Lore: To Save the Vampire Girl

[Soran Nightblade]

Original Thread started by Mizuki on August 29th, 2004.

History: Hepian - Ex Pirate Wanders in, Ashgrown Forest - Search for the Tigron Heart

Total Posts: 266

[Soran Nightblade]

Mizuki:

They had the heart and it almost killed them. 'I'm going to have Min. remind me to stay out of the night streets.' Mizuki thought and then the ever growing thought came back. 'Crap, in this state of mine how the heck do I get a job of some sort? Maybe Min could get something to help us until I can get one. Then we'll get out of this damn city.'

Mizuki's wound on her chest burned again and she felt herelf grow pale and sweaty. 'Damn.' she thought before she slipped from Ceron and Min.'s grasp and onto the ground of Hepian city.

Soran:

Soran looked back over his shoulder at the half elf who'd just fainted. Minuette and Ceron had knelt down beside her, calling out her name worriedly. ~'Doctor,'~ he thought to himself, thoughts racing. He'd thought the half elf was doing well, so why? He turned to face Minuette and Ceron, speaking more coldly than usual to mask the urgency in his voice. "Get her out of the dirt. There's a doctor down the street."

Minuette:

Minuette's head snapped up to look at Soran, his tone angering her. She stood quickly and pulled Mizuki with her, not waiting for Ceron who was going slow for her friend's safety. She cursed to herself under her breath when Mizuki nearly pulled her to the ground. 'Too fast, slow down. Must. Find. Doctor.' Her thoughts were occupied as they walked up the street towards the doctor's. As they walked she struggled under her friend's dead weight, even with Ceron helping her. She turned her emerald gaze up the street and towards a doctor sign hanging above a door. It was still a bit of a distance away. She nearly tripped as she struggled with Mizuki's dead weight. 'Damn it, Mizuki!' She thought 'You were fine to save your silly elf boyfriend a while ago in the forest! Why did you push yourself so hard?! That was a stupid thing to do! Stupid, hear me?!' She shook her head and she had to smile to herself, her pearly white fangs poking her lower lip. Of course Mizuki couldn't hear her, she was yelling at herself in her head! When she nearly tripped again she turned an appologetic look to Ceron. He had a knowing look on his face.

"Could you?" She ventured.

"Sure." He replied as he scooped Mizuki up in his arms. Minuette walked a little ahead of Ceron, but not ahead of Soran. She glared into his back, she wasn't even exactly sure why she was mad at him. She did more yelling to herself in her head.

'Damn you, Soran! You're an elf and a rogue! You obviously know the forrest well, so why the hell couldn't you handly yourself with those zephyrs! You better hope, for your sake, that Mizuki is alright.' She narrowed her glare - emerald eyes bore into his back.

Soran:

Soran's head was swimming. It wasn't his style to regret things that couldn't be undone, but he did have a pervading appreciation for the fact that what Mizuki had done had been for his sake. He couldn't get the image of the half elf curled over in pain on the forest floor out of his mind. Anger, guilt, worry, frustration. The fight in the forest played over and over in his head, finally driving him to break into a run. He ran ahead of the others and entered the doctor's house at the end of the street. He could at least make sure a place was ready for her when she arrived.

The doctor looked up at Soran from the desk he was sitting at in the corner of the room, recognizing the rogue immediately. He looked at Soran warily, waiting dreadingly to hear what the elf wanted.

"I need your skills. It's urgent," Soran said.

The doctor shook his head, slightly surprised by the rogue's request. "You have no appointment, and besides I'm closed today," he said.

Soran stared the man down icily. "It's urgent," he said firmly.

The doctor looked at Soran critically and smirked. "You don't look terrific, but certainly you're not urgent. Or could it be you actually have a friend you want me to treat? Now there's something I never thought I'd live to s-"

He cut off his remark as a cold steel blade flashed inches in front of his face. "Go prepare your clinic," Soran said flatly.

"L...Last time you paid me with a crummy sword," the doctor protested weakly, all confidence flooding out of his voice.

"I'll compensate you properly. If you do a good job, that is," Soran said indifferently, lowering his blade just as Minuette and Ceron entered the room with the injured half elf.

The doctor looked at the group curiously, baffled that Soran had decided to group with anyone, let alone with such an odd trio. "There's a cot in the next room," he said, taking inventory of Mizuki's outward symptoms. "Put her there while I get my tools."

Minuette:

After the doctor told them where to put her Minuette and Ceron quickly went to the room the doctor had specified and gently lay Mizuki on the cot. Minuette adjusted her head on the pillow and awaited the doctor to come in. She spotted a chair in the corner and sat down before Ceron could. It was the first chance she'd had to relax since Mizuki had dragged her from the inn the two were sharing a room at that morning. She was glad she finally had a chance to sit down. She cast a worried glance toward her friend. When Soran walked in she motioned for him to come over. She pulled him into the corner and took the liberty to tell him what had been surfacing in her thoughts all night.

"What happened in the forest? Damn you, Soran! You're an elf and a rogue! You obviously know the forrest well, so why the hell couldn't you handly yourself with those zephyrs! You better hope, for your sake, that Mizuki is alright." She caught her breath and sat back down in the chair. It was merely tension of the day and worry of her friend that made her like this, she told herself silently.

Soran:

Soran stared icily into Minuette's eyes as she went through her tirade. His eyes were blank and emotionless. He didn't bother responding, and when she'd finished and turned away from him in frustration, he looked over at the doctor, who was taking Mizuki's vitals.

He tensed as his chest contracted fiercely. ~'Not again.'~ he thought impatiently. Pushing off the wall, he began to cross the room towards the door, walking as casually as he could. He considered saying something like "Watch her," to the werewolf and vampire, but did not want to risk choking before he'd made it out of the room.

Minuette:

Minuette zoned out in her chair. Her thoughts raced about the forest. She kept replaying their little hike over and over in her head. She felt sick to her stomach, which she hadn't had one of her stomach aches in years. She suddenly became very curious about Soran and what he was doing helping them anyway. She followed him. On her way out she told Ceron to stay with her.

"Ok, Im not sorry for what I said to you. Im just worried about her. But, what are you doing helping us anyway? You seem more of the loner type..." Her voice trailed off.

OOC: Erm...ok that took me an hour to write, my dad died last night so Mizuki and anyone else who wants to can control me for a bit because I can't handle this right now... Hopefully I'll be back by thursday or friday.

Mizuki:

OOC: So far I can't get ahold of Erin Min. doing my best. I'm also not sure if I can really handle ya Min. But I'll do my best. ^_^;

IC: Mizuki was only half concious of her surroundings. The burning had subsided now she only lay in peace. In her half concious state she sensed only two bodies in her wake and one wasn't familiar. She slowly opened one eye and saw Ceron. Instantly, questions came flooding out of her mouth slowly with no second thought.

"Hn. Ceron did we save the girl yet?" She tried to get up on her elbows but another man held her down. "Who is this? Where am I?"

"Calm down Mizuki." Ceron said. "You're being taken care of and no, we haven't saved her yet. You becaem our first priority."

"No, no. Get to the girl! Leave me be and get to her!" Mizuki was half yelling. She wanted the girl saved! She would die first before her efforts went in vain, and she had a feeling she was going to die if she didn't calm down. "Fine fine.'' sh said resting again. "But where is--?"

"Min. went out to talk to Soran. I have no idea what's gotten into him lately."

"I hope she's not being to hard on him." Mizuki chuckled and her thoughts went back to the forest. "If I hadn't been so careless I wouldn't be like this."

"No, you saved Soran Mizuki. I don't know how you did it but you saved him." Ceron gave her a reassuring smile and Mizuki smiled back, but weakly. Meanwhile with Minuette, she was talking to him and waiting for his response. Minuette couldn' figure this guy out. 'Is he part of our group or not?' she thought.

"This isn't my thing to say since I'm not the one who met with you first, but when your girl finally wakes up by that time I want a straight answer if you're going to be with us or not." Minuette snorted at the "girl" comment. [OOC: sorry, couldn't resist relating back to that!]

Soran:

Soran glared out of the corner of his eye as he heard Minuette follow him out of the room. ~’What the hell does she want now?’~ He turned around and faced her with a dark glare, ignoring the pain that was rapidly increasing in his chest.

"Ok, Im not sorry for what I said to you. Im just worried about her. But, what are you doing helping us anyway? You seem more of the loner type..." Minuette started saying.

Soran guessed from Minuette’s words that Mizuki really hadn’t explained anything that had happened the day before. Even if the vampire were to know how Mizuki had met Soran, it wouldn’t really explain why Soran had decided to participate in the Tigron hunt. Soran himself didn’t really know what had possessed him to go. At that moment, all he cared about was getting away from Minuette. He began to turn away from her, but she caught his shoulder. Soran flashed her a dangerous glare.

"This isn't my thing to say since I'm not the one who met with you first, but when your girl finally wakes up by that time I want a straight answer if you're going to be with us or not," Minuette demanded.

Soran felt red-hot anger rising up and mingling with the unbearable tightness in his lungs. “Don’t speak as if you know me,” he growled, looking at her over his shoulder. He turned away from her as something in his chest finally snapped.

“I’m not done, so don’t you turn away from me!” Minuette snapped in frustration.

“Quit being so nois-“ Soran’s voice softened and then stifled into a pained choking sound. The rogue cupped a hand over his lips and stepped backward to lean against the wall, not meeting her eyes. Minuette looked shocked and confused. Was he crying? Then she noticed red blood running out between his fingers.

OOC: Minuette, I know there's nothing I can really do to help you, but I just want you to know I'm very sorry about your dad and I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

Mizuki:

OOC: yeah, I'm doing what I can for her....

IC: "Oh! Soran!" Minuette went to his side. "Get back to the doctor! Mizuki will kill me if I let you die!" She began to tug at him to get him back into the room. 'Alright, now my concious[sp?] wont let me stay angry with you.' Min. thought.

OOC: oh wow, that was short...^-^;; sorry.

Soran:

Soran made a weak attempt to push the vampire’s arm away, devoting most of his focus to controlling the wild spasms in his chest. This would pass. There was no way he was going to a doctor, especially not on the command of this noisy vampire.

He froze as the door to Mizuki’s room flung open. “What’s all the noise out here? Mizuki’s awake,” Ceron said from the doorway, then blinked confusedly as he took in Minuette and Soran pushing and pulling at each other. Mizuki and the doctor had a perfect view of the situation through the door as well.

“Soran…” said Ceron firmly, “Didn't Mizuki tell you to go to a doctor yesterday?” Soran did not like the mischievous grin on the werewolf’s face.

“Crud,” the rogue choked out loud as the werewolf and the vampire dragged him into the infirmary against his will.

Mizuki:
'Stubborn elf.' Min. thought as she dragged him over to the doctor.

"Look, I don't know what's wrong with him but---" Min. started before Mizuki cut him off.

"It's his chest. After the fight with Luc his chest must've never recovered." Mizuki explained starting to get up and help him lay down on a bed. "Please Soran, let us help you." she spoke in a kind motherly voice and turned to the doctor. "Please, is there anything you can do?"

"Wait," Min. started. "You couldn't talk before, why is it that you can now?" And then it dawned on Mizuki. She had been so wrapped up in the moment that she didn't notice her voice was back. 'Holy crap! My voice is back!' she thought happily. Her face exploded in a wide smile and her spirit was suddenly lifted. 'But it normally doesn't came back for a couple of weeks! This is strange....'

"Hmm, I didn't notice but right now i'm foucusing on Soran!" Mizuki turned to the doctor. "Fix him and I'll make sure you are well paid. And if you move from that spot Soran, I'll hunt you down!" she said sternly. She meant it too. Ceron tried to stiffle a laugh.

"Hey," Min. put a hand on her shoulder. "Can we talk?" Mizuki nodded as she was lead out the door and into the main room. "Why are you so fixed on helping this guy? He barely shows gratitude."

"Why not? He's saved my life more than once. I don't need anything in return to know I just helped someone. It's, better than what I did in the past....." Mizuki went solemn [so?]. The past was hard to remember and she didn't want to remember it.

Minuette didn't understand her new found friend at all, but she knew where she was coming from. 'I guess that's ok.....' she thought. They both went back inside to find the doctor already checking out Soran, who kept saying he was fine.

"He's hurt and in denial..." Mizuki mummbled.

Soran:

Soran struggled against everyone’s grips, but the tightness in his chest forced him to stop fighting them. He lay down on a low cot in an indignant rage. He heard Mizuki asking him to let them help him and asking the doctor to treat him. He wanted to tell her to get back to her own bed, but could feel that if he tried to speak he’d just choke again.

“Wait, you couldn’t talk before, why is it that you can now?” Minuette was saying. Soran felt her comment register with how quiet everyone had been on the way back to the city. He had a feeling he’d missed something important.

"Hmm, I didn't notice but right now i'm foucusing on Soran!" Mizuki turned to the doctor. "Fix him and I'll make sure you are well paid. And if you move from that spot Soran, I'll hunt you down!" she said, looking pointedly at him.

Soran scowled at them all icily, but for some reason he felt his inner defenses lower. He hated being touched, he hated not being in control, and he despised doctors, but for a moment, somehow this room and the people in it seemed strangely safe. He suddenly knew, with an uneasy certainty, what his answer was to the question Minuette had put to him so firmly a moment before.

Mizuki and Minuette left the room to talk, and Soran grudgingly sat up and removed his long coat and shirt. “I’m really fine,” he insisted unhappily. He rested his hands on his knees and looked at the ground tensely as the doctor began feeling along his bruised ribcage for broken bones. He felt a tinge of irritation as he heard the doctor “tsk” several times at the menacing scar on his lower chest and the crisscrossing scars from old gashes across his entire back.

The rogue raised his eyes warily as the two women returned to the room.

Mizuki:

When they walked back in Mizuki gasped and blushed. 'He doesn't have a shirt on!' she thought, her sheeks burning red. Mizuki had never seen a naked man, not even a half naked man and she turned around abruptly.

"I-I'm s-sorry!" She stuttered. "I-I didn't know you were..." Min. raised an eyebrow at her friend.

"Um, Mizuki, it's only his shirt." She pointed out lightly. Mizuki was still burning and Ceron was smiling like a mad man. 'This is too funny.' he thought trying hard not to laugh.

Soran:

Soran raised an eyebrow at the half elf, not having a clue what she was so riled up over. He flinched as the doctor squeezed against an especially painful spot on his ribcage.

”Well, it’s no wonder you’re having problems,” the doctor said matter-of-factly, “There’s a broken rib here. And my guess is that it punctured your lung. Were you actually running around fighting like this?”<br>
Soran’s silence voiced his guilt, so the doctor continued. “Lie down. This is going to smart.” As soon as the rogue was flat on the cot, the doctor positioned his fingers around the broken rib and, with a strategic twist, snapped the bone to its proper position. Soran’s breath caught with surprise at the sudden pain, but within a moment he felt the tension in his lungs recede to nothing but a dull throb. He sat up and coughed slightly, his senses flooding with relief.

“I’d normally prescribe bed rest for this, but if you keep it bandaged for a few weeks you’ll heal up in no time,” the doctor said. “As for you!” he turned to Mizuki while he wrapped a bandage around Soran’s ribs, “Avoid anything strenuous for a few days until that wound scars properly. No jumping around.”<br>
Soran got dressed and the group moved to the door. The rogue dropped several heavy coins into the doctor’s palm as he entered the doorway, nodding to him with gratitude in his eyes.

The doctor smirked at the rogue, who had given him too much. ~Geez, if you want to say thank you, just say it,~ he said with his eyes as he exchanged a knowing glance with the rogue. “Keep that damn thing on. I don’t want to see you here again,” the man scoffed with a gruff smile as the group stepped out into the evening light.

Mizuki:

Mizuki nodded at the doctors warning and walked out with the group. It was evening now and she tried to stiffle a yawn.

"The only thing I can say now is let's hurry and get that girl back to life and....I want sleep." Mizuki said lightly. Min. started snickering and Mizuki looked at her curiously. "What's do funny Min.?" Min. shook her head and tried to dismiss it.

'Hehe, jump around. I don't want to think it buuuut, I can't help it! How long as she been around Soran? Arg, the thought! But, haha, still.....' Min. thought really trying to not laugh.

In no time they were back at the tavern where the girl laid waiting for her treatment. But as they walked the stairs, Mizuki felt eyes on her and looked back into the tavern. 'Just men drinking... no one staring.' Mizuki thought still not reassured. She turned back to go up the stairs.

Soran:

Soran and the others finally arrived at the old man's door. He rapped a code onto it, and after a few moments Dralan Thornock opened it and let them in. It was almost pitch dark inside, just as last time. Tora's form lay still in the corner of the room.

"Is she still alive?" Ceron asked worriedly.

"Barely. Did you find it?" the old vampire asked, examining the group curiously.

Mizuki:

"We got it," Ceron said. "But we can't give you back the amulet cause Soran threw it somewhere in the forest. But for good reason, any longer with that thing and everyone would be dead."

Minuette came forward and handed him the heart. "Work fast if she's still alive." Minuette said. Mizuki went to the girl and hand her almost lifeless hand. She remembered her father, how he died in her arms before she could say she was sorry for hating him. She felt tears sting her eyes once more and she couldn't fight them back. She buried her face her face in her hands and laid her head on the girls stomach. She wept for her past and the girl that may just die.

Soran:

Soran watched Mizuki absently, having no idea why the girl had suddenly begun softly weeping beside the unconscious vampire. He looked to Minuette. She was her friend, she should know what to do in situations like this. Unfortunately, Minuette also seemed confused.

The rogue turned to Thornock. "Get it over with," he said coolly.

The old man nodded understandingly and took the heart from Ceron. A vile odor emanated into the room as he removed the heart from its wrappings. He began to mix together the heart and liquids from several small glass bottles from a cabinet in the corner of the room. A minute later, he had completed his concoction, and handed it to the rogue carefully. "Have her drink this."

Soran looked skeptically at the dark green liquid. He came up beside the half elf, who still seemed upset, and held the potion out to her. "Here, she's your patient," he said caustically. Maybe if she cured the girl, she'd stop crying. As long as...! He almost snatched the vial back as he considered what would happen if the potion were to fail. He looked away tensely as Mizuki got ready to administer the potion to Tora, thinking he was no good at these things after all.

Mizuki:

Mizuki slowly poured the drink into the girl's mouth. Her sobbing had stop and for a moment, time stopped as she watch the girl make no signs of life just yet. 'Please live...' Mizuki thought.

OOC: Amazingly short but my baby nephew is fussing so I gotta attend to him! ^-^;;

Sakura:

The darkness departed…the light gave shape and form to the world around her…<br>
Tora snapped up from the bed she laid on, breathing heavily, making everyone around her flinch. Tora’s mind scrambled to calculate everything that was going on. She could feel herself beginning to panic. Tora finally clasped the bed sheets and forced herself to calm down. Her heart no longer raced and she felt a sense of security. With a clear mind, she began to sort everything out. Where am I? Tora questioned to herself. She peered around the dim room.

That sense of security was gone when she saw five strangers staring at her, one holding her hands, both curiosity, worry, and suspicion in their eyes. Tora began to panic. What could she have done so stupidly that she allowed five strangers to take her captive? She reached back into her hair and gave a little gasp when her hands felt the absence of her kamas. Out of instinct she jumped to the headboard of the bed in a guard position, ready to pounce at anyone who would attempt to harm her.

She took a deep breath. Calm down Tora, she thought to herself. If they were to hurt me, they would have had their weapons out. Tora took a deep look upon at these strangers and felt no danger.

Still she was on her guard. Tora jumped down from the bed and landed on the floor feet first. Then she noticed… her strength is back.

Tora was in complete shock. The pain from her hunger went on from what seemed like forever… she had forgotten what it was like to walk without buckling over every five minutes. She clenched her fists and felt the little muscles in her arms bulge. A sense of victory swept over Tora. She was no longer prey.

She looked up at the five strangers and suddenly all words fell apart. She scrambled for something to say, but nothing came to her.

"What...has happened? ...Who are you people?" Was all she could finally spit out.

Minuette:

Minuette watched the girl they saved, almost with amusement, as she woke and gave a baffled look at the odd group. She put her hands on her hips and stepped towards the girl, a wide grin spread on her face that showed her fangs and her inner demon.

"That's what I'd like to know aswell, since you guys didn't exactly stop to give me the time of day while we were on our wild goosehunt in the forest." She glanced at each of her accomplices that were with her on their hunt.

OOC: Sorry it's short, but I am back. That was a funeral from hell, let me tell you.

