of those worthless fighters." "We go." Ayeka nodded back, and they rode into the night. ************ Sayoi had been awakened by the fighting in the other room and pulled her clothing about herself, snatched up her katanas, and run to help. But her way in was blocked by fighting, struggling men. She looked quickly around, then up. Up... There was a way. (Same way taken by Ayeka. More suspicions ) With a bound, she was working her way along a route that required all of her skills, and she soon found herself crouched above Ayame-san and Hideyori-sama. A way down? Yes. She flipped to her feet beside them, facing out toward the attackers. "Hideyori-sama? Tokugawa attacked?" she asked quickly, fending off a wildly swinging sword and neatly dispatching its wielder. She looked around, searching for Sato.
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Post by blossom on Dec 12, 2006 14:53:50 GMT -5
"As if you didn't already know!" Ayame turned to Sayoi in disbelief, "You and your friend betrayed us!"
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Post by Kage Chaos on Dec 12, 2006 16:47:18 GMT -5
"Calm down, now," Kuroki spoke to Ayame, "This seems too convenient to have been a simple betrayal. If they've already made it this obvious, they wouldn't dare to return here."
Turning to Sayoi, "It may have been your companion, but it seems at least one of you is a traitor."
He then turned to Hideyori, "It would be best to send her to a guarded cell."
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 12, 2006 16:56:58 GMT -5
Sayoi turned slowly at Ayame's statement, drawing herself up slowly, her face cold. She slowly sheathed her blade as Kuroki spoke.
She looked straight at him. "No. You question my honor." She turned to Lord Hideyori, bowed slightly, then shifted back. "Hideyori-sama, I am sorry I was not able to help."
She turned and stalked away, coolly ignoring the swordsmen about her.
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Post by blossom on Dec 13, 2006 9:26:10 GMT -5
Yukimura watched, surprised, as Sayoi walked away. He then noticed that Hideyori was trying to catch his eye, and, understanding, nodded.
He dashed after Sayoi, catching her by the elbow as she left the room.
"Sayoi-san, please listen," he tried to explain, "When we were outside talking, your companion approaced Kuroki-san and myself. He revealed himself as a traitor - he claimed we were surrounded by swordsmen and archers, and he seemed to be a Tokugawa. When we went to inform Hideyori-sama, we were attacked by Tokugawa Ashitaka, and his ninja companion, Ayeka. We drew the conclusion that your companion was working for them.
"Surely you can see why we might have been suspicious of you? Ayame-sama words were harsh, but she was scared. Ashitaka wanted her. I apologise if you truly are innocent, but please try and understand."
He hesitated, then released her elbow, waiting for her reply.
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 13, 2006 16:26:46 GMT -5
Sayoi hesitated. "You say Sato-kun...approached you?" She looked down and away, biting her lip, then stared him in the eyes. "I understand, but I will not be locked away if Sato is out there...and...and a traitor." She took a step back, her hands clenching. "He is...was...a friend. And if he is so great a traitor to you, then remember what he is to me." She slowly relaxed, still gazing at him. "Do you still intend to lock me up?"
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Post by blossom on Dec 14, 2006 9:41:03 GMT -5
"I realise this must be difficult for you, Sayoi-san," Yukimura tried to sympathise, "I know Sato-san is a friend to you, but because of him we are now fighting for our lives. If you are truly innocent - and I believe you are - I do not think Hideyori-dono will lock you up. But, please understand, we cannot just let you walk away."
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 14, 2006 20:02:43 GMT -5
Sayoi hesitated for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. I understand that. If you must, have someone come with me for now. I must check something before anything else happens. It is...very important."
She drew back one more step. "If it will help any, I will give you my weapons, but I must find out this one thing."
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Post by blossom on Dec 15, 2006 13:24:20 GMT -5
"I will come with you, then," Yuki answered, "I am sure Kuroki-san can protect Hideyori-dono and Ayame-dono on his own."
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Post by twilightblade on Dec 15, 2006 13:31:10 GMT -5
Sayoi nodded and turned to go to the rooms that Lord Hideyori had let them use. She moved slowly and softly, bypassing her room for Sato's. She tugged at the door, but it remained stubbornly shut. She hesitated, mumbled a quick katra and tried again. This time, with a screech tearing of wood, the door opened.
Sayoi stepped into the room, then halted abruptly. The room was a shambles and in the middle of the mess lay Sato, bruised, bloody, unconsious, tied quite firmly and wearing only a blanket.
Sayoi swallowed hard, then hurried forward, dropping to her knees beside him and checking to make sure he was alive. She looked up at Yukimura. "So, he is a traitor?" she asked him softly, voice strained. She turned her gaze down at again and rose to get water and a cloth.
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