Set in the time of sword and shield, the land divided. The poor set to work and the rich to eat, the natural order some would say. Give a man a fish he will eat for a day, teach him to fish and he will eat forever. We see things slightly differently in our profession, give a man a sword he will kill someone. Teach him how to use one he will murder everyone. We are nothing but the result of an angry and violent history of bloodshed and slaughter. So with this new age and people getting along, its disrupting the 'natural order' of things. That is where we come in, to restore our primal instincts. We dont pretent to be noble, we are merely trying to survive in world that shits out the weak. We are bounty hunters, hired by the best and birghtest of the bottom of the barrel to take care of 'problems'.
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*The night was drawing down apon us just as we set up camp in the heart of the woods. I was finishing off my search for fire wood and was making my way back to the camp when i heard a rustling in the bushes near me. I looked down slightly and shook my head, i moved closer to the bush and quickly shot my hand into it grabbing the person hiding in it by his collar.*

"Subtlety isent your strong point boy."

Man;"You've got it wrong, we need your help!"

*I dragged him back to the camp site and threw him forward to Snows feet before setting down the fire wood and sitting opposite her.*

"Looks like we have another one my dear."

I was sitting on the ground sharpening my swords. I knew Shiro heard the rustling from the bushes so I paid no attention to anything other than my swords until Shiro threw the man down in front of me. I just simply lift my sword and study the sharp edges until I was satisfied. I put my swords back in its sheathe then I look down at the man. "Hmm..." I got my bag and opened it and took out some flints. "I wonder what it would be this time." I said more outloud than to myself. "Have you gather enough firewood?" I asked, looking up at Shiro.

*I began to unwrap the tape around my hand and wrist and rolling back into a ball before i looked up at Snow and then down at the stranger.*

"Enough to last the night."

*I lent forward and pulled the man back so he was sitting infront of me with his back turned. I lent both my arms forward and rested my arms on his shoulders then rested my head on my palms.*

"So, time to tell your story."

I took what little grass i had around me and threw it on the wood and I hit the flint a few times until the spark hit the grass and lit it up, creating a small fire. I reach in my back and pull out a bottle of alcohol and I sprinkle it on the fire, making bigger. I put the bottle back in my bag and I stare at the fire and listen intently for the man's words.

*The man hunched forward and i lent my weight on his shoulders and stammered a bit before managing to talk.*

Man;"I come from a village in the north, the village elders commanded me to seek you two out. We have heard of your unmatched abilitys to kill. We are in need of your help, our village is small but attracts alot of attention from bandits, theives and the like. They do what they do best and ruin our peaceful town most nights of a year. So the elders sent me to find the best 'people' to solve the problem, we are willing to pay for your sevices of course."

*I lent back and took my weight of his shoulders and stared over at Snow.*

"So, another job then?"

*I inquired to Snow.*

"I suppose so." I stood up and nod my head. "Very well, we will help rid your village of its problems and the cost shouldn't be much since we are only dealing with the pest, like the bandits and so." I look at the man. "So when would you like us to start?" I asked as I strap my swords tighter to my waist.

Man;"As soon as your legs can carry you, our village is always underthreat."

*I stood up and raised the man to his feet.*

"We are already late into the night, any troubles brewing in your village would have stopped by this hour. We will move at first light and catch them on their next strike."

*I threw a few pieces of wood onto the fire and sat back down.*

Man;"My village is half a days walk north of here, deep inside the woods."

"Tell your people to ignore our presence and arrival."

*The man nodded and sprinted back off into the woods heading back to his village. I looked back over at Snow.*

"My watch tonight then? You should probly get some rest."

I nod my head and walk over to a tree and sat down and lean my back against it. "I suppose I need my rest." I look at Shiro. "You know, it get tiresome when it comes to fighting off thieves and the likes. There is never really anything more challenging nowadays." I cross my arms in front of me and close my eyes. "Perhaps tomorrow will be different."