Soran:

Soran regarded the vampires chilly, realizing he seemed to be on the spot for an explanation. Why him? As if he knew why he was here... No, that excuse wouldn't work now. He'd already made his decision at the doctor's office. Well, they could think what they liked.

"Ever heard of showing gratitude to the people who went out of their way to help you before you interrogate them?" he said lightly to the newly-awoken girl.

"To make a long story short, this odd bunch went on quite a dangerous mission in order to revive your health," Dralan Thornock stepped in, grinning from ear to ear. "As for how they met, I haven't the foggiest." The man eyed Soran especially as he said this. The rogue glowered back at him.

OOC: Welcome back, Min

Mizuki:

OOC: *typing while listening to Spiderman 2 soundtrack and juggling with new chapters for my fictions*

IC:"To make a long story short, this odd bunch went on quite a dangerous mission in order to revive your health," Dralan Thornock said. "As for how they met, I haven't the foggiest."

Mizuki rolled her eyes and prefered to keep that story hidden. "That's a story I don't feel like sharing." she said.

"I just ran into them." Ceron spoke up after his silence.

"Well anyway, my concious is a bit clear so, take better care of yourself girl." Mizuki said lightly. She was just happy she was alive and this wild goose chase was over. She streched her limbs and felt the bandaged scar around he chest. She began to wonder about Luc. 'Where did he go? Will I face him again?' she thought. Her face suddenly masked over, unreadable as she thought about it.

Minuette:

Minuette frowned. She glanced back at the revived girl sitting on the bed and back at her three accomplices, then to the mad scientist-doctor.

"You know... I've been asking how you two met since you dragged me out of bed." She gave a hard look to her friend and Soran. "The least you could do is tell me what happened!" She rubbed her stomach and turned a curious look to Thornlock. "You wouldn't happen to have a dead pig around would you..." Her voice trailed off as she laughed, rubbing the back of her head. " I usually only eat once a month but Im kinda hungry all of a sudden..."

OOC: Shortness... I know... but Im RPing something else too.

Hey, thanks a bunch Soran >^_^< I appreciate it.

Sakura:

So thats why she smells like pig blood. Tora smirked, but it quickly ran away from her face before anyone noticed. Her kin seemed to have a short temper, and without her kamas she didnt want to get on these people's bad side. From the look of things these people seemed to have come together unwillingly.

But still. Why would they do something so stupid? Risk thier lives and thier comrades lives for a stranger? A stranger that could be feeding on thier blood right now.

She was too curious.

"I guess I have all of you to thank," Tora bowed and said with unusual polietness. People often told her she was rude and blunt. But now she was so formal, so unlike herself. Maybe she was greatful? Tora felt eyes on her. She had everyones full attention. "I'm sorry to be a burden to you all. But there is one thing I must ask. Why did you rescue me? A complete stranger? I really don't care about how you all met or anything else. All I want to know is why you saved me."

She waited in silence. Hopefully she didnt say the wrong thing....

Mizuki:

Mizuki spoke bluntly, but with hinted kindness. "It just felt like the right thing to do." Ceron gave Mizuki a look and saw that her face was masked over but he didn't question it.

"Sorry Minuette, about not telling you everything. Just was in a hurry." she spoke to her friend. Mizuki turned to Soran. "You don't have to stay anymore, this is completed and I'm afraid I may end up oweing my life to you countless times. You don't need me trailing behind you all the time. So I guess now most of us will be parting ways?"

Ceron stepped forward shaking his head.

"No, I made a vow and I plan to keep it."

"But Ceron I would end up just being a burden. Besides I expect to be attacked again soon by Luc. I don't want you dragged into that."

"And that's just it. Neither do I want you to fight alone." Mizuki thought for a moment and nodded. What was the use?

Sakura:

"It just felt like the right thing to do." The half elf said. Tora sighed. She guessed she could live with that explination.

Tora glanced at each person. Now that she was alive she was the least of thier concerns. They obviously still had some issues to sort out.

Tora never got thier names, and her curiosity once again risen. She knew she told them she would ask about nothing else, but she guessed it wouldn't hurt to get the names of her rescuers.

"Excuse me," Tora said, once again in a poliet tone. "I'm sorry to be a bother. I wish to know the names of my recusers. After i know this, I will be gone and no longer cause you any trouble."

Inner Tora: That formal bullsh*t should be enough.

Minuette:

Minuette stalked across the room to a chair in the corner. she hoped she wouldn't be parting with her friend after they had only been friends a short time. Already, though, they had become like best friends almost... Everyone they met seemed to think they'd known each other all their lives. She smirked to herself. 'Hah, yea. I've known a half-elf all my life.'

"Minuette. Vampire like yourself. In repent for my terrible sins." She figurered her name wasn't enough as she added the basic details of her life story to her answer to the girl's question. She decided to ask her own.

"What's your name, girl?" She mused. She crossed a leg over her knee and leaned her chin in the palm of her hand, elbow resting on her knee.

Sakura:

"You may call me Tora," she said. Tora felt the need to explain herself a little. "My life as a vampire has been short. Only fifteen years to be exact... how or why I was turned into a vampire... well... thats what im trying to figure out..."

Tora stopped herself. She felt she told too much, but she knew words could not be taken back.

She stared at her vampire kin. Tora was relieved to know that she didnt feed on human blood.

Then Tora saw Minuette's arrows. That is the design of the Witch Queen arrows, Tora thought. Could she be....?

"In repent for my terrible sins," Minuette had said.

No, she could not be. She had to be an ex-archer of the Witch Queen. Yes, that is it. And she is repenting for the crimes she has commited under the that evil rule. This conclusion eased Tora, although for the off chance it may not be true.

Tora stared at the rest of Minuette's wacky crew. Are they all ex-soldiers of the Witch Queen?

Tora wondered, as she waited for the names of the others.

Soran:

Soran looked away from the others passionlessly, not seeing any point in introducing himself to this stranger. He listened as Minuette introduced herself and then requested the other vampire's name.

"You may call me Tora," the vampire was saying, "My life as a vampire has been short. Only fifteen years to be exact... how or why I was turned into a vampire... well... thats what im trying to figure out..."

The last line of the girl's words caught Soran's interest. She didn't know how she became a vampire? Was she, like him, unable to remember her past?

Soran crushed the unpleasant subject forming in his mind before it could take shape and looked at Tora inquisitively. The atmosphere in the room seemed tense.

"It's good to see you awake and healthy," Ceron said, breaking the silence. "My name is Ceron. This half elven girl is called Mizuki, and the grumpy rogue over there is Soran." He grinned amusedly as he felt Soran's dark glare burn through the back of his head. "I suppose it's a bit much for you to take in so quickly, but for whatever reason, it seems fate has pulled us all together for the time being."

Soran inhaled the cool, faintly smoky air of the room, sorting his thoughts. It was getting late. None of them had had time to eat, either. Was he going to remain with these people? He hadn't felt like himself ever since the doctor's office. Things were much less complicated when he had no one else to think about. But something about these people had his attention, and at least until he could clarify his thoughts... He turned his head as he realized he'd been absently staring toward Tora.

OOC: I hope this dialogue isn't out of character for Ceron, but if it is, just let me know when you get back and I'll amend this post.

Mizuki:

OOC: Hehe, nah, That seems about right for Ceron.

IC: Mizuki stayed silent and in her own world. She barely listened to the people around her being absorbed into her own thoughts. Too cool for her owns words she spoke that she was going to head out and walked out the door without another thought or word.

Luc began to plague her mind again and she tried to figure out where she would go now, especially with the two people traveling with her now.

"What happens if I run into him again?" she spoke softly to herself.

"Well, I'll fight by your side." spoke a quiet voice behind her. Mizuki turned around quickly to find Ceron. The sun was sinking and he looked mysterious in the dark. He sat down beside her her and gave her a comforting smile. "I think Minuette will also fight against whoever this guy is beside you."

Mizuki nodded. They were sitting on the roof of the building staring out into the night sky and at the sparkling stars. The moon was a cresent tonight and it look beautiful. Mizuki felt her stomach give an angry growl and she blushed. In return Ceron's growled too. They laughed at themselves and Ceron stood up offering her his hand.

"Come on, let's go eat." he said. Mizuki took his hand staring at him in wonder. 'These people I have met now, so friendly to a stranger like I am willing to help a stranger. There could be hope for Heirot to be peaceful if more people were like this.' Mizuki thought while walking back in with him.

Sakura:

"It's good to see you awake and healthy," Ceron said, breaking the silence. "My name is Ceron. This half elven girl is called Mizuki, and the grumpy rogue over there is Soran." He grinned amusedly. "I suppose it's a bit much for you to take in so quickly, but for whatever reason, it seems fate has pulled us all together for the time being."

Then it hit her. Mizuki! She heard that name before. Tora looked back into her recent past. That guy she was about to kill.... it was him who swore... on her...

Tora looked at Mizuki, but Mizuki's eyes were distant, as if they were lost in thought. What could she have possibly done to deserve an attacker? Tora wondered. Maybe she should tell Mizuki about this guy?

Mizuki left the room and Ceron followed her.

Then Tora felt Soran's empty gaze on her. Keep staring, I may do a trick, she mused to herself.

The rogue quickly averted his gaze.

Tora glanced back and forth between Minuette, Soran, and the doctor. No one spoke. Thus was the beginning of a long ubearable silence...

Soran:

Soran turned toward Thornock. Tora seemed normal and healthy, but... "Your little concoction have any side effects?" he demanded suspiciously. The all-knowing smirk on the old vampire's face was infuriating.

"Well, it *is* an experimental treatment, after all. I don't know myself what the possible repercussions could be. I do know that I experienced no problems with a parallel treatment I used on myself once." He grinned at the rogue. "What, are you worried?" The man shut his mouth abruptly as Soran's cold green eyes asserted that the conversation was over.

Ceron and Mizuki were re-entering the room. "We're going to get some food. What about the rest of you?" the werewolf queried.

Minuette:

Minuette breaks from her trance and jumps up out of the chair she had been perched in. She was over-excited and, aside from her usual low-key and detached self..., scary beyond all reason.

"FOOD?! I love food! Can I get a giant, freshly killed pig?! Can I can I can I?! PLEASE!!!" She shreiked childishly. She looks to Tora and, even though she's just had a 'feed' per say, inquires "Want to come with us?" She turns to Soran. "You coming?"

Minuette walks over to her friend and her friend's new body guard-werewolf and grins,blushing.

"I honestly don't know why Im so hungry all of a sudden.."

Soran:

“You coming?” Minuette had asked him.

Soran hesitated briefly, then answered firmly, “Yes.”<br>
He looked at Tora knowingly, his eyes saying, “You’re coming too, right?”<br>

Sakura:

Well, she wasn't hungry but...

"Ah what the hell," she smiled. "I'll come too. I'll even help you catch that pig if you want, Min. Can I call you Min? Ok. Lets GO! Oh... I need these..." Tora retrieved her weapons and whipped them up into her hair.

She followed Mizuki and the others out of the room down the hallway. She walked behind them, observing them. I think I'll stay with these people for a while, she thought.

Then she felt it. She seemed sensitive to her pulse. Tora looked at her wrist and found her purple vein beating rapidly almost outside of her skin...then she felt her heart beating nsync with her pulse... an unbearable burn in her stomach...everything seemed to be turning white...dizziness...

......"Its not over," said a voice..........

"Tora, are you ok?"

Tora snapped back into the world. Minuette was staring at her. Tora looked at her wrist, her vein was normal.

"I'm fine..." Her voice quivered. Minuette wasn't convinced. "No, really, I'm FINE!" Tora said, smiling. "Are we going to eat or what?"

They started to climb the stairs to the inn's resturant.

Minuette:

Minuette jumped up and down, hyperventillating like an over-active puppy. She had no idea herself, besides that maybe she needed to feed a little more than once a month, why she was so hyper all of a sudden. She was acting like she was 15 again. She calmed for a moment as she fell into a past that went farther than the Witch Queen's rule.

Her thoughts clouded with memories. No, not memories. Nightmares. She saw images of her father raping her twin sister. They were identical, but he picked her sister - Antonia. Antonia was only older by 5 minutes but she was always acting older than herself. She wanted so badly to be an adult so instead of tending to the ranch they owned and doing her chores, Antonia would always wander off with the older boys and girls. They were not even 11 when their father started molesting her. Late at night Minuette remembered when she would hear her father slither into bed and touch her poor sister. She could do nothing but pretend she was asleep, while she litened to her sister's soft pleas for their father to stop. If she said anything or made it known that she was awake her father would either beat her or touch her as well. He never did though. Minuette was more of a tom-boy when she was a little girl and boys never interested her. Antonia, on the other hand was enthralled by boys. And boys loved her, too. She developed early - and was well more endowed than Minuette ever was. She wore her hair pretty, and she always kept her dresses clean - there was never a speck of dirt on her hands. Their father got angry with all the boys from the town coming to our window at night for Antonia to sneak out when we were 15. Minuette was in her hyper times and had fun while she adventured the backwoods with her friends, while Antonia snuck out at night with hers. She was still a virgin. One night when they were almost 16, their father did his routine. He snuck in, which he hadn't done in about a year, and that fateful night - a fortnight before our 16th birthday, Minuette's father raped her twin.

Minuette snapped from her thoughts when Mizuki was tapping her shoulder and asking her what she wanted to eat. The whole group was staring at her funny. Her hyper had worn off since she got lost in her thoughts. She wondered to herself how long she had been zoned out for.

"Uh, oh. Yeah, a dead pig please? Very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very rare." She grinned wide at the waitress taking their order.

Soran:

Soran sat slightly apart from the others at the table, observing the rest of the room watchfully. He fingered the edge of the bandage on his chest. It had been less than an hour since the doctor put it on, but he already wanted to rip it off. He let the matter rest as the waiter came with their food. The other patrons looked apprehensively at Minuette's meal, which besides taking up most of the table showed no signs of having been cooked. Soran didn't seem alarmed by it though, so at length they returned to mind their own business.

Minuette:

OOC: Mizuki is grounded for some reason so I'll be playing her and Soran, she asked if you could play Ceron?

IC: Minuette's eyes grew large as she pulled her pig in front of her. She didn't care about the stares as she licked her lips and her fangs grew in length slightly. She opened her mouth wide as she was about to puncture the pig's neck. It was the first time in a long time she really showed her fangs to anyone, even if she wasn't doing it on purpose.

Minuette finished off the pig's blood supply in record timing. She sat back in her sear and smiled at Mizuki, who was staring at her funny again.

Mizuki looked from the pig to her friend and thought one thing.

'Gross.' She thought to herself. She lost herself in her own thoughts as she poked at her food, eating slowly. She decided to break the silence by questioning Tora.

"So, how are you feeling? How did you get to Hepian? How come you don't know why you were turned into a vampire? Are tigers tasty?" Mizuki smiled naively and finished her meal, awaiting Tora's answers

Sakura:

“Haha not all at once,” Tora smiled. The only one listening was Mizuki. Everyone else seemed in their own world. She rested her head in her hand and began to tell her story.

“I came here to Hepian because I heard there was a circus in town. And tigers are usually in a circus….don’t give me that look. I tend to feed on wild tigers. Let me tell you how I got so weak. I wanted to see how long I could go without feeding on a tiger, you know, because I feel bad about killing them. A month and a half later I felt it was time to feed, but I pushed myself a little. I’ve gotten so weak I couldn’t even catch a tiger anymore, let alone find one. That’s why you found me in the condition I am. And trust me, it won’t happen again.”<br>
Tora made sure Mizuki was still listening. She was. Tora continued.

“I….really don’t know why I can’t remember my past. Sometimes I hear a strange voice in my head. Some people think I’m crazy, but I know that that voice is a key to my past. I also think that the fact my body only accepts tiger blood is a clue too…. So I must ask you something Mizuki. I don’t know what your mission is by traveling around, but I would like to travel with you… if that is ok.”<br>
At that moment Tora felt a hurricane of fire in her stomach. Nevertheless she kept a cool apperance and awaited Mizuki’s response.


Minuette:

Mizuki sat up straight and smiled. She glanced from Minuette, Ceron and Soran then back to Tora.

"Of course you can join us! The more the merrier!" She giggled as she spoked.

Mizuki was glancing at Soran and wondering if he was going to join them to. He hadn't said much all night. She wondered what he and Minuette had talked about.

"Soran...are you coming with us too?" She inquired, offering a soft smile. She was ever so grateful to him, she still had yet to pay him back for the second and third time he saved her life.

Soran:

“I am,” said Soran affirmatively. He placed some coins on the table and looked at the others. “It’s getting late. I’m turning in for the night. You might want to do the same.”

Mizuki:

OOC: Returning for the time being....or we could just say no one was home so...

IC: Mizuki nodded and streched[sp?]. Getting up she felt eyes on her back again and she turned around quickly. No one. 'What the--?' she thought. Shruging, she went up to the room she had gotten for her and the other two females of the new group. But just as she was going to decend the stairs she was pulled into a dark space behind them. No one noticed it.

A hand was pulling roughly on her arm and Mizuki couldn't find her voice. A rough hand clamped itself on her mouth and she could smell the ground from them.

"You will speak not a word or your companions shall die." It was Luc. He had the nerve after running away to come back. "Listen to my offer before you decide to hate me more." He was breathing seductivly in her ear and she shuddered from its familiarity involentary. "Come back to my side and all charges will be dropped. You could gain good profit for coming back to the Witch Queen now that you know Ighten's terrian better. We could use you on our side, think about it Mizuki, no more assasinating I know how you've begun to hate it."

Mizuki thought about it... it was... tempting but...

"Your friends are getting wary." He pushed her forward without a second thought. "Remember my offer Mizuki love." And he disappeared.

Mizuki was left dumbstruck and confused, but she also felt a small bit of glee in her heart. 'No more assasin jobs...? Does he--?"

"Mizuki stop daydreaming and let's get to bed." Ceron called to her. She nodded and hurried quickly to her room.

Soran:

The rogue watched as the others followed the stairs to their rooms, then turned toward the exit that led back out to the streets. He took two steps forward, then halted warily. He had the feeling someone was watching him. Spinning around, he scanned the room for the source. Several patrons were eyeing him with nervous curiosity, but that was nothing out of the ordinary. The gaze he’d felt a moment before had been potently malicious. Nothing seemed suspicious in the room, but that only heightened his irritation. He turned brusquely back toward the door and stepped out into the night. As he felt the chill evening air on his face, his muscles relaxed slightly. Here he was in his element; here in the darkness, solitary in the forbidding streets.

From the roof of the inn, Luc watched the rogue with a twisted smile. ~’If she won’t come with me, I still get to kill you,’~ he thought, absently touching the wound Soran had given him. ~’Either way, I win.’~

Soran walked down the street and turned off down a side alley. From there he made another left and a right through the mazelike alleyways, and arrived at his apartment. He pulled a small key out of his pocket and turned the lock on a weather-worn wooden door. It was the only door still in use along the forgotten alley, and there seemed something proud or rebellious about it. Soran walked into a run-down room that was clean but barren and furnished only with a bed and a wooden chair. A tiny adjacent room contained a bathroom and a small shower that only used cold water.

By all standard definitions, this place was his home, though the rogue felt none of the sentimental attachments to this place that people usually associated with ‘home’. This place was hardly a haven. If he had to give it a word, he would name it as some sort of ‘ally’. Soran closed the door and sat down in the chair to remove his boots. He lay his coat across the chair and looked down skeptically at the bandage on his ribs. He briefly wondered how Mizuki’s wound was doing, and whether the vampire she’d insisted on helping was really as fit as she seemed after drinking that crafty old man’s potion. Both of them were apparently hiding something. That was fine with him. He understood secrets well, and had enough of his own to know not to pry into those of others. If it was something he needed to know, he would be told in time. He lay down on the bed and pulled a thin blanket onto himself before falling into a restless sleep.

Sakura:

Tora decided to go for a midnight walk. Tho this was not the smartest of ideas, she felt that she needed it. She slipped out of the inn and strolled down the midnight streets.

She wondered around for about an hour or so until she reached the cities boarders. Tora found a small hill with a clear view of the stars. She laid on her back and gazed at the night sky.

Usually at a time like this most people would reflect on the past, but even in the fifteen years as a vampire there was nothing truely worth remembering. The closest shes ever gotten to anybody is the quircky group she now travels with, and thats not close.

Tora began to feel a stiring inside of her, that hurricane of fire. One couldn't describe it as a pain, more of a power, a limitless energy. Her body shook like a violent earthquake, magnitude of ten.

