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Post by Suzumu on Nov 14, 2010 15:29:17 GMT -5
There was little sound other than that of the water that rushed past the grassy banks of the river. The sky was dark, but filled with thousands of bright stars that seemed to be so distant. The moon did not hover in the sky to give light to the darkness. Only the stars were as guidance as the water distorted the light of the twinkling stars in a rushing reflection of the sky. The smell of wet dirt and fresh water strung the air as an unperceived wind ghastly breezed over the river. However, even in darkness, there was light to be found as the contrast of the shadows revealed a person to be standing at the banks without any companion to be found.
His features were contrasted with the light of the river that seemed to harbor a thousand crystals from the sky. The gentle light of the stars and the river gave dismal blue light across the night atmosphere. Any of his loose fitting clothing tenderly moved in the wind along with his long tresses of hair as he stood facing the waters. However, his eyes, reflecting the light of the stars, stared across the river and towards the sky. He was just outside the province, perhaps a few hundred feet away from bridge across the river. But it seemed he was not heading that way, as something preoccupied his mind.
His waraji are worn and dirty from walking long distances on foot. His skin is covered by tight fitting cloths that cover every inch other than his feet and his face. The dark colored clothing made him rather hard to see unless you happen to be a foot away or had a great sense of hearing. Denmaru shifted his footing, his waraji rustling the rock and scarce grass at his feet as the thicket of bushes and taller grasses were at his back, offering him some shelter from sight from others. “We are not without consequence, my friend.” Denmaru whispered. Seemingly speaking to someone.
A small yip was heard and a small fox, the size of a small cat, walked around his feet, making cute sounds. The two were an odd pair. But they both had their misfortunes that had intertwined their fate together- but only for as long as Mei was lost and Denmaru was willing to help Mei find her family. Denmaru kneeled down and picked up Mie in his hands, holding her up. The white fur of the Kitsune was much more noticeable and contrast to the dark shadows around them and of Denmaru’s cloths. Her blue eyes were fixated on him with her two tails dangling down as she was held in the air in front of him.
As odd as it was, Mei was much like any other companion. She would follow Denmaru and tolerate their adventures as if they knew each other since they were both born. Mei was always an overly happy Kitsune, and was much too fond of climbing high places. But then again, Denmaru could guess why. When one was higher than anyone else, they would feel as if they were closer to the sky and the gods that inhabited it. He had felt this feeling before, sitting atop a roof and staring at a day’s sky. But he rarely had the time to be doing such a thing now. And he did not have the peace to do so…
With everything as it was, he should not even be sitting here wasting his time. There were people who would kill him in an instant, and he needed to speak to many to find any hint or trace as to this person his master had once met. But all Denmaru had was a description and that this person was a master in ninjutsu. But that was all. And never did it give Denmaru much to work with but to travel across Honshu searching for answers that would not likely be found easily.
Denmaru stood up, gently cradling Mei in his arms as she snuggled into his chest. Her tails gently swished across his arm and dangle down. “Perhaps soon we will find your family, as I search for mine and the reason to all that has gone wrong.” Denmaru said. He glanced at the river and closed his eyes for a moment, addressing a silent prayer, then turn and started to walk along the river bank.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 17, 2010 4:50:43 GMT -5
"...Yeah, why not?" Kazuki shrugged, looking down at a small one person vessel in a state of utter disrepair. Attached to it was a sign that read: 'Free or Best Offer'.
Tossing the sign aside, he threw his rutsack into the boat. After undoing the rope attached to the piling, he hopped into the boat and shoved off from the pier. He watched as the small fishing village, one of many along the Yodo River, got smaller and smaller.
It was late afternoon. Kazuki decided to let the rickety old boat just float along with current. Pulling the hem of his kimono up, he let his bare feet dangle over the stern, his toes grazing the cool water. He laid down, placing his sugegasa over his face to block the rays of the setting sun from his eyes.
* * *
Several hours later, the boat creaked slowly along in the darkness, the river spread before it like a length of black silk stippled with starlight.
Kazuki was still laying in the boat, the sounds of light snoring coming from beneath his hat.
(Heh. There's my chibi-intro. I hope it's all right. My posts tend to be on the shorter side, sadly.
Given that Denmaru is walking away from Osaka [or the province it's located in at any rate], the boat would be drifting toward him, as the Yodo River empties onto the Osaka Bay .)
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Post by Suzumu on Nov 17, 2010 6:08:46 GMT -5
Denmaru held the fox with one arm as it lay across his arm and against his chest. It had been like this for the past month. Dead leads, silent nights, and ever moving adventures that brought them nowhere. “Perhaps things will be different… I must solve this misfortunate mystery.” he whispered to Mei. He was about to move away from the river before he heard something rather odd to say the least…
The sound of something drifting in the river caught his attention- but, more so, the sound of someone snoring. This wasn’t something that occurred often. Or perhaps even at all. Who in their right mind would fall asleep drifting down a river? Denmaru’s gaze settled out to the river to see the shadowed boat floating towards him on the current. The boat looked wrecked, as if it might sink at any moment.
