Voices from Heaven (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thespaceopera) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
driftfleet2019-01-20 07:25 pm
thespaceopera) wrote in driftfleet2019-01-20 07:25 pm
Entry tags:
- !event,
- !mingle,
- adrian "alucard" tepes,
- baku,
- bentley "ben" douglass,
- ciel phantomhive,
- connor,
- felix gaeta,
- glenn rhee,
- grievous,
- haggar,
- james tiberius kirk (au),
- kaname buccaneer,
- katherine "kitty" pryde,
- keith,
- krolia,
- lance,
- libra,
- loki,
- lorden gesh,
- lup,
- magnus burnsides,
- manji,
- messer ihlefeld,
- mikleo,
- nico di angelo,
- pavel chekov,
- prompto argentum,
- remy lebeau,
- sorey,
- taako,
- the vision,
- thor odinson,
- tyrion lannister,
- vash the stampede,
- veronica,
- victor frankenstein,
- wanda maximoff
dreams in digital
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(last updated: 1/21/19)
no subject
Quickly Manji pulls out the small dagger from her clothes with a victorious smile. She tries to give some sort of self defence excuse, but Manji isn't buying it. A quick taste of the blade tells him instantly that it's coated in poison and so he calls her bluff. By threatening her with her own dagger Manji gets the woman to admit a young samurai with narrow eyes and long haired paid her to kill him. It's that moment that Manji realizes that he has no idea what Anotsu, Rin's ultimate target, even looks like. Was that him? Eh. Probably.
He shoves her to the ground as she rattles off another excuse.] Forgive me, sir! He put twenty ryo in my hands! A woman such as I could work a lifetime and never see so much!
[Manji is unmoved.] If money is more important to you than you life, that's your friggin' business. You get it? You do something like this, you got to expect to get cut in two! [With a scoff Manji turns to leave.] Well shit, no point in killing armatures. Besides, I got people waiting for me. I'm out of here.
[Manji moves to leave the woman behind. Hoping to get back before Rin notices he was gone at all when suddenly there's an odd noise quickly followed by a sharp pain to his arm. He spins back around and this time the woman has shed her cloak and stands with a weapon in her hands.]
Excuse me, I should have introduced myself before. I am Makie Otono-Tachibana by pledge of honor with Kagehisa Anotus swords-woman of the Itto-Ryu.
[Manji takes a quick glance at his bleeding arm. It was nothing that the worms wouldn't be able to heal. With a smile he takes a hidden blade out of that sleeve.] Heh, that's damn polite of you. If we're both pros then there's no point in playing around. [He wants her to know he's going to be serious. He doesn't want her to hold back. Manji can tell there's a grace to her body, but there's something still off about this woman. Something he can't quite put his finger on just yet.] Let's go for it!
Then resign yourself to your fate. [She lets one end of her three section weapon fall from loose fingers before rushing forward.
Manji leaps forward with his own long sword in hand to meet her. The way she moves and swings that cumbersome looking weapon tells him that this is someone with a lot of skill and practice behind her. She very nearly takes off the top of his head before tripping on a stray piece of wood in the alleyway. Manji stares in a amazement. Did she just-- did she really just fall? No, something really wasn't feeling right about this fight.
Makie swings out with her blade and it takes almost no effort to block the attack. She leaps back and tries again, but Manji doesn't even need to try to block. The blade getting stuck in another piece of wood. With little sympathy Manji strikes out violently with his foot and kicks her out of the alleyway finishing the fight by pointing his sword at her face.] Don't move. [She lays there looking unconcerned and that's when Manji figures out what didn't feel right about this. Was she trying to die? With a sigh he runs a hand through his hair.] You didn't even check out the battlefield! Either you didn't give it your best, or that was your best. Either way- [He looks back down at her before snarling out loudly in anger.] -Idiots who can't fight should keep their swords sheathed you damn fool!
I said it before and I'll say it again. Anyone who takes up the sword can't complain when they get cut down. Is that how you want to die!? If that's the best you can do with a sword then you'd better stick with being a whore!
[Manji turns and casually rests his long sword across his shoulder as he walks away.] Damn, is this Itto-Ryu really so low on talent they gotta use someone like her? [And yet... something still didn't sit quite right. The memory fades away and Koga will be back at the shack.