"What... why do I feel this way?" Tora questioned to herself.

"Remember you do not."

Tora whipped around and found a figure shadowed in a dark cloak. She could not tell wether this visitor was male or female, or its race. The voice sounded strangly familiar tho...

The hurricane inside of her stopped, and Tora concentrated on the shadow.

The shadow spoke, "The magic harbored inside, wanted by the strong is the blood. A soul's fire has not changed, although the race has."

"You speak in riddles." Tora said coldly. "Tell me what you mean or leave me be." She stared at the stranger, trying to ward him/her/it away with her eyes. She felt a pressure in her skull and took it as a bad omen.

*BOOM*

Tora flew foward from an explosion that she felt took place behind her head. She looked back and found her weapons shattered to pieces across the green grass.

"Learn to use thy power that was bestowed upon thee. Or to speak more correctly, relearn it." A strong gust swirled around the stranger, and when Tora was able to see clearly all that was left of her visitor was the black cloak. Tora searched it.

Nothing.

Tora tryed to make sense of what had just happened to her. Those words, that person, maybe a connection to her past?

She became reaware of her shattered weapons. Tora knew open-handed combat, tho she was not very confident in her skills. She felt vanurable[sp] in the darkness, and she sprinted back to the inn full speed.

She slipped back into the room where Mizuki and Minuette where caught in a deep sleep. Tora crawled in her bed and tried to go to sleep, but her recent occurance kept on replaying in her mind. That and her nameless energy kept her up all night.

Mizuki:

Try as Mizuki might, she could not have a good dream. Her dreams made her toss and turn in the night as she lay sweating in her bed.....

The army of the Witch Queen was strong and wining tryumph. Luc was by the Queen's side with the evilest of smirks on his face. They were overlooking Ighten that had become a desolent wasteland. Mizuki saw a cloaked figure apporoach the two and the Queen spoke first.

"You've done well. I keep the end of my bargain to you both." She said. "Ighten should have a great new Lord and Lady!"

Mizuki's eyes shot open and she felt herself breathless. She was like a sweating pig and she was sticking to the bed sheets. She stepped out of bed and covered her body with one of the robes.

She made her way quietly to a window and snuck out of it climbing into the night air. Keeping herself covered, she made her way to the well in the back of the Inn to wash the sweat of herself.

Her dream made her restless. It wasn't the fact the Ighten was a wasteland in it, it was the cloaked person. That gave her the chills because she had a feeling, she knew who it was...

"What are you doing up so late?"

Mizuki jumped and looked behind her. It was Ceron and she sighed in releif, she thought it would be Luc.

"I had a restless sleep so I wanted to come outside.. what are you--?" Mizuki replied getting cut off.

"I saw you leave from my window. Remember our rooms are next door, and I just happened to be looking out the window as you left." Ceron spoke. Mizuki smiled at the werewolf gently and finished wiping her sweaty body down after turning away from him. Mizuki then felt hands wrap around her and she stiffened. Ceron's lips pressed against her neck and Mizuki couldn't move.

"What are you--?!"

"Your preception isn't what it used to be, love."

"Wha-- LUC!" Luc began laughing and shifted back into his old form.

"What are you doing here? Why did you do that?" Luc hummed in her ear and turned her to face him.

"Had to see how close I could get before you threw me off... like you've done so many times before."

"You knew from the begining that I didn't like those kind of advances."

"Yet you'll let me kiss you?" Mizuki blushed at his true words. She was still pretty young then, everyone lost their head's a bit!

"What is wrong with me dearest Mizuki? Why wouldn't you let me get close? Why do you still push me away?"

"Because you betrayed me Luc." Mizuki spoke icily. Luc brushed his lips lightly against her's and whispered huskily yet with some hinted anger.

"I had to Mizuki. If I didn't rat the crew and you out I would've died!"

"You prefer your life over your friends?"

"NO! I prefer my love life with you to stay intact!"

"So you rat us out!?"

"It's more complicated then it seems dear Mizuki! I was confused and we were still young. I didn't know what to do. It seemed the right thing to do at the time!" He brought her closer to him, hugging like a fragile child. For a split second, Mizuki's heart melted. "If I could change it I would. I realize now what it did to us. But we can gain it all back Mizuki! Hear me out, the Queen knows of you and she wishes to enlist you in her army. You would be a great advantage to us in the war. She even promised to make us Lord's over our own land."

"What have you been doingsince you betrayed us?"

"Making deals and hunting you down! I haven't been trying to kill you, only to get your attention."

"Almost killing me?!"

"No, more like... capturing you after knocking you out. But please Mizuki," he brought his face closer to her's and her past emotions towards him got the better of her. How long had it been, since they last kissed? She had yearned for his kind of attention for some time, but refused herself of it at the risk it would all happen again. Finally the gap between them closed and their lips met each other once more after a long time apart. Mizuki lost herself and she drifted into his arms, fearing and hoping to never come out.

Sakura:

"Thats the man I ran into back in the streets," Tora whispered to herself as she watched the little scene between Mizuki and the stranger.

"If I could change it I would. I realize now what it did to us. But we can gain it all back Mizuki! Hear me out, the Queen knows of you and she wishes to enlist you in her army. You would be a great advantage to us in the war. She even promised to make us Lord's over our own land."

If it was Queen Sinead, she would have had to betray Mizuki in some way...no that couldnt be ...it must be the Witch Queen, Tora thought. She would not stand by and watch this bozo convince her new friend into whatever crazy scam he has plan.

Tora ripped her covers off and jumped out of bed. She tore the two apart and threw the man against the wall. Tora stood between Mizuki and the man with her guards up.

"You have ten seconds to leave before I kill you," Tora threatened.

Mizuki:

Mizuki cried out as she was ripped from Luc's warm embrace.

"You have ten seconds to leave before I kill you," Tora threatened. Then everything came flooding back to Mizuki and she felt nothing but coldness toward Luc, but her heart also wanted to cry out.

"Luc... please go..." Mizuki whispered coldly, yet quietly. Luc gave her a look of sadness as he turned to leave and scowled at the intruder.

"Please Mizuki... think it over." Luc said before disappearing into the dark night.

Mizuki held the robe tighter around herself as she suddenly felt a chill swoop over her body.

"Thank you... Tora." Mizuki whispered to the vampire who had jumped in between them.

Sakura:

Tora turned to Mizuki with grave look on her face. She spoke in a cold tone. "Mizuki... that man. I met him when I first came to here. He swore to kill you. ... I would usually mind my own buisness, but I won't let you do something stupid. Why were you in his arms?"

Mizuki:

Mizuki wrapped her arms about herself. 'This will be hard to explain.' she thought.

"Me and Luc... Tora you need to understand, I knew him long ago before this hate between us happened. Old feelings die hard." Mizuki said solemnly. "Listen, it's getting cold.... we should go in."

Mizuki began to walk towards the inn and back into her room. When they had gone back to bed she concealed herself tightly under the sheets of the bed and tried to dream peacefully.


OOC: If someone would like to start the next day or something be my guest!

[Soran Nightblade]

Sakura:

"Old feelings die hard, heh." Tora said when Mizuki was an earshot away. "If my ex-boyfriend was out to murder me he would have his head five feet away from his body."

She followed Mizuki into the inn and went to bed.

Soran:

Soran rolled onto his side, halfway between sleep and consciousness. The first hints of sunlight glowed into the room through the opaque shade on its single window. He took a deep breath. The dull ache in his chest brought him back to the world of the living and reminded him abruptly of all that had happened the day before. Raising his guard to its usual level, he get out of bed and stepped into the shower, letting the icy water wake him up.

*thud*

The rogue turned the water off abruptly. Just now, it had seemed like someone had knocked on his door. Nobody knew to look for him here… He waited a moment, and the sound came again. He covered up with his coat and walked to the window. Nothing appeared to be outside. Warily, he unlatched the door and glanced out into the alley. It looked perfectly empty. Suddenly a tiny metal ball fell from above and exploded at his feet, releasing a sickly yellow vapor into the air. Soran’s throat tingled as the tainted air crept into his lungs. He covered his face and retreated back into the room, bolting the door firmly.

~’What the hell was that?’~ he thought, feeling nauseous. He snatched up his shirt from the chair and held it over his mouth, sitting down on the bed dizzily. He’d heard that the witch queen’s military had developed special gases that caused unconsciousness, but this was the first time he’d experienced one. There was no doubt as to who the gas had belonged to. His vision blurred slightly, but he knew he hadn’t inhaled enough to knock him out.

Another tide of nausea washed over him. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, breathing deeply until it passed. When he regained control, he reached for his armblades and began dizzily gearing up. If Luc wanted him out of the picture, then that meant he was up to something rotten at that very moment.

OOC: Does anyone know if Ceron is coming back? Didn’t he say he was returning around the 6th?

Mizuki:

OOC: I didn't know he left. But he called and told me he didn't want to RP if I wasn't there...but I'll PM him or something saying I'm back on here. But... can I ask why he want Soran dead? lol =P

IC: Luc's POV [so corny but I'll be him for a bit.]

Luc smirked as the gas released on the unexpectant elf. He knew that the elf retreated back in and was probably gearing himself up, but Luc knew that the elf's vision must be bad and may be on the verge of fainting. He sat and waited above the alley for the rouges move...

Ceron:

Ceron started walking around the town rather in search of nothing in particular.

He soon comes to an inn with a man on the roof watching a window...

"I wonder whats happening here..." Ceron slowly climbs the roof staying out of sight of the one on the roof.

OOC: I think I might kill off this Werewolf in favor of a Jester like character... not sure of the details yet.

Mizuki:

OOC: OOOOOOHH!! Ok!! lol thanks for clearing that up ^-^;; And nah...you're doing Luc fine. Hehe... oh man, I'm waiting for something to happen like Luc accuses Soran for taking away his woman. Heh, that would be hilarious!

Soran:

Soran pulled his coat on and moved dizzily to the door. He suspected that Luc wanted to launch an attack against Mizuki while he was unconscious. Protectiveness was normally out of character for him, or so he felt, but now he was bent on going to the half elf, if only to defy Luc’s plan. He opened the door and stepped out into the alley.
The rogue’s attention shot upward as the sound of a blade ripping out of its sheath rang from the room above him. He blinked at the thoroughly unexpected sight of Luc’s body flying toward him, long sword aimed downward. ~’Not after Mizuki?’~ his thoughts raced at this turn of events.

He swung his armblades upward to block the insultingly simple attack, but was again caught off guard as his arms merely gave way under the weight of Luc’s weapon. Feeling his muscles betray him, he threw his weight backwards toward the ground at the last moment. He felt the strike rip open the front of his shirt as he hit the ground, barely missing his skin. Luc stood over him with a sinister grin.

Soran looked down at his arms unhappily. Something was wrong with his muscles. The speed was there, but there was no strength behind it. It occurred to him for the first time that the gas he’d inhaled might not have been intended to knock him out, but to handicap his strength. In this state, he would only be able to dodge or run. Attacks and blocks would be useless without any weight behind them.

Luc seemed well aware of this fact, as he stood rather casually over the elf. “Oh dear, it seems your chest is wounded. Did I do that?” Luc sneered in mock concern, pulling Soran’s torn shirt open with his blade to reveal the bandages across the rogue’s ribs. “And your hair is dripping,” he added distastefully.

“You interrupted my shower,” Soran said darkly, twisting out from under Luc and springing back to his feet. “I hope stalking men to their homes isn’t a usual pastime for you.”<br>
Luc’s lips twisted into an enraged grin. “Not at all. It just seems that your presence is making my task of retrieving Mizuki quite difficult, so I thought I’d take out the trash.”<br>
Soran eyed him curiously, not sure what was going on, but doubted that he was the reason for whatever decision Mizuki had made to get Luc so riled up. Luc rushed toward him and landed a firm right hook on Soran’s jaw. With his decreased strength, what would normally be a minor jarring hit sent the elf flying into the wall.

Luc frowned in disgust. “To think that Mizuki would choose to be by the side of this punk,” he muttered disdainfully.

Soran raised an eyebrow, sure now that he’d missed something. More importantly, things were become dangerous and he would never defeat Luc in his current state. His eyes scanned the alley for any possible exits.

OOC: Muahahaha! I went with your suggestion Mizuki

Mizuki:

Luc saw Soran's eyes searching for a safe way out. 'No way.' he thought cynicaly. What he didn't count on was the werewolf coming down upon him. The werewolf fell upon him with a thud.

"Sunuva--!!" Luc yelled waking up a certain half elf.

---

Mizuki awoke to a yelling of curses and sprang from her bed waking the other girls. 'Does it ever end?' she thought.

OOC: So short, sorry. Ceron how do you want him...er...you...er whatever... dead? Lol

Sakura:

"Sunuva--"

Noise was the first sign she slipped back into the world. Tora heard the crashes of battle as she lied in her bed with her eyes closed. It was just one of those days where you feel so lazy...

Mizuki stirred near her. Unlike Tora, she was fully awake.

Tora knew Mizuki's suspicion. Luc. She could hear Mizuki's heavy footsteps as she sprinted out of the room.

"Well, what can I do anyway?" Tora said to herself. "My weapons are gone." Her thoughts turned to the stranger. A power he said? "..the magic harbored inside..."

She was aware of the fight below, although she didnt know if it was her comrades or not. Tora couldn't help but feel useless, and this was the second time she was completely helpless with these people.

But they became almost friends to her. Actually, she felt to them they were her friends, even if they did not feel the same way. Tora didn't know what she could do in such a fight, but with a new energy she ran towards the crashes of battle.

Ceron:

Ceron starts to repeatedly slash at Luc. "How dare you hurt my companions... Soran get the others, I will hold him off..."

After Soran doesn't seem to move for a few seconds, Ceron looks right at him and says, "RUN!" For that lack of attention he takes a stab in the chest.

OOC: I think ill have luc kill him while Soran is getting the others, but have bought them time. Or take out Luc while taking mortal wounds, depending on if you guys want luc dead yet.

Mizuki:

OOCL don't kill Luc yet... he will be more needed. But do want you want with the battle and all....just don't kill him.

Mizuki was running out the door when she ran into Soran who looked rather weak.

"Soran what's happening?" she demanded.

OOC: sorry...short x_x but I also posted up a new char and gave her her 1st post and i'm just like...bleh...

Soran:

“Get the others!”<br>“RUN!”
The werewolf’s voice echoed in the rogue’s swirling head. The smell of blood brought him back to his senses. Soran’s jaw clenched furiously as he saw Luc thrust his blade into Ceron’s chest.

He narrowed his eyes at the werewolf skeptically. Luc was no ordinary opponent. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to rip Luc apart, but instead he gave Ceron a stern glare that said “stay alive” and ran to find the others at the inn.

Running took more out of him than it normally did. He was out of breath by the time he reached the street where the inn was located. The others burst out of the inn just as Soran skidded to a halt in front of them.

“Soran what’s happening?” Mizuki demanded.

“Ceron’s fighting Luc,” Soran answered, face empty of expression. He ignored their disapproving stares, not in the mood to justify why he’d abandoned Ceron to come here.

“Where?” Mizuki asked sharply.

Soran signaled that they should follow him, and the group ran behind him back down the street and into the alleys. His legs felt unsteady beneath him, but this was no time to stop for rest. The sounds of battle grew louder as they wove through the narrow passages, until at length they reached the scene. Blood soaked through Ceron’s clothes in several places, but his swift and controlled movements gave no indication of how much damage his wounds had done. Luc stood across from him, his shirt crisscrossed with slashes from Ceron’s claws, but he also did not behave as though he were injured. Luc’s expression hardened as he saw Mizuki and the others behind the damned rogue.

With a sneer he turned back to Ceron and fired a blast of magical energy into his shoulder, knocking him back into the wall. Turning a wild-eyed grin on Soran, he collected the energy for another magical attack and prepared to blast the rogue to the next dimension.


Ceron:

Knocked back, but not winded Ceron notices Luc gathering energy for another attack. He suddenly notices its not aimed at him, but Soran and the others.

"No!!!" He gets up and leaps in front of the massive assualt.

He screams as he feels like he is being torn apart by a thousand dragon claws...

To Soran and the others it appears that he just dissappeared, although they can still hear his screams...

OOC: There, although short, i believe that Ceron is officially dead, or rather out of the picture untill I or someone else feels the need to bring him back.

Mizuki:

Mizuki stood in utter shock un able to move. Her mouth held no sound on her tounge as she stared at the space Ceron used to be in. Rage, shock, sadness, betrayal... a wave of emotions rolled into one inside Mizuki as she stood staring. With empty eyes she looked to Luc. She felt... strange. Like there was nothing left right now inside her.

Luc looked down at them smiling. "Not the target I wanted but it will do to surpress my anger."

"Anger for what?" Min. yelled.

Luc pointed accusingly to Soran. "You may have claimed Mizuki but I know her better than anyone else. You cannot love her as I have."

Mizuki looked at Luc responding to nothing.

Sakura:

Tora ran over to Ceron's corpse. She tried to cover his wounds but he bled so quickly, there was nothing she could do.

She accepted his death, and thanked him for everything hes done.

Tora's eyes turned to Luc. She felt nothing. It was weird in a sense, knowing at a time like this one would feel angered and enraged. But she looked at Luc with nothingness.

"What's wrong with you?" Tora said to Luc. She stood up, but did not break eye contact with him. "Pysco Stalker. Thats what you are. Dont you get the message? Mizuki doesn't want a piece of lunchmeat like you anymore. Especially now. Mizuki! Finish this guy off! I know you can!"

Soran:

Soran stared in complete astonishment at the place where Ceron had stood a moment before, unable to blink or turn away. ~‘Dead…’~ Slowly his gaze rose to meet Luc’s, hatred burning in his normally icy stare. He’d known leaving Ceron by himself would be a risk, but had not anticipated anything like this. He felt his arms flying up to attack, his legs propelling him forward. With all the power he could draw on, he lunged into Luc and ripped his right armblade in an upward slash from Luc’s chest to his shoulder.

Luc smiled hatefully at the rogue and threw a deliberately weak blast of energy into Soran’s stomach. Soran knew the attack shouldn’t have affected him, but staggered backwards at the blow, barely remaining on his feet. He cursed the stupid gas he’d inhaled as Luc played with him, sending small bursts of magical energy all over the rogue’s unsteady frame until the force finally made him fall to the ground. Luc laughed uncontrollably at how absurdly easy it was to knock the rogue around, touching the deep gash Soran had given him with a dark grin.

“Look, Mizuki!” he growled, turning to the half elf, “Take a good look at the weak fool you choose to stay with!”

Mizuki:

Mizuki stood dead and unanswering. Ceron had barely been in the group and he was already dead. Mizuki saw Soran getting hit and heard Luc's hateful words. Mizuki slowly regained herself.

"At least... he fights for good reason... and does not kill and harm the ones he holds dear." she said. "If you love me Luc, you must understand my choice to not join you."

Luc glared at her and almost fired a ball of energy at her, but he didn't. "It is because I love you I will not harm you; It is because I love you... that I will not let this rouge take your heart without a fight." Luc got ready to attack Soran again until Mizuki appeared in his way. She had no emotion in her eyes and it scared Luc making him stop.

"Luc I demand you leave before I kill you." she said quietly. Luc glared back into her own eyes and took one step towards her. He held her face in his hands.

"I hope the Witch Queen doesn't decided to have your head, love." with that he kissed her quickly and left.

Ceron:

A man in white hears all the screaming and sounds of battle. He walks over, and half stays in the shadows, but has put up a magical field around them so he can affect any magic cast in the area. "I wonder how this will be played out..."

OOC: this is my new char, the description is in Leon Sayuri. Sry about the long bio.

Sakura:

Tora was enraged, but not at Luc.

At Mizuki.

"How could you Mizuki?" Tora cried. "How could you let him get away like that? He killed Ceron, one who pledged alligence to protect you! And this is the thanks you give him?!" Tora clenched her fists. She couldnt believe Mizuki would allow him to live. She knew that Luc was after her, Soran, and Minuette. He would kill to to get to Mizuki.

And yet she lets him go.

She turned and ran back to the room. Tora felt that hurricane of fire again, but this time it wasnt bothersome, it felt powerful.

"Yes, its comming back to you," a voice in her mind said.

Tora stood there dumbfounded as the hurricane settled. She forgot about her anger and turned her focus onto herself. She knows she isnt crazy, so what, or who, is this voice in her head?

Ceron:

The man in white notices the confusion in Tora. "Yes, this will be interesting, I just hope she doesn't go crazy..."

