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Tsukiko

"I am judge, jury, and executioner for those who harm my river."

0 · 1,962 views · located in Edo Japan

a character in “Tsukiakari”, as played by TheHuntress

Description

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♔ || Name || ♔
"I take my name after the name of my river, Tsuki-ko, the Moon River, one which the water is so pure and clear that it reflects the dazzling moon."
Tsukiko

♔ || Nickname(s) || ♔
Tsuki ll Moon ll Dragon

♔ || Race || ♔
Spirit

♔ || Specializes In || ♔
Spirit of Storms
Also Known As
Spirit of Tsuki-ko (Moon River)

♔ || Age || ♔
493

♔ || Gender || ♔
Female

♔ || Sexuality || ♔
Pansexual

♔ || Face Claim || ♔
Sode no Shirayuki




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♔ || Height || ♔
5'7"
♔ || Weight || ♔
115 lbs
♔ || Hair Color || ♔
White/ Pale Silver
♔ || Eye Color || ♔
Ice Blue
♔ || Build/Appearance/Clothing || ♔
Her entire complexion holds a pale and icy nature, the light color of her hair matching the pale tone of her skin that is garded with the traditional white kimono. The woman holds a graceful nature. Her height and thin build gives her an appearance of a dancer. However, her overall build makes her appear fragile, as if her bodily strength cannot hold up to the often cold strength shown in her icy eyes.
♔ || Dragon Form || ♔
For most that stumble across the Moon River(Tsuki-ko), they would find a massive dragon with scales as pale as ice itself floating around within the midst of the clear waters. That is the form Tsuki prefers to take on while within the sanctuary of her river. Once outside, she would take on the human form within the company of humans. However, many times she neglects such and displays her dragon form, but outside of her river, her form is much smaller, rising up to about 20 feet, the slender form of the white dragon takes on a much gentler form.




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♔ || Weapon || ♔
Katana
The silver katana is rarely ever used within her presence and is only seen when Tsuki takes on her human form. She does not particularly prefer to use it, for the mere command of storms is usually enough to frighten those who wishes to harm her river. However, in more desperate situations, her silver katana wields the ability of lightning and thunder that is able to be commanded with simple maneuvers of her hand.
♔ || Abilities || ♔
"My dear, do you truly believe you can stand up against the force of the storms?"
Storm Manipulation
An ability to control and command storms, her ability is usually used to frighten away those who desire to harm her river and to keep its sacred waters free of the advancement of society. The river is characterized by humans as "dangerous waters" in which many sailors do not return alive. Many myths tell of a mythical dragon that resides within the waters and calls upon storms from heaven itself. The river resides in northern atmosphere, one in which hail storms dominate many of the storms, and is Tsuki's usual preference in many situations.

Although rarely ever seen, in times where sailors test their bravery through the erratic waters, she takes her human form before them. The katana that morphs into shape beside her waist gives her her ability to command the more damaging forces of the storms: Lightning and thunder. The damaging effects of electricity and the deafening sound of thunder represents her rage at those who desire to harm her home.



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♔ || Likes || ♔
Snow ll Tsuki-ko (Moon River) ll Nighttime ll Swimming ll Flying ll Storms ll Water ll Cleaning ll Color White/Silver ll Manners ll Kimonos ll Formal Talk ll Poetry ll Animals ll Dancing ll Songs ll Nature ll Flowers ll Winter ll Culture/History
♔ || Dislikes || ♔
Humans ll Society ll Loud Talking ll Sailors ll Trash ll Disrespect ll Disturbances ll Crowds ll Hunters ll Liars ll Summer/Heat ll Unsanitary Places ll Stuffy Atmosphere ll Being Underestimated
♔ || Talents || ♔
Flying
Although she does not prefer to be out of her river, her skills in flying as a dragon is not to be underestimated. The dragon's thin form is able to rip through the air with much grace and speed, its motion much like one of swimming under the water.
Organization
Centuries of cleaning and keeping her waters safe and pure of outside impurities, she has developed the skill of organization. Not only limited to cleaning, she also has the blessing of memorization, able to keep her agenda clear and organized and keep up her expectations to avoid any surprises.
♔ || Flaws || ♔
Obsessive Compulsion Disorder
A need to keep her river clean and free of anything that can taint its pure waters, she has developed OCD within cleanness, always needing to keep everything pristine and clear before she falls into one of her panic attacks.
Preference to the Familiar
Odd for one who joined the Tsukiakari, but Tsukiko does not prefer to be away from her comfort zones, namely her river. Being out into the unfamiliar arouses a sense of coldness within her that puts her on an odd alert state along with an agitated sense of mind.
Quickness to Temper
To the myths surrounding the lost souls of the sailors that test their bravery within the stormy river, it is needless to say that she is quick to lose her temper at those who step within her territory.
♔ || Fears || ♔
The Destruction of Tsuki-ko
Her soul lies within that river, the source of both her power and her being itself. If anything brings destruction upon that river, it brings destruction upon her and thus she will do everything she can to protect the sacred waters.
Enochlophobia ll Fear of Crowds
Always having the entire river to herself, it would be an understatement to say that she's not exactly fond of crowds. However, it is more or less the stuffy atmosphere they bring that she cannot get used to.




