17th century Feudal Japan

Hoshika crouched at the edge of the courtyard, perfectly invisible among the shadows. She had been here since dawn, silently watching everything that went on at the shifting shadows. Her stomach stirred slightly with hunger, but she would be fine for another two or three hours. Her body was relaxed into a state of meditation, so that she was using very little energy. Her mind was still fully aware as she watched the one called Hyugan greet the one called Deacon. She hoped they would fight. One was the nephew of their mighty master, the other the one she concidered to be the most omnious of the group, so naturaly she was curious about both. They would never detect her, she could feel the light trying to penetrate the shadows, but the dark won over it, with some of Hoshika's help. Very careful not to push the dark past its natural point, she erased only a small portion of the light, just enough to avoid her being seen. Her attention went back to the fighters, these two interested her, she was eager to see who would win a spar.

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I, Siiki Abul, am playing a prank on Deacon and Hyugan. Im up on top of the wall of the courtyard, watching them carefully. The light toys with my hair, making it feel hot and sending warm tingles down my spine. I hold a bucket of water in my right hand, and I use my left to steady myself. I carefully set down the bucket on the ledge, telling the water with my mind to lift out of the bucket. I grin as it obeys, forming into a solid sphere of water in the air. I grab it with both hands, almost fall, and regain my balance. I carefully seperate it into two water balls each the same size. I see Deacon and Hyugan standing down below me, talking about something. Theyre really smart, I like that about them, but it dosnt stop me from having my fun. Using the practiced aim of throwing the shuriken and kunai, and toss both orbs at the men. I shreik with laughter as each orb flies towards its target, turning slightly in the air where I miscalculated.

Hyugan approached, and asked for a spar. What luck.

"I would love to. I haven't beat anyone up in a while anyway," Deacon said, stretching and standing up. He needed to fight this man and win. Ever if it was just a spar, it would be important to everything Deacon had in his mind. Plans were a fickle thing.

"Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be a good match. You might even win. I--" Deacon moved his eyes up, to look up without moving his head, and saw two orbs of water falling towards himself and Hyugan. Childish tricks would be nothing for him. Children were the bane of his existence, they had no respect!

Deacon jumped into the air to line up with the orbs and stretched out his hand. His fingers aligned, and straightened. In a flash he began stabing quickly in rapid motions, turning the orbs into four, then eight, and so on, until they were nothing but drops of water. He began to fall with the water, he clapped his hands together loudly in one motion, and the force of the wind escaping from the spacebetween his palms shot outwards, hitting the water droplets forcefully and knocking them backwards. Deacon landed easily as the water droplets fire towards a wall. They hit like bullets, and put several hundred dents in the wall.

"I hate kids sometimes. Hyugan, let us spar."

Deacon nodded and began to walk to the training grounds.

Reina took a deep breath then closed her eyes, focusing on making a body image on the tree she had been training with. She throw three senbon needles. One hit where the person's neck would be. One in the heart. And the last, would hit a lung. The points were major but also predictable. She had been training for hours and was becoming tired. She opened her eyes, gathered her things and took off.

Her tube top slid over her head, her short tight shorts slide down to the soft grass that her feet stood in. A ribbon was pulled out of her short red hair, letting it fall straight down around her slender face. Her eyes opened and looked at the water that fell from the waterfall a few feet away from her. Her eyes were a soft green. Nearly a teal. She took a deep breath then slowly walked into the water. The cool breeze chilled her naked skin but as soon as she mild temperature of the water covered the majority of her body, she began to smile again. She dove under and began to let herself relax for a few seconds.

It was a hour later before Reina got fully dressed, gathered her weapons and amour, and appeared at the Shifting Shadow school. She spent her regular three hours cleaning some of the dojos, cleaning weapons, and putting things up. The next two hours were spend sparing with some of the lower students.

When Reina had a moment to herself, she set out to find Deacon Frost. Somehow, it never took long for her to find him. She watched one girl who had had her eyes on Deacon walk towards the eating area. Then her eyes caught the sight of a child. She walked past both of them and headed to the training grounds. Before Deacon would notice her, she scurried up into a tree where she could watch the battle and would be out of the way.