Soran:

Soran pushed back to his feet, more alert than before. He walked past Mizuki without looking at her and entered his apartment, the door of which was still ajar. He re-emerged a moment later with a sheet and draped it unceremoniously across Ceron’s body, forcing her to stop staring at it. Without a word, he turned to go back into his apartment.

Mizuki:

Mizuki just stood staring into nothing. She had become unfeeling towards everything. Even as Tora yelled at her she stood motionless. She was aware of nothing but of what she did. She knew very well that she had let the killer of Ceron live, but for reasons she couldn't explain.

Mizuki felt the hate and stares of disapointment from her companions but kept standing there even as the sky darkened for the rain to come. Slowly, she walked off the balacony for she was now alone outside... abandoned. Once again alone to be on her own. She looked up towards the sky and the rain fell into her face making tears come to her eyes.

Alone... "I should just go..." she whispered to herself and began to walk off.

Ceron:

Leon slowly walks out and follows the one called Mizuki. "Ah, the rest of them can take care of themselves..."

After following her for a few blocks he comes up beside her, but doesn't look into her eyes. "Why are you mourning his death? And I applaud you for letting his killer go. But his death was not in vain, unless you let it be."

Mizuki:

Mizuki didn't know who this stranger was, nor did she care.

"If I killed him it would have been more blood staining my soul. I know I let his killer go but... I couldn't kill him if I tried...." she said quietly. She then suddenly stopped and looked at the stranger. "who are you?" she said emotionlessly. She looked him over, he seemed normal and she could sense nothing wrong with him. Something seemed very appealing to her abuot him but she showed no sign of it.

Ceron:

"I am sorry, but I forgot to say my name. I am called Leon Sayuri. But I understand your not wantign to kill. For I share the same sentiment. I too refuse to kill." He winces for a brief second, that is barely noticable. "But he sacrifised himself so you all could live. You should honor that. I don't think he would like for you to leave them."

Mizuki:

Mizuki studied him with cold eyes. "Why do you care? You come from nowhere and give me advice. Besides... they wouldn't want me back." She didn't mean to sound cold but...

She sneezed from the cold of the rain. "Who could want me back after what happened back there?" she asked him sadly. Now her emotions were coming back and tears fell from her dark eyes.

OOC: She wont leave really....unless someone wants to come and get her! lol...but she wont really

Soran:

Soran went inside and ran freezing water over his head and down his neck, impatient to recover his strength. It seemed he had been left with the responsibility of doing something about Ceron’s body. He supposed that seemed appropriate. Emotions he wasn’t in the mood to acknowledge battled inside him. Feeling disconnected from reality, he went back outside and sat in the rain across from the covered body, flexing his arm periodically as its strength slowly returned.

Ceron:

"We should get out of the rain, your getting cold." He takes off his shirt to put it over her head. "I think your friends might need a little time to them selves."

Mizuki:

Mizuki absently accepted Leon's shirt. She followed him to an Inn but she stopped him before they entered.

"Why are you at my side when you do not know me?" she asked him. so far, all of her adventures had been accompanied by people who had jumped in and never once questioned their being there at her side... she never questioned it really either... until now.

Ceron:

"Why am I helping you? I don't think even God knows that one..." Looks up and smiles. "I think even he... or she... has a very fine sense of irony... and as to your predicament, I can only help in your quest. I can't do more than your willing to accept though."

Without waiting for a reply, he walks into the door of the inn.

Mizuki:

Mizuki followed him in without another word. and her thoughts drifted has he got themselves a room.

As they walked to the room Mizuki felt even more distant to reality than before. She wished that she had had the strength to kill Luc, but she didn't. Mizuki's stomach growled somewhat but she refused to acknowledge it.

"Please Leon... tell me why you've decided to take care of me?"

Sakura:

Tora's thoughts turned back to her fallen friend and savior. She wondered if anyone gave him a proper burial. She ran back outside to find Soran already completeing the rituals.

'Mizuki should be doing this,' Tora thought angrily.

Tora knealed beside Soran. 'What if Soran died? He fought for her so many times...' Soran's head was down as though in prayer, and Tora knew he did not know she was right beside him.

She waited for him to come back to the world. She wondered what he was thinking.

Ceron:

"First let me ask you, why can't you kill him?"

"Because I loved him once..." Mizuki says, looking as if she can't bear the memory.

"Something troubles you..." Leon states.

"No... nothing troubles me..." States Mizuki.

"Oh, hold on a second..." Leon suddenly closes his eyes and starts consentrating... a sphere of semi translucent energy seems to appear around him and starts to expand.

Soon it enveloups the entire room. He opens his eyes again. "Just as a precation..." Right after he states that an arrow hits and goes thru the window. He looks at it and it stops in mid flight.

"Now, who would know we were here..." Leon says.

Soran:

Soran finally opened his eyes, preferring the reality of the corpse in front of him over his troubled thoughts. He looked to his right and unexpectedly found Sora sitting next to him, watching him curiously. “How long have you been here?” he asked distantly, watching the rain splash on the ground. He flexed his arm testingly and found that it felt mostly normal again.

Mizuki:

OOC: after this someone else post....please? lol

Mizuki jumped and stared at the floating arrow. The room was filled with a surprisingly warm light that made her feel safe. Reluctantly, she went to the window and saw a rather handsome boy who couldn't be no older than 16. He had handsome features of sandy hair and ice blue eyes that looked back at her a bit lazily. The boy smirked and jumped to their window entering the room.

"You shall pay for stopping me." he said to Leon who sat rather calmly. The boy seemed to pay no heed to Mizuki as she just stared from the boy to Leon.

Sakura:

"Maybe an estimation of two seconds. Don't be so cold." Tora stood up as she watched Soran flex his arm. He was still wet, and from looking down at him he didnt look so healthy. Tora wanted to help him, but even if shes only been around him for about two days, shes learned that Soran will not let you help him.

"Soran... what do you think of all this?" Tora asked. She hoped for an awnser, although she would not push him if he choose to remain silent.

Ceron:

"I had to stop you. I wouldn't be a master of my art if I had let you steal that girls savings. It was all she had. Now if you don't mind I would like to call a few friends here." Leon smiles and a few small impish demons appear in the room.

"Now Mizuki, get behind me!" She quickly gets behind him. "What's going on!" She notices words appearing on his back...

They say "Don't say whats appearing here, these demons don't exist. They are an illusion." He bows to the thief, and gets into a fighting stance. "I still refuse to kill you, but if you make one mistake, I will be forced to do what I hate."

The thief grins and advances toward him but is wary of the demons that are grinning and flying around the room. "And what mistake would that be?"

"Involving anyone else in this..."

Soran:

Soran climbed back to his feet, not sure what the vampire was looking for. “It was foolish. I could have dodged it…” he said coldly. ~’No, I couldn’t have. That would only have put Mizuki in the line of fire instead.’~ he thought. He wouldn’t have dodged it. Had Ceron known that? Had Luc known that? In any case, it hardly mattered now.

Soran finally looked at Tora. For an instant his eyes were full of pain, but the emotion was wiped away so quickly that it was not certain whether it had actually been there at all. He knew his answer probably wasn’t the response Tora had been looking for, but he wasn’t sure himself what to think about Mizuki’s actions. “We’re getting soaked.” He walked back to his door and gestured for her to come in, feeling uncomfortable.

Sakura:

Tora caught that flash of pain the the rouge's eyes. 'He pents up so much emotion inside of him. Like a warrior, who is taught to show apathy at all times. But warriors are humans too... I could never keep what im feeling inside.'

"We’re getting soaked.” Soran gestured her to come inside. She followed.

"You know what I think, Soran?" Tora asked. She could already hear Soran's response in his own head, 'No.' His discuriosity always suprised her. She decided to share her point of view anyway.

"I believe... you, Soran, are the only one who can save Mizuki from Luc."

Mizuki:

Mizuki screamed as if in an ever lasting torrant of pain. She didn't know why she all of a sudden felt like this, it hurt, and it was happening no matter how hard she tried to surpress it. Her body felt like it was being torn. She forgot all that was happening around her and pratically sprang out the window falling to the ground. She clutched her head and shut her eyes tightly.

It felt like someone was chanting in her head and it was killing her from the inside.

"GO AWAY!!" she screamed at the voices in her head. The man Leon noticed she left but couldn't stop her for he was in his own battle. Mizuki was crying like never before. She saw the flashes of her past, present... and events past. Ceron's dead body echoed thru her mind unwantingly and she felt the guilt weigh her heart down so much that she felt it would explode. 'One thing must...be done.' she thought over the voices.

She ran, stumbling at first from getting up so quickly. She ran to only one place... where Ceron died. The rain poured heavily from the sky and she was drenched. Leon's shirt still about her. Soon she stopped at a fresh grave site, she didn't need to question who it belong to. She fell to the ground crying out.

"I'm sorry! Ceron forgive me! I couldn't... there was no way I could avenge you!! Please forgive my soul. I will try.... I promise you I will avenge you in time!" Mizuki yelled grabbing at the freshly dugged grave. Mizuki grabbed her sword and jammed it at the head of the grave. "My gift to you in your death. My father's sword watch over your soul and rest in peace when you are avenged... and please guide me... my once protector..."

Mizuki weeped over the grave but more subtily.

Ceron:

Leon notices Mizuki's sudden exit. "You know kid, I haven't feed today..." He smiles and suddenly holds the thief still in his arms. The thief suddenly becomes very scared. "What are you going to do?!"

"I'm am going to eat... you haven't been a decent human." His form suddenly shifts into that of a vampire... Trench coat and all. With fangs bearing, he opens the thief's throat. Drinking all he has. After Leon drops the thief to the ground he states to himself "I really have to find a cure for that..."

Leon then resumes his original image, and he starts to follow the scent of Mizuki, keeping his calm visage.

Soran:

It felt strange having Tora follow him into his apartment. It was the first time he’d allowed anyone but himself inside.

“You know what I think, Soran?” she asked, and paused. When he didn’t respond, she continued, “I believe… you, Soran, are the only one who can save Mizuki from Luc.”<br>
Soran faced her and crossed his arms. “From what I saw, she wasn’t in need of saving.” He stared her down for an explanation.


Mizuki:

Finally regaining her resolve she swore on Ceron's grave that he will be avenged and leapt up the the balcony and leaped again for the roof. She didn't care anymore... 'I've been alone for most of my life... and I may die alone.' she thought bitterly. SHe had no idea where Luc went but headed in the direction he took off in. 'He went east...' she thought thinking about her plan.

"When he dies I hope he goes to the deepest circle of hell... He is gone from my heart." she said bitterly.

Ceron:

Overhearing Mizuki's statement, Leon only nods his head, and follows her. "I hope she doesn't get herself killed..."

Leon then follows her across the roofs, staying back in the shadows awaiting the result of the night.

Sakura:

Tora smirked. "Physically, yes, she needs no help. She has the skill to kill him." Tora awsnered Soran's gaze with a cold stare of her own. "But in case you haven't noticed, Mizuki has a very weak will. Luc came back for her, and he will keep comming back... he may convince her to follow him again... its possible...she let herself fall in his arms again." Tora remember Soran wasn't in the room when Luc very first came back.

Tora took a deep breath as she let Soran let it all sink in. His emotionlessness was still intact, so Tora couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"You need... we need... she..." Tora suddenly became at a lose for words. She knows what she wanted to say, but its as if someone took her voice. She looked down to the ground in unexplanable confusion.

Mizuki:

After some time Mizuki, despite the darkness, sensed she was being followed. Not in the mood for being tracked and having the urge to wrap her hands around anyone's neck, she stopped and called over her shoulder.

"Oh there creaton who follows me!" She called out against the rain. "Come out now and I promise I wont kill you!"

Ceron:

Leon walks out. "Would you want to kill me? Now, you will need help. Maybe not physically, but you will need the will power." Leon remains calm throughout all her emotions, not flinching on one.

Soran:

Soran wasn’t sure what to make of Tora’s behavior. Before, Mizuki had clearly been ambivalent about whose side she was on. Tora had openly challenged her on that point, yet now she seemed sympathetic to the half elf’s indecision.

“You’re asking me to convince her to take our side?” he said stalely. “And what exactly-“ he cut off the sarcastic question he’d been about to ask, halted by the determined glow in the woman’s eyes. He looked curiously at this person he had met only a day ago, wondering what made this so important to her. He knew she was right about what they should do. He didn’t see how he had any special potential to convince Mizuki to stay in Hepian, but he wouldn’t accept that she would side with that bastard.

Soran stared Tora in the eyes for several moments, a silent conversation taking place between them. At length, he frowned and said, “If we’re going, we need to go now.” He wrung the water out of his drenched shirt front and turned toward the door. There probably wasn’t much time.

Mizuki:

"Gah, you..." Mizuki had been hoping it was Tora or Min..... or even Soran. Mizuki sighed out her dissapointment and turned around to face him. "Why do you insist on helping me when you know me not?"

Mizuki stared him down. If she failed this one.... she didn't want anyone one to see her fail. If she died, Ceron woud be the one to judge her.

Ceron:

"Why? Because of what I failed to do as a child... I failed to save my father when I should have been able to help... So, if I have a chance to help, I will not let it go." Leon stands there awaiting her response.

Mizuki:

"Do as you wish to follow me on my mission, but hear me now, this was mine from the start." Mizuki didn't mean to sound cold, even if she was from the rain. Then she remembered his shirt and took it off of her offering it back to him.

The rain began to lessen but the sky was still quite dark. 'So much for being alone...' she thought some what happy but not enough to lift her depression.

Ceron:

"Very well." Leon is rather confused himself why he chose this particular person to help, but it looks to him that she needs the company. To him, the world is always full of choices. This one is becoming rather stuborn tho, Leon thought.

Sakura:

“If we’re going, we need to go now.”

Tora followed Soran. She knew he felt the same as her. Despite the fact Mizuki would probably be hurt again if she went back with Luc, the term "Witch Queen" set off an alarm in her head that this Luc character is bad news.

"Wait," Tora paused questiongly. "What are we going to do now? ...I think Mizuki is outside tho." For some reason she felt utterly confused and all complete thoughts just seemed to slip her mind. She decided to shut up before she said anything stupid. She just followed Soran, hoping he wasn't having a bad day. At least mentally.

Soran:

Soran did not try to answer Tora’s question. Once outside, he went to Ceron’s grave and inspected the ground. The freshly packed soil had been recently disturbed, as the rain had yet to wash away the shallow footprints in front of it. “It seems she was just here,” he said. Soran followed the tracks with his eyes; they led to the Eastern wall of the alley and ended there. The same direction Luc had disappeared to. ~'No getting out of it now,'~ he thought with an inward sigh. Plotting a course in his head, Soran picked up a steady pace and began winding through the mazelike alleyways, heading Eastward.

Mizuki:

Mizuki mentally cursed herself. She made her sword the headstone of Ceron's grave, about the only weapon she's rather skilled with. Now she is only left with bows. 'Damn, how can I fight with bows?' she thought distressed. The rain began to lighten but it still sullied her spirits. Leon was watching her intently. 'What is he scheming?' she questioned in her head. She began to doubt her desicion on letting him come with her since she barely knew him yet.

[OOC: Oh, and by the way... Minuette has decided to take a leave of absence... gaia the other RPG place. *grumbles* it is possible to do two places at once but....noooo.... so let's just say Min. decided to leave or something...I don't know...]

Mizuki absently put a hand to her head. Her hair was wet and plastereed to her face from the rains but now she didn't really care. She nodded to Leon saying they are to take off again across the rooftops of the town. She grasped her bows. 'Please be my great aid bow and arrows... you are the only weapon I have left.' she thought.

Ceron:

'May she not need her sword...' Leon thinks to himself noticeing her lack of weaponry. "This rain is really getting annoying... Mind if I do something about it?" Without waiting for a resonse he starts to concentrate and gesture while speaking in a strange language. A field appears around him that reflects the rain away from him. "Would you like to get out of the rain? I promise I won't bite. I already fed today." Inwardly he cringes about that fight...

Mizuki:

Mizuki pondered his offer but it didn't take her time too chose otherwise. Dry warmth or wet cold? Dry warmth of course. So she joined him under his force field to keep away from the now light rain. Upon entering the field she notices that her body has dried from the rain and her hair was not wet and matted to her face anymore. She smiled inwardly but kept her eyes focused on no emotion at all as they walked off in a quick pace.

Ceron:

Leon frowns when he notices that she is still showing that icy exterior. 'I know that she has inner pain, but keeping it inside won't help her...' He thinks. Although he is concerned he doesn't allow her to get out the range of his field.

"Maybe we should get you another sword..." Leon states. "I dont' think that bow will help you against your enemies as well as a sword will." Although he hates using weapons of anykind, he knows that without a sword she is very vulnerable.


Sakura:

'She left her sword on his grave... respectful, but stupid. How else is she going to fight?' Tora followed Soran through the alleyways. He seemed to know what he was doing.

'Wait,' Tora said to herself. 'I don't even have a weapon.'

"Of course you do."

Once again, that voice. Tora kept following Soran and gave no reason for him to turn around and question what is wrong. But this voice... its too strong. Tora told herself she wasn't crazy.

'Who are you?' Tora said in her mind to the voice.

'Someone you use to know.' The voice said. Tora rolled her eyes.

'That helps.'

'Heh.. Your sarcasm was always for your own amusement...yes, that power. You will use it, in this battle. The Tigeron... you didn't think it would have no side effects, did you?'

'You're the side effect?'

'Yes. And no.'

'Just get the point and tell me what is going on!'

'You will see... oh look, your power is already seeping thru."

The voice left her mind. Unusually, Tora felt a strange draft...

She looked at her black cloak and found holes... that seemed to have been burned. There was one on her right arm and one down her back.

Tora could have pondered about it, but she knew that would only cause her fear. Instead, she just focused on following her comrade.

(OOC: Sorry its so poorly written... Ive been feeling sick and i have sooo much hw to catch up on...grr i miss summer.)

Soran:

OOC: Amen to that, Tora. I vote we start summer now. I should run for president so I can fix this crazy culture that encourages such heresies as 'work'.
(*writes 6 page paper for Chinese History grudgingly.*)

IC:
Soran paused and looked back at Tora. He thought he’d smelled something burning, but the vampire didn’t seem to be holding matches or anything that would produce such a smell. She appeared distracted by something, and looked strangely suspicious when she noticed he was watching her.

The rogue raised an eyebrow slightly, sensing for the second time that day that the girl was concealing something, and deciding for the second time that it wasn’t his business. He turned away again and continued walking. Mizuki couldn’t have gotten far. All that remained was to watch for some sign of her. If she encountered Luc, her location would probably become obvious.


Sakura:

(OOC: I so vote for you.)

Tora stopped with Soran. He was searching for signs of Mizuki. She stood at guard.

Tora picked up a scent.

"Soran... I think somebody is near." A click went off in the back of her mind, something telling her to 'Watch out! behind you!'

She did not reply to her mind's warning quick enough. Tora let out a little gasp when she felt sharp pain in her abdomen. She reached behind her and pulled out a long stick. An arrow.

Tora didnt even think. She turned around and threw the arrow as if it were a javelin. It soared as if it were shot from a bow. The rain obsured her sight in the distance, but the sound of dropping wood told her the the arrow hit no target.

Tora stood back in a guard. She was ready for a fight.

Soran:

Soran spun around as he heard the sound of wood meeting flesh. In the time it took him to understand what had happened, Tora had already removed the weapon from her back and presently hurled it in the direction from which it had come. He averted his eyes from the widening dark stain on her cloak in favor of glaring into the misty rain for a sign of the archer. He drew out his armblades deliberately and poised protectively beside Tora, waiting silently for sign or sight of the intruder.

Sakura:

A death silence let her hear the next warning in her head. She tilted her head to the left as she let the next arrow soar past her ear. Tora gave Soran a forceful push as a javelin landed where he was standing. An electrical magic beam skinned her left arm.

"Soran, we have to get out of here!" In her mind she scolded at herself for being so stupid. Running in the rain blindly, when visiablity was down. Perfect ambush.

Tora's eyes widened as footprints defined themselves, yet no body was there to make them. The footprints stopped in front of her, and her stomach felt as if it had been punched. Soran used his armblades and swung in front her. There was nothing to see, and nobody screamed, but the shape of a body defined itself on the floor. Soran's armblade was covered in blood.

They stared at each other for a split second as they jumped to the side, Tora to the left and Soran to the right, to avoid another electrical attack.

