Sunaarashi's Story

"To give less than what someone is worth is likewise stealing, is it not?" Samyan replied, smiling back at their guild leader in the distance. "A crime the Yunish people seem singularly talented at. Just look at our monkey friend over there - an archer of his ability, forced to live like a common criminal. And for what wrongdoing?"

"Hmph," Sunaarashi grunted. "But fool or not, Yuwen does not treat Takai as a criminal. Nor does he look at any of us with any sort of prejudice or judgment. To blame the man for the wrongdoings of his people would be a mistake." Sunaarashi stared hard at Lo-Muna. "You want the map? Ask the man. Maybe he'll give it you. But doing the wrong things for the right reasons will never sit well."

Sunaarashi stood and stretched. "I am not a man for games. If either of you wish me to help you slay a beast or man who has wronged you, I will do so. If you wish me to cook your food, mend your clothing, scrub your back, or even warm your bed, I am open to the discussion. But I will not help you dishonor yourselves."

With that, Sunaarashi strode from the carriage, following Yamato for a moment, before catching Yuwen's eye. Makoko, the newcomer, was eyeing Samyan with unbridled interest, in a way one would perhaps eye a choice cut of meat at the market. It made Sunaarashi's skin prickle, and his first instinct was to introduce the man to his own blood.

Yet, the goblin captain still lived. Perhaps Suna could wait. He had once been patient. Perhaps he would speak with Yuwen first. Perhaps he could yet change from a monster back to a human.

Sunaarashi pushed these thoughts away, and walked towards Yuwen.

"Fortune," Sunaarashi nodded to his leader as he approached. "Who is this man whom fate has drawn to us this day?"

"He said his name was...Klancy, was it?" Suiken informed Sunaarashi skeptically on his way to wash off the crops in the river. "That said, I'm not familiar with all the naming conventions in every land."

"Dishonor!" Samyan laughed quietly. "A fancy way of being told to stay in your place, I suppose." She shrugged and shook her head, amused more than anything. "I suppose you could ask, if you want. And if he says no..."

Samyan's eyes flicked left, meeting the rabbit woman's gaze with the flash of a sharp smile. "We can see how well he defends it. No harm in fair competition, right?"

With that Samyan strolled off, busying herself with the work of making dinner and leaving the other woman time to consider her options... and her value.

A gust blew through the camp, Yuwen's locks flying over his eyes as Sunaarashi and Suiken approached. "Mister Makoko of Mister Makoko's Marvellous Moving Circus," Yuwen informed, combing his hair. From his robe he pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Sunaarashi. The sunen took the paper and unfolded it to reveal a warn poster, an inky illustration of Mister Makoko, larger than life, standing over a parade of animals from all across the land of Yune. In massive characters it did indeed write Mister Makoko's Marvellous Moving Circus, and promised beneath them wonders and attractions from all across the world.

"We've been touring the Raging Rivers for the last four years," Makoko grinned as he polished his metal dipped crossbow. "Before that I travelled, exploring all the lands of this world, taming the wilds of it tip to tip. I may have started out as a humble hunter, but now, I am so much more. Any Gwanish savage can kill, but it takes... a scholar of Yune... to subdue. I am an explorer, a civilizer, and now... an entertainer."

Yuwen rose an eyebrow as he glanced at Suna. "I was... hoping to add the great Raging Rivers crustacean to my collection... but this... fine gentleman robbed me of that prize," Makoko hissed, clenching his waterskin. "Although... perhaps the death of the crab... has led me to an even greater treasure."

"Speak with any more ellipses and I'll show you the treasure of heaven itself," Sunaarashi said completely normally.

"Yes, yes, yes! All of the above!" Mister Makoko assured, standing to block out the twilight sun. "We have exotic performances the likes of which you've never before seen. Acts that are sure to get... your hearts racing." Makoko smiled, his teeth clenched like a hound with a locked jaw. Makoko's shark-like eyes focused on Gonpo as he ran to and from a hot fire, their food nearly ready to serve. "You have quite a curious steed, Master Goblin!" He called to their river-side host. The Heron rose its head from the stream it sipped at the mention of it. "I imagine it can do... great acrobatics." Makoko folded his sleeves together. "What say you to... four hundred gold coins?"

