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Post by Kora on Jul 14, 2009 14:22:16 GMT -6
When she'd first run away, Mei had sprinted at top speed for at least an hour straight. She hadn't planned a route, hadn't even thought to bring along anything but what she had on her. For a day afterward, that hadn't felt like it mattered to Mei. She'd just been happy to get away, finally be away from the secrets and the talking about her and the glares and angry people.
But now that she'd been gone for three days, hunger was tearing at her stomach, and the nights felt like they were getting colder and colder... Even Boukey was confused. She said it was an overload of emotion, and that she'd be able to talk soon, but Mei was getting frantic. There was nothing to do but walk, and she was so tired... And with Boukey gone, she didn't know if it was okay to even sleep. What if she fell asleep out here and something came up and attacked her?
The seven-year-old girl rubbed at her eyes, bloodshot from crying. Her breathing was harsh and raspy in her throat, a byproduct of all the tears she'd shed, and the heavy running she'd done.
Finally, it was too much. Mei sank to the ground, resting her back against a tall pine tree and trying to stop seeing things in the mist. Sure, there had been mist in the village, but that mist had been tame, cool, relaxing. This wild mist was frightening, billowy and mysterious. Every time it moved, Mei wanted to run over to the spot and make sure that there was nothing hiding there.
"You're just tired, Mei. Tired. That's all."
Talking to herself seemed to help. Mei sat up a little straighter and tried to take in the surroundings.
There wasn't much to take in. A thin layer of fallen pine needles coated the cool stone and earth of the forest. Mist wound its way through the soaring pine trees, and nothing else was visible through it.
Mei-Mei? Are you there? Mei?
Mei perked up. "Boukey? How are you?"
Better, little Mei. How... Oh. Did you run all the way here?
Mei sniffled. "I walked a bit, too."
Ah. Well, it's a bit rough-looking, but I suppose we can make it work. Have there been any spirits around? And what have we got to eat?
"I- I didn't think of food. I've got a kunai knife, some throwing stars, and my flask. Th- that's i- it." The crying was back, and with a vengeance. Mei tried to wipe the tears away, but they kept coming and coming.
Shhh, Mei-Mei. It'll be okay. We can make this work. We'll be okay...
Mei tried to reply, but sobs choked her ability to speak, and she finally gave up, curling into a little ball on the forest floor and crying. |
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Post by Hibiki Yamada on Jul 14, 2009 14:51:10 GMT -6
Hibiki was on his usual stroll, with a supply cart full of food he had to bring back to base. “Work me even on my time off. Those guy really are evil,” mumbled Hibiki. He was using his “Spirit of the Living” technique like always when he goes out. Fading and levitating isn’t something people want to see, especially in this mist. “Darn mist. Making my job harder as it is and who do those Akatsuki members think they are. Partners my...” mumbled Hibiki angrily. It was then the Shinigami appeared behind Hibiki. Of course the average person couldn’t see the Shinigami. But, it didn’t matter much since no one is around.
Hibiki’s voice changed from angry to respectful. “Yes Shinigami-sama is there anything you require of me?” inquired Hibiki. The Shnigami told him that there was a girl nearby and he was to take care of her. “Of course, your wish is my command,” answered Hibiki. He pulled the cart and continued his way where the Shinigami told where the girl was. He never asked why save the girl mostly because he would of done it anyway without the order of the Shnigami. He loved children it’s where his soft side usually is.
Then he saw the girl. The shinigami told him it would be wise to be careful as another presence is near. Hibiki just responded with a nod and went towards the girl. “So you need a lift? You seem tired and hungry here,” said hibiki handing the girl a bright red apple. “Normally I deliver these to my other coworkers but I mostly keep the apples to myself. So they won’t mind if you have some,” continued Hibiki.
It was also then he noticed a demon with her. “A youkai?” thought Hibiki to himself. This was probably why the Shinigami told him to come here. He was now split between two goals. He worked for the Akatsuki but he couldn’t kill children either. He knew he would have to make up his mind soon. But, he couldn’t decide from the Shinigami’s orders or a child. The Shinigami then whispered “Your quite hesitant on this aren’t you? No matter, do not kill the girl. In fact I want to keep an eye on her. There’s more than just a demon with her.” When the Shinigami said this Hibiki was relieved. “So you heading somewhere?” asked Hibiki.