Tora knew this situation was no good. Thier enemies used the mist to hide themselves and attacked with long ranged weapons and magic. She looked to Soran, as if she would find an awnser written on his face.

Soran:

It would be suicide to remain in their current position. They had to take away their attacker’s advantage. Soran grabbed Tora by the arm and pulled her off into a side alley as another arrow flew past his ear. He winced as a magical whip seemed to stab into the back of his shin, not breaking pace. Sprinting down the alley, he stopped at a doorway and kicked the locked wooden door forcefully open, then tugged Tora roughly inside and slammed the door behind them.

They were now inside a large storage building. Tall shelves formed aisles in the spacious room, piled to the ceiling with huge flannel sacks. “Cover your face,” he told the vampire. Soran left Tora to take in their surroundings and began slicing the bags open rapidly. Flour poured out of them, turning the room into a cloudy white wasteland of powder. Soran ripped a strip of cloth from the shirt Luc had shredded earlier and tied it over his nose and mouth to keep from coughing.

Remembering Tora’s wound, he threw the rest of the cloth to her. There was no time for a proper bandage, but it was better than nothing. He turned his attention away again and continued to destroy the flour sacks. When the air was sufficiently clouded with flour and a thin layer covered the floor, the rogue turned back toward the door and crouched down beside a shelf, awaiting their enemy.


Sakura:

Tora was amazed at Soran's thinking, and now it was clear that they had the advantage. She used the cloth Soran had given her, wrapping her mouth and nose. Tora payed no attention to her wound, which didnt give her much trouble anyway.

These were no ordinary bandits. They were too skilled to be. Not only do they have long ranged weapons, but it seems that some of them are skilled in magic.

Then it hit her. 'Luc was a pirate. And whose ever heard of a lone pirate? This could be his crew.'

The flour began to define a footprint, but since she had no weapons she decided to let whoever it was come a little closer before she decided to attack. So focused on the enemy in front of her, she did not realize the footprints being made behind her.

A strong invisable hand clasped Tora's mouth and what seemed like an arm curled around her waist. Tora struggled to break free, but it was no use.

The flour was so thick she could not see Soran, nor could she make any noise to ask for help. Tora felt hopeless...

then that hurricane of fire. It came on strong. Tora remembered what the voice said. She tried to manipulate it...

*BOOM*

Her enemy crashed at the south wall, his invisablity now gone. Third degree burns marked his skin. His torn ragged clothing was that of a pirate.

Flammes consumed Tora's body. No...not consume. It was as if it were living on her skin. A flame on her shoulder beamed itself toward the enemy's body, which in a matter of time was reduced to ashes.

'What did they heal me with?!' She hadn't the time to think. Tora searched frantically for Soran, remembering there was more than one enemy. She hoped he was ok.

Soran:

Soran lunged sideways as he saw the powder in front of him stir up from the ground. As his opponent stabbed confusedly at the spot the rogue had been a moment before, Soran swept his leg in a wide arc just above the ground, stirring up a whirlwind of powder and catching his enemy sharply behind the ankles. The pirate’s voice groaned as he toppled to the floor in a blinding cloud. Soran resisted the futile urge to rub his stinging eyes, knowing his hands were equally covered with flour.

He turned to his fallen opponent and punched the man clean out, pleased that his arms seemed to be normal again. No sooner had he straightened up than he felt something flying toward him from in front. He dodged to the right, then felt his shoulder being yanked back as an arrow shot through the sleeve of his trenchcoat and pinned him against the wall. He pulled the arrow loose and inspected his coat impatiently - apparently it was ‘destroy Soran’s clothing’ day in Hepian.

He looked to his left blankly as a body crashed into the wall next to him and became visible on impact. He appeared to be dressed as a pirate, but more importantly, he was seriously burned. The rogue watched with an icy glare as the man suddenly became engulfed in white-hot flames. When they subsided, there was nothing left to mark where he’d fallen but a pile of dust slightly darker than the rest. Soran showed no reaction as Tora emerged from the haze and looked from the pile of Ashes to him, clearly responsible for what he’d just witnessed.

He suddenly pushed her sideways as a magical burst exploded at their feet, and darted diagonally forward toward where he had finally pinpointed the magic user’s location. Striking with one arm blindly, he felt his blade meet flesh, but only barely. Warily, he squinted at his surroundings, knowing he hadn’t successfully disabled his opponent. He tensed at the crackling sound of magical energy gathering directly behind his head.

Sakura:

Tora's vision was obsured by the fire, although she could hear the sounds of battle. Then all at once the flammes leaped from her body, and spread throughout the storage room. With the intense heat it was so hard to just even think. She tried to find Soran in this outrageous fire, but pain from her legs told her she was no longer immune to the burn of this strange magic. Tora stayed in the same spot, still trying to find her comrade, and also keeping an eye out for the enemy.

(OOC: Agh im sorry Soran for such a short post. Major writers block X_X)

Soran:

The rogue crouched down as flames suddenly engulfed the room and the cloudy air blackened with smoke. Above the roar of the flames and the hissing of burning wood he could hear the agonized screams of their remaining enemies. Soran had no idea what was going on, but it was time to get out. The air was too thick and charred to breathe. He pulled his coat up to protect his face from the flames and scanned the room, looking for signs of Tora in the blinding haze.

He spotted her form standing near the center of the room. The fire along the floor was spreading up her legs, but she seemed preoccupied. At the other end of the room, a faint glow streamed in where the doorway led out to the brightness of the street outside. He ran to Tora, who gave him a look of recognition when he appeared next to her.

“Outside,” he shouted through the flames, and they rushed through the wall of heat and emerged back in the alley where they were safe, at least for the moment. Soran pulled down the cloth that had covered his mouth and tried to purge his smoke and dust-filled lungs. Coughing forcefully, he pulled his coat off and threw the heavy fabric tightly around Tora’s legs, choking out the flames. They snuffed out rapidly, but when he retrieved his coat, her skin seemed only slightly singed. Furthermore, while he was covered from head to toe in flour, her skin and clothing were free of debris. Catching his breath, Soran faced her, his eyes demanding an explanation.

Sakura:

Tora tried to escape Soran's gaze. How could she explain something she didn't understand herself?

"Heh..." She said nervously. "Do you think Luc could have been with them? No, your right, we couldn't have gotten rid of him that easily. We should look for him. Lets go that way!" Tora pointed at the west alleyway and began to run down it, even though she had no idea where she was going. She just wanted to avoid awnsering to Soran...

That voice inside her head was right. Tora couldnt help but feel that somehow all of this...the Tigeron, this voice, and all that has happened, is somewhat connected.

Tora had been in a short battle, but her body felt as if she didnt sleep in the past decade. She just wanted to drop into a dead sleep right then and there, and just forget about all this...

Soran:

Soran watched emotionlessly as Tora evaded his question and began running in the wrong direction. He took his water canteen from his belt, tilted his head back and let the liquid wash the debris out of his eyes, waiting for her to find the dead end. When she reappeared, his logic told him to reprimand her, but somehow he didn’t feel like it. Something was wrong; that much was written all over her face.

He turned Eastward again and walked down the alley, ignoring the startled stare of a passerby who recognized him. Not only was the legendary rogue missing both his shirt and coat, leaving the bandage across his chest in plain view, but the rest of his body was covered in white powder. The rogue cast the man an indifferent glance that sent him running away, then pulled what was left of his trenchcoat back over his frame. Luc already knew about his wounds, but there was no telling who else they might have to fight before they found him.

Mizuki:

OOC: Ok umm...sorry but I've been caught with being on the computer when I'm not supposed to. So, I will be absent from here once again for quite awhile and I'm not sure if I'll be back spontainiously again or not. Sorry guys, but I've read what's happened so far and cool. I'll try to make a few post here and there if I ever get the chance. Bye for now!

Mizuki:

OOC: Online...felt like it....but for every new post I will be...delayed lol.


Mizuki took Leon's words about a new weapon to thought. It slightly made her want to deny it and hate the idea because it was her father's sword, she had used nothing else. But in this oncoming and hopefully last battle she will be having with Luc she may need better and more weapons.

Mizuki could feel Leon's gazing eyes on the side of her face. "I guess you are right, I could use anoher sword since I kinda left mine back with..........." She chocked on her words. Ceron... She felt tears well up behinde her eyes again and she quickly looked away from Leon.

Ceron:

"Its ok to cry. I have done it many times in my long life. It always helps, no matter the cause." In saying that Leon gets a dazed look in his eyes. 'Not all occations...' He thinks to himself.

A tear seems to appear on Leon's cheek.. "Father..." He says. Suddenly anger shows on his face and his true vampiric form appears. "I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP YOU!!!" Leon starts to uncontrolably cry with Mizuki, but not for the same reason.

Mizuki:

Mizuki gasped and stopped walking as Leon began to cry. His outburst about his father made no sense to her... but it seemed real to her that they both shared a similar loss. Feeling her caring instinicts taking over, she walked over to Leon and patted his shoulder.

"I know not on what happened to your father..." she said quietly. "But we share a same pain it seems with our sires." She did her best to comfort this vampire and his crying seemed to cease.

Ceron:

Leon feels Mizuki's hand and he stops crying. "Thank you... I wonder where your old companions are..."

Leon gets a distant look on his face as he seems to scan the whole city. "I don't think they are near, I can't smell them. But my sense of smell is only good to a certain extent, that and im not hungry at this time so my senses aren't sensitive at the time."

OOC: Tora and the others could kinda find them soon, *hint hint*

Soran:

Soran and Tora walked in silence down the alleyways, heading in the direction Soran supposed Mizuki had gone. He peered through the rain up ahead and noticed something unusual on top of one of the buildings. From the distance all he could make out was that the rain seemed to be repelling off of a spherical section of air. As he neared, he could make out two figures, male and female, standing inside of it. They stood quite close to one another and the woman had her hand intimately on the man's shoulder.

The rogue's eyes darkened slightly. There was only one mage in the area that he knew of. So Mizuki had gone back to Luc after all. That didn't change what he'd come here to do. Tora's eyes shone with disbelief as she could not help but come to the same conclusion as Soran about the identity of the two figures.

Soran walked calmly to the door of the building the two were on top of and knocked on it firmly. After a moment an old woman answered. She doubled back fearfully upon seeing Soran, who was quite a shock to behold as he was covered with half-dissolved flour. The sight of Tora seemed to ease her nerves a bit.

"We need to get to your roof," Tora explained.

The woman nodded and stepped aside, pointing up the stairs. She didn't dare ask what the two were after as they entered and headed to the second story. An extra half-flight led up onto the roof. Soran followed Tora out onto the top of the building and tensed his arms to strike at the male figure beside Mizuki, while Tora stood uncomfortably weighing the situation. Soran narrowed his eyes, still not having a clear view of the male figure's face.

[Soran Nightblade]

Mizuki:

"Even if they found us or we found them... would they want me back after what I did?" Mizuki said sadly taking her hand off of Leon's shoulder and stepping away slightly. Mizuki began feeling uncomfortable being so close to Leon now that he was ok.

"Listen Leon... we should keep going. We are losing time and I'm not sure how long Luc may be here still in this city. If he is even still in this Kingdom!" she clenched her fists knowing of his knew powers Luc had gained.

Ceron:

"Yes, I agree, we should get moving. Just remember I will help you. And I still don't know why, nor do I believe that I ever will know why." Not noticing Tora and Soran on the other roof, Leon and Mizuki start to search for Luc.

OOC: this will get interesting very fast hehehe.

Sakura:

(OOC: Sorry about the abscence... -_-)

"Don't pretend like were not here." Tora placed her hand on her hip and shifted all her weight to her left foot. She and Soran ran around like crazy, nearly getting killed, just to find Mizuki on the roof with another man.

Tora took a deep breath. She didn't know what to make of this whole thing. In truth, all she wanted to do was sleep. Covered in powder, the winds drafts chilling her skin through the burned holes... this is not exactly what you call a perfect day. Braindead was the only word she could use to describe her current state of mind.

Soran looked upon the male as if he were an opponet. He was ready to attack, however Tora was not yet provoked.

"Ok Mizuki. To us... we can make all kinds of assumptions on what the hell your doing up here. So before I get mad, you might as well tell us your story." Tora yawned, losing all motivation. It was a mystery of how Soran could be so on guard. Like his emotionlessness, she figured it must be another warrior's trait.

Tora studied the faces of Mizuki and her companion. 'It seemed they were both in tears...' Tora thought. Her gaze layed on Mizuki, waiting for her awnser. 'This should be most interesting.'

Mizuki:

Mizuki, surprised to see her friends there and waiting for answers, suttered on her words.


"Oh...I, I mean WE are searching for Luc. Kind of hard in the rain but... what are you all doing here? Why's Soran look all... angry? I thought you all would be..... glad to see me gone...?" Mizuki said sadly. She eyed them both but mostly Soran. 'He seems quite jumpy. But then again considering after everything that happened.... he has the right to be angry with me...' she thought.

Ceron:

Leon notices Soran's aggressive stance and cautiously so as to not provoke her, he assumes another position with an after image in his old place.

The image speaks Leon's words in his place "I am not your enemy, I am here to help. Soran, there is no need for your aggressive stance." He is rather casual looking, with his arms crossed. For his after image will take his intended blow.

Soran:

Soran felt agitation bite at his nerves as he recognized that the person beside Mizuki was not Luc, even as Mizuki’s explanation seemed to imply she had allied with the stranger. He looked at Leon with cool distrust, still not lowering his blades. For some reason, knowing she’d been up on a rooftop with some stranger instead of turning to Tora and himself irritated him more than the thought of her defending Luc. More importantly, he had come to this roof to finish things with Luc once and for all and, given this turn of events, that didn’t seem likely.

The rogue’s glare deepened as Leon began lecturing, "I am not your enemy, I am here to help. Soran, there is no need for your aggressive stance." The rogue sensed something not-right about the figure that was speaking to him. It appeared real enough, but something about its eyes bothered him. Soran regarded it suspiciously, making no move to attack.

“It seems someone taught you my name,” he said darkly, casting a brief accusatory glance at Mizuki. He turned to his right, where there appeared to be nothing but empty space, and spoke to the air. He would have been fooled by the fake standing next to Mizuki, but he'd clearly heard the newcomer moving to his new position. “If you want to speak to me, how about doing it to my face?” He did not appreciate being tricked by some illusion. Furthermore, he saw no reason to trust this assumptuous stranger who claimed to have joined Mizuki's side. Manipulative illusions hardly struck him as the behavior of an ally.

OOC: Just building drama, I don’t intend for Soran to actually fight Leon. By the way, Ceron what exactly is the after image? Is it a material object or just an image?

EDIT: I went back and changed this post because I misread Ceron's last post. Hope it fits better now.

Sakura:

'He uses illusions' Tora observed. The man obviouly has no intention of fighting Soran, due to the fact he used a mirage to just talk to him. Soran on the other hand...

Tora stepped backwards to the west side of the roof, her back facing the wind. Goose bumps manifested everywhere but her legs, which were still burned. Tora's wound caused by the arrow did not bother her till now. It throbbed as if it were knocking on a door and asking to be taken care of. Little white puddles of flour resided next to her and Soran's feet. The rain was needles to her skin, and her eyes challenged her to stay awake.

Nevertheless, Tora considers Soran as her friend. If he were to fight, she would back him up.

Mizuki:

"Damn." Mizuki cursed. Nothing seemed to be going right for her now. Soran and Tora were already being suspicous with the fact that Leon was here. She didn't even intend to have a companion to get to Luc, she would've done it on her own but it seemed to her that Leon wouldn't have taken a 'no'. Besides she didn't want to get delayed longer.

"Please, don't fight!"

Soran:

Soran lowered his blades sternly to his sides and straightened out of his aggressive posture. Mizuki’s plea played into his decision, but not in the way it seemed. It had abruptly occurred to him that he had become too involved with these people. The people he’d somehow accepted as allies were hardly more familiar to him than this newcomer whom he was so wary of. Beneath his cool stare, this entire situation was vaguely unsettling to him. How could they trust each other so easily?

Then he remembered that Tora had been awfully quiet since leaving the warehouse. He glanced over at her. She appeared concerned about the situation with Leon, but something more was wrong. Her pale complexion made him look again more critically. Looking at her seared legs, he finally remembered her injuries. She had been hit by an arrow some time ago…was her body going into shock?

He was about to say something to her, but was caught off guard by an invisible rush of force from the Eastern edge of the building. The rogue skidded across the roof, regaining his footing just before reaching the edge. He peered sharply in the direction from which the shockwave had come, searching for the aggressor.

Sakura:

The shockwave caught Tora offbalance and blew her off the side of the building. She caught herself the last second and grasped to the side of the roof

Tora closed her eyes as she drew what little strength she had left to pull herself up. She managed to get her upper body back on the roof, while her waist down dangled over the edge.

She looked ahead of her and saw a cloud of mist. 'No...' she said to herself. 'Not now... anytime but now.'

Ceron:

Leon see feels the shockwave and is knocked back, but lands on his feet. His after image has dissapeared in the shock. "What was that?"

Leon suddenly notices Tora hanging off the edge of the building. Along with the mist. Ignoring the mist, Leon rushes to help Tora back onto the roof. 'I mustn't let her fall...' he thinks as he is running toward her.

OOC: the after image is just an illusion, once you touch it you just go through it.

Soran:

Soran squinted through the wildly swirling mist, unable to locate Tora. He finally spotted her half-dangling off the edge of the roof. She looked extremely weak, as though she might lose her grip at any moment. He tried to approach her, but was pushed back by another massive gust of wind. He managed to hold his ground, but couldn’t fight his way forward. He watched approvingly as Leon managed to make his way to the vampire, surprised by the intensity of his relief as the stranger managed to pull her back up safely onto the roof.

Finding a break in the gust, he forced his way over to where they were standing and looked Tora over. She was in bad shape, but also seemed to understand what was happening. “You know what’s going on here?” he asked her as gently as he could while shouting through the wind. She seemed breathless, so he gave her a moment and met Leon with a level gaze. He seemed to be an ally, at least for the time being. His eyes held the same question Soran had been about to ask: what had happened to Mizuki?

Ceron:

Unsure about what this is all about, Leon just waits for Tora's response.

OOC: Mizuki won't be able to get on for a while, at least she is not allowed on the comp except for homework purposes. So.... yeah, it will probably be a while before she can respond.

Mizuki:

OOC: SORRY SORRY SORRY!!

Mizuki went in totally shock with the gusts. She couldn't move and she felt frozen in time. Helplessly watching as her friend was thrown over the edge. 'What's... wrong with me now?' Mizuki thought. She felt useless now as a protector and friend and she couldn't even figure out why she can't move!

"SORAN! I CAN'T MOVE!!" She called out. She was amazed she could use her voice, but thankfull that she could tell them what was wrong.

Sakura:

"I'm fine! Go help Mizuki, now!" Tora shouted. She stared at the shadowed figure whom no doubt gave birth to the winds.

"So, Luc, a paralyzation spell, is it? You just never quit." Inside, she felt a warrior's fury, and with her eyes she stabbed Luc over and over again. However, her body would not move. She studied her surroundings, trying to find something that might give them the advantage...

Soran:

Soran spun in the direction of Mizuki’s voice, searching for her through the mist. He could faintly make out her silhouette, which seemed frozen in place. Glancing back to Tora and Leon, he saw them likewise awkwardly still, as though time had stopped.

“So, Luc, a paralyzation spell, is it?” Tora shouted angrily. Soran felt her words tie together what was going on, why they were being attacked, and why Mizuki and the others couldn’t move. But that didn’t explain why he was the only one not affected. Either he was immune to the spell, or Luc had exempted him for a reason. The rogue hadn't imagined that Luc was capable of such powerful magic.

On Tora’s insistence, and because Mizuki seemed the most likely target of Luc’s aggression, Soran pushed through the gust to where Mizuki was and held his armblades out at the ready. He glared protectively into the mist, still unable to make out Luc’s position. “Where is he, Tora?” he shouted toward the vampire. Things would be much less complex if they weren’t so far apart. Although Mizuki was the most likely target, Tora was in the worst condition.

Sakura:

"He's directly infront of me, by about 15 feet." This was only an estimate, because the wind obsured her vision. She knew he was somewhat worried about her, but Tora sent silent messages, telling him to keep all his attention on Mizuki.

Apparently the wind failed to blind her of Luc's next attack. A ball of fire swirled, growing larger as energy collected. There was no doubt she was the target of this next attack.

"Damn. He's aiming at me so Soran will come to me, and when that happens, Mizuki..."