Yuwen nearly spit out his water. The guild leader began coughing violently, grabbing at his throat as he rose. He grabbed onto Suiken, nearly gurgling into the oni's face before collapsing onto Sunaarashi and staring up at the man desperately. Yuwen flopped to the side and climbed up the long robe of Namari. Yuwen pointed to his throat as he choked to death before noticing, bizarrely, the chain on her arm- broken, and dangling off like a bracelet. Yuwen blinked at the sight before grabbing at his throat again and delivering a sudden punch to his gullet. Yuwen coughed up his water, air blasting into his lungs. After a few long breaths he turned to face the great hunter. "Four... hundred... gold?!" He exclaimed, exasperated.

Makoko remained calm. "Don't be alarmed, Mister Horno. A fortune like that is nothing for a man like me. The circus business is... very lucrative."

Gonpo tossed the giant crab legs into the pot of stock and vegetables. "I come from a small swampside village called Gorhau, Captain! On the southside of Gwanalai."

The goblin put on an apron and poured in the rest of the ingredients. A few spoons of soy sauce, a dash of sugar, and some mirin. "Nothing you'll find on any maps."

He beamed as Yuwen called him his friend. He liked making new friends.

Gonpo brought out a wooden spoon to taste his simmering sukiyaki, and Makoko's offer stopped him in his tracks mid-slurp. The tasting spoon fell to the ground with a clatter. All while Yuwen Horno choked behind him.

"F-four hundred gold? For Good Friend Wun?" Gonpo asked, looking over his shoulder.

A clueless (or uncaring) Wun was scratching the ground.

Gonpo didn't consider it for long. "I'm sorry Sir, but Good Friend Wun is not for sale. Not to mention, that's more gold than I'd know what to do with!"

Gonpo cleared his throat, then nodded. "Soup's ready, everybody." The goblin ladelled the soup into bowls, then passed them around, enlisting Samyan for help. Alll while avoiding eye contact with Makoko and his… shiny… pretty… crossbow.

With a nod of assent, Ginchiyo slapped Suiken on the back and let out a hearty laugh. "Oni know good food." She nodded knowingly and hurriedly began helping him with the vegetables, making sure to fill an extra basket with rice noodles before trailing a ways behind the snow Oni. In just a few hours her hunger would be sated by an ocean-dwelling crustacean, and the terrible once-cursed village would be a distant memory. After eating she could loaf about the in the wagons until the Guild needed her again. Practically nothing could ruin her day.

Suiken had joined with Suna, the two approached Yuwen and- Her eyes locked onto Makoko and she froze for a few seconds, a chill running down her spine, the mere presence of the man activated her fight or flight instinct. It had to have been at least two years since she'd last seen him. How had he known she was in the Raging River Province?

"Don't be alarmed, Mister Horno. A fortune like that is nothing for a man like me. The circus business is... very lucrative."

Ginchiyo dropped the baskets of vegetables and noodles she had been carrying. Dropping to her knees her palm reached out and grabbed the nearest head of cabbage, letting it fly at Makoko. "Stop!" Her hand found another cabbage and she tossed it in his direction, "Following me!" She spat the words out while staring daggers at the circus entertainer, a radish in her hand, her arm cocked back to continue her fusillade of vegetables.

She sat alone in the wagon, grabbing the edge of the wooden bench with her claws. The wood creaked in protest as she gripped it tightly, nails raking along the surface. Lo-Muna gritted her teeth together and with a small huff and exasperated throwing of hands, she rammed her head against the wagon. Well, really her ears as she was quickly reminded she had those on her head.

Rubbing the base where her ears met her head, Lo-Muna was able to take a few breaths to calm herself and stem the pain of her rash decision. She needed to think though. Their words were clouding her thoughts. Doubt was creeping along and pride banged at the door of her judgment. She had to assess the situation and make it quick, hearing the sounds of mirth die down as things began to get a bit tense outside.

"Surely there's something you want out of life, Lo-Muna. Beyond Fortune."

"Stability is a luxury you know is out of reach for people like us, and a stolen treasure will never lead to a stable life."

A small grunt. Lo-Muna ran a hand through her hair. Was she wrong to pursue this betrayal against Fortune? Their servitude was three months. Gold was promised but not guaranteed. Sunaarashi had been right in saying Fortune had not treated them so badly. Was she simply asking for too much?

Lo-Muna sighed and moved to lean against the wagon. As she pressed her back against it, she could feel the mixture of herbs and paste beneath the bandages.

To give less than what someone is worth is likewise stealing, is it not?