The hair pin has returned to the piles and his katana is nearly done.] Could use a bit of sharpening now. Could you hand me that next. [He points at whatever item Koga is most drawn towards.]
no subject
CW Beheading, violence, blood
As the memory settles into place the thing Koga will most feel is the sense of sore and tired muscles. You've pushed yourself to the edge to stay alive since killing your Lord. There had been plenty of stupid bounty hunters after your head tonight and they've taken their toll. You've killed ninety-nine people so far just to stay alive and it's brought you no joy at all. Most were just men doing their job of being told by their bosses to kill you, but you refused to just lay down and die.
Which is why you now hide in a shack. Bleeding from several injuries you just need a place to rest until you gain back enough energy to leave this town. Hopefully some of the patrols would have given up by then too.]
Alright, you in there! This is Saito Oi Tatsumasa, officer of the law from the house of Katsukawa! [So much for hiding and resting. This guy sounded like he was right outside the door. And why did that name seem familiar?] You don't need to tell me your name. Your life will be over in a few minutes anyway!
[You don' t move just yet knowing he has a big speech coming, they always do, so you have a little time to collect yourself before you head out for your next fight.] I've heard about you, pal. [There's the speech.] They say it was you who cut up the Hatamoto Lord Horii Shigenobu two years ago. So, do you have any final words?
[Final words? Not really, but why not? You can have your turn for a big speech and rest a bit longer.] The way of the samurai means finding the right place to die, ever heard of that? Yeah, all so fine and noble. Me? I'm just a scumbag who accidentally got born into a samurai family, but when I hear things like that I think; Hey! Dying like a samurai? Not a bad way to go.
Thinking about it now, that's all I ever wanted. Something worth dying for. I killed plenty of people on that bastard Horii's orders. I never doubted that they were bad, bad, bad people. Poised like a hero, I did! But you know who the real bad guys were? They're the ones that are right under your damn nose! My big boss? He went and jacked up the taxes without tellin' the Shogun! Skimmed it right off the top. The folks I killed? They were nothin' but farmers who were going to tell the authorities. Hell, they knew they'd be killed just for bothering their betters, but they were still gonna try!
Would you die for a man like that!? Eh?! Or maybe I'm the dumb one here! Which!?
[You're satisfied for a brief moment by the stunned silence.] Bushido, the way of the warrior, follows the ancient code of gi – of righteousness. If there be any who stray from that path the samurai must punish them with justice in his heart. I guess you're a guy who never heard of loyalty. [It's then that you know that this is another idiot who just wasn't going to get it.] But enough! I don't need to hear anymore of your excuses! They are meaningless! I don't feel sorry for you. The law is the law. Your time is up criminal! Now your soul must be swallowed up by the darkness!
[The man on the other side of the wall continues to speak as you get to your feet and prepare your weapons. He talks about how five days after you killed your lord two of his body guards fell on their swords in an act of oibara. How one of them have been his father. You think about how that's a stupid way to die. To take your own life over the death of a wicked man.] For my father, his reputation, and the ninety-nine officers who have died trying to get you is that enough? I think I have reason to kill you.
[From out of the shadows you step forth to battle him. A sickle blade in each hand and even a dagger in your mouth for good measure. As you stand ready to fight a female's voice cries out and it surprises you. Why was there a woman here?] Tatsumasa! [You know that voice! Machi! Your beloved sister! What was she doing here!? Why was she out at this late an hour?!]
Machi! I told you to go home! Women and duels don't mix you idiot!
[As he shouts at her you're simply stunned. Mouth full you can't speak.] Manji? [She sounds so confused and concerned.]
Pay attention fool! [Distracted you hadn't even notice when Tatsumasa started dashing towards you. You want to tell him to wait. To stop the fight. Not with Machi right there! But it was too late and as he rushes towards you your well trained body automatically reacts and nearly defends itself. Your hesitation at the start costs you. He strikes at your face and the vision is cut out of one of your eyes permanently. The problem is that you are very skilled and your strike, despite the hesitation, lands true and you can feel your sword slide through the top half of his head like butter.
You watch with your one remaining eye as one half of the man's head flies backwards to bounce off the chest of your sister it's then that you remember where you've heard that name before. Saito Tatsumasa. The name of Machi's husband that she wanted you to meet, but you never got the chance to.