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♔ || Personality || ♔
{Independent ll Protective ll Organized ll Proud ll Stubborn ll Honest ll Persistent ll Guarded ll Harsh}

Like the storm itself, Tsuki is proud and harsh. Her actions and words are, though honest, pessimistic to many others who prefer to view life in a more cheerful context. While she prefers to think of herself as one who views the world in a realistic way, truly she can get more pessimistic than normal at many times. Her words are often sharp and there practically lacks a barrier between her mind and her mouth. Not usually preferring company, Tsukiko is guarded against others, unwilling to trust them unless the situation calls for it.

Her river is her birth place, her parent, and her soul. She was created to guard it and for that, she is extremely protective over her river. Although usually peaceful if not bothered, once one crosses the boundary that threatens the pristine state of her river, she becomes ruthless in her actions. Much like storms, she holds an unhinging and stubborn spirit and much like the moon, she retains that mysterious and reserved nature.




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♔ || Bio || ♔
"I am the guardian of these sacred waters. Cross into my territory and you shall feel the storm that brews within me."

Born from the sacred river that was famed as the most beautiful body of water one could lay their eyes on, Tsukiko took on her name after the river she devoted her life to protect: Tsuki-ko (Moon River). For centuries, the pure waters of the river served as both a spiritual symbol and a source of life for those of nature. However, as the time passed on, the human race wanted more than what they had and those loyal to the ancient symbol of the river formed a prayer, one that called for the protection of its sacred waters.

Myths began forming about a large dragon that resides within the river, Truthfully, Tsukiko took pride within these myths, for although they feared her, the humans also feared to venture upon her river. The humans got what they asked for, but they also got something more. The usually calm waters turned was now deemed dangerous, for storms brushed over the surface, these forces of nature keeping many away from its proximity.

Same routine, same patterns. Her life has always been such, simply passing the days away either within or by the side of the river, never leaving the sanctuary of the waters despite the fact that rarely any ever pays a visit due to its now well-known danger. Then. Something changed. A group ventured upon her territory, only to be met with her wrath, the storms pushing the group away from her home. However, the group persisted, placing their abode on the hills beside her river.

For years, she watched the group, taking note of their doings. One year ago, she finally relented. The similar patterns of life was a dull, though she has never thought much of it until she watched what the Tsukiakari did for a living. She asked, or most would call it simply demanding, for position within the Tsukiakari, promising to lend her power in times of need. For once, the dragon bowed its head.

"Perhaps it is high time for me to live for something other than these waters."

So begins...

Tsukiko's Story

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: [NPC] Bartender Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Kanika Character Portrait: Hiruko Character Portrait: Kichirou Matsumoto
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Demon | of | Revenge




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Laying, bored as usual, in the center of the Tsukiakari shrine, Ankoku, the demon of revenge, stared stultifyingly at the tree's slowly beginning to lose their charm, blossoms, and leaves. Fall was approaching along with winter following afterwards. Not that she cared. Ankoku hardly paid attention to the seasons. In fact, she was quite apathetic about many things after all the years she's lived her dull life, 'It's always the same thing, over and over again.'
She thought tiredly to herself. Lately, the individual prayers that she had gotten were all stories about how someone's loved one was killed by a demon or another human, and she, Ankoku, had to go hunt down the killer and take care of them herself. She was named the demon of revenge for a good reason, but sometimes, she wanted a more interesting request than the same stories over and over again.

Ankoku glanced over at the donation boxes, ones where people tossed any extra money in hopes that their luck of their wishes being granted would be increased. Out of boredom, and curiosity, she got up, walking barefoot, as usual, on the smooth wooden floors of the Tsukiakari housing until she reached the front of the shrine. It was no surprise how quiet it was and how no one was in sight of the shrine. They were, even during the war, still quite unpopular.

She walked by every single demon, spirit, and their great god's boxes until she reached her own. A few coins, as expected. Ankoku was still quite a minor demon, hardly known, hardly powerful. But what told her that she was still there and remembered was when she got prayers. Of course, they were mostly from bad people. What good person would want revenge? No one.

Just as she scoffed at how poor Tsukiakari really was, she realized that she was getting another prayer, 'My brother was killed in this war. A demon killed him on the battle field, one with a large head and a tiny body. It was tall and intimidating. Please take revenge for me, Ankoku.' Ankoku frowned with annoyance at this and wiped the memory clear from her head, deciding not to take that job. As unsatisfied as she was, she'd rather be that than have to replay the same story all over again for the hundredth time.

'It's just another damn prayer. Who the hell cares if I don't take revenge for them either? Honestly... humans are so tiring... We don't have to do all their work. If they really wanted revenge, they wouldn't call on a demon to do their bidding.' Just like the gods who had unleashed hell, Ankoku, too, despised most humans.