"Good luck." she whispered then smiled a little, waiting for the match to start.

So far, so good. No one had noticed him yet.

Or so he thought until someone grabbed him from behind, and covered his mouth, pulling him into the bushes. He was startled for only a moment- long enough for the girl to finish speaking. A closer examination of her features revealed her as Nao. Wait a minute, had she called him a pervert?

He pulled away from her, out of her grasp. "I know this doesn't look good," he whispered, "but it's not what you think, I swear!" He knew it didn't look good, and that he probably didn't sound very convincing, but his grandparents had raised him to be respectful... for the most part. He had only been training, it wasn't like he was looking.

"By the way," he said, spitting, "your hand tastes like sweat."

Hoshika made her way to the mess hall, where the cook was stirring a large pot of less than mediocre dumplings. No matter, they would give her the nutrition she needed to start the day. She took a wooden bowl from a shelf, and handed it to the cook. The man didnt speak, only ladle the steaming dumplings into it and hand it back to her. Hoshika took the bowl and grabbed a pair of chopsticks from the urn containing them, leaving the mess hall. No, she would eat somewhere calmer. She wished she could of followed Deacon and Hyugan, but taking food into the training hall would be unwise. She traversed the halls until she reached her room, seperated by screens from the other ninjas rooms. Slowly and smoothly, she moves over to the window, looking out at the treetops. The feeling of being up so high is magical, a feeling like being a bird and flying above the world without even having to move. At least thats what Hoshika thought as she speared the first dumpling and brought it to her lips.

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I, Siiki, am meditating in the clearing, my legs folded under me and my eyes closed. Ive cleared my mind of all thoughts, sitting in absence of time or awareness. Im certain the most calming thing in the world. Then I instantly am snapping out of it, my first thought that of awareness. Something changed, or else I woudn't have come to awareness. My eyes fly open, and I see a big, burly man standing in front of me. In less than a second I'm up on my feet, watching him carefully. I dont have any of my shuriken or kunai with me, a careless mistake on my part. I look up at him, and he smiles a cruel smile.

"Looks like the little duckling is all alone.." I feel strong arms on my shoulders, another man is behind me. I feel my muscles tense, preparing to kill or be killed. I am a ninja, it is what I was born to be. I dont know why, I dont know how, but that I know. The other thing I know is that these men are making a very big mistake. I try to jerk away from the man holding me, covering my face in intense fear and shock. A act I've perfected over the years, usually for less noble purposes like playing tricks on people. I feel the strong arms pull me back, and then I feel a knife on my throat. Strike one. The other man still stands in front of me. I frown, spitting out the words.

"Little duckling says leave while you still can." I growl in a low voice, and the men laugh. Strike two. One more and they both pay. The one in front of me steps closer, lowering his face to mine. His breath reeks of tobacco, and It takes all my strength not to gut him in the stomach. But what can I say? I dont like killing people that much. He's missing teeth, and his face is dripping with sweat.

"Little duckling is going to make us very happy, so no, we wont leave." The man stepped back, turning around and bending down to his bag. Strike three, too late. In an instant my elbow was into the man behind me's abdomen, sending the stale air from his lungs with a whoosh. My other hand flies up, grabbing the knife and twisting it from his hand. I jump back, warily facing the two. The one who had the knife is on his knees, gasping. The other man growls softly, pulling out what looks like a black egg from his bag. I arch my arm and throw the knife at the man, and before he can dodge it hits his ribs, embedding inbetween two of his ribs. He goes down gasping, and by now the other mans coming towards me. I pick up a handful of dirt from the ground and throw it at his face. He jumps back as the dirt gets in his eyes, and in that instant im gone. I run away fast, not because I cant take them but because I dont want to try. After a minute I stop, hearing the pounding footsteps of one of them in the distance. Heh. How stupid it is of him to give chase. I grab a lowhanging branch and pull myself up, using a network of branches and shimmying to climb higher and higher into the sky. Then there I am, dropping down onto the platform in front of the looming gates of the shifting shadows.