His hostility and backtracking with Hakori had been a driving force for her to stay in the village. Lo-Muna had been injured due to his omission of the first guild. He had snatched the map out of her hands when they were supposed to be working together. His lies had led her to be bound to him for three months.

Fortune may not have treated her like dirt but he had certainly went out of his way to push her into it.

"If either of you wish me to help you slay a beast or man who has wronged you, I will do so."

Suunarashi had not flat out rejected her. In fact, he seemed to be providing opportunities for the two to work together.

"Say you do get the map, what then?"

Yamato's words had been biting but he had a point. She couldn't simply throw herself into this.

"It isn't theft if you've earned it, yes?"

Lo-Muna chuckled quietly to herself. She tilted her head back more gently this time and placed a hand over her eye, thinking over Samyan's words. Her other eye focused on the bracelet on her wrist, the one matching the necklace she had nearly lost at sea thank to the hooded man. Lo-Muna had been one of the ones giving up a precious item, almost leading to the loss of a precious memory. She had also been one of the first ones to volunteer, her choice leading to her loss of freedom. What were those three months worth? What was she worth?

With a small hop, Lo-Muna got to her feet. She stretched her arms out and tilted her head one way then the other. There were even a few moments taken to adjust her shirt, making sure her chest was in order. She moved towards the curtains, fierce determination in her eyes.

"No harm in fair competition, right?"

~*~

The guild members seemed to be gathered around a human piece of crap. Of course, Lo-Muna didn't know this since all she saw was a rather ostentatious looking man covered in delicious smelling food. Her gaze also fell on Sunaarashi who was nearby Yuwen, his words coming to mind again.

"If you wish me to cook your food, mend your clothing, scrub your back, or even warm your bed, I am open to the discussion."

She giggled before approaching to join the crowd, her eyes taking note of where Yamato and Samyan were as well. It seemed the ruckus this newcomer had caused had also left little opportunity to talk to their leader alone. Excusing herself to be nearby Fortune, she asked no one in particular, "What's uh, what's going on here?"

Xanth's eyes scrunched as she laughed at Ren's dumb joke, her earrings jostling against her bunched cheeks. But even so there was a sadness to her eyes that she blinked back before he could gaze into, looking to the translation sheet. Yes, for now... It was a tragic thing, to always need someone else like this to make her feel like a whole person. But if she could start with Ren, and then everyone tried, if she could take root somewhere where she could be as loud as she wanted... at least she wouldn't feel... unperson... here.

Xanth's mind drifted to the memories that had led her here, to this lonely, hollow feeling. She could almost hear the whimpers of the bloodied hounds... Wait, she actually could. Her dog was whimpering outside!!!

Xanth shoved the translation guide into Ren's hands and burst out the caravan, eyes on fire, her mind going straight to the DOG KICKER and ready to fight, to find the poor thing shivering between Master Wang Chang's legs. She flipped down and whistled him into her arms, where she rubbed his back and looked between each guild member - and stranger - accusingly.

Ginchiyo refused to look at Makoko as she marched over to the pot of soup that the new goblin had prepared. The foppish hunter being present left a bad taste in her mouth and she eagerly accepted a bowl from the cook and began slurping away in an effort to cleanse her palate, futile though it was. She stuck her tongue out at Makoko before slowly upending her bowl and finishing the last of her soup. The earthy flavor of the Maitake complimented the crab well, probably the best meal anyone in the Guild had cooked in recent memory.

"What was the quarry, if I may be so inclined to ask?"

She motioned for Gonpo to refill her bowl before answering Suiken. "Giant Owl. Like really giant." She raised a hand over her head to indicate they were well over two feet taller than her. "They're sacred in that region of Gwanalai. They are also omnivorous, extreme gluttons, and very territorial." Her eyes lingered on Makoko with a look that was almost pity, "Was as much for his safety as the owl's."

Several guild members had begun speaking of talking bears while they ate, their words becoming more facetious as they went down the proverbial messenger line. It seemed they would soon be visiting Klancy's Clown Carnival, and she doubted it was to enjoy Klancy's technically legal circus. She gave Suiken a sardonic grin, "Though perhaps it would have been simpler for everyone involved if I had let him become bird food that day."

Ren grinned to see Xanth laughing, pleased to have added a little levity to the situation, for both of them. But still, something was off... There still seemed to be a sense of sadness to her, and it was difficult to tell why, though given the context of the situation he speculated it was to do with the difficulties in communication. That, and no doubt the absence of her friend. Perhaps at least learning to properly communicate with each other would help Xanth to feel more comfortable around everyone, more complete even.