Ankoku was orignally about to walk away, seeing as there was nothing of interest to her there until there was a chime of the bell; the bell belonging to Tsukiakari's shrine. That meant that there was a prayer for the whole entire group. The whole entire Tsukiakari group. Quickly, she ran back to the largest saisen, the donation box, which obviously was for the Tsukiakari group, and found a prayer written across the board, how they are usually written for the group.

''The demons are spreading to my village lately, and they're terrorizing everyone. It started with just a few pranks, like breaking pots or tripping the kids, but it's gotten more violent. People are dying and we can see them clearly now. They're wiping out the whole entire village. Our men, including myself, can't stop them, and the women and children are being killed. Please, Tsukiakari, help us.'

It was from an adult male villager, and this made Ankoku grow eager. Rudely, as usual, she called throughout to those who were still in the area of the shrine, "Off your asses, fools! Get over here! We finally got a prayer." She felt the excitement rush through her while she yelled. Hell, she could care less if anyone was bothered by her yelling at this point.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Ankoku
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Time: Two Days Ago



Leave me in peace.

The faint stir in the water roused the large form lying on the river bed, its large eyes opening as its head rose out of its sleeping position. Although the river no doubt surged with tides, the unfamiliar the dragon felt was not created by nature itself, but rather… Humans. That was enough for the dragon’s icy blue eyes to suddenly blaze with anger. Humans. How dare they tread upon my waters. It has surely been a long period of peace for Tsuki, the myth of the dragon tested the courage of many sailors that dared to even think about journeying into Tsuki-ko. But humans will be humans.

The dragon’s eyes flitted toward the direction of the unfamiliar stir, its body traveling swiftly through the surging waters of the river, toward the dark form that lingered on its surface. Out of my river. Its blue eyes lighted with anger, the calm surface of the river suddenly morphing, tides rose as the smooth surface was suddenly wrought with large raindrops forming from the clouds above. I’ll show you what happens when you play with storms. Yells and panicked voices rang from the dark shadow that was now identified as that of a ship as the temperature of the air above the water lowered, the mere change in atmosphere was able to alert the sailors to attention. The large eyes of the dragon narrowed with slight mischievousness. Tsuki didn’t want anything to do with humans, their existence nearly nonexistent to her outside of the river. However, when these humans decide to test their courage against the raging storms that wrought Tsuki-ko…

The large pieces of hail wrecked the river’s calm exterior, the once calm waters suddenly blazing with the spirit’s anger. Leave. The large ship, however, did not pause, its course unchanged against the raging storm. The spirit did not relieve its fury though, the dragon curling up its body against the river, its head rising to push at the ship. LEAVE. The sailors should have known better than to test the wrath of the spirit, the entire river bed shaking with the force of her anger as the hail storm worsened.

“Release the sails!” The voices above the waters were clear to the dragon, its ears perking up at the panicked yells of the humans that dared to disturb its waters. “Cap’n, the wind’s too strong! She’s going down, Cap’n!” Perhaps she was going too far, but Tsuki was determined to frighten those that believed their bravery was going to work against the stormy waters of the sacred river. “Dump the cargo! Keep her steady, boys.” The dragon’s eyes suddenly flickered with alarm as the waters were once again disturbed, but what floated down from the small shadow was even more disturbing. N-No… The sight sent a chill down her spine, the sudden tiny shimmering spots floating down toward the large mass of the dragon. The buckets of fish dumped straight back into the home in which they were taken from. No… The water was shimmering now, a silver shimmer, glowing from the icy scales of the dragon as its blue eyes blazed with anger that hasn’t been seen in years. The mass of glowing body shrunk by the second, twisting and turning as the body of silver light formed into a streak, the small streak of light maintained its glow at the bed of the river.

“How dare you…” The young woman’s icy voice rang throughout the waters, much like the sound of ice clanging against each other in a musical tone, but nothing of it suggested harmony. The light dimmed as the white kimono formed onto the girl’s body, untouched by the freezing waters that swirled around her. “How dare you taint my river…” The body of the girl drifted onto the surface of the water, her silver hair blowing in the blasting wind that seemed to howl with each passing second. “How dare you eat away at its life!” The icy fury of the dragon was reflected in Tsuki’s eyes, the white katana laying with adamancy across her hands, her fingers tightening around the hilt. “Cap’n… It’s a girl…” She could hardly care less for their shock, the anger mingling with the horror at her river’s destruction. “So the legends were true… The princess that guards the dragon. Hah! What irony! No signs of humor reflected in her cold posture as the silver blade emerged from behind the sheath of the katana. This was the bottom line. These humans were going to pay.

If only they knew the “princess” was the dragon.

Flash. Lightning streaked across the cloud-covered sky, as if splitting it in half. Thunder roared as it shook the grounds, the tides of the river suddenly bursting into a dance of fury. Screams were heard, then all was silent.