"Perhaps, but i doubt it."

*I stayed awake and kept the fire burning, nowadays we took turns in keep watch. Too many times have theives, bandits and other mercs come looking for an easy kill in the night. I suppose taking out the best means more business for them, but we are the best for a reason. As morning broke and the fire died out i packed away what previsions and suppplies we had before waking up Snow.*

"Its time to move, we should be their by mid day."

I look up at Shiro and nod. "Alright then." I got up and stretch and pick up my bag of supplies. "Mid day, you say? Sounds about right." I started walking then I stop and rub my eyes tiredly. I was definitely not a morning person, unlike Shiro. "He said north right?" I asked and yawn.

*I pulled the bag onto my back and looked north.*

"Yes, half a days walk to the north."

*We set off after Snow had gotten her self ready. As we walked i kept looking over my shoulder. I couldent help but think we were being followed.*

"Remind me why we got into this line of work again. Was it really the fall of the Empire? The invasion that turned the greatest into criminals. I keep thinking back to that day, the day when we were still champions in the city. Then the new 'King' was crowned, young and corrupt to the other empires. Dispanding the army and letting the city fall to ruins."

I pick up my bag and walk beside Shiro. "You know just as well as I do why we got into this line of work." I said quite bitterly. "That new 'King' preach to everyone about how life should be lived." I grip the handle of one of my swords and I glance around. I thought we were being followed but now....now I know we were being followed. "He calls it 'Survival of the Fittest' I call it a bunch of crap." I look at Shiro and roll my shoulders. "Lets get rid of our tag alongs. They're starting to annoy me."

"Survival of the fittest is a saying that has lost its meaning this day and age, too many people gain power by putting tounge to ass and letting morals slip away."

*I stop and drop the bag from my shoulder and turn around.*

"Come out now and you might be shown mercy."

*Two figures dropped from the trees behind us, i turned back around to face them. They dressed all in black tight cloth, no marks or symbol apon them.*

"What is it you want?"

I drop my bag down as well and I faced the two people dressed in black. In one look, I knew they were hunting us and not only that but by the way they were dressed, they had experience in ninja-like skills like myself. I watch carefully as the two ninja's lift their finger and point at us then without warning they ran right at us with great speed. "Promise you won't die on me Shiro." I said and I quickly drew and ran right at one of the ninja and I clash my sword against the ninja's kantana. I jump back and I quickly jump up into a branch and was soon followed by the ninja.

*I looked at the clothes then back at Snow.*

"All too true, my love. The celebration will start in a few hours, lets us dress for the occasion."

*I Removed my shirt and slipping the formal one over my head and buttoned it up. I outstreched my arms to make sure it wasent too loose. I then swapped over my trousers for the formal ones and placed the mask on my face. I looked over at Snow.*

"How do i look?"

I undress and put my blue formal dress on rather quickly and I look over at Shiro and smile. "You look very handsome love." I walk over to him and fix his collar a bit. "I like it." I pick up my mask off of the table and smiled. "What do you think? I hope its not too much." I said as I smooth out my dress a bit.

*I smile and lean back against the wall.*

"I remember a pretty thing like you. How long has it been since you wore a dress like that?"

*I chuckled slightly and move closer to her.*

"It would be nice to be able to wear clothes like these without having to stain them with blood for once. But perhapes that is for another time."

I chuckled softly and I smiled. "Awww... be quiet. You'll make me blush." I put on my mask and took his hand in mines. "Yes it would be nice but in the times that we are living in nowadays, its impossible. Besides, I think a little blood will add a good bit of color on my dress." I said jokingly.

*I smirked and looked out the window, it was already getting the dark and the festival was just begging. I kissed the back of her hand and bowed extended my arm towards the door.*

"Shall we my lady?"

I smiled and curtsy before him. "We shall." I stood up tall and I held my arm out for him to take and lead me to the festival.