She doesn't scream. She doesn't react at all. That's the worst part of it all. She just stands there and you watch as the light in your sister's eyes dims away. Dims much like the memory fades and Koga arrives back in the little clearing Manji now calls home. There's likely a lingering feeling of knowing you've just killed someone important to you without even touching them.
Manji on the other hand doesn't seem to notice anything at all has happened. One blade set aside he now has a sickle blade out like the one before in his memory.] Thanks. That helped, but we have a lot more to clean. Can you hand me that next? [The paper ball still remains among the items. Is Koga still interested in that item, something else, or is he done?]
(OOC: Note the paper ball now has a new CW of death, violence, and threats of rape. And these warnings are about things happening to a mentally challenged character.)
no subject
And the memory ends.
He looks to the items. The paper ball remains? There must be more to tell. Likely to be just as tragic. But, this must be done.
He picks up the paper ball again.]
no subject
The twenty men are here because of you. You killed their ring leader's brother and he wants you to fight all twenty of them gathered here today, one on one, in exchange for your sister's life. The problem is that your heart just isn't into fighting anymore. Ever since that old crone put the immortality worms into your body fighting has lost all it's meaning. So instead to quicken the pace up you offer to fight them all on together. You'll even fight them barehanded if that's what they really want so long as they just let your sister Machi go free. They are less than impressed by the offer.]
Enough with this bullshit man! Don't give me this 'barehanded' crap! You're a goddamn samurai! You do that, where does that leave me? I got twenty guys together to fight the one of you!
[You just scoff.] Why don't you all play tag? If you're good boys I'll watch you.
[He snarls and places his hand on his sword as if he's about to draw it. Then suddenly his face softens and he orders his men to release the girl.] The hell with it. I overestimated the guy. I don't waste time on trash like him.
[Someone cuts Machi free and she starts to run towards you. Happily crying out your name as she does. This doesn't sit right with you. Something about it all seems off and it's too late to stop it once you realize why it feels that way.
The ringleader – he gave his name earlier but you didn't bother to remember it – draws his two blades and strikes out towards Machi with them.] This ain't my fault, I warned ya I'd have some fun with her! Didn't I, Manji?
[Too far away to do anything about it you can only watch as he slices her in two. Her face more surprised than pain as she falls to the ground in pieces. But it wasn't enough for the bastard. He leaps into the air to strike at her again and you throw yourself over the top of your sister's corpse to protect it from further damage.
With a grunt of pain you can feel his swords sink deep. Ramming through all the way out the other side of your body with nearly all four prongs of the twin bladed weapons.] The sister dies, the brother follows. [He gloats above you, thinking that he has won this.] See ya, pal. In the next life you two can hang out together. You satisfied fool? This pathetic way to go good enough for you? It's all your own damn fault!
[Slowly you rise to your feet while getting your breathing back under control. It always hurts like a bitch when someone strikes your lungs like he just did. There's little satisfaction to be gained from the surprise and horror to his voice as you steadily stand on your feet yet again.] Son of a bitch! What the hell ARE you man!? Some kind of freaken zombie!?
My fault? Yeah. You're right about that. Her husband dead. Her losing her mind. It's all my fault. And the funny thing is, she couldn't even hate me for it. She didn't know how to anymore. [You turn towards your sister's murder with a bitter smile.] Thanks baldy. I guess it really is my only choice. I feel better now.
[He seems confused, but also hopeful at your unsettling calm exterior to what has just happened. Inside? Inside you're full of rage ready to be released.] Cool! So you're gonna fight? One on one?
Naw. [You give your arms a quick flick and the twelve different types of blades fall out of the sleeves of your kimono.] Instead I'll show you whether I can still do a hundred. So keep your eyes on the blades, buddy! See if you can count 'em.
[You don't make this an easy way to die. Moving so quickly and attacking him with such a wide arrange of weapons he doesn't even have any sort of chance to respond to you. In the end his head splits open with his stupid looking face of shock still on it. Before he even falls your body has fully healed from the earlier attack you took.
The memory will fade out as Manji throws himself at the remaining men. It's a long and bloody battle that Manji simply won't be able to lose just because of one fact that the other men were finally understanding: He cannot die. The fighting will last most of the night and someone even removes your leg at one point. It hurts, but you're so angry that you hardly feel it. When they all lay dead in the field you simply pick up your leg, stuff it into your belt loop, and limp your way back to the old crone who cursed you with these worms in the first place. She seems amused to see you in the state that you are currently in. Drenched head to toe in blood both of you and your enemies with your leg jutting out of your belt. Some of your injuries haven't even fully healed or had a chance to stop bleeding just yet.