Time: Present Times




Won’t you all simply leave me in peace…?

“Off your asses, fools! Get over here! We finally got a prayer.” Obviously not, the dragon’s eyes opening with a slight hint of annoyance as the girl’s voice travelled through the shrine, the sound bouncing off of the surface of the river that lied beside it. The water stirred slightly with the rousing of the dragon, the icy blue much calmer than it had been two days ago, but also wrought with a sense of fatigue. What is the meaning of this… The icy scales morphed into the fabric of the kimono, the faint glow of it was heightened by the sun that hunt itself high in the clouds.

“Is there a need to yell?” The long sleeves of her kimono was pulled up slightly as she stepped out of the freezing waters of the river, pulling the bangs of her hair back out of her eyes to show the now calm blue of her irises. Her eyes did not show a hint of surprise as they flickered toward the Demon of Revenge, shaking her head in a slight hint of annoyance. However, curiosity overwhelmed her annoyance at being awoken from her sleep, her arms raising lazily in a small stretch as she walked forward, the movements slightly hesitant as she is still rather not comfortable with walking on land. “I myself do not have much to do. Alas, the main box has been relatively empty, has it not?” Her eyes flitted toward the demon whose presence she did not detect at first, following his gaze toward the words that now registered into her sight. “What in the name of the moon is this?” She was still relatively new to the Tsukiakari, not that she hasn’t been watching them silently from the waters for years, but truly she didn’t give too much of a care to what it was that they did. However, the words caught her attention, and a harsh look flashed across her face. Humans. She has had quite enough of humans these days, now holding no sense but distaste for these vile creatures. However, the words were what intrigued her, the events described was looked upon with a slight hint of interest in her eyes. “This task does sound interesting- I shall help, if I am allowed.” A faint smile rose on her lips before disappearing, the strange appearance of the demon not bothering her in the slightest as she turned her head away from the board. “My assistance will be provided.” Her voice was mellow, but it was also harsh, each word sharp like jagged pieces of ice. “Join me for tea, won’t you, Kumorimaru? Her tone did not tie her words together as a question, more or so like a demand. However, his manners were something she has at least taken a neutral stance, if not a hint of friendliness to.

This shall be an amusing ride.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Kichirou Matsumoto Character Portrait: Ankoku Character Portrait: Kiba Bayushi
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The intricacies of the duel were often lost to those who weren't trained in the art of iajutsu dueling. Iajutsu masters could strike their opponent down with only their gaze, without even having to lift a finger. A master, he was not, so Kiba dare not even move to wipe the sweat dripping from his brow and stinging his eyes. Could he feel paralysis creeping into his bones as he locked his blue and green gaze with his opponent's disconcerting amber one, or was he imagining it? His opponent's thumb twitched, sending a jolt of electricity down his spine.

He must have flinched involuntarily, since he could feel the weight of her intent now crushing down upon his shoulders. Her piercing gaze widened, and a tattooed hand darted with lightning quickness to her belt. That was the moment he knew it was over, even before he felt here eyes lock straight onto his weakest point.

"Check," she intoned gravely, snapping a knight which she had taken from him earlier onto the board. It clacked down with finality, and Kiba knew he only had one or two moves before all was lost. He mustered the fiercest gaze he could under the circumstances and locked eyes with her once again. Try as he might, however, she was unreadable, even after they sat for what felt like hours in unblinking contest.

"Well?" She asked.

"I'm thinking," he replied.

"You're stalling," she accused, twisting one corner of her plush red lips into a sly little grin. That was all it took to smite the weakest link in his armor and send his fierce exterior crumbling. "Watch your mouth," she commanded afterwards, right as he was about to open it to swear.

"How did I end up like this again?"

"You made a bet," she informed gravely, her eyes narrowing as if she knew where this conversation was headed.

"I think I've sweat out most of the booze and come to my senses by now... besides, you can't hold a drunk man to his word..."

She didn't reply, only held out her tattooed hand palm up to him, the light glinting off the tips of her blue painted nails.

"Dammit, Zahn..." Kiba swore, deflating like a balloon. He dug one of his weathered hands into a pouch hanging from his belt. "One of these days I will beat you," he promised as he slapped a shiny rock into her hand.

He felt her amber gaze slice through him once again for a fraction of a second, but she held the rock up, and as the light hit it just-so, it shimmered brilliantly and projected a rainbow onto her face. After a long, tense minute she broke out into a big smile, exposing her pointed canines and closed her fist around the rock.

"When you have something else shiny, feel free to come back and try again," she sang merrily. "By the way, your babysitter is calling."

"What?" He raised an eyebrow at her, but after a moment off in the distance he could hear the bell from the Tsukiaki shrine give a single tone. He couldn't help but look over his shoulder in the direction of the shrine. It didn't seem to matter how far away he was from that place, he could hear whenever that bell chimed... rarely as it did. He turned back to spear Zahn with a suspicious look. She'd already vanished with nary a sound, though he could feel her giggling at him from... someplace.