"Could you open the gate please?" I smile sweetly at the huge guard, and he only nods. He knows me, I leave the shifting shadows to meditate often, and the easiest way back in is through the gate. He pulls the heavy door open, and I dash inside. First Il go to the weaponry, and then make my way to the training grounds.

Hyugan prepared himself before Deacon as students surrounded them, sure of a spectacular spar. The rules were stated clearly by Hyugan: 'Unarmed combat. Three rounds.' Which was fine by Deacon, despite the fact Unarmed combat wasn't one of his areas of special study.

"All right." He said, turning and reaching into his Kimono. There was a loud clunk and clanking as chains fell to the floor, two kusarigamas had made the noise. Deacon removed his sandals then, keeping his back turned on Hyugan put out his right arm, bending up up and making a fist. With his left arm he straightened it out and pushed out his palm, his hand completely vertical and still, fingers alinged and ready for action. Following this, he bent his right leg and pushed out his leg, creating a balanced stance.

"I hope you don't mind this. I'm not used to using hand-to-hand. This stance is from a defensive style native to the north. We can begin whenever you're ready, Hyugan. Though, I want to make a bet on this... If I win, I want you to meet me at the Amai Springs at midnight. If I lose, well... I won't." He smirked, but it was an obvious phaux expression, with no real feeling behind it, displayed purely for the eyes watching.

Shirogane sighed in frustration. What a mess he had gotten himself in... how very unlike a ninja to get caught. "Look, I- HEY!" Again, he had been caught off-guard as Nao dragged him by the collar. What am I, a dog?! Yet, despite his overwhelming urge to pull away once again, he allowed himself to be pulled along like a rag doll. If he started anything now, he'd never hear the end of it.

"Hey!" he cried in protest as he was tossed to the ground. He sprang into a crouch almost immediately, sitting on his heels. He sat quietly and impatiently as he waited for his lecture to come to its highly anticipated end, watching the girl's every move.

He wasted no time trying to think of an excuse, the truth was always the best... right? "No, I wasnt! I told you already, I. Was. Not. Peeping." He spelled out his sentance slowly, attempting to get his point across as quickly as possible. "I just wanted to see how long I could keep myself hidden. I was training," he used his hands to emphasise, his tone of voice was that of annoyance.

Hoshika finished eating and stayed where she was. The air was cool, wafting over her with its gentle hand and making her feel truly magical. She slipped out the window, using both hands to swing herself around and onto the roof. Silently, like a cat, she scrambled up the roof to the point. In a move she had perfected over the years she swung the point of the roof down by the hidden hinges, forming a flat ledge. She had installed it soon after she had arrived here, by need of a suitable place to meditate and study. She loved practicing the one square foot arts, moving through her katas on a one foot square of ground. Shd stood on the platform, closing her eyes and breathing deeply. Then without warning she launched herself into the final seven techniques of her own personalized version of the koshiki no katas. She launched herself into iwa-nami first, or wave on the rocks. She grabbed the imaginary opponent and flung him over her back with full force, keeping her balance through the moves. She moved into sakatoshi next, practicing the moves with expert precision as the gentle air whirled around her.

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I walk through the halls, making my way to my room. I slip in and close the curtain, unwrapping my armor after taking it from the shelf. I carefully buckle the straps on the left side of my chest and back plates, then swing the two around and buckled them on the right. They were made special for me, fitting perfectly against my body. I do the same with the arm and leg guards, but dont wear my helmet today. After all, all I want to do is spar. I flip open the wooden box on the end of the shelf, pulling out over a dozen kunai and placing them in locations strategic for a fight. I let my eyes float closed, thinking deeply about where I should go to spar. Then I stand up, looking around and walking wherever my heart tells me. I pass the training grounds, pass the courtyard, pass the classrooms. I keep walking, and finally I come to the end of the hall, a flat wall where the sun shines in from where the roof is missing. I grab onto the rocks, pulling myself up onto the ledge. Its hard to explain, but I just know where to go. I have no reason to go where I am, and I dont really even know where Im going. I only know which direction to go and when I make a wrong turn. I look back over the roof, seeing the really quiet girl.. Hoshika.. vigourously go through advanced katas I dont know. Huh, I didnt know the point of the roof flipped down like that.