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Post by Konpaku~soul on Jul 14, 2009 15:03:30 GMT -6
Kagoñe has never been to this part of the world before, and this mist was bad. Thankfully, he has his eyes, so he can becareful of those who use the mist to try and attack. from secret. It was then he saw two souls, but these weren't normal souls either. They looked as if they were already dead, and one of them seemed to be young, and had an ominous aura. He decided to walk over and see what was going on. In this mist it would be hard for someone to see his black clothing, and he had his hood up, which is hiding his eyes.
As he got closer, he noticed that one of them seemed to have been crying, "What's going on here?" Kagoñe asked, his emotionless voice ringing out. He asked the question when he knew he was in ear shot. He just stood there waiting for a response, from one of the people. He has already determined the young girl was a youki, since he has met one in the past.
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Post by Kora on Jul 14, 2009 15:13:38 GMT -6
Mei looked up at the figure nervously. Should she trust him? He seemed okay, very, nice, but what did that mean around here? Finally, she reached up and took the apple with a shaking hand.
Before eating it, she wiped her arm across her face, trying to rub the tears away, but merely covering her face with it and sticking hair to the salty liquid. She tried to pull a few strands away, but finally gave up. To heck with manners... she was so hungry.
Still staring up at the stranger, she bit into the apple, trying not to let her guard down, and failing miserably.
Does he seem... familiar to you?
Boukey's voice rang out in her head, and Mei answered it without thinking.
"Yeah, his eyes are the same blue as mine and mum's and dad's and..." She choked up with tears again. Where were they now? Had she made them worried? Were they safe now?
Suddenly, she realized she hadn't replied to the stranger.
"I- I d-don't think I'm g-going an-n-ywhere. Aw-way, I g-guess. Th-thanks f-for the ap-pple."
That was when another voice issued from the mist. Mei jumped, whimpering. Her turquoise eyes scanned the mist fearfully before locating the dark figure who had spoken. The surprise had cowed her back into silence, and she looked at Hibiki hopelessly, searching for some kind of assurance, anything that would make the scary, emotionless voice go away. |
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Post by Hibiki Yamada on Jul 14, 2009 15:42:25 GMT -6
Hibiki gave a small smile to the girl. It was then she noticed what she was. He notced the Girl was somewhat timid. “Does this run in the family” thought Hibiki to himself. When he thought about this he gave a small chuckle. “Well if you’re not going anywhere why don’t you come with me? I’m a distant relative of yours after all," said Hibiki. It was odd since this was the first time the Shinigami ordered something that seemed compassionate. He wondered if the Shinigami really does have a heart. “Well hop in the cart you can rest while in there. Just make sure you don’t devour everything in the cart,” joked hibiki.
It was then he heard the voice in the mist. “Oh, nothing just picking up a relative of mine,” said Hibiki back. Even though it didn’t look like it Hibiki was getting ready for battle if needed. He was ready t pull the spirit lantern out of his body to change his body back into his normal form. He then whispered to the girl “If anything bad happens I want you to hide ok? It’s most likely a travel like me and you.”
Hibiki placed his hand on his chest ready to reach in and pull the lantern out. He his eyes to scaned the area but the mist was too thick. In his other hand was a Kunai which was semi hidden in his sleeve.
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Post by Konpaku~soul on Jul 14, 2009 15:58:08 GMT -6
Kagoñe looked up the the person who spoke. "A relative? Wait, now remember what you two are. I was told about you from my mother. Your part of the Spirit Clan, aren't you? From what I was told from my Mother, my father had a dealing with you before hi death. I was also told that The Konpaku Clan, and the Spirit Clan are rivals as well. And put that away, I'm not looking for a fight, I just wanted to make sure everything was alright. I'm also sorry that I scared you," he said, looking at the girl when he said his last sentence. He was right though, he never met a spirit clan member before, but he did hear about the clan from his Mother. "By the way, I'm Kagoñe Konpaku."
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Post by Kora on Jul 14, 2009 16:16:17 GMT -6
Mei looked up sharply as Hibiki spoke. A relative? What did he...
"How do you know that?" she challenged. Still, her eyes had softened, and she stood to get in the cart when the stranger told her to. There was something about him... she trusted him.
Be careful, Mei-Mei.