Denmaru stopped walking. The stranger could easily be swept somewhere unpleasant, or robbed in their sleep. Perhaps even drown…. Well, the latter wasn’t too likely, but still a possibility. To leave be or not to leave be was the question that persisted his mind. Denmaru gently nudged Mei, who woke up with a yawn. “Time to put your dangerous interests to good use.” Denmaru said. The thing about Mei was, she had no careful bone in her body. If there was an interesting situation presented to her, it didn’t matter if it was dangerous.
He pulled the Naginata from his back and held the pole. He had to improvise. He tore some cattails from the side of the river and started to tie them together tightly around the middle of that Naginata, using his teeth to make sure they were bound together. The plant tasted rather bitter, but that wasn’t going to stop Denmaru. He tied the end around his wrist and waited for the perfect moment.
When the boat was at a perfect distance and angle, he twirled the Naginata diagonally to get some momentum, then released it and let it fly out into the river. The weapon clattered into the boat and dragged across the bottom before hooking to the side and grabbing hold. Denmaru knew not how long the reeds would hold, let alone the boat. Mei found the rope interesting, and, without having to be told, jumped out of Denmaru’s hands and started to run across it.
The Kitsune stumbled, almost falling, but continued until it got to the boat and jumped in. The fox-like animal shook out her fur and trotted about the boat. She sniffed around before finding the man. Mei made a mewing sound and jumped up on his chest and peaked under his strange hat. She pawed at the edge of the hat as her tails swayed from side to side and her adorable eyes fixated on the man.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 17, 2010 8:47:36 GMT -5
Kazuki opened his eyes when the naginata hit the boat, staring into the blackness of his hat. It was a small craft, he could feel the shaft brush against him as it was pulled.
'Hm?'
He felt something on his chest and lifted the rim of the hat to see a small kitsune looking at him. With a quizzical expression, he looked from the fox to the naginata and reeds to Denmaru.
"I... guess this isn't Osaka."
(EDIT: Oh, man... that sounds so wrong... 'he could feel the shaft brush against him as it was pulled')
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Post by Suzumu on Nov 17, 2010 12:47:14 GMT -5
(omfg loL! Way to keep it in your pants! *dies of laughter*.)
Mei exploded with happiness when the man moved- as it was much to simple to make her happy or entertain her. She stood up and made a strange chirping sound in the back of her throat. It was oddly adorable as her eyes glimmered with glee. Mei licked his nose with her soft, pink tongue, then jumped off his chest and bowed forward with her ears at attention. She was obviously in a playful mood.
Denmaru held tightly to the reeds, holding the boat against the current. But you couldn’t really say he was super strong, and the reeds’ strength wasn’t as reliable either. “You’d be beckoning trouble if you intend to drift on the stream at night, awake or not.” He called back to the other calmly, though barely raising his voice. “Mei.” he sounded. The Kitsune picked her head up and jumped onto the edge of the boat, staring out at Denmaru. “Come here.” Denmaru added.
Mei glanced back at the man, not wanting to leave the boat. She was interested in the stranger and how he smelt like a yokai, but he seemed humanly. Mei huffed and pulled herself up on the edge of the boat and started across the reeds again. She was slower this time, being a pain just because Denmaru called her back over. Mei stopped halfway, one foot in front of the other as she balanced there. She stood as if to decide whether or not to listen to him. But brushed it off and came running across the reeds, tripping over one of the knots and hitting the bank with a thud.
Denmaru shook his head, knowing that wouldn’t hurt her much considering she fell out of trees all the time. But it still worried him how clumsy she could be.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 18, 2010 12:33:44 GMT -5
"Hello, little one." He watched the little fox spirit sitting on his chest with a curious expression. It tickled a bit when she licked his nose.
Then the man called the kitsune and started talking to Kazuki. He turned to look at him, considering his words. "Perhaps you're right..."
He sat up and took ahold of his rutsack in one hand and the naginata in the other. With a graceful leap, he landed lightly on the riverbank next to Denmaru. The boat drifted lazily down the river just a few more feet and then promptly sprung a leak and sunk.
"Huh." Kazuki shrugged and held out the man's weapon for him to take.
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Post by Suzumu on Nov 22, 2010 7:22:33 GMT -5
Denmaru watched as he jumped on the river bank, and no sooner did the boat lazily drift away then submerge into the river. The flicker of a something under the water quickly dragged it down to the bottom of the dark waters. Denmaru blinked, well alrighty then. That was rather sudden.
He returned his attention to the stranger as he offered his Naginata to him. Denmaru grasped the handle and gave a short, polite bow. "Thankyou." He spoke. "I am sorry for the loss of your boat." Denmaru added. But it also seemed he was right, it was not wise to travel upon the river at night with such a weak boat and little caution. Even now, it was dangerous to travel along the bankside without prudence and care.