"Ach!" My voice gets drowned out as I rush towards the ground, having fallen off the roof. I call on the element of wind and it slows my fall, but I still slam into the ground with a resounding 'oof'. My ribs and back burn, but I still get up. I walk through the woods a short ways, and stop at a tree I know all to well. The tree of desicions. I climb the trunk, using the branches to pull myself up and the wind elements to keep me from falling again. After a good few minutes of climbing I pull myself over the edge of the platform, panting. I look up and see Master Oda looking at me.

"Good day, Master." I manage to get out through my pants.

"What do you want, Akikaze? A fight?", Shirogane asked her.

Even though she wasn't fully prepared, clothing-wise, Akikaze felt excited for the interesting proposal from the male ninja, who she now realized was Shirogane.

"When I have a man invading my privacy, and I don't know they are there, a fight would be the better option. Wouldn't it, honey?", she asked in a slightly deep tone as she was chuckling near his ear. She was quite the playful and provocative type with male ninjas her age.

"So, did you like what you saw?", she asked him smiling and joking around with him.

Nao yawned softly, putting on her garments sheepishly. The comfort of the springs had made her sleepy. So .. sleepy.. Her eyelids struggled to keep themselves open before she heard the crunch of a twig as it snapped underneath a person's foot. Her eyelids sprung open and her eyes narrowed. Another ecchi in one day? Well, I shouldn't be surprised. When she was finished dressing she sprinted swiftly in the direction of the supposed person and her eyes caught the sight of Blanc Silv, another ninja from Shifting Shadows.

"AH! Blanc-kun? BLANC! What are you doing here?! Don't be ecchi!!" she cried, punching him repeatedly in a mock-like fashion. Blanc was one of very few that she had gotten pretty close to at Shifting Shadows. He was probably the closest to her, although she didn't like to think of him as a brother for some reason. Ever since she had arrived at the academy, Nao had a hard time making friends. Over time, she realised it was much easier making friends with guys as they probably understood her more.

Nao stopped her punching abruptly as she realised who was standing nearby. Instinctively, the young girl glared at the woman and muttered her name under her breath, "Daishisen!" After realising this, she averted her gaze from Kimuio and stood silently.

Sighing Blanc notices the first one to notice his location who quickly disapears from the springs then appearing before him fully clothed, the worst one to appear, Daishisen Kimuio. Frowning at what she had said Blanc says to her "no need to lie I made enough noise to bring an army of girls to smite me for my indiscriminate crime on women."

As another girl comes up toward him, Blanc quickly identifies her as Nao Shiroki. Quickly thinking to himself "why her?" one of the few people who he actually made friends with, since Blanc didn't go specifically looking for friends she just happened to be similar to him having to live up to a name and so they became really close friends.

Getting punched alot Blanc just stands there and sends a look at Kimuio as if saying I told you they would come after me. Listening to Nao voice as she is punching him Blanc calmly asks retoricaly "Nao do you believe I was spying on the girls? I was simply on a walk and noticed the two rivals taunting each other into a fight." Wanting a way out of the situation Blanc calmy mutters just loud enough to hear and getting louder as he went on "I am hungry do you want to get something to eat?"

"Of course I can't believe you!" she cried, turning back to Blanc. "I already caught Shirogane peeking. It's your natural instincts. But you- I thought you were strong enough to fight your petty urges," she said matter-of-factly, nodding as if it improved her point further. "I'll forgive you - this time. Now, let's go. You'll be treating me to some ramen, no?" She steered Blanc into the direction of Hari Town, giving one last serious glance toward Kimuio before facing back forward, forgetting that she had even seen her.

"Ah~! It smells so good," she squealed, her eyes wandering with a look of eagerness evident on her face. Grabbing Blanc by the arm, she led him into a ramen stall. "Irrashaimase!" called the chef, a weary smile on his face. "Ah, it's Nao-chan." Nao smiled warmly and nodded, taking a seat on one of the stools.