The little girl nodded, wiping tears from her face. "I will be, Boukey."
Then, things changed. The man spoke, and Hibiki told her that if something bad happened she was supposed to hide, and the stranger talked about Spirit Clan and said he was sorry about scaring them. Still, Mei shivered when he spoke. He sounded so... empty. There seemed to be nothing in his voice, no emotion, no opinion. It was scary. And Hibiki had told her to be careful. Maybe the man was lying...
But it was all too complicated, and Mei was getting more and more tired as things went on. Her eye-lids flickered and she swayed on the spot, trying to keep herself awake.
Mei-Mei, you have to stay awake. I know that you're tired, but we need to stay awake. Mei? Mei!
Mei's eyes whipped open, and she caught herself from falling.
"S-sorry," she whispered. |
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Post by Hibiki Yamada on Jul 14, 2009 16:35:45 GMT -6
“One from the Konpaku clan huh? Well in that case I suggest you don’t try anything sneaky,” said Hibiki as he hid his Kunai in his sleeve. He didn’t trust the man. But he knew that mere Kunai’s won’t do much good against one of that clan. “What is your business here?” inquired Hibiki as he turned over to the small girl. “See everything is fine,” said Hibiki to reassure her everything was ok.
When the girl challenges his idea of them being relatives he just said “Well if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be able to see Boukey there would I?” Hibiki then gave a small smile again. He secretly envied the girl. “You so lucky your still a child,” thought Hibiki before turning back to Kagoñe Konpaku. He then grabbed the wooden cart handle and began to push it to his destination. “Well Kagoñe I heard you were quite the wanted person,” said Hibiki believing Kagoñe was still following them.
“You know I know people who want you head. I suggest it would be a good idea to lay low for some time,” said hibiki as an attempt for some small talk.
(OOC: sorry for it being short I got to do some stuff)
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Post by Konpaku~soul on Jul 14, 2009 17:06:45 GMT -6
Kagoñe looked over at the girl again, and knew his voice must be scaring her. "Lay low for awhile, that's the exact reason I'm here," he said adding a slightly happy tone to his voice. "I'm not that bad of a person if you get to know me. I told you my name, and I have yet to learn yours," he said looking up at the man pushing the cart. I'm surprised that he has yet to realize that I am a jinchuuriki, he thought to himself.
Kagoñe turned his head and looked at the girl in the cart, "What is a young girl like yourself doing all the way out here," he said, keeping his happy tone of voice, trying not to scare her further. If the mist wasn't so thick, and if he wasn't wearing his black mask, they would've been able to see a slight smile on his face, before it went back to an emotionless look. "So what's your name, young one?" he asked, again keeping his happy tone in the voice.
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Post by Kora on Jul 14, 2009 17:20:37 GMT -6
Mei looked suspiciously at Hibiki. He could see Boukey? But he was already talking to the other stranger, and she felt that replying now would be useless, anyway. She simply shrugged.
Are we going with him?
Mei nodded, not wanting to disrupt the adults' conversation, and followed Hibiki quietly, eyes on the road in front of her feet. She tried not to stumble, but it was getting harder and harder. She was so tired...
She didn't absorb much of the conversation. As her mind wandered, Boukey kept nagging her to listen. The demon couldn't hear anything that her host did not, and Boukey wasn't as tired as Mei was. She wasn't tired at all. Mei just guessed demons were like that.
Suddenly, Mei realized that the stranger, who she now saw was wearing a mask, was talking to her. She tried to think through the fog of fatigue that blanketed her mind.
"Not doing anything out he- eeeeere." Her word was dragged out by a long yawn. She blinked a bit, then looked up again. "I'm Mei." |
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Post by Hibiki Yamada on Jul 14, 2009 19:11:37 GMT -6
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a bad or a good person. The fact is that you have a Bijou in you and that is enough incentive for many to go after you. But, not to worry, it’s my time off and I’m not assigned to you in any event,” said Hibiki still not running his face. He gave a small sigh when he said time out. It made him remember he needed to bring the stuff over to the hideout. “I wish I could retire right now,” he thought to himself. He then noticed Kagoñe taking to the little girl.