Luc released a condensed version of hellfire, to confirm Tora's suspicion that he is not wasting energy on her.

She did the only thing she felt that was best for her friends. She let go and slipped off the roof.

The fall didn't seem to last forever, in fact, it was too short if you ask her. A hard thump against the earth and the cracking of the bone in her right arm, Tora basically had it for the night.

Still, she looked up and wondered was going on now...

Soran:

Luc’s attack happened so quickly that the rogue barely had time to register what was happening before Tora managed to shift her weight over the edge. A stoic, warning glance was the last thing he saw on the girl’s face as she fell backward off the roof. Soran’s instincts shouted at him to go after her, but he forced his feet to remain planted where he stood, sensing that if he left Mizuki now, he’d be playing into Luc’s hands.

He squinted into the gust, still unable to locate Luc. A powerful blow suddenly caught him from the side and sent him roughly to the ground. The rogue pushed back to his feet sorely and faced the direction the blow had come from, finally spotting Luc.

”Oh, so you’ve finally found me,” the pirate chided with a dark smirk, “You shouldn’t be playing in the rain without a shirt on. And that bandage really does look awful. Must be SORE,” he hissed, and threw another magical blast at Soran’s ribs.

Soran swung sideways out of the way of the blast and charged toward Luc with both blades raised. Luc was only caught off guard for a moment, quickly drawing his own sword, and the two locked weapons fiercely.

”Before I take Mizuki back with me, I’m going to send your gory corpse to lie next to that vampire’s,” he growled into Soran’s face as the two came eye to eye with one another. Soran swiped Luc’s sword to the side and came in for another strike, answering the man’s threat with an ice-cold glare. The two began a deadly sparring match, their blades ringing hauntingly against each other as the wind finally died down. Soran spared a glance to look at Leon, wondering if the stranger, who seemed to be some sort of illusionist, was capable of casting while under Luc’s spell. He tried not to consider what had become of Tora on the street below, searching Luc’s stance and technique for weaknesses.

Emora:

((OOC: Hope you don't mind me barging in...))

"I'm tired Toby..."

Toby, the wolf that Rai had just named only a few days ago was practically dragging the poor child from the woods into Hepian. Rai was very tired and very weak from trying escape the demons, but no matter where she turned they always found her. Rai was very, very tired and she just wanted her mommy and daddy.

Up a head Rai could see a person lying on the ground it was a woman. Rai walked towards her slowly and looked down at her with her innocent child eyes. Toby on the other hand was going hay wire... He was staring at a place above them and growling intensely.

Rai was to busy looking at the woman. She knelt down and leaned over to where her head was over the woman's. Rai was a child of about seven, but probably had seen more death and anything else that most useless people.

"Are you alright?" Rai asked and even for a small child she knew it was a stupid question, but she didn't know what to say. Toby was sniffing the woman and his green eyes peered up and he snarled.

Mizuki:

Mizuki was having a hard time seeing what was happening but she heard very ringing clang of metal on metal. Guilt, fear, and hatred ran thru her until she finally burst.

"Damn you Luc!" she yelled, her voice ringing thru the night. Luc was nonpulsed, he took no notice of her as he kept full attention on his one goal. Kill the man that took his love. Mizuki was spitting out more curses and threats towards Luc but he paid no attention to them.

"First I will slit your throat and as you die slowly you will watch as I kill your frozen friends. And on your last breath, you will see me walk off with Mizuki in my arms." Luc sneered and growled. "Wont that just kill you like it did me? Seeing her with another man?" Luc gave a bitter laugh and push Soran backwards. He gave Soran a swift blow in the gut and smiled as he staggered somewhat.

For Mizuki, seeing the shadows of Soran battle Luc was killing her both ways. She didn't want Soran harmed and she didn't want Luc dead eighter. If anyone was gonna kill Luc though, it would be her.

"You son of Satan himself, You will harm no one!" Mizuki yelled as she heard Luc make his speech of killing everyone she came to care for.

OOC: ...I wonder what the kid can do for us? lol. and we can Kill Luc here and now. Everyone rejoice!

Sakura:

Tora turned her head to find a little girl and her pet staring at her. Even through all her pain she couldn't help but crack a smile.

"You shouldn't be out here on such a cold rainy night." Tora propped herself on her right arm and groaned from the pain that shot down her left. Maybe it was fortunate that this child showed up...

"If you would be so kind, please find me a doctor, or someone who could help. But whatever you do, don't go on that roof."

Emora:

Rai looked up on the roof and then back down at the nice lady. It was true that she wouldn't be much good on the roof... but Toby would be great! He was a strange wolf... almost like he was really human but a wolf... but not human... It was weird and Rai didn't understand it. All she knew was that Toby was a good fighter and a good protector and he could help out on the roof!

The other problem was that Rai didn't know anything about this place she was in. She didn't know where any doctors were... But, she really wanted to help this woman. "Hold on," her soft sweet voice said and she pushed herself to stand.

"Toby... go---" But before she could finish what she was saying Toby had seemed to read her mind and he charged to a door that led to the roof.

Rai turned and ran in a direction, not really knowing where to go, but going any way. She ran down alleys where she saw nasty looking people who just stared at her. She ignored them, having seen much more foul things in the past three days.

She was running down a cobble stone road when she tripped in a crack right out side a door. An old man opened the door and looked out. At finding a little girl he smiled and walked down to help her. Rai was very dirty from running from those evil demons that had taken away her family. She was covered in scratches and scrapes and bruises and was in need of a good bath.

"Here let me help you..." The man said and helped her up. "I think I have some medicine that can fix those cuts..."

"Your a doctor?" Rai asked and her smile came to her face once more. "Please come with me... some one is hurt..." And so she began to "drag" him with her to the body of the woman...

Soran:

Soran stumbled back as Luc's fist caught him under the ribs. He regained his footing and lashed out with his blades at Luc with a vengeance. His weapon caught Luc just below the right shoulder and ripped up to his collarbone, forcing him to drop his sword. The rogue moved in for the pirate's open neck solemnly, but was stopped in mid-strike as his body suddenly felt immovable.

"It seems you forgot about my magic," sneered Luc, showing no apparent reaction to the bleeding wound in his shoulder and seeming entirely unconcerned with the sword he had dropped. Smiling as though the fight had only just started, he lifted his hands casually in front of him and walked up to Soran, staring him in the face. "I thought I'd play with you a little, but maybe I'll just speed things up."

Soran cried out sharply as a powerful magical blast pummeled him backwards. He fought against the spell that was holding him, but it was all he could manage just to stay on his feet. Bowling balls he couldn't see or dodge were slamming into him in a merciless torrent, knocking him further and further backwards until he felt the edge of the roof under his heels. Pain and rage consumed his consciousness, and the next moment he felt his control over his body return.

~'So that's how it works. To break free, you have to stop trying to move and just move,'~ the rogue thought. He glared at Luc, who was also standing on the same edge of the roof.

Luc raised his eyebrows. "Oh? It seems you broke free. Too bad it won't do you any good now."

Soran ignored the bluff, waiting for Luc to cast another spell so he could dodge and attack him. His body felt like it was on fire.

"I wouldn't dodge if I were you," Luc warned. "Someone else might pay the price."

Soran glared and glanced behind him. Mizuki was frozen as well, standing behind him where she would be next in line of fire if Luc were to cast from his current position.

The rogue thought hard about his options as he heard the telltale crackling of magical energy firing from in front of him. "What's wrong? No lackeys to throw in front of you this time?" Luc said. Soran's heels still hung precariously off the edge of the building. If he was going to dodge, the time was now.

He held still. A wall of energy slammed into him, and he felt himself sprawling back toward Mizuki, his balance finally failing him. His thoughts raced for some kind of plan as he felt himself falling off the building.

Sakura:

She felt the stranger begin to drag her body. Tora payed no heed to it, however. Her eyes were fixed on the sky.

Then a figure appeared, falling?!

"Soran!" Tora cried, realizing her comrade was making a plumit to the earth. Her strength came back to her all at once, and she got up and ran.

She held out her one good arm and came under her friend. He fell into her arm, and then to the floor. Tora's feat did almost nothing, if anything it softened Soran's fall. Another crack, and both arms were done. Her pain returned to her.

"You!" Tora called out, refering to the girl. She felt guilty for not knowing her name, but she had no time to worry about such things. "Please, you must get-someone..." Tora feel limp. There was nothing more she could do.

Emora:

The doctor that Rai had gone to get came around the corner carrying his bag of supplies. He stopped short at the sight before him and he looked on with shocked eyes. Quickly he rushed to them and pulled the male body off the woman and opened his bag.

On the roof Toby had reached it a moment to late, Soran had fallen. The wolf's eyes seemed to glow as he looked to the evil man. And then Toby lunged quickly before the man could do anything and latched on to the throat.

Rai stood knelt next to the man, for the doctor was tending the woman first. She noticed he wasn't a man at all... he was like her. Well she was only half-elven... and he was a full one.

"Sir..." Rai said softly and tilted her head. "Can I do anything for you?"

Mizuki:

Mizuki watched as Soran fell and she cried out. She could do nothing and Luc had trapt him. She would've yelled for him to just move and forget her, she would live with only a few scracthes but it all came to fast. So, Mizuki stop trying to break from the spell and just stood there empty. They were being picked off like flies and in that instant she felt her control come back to her.

At the minute she felt her re control she lunged full force, but in one quick blurr something else caught Luc. Mizuki heard skin being torn and Luc's cries of anguish mixed with a wolf's growl. With shaking hands she reached for her arrows, aimed, and fired.

As if in slow motion her arrow flew true a steadily in the night as if slicing thru soft butter. It hit Luc in the head. All at once Leon was free of the spell and came rushing toward Mizuki's collasping frame. It was over. He could haunt her no more.

"We should find where the other two have fallen." Leon spoke softly helping her up. The wolf seemed to have only been there to kill Luc and return to where ever it came from, for when Mizuki looked back to Luc's dead form, the wolf was gone. Mizuki closed her eyes as she felt her heavy burden lift from her.

'Oh sweet Gods,' she thought, 'it is over. He will hurt us no more and Ceron is at rest.' Mizuki thought of her sword implanted at the head of Ceron's grave. She wanted her sword back but, something told her she should just leave it. That sword was her oath to him that she would avenge him, so it should stay.

But she pushed the thoughts of weapons beside and only thought of her friends that needed to be tened to and hoped they weren't dead.

Soran:

Soran lay in a semi-conscious state, dizzily trying to regain his mental grasp of what was going on. For the moment, all he was sure of was that he was absolutely furious, though the exact reason escaped him. “Sir…Can I do anything for you?” A voice seemed to be talking to him, but it sounded fuzzy and distant, like he was underwater. His back hurt…why? In a sudden flash, his thoughts cleared. He remembered Mizuki and the others being paralyzed, Tora falling off the building, the fight with Luc….

”Luc!” He growled angrily as his eyes sprung open and he shot up into a sitting position. When he realized he was lying in the middle of the street, he suppressed his rage and began trying to assess the situation. His back was very sore, but otherwise he seemed uninjured. ~’That fall should have left me in worse shape than this…how?’~ he felt himself wondering.

Suddenly becoming aware of a presence beside him, he spun aggressively toward it only to find an unfamiliar child standing beside him, her innocent face level with his. She was so far off from what he’d expected that for the moment he just stared at her blankly, frozen in a semi-offensive stance.

Emora:

Rai gasped when he spun towards her quickly and she jumped back, sitting on her butt hard. She had to many scary things happen to her lately not to be afraid of such a simple quickly move. "I'm sorry..." she said and her dirty innocent face was one of a little fear, but her eyes held a strange strength.

From the darkness Toby came up from behind her. The black wolf's green eyes looked over the elven man, but seemed to know he would do her now harm. He had blood on his nose and around his mouth from where he had attacked Luc. He brushed up against Rai to calm her fears...

"Are you hurt too?" she asked and tried to act as if she hadn't been spooked. She didn't want him to think she was a scaredy cat...

The doctor was looking over the woman and his face had a grim expression. "This does not look good at all. I can fix it up though, no worries..."

Soran:

Soran relaxed his stance quickly, feeling guilty for frightening the strange girl. He frowned unreadably; children always threw him off balance. He noted her half-pointed ears and judged she was probably of the same heritage as Mizuki. She seemed simultaneously timid and brave, not running despite the fact that he had almost attacked her. The next moment, a strange wolf with its muzzle smeared with blood trotted toward her. Soran tensed again, wondering if his back would hold up if he jumped to his feet to defend the child, but he had spent long enough in the forest to recognize the wolf’s friendly posture, and was not surprised when the two greeted one another like old friends.

He turned his thoughts back to Luc and the others, wondering grimly what happened after he fell. The others could already be dead…and he still had no idea what had happened to Tora after she fell off the roof. “How long have I been here?” he asked the child urgently.

Emora:

Rai smiled to him and she scratched behind Toby's ears. "Only a few seconds, sir," she said wondering why he didn't know how long he had been there. Although she had never fallen off a roof before.

"Toby," Rai said and hugged the wolf tightly closing her eyes. She moved back and looked at him for a moment, her cute nose wrinkling slightly. "Toby... you stink..." She grinned and looked back at the man. "I sent Toby to help you... you were on the top... he sensed some one bad up there... he's like that... always sensing bad things.... the bad things don't like me... they keep coming and coming..." Rai grew very quiet when Toby seemed to agree. "I sent him to help." She nodded and looked to the woman behind him. "Are you friends?"

Her dirty and scratched face looked very happy for a moment. She found it nice to be in the company of people. Toby got a little boring since he didn't talk. He growled and barked and whined and wagged his tail, but he didn't talk. She petted his fur with one hand and played with the end of her torn dress.

The doctor worked quickly on the horrbly broken woman. "I'm afraid you won't be doing much for a while." The doctor hadn't even noticed what race she was or anything, all he was paying attention to was the broken arms. "You will be very defenceless."

He turned to Soran. "Stay still, man, I'm about to get to you... don't make things worst..."

Soran:

Soran eyed Rai as she explained what her pet had been doing, only half understanding the child’s words. He wasn't sure what the wolf had done, but if he had only been unconscious for a few seconds, there might still be time, although at that moment he wanted nothing more than to lie still and rest in the middle of the road.

"Is she a friend of yours?" The girl's voice broke him from his racing thoughts. He followed her gaze and recognized Tora lying terribly still on the ground behind her. This gave him the last bit of motivation he needed. He pulled his legs under him and pushed stiffly to his feet, almost dropping back to the pavement as awkward rivulets of flame swept up his spine.

The doctor beside Tora seemed busily at work, and the rogue noted with relief that Tora still seemed to be alive. Instinct said to go to her first, but he had to get back to the roof. His left leg tingled oddly as he put one foot mechanically in front of the other and began forcing himself back toward the building, and he sensed the doctor was right when he called out for him to stay still. But the situation that might truly be getting worse was the one on the roof above them. He stopped in his tracks as his legs suddenly stopped obeying him. He sank impatiently to one knee and glared up at the roof, listening for any sound that might indicate what was going on up there.

(ooc: Yeah....I edited this 1000 times... =_= Indecisive mood or something...)

Mizuki:

They were downstairs in minute's looking like a masacre[sp?] to the people within the building. They paid no heed to them though and rushed out the door only to run into Soran who was kneeling on the ground. Mizuki didn't even blink or give a second thought. She quickly embraced the rouge catching him off guard and confused. Then she got up and went to Tora who lay broken on the ground.

"Hey you..." she said softly to the vampire. Tora looked so weak that when she tried to speak it out her in pain. "Sshhh.. no, say nothing. Lay and rest." Mizuki put a gentle hand on tora's cheek and smiled a motherly smile down to her. "It's over... I killed him with my arrow after a strange wolf lodged its teeth in his throat."

Mizuki then eyed to two new strangers that Leon was talking to. Leon was speaking to the man that had obviously tended to Tora's wound's and was now at Soran... and the little girl...

"Little one.." Mizuki spoke kindly to her as not to frighten her. "What is your name?"

Ceron:

"The reason I couldn't help them was because I am still weak... I haven't eaten in days..." If they looked at him at this time they would have noticed he was a lot thinner, and didn't seem to have as much grace as he did before. The doctor also seems to know who Leon is.

"Do you have any food... I need to be able to help them cope. Also do you need me to get anything for this mess?"

He suddenly notices Soran's attempts to go back to the roof. Leon puts his hand on Soran's shoulder. "It's over, we won..."

Soran:

Soran was still looking at the roof when he heard footsteps in front of him. When he glanced down at the sound, it took him a moment to realize who was standing in front of him. “You…” he began, but no sooner had he recognized her than he found himself suddenly in a warm embrace, soft hair pressed against his cheek. He tensed uncomfortably at the brief and unexpected contact, unable to help his negative response, but Mizuki didn’t seem to mind his defensive reaction, rising back to her feet and rushing to Tora’s side. His nerves were somewhat overloaded, so that he almost inadvertently struck out with his armblade as an unidentified hand touched him supportively on the shoulder. He stopped himself when he saw the stranger from before standing next to him. “It’s over, we won,” Leon said. Soran nodded at this important news, sensing from Mizuki’s relaxed manner that it was true.

"It's over... I killed him with my arrow after a strange wolf lodged its teeth in his throat,” the half elf was saying. Soran listened approvingly, understanding the blood on the wolf's face, and then finally focused his attention on resisting the doctor, who was trying to get him to lie down.

Emora:

Rai smiled to the woman who was just like her!!! She was half-elven! "My name is Renaila Sunstorm, but mommy called me Rai..." she faded off slightly when she mentioned mommy. "This is Toby!" she said perking back up and scratching behind the wolf's ears. He seemed to smile, though if you could call it a smile. "He saved me! Isn't he cute..." Rai seemed to be trying to forget things, always changing the subject to a happier one, though the sign of tears was in her eyes.

Rai was not frightened by the new people, she was actually relieved to find some one who wasn't trying to kill her. She didn't know what she had done, but no one seemed to like her very much any more. She missed her mommy and daddy and those evil thingies took them away...

"What were yall doing? Did a bad thing attack you too?!" she asked fully interested in it all. She was attacked by bad things all the time now, it was great to know she wasn't alone!

Ceron:

"I really hope everyone is ok... Doctor, will they be fine alone for an hour?" Leon asks.

The doctor replies "Probably not, but I don't know how long you will remain sane."

"Believe me, I know..." Leon starts to walk away. He is sad to leave them, but needs to leave to feed without having to feed on his new companions.

Mizuki:

Mizuki smiled at Rai. "I am Mizuki." She took notice of the girl's half elven features and her smile widened. 'I didn't think I'd ever meet another.' she thought. When the girl mentioned the wolf next to her Mizuki immediantly recongized it as the wolf that assisted with the killing of Luc.

"This is the wolf that gave me the advantage!" Mizuki exclaimed scratching the wolf's head.

"What were yall doing? Did a bad thing attack you too?!" Rai asked. Mizuki's smile faded and spoke in sadness.

"Yes and no. An old... person in my past tried to kill us all... I'll never understand why either." Tears stung the back of her eyes but she blinked them away. Just because she felt a hate for Luc didn't mean she still didn't hold a feeling for him. It hurt her that he turned against them and she had to kill him. Mizuki regained herself and smiled again.

"You must be brave little one, to be by yourself. Where is your mother Rai? or are you... an orphan?" she asked Rai. She saw Rai's bright face lose its happiness and she immediantly felt the worst to come from the child's mouth.

Emora:

Rai looked down for a moment and Toby nudged her cheek with his bloody nose. "The bad things got them..." she said softly and a tear ran down her cheek. "The bad things don't like me and they took my mommy and daddy from me... I don't know where they went, but there gone..."

Rai remembered it clearly; after all it had only been a few days ago... It had been the last night she had seen them and the last night she had eaten something besides berries, and the last night she had felt totally safe. Her mommy was combing her hair and her daddy was poking the fire in their cabin. The monsters came quick and broke down the door.

Mommy had carried her into the bedroom and climbed out the window with her, but the house had been surrounded and there was nowhere to go. Her mother pulled the bow that was lying just behind the curtain of the window and fired and arrow at a demon coming towards them while Rai's dad came around with his sword. They told her to run, that they were behind her. So Rai ran and they were behind her... but then she looked a second time and they were gone. A demon reached for her, but Toby came out of nowhere and she remembered being afraid of him... his eyes were glowing green! He saved her... but the monsters hadn't stopped there... they continued to pursue her....