"Don't meddle in the affairs..." Kiba trailed off, noting some words of wisdom his father used to tell him with some chagrin, and yet whenever he found a shiny trinket to gamble (emphasis on shiny and not necessarily valuable), he always made his way to Zahn's Shogi board.

Kiba used his last few yen to buy a bottle of saki for the road with an air of disappointment and made the long trek back to the Tsukiakari shrine. He passed Kichirou in the hall talking to his brothers on the way. Kiba usually greeted him with a hearty hello and a stiff shoulder slap... that is except when he returned from one of Zahn's thorough lashings. He unhooked a skin of wine sealed with wax that he'd "bartered for from a travelling merchant" (read: stolen, probably from highwaymen who'd taken it from said merchant) and thrust it into Kichirou's hands as he passed.

"Not to my taste," he grunted sullenly and tromped heavily up the steps into the shrine where he leaned his considerable weight against the frame in the entrance and listened to the announcement. He didn't reply: the steely look in his eyes at the mention of demons causing trouble was enough for Ankoku to know he was in... when it concerned demons, he always was.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Kichirou Matsumoto Character Portrait: Ankoku Character Portrait: Kiba Bayushi Character Portrait: Mizuki Matsushita
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Demon | of | Revenge




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Not too long later after Ankoku's rude remark came the first person who heard her shouting across the shrine of the Tsukiakari; Kumorimaru, the demon of the dead and wind. Fellow demons, ones who Ankoku found to be wise, were always a good thing, to her, since now days, all the demons were just killing machines with less than a brain, “It would seem that there is an interesting task ahead, does it not, Ankoku? I myself do not have much to do. Alas, the main box has been relatively empty, has it not? This task does sound interesting- I shall help, if I am allowed.”

A smirk spread across Ankoku's face. Perhaps she wasn't the friendliest person or politest person at all times, after all, she was a demon, but she never turned down company when it was offered openly to her, "Doesn't it? Killing my own kind is a taboo, but they're all such idiots. Its because of demons like them that my people are degraded to be such low lives." She scowled a bit, but brought composure back to herself and responded, "The more the merrier, I suppose."

Soon afterwards, in fact, less than a mere few seconds from their small conversation entered the human, Kichirou Matsumodo. He was one of the few humans in that world, besides the others in Tsukiakari, that Ankoku could deal with, as she despised humans. He passed over, and said, "My deepest apologies. I have a bit of a...business meeting to attend to shortly. I hope you understand."

Ankoku stared at him blankly, then suspiciously but shrugged, "Too bad. You'd be missing out on a mission, seeing as this place hardly gets any prayers, even in this time of war..." Ankoku turned back to reread the prayer on the board behind Tsukiakari's saisen, "Well, if this business meeting is really as important as you make it to be, do what you wish." What exactly was a business meeting? Ankoku surely didn't know, even after all those years of being alive.

“Is there a need to yell?” Ankoku turned around to the cold and icy voice of Tsukiko, spirit of storms. If Ankoku were concerned with her appearance, she'd be jealous of the girl. However, she wasn't, "What in the name of the moon is this?” She questioned.

"Prayer." Ankoku said, not wavering her eyes away from the slowly fading words. She chuckled a bit when she added, "Surprising, isn't it? It'd been ages since someone's actually requested our help."

“My assistance will be provided.” Tsukiko said.

"Good, we'll be at a full-house in no time. That'll make this a little easier, since it is, after all, a whole village of demons we'll be taking care of." Honestly, Ankoku could care less if it were a pack of wolves, or taking place as a soldier in the war, or something as silly was trying to find a lost cat. She'd been used and called upon far too many times for revenge, each having the same story, that she was sick of it. All she wanted to do now was to take a new request, and luckily for her, the one she was staring at now had arrived to her ennui. Once more, she glanced over at Kichirou and muttered, "Shame."

There was a small crack in the wooden floors behind the group which Ankoku had caught with her sensitive ears. She turned, and there was Kiba Bayushi, another one of the few humans Ankoku didn't mind. In fact, he may have been her favorite of the few in Tsukiakari. Then again, what exactly was a favorite? "Not drunk are you, Bayushi?" Ankoku snickered.