He didn’t really much care so long as she doesn’t get hurt. “It’s not good to ignore your Youki; having one required partnership. But, then again some demons are worth ignoring,” spoke Hibiki to the young girl. He knew that she didn’t fully trust him. But, he also knew he couldn’t help it. He then replied to the “My name is Hibiki Yamada, current memeber of the Akatsuki”
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Post by Konpaku~soul on Jul 14, 2009 19:34:24 GMT -6
Kagoñe smirked when Hibiki said he was part of the Akatsuki. He knew hHibiki wasn't lieing, because why would people lie about being part of the Akatsuki. "Everyone needs a day off. You don't mind if I follow you for awhile do you? This is my first time here, so I have no idea where I'm going," he said, still trying to keep that happy tone, to prevent scaring Mei. "It's nice to meet both of you, Hibiki, and Mei. Especially during a time like this Hibiki."
Kagoñe just followed Hibiki as they went through the mist. This mist was starting to annoy him that he wished it would go away, but he knows he can't do that. "Is anyone else getting annoyed by this mist?," he asked with a little annoyance in his voice.
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Post by Kora on Jul 14, 2009 19:42:30 GMT -6
Mei looked up at Hibiki with wide eyes. How did he know she'd been telling Boukey to be quiet?
"I n-normally talk with her all the tiiiiiiime," she replied, with the word time becoming mangled by a yawn, "But I'm tired right now and she keeps nagging me to listen to you, and I c-can't concentrate. And d-don't call Boukey a demon. She says that she is a spirit, not a demon, and I agree. Demon is r-rude."
She turned back to the masked man, figuring she owed him a reply.
"Nice to m-meet you, too." She tried to remember the man's name, but her brain was fogged with fatigue and she couldn't remember. Boukey said it was something like Kamone, but that Mei hadn't been listening at the time, and that it served her right. In the end, Mei let the sentance die and went back to walking quietly.
She looked around her at the mist, but couldn't get up the energy to reply. She just nodded half-heartedly and kept walking. |
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Post by Hibiki Yamada on Jul 14, 2009 20:09:01 GMT -6
“The mist does get to me from time to time. But, what can one do?” replied Hibiki to Kagoñe’s comment on the mist. He didn’t say anything for a few minutes. He was trying to figure out a way to make Mei immune to the Akatsuki. The girl seemed to defending the demon. “A spirit hmm? Well in any case you two are going to need to work together if you are to get stronger,” said Hibiki. He found it odd for the word demon to be a degrading word but he went with it. He then sensed something. “It seems we have some visitors,” muttered Hibiki before he stopped pushing his cart.
4 Four ninjas appeared from the mist and judging by the headband mist ninjas. “There is the brat! She stole our food!” spoke one of the ninjas. “Let us have a nice talk. It is a lot more civilized,” said Hibiki calmly. All they needed to do was tempt him and he would show them why the Spirit Clan is a clan not to be messed with. One of the Ninja then charged towards the girl. It was then Hibiki removed his spirit lantern from within his body allowing him to fight.
“Spirit Lantern…”
Hibiki quickly performed the hand seals creating around 20 balls of blue fire In front of the charging ninja. The offensive ninja jumped back in caution.
(OOC: I would write more but I have to go. Will color my text later)
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Post by Konpaku~soul on Jul 14, 2009 20:42:18 GMT -6
Kagoñe continued to follow Hibiki as he pushed the cart. Suddenly he sees the souls of four ninjas, since he still has his kekkei genkai active. He ignored what the ninja said, because it wasn't his fight, but when one of them went after the girl, he was about to step in the way, but he saw 20 blue balls of fire. He walked up next to Hibiki, "Hibiki, these ninjas of the mist must be really pathetic to have to go 4 on 1 with a girl who looks as if she is still in the academy, don't you think?" he said loud enough for the ninjas to hear, and putting his emotionless voice back into play.
Kagoñe was readying to fight, to defend Mei. One of the ninjas spoke out again, "Stay out of this, this doesn't involve you. Besides, you do you think you are stepping into a situation you know nothing about," the ninja said. Kagoñe only chuckled a little under his mask. "Oh that's right, this place only knos me by my alias. You may call me 'Soul Demon.' I'll take two, and you take two, how does that sound Hibiki?," he said turning his head towards Hibiki, and keeping his emotionless voice. "I know who you are now, and your going to die right here Soul Demon. Then you'll regret calling us pathetic," the ninja said agin.
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