Before he could say anything more, the sound of a dog whimpering could be heard outside, and the translation guide suddenly appeared in his hands (with quite a bit of force) as Xanth disappeared from the caravan. Well... He certainly hoped everything was okay. Ren cast a final glance over the papers before setting them away in a chest, grabbing a sword, and setting out of the caravan.

Once past the fabric threshold of the caravan's cover, Ren was met by the scents of cooking food, which put a smile almost immediately on his face. He sauntered over to where most of the group was, noting some unfamiliar faces. Ren waved and nodded to those familiar with him, before stopping near the cooking area, standing next to both Suiken and the food. He began serving himself up a bowl of the hot food, pleased to see some delicious looking crab meat in there. "We've some guests I see." He muttered to the Oni, before waving a hand at both the Goblin and the man dressed rather uncharacteristically for this area.

"Evening gentlemen. I see you're becoming acquainted with everyone so far, courtesy of our Mr. Fortune no doubt." He said nodding to the man previously introduced as Mr. Horno.

"So, whom do we have the pleasure of making our acquaintances with this evening?" He asked casually as he took a few bites of the food.

"Oh... This is delicious. Mmm, a pomelo would go great with this for dessert."

Mister Makoko raised an eyebrow as Ren, also known as the sickly and the stupid, let slip Yuwen's true identity. Mister Makoko's oily moustache began to vibrate as his lips thinned, as if he was preparing his mouth to speak, but was distracted as Gonpo grabbed hold of a cup and slurped down his wine.

Jensu was too were focused on the shiny, jewel encrusted bottle of alcohol the great hunter had produced, their eyes focused on it like catnip. "Ah, another goblin- a misses to your mister, eh Mister Gonpo?!"

"Neither man nor woman," Jensu corrected, lowering their hat and speaking to let the yunish man hear their voice- gravelly, somewhere between tonal registers.

"Ah, a horrible hermaphrodite of the oni harems!" Makoko said, his talons bearing wide as he looked around the fire for support in his remarks. "The Dokkaebi aren't the only race with a third gender. I hear some humans have them, too," Jensu murmured, reaching out a clawed hand to accept Makoko's cup. Even from a farthard like him they'd still accept alcohol. Especially when it came out of such a... mystifying chalice.

"Not in Yune, not under our Emperor! And if they're not Yunish, are they really human at all?!" Makoko laughed. "Horno, ye' old scrote! Come here and take a swig! A yunish drink for a yunish man."

"I'm starting to think a very different type of Yunish man from you, Mister Makoko..." Yuwen said, brushing himself off and stepping forward. He accepted the drink and with a swallow shot it back. It burnt marvellously and left his mouth dry. And for a moment Yuwen was lost. He glanced across the fire, at Namari.

It tasted of a life long passed.

***

A loud burp echoes across the camp though its source remained untraced. The smoke of the once roaring fire trailed off into the sky, it now nothing but a pile of ash and decaying wood. The guild members had finished their meal and some, having accepted Makoko's treat, drank into the earliest hours of the morning. Makoko, for whatever he was, certainly could tell a tale of adventure- though eventually he retired to a tasseled silk tent he had set up by his steed. Yuwen grunted at the site. "Obnoxious," He drunkenly hummed as he moved through the camp, nearly tripping over the sleeping hound as he did. "Sorry!" He whispered to the mutt before continuing his waltz to the wagon-train.

Master Wang Chang had dozed off beside a massive bag of grain they'd taken out for the feast. Huddled against the bag was the flowery patterns of a kimono. "Namari... Byeonsu's own..." Yuwen breathed. He collapsed onto the bag beside the woman, stinking of alcohol, and stared up to the sky. "Do you want to tell me... what happened to my guildmate." He spoke at last. Yuwen rose an eyebrow at Namari before reaching into his robe and pulling out a contract. His finger pointed to a messily written character at the bottom of the page. "Shuinnnnnn Shhhinnnndoiiiii," He slurred.

***

At the edge of the water Jensu lay back in a drunken haze, their hands before their head acting as a pillow. Their feet rested in the icy night water, cooling after the long day of travel. They stared up, at the sky, longingly... perhaps wishing they were somewhere else.

Sunaarashi did not sleep. He waited, his eyes never moving from Makoko as the man thrashed about in his enthusiasm to talk about himself and his many heroisms, specifically dealing with conquering nature and controlling nature and taming nature. The man was obsessed with both himself, and his insistence that he was in command of the world and animals all around.