Ankoku didn't speak for a bit, just looking at him silently. There was a look in his eyes which Ankoku easily saw through and said, "I guess that means you'll be joining us as well then, am I correct?" When she looked back at the board, the message had already faded to words that one could only see if they squinted hard enough. Ankoku moved her black hair out of her face and said, "The sooner we finish this, the better it is for the few remaining survivors of that village. I suggest we all get ready now before departure." She stated, then paused, "And someone find Matsushita. I'm concerned that girl's getting her nose in those books again... She, too, may miss out on this opportunity." Ankoku sighed and began her walk behind the Tsukiakari shrine to get to her own room, "I'll be fetching my sword in the mean time."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Kichirou Matsumoto Character Portrait: Ankoku Character Portrait: Kiba Bayushi
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The world tilts; his head tilts, a wind blows, annoyance grows. “My deepest apologies. I have a bit of a...business meeting to attend to shortly. I hope you understand." Darkness- and then the figures come back to focus. Irritation flows, teaming in the air as death streamed from Kumorimaru. A shake of the head, a sigh from the mouth, another step backward for a better view. "Too bad. You'd be missing out on a mission, seeing as this place hardly gets any prayers, even in this time of war.. .Well, if this business meeting is really as important as you make it to be, do what you wish." Eyes flicker to and fro, distrust filled the air, from demon to human. “Thou,” He started, death filling the air. “Thou must learn that thy…” Colors dull down, spin around. “Thou must learn that thine attitude-“ The swish of cloth, a nonchalant look from Kumorimaru to Matsumodo. “-could earn thee thine death, human.” No more was the conversation, breath stilled and hearts pounding. His heart did not pound; a wind pounded against the doors.

Thump thump thump- A voice pierced through the wind- pierced through Kumorimaru’s fake heart. A twist, a turn, a white figure appeared ice cold- cold as ice. Frosted wind from the river, from the sky- no, from Tsukiko. His eyes flash, mirroring the coldness that flashed in hers. What had she said- the wind had blown too hard- what did she say? Tea? What tea? “Tea. Doth thou wisheth to have some tea?” Did she ask? No, no- colors swirled, a prayer appeared in Kumorimaru’s blank mind. “Drag my shop rival to Jigoku- oh demon! Drag him down!” A step, a thump. Nothing more. A shake of his head and the voice was no more. Foolish humans. He exclaimed, exclaimed in his head. Hath the race of humans fallen to a state- A figure in the doorstep, a drunken figure, falling over, falling towards the floor. Another step back, a jingle, a shake of the head; flowers fall to the ground, petals float to the ground. "Not drunk are you, Bayushi?" A shared glance with Tsukiko, a shake of the head.

Ankoku was gone. Revenge was gone- off to fetch its sword of death and anger. A wind blows- away with the drunken smell! A step forward back to corridor of darkness, a beckoning of the hand for the cold to follow. “Tea. Didst thou not want tea? Feet on the floor- cold, cold- slow paces leading towards a hidden room. Hidden in a corner right above the lake, right next to the lake. The slide of a shoji, the light steps on tatami floors- a soft gust of wind to blow flowers to the sides of the room, a beautiful path for a beautiful guest. Petals dance in the air as a pot flashes in the air then out of the room, into the cold waters of Tsuki-ko. “But is there time for tea, is there?” Swishes of color, his kimono patterns dance around before settling down, the question now spelled across the light fabric. Is there time for tea? Is there time for tea? Is- The pattern folds, a fire is struck, the pot placed not over the fire but on a drawer. “Doth thou wish to drink gyokuro? Sencha? Bancha? Matcha?”

Drawers opened, bags pulled out. Lined up on the ground, carried by a soft breeze. Another flick, another fold, two seats appear on the ground in place for the lady of the storm. “Or dost thou wish to drink Konacha? Hojicha? Genmaicha? Kocha? Or Oolongcha that hath come from China, the land of the Earth?” More bags of colors varying, fly into the air and down in front of the- was she there?- the lady. Cat cries, cat scratches, a sudden leap and bound onto Kumorimaru’s back did Hikaru do, sniffing his hair and licking his cheeks. A quick scratch under the chin, but Kumorimaru went back to his tea, his dearly prized tea. “Or Kocha? Sanpincha? Mugicha? Kombucha? Which doth thou wish to brew, fair Tsukiko, old friend of mine?” Big and small, colored with all colors, the small bags lined the ground. Fragrances filled the room; the pot still was held in Kumorimaru’s arms. His eyes shined, his smile faint and small- but another prayer hailed him once more, forcing colors to swirl once more and his skin to shed halfway. “Oh, youkai! O-,” A shake of his head- a jingle of a bell- Kumorimaru was back again. Hikaru glared at him with red eyes that changed back to black, claws sheathed, fangs hidden. Quickly, he was a flash as he sat on the ground, the chair creaking under the sudden force. “Which shall it be, hath thou made up thine mind?”

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Kichirou Matsumoto Character Portrait: Ankoku Character Portrait: Kiba Bayushi Character Portrait: Mizuki Matsushita
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Kichirou's response was met with a suspicous stare, but he kept his complexion. "Too bad. You'd be missing out on a mission, seeing as this place hardly gets any prayers, even in this time of war...Well, if this business meeting is really as important as you make it to be, do what you wish." As the demon finished, another supernatural being approached the group gathered. “Is there a need to yell?” it was Tsukiko. Her icy presence all but overwhelmed his sixth sense. After the spirit understood the quest, despite her hatred of humans, she accepted. The spirit then ran off with Kumorimaru, another demon. Which was the result of Ankoku leaving to retrieve her weapon.