She teases you. Saying that you've never looked better. Usually stuff like that would get a rise out of you, but right now you just give her a bitter smile and a promise.] Look, a couple a years back I killed a hundred of the good guys; including Machi's husband. Now, to pay off that off how about I spend the rest of my life cutting down a thousand of the bad guys?
[She smiles at you from around her tea.] Just can't bring yourself to give up the sword, hmm? Oh, you're hopeless young man, but why not? Go ahead and do what you think is right. If you fulfill your vow the Kessen-Chu will leave you alone. [Satisfied you finally allow yourself to pass out from the sheer exhaustion you had just pushed your body to.
As Koga passes out in the memory he'll be back in the clearing. Manji is moving on to the next weapon and now the paper ball is gone. Although all the other items still remain.] I need that next.
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Well, there is nothing to do but to continue. He takes up the pinwheel.]
no subject
Hopefully you'll just never cross paths with him again and you will not need to finish the fight. That is until you turn around and behind you stands Rin. With pinwheels in her hair that she didn't have before her face is one of anger and pain. Unlike any you have seen before.
Damn. Why did you have to run into that guy? She had finally been enjoying herself at this festival and getting to be a kid again. Even if it would have been only for a day.
Suddenly the memory rushes forward and you're back in your own shack. It's the middle of the night and you're awoken by a mosquito. You sit up to check on Rin only to find her missing and your heart leaps because she's left her weapon behind on her bed of straw. Where would she have gone?! You don't have to go far. Finding her curled up near the river bank.]
They're going to suck you dry if you-- [You don't get to finish your lecture before she starts to list to the side. Panic fills you and you jump down the embankment to catch her before she can fall into the river.] Rin! You sick or something? [When you stop her from falling in you see the reason for her fatigue. She's cried herself into a near stupor. You help her to sit up; your hand instantly moving to gently rub the top of her head. Like you use to do to calm your sister when you were younger.
You sigh. Not really sure what to say or do for her.] Don't you ever get tired of crying? Why don't you try to get a good night's sleep for once?
[Surprisingly she curls up next to you. Hand gripping tight to your kimono.] Let me... hold on a while. If I don't my heart moght fly away. [Feeling protective you wrap your arm around her shoulder and pull her closer.] Makie said something to me, just words, but they cut into my soul like a knife. She's right you know. Look at revenge from the outside and it's just barren, pointless murder. Even what he's trying to do... it's not that I don't understand.
[You know that the he she mentions is Anotsu. The man responsible for her parent's death. She leans forward slightly fresh tears falling faster.] But, but if it's true and what he said is true what do I do with them? Where do I keep these feeling?
[Shock rock through you. What does she mean what Anotsu said? Could that mean-?] You met Anotsu?
[She doesn't look at you as she tries to wipe away a few of her tears. How could she have not told you she found him? How was she not dead? After all of his men they've killed? She doesn't give you an answer. Instead she continues with her last train of thought.] I told myself to forget. I'll never forget him. But... at the very least....until I can decide if what he said is right or wrong I thought I shouldn't kill for revenge. But, I can't. I can't!
[She looks up at the moon and sits up a little straighter.] Even today, the moment I realized man was Itto-ryu all I could think was kill the bastard! And it had been so nice today... so much... fun...
[She falls forward in tears. Once more you find yourself wishing you were better at this sort of thing. Running your hand in your hair you sigh before speaking.] Look here, Rin. What are you trying to tell me? Is that all your parents' lives mean to you? Well? [You lean back in a relaxed posture.] I don't know what kinda crap Anotsu laid on you, but you can barely keep your shit together, that's for sure. So you gonna let that scum talk you out of fighting back or what?
[She dabs at her eyes.] N-No I'm sorry. God, I disgust myself. When I was fourteen I wouldn't have hesitated a moment. But it's been two years... two years of drifting and I've become such a coward. [She buries her head in her hand.] I'm weighing what he says, putting it in on the same scales as the lives of my own parents. I can't believe I'm doing it!