Mei sat up, shaking out her fur and staring at Kazuki. A mew came from her and she blinked, yawning and scratched behind her ear with her hind leg. Denmaru glanced down at his companion- only then realizing he had yet to introduce himself.
"My apologies for being rude." He spoke suddenly. "I am Denmaru Nagasaki, and this is my traveling companion, Mei." Denmaru said, giving brief explanation but no details.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Nov 22, 2010 16:16:56 GMT -5
"Don't worry about it," Kazuki said, looking the other man over, "It was already falling apart when I got it earlier today. Or earlier yesterday, depending on the time. You ever fall asleep in the afternoon and wake up not knowing what day it is?"
He looked down at the small fox to see she that she was staring at him. He gave a slight smile. When the man spoke again, Kazuki looked back up at him.
"I see." He said after the man introduced himself. "I am Hieda Kazuki. Nice night for a stroll, isn't it?"
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Post by Suzumu on Nov 30, 2010 12:39:14 GMT -5
Denmaru looked up at the sky when he mentioned a stroll. Perhaps it was a rather peaceful night. However, Denmaru wasn’t out here to walk for the hell of it. He could hear the cricket’s chirping sift through the hair and the soft sounds of an unperceived wind. And for a moment, his mind was brought back to the memory of the night he had killed his master. The silence then was as if the world had silenced before him- but he could always faintly hear the ringing of bells. He was not sure why, or where they had come from. It was one of the many mysteries of that night.
He blinked, snapping out of his strange silence and looking back at Kazuki. “So it is. However, I doubt the night will be so pleasant when time passes on.” Denmaru picked up Mei of the ground, holding her in his arm. With the wars breaking out and all the chaos, it was likely that peace like this never lasted very long. A shame really.
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Dec 2, 2010 19:57:35 GMT -5
'Hm? What's he thinking about?' Kazuki wondered curiously, though his expression remained passize as he watched the other man who seemed to be lost in thought.
But then he snapped out of it and spoke again.
"But that's not now." He slung his rutsack over his shoulder. "In any case, I don't intended to camp here. Where are you headed?"
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Post by Suzumu on Dec 10, 2010 11:14:35 GMT -5
Denmaru gave a small smile when Kazuki countered him. Perhaps he was right, it wasn’t now. Not yet at least. But that still didn’t mean Denmaru would let his guard down. His eyes gazed across the river as the stranger asked where he intended to go. That was the problem, he had no idea. He knew what he was to do, but had no idea where he was going. He supposed he could have been called a drifter because of that. “Honestly, I do not know.” He responded. “I suppose chasing a man that cannot be found is much like trying to follow the trail of a ghost.”
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Dec 11, 2010 15:11:03 GMT -5
"Huh. As it so happens, I can see ghosts." Kazuki said, letting the other man interpret that statement however he wished.
His interested piqued, he then said, "Walk with me, and tell me about this ghost of a man, if you wish. I travel a lot, so perhaps I can help?"
(Heh. Sorry, it's kinda short.)
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Post by Suzumu on Dec 13, 2010 20:05:30 GMT -5
Denmaru was confused, his eyes drawn back to the man as he mentioned seeing ghosts. He wondered if he meant that literally or if he just meant he had a way of finding hard-to-find people. Maybe it was something else, he wasn’t sure. His eyes stared at Kazuki steadily as he offered to listen to his story- or at least about the man he was tracking.
“My knowledge of the man is little.” Denmaru said. “The only salient thing I remember is that he is a man of ninjutsu and with hair of pure white with eyes of red and a taut appearance. I can only assume he is a yokai.”
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Post by Uesugi Norimasa on Dec 13, 2010 23:03:18 GMT -5
Kazuki thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Hmm. Can't say I've met or heard of anyone matching that description... Looking for a yōkai versed in the ninja arts... Well, to say you're looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack would be an understatement."
He stopped and looked at the other man curiously.
"But, funnily enough, I grew up in a ninja village myself. As it so happens, I'm also a medium, so if you knew anyone he killed..."
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Post by Suzumu on Dec 14, 2010 0:15:20 GMT -5
Ah, so he didn’t know of the man. That came as no surprise to Denmaru as he walked alongside Kazuki. And he knew his search would be fruitless without any other knowledge, for any leads he had gotten turned up to be nothing. Denmaru slowly stopped after Kazuki’s steps had faded. “I do not.” Denmaru said simply. “I know not of who he has killed or if he has killed any- though I may assume he has. For only one time have I seen his face, and once only did I meet him.”
Denmaru stood there, his back turned to Kazuki, his eyes staring forward. He turned slightly, facing the man and gazing back at him. “Forever seared in my memory, I will walk on.” Denmaru took in a deep breath, as if to sigh, yet no such melancholic sound passed from his lips. “I am suffering from a fault that is not my own, and I only wish to right that. And this man is the answer to my problems, but also the problem to my answers.”
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