Ankoku glanced at Kichirou once more. "Shame" The demon's disappointment was interrupted by the entrance of yet another member of the Tsukiakari. Kichirou had already passed Kiba on his way to the shrine and expected the man to arrive shortly. "Not drunk are you, Bayushi?" Now Kichirou glanced down at the bottle of sake in his hand. Kiba had handed it to him earlier when they met on the way here. Making the decision of giving sake another try to impress his taste buds, Kichirou lifted the bottle to his lips. As the vile substance entered his mouth, he could feel the buds on his tongue recoil and express their revolt to his brain. It took but all of his self control not to spit the disgusting liquid onto the ground. The sting of the sake running down his throat to Kichirou's embarrassment made him cringe in a most embarrassing way.

Kichirou then made his exit, going to find the girl who wasn't present with them. "Like Ankoku stated, reading, no doubt." The man walked towards the dwelling of the younger female. "Surely she had heard the chime of the bell... he thought. "But however powerful her love of books is, that is no excuse for completely ignoring the more important task at hand." Kichirou approached the room that Mizuki dwelled in and paused for a moment in front of the door. "And of course, she acts 'mature' all of the time." With that thought, Kichirou swung open the door without bothering to warn the girl of his presence.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Kichirou Matsumoto Character Portrait: Ankoku
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Noisy. Noisy.

Her eyes were squeezed shut, her fingers making soft motions on her temples as the chaos ensued. ”Good, we’ll be at a full-house in no time. That’ll make this a little easier, since it is, after all, a whole village of demons we’ll be taking care of.” Tsukiko gave a glance to Ankoku at her comment. It wasn’t common for spirits to meddle in such affairs, but even so… It will be the first major prayer that she has seen ever since she joined the group. While she was reserved about the violence this quest promised, it nonetheless promised something interesting for once. Sleeping in the river for hundreds of years to come becomes dull at times…

”Thou. Thou must learn that thy… Thou must learn that thine attitude could earn thee thine death, human.” An unfamiliar sound rang in the air, much like the sound of ice clanging against glass. The laughter that chimed out of Tsukiko’s throat was one that could be heard perhaps once every century, but at Kumorimaru’s comment to the human, the spirit couldn’t help herself, especially given the distaste she already had toward Kichirou. However, the sound was blown away by the wind within a split second, its evanescent nature made it seem as if it had not existed simply a moment ago.

”Not drunk are you, Bayushi?” A cold glance from her matched the glance in Kumorimaru’s eyes, and with a few steps backwards, they were off away from the noisy group. ”Tea. Doth thou wisheth to have some tea?” A slight nod from the spirit confirmed the question, but the two were already pacing toward the hidden room. ”Tea. Didst thou not want tea? This time, the question gained him no response from the young woman, her eyes lingering on the patterns the waves formed as the soft petals blew onto the reflecting surface of the river. Its usually chaotic waters now unnaturally placid. Unnaturally… Her icy blue eyes flickered over the surface of the water, and a wave of her hand was followed by a faint stir in the cold waters, which rose to meet her outstretched hand. However, within seconds, the water of the river fell back to its depth, and a darkened gaze flashed across her face. I’ve overstepped my boundaries.

”Mercy!” The sudden scream that flashed across her mind forced Tsukiko to hold up her hand against her ear, the phantom sound forcing a hint of anger to catch in her gaze. ”Mercy will not be shown to those who tread upon my waters.” A flash, then another. The phantom screams refusing to relent as the blue in her eyes appear to grow icier by the second.

”….Bancha? Matcha?” She had barely even noticed the words that suddenly spewed out of the demon’s mouth, nor did she notice the dark clouds that formed above the river at her moment’s distraction. ”Or dost thou wish to drink Konacha? Hojicha? Genmaicha? Kocha? Or Oolongcha that hath come from China, the land of the Earth?” Perhaps if Kumorimaru had heard the faint rumbling of an incoming storm, he would have ceased his words, but nonetheless, it continued on. ”Or Kocha? Sanpincha? Mugicha? Kombucha?” A breath of cold air, and the icy blue eyes flickered to meet his brown eyes, her gaze showing no sense of humor. ”Enough!” It wasn’t like her to raise her voice, but something about the monotonous words tested her patience. ”Which doth thou wish to brew, fair Tsukiko, old friend of mine?” Another sigh was heard, but not one of annoyance, instead one of exasperation. My mistake. The faint screams that rang in the back of her mind pushed her patience toward the edges of its limits, and the fatigue that has clung to her since her morning awakening did nothing to ease the bitterness that lingered in her words. It has been too long since she has pushed her powers, and the tranquil waters of Tsuki-ko reflected the spirit’s weakened state. ”Which shall it be, hath thou made up thine mind?”