Neither can I. [You add coldly in an attempt to get a rise out of her. Anything to stop her tears.] I'm disappointed in you, Rin. [Wow, no reaction? She's usually so headstrong. Without a reaction you feel even more worried for her. How the hell are you suppose to help her? Your only skill is with a sword in hand. You don't know how to help with emotions like this.
What can you say?
What are you going to do?
The memory fades out on these questions. Once more Koga is back on the sunny riverbank again.]
Thanks. Nearly done with this one. Can you hand me next that? [The pinwheel remains along with all the other .]
no subject
no subject
That is until you feel an odd sensation near your ear. No, not near. In your ear. And. It tickles. What the hell is in your ear!? Swatting at your ear and rolling away from the strange sensation you're bolted out of your sleep. You're still in the room of the inn you fell asleep in as you turn back around to face your assailant you see no one but Rin kneeling besides where you had just been sleeping. Her face slightly red and a long stick with a puff ball at the end in her hand.] What the hell were you doing?
Just cleaning your ears! [She stick the puff ball in her own ear to demonstrate.] It feels nice!
You woke me up for that?
[You pick at the crud she dislodged in your ear as she gives a small bow.] I'm sorry! But, um, while you're up, got a sec? Just a sec! I mean, it's still light out and... and... can we talk? Just a bit? [You're never quite sure what to do when she starts acting all shy and flustered like this.] Being here all alone... gets to me.
[You consider your options. You didn't really want her rooting around in your ear, but you can tell she really wants to do it. If it will make Rin happy you easily decided to lay back down so she can continue her work, but decide to look your usual grumpy self while doing so. Resting your head on her lap so she can get a good angle on your ear.] Okay, go ahead. But don't get grossed out by what you find.
[She's going to get grossed out. You just know she will. You can't remember the last time you've cleaned your ears, but still, hearing her happy laugh at the challenge makes you feel a bit better.] Haha! No problem! Makes it worth the dig!
Rin. What are you so jittery about?
Me?
You're afraid, right? Of meeting Anotsu? [The man who murdered her parents.]
Y-yes. Very. It's not that I'm really afraid of him but... Manji, I think I figured out how to conquer them. My weaknesses I mean. [She sounds pretty sure of herself. You doubt it, but her explanation will likely be interesting to hear either way.] Well, the stuff in my head, anyway. My sword work? [She laughs lightly.] Still not quite there. [Obviously. She didn't need to tell you that.] So, the next time I meet that man I'll be ready to cut him down like a reed. I think. Anyway, but I wonder if you or Shira are going to beat me to it. This time.
[At the mention of Shira a black haired man in a kimono with a sun on it pops into your mind. A sun just like one of the items for selection.
You two chat back and forth a little while. You're worried that this new group of people you're teaming up with is putting ideas into Rin's head. She insisting that they're not. It fades out when the man named Shira enters the room and catches the you with your head in Rin's lap getting your ears cleaned out. Great. Now you were never going to hear the end of it from that asshole.]
Good job. [Manji sets his newly cleaned blade aside before pulling another dirty one from his kimono.] I think you know what to hand me next. [The pinwheel still remains. Apparently offering up more intimate moments between the two of them.]
no subject
But he picks up the pinwheel again to see what else it wishes to tell him.]
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Rin, you have any idea how much thirty ryo is? [You chuckle trying to figure out what the hell the girl had been thinking. Were her samurai parents really that rich that thirty ryo would be nothing in her mind? That was basically all the money the two of you had.] Hey, I can take being broke. I'm use to it, but you? If we didn't have a coin to our name could you handle an empty stomach and never taking a bath? All that crap?
I... I'm sorry, Manji.
Well, hell. [She looks so dejected that you feel momentarily bad for having mocked her.] You didn't blow it and it is your money after all anyway, but tell me, why the hell did you suddenly want someone else's sword?
It's not "someone else's" sword. That sword... it... it belonged to my father. [That explains it. Why she offered so much money and was acting like someone recently kicked her puppy in front of her.] Two years ago, after father was killed all the swords in the dojo were stolen. That sword was one of them.
Originally it was grandfather's. They told me that when grandpa Takayuki was still head of the dojo he had it on display. It was his special treasure. I always thought it was so weird. Our mutenichi-ryu school was so strict about form, but grandpa's treasure was a foreign sword! Maybe it was a gesture... his way of showing respect to Anotsu Saburo.