"Could you help me find me mommy and daddy?" Rai asked with a small glimmer of hope in her eyes when she looked back into the half-elven eyes and then she looked to the people who were around them. "Please?"

Toby rubbed up against Rai and looked to the little girl, his green eyes looking her over for a moment and her made a "humph" sound before lying down. It was almost like he was saying he could handle it all...

Mizuki:

Mizuki was so overwhelmed by the child's word's that she almost cried. She remembered her father.. how he died in battle... and how she could never tell him she was sorry for betraying him. She cried silently but soon wiped the tears away. She gave a weak smile to the girl and spoke softly.

"I coulsn't possibly let you wander alone with barely.." she looked to the wolf. "any protection." She gave an apologetic look towards the wolf but it just watched on. "Take my hand and I'll do my best to help."

Mizuki took the child's hand and they walked towards Soran who gave a weak fight to the doctor trying to help him. "Calm down Soran... otherwise you'll never heal and be unfit for battle." she gave the elf a gentle shove to lay down and smiled a friendly smile as he glared back at her but said nothing.

Soran:

Soran was in the process of fighting the nervous doctor’s grip when the small added pressure from Mizuki’s shove finally forced him onto his back with a thud. He glared up at the sky crossly while the doctor checked his reflexes and made sure his limbs were still responding. Despite his outward show of protest, Soran’s actual attention was focused on Rai, who he observed curiously out of the corner of his eye as the doctor proclaimed that Soran’s nerves hadn’t been damaged. “You might experience some numbness for a few hours until the swelling around your spine goes down, but nothing is broken,” the doctor said, baffled that the elf had survived such a fall. “You’re lucky to have such a selfless comrade.”<br>
Soran looked at the doctor confusedly, sensing he’d missed something. Was he talking about Mizuki? No, that didn’t make any sense… His pupils shrank in disbelief as a closer look at Tora’s injuries made him realize why his own were so light. The rogue sat up abruptly, waving off the protesting doctor, and stared at the vampire, who appeared to be unconscious. The only sign of his rapidly intensifying emotion was the whitening of his knuckles as his fingers clenched against the ground.

Mizuki:

Mizuki sensed the tense emotion rising in Soran and she shushed him.

"Sshh Soran... I know, I get it... I feel so terrible... I couldn't do anything... I put you all in danger..." She gripped the child's hand unknowingly then released it when she relized how she was gripping her. She look to Tora's unmoving body and felt completly responsible, she began to weep. "If only there was a way I could help her... use what I had learned... but..."

'You could do nothing my child... but if you really want to help, seek the guidance of our old village elder. Remember... I could never hate my only daughter...' A voice spoke in her head making her look distant to the onlookers about her. 'Father... ' Mizuki thought. She couldn't understand too much of what he meant, and she doesn't even remember or know much of her old village's elder. She hadn't been home in ages.

"Soran... I need to go home, my own personal journey. You and Tora should stay here and rest and heal... I could bring Rai along with me. It would help her more to be surrounded by people her own people... and maybe it could help her find her parents." Mizuki was some what rambling to Soran who looked totally confused at her. "Besides, I think it would do both you and Tora good to be nowhere near me anymore. All I had done to you was cause trouble and get you hurt... and almost killed by my past. But it is over now and you'll both be safe and out of harm's way if people decide[sp?] to come for me after killing Luc."

Mizuki turned to look at Rai. "Rai would you like to come with me? There are people like you and me that would adore you and keep you safe." She looked at Rai almost pleadingly, she said she would help her and she thought the first step would be putting her in a safe place.

Emora Deen:

Rai looked at her and tilted her head as he innocent eyes looked at the half-elven woman. "But, your friends..." she said and looked at all the wounded lying on the ground.

She stood on up on her scratched and bruised legs and walked towards the vampire woman... She knelt down and brushed the woman's hair. "Is this why you want to leave... because you blame yourself?" Rai was a small child, a brave child, but she was still a child. However, this child held a since of wisdom that was surprising to even her parents.

Rai seemed to take on a different look in her eyes, she never ever could figure out how she did it... or why. All she knew is she felt a strange compelled urge to do it. She never could do it if she was trying hard, always when something or some one had touched her in a way so she could do it.

She touched the woman's arms lightly and she felt a tingle run through her arms. She didn't want the nice woman to be sad and she didn't want the other nice woman to be hurt. She didn't want the brave man to lose his friends either. She wanted to go see other people like her, but she didn't want this cloud of darkness to be over them all because of guilt. The strong urge to help these people gave Rai the knowledge for the moment to heal the woman... As soon as the urge to help was gone, the knowledge to heal would go with it.

When Rai pulled back her hands the arms were not broken any more. She had tears in her eyes for she had taken the woman’s pain with it. Toby came to her quickly and looked her right in her eyes. She through her arms around him and started crying.

Rai was a special child... maybe that was why the bad things were after her...

Mizuki:

Mizuki looked at the child in amazment at what she had just done. 'She just healed Tora...' she thought. She remembered the small child's words. For a child she held more wisdom then Mizuki did now. She blamed herself so much for everything she caused, she had even sent Min. away even though she said that she must be somewhere else now. Mizuki didn't know what Min. meant but she felt Min. meant to help a place.. maybe her own forgotten home? But either way she felt like she was driving everyone away from her so she felt she should just leave them.

"Oh Rai... I do blame myself for most of the things that have happened...." Mizuki said in sadness. She walked to the child's side and stroked the top of her head. Mizuki felt like her mother now with this little girl now with them. Her mother had always been gentle and soothed her whenever she cried. "But Rai, look at the hope you have just given to Tora, even though I still feel responisble, I can rest easier now that she will be better than before." She gave a warming smile to Rai and wiped the tears away from Rai's eyes.

She still thought she should go home with little Rai and do what her father told her from the other world. To seek out the village elder for help... and maybe answers. She turned around to look at Soran asking his forgiveness with her eyes. 'If he forgives me or not... I'll still do what I must. Are we really parting ways now father? for good or will we all meet up again?' she thought looking towards the heavens now.

Soran:

Soran’s green eyes fell on Mizuki with an intensity that startled her for a moment. His nails dug down into the ground, then unclenched forcefully. Why did she want to separate? More importantly, why did knowing it send such a cold chill through him? He didn’t need comrades before…there was no reason he should need them now. Behind his dark expression, indignance and unexplained sorrow and anger fought for control of him as Mizuki talked to Rai. He didn’t speak, unsure what would come out if he opened his mouth.

He pushed to his feet and stood next to Tora as Rai performed some strange art on the vampire that seemed to heal her broken arms. He didn’t bother to ask how she’d done it. Enough strange things had happened already, what was one more? Rai and Mizuki began talking.

"Is this why you want to leave... because you blame yourself?" the child asked knowingly.

"Oh Rai... I do blame myself for most of the things that have happened.... but Rai, look at the hope you have just given to Tora, even though I still feel responisble, I can rest easier now that she will be better than before."

Soran couldn’t shake the cold ache he felt, trying harder and harder to rationalize that he could care less whether the others stayed or went. The hint of pain in his expression iced over as Mizuki gave him an apologetic look. Her eyes were begging for something…for permission.

Soran met her stare unblinkingly for a long moment. “Do as you please,” he said sharply, turning away.

Emora Deen:

Rai felt the pain in her arms lessen as the woman stroked her head. She looked at her as she wiped away her tears. Rai looked at her for a moment and then suddenly wrapped her arms around Mizuki's waist. She held the woman like she had held her mother when she was afraid.

The truth was Rai was afraid. She missed her mother and her father and she missed her warm bed and her safe house. She just wanted to go home and have everything back. But, the bad things took it all away. Rai closed her eyes tightly holding on for dear life, not wanting to be torn away like she had been from her mother. These were the only people she had seen in a while that were nice.

"It's not your fault..." Rai said softly and opened her eyes to look at Tora and then Soran. "It's the bad things. Don't blame yourselves... blame them."

Rai looked into Soran’s eyes and tilted her head slightly. She rose up and whispered in the woman’s ear, “Don’t leave him please… he needs you... but most of all... you need him.”<br>
Rai sat back on her legs and looked at the woman. Toby was tilting his head and looking back and forth to them. Rai smiled slightly, white lines ran down her face where the tears had made clean trails through the dirt.

Mizuki:

“Do as you please,” Soran said sharply, turning away. It stung Mizuki hard in her chest to hear him say it like that.. but she tried to shake it off as nothing. Mizuki hugged the girl back like a loving mother.

"It's not your fault..." Rai said softly and opened her eyes to look at Tora and then Soran. "It's the bad things. Don't blame yourselves... blame them." Rai rose to Mizuki's ear to whisper: "Don’t leave him please… he needs you... but most of all... you need him.”<br>
Mizuki couldn't figure it out. This child held a lot of wisdom within her small child's body. She seemed to know more of them then they did themself. ' "Don't leave him.... I need him?" ' Mizuki thought. 'Do I really need him? He needs me....? I find that... strange to believe...' Mizuki looked at Soran's turned back then back to Rai.

"Oh Rai..." soft tears went down Mizuki's face. She couldn't finish her sentence without surfacing feelings that she didn't even know she had held towards the emotionless rouge. "Even if that were true.." she whispered back, "I'd still put him, Tora, and all in danger... maybe even you but with you in my village.. you'd be more safe then you are now." Mizuki looked at the ground trying hard to stop her tears.

'Why am I crying?' she thought. 'It'd be better like this... right?'

Sakura:

"Dear Lord, Mizuki, do you really want to get rid of us that bad?" Tora said sarcastically. She watched everyone jump in suprise of her concious state. Tora heard the entire conversation. She just didn't have the strength to speak or open her eyes.

She sat up, her body healed, although Tora could use a good night's rest. "Thank you, Rai, for keeping me from a sickbed." She smiled at the girl. Then she looked up at Mizuki with a serious expression.

"Listen, Mizuki. From the moment I joined you I knew there was going to be danger. I knew death was going to be involed. But if I was afraid, I wouldn't be here right now." She glanced at Soran, at Rai, then back up at the half elf. "I'm traveling with you for reasons of my own. You're not getting rid of me that easily Mizuki." Tora couldn't help but smile up back at her friend. "I'm comming with you, wether you like it or not."

She shifted her gaze toward Soran. Seeing that everyone was alive and Luc was dead added to the clashed atmosphere of happiness and sorrow.

"And I Soran will be joining us also." Tora said, speaking for the elf. She didn't pay attention to any kind of look Soran gave her, she just knew that inside he wanted to come too. He would just never admit it.

Mizuki:

Mizuki jumped at the random awakening of Tora. 'Tora... you wont leave me?' Mizuki smiled and hugged Tora.

"Tora! Thank you! I didn't really want to leave you all behinde either but I felt....." Mizuki rambled and finally let Tora go. Once again she couldn't find the words to finish her sentence. 'I felt the need to protect my.family.' she thought finishing her sentence in her mind. Soran had stopped walking and stared at them all. Mizuki looked to Soran then looked at the ground under his gaze.

"...are you....going to....?" Mizuki spoke quietly. Soran wouldn't be straight forward at all...but maybe he'd say something about making sure no one get's themselves killed?

Soran:

Soran turned around and eyed the others skeptically. It seemed like everyone was crying - something he didn't know how to deal with. His posture relaxed slightly as the sound of Tora's voice showed she was awake.

"Dear Lord, Mizuki, do you really want to get rid of us that bad?" she said playfully. "Listen, Mizuki. From the moment I joined you I knew there was going to be danger. I knew death was going to be involed. But if I was afraid, I wouldn't be here right now. I'm traveling with you for reasons of my own. You're not getting rid of me that easily Mizuki." Tora smiled. "I'm comming with you, wether you like it or not."

Soran observed the situation passively, not sure what to make of their behavior. "And I think Soran will be joining us too," Tora added with a pointed look at him. Soran stiffened and scowled at her presumptuousness, but she was correct.

"Are you...going to....." Mizuki said softly, so that Soran could barely hear her. Her eyes were still shining with tears that Soran didn't understand, but he sensed that now was not a good time to leave.

"You people have no common sense, so I don't have much of a choice," he said dryly. He threw a critical look at Mizuki, who was restraining a giggle as if he'd just done something predictable. "More importantly, what do you expect to achieve by setting off to this place on a whim?"

Mizuki:

"You people have no common sense, so I don't have much of a choice," Soran spoke dryly and looked at Mizuki while she tried to hide some laughter. "More importantly, what do you expect to achieve by setting off to this place on a whim?" Mizuki straightened and ecame serious looking at Soran softly, but with a serious expression like she was determind.

"I expect to achieve... " She started to say and remembered her long lost father's words. "I'm going to achieve more strength than I had before. I'm seeking out... my village's elder!" Estactic and with full energy besides her lack of sleep this past week, she turned to Rai and smiled.

"Wait wait wait. I'm going nowhere till I get some good bed rest!" Tora exclaimed.

Soran:

Soran raised an eyebrow at Mizuki; her answer fell far short of being sufficient justification for this journey, but he let it drop, suspecting there was something more to the situation than she was letting on.

He turned his attention to Tora, who was demanding sleep before embarking. Soran was still baffled by how much better she looked since the child’s spell, but her exhaustion was still evident. He recalled the strange fire that had wiped everyone out at the warehouse earlier. “Your burns?” he asked Tora.

Emora Deen:

Rai watched them, sitting on her knees and petting Toby with one hand as she smiled to the people around her. They were getting happy very quick! She was glad they were happy now, she didn't want them to be sad. Even she tried not to be sad, though her parents were taken from her.

She giggled lightly when Toby licked her cheek. "Toby..." she said and hugged him her cute face held a happy grin.

She looked at Tora wondering if she was feeling better. Rai's arms hurt still, she wondered how painful her arms had been. It had to have been worst than what Rai had felt... because she didn't take the pain all the way, it died slightly in the transfer. If only she knew how to do it when ever she wanted! Then, she could help them all. Sometimes she was just useless.

Sakura:

The black material on her back which was once considered a cloak hung loosely on her shoulders. Its sides still showed evidence that it came in contact with fire.

Tora looked at her side first, and the arrow wound was now only a mere scar. She searched her body, and if anyone looked at her burns they would only appear to be blemishes. Tora couldn't help but stare at Rai. Who is this child?

However, she found a weird scratch on the muscle of her calf. Tora never remembered getting this, but it didn't bother her enough to make note of it.

"I'm fine now, Soran. Thank you." She stood up and peered at her surroundings. "We should stay here for the night. Then in the morning we will set for... for... where do you live, Mizuki?"

Mizuki:

"We should stay here for the night. Then in the morning we will set for... for... where do you live, Mizuki?" Tora said.

"My home.." Mizuki started and looked far into the distance. "I live a long way from here... The Boader." She saw small flashes of shock run on there faces. The boarder was how her village kept safe for many centuries. No one could find their way thru all the snowy mountains easily. Mizuki then took note of an absence.

"Where is Leon?" she asked calmly. The doctor that had helped them came forward and said that he had gone off to feed. "Alright.... he may come back then on this night. "Then let's find a place to sleep in and he may then come back."

Soran:

~'Leon'~. Soran made a mental note of the newcomer's name. He was still distrustful, but decided not to press Mizuki with too many questions. His legs were feeling numb again, and he wanted to make it back to his apartment without collapsing again. He was hungry, but decided not to bother finding food.

"Where do you plan to stay?" he asked the others as his feet began tingling uncomfortably.

Emora Deen:

Rai looked up quickly... the Boarder? Where the bad things came from? She couldn't go there. The bad things would get her!

She looked around at them as they carried on there conversation about a missing companion and the nice ladies home... But, she couldn't go to the boarder... she just couldn't. What if mommy and daddy are there?

While they began to talk Rai got up and acted as if she were just slipping into the darkness. They would take her to the Boarder and she didn't want to go to the bad people... the bad things would take her away like that had done her mommy and daddy.

She backed into a dark spot and turned. "Come on Toby..." Toby didn't come, he just stood there and barked as if he were telling her to come back... rather ordering her. But, she didn't want to, they would take her to the Boarder. She shook her head and sat down between a barrel and a wall. Toby continued to bark in her direction. It wasn't a mean bark, but one that was almost speaking what he wanted.

"I don't want the bad things to get me..." she said softly to herself and pulled her knees to her chest, resting her head on them. "I don't."

Soran:

Soran noticed Rai slip away from the group quietly while the others were debating where to stay for the night. He had a vague idea what might be bothering her, but knew the alleys of Hepian would not be safe for someone like her, especially with dusk quickly approaching. Leaving the others to talk, he slipped off in the direction she’d gone, and soon found her crouching in a corner, her guardian-like wolf companion barking at her pleadingly. The canine didn’t seem to mind when the rogue approached Rai.

Soran kneeled on one knee, partly to avoid towering over the child and partly to rest his back. “It’s dangerous here. What’s wrong?” he asked brusquely, though he was attempting to speak gently.

Ceron:

"I'm lucky that there was a break in occuring right in the next alley..." Leon says after he is done draining the last thief. "I really have to find a cure for this some time in my undeath..." He climbs the wall with rather rejuvenated strength.

"I wonder if they are still there..." Leon looks over the edge of the roof and sees that the group is all there. "Maybe I'll just follow them for a bit..." he casts a spell making him seem to be a raven to all who look his way, and he waits for them to go where they will.

OOC: untrustworthy am I??? lol

Emora Deen:

Rai looked up and at Soran, her eyes were slightly watery and she hugged her legs. "It's dangerous every where," she pointed out softly, not meaning to be rude... but it was. All she had known for at least three days to a week was danger.

She looked at him for a moment, her eyes looking very tired and very sad. "I don't want to go to the Boarder... I lived close to the Boarder and the bad things came from there... I don't want the bad things to get me. But I want to find me parents... but I'm scared..."

Rai looked up at him and tilted her head. "I bet you don't get scared..." she said and smiled slightly. He was big and brave looking. "I try, but it's very, very hard..."

Soran:

Soran frowned slightly. It seemed she had been through a lot. He was not good with children after all. She was so blatantly honest with him that it was almost intimidating. “Whether or not you go to the border is your choice, but at the least don’t stay here tonight. Stay with Mizuki or with me. Figure the rest out later,” he said uncomfortably.

OOC: I trust you Leon! It's just that Soran doesn't...yet. =P

Emora:

Rai looked at him for a moment and she grinned cutely. She looked at his eyes and tilted her head as she sat up and Toby butted his head to Soran's shoulder as if thanking him. "Hehe..." she giggled and Toby licked her cheek. "Thank you, you are very nice." she said and stood up looking at him. She bent and grabbed his hand and grinned happily, feeling much better... or maybe she was pretending to feel better. "Come on... let's go back to your friends..."

He had a very big hand compared to her small one and she only could hold on to so much. But, her hand had a soft and gentle touch to it. She was a sweet child and didn't like when people were sad, she always wanted to make people happy... even if it meant working very hard at it.

Soran:

Soran arched his neck slightly, surprised by the contact, but didn’t move his hand. Her hand was so delicate and small, it barely fit around three of his fingers. He rose to his feet and began slowly back toward the others, curling his own fingers around hers ever so slightly.

[Soran Nightblade]

Mizuki:

Mizuki turned to find Rai to ask if she would like to stay with her for the rest of the night, but she was gone. Mizuki whipped around getting frightened until she saw her emerge[sp?] from an alley with Soran holding her hand. Mizuki sighed with relief. The scence was so cute, Soran holding a childs hand. Mizuki walked over to them and smiled at Rai and Soran.

"Rai, we are going to spend the rest of the night here, we need to rest up for a bit then we are all going to head off to my old village on the boader. Would you like to come with us?" Mizuki spoke kindly and she saw a shimmer of slight fear within the childs eyes. "Don't worry Rai...we'll protect you."

Mizuki turned and looked to Soran. SHe couldn't help but smile more at him for holding Rai's small hand. It was something she hasn't seen from him in their short while together. "Soran..." she spoke softly almost afraid that she would sound stupid and childish to him. "Thank you...for not having me go alone and... all those other times you had been with me. I caused you much trouble but yet.." she blushed and smiled at the ground, she couldn't look him in the eye. "You still stayed with me." SHe looked back at him with a bright and shinning smile and took Rai's other small hand into her own.

"Let's go find a place to rest then.... we'll head off for the Boarder."

Emora Deen:

Rai looked at them and held Soran's hand tighter. She felt safe with them around... she felt safe with Toby, but more safe with them. She said she would protect her... "Alright," little Rai said and smiled to Mizuki and then Soran and then Tora... she looked to a bird, she didn't know what it was, but it was some sort of bird. She had a feeling about the bird, but didn't say anything about it.