"Nao is not going to let me live this down is she" Blanc thinks to himself. Before getting turned in the direction of Hari town he glances at Kimuio and wonders "did she come here alone or does she have more of the Krakens here, no matter what though fighting would be bad we win and they retaliate with an attack on Shifting shadows, they win and don't want to think what the master would do to me, or what I would do to myself if anything happened to Nao."

Sighing Blanc turns as Nao directs him toward Hari town. Arriving in the town Nao practicly radiated eagerness, even more so when she suddenly grabbed Blanc by the arm and dragged him into a nearby ramen stall. Sitting down next to Nao he unwraps the bandages on his arms though leaving most of the his right arm covered with just a little of his scar uncovered. Then taking down his mask Blanc ask "its been a while since we last ate together so what kind of ramen do you want to eat?"

"The Shoyu ramen here are always the best!" Nao chirped. She looked at the chef with a special glint in her eyes. "Roger that!" he cried. Giggling silently, she was interrupted when an elderly woman who was a regular asked, "Oh, Nao-chan! What a handsome boyfriend you have!" Nao blushed profusely, waving her hands in the air as she shrilled, "No, no! You got it wrong!" But her words fell on deaf ears as the old woman continued, "What's your name young man? How old are you?"

Clearly not waiting for his answer, she continued. "If you hurt Nao-chan, I will not forgive you!" she hissed, an evil look spreading across her face as she laughed. "Idiot! Idiot!" Nao cried, punching Blanc again, as their situations often ended. Two bowls of ramen were placed in front of them with a chuckle. "Yay~! Itadakimasu~" Nao grabbed two pairs of chopsticks and handed Blanc one. "You know, it's good luck if you break them cleanly," she whispered with a smile.

She broke hers but frowned. "Aww. I almost did it," she said, showing Blanc her chopsticks. "See if you can do it."

The effects of the sake were starting to take effect. Her face flushed red and her eyes took on a sleepy look. Her mouth spread into a goofy smile and she poured herself another cup. "Kanpai!" She swallowed the drink in one gulp and brought down the cup with a satisfied sigh. Because of her young age, it was pretty easy to get her drunk. Asuka knew this well and even though she seemed perfectly happy being cold and reserved, the truth was that she loved being in the company of others. She just doesn't have the courage to admit it.

Asuka wrapped her arms around the two and laughed. "We're all good buddies here, right?" She roared with laughter before suddenly quieting, whispering, "You know what, you two look a good couple. Congratulations! We're .. uhh, we're celebrating your marriage or something, right?" She chuckled and added when she saw their faces, "No, of- of course not. But Mizuki-chwan, you should be careful of Ken. He's probably plotting to kidnap you and then uhh, marry you! Yeah! But- but don't worry. I won't let himmmm!"

She laughed loudly, swaying as she gave Ken a few pats (or rather, hits) on the back. Asuka suddenly doubled over, her head in her hands. "Owwww! Migraine!" The effects of alcohol were short but immense on this young girl.

"Quite soon Tsukiko-san. In fact, I have been considering just that as I walked back from the springs this morning. It seems the training of the Shifting Shadows is very lax these days, and the master does not seem to take much notice of us." She folded her arms behind her back and stepped onto the veranda at Tsukiko's side. Her eyes looked off inot the distance, into a collection of trees, and her lips formed a calculative smile. "This, shall be their tragic flaw..." She thought a moment, allowing her fan up again, nad beating the breeze into her face like a butterfly's wing. "I think tonight has the making of a massacre, and when the others return from whence they are, we will devise a strike upon them. As you can imagine, the school has been a safety net for those who sleep warmly at night. And, if it is eliminated..." She paused to allow her companion fill in the blank.

"I thought you would say something to that effect, which is why I have no real doubt in your success." Her lips formed a fond smile, but she did not turn to see her. "Of course, you will not be completely alone. Those who will accompany you will most likely be merely back-up in case things don't go as well as I had hoped."

There was a distinct possibility of that happening, especially since it's taken them this long to get back here, and none seemed to be showing up anytime soon. She sighed, perhaps it would just be the two of them. In which case, it would be more of a stealth/assasination job. One way or the other, the Shifting Shadows would topple.

This RP is closed.

If you are still in this roleplay, then please read the most recent post of the OOC of this RP.