[The grandfather of the man who killed her parents for revenge. This is why revenge was never over you think to yourself as you drink some sake.] And so what is it you want to do? Did you ask where this guy's staying? If you want to take it back by force I'm willing to help.
He said he'd be staying at an inn near Asakusa, the "Takiguchi". He'll be there until tomorrow but... [She trails off as she suddenly shovels the rest of her rice into her mouth.] Manji, I'm sorry. This is the last time I'll talk like this. [You're a bit surprised by her sudden change in attitude.] I'm already sixteen! I've got to grow up! I can't keep talking about my mother and father... it's pathetic. I've decided it's time to put it behind me. That sword too.
The guy who's got it is an Itto-ryu, right? Don't you hate him?
Hate him? Of course I hate him. But so what? Maybe we kill some of them, but as long as Anotsu's grandson is still alive Itto-ryu will just keep growing. No more wasting time. I've got to meet Anotsu himself. And as soon as possible.
Well, if that's what you want? Fine by me. [You say this as you take a sip from your sake again, but you don't really think she means anything that she's saying right now.
You get your confirmation later that night. still sitting in that window sill where you pretended to fall asleep you crack open an eye and look over at the young girl sleeping in the room with you. The moon is bright and you can clearly see the tears that fall even now while she's asleep.] Rin? [You call out her name to see just how deeply asleep she is and there's no response. She's cried herself into complete exhaustion.
Those tears? That's putting this all behind her? You don't think so. Which is why you slip out of that window and quietly make your way down the street. Heading for the Asakusa area.
The memory will fade away. The pinwheel is still there, but now there is a new item among the others. A Chinese looking sword. Will Koga continue to touch things when Manji asks him for another item?]
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You two talk. He says how he's seen your face on a wanted poster for killing a hundred men and that it's too cold tonight and he doesn't understand why you're even here. That is until you share that you're just here because you want to fight and when you win you'll take that Chinese sword that he has. He laughs at that and the confirmation that the girl he saw earlier and had scared really was Asano's daughter. He admits that he stole the sword from Rin's dojo and it turns out he had been waiting and expecting her to show up here tonight. Not you.
That's more than enough talk for you as you raise your blade to point at him up in his tree.] You coming down or what?
[There's only a light chuckle for a response before the man suddenly disappears. He's so fast! You jump out of the way with only a second to spare before he lands right where you had just been standing. His blade sinking into the ground where your feet use to be. The near miss hardly slows him before he's leaping at you once more.
Raising your sword you try to strike for his head, but he manages to block the blow just before it sinks into him. With your second sword you go for a jab, but he is already anticipating the attack and drops his head low while at the same time jabbing his own second sword into your thigh. It explodes with pain.] Son of a bitch!!
First rule of war-- [Was he lecturing you right now!?] Restricting your enemy's mobility is eighty percent of victory. Get it? Means dumbshits who only strike to kill are likely to lose their legs!
[This asshole really was lecturing you while stabbing your leg! Well, at least with his sword stuck in your leg he had nothing to defend against your next attack.] Thanks for the tip! [You screech sarcastically as you attack.
Only you're shocked when from the handle of the sword currently jammed into your leg is revealed to be another hidden blade.] Stop acting so surprised! [He shouts right before he nearly takes off your head as you lean back with just enough time to avoid the strike. It's close, but it also gives you the chance to strike out with your foot. Kicking the ninja in the face he flies backwards and away from you.
You both take a moment to catch your breath. Looking over at him on the ground you smile. Enjoying the rush you feel through your body with the enjoyment of a good fight.] This is what I've been missing. This is how to fight! I like you pal. [And it was true. You were finding that you liked this guy for some reason.] Damn, are all you Itto-Ryu guys this tough? What's your name? I'll say a prayer for you when you're dead!
Magatsu Taito! [He shouts back. Looking at you with a new found respect as well.] You're the first guy outside of our dojo I couldn't kill that way, but you won't dodge the next one. Sorry pal, check mate.
[Smiling casually you gesture at the sword still lodged in your leg.] Ah, you mean this? [Yanking it out causes a new rush of pain, but it will make healing easier for the worms.] Yeah. Well, you surprised me, but I'm kinda use to things like this.