A faint smile, one that reflected more hints of mock exasperation than sincerity played at the corner of her lips. "Apologies. Gracious host, Kumorimaru," Her voice softened slightly at his insistence, finding her fault in her uncalled for impatience, "Oolongcha will do nicely, thank you." Only then did her gaze flicker down to the katana that has been flickering with a faint silver glow by her kimono. What has gotten into me? Her steady hand was placed onto the katana, and the rumbling of thunder ceased above the river. "Perhaps this can be brought along the trip," Gentle hands, so different from the ones that held the katana at the humans two days ago, took the pot from the demon's arms. A faint swoosh of the kimono against the floor, and Tsukiko's light steps carried her out of the doorway, motioning with a nod of her head for Kumorimaru to follow.

There was a disturbance in the river, a slight one, but one that caught her eyes. The wave patterns that formed swallowed the flower petals into its depth. When was the last time I left Tsuki-ko? The river called out to her, promising the usual comfort its chilly waters brought. However, she turned her glance, away from its waters. The faint glow of her katana returned, the call of the river especially strong under the darkness of the gray clouds that surged to cover the sky. Hush Tsuki-ko... The river has never called so strongly to the spirit, and a faint silver glow flickered around her kimono as the dragon form struggled to force itself into appearance. A quick motion pushed the pot back into Kumorimaru's hands as she grasped onto her katana, her grip tight against the hilt. Why the disturbance...? There was something about this prayer that the river feared, and its call pushed Tsukiko's steps quicker into the vicinity of the shrine.

The storm is brewing... That, she knew for sure. But it wasn't her storm. Another one was promised, one much more dangerous to her. As her steps stopped, the silver katana made one last flash of silver, one that forced her eyes shut. Then all was silent. Why do you wish to stop me, Tsuki-ko? Her own river was pulling itself out of her control, calling her back to its comforting depths. Whatever that foreshadowed...

A storm is coming.

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kumorimaru Character Portrait: Tsukiko Character Portrait: Kichirou Matsumoto Character Portrait: Ankoku Character Portrait: Kiba Bayushi Character Portrait: Mizuki Matsushita
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”Not drunk are you, Bayushi?” Ankoku asked him. He noted the very slight snicker in her voice, which just caused him to loft an eyebrow.

"If you've got to ask, you must not know me very well by now," he answered haughtily. "I've had plenty long enough to walk it off, so no I'm not drunk... not drunk enough at any rate, considering there's a whole village teeming with filthy demons to slay," he laughed, digging a small skin from his belt and taking a draft of what smelled potent enough to be shochu before capping it and hanging it back on his belt. He smacked his lips with satisfaction.

"Aaah... there's the sauce. Amiright?" He grinned broadly around the room before it started to falter... considering the present company was made up of mainly spirits and demons. Kiba pressed his lips shut and did his best not to say anything else, although he knew it was inevitable: he was going to say something stupid before this was all over, and he'd probably end up in a fight with someone.

Ankoku probably wouldn't care, in fact she was probably the only demon he regularly got along with aside from Zahn. Although he couldn't quite peg Zahn for being a demon, he knew she wasn't quite human. A weaker minded individual might have called it "divine providence" that he met Ankoku, but Kiba didn't believe in all that supernatural hullabaloo. He made his own destiny: that's why it was completely coincidental, non-suspicious happenstance that Ankoku appeared in his life with the means to facilitate his revenge right after he prayed to someone, anyone who would listen for the strength to carry it out himself.

Yep... flukish stroke of luck. Something like that will probably never happen again.

Then there was Kichirou. Kiba held in wicked smirk as he glanced back in time to see the kid try and choke down a swallow of the "gift" he'd received. Priceless. Kiba never got tired of that, and instead flashed the "I got that just for you" smile. Kichirou immediately fell into the "little brother" catagory as quickly as they had met, not that the poor kid needed any more of that with the two oafish larger brothers he already had. But, as the closest thing he had to a friend, Kiba would move mountains to come to Kichirou's aid. Not that it mattered, since Kichirou routinely used that wicked tongue to talk him into doing all kinds of ridiculous stunts. How do you think he ended up taking "dueling" lessons from Zahn?

More like repeated, grueling, and agonizing defeat at Shogi, since she refused to instruct him until he could beat her at that silly game. Now he had to find another shiny bauble to pay her with... since his pride wouldn't let him back out.

Kiba flicked his blue eye over towards Kumorimaru and sucked air through his teeth (as quietly as possible). He couldn't help but think the guy was a wierdo in addition to his usual prejudices against demons. To say he was creepy would be something of an understatement... but then again maybe that was the point. And of course Tsukiko was as frosty as ever. The two made a perfect couple.

He didn't really have an opinion about Mizuki, who had yet to show up but somehow Kiba knew she would be coming. Mainly he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that, for some reason, she really didn't like him. Couldn't be his personality... she probably just didn't like guys that were overtly masculine, he thought, as he rapped his belly once with the palm of his hand. He felt the booze slosh to one side, which made the room feel like it was tilting for just one moment. Afterward his stomach uttered something that could have been mistaken for the howl of an enraged beast, or the savage growling of some dragon.

"Guess I better eat something before we go..." he muttered with some slight embarrassment and shuffled towards his room.