When Makoko finally tired himself out and turned to his tent, Sunaarashi still waited. Makoko fell asleep quickly, something Sunaarashi easily verified by slipping through the shadows in the tent. Satisfied the man had destroyed himself with his own wine, Sunaarashi considered his options.

He could kill the man. But Suna was hoping to be less of a murderer.

He could wake the man, and question him. But being drunk did not make one's memory better.

He could bind the man for questioning later. But he did not how the others would feel about it.

In the end, Sunaarashi simply sealed the tent shut with shadows, and returned to the fire. Makoko would be going nowhere that night, not even for a midnight piss. Perhaps the others in the group would have an idea of what to do next.

Yamato sat by the fire. He'd accepted a bowl of soup but turned down the stranger's wine. Many had gone off to bed, but something felt off. The river was slow, quiet. Insects and frogs sang their midnight songs and an owl swooped into the shallows, preying on a small fish. His eyes caught Sunaarashi as he emerged from the Ringmaster's tent. The Ronin knew the man hadn't killed the circus act, but he wouldn't doubt it was indeed thought about.

Yamato eyes Suiken and Lo-Muna, the rabbit beast-woman appearing exhausted by the wine she'd drunk. She was practically falling asleep on the Snow-Oni.

"Well, it does us no good to all be up, I'll take first watch if you'd like some rest." He tossed out. He wasn't sure either would agree, but it didn't hurt to offer them some protection, and in turn, be protected.

Xanth watched Makoko's tent from her tree, which she'd felt too uneasy by his presence to climb down from. Her fingers drummed the hilts of her blades in anticipation. Sunaarashi was inside. She strained for any sound of struggle, anything that could prompt her to leap and drag her daggers through the tent on her way down. But then Sunaarashi emerged, and shadows crept up the tent flaps, and disappointment deflated her.

She jumped out of the tree, somersaulting a few feet away from the fire. Looking over the party members gathered, she sheathed her blades. She'd been ready to kill something. She nodded to Yamato and whistled her mutt over, who stirred from his sleep to plod over and flop back to sleep right next to her. She tucked herself into a ball under one of his paws, then squirmed uncomfortably and took a dagger back out to keep in her hand, intent to sleep like this right here near the tent opening.

"There is no need, Yamato," Sunaarashi assured the Tengu. "I will not be sleeping this night." He glanced at Lo-Muna and Suiken feeling each other up. "And perhaps others will not be either."

As Makoko began to pass out the baiju, Ginchiyo made sure she was one of the last to accept the drink. Not that she had any problem accepting liquor from a strange jerk, but rather because she wanted everyone to drink their fill before she partook. To the circus man's credit, the liquor wasn't bad. The proof was high enough to catch a decent buzz and miraculously Makoko seemed to have enough to go around.

The rest of the night passed quickly, and though she never found herself properly inebriated, Ginchiyo was thoroughly enjoying the jovial mood that seemed to infectiously spread throughout the camp. As people began to succumb to drink or exhaustion, she took it upon herself to keep an eye on Klancy. She'd dealt with him before, there was no sense in anyone else being stuck watching the filth of the Earth.

---

The morning was soon upon them, Makoko asleep in his tent. With a yawn, Ginchiyo decided to retire to a tent and get a bit of shuteye before their busy day. She made her way to Klancy's tent and tried to open the flap that would let her in. To her confusion the tent flap did not budge. She tried again with slightly more force, before deciding she was in no mood for trivial nonsense.

She reached down into her belt and grabbed her obsidian dagger. With a deft flick of her hand, the tent flap separated itself from the rest of the tent. "Move over fathead." She grumbled to the sleeping Makoko as she shoved him off his cot and laid herself down on his fine silk bedding. She stared up at the top of the tent for a few second, Klancy mumbling in his sleep as she thought about the day. He seemed to know something about Yuwen. She wondered how, briefly, before deciding there was no good explanation for it. With a snort she rolled over and tried to take a quick nap. There would be a long exciting trip to the circus soon, and it would be for the best for her to be in optimal condition.

"You might want to rethink this course of action," Sunaarashi said, his sword idly landing on Makoko's shoulder as the desert man appeared from the shadows. The edge of the blade pressed gently but steadily against the circus leader's neck. "I knew you were going to try something. But I'm glad I didn't kill you before. You see, before I didn't have a good reason." Sunaarashi smiled. "Now I do."