[You throw his weapon back to him. Wanting to enjoy this fight and to give him the best possible chance to fight you. It was only fair considering you are immortal and he is not. You're surprised again as he starts to laugh.] You know, this place brings back memories. Nothing's changed. Not a thing. I was born here in Senzoku village. My old home's not a stone's throw away. [You're unsure why you're getting this history lesson. Stalling for time so he can recover a bit more? Probably. You let him continue uninterrupted.] This forest was the perfect playground for a kid. My pals and I came her all the time.
[He continues on. Telling you about a flood that once happened. How the flood had turned this area into a swamp and he had a friend who went out on his own unaware of the danger. In the end he found his friend dead in the bog.] Sad story, huh? A natural trap. You'd never know to look at it. Now I remember where it was. There! Right where you're standing, fool!
[And he was right! The whole time he told his story you hadn't even noticed how your feet were sinking into the ground. You struggle in attempt to get your feet free, but they're stuck firm in the bog. Magatsu laughs at your predicament.] I guess you're not use to fighting in places like this. [He taunts.] Anyway, thanks for listening to my story.
Second rule of war! [He's lecturing you again!?] He who hold the land can conquer heaven! My first move was knocking you towards the tree. And you went like a good boy! Right there, just a few yards between us runs the Sanzu No Kawa the river of the dead! [You struggle harder against the sinking feeling sucking you slowly down.] Heh, giving it a good try, I see. Actually, you know, it's probably not too late. But--!! [He jumps forward, blades drawn and slams into you and the tree behind you. His leap is so strong it actually knocks the tree over and you both go crashing down with it.
The problem? He's speared Rin's sword through your chest and heart. Pinning you to that downed tree.
Magatsu can see that you're not dead yet so he decides to finish his story. Explaining to you how he was a peasant's son and he had one younger sister who he loved dearly. He tells you how one day he and his sister were playing ball and when his sister kicked it the ball accidentally startled a Daimyo's horse. Her punishment was to be cut in two.
As he screams his hatred of samurai who always get their ways over peasants you sink deeper into the mud. Still pinned to the tree.] You use to be a samurai. My enemy. And that girl you're helping? Her too. I'm going to go kill her now. Maybe if you'd only lost one of your own family you'd understand how I feel. [If your lung wasn't punctured you'd laugh.
This is the last thought you have before the memory ends.
The items that still remain are:
A pinwheel
A length of chain (CW: Mention of experimentation, death and violence)
An intricate painted mask (CW: Violence, blood, and death)
A little plastic sun (CW: Violence and blood)
A few small knives designed to be held between fingers
A vile of poison (CW: Blood)
An expensive looking hair pin (CW: violence, blood, severed limbs)
A double bladed dagger (CW: Blood and violence)
A Chinese Sword
And a new item: Magatsu's mask.]
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Before you have a chance to recover a man comes out from seemingly no where and with a quick strike your right arm is severed. It's Shira. A man with white hair and a sun on his kimono like one of the items also out for “weapon cleaning.” One thing you know for sure is that Shira is one sick bastard and bad news. Luckily for you it's Magatsu who wants to kill him so it's the crap ninja's problem now.
Shira laughs triumphantly over your missing arm. Calling it revenge for the fact that you took his arm not that long ago. Oh, wasn't he going to be in for a surprise? Holding your severed arm up to the stump and slowly it reattaches. Shira looks absolutely shocked at first as you wiggle your newly reattached fingers before he slowly breaks out into a crazed smile and starts laughing.] Lemme get this straight. I can hack off your arms, gouge out your eyes, slit open your gut, and I can still keep you alive? As long as I want!?
[There's the sick fuck you remember.] Now do you get it, Magatsu? That's what he's like.
Yeah, yeah. That's him for sure. He's the scum that killed Ren!
[You give Magatsu a friendly tap on the back.] Right, then. He's all yours. Have fun!
[Shira bulks at the idea that you're leaving him and won't fight.] Hey, Manji! What is this crap!? Where are you going?!
Shut up you asshole! Maybe you've got time to get all bent out of shape over old shit, but I've got business to do! This here's my man Magatsu Taito! Height, weight, strength... all the same as me. You and me... some other day. Okay? [Not that you really believe that. With Shira only having one arm and a murdered, no butchered, lover to avenge? You expect Magatsu to make quick work of him.
Shira becomes enraged and rushes at you. Screaming about how mad he is that you don't give a shit about his revenge plot that he worked so carefully to implement. Not that you care. Magatsu jumps straight away into the fray and goes toe to toe with the other man. Blocking his every move.
Except then Shira lashes out with his missing right arm and... sends Magatsu flying back as if he has been hit? This gives you pause in your retreat. Suddenly you're worried for your new friend as he goes skidding along in the dirt on his face. You move quickly to his side where he fell to see if he needs some sort of help.] Magatsu, pal... were you really Itto-Ryu? [Losing to a one arm man? Just sad.]
S-Shuddup! I thought he was one handed. L-left myself open. Won't make the same mistake twice. [You both look back towards Shira.] The hit felt weird though. Not a dagger, maybe a spear?
No. Both guesses wrong, Magatsu. Not a dagger or a spear. [Shira moves his cloak off to the side and shows off his newest weapon. The stump of the arm that you cut off? He had carved into his very bone to make a weapon A living blade.]
Holy shit. Those are his...
Manji! You want to put someone else up against me, that's your business. But that hand of mine? I didn't lose it to some half-assed punk like that kid. So don't break my heart man, fight!
[This guy really is crazy! You smirk.] Yeah, okay. Fair enough.
Hey!
[You do feel a little bad that you're taking Magatsu's revenge from him, but Shira had a point. You had taken his arm and he had put in so much effort to carve his own bones into a weapon?] Beside, now you got me interested, Shira old buddy. So that's what turned your hair white, huh? Must've felt really interesting. Carving all that meat off your bones.
Yeah, don't know how many times I blacked out, man. Every time my eyes opened again I asked myself why all the hell am I doing this? Good question, huh? Bu Manji, the moment I saw your face, all those doubts all that pain gone like morning dew. And another thing when I actually use it, guess what? Fuckin' hurts like hell man! Hurts me! Me! I thought it'd go numb after awhile, a big mistake! But like if I'm too gutless to use it, then it'd all be for nothing, right? So since it hurts so goddamn much to stab you put some heart into it when you scream, okay, pal?
What the hell is he babbling about? [Magatsu sounds like he can't believe what he's hearing and you can understand why.] Is he really nuts?
Naw, if you believe Rin's theory this part is normal. Still it's nice to feel wanted. Know what I mean? Anyway, you're the real deal, Shira. Now I can't leave you to someone else. [Shira looks thrilled as you step forward ready to fight him once again.
The two of you size each other up and then suddenly both start attacking at the same time. The fight doesn't last too long as you go tumbling into the woods. You end up losing track of Shira and run off to hide in the forest and wait. Knowing Magatsu won't be far behind and sure enough you spot him trying to catch up. For a laugh you sneak up behind him and grab him.
He nearly stabs you before he figures out who you are and you start laughing.] Magatsu Taito just about pissed himself!
Don't scare me like that, man!
[Putting aside your laughter you explain to Magatsu what your plan was. With that little fight you could tell that Shira wasn't use to fighting one handed yet. It had only been two weeks since you took his hand. So here in the mountains where the earth would be unsteady under his feet? The type of land Magatsu was a pro at fighting in?] “He who holds the land can conquer heaven,” you remember that? First time we met? If he can kick your ass here, you out to cut your belly, get it?
[Magatsu blinks in confusion.] Huh? I thought you were fighting him now.
Come on!! What the hell did I drag you out here for? I said all that shit just to shake him off. And to give you this nice arena to fight in! Man, what kind of loser gets himself sliced and diced to avenge some woman?
Oh yeah? And what kind of loser is so worried about his little girly he doesn't have time to fight?
Yeah, well, two loser on a road trip, right? Amway, this is my last favor kid. So don't waste it. [Smiling you two say your goodbyes and split up. You trust Magatsu to take care of Shira because you really do need to catch up to Rin.
The memory fades. Only this time all the items are gone and Manji has finished with his work.] Thank you for all your help. [He jerks his head towards the road leading away from his humble home.] Let's eat in town tonight. Just 'cause I don't feel like catchin' our supper tonight. [Okay, so maybe he wants to treat you, but doesn't know how to say so.] Go on ahead. I'll catch up in a minute.
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I will see you there.
[With that, he turns to walk away. There has been plenty seen for him to think about.]
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