Mizuki held her hand and her smile turned into a happy grin. She felt very happy to be with such kind people. "Can I get a bath?" Rai asked and giggled slightly when she looked up, they were to tall... "I really, really, really need one!" Which she did, she had been running nonstop for a good many days...

Soran:

"Soran,” Mizuki was saying, “Thank you...for not having me go alone and... all those other times you had been with me. I caused you much trouble but yet... You still stayed with me."

“Don’t make such a big deal out of it," he reproved. Soran felt strangely eased, maybe even relaxed, as Mizuki gave him a big smile and grasped the child’s other hand.

“Can I get a bath?” Rai asked, giggling, “I really, really, really need one!” She squeezed Soran’s hand tighter.

Soran was curiously self-analyzing the unfamiliar lightness in his chest when a sharp pang ran down his leg and reminded him that he couldn’t stand up for long. "Let's meet tomorrow, same place as last time," Soran said, turning to go his separate way. He briefly considered offering to bring the child with him, but he had no idea how to deal with the tiny person clinging to his hand. She seemed so small and fragile. Besides, Mizuki could offer motherly expertise and hot water. He freed himself from Rai’s gentle grasp and began walking stiffly down the alley that led to his apartment.

Mizuki:

"Soran! Wait!" Mizuki called out. But then she stopped..... 'Why am I calling out to him?' she thought. When he turned she quickly thought her words. "Why don't you spend the night with us? I could better look after your wounds then?" It was a thought, and he was injured.....again.

Soran:

Soran turned back as he heard the half elf call out to him. When she asked him to stay with them, he stared blankly. The thought hadn't even occurred to him, and the invitation took a moment to register in his head. He thought for a moment, then said "All right." His instincts were telling him he was getting too close to these people, but it was more efficient to stay together, and his barren apartment held little appeal to him anyway.

Emora Deen:

Rai looked from Mizuki to Soran and she smiled. It didn't take a grown up to tell that the two liked each other. Rai's pretty eyes were shinning in the little light that they had and she looked to see how Tora was doing for a moment.

She didn't know why she trusted these people, maybe because Toby trusted them. He was standing by them as if he were watching for trouble, which he probably was. She didn't know where he came from, but Rai loved him very much.

Rai yawned and looked at them again. At least nothing was jumping out of no where with a scary face and sharp teeth. Rai let go of Mizuki's hand and ran over, grabbing Soran's again to pull him along, urging him back into the group. Partly because she didn't want him to fall behind... What if the bad things got him, too? She didn't want that to happen. She smiled at him and then to Mizuki and Tora. She looked to the bird again and noticed that Toby was looking at it too. What was it?

Ceron:

Leon notices the little girl looking up at him. "I wonder what she is thinking right now... Oh well maybe I will play with her mind a little..." He shimmers between his raven image, and his human image, all the while winking at the girl and the dog.

Emora Deen:

Rai gasped and made a noise of fear. What was it? A man or a bird... or a bad thing... She hid behind the closest thing to her, which happened to be Soran's leg. She clutched his pants with the hand that wasn't holding his and she peaked around from the back to see if the bird was still there.

"What is it?" she asked in a soft and frightened voice and looked up at Soran and then to Mizuki and Tora... It was winking at her... Was it a bad thing that was going to get her and he was playing with her? Was he going to swoop down and carry her off? She clutched Soran's leg tighter. She didn't want it to get her... She didn't want to leave her new friends. "Don't let it get me..." she whispered, but wasn't even sure it was loud enough for any one to hear.

Soran:

Soran frowned critically down at the child, who was clinging to his leg for dear life and pointing fearfully at something up above them. He followed her frightened stare to find a raven perched calmly on the roof of the building. It fidgeted slightly, but otherwise did nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the trembling of the child’s hands testified that there was something more to the situation. “What’s wrong?” he asked Rai, pulling his sleeves back from his blades just in case.

Emora Deen:

Rai looked up at Soran and had a confused look to her eyes. "You don't see him?" she asked softly and looked back to the bird. "You don't see the man?" She clutched Soran's pants tighter and whimpered. He couldn't see the man, the bad things were trying to trick them... They were going to get her.

She held Soran's hand feeling safe with him beside her. He was big and strong and he could fight off the bad things for her. Toby was growling at the bird. It was almost like he was scolding who ever it was for scaring her. "He has black hair... and he's winking at me..." she whispered.

Soran:

Soran listened to Rai’s description, frowning, and then looked back at the bird with an icy glare. Black hair…it wasn’t a common color in this area, and Soran knew only one person with black hair who might have the ability to look like a raven. “If you have some explanation for this, you’d better do it quickly,” the rogue said darkly to the bird, though he lowered his weapons and watched it casually as though he did not expect him to cause any harm.

Mizuki:

Mizuki ran over to Rai and Soran with Tora following behinde. 'What the heck?' she thought.

"What's happening?" she asked. When Rai pointed to the bird she saw nothing wrong until she heard Soran call out. "What? Soran do you know who this is?" Mizuki pointed to the bird and went for her arrows standing by the Rai, Tora took a defensive stance as if to strike. 'What's with the bird? It doesn't seem normal now.' she thought. Mizuki quickly looked at everyone. No one looked in the condition to fight another battle. 'Too many battles have happened...'

"If this is a threat we can't take the chance...." she said quietly to Soran. "You're wounded, Tora and I are exhausted[sp?].... and I'm not risking Rai." She gave Soran a side glance but kept her arrows up. "I'll fire an arrow as a diversion then we should escape." She had no idea if the bird even was a threat, Soran looked as if he knew what was happening but all she saw was a suspicous looking bird. But Soran wasn't answering her, he was too intent on the bird so she turned to Rai.

"Rai... what is it that you see?" she asked the girl. It frightened her and she saw it first, maybe she knew what it was?

[OOC: had to fix this -_-; I'll be taking awhile to post again but hopefully I wont miss anything big.]
{OOC: I've also decided to change my name...'cuase I'm weird like that. ANyone have any suggestions?]

Sakura:

Tora couldn't see what the fuss was all about. It was just a bird. A mere annoyance.

She scooped up the rock next to her and hurled it at the dark figure. It didn't hit, but it was enough for the bird to take flight.

"Come on, lets go," she said. They always managed to get sidetracked somehow, but Tora had her mind set on one thing. A bed. And nothing in the world is going to keep her from it. Especially a stupid bird.


Mizuki:

OOC: Why did that seem so.........pointless? lol

Mizuki felt like an idiot. Her guard was up on a bird. A BIRD! She mentally slapped herself and tried to figure out what came over her. She took Rai's hand and tried to hide her embarrassment.

"Come on Rai. Let's get you that bath." she said smiling disspite herself. She felt so stupid. 'What was wrong with me?' she thought angrily, 'it was just a bird! It's the tension of events...' Mizuki sighed. 'Too much has happened so I'm jumping on everything. Once we get rest I should be relaxed and so should everyone else.'

Sakura:

"Were here, finally." Tora started climbing up the steps to the inn when she looked up and saw the 'abomidable' black bird peerched on the roof side.

Only this time it had something in it's beak...it appeared to be a scroll.

Tora's steps became lighter and stealthier as she approached the bird. As if the raven was waiting for her, the bird dropped the scroll right at her feet.

Tora picked it up, and questioned wether it would be safe to open...

Mizuki:

Mizuki felt like a thousand things hit her a once. Now all she wanted was a bed. She felt like a zombie as they purchased a room and went to it. The room was split in half so Soran had a side and the girl's had a side. Mizuki then lead Rai to the bathroom, before Mizuki had ordered the tub filled with warm water so the tub would be ready when they got there.

"Come on now Rai, let pick some scented soaps...." she said before picking up a bar of rose scented soap. "Want to smell like roses?" Mizuki smiled.

Soran:

Soran rolled his eyes slightly. Hot water was one thing, but rose scented soap? Women were strange creatures. He sat down in a wooden chair and stared indifferently towards the window, still trying to figure out what Leon was up to.

Sakura:

Tora sat on the bed and fiddled with the scroll. 'It could be cursed..." she thought to herself. Sadly, this was a new reason to stay awake, but her curiosity would not let her put it down.

Soran was staring out the window. Tora was suprised he wasn't asleep. She was suprised she herself wasn't asleep.

"I just thought of something...where's Leon?" she asked, as her fingre's unconiously began to undo the scroll's bindings.

Mizuki:

Rai was done and clean and now dry. Mizuki put her in some new cloths for bed and tucked her in with her wolf lieing at the foot.

"You sleep Rai. Me and Tora will be in the other beds next to yours and Soran will be beyond the wall." Mizuki said. Mizuki petted the wolf's head and smiled. "You dream good dreams now." and Mizuki said her goodnights to Rai and her wolf.

Mizuki walked over to where Tora sat fiddling with some paper and where Soran just stared out a window. "Soran, get some sleep. Your no good to us when your dead tired." Mizuki teased. "Tora, what is that?" she asked, her curiosty getting the better of her.

Sakura:

"Oh..this. I found it...do you think I should open it?" Tora asked, staring as if Mizuki's opinion were to decide her actions.

Mizuki:

"Depends" Mizuki started saying, "Do you think you should open it?" Mizuki sighed and turned to her own bed, sinking into the covers. "Tora, whatever it is don't fret over it now. Worry about it in the morning, which is almost upon us... and Soran," she said sternly to the elf staring still out the window, "If you don't get into your bed in 5 minutes I'll strap you in it!"

Mizuki wanted everyone better and rested in the morning when they headed off. She also wanted to check out Soran's wounds in the morning too, but wounds wont get better unless the wounded sleeps. "Your wounds wont heal unless you sleep, it's been proven that wounds heal better when one sleeps." She didn't care what retort came flying out of Soran's mouth, if he protested or said one thing against her she'll just knock him over the head.

Soon Mizuki started, or tried, to drift into a sleep. She wasn't sure if Soran listened to her or not because she had closed her eyes.. but she could still hear Tora filldeling with that paper.

Soran:

Soran listened indifferently to Mizuki’s threats and warnings. When they finally died down, he figured she had fallen asleep. He gave Tora a skeptical look; she was turning the scroll over curiously in her hands as though it were some huge mystery. “If you want to open it so much, you should just open it,” he said as he got out of the chair and went into the adjoining room. He eyed the hotel bed critically and tried lying down on it. The huge fluffy mattress felt foreign under his sore back. He felt like it was trying to swallow him. He rolled to his side, but it was just too weird compared to the stiff straw-packed bed at his apartment. He’d never get to sleep on this thing. He lay down on the floor and pulled the top sheet of the bed down onto him, falling asleep almost immediately.

Sakura:

“If you want to open it so much, you should just open it,” Soran said.

Her eyes lowered as she watched him fall asleep. 'Its obvious you don't know much about magic." Tora said to herself, though Soran has probably come in contact with magic even before Luc.

Not in the mood to catch anyone's attention downstairs, Tora opened the window. She jumped onto the nearest sturdy branch and climbed her way down to the ground floor. If it was any sort of curse, she better open it outside, away from her friends.

Tora undid the bindings and slowly unrolled the scroll...

It flipped out of her hands and pinned itself to the ground. Magic radiated from all sides as Tora's eyes widened. "A summoning?"

A blinding light manifested itself into a shape, which slowly gained mortal tones. It became furry, clawlike.

A tiger stood over the scroll, which is now only a useless piece of paper.

Tora showed her fangs at the sign of food. She wasn't hungry at all, but she didn't care. Food was food.

"You can't eat me. You'll die before you even have the chance." The tiger said. Tora was thrown into complete shock. 'Did...did it just talk?'

"Yes, Tora, I can speak. I'm not really a tiger, I just appear in this form. I am Akisu, your master. You are now my apprentice."

"Wait," Tora said, still in disbelief she is talking to an animal. "Master? What the h-"

"You have used magic, have you not? You have unlock a secret power within you. You now have to learn how to use it and control it. That is where I come in."

Tora thought this over. This still all seemed pretty suspcious. He knew her name and the fact she used unknown magic in a battle. "How do you know me so well?"

"That is not important. What is important is your training. You tired now, so training now won't do any good. Get sleep, I'll meet you in the morning."

Tora eyed Akisu, who stood emotionless. She slowly jumped branch to branch, looking down at the tiger, who didn't move from his spot. She finally reached the room, and after one last look she closed the window.

Tora collapsed on her bed, not even bothering to get under the covers.

Soran:

Soran stirred slightly and woke up. He thought he’d just heard something from the other room. It was still the middle of the night, and the moon outside was the only source of light. He stood and went to the doorway, as if trying to remember what he was doing there, and looked out into the next room. Rai, Tora and Mizuki were all sound asleep in the moonlight. It was such a peaceful scene, one from which Soran felt strangely detached. He watched them sleep for several moments before finally going back to sleep. Eventually, dim rays of sunlight came in through the windows, quietly announcing the new day.

OOC: If the bird is Leon, why does Leon have the scroll to give to Tora? Or is the bird not Leon?

Emora Deen:

Rai liked that she smelled like roses. She liked being clean even more and she had clean clothes. She slept really well... surprisingly well. She didn't have any nightmares or anything.

She opened her eyes and sat up, rubbing them and looking around. Toby seemed to sense her waking and sat up, walking on the bed towards Rai he laid down on her feet. Rai giggled and then covered her mouth quickly. She didn't want to wake up her new friends. They were so nice, they gave her a place to sleep and clothes and she even got to take a bath with roses soap!!

"Toby," Rai said and leaned forward, hugging the wolf and resting her head on his furred stomach. "I love you, Toby..." Rai's stomach growled and she smiled when Toby looked at her, tilting his head slightly. Her cute nose wrinkled and she closed her eyes for a moment, petting Toby's neck and head.

She sighed and climbed down from the bed, tip toeing across the room, Toby padding behind her. She looked out the window, wondering where the strange bird/man was. She didn't like things that could do that and he was winking at her! It scared her... Was it a bad thing... or a good thing? She didn't know, but until it proved it wasn't a bad thing she wouldn't trust it.


Mizuki:

Mizuki's dreams........were riddeled with confusion....

She was sitting in a field and watched a child that looked like Rai run around with flowers in her hair. Mizuki was smiling and she rubbed her abdomen. It was slightly rounded like she was expecting. Eventually a tall man stood above, she knew who it was but...then she didn't. Apparently they knew each other in a more than friendly way as the faceless man bent down and kissed her cheek...

Mizuki woke up peacefully and felt completely relaxed. She even felt like whoever was in that dream was very close to her. "I wonder if that was....." she began thinking out loud until she saw little Rai looking out the window. Mizuki smiled.

"Little Rai, what are you doing up so early? Are you hungry at all?"

Emora Deen:

"Hmmm?" Rai asked and turned around, leaving on small hand on the window ceil and coming down off her tip toes. "Yes," she said softly and smiled as she rubbed Toby's hand. "I am very hungry." She ran giggling and jumped onto the bed, pulling up her knees and smiling at Mizuki.... Then she remembered that there were other people sleeping in the room and she covered her mouth with a smile hiding behind her tiny hand.

Toby ran and jumped on the bed nudging her from behind. Rai hadn't eaten anything other than a few berries the past couple of days. Those were the ones Toby showed her... or dragged her too. She had almost forgotten about all the bad stuff for a while until she thought of that and her eyes lowered, her happy innocent eyes losing the happiness. Mommy... Daddy...

Mizuki:

Mizuki smiled at her and put her hand on Rai's shoulder. "Come on Rai let's go get some food but..." Mizuki playfully put her fingers to her lips. "Be quiet." she whispered.

They tiptoed out of the room and downstairs where Mizuki ordered a breakfast feast for them and the others when they decide to wake up. There was even food for Rai's wolf.

"So Rai." Mizuki said after some time as they ate, "How'd you come across this cute little fellow?" She spoke rubbing the wolf's head. The wolf was so cute, Mizuki couldn't resist since she loved animals.

Emora Deen:

Rai looked down at Toby and smiled at him, he seemed to smile back. "He saved me from a bad thing..." she said and smiled for a moment, but her smile slowly faded. "The bad things came for us... I don't know why and I was running from one after they had taken my parents and it was about to get me when Toby came out of no where... Ain't that right Toby?"

Toby barked slightly and looked to Mizuki for a moment. His green eyes looked her over and his head tilted. "I don't want to talk about it... it makes me sad," Rai admitted and sighed heavily. The poor child had seen so much already and just thinking about the horrible sights that had come before her eyes made her sad.

Mizuki:

Mizuki bit her lip. She didn't mean to dive into the child's past, but apparently she had.

"I'm so sorry Rai" She said. "I know what it's like to lose someone too. I lost my father....... but don't worry Rai," Mizuki said hopefully. "I'll help you find them and find out why those monsters were after you and your family."

Mizuki meant it. She smiled to herself 'I seem to be helping everyone now. But that's ok.... this child needs it and I'll do anything.'

Sakura:

Tora's senses came back into the world by the voices of Mizuki and Rai. She sat up as they went for breakfast, and Tora almost called out after them but decided against it.

She streched and hopped out of bed. Her gaze out the window searched for Akisu. He was real, but was he serious?

Instead of Akisu, she found the black bird again. In broad daylight, however, the bird looked different...

"Leon!" Tora called out after immediatly opening the window. Was he the one who gave her the scroll?

The bird winked and flew away. Her eyes lowered and shut the window. "Whatever."

The growling of her stomach summoned her to eat. She opened the door at a voice bidding her "Good Morning." Tora was so startled she slammed the door.

"Thats rude to shut a door in someones face. What has happened to your manners?" Akisu said sternly. "Open the door or I'll open it for you."

Tora checked Soran to see if he was awake...

Soran:

Soran sprung awake at the sound of the door slamming shut. He looked over to see Tora standing at the door to the hall, one hand uncertainly on the doorknob. She looked over at him, looking slightly spooked.

”What’s wrong?” Soran asked, sitting up groggily.

Mizuki:

"I'll go wake up the others." Mizuki said. "Stay here and don't move." Mizuki ran up the stairs to find the others already awake. "Finally, we've already....started....eating........." She heard voices from inside the room, but she didn't see her friends, instead she saw a large tiger. Mizuki gave out a cry as it turned her way.

Emora Deen:

Rai nodded, but as soon as she heard the cry out she and Toby ran after Mizuki. She ran up the steps and down the hall and slid to a stop, going just past Mizuki... She jumped back and fell on her butt, she didn't know what to think about the tiger standing there.

"Mizuki do big cats stay in hotels often?" she asked with a little shake to her worried voice. Toby moved to stand in front of the two protectively.

((OOC: Don't mind if you see Kadar as a name come up... I have two characters who have wolfs and the other characters wolf is Kadar... I have been typing Kadar all night, lol))

Sakura:

"Uh, nothing!" Tora exclamed. How was she going to explain this.

With a crash, Tora was knocked flat to the ground. Apparently Akisu knocked the door down. She felt the weight of the tiger on her back.

"Honestly, Tora, thats no way to treat your sensei." Akisu mocked. Tora mumbled. "I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you."

Akisu didnt listen long enough to Tora. He caught sight of Soran and gave a suspicious smile.

"No, Akisu, thats not it." Tora said getting up, the door slidding off her back.

"How dare you, I would never think in such a way," Akisu said, with a voice that couldnt tell wether he was kidding or not. Akisu walked closer to Soran, bearing teeth. "Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of food."

Mizuki:

The tiger had knocked down the door and Mizuki was temporarily stunned. But she acted fast as she heard some frightened words being said from Tora. Mizuki didn't have her arrows but she knew how to wrestle an animal.

"Stay away from my friends you tiger!" she yelled as she tackled onto the tigers back doing absolutly nothing since it seemed to be interested on eating Soran.

Emora Deen:

Rai ran into the room and she stood in front of Soran, Toby ran to help Tora and Mizuki. Rai was feeling brave at the moment as she onto held Soran's pants and looked at the Tiger with a dangerous glare for such a little one. "You'll have to eat me first!" she said and looked right at the tiger. There was only a little bit of fear in her eyes, but not that much. She didn't like when her friends were threatened. She didn't want a bad thing to get some one else...

Soran:

Soran didn’t need to think twice before interpreting the tiger as malicious. He was glad he’d fallen asleep without removing his armblades. Raising his arms into a ready defensive stance, he jumped up onto his feet and stared the creature down emotionlessly as it approached him.

Sakura:

Akisu looked up in displeasement. Usually, a man of his height and structure would be most scrumptious. However, all his scars and wounds are unappitizing.

"Your friend is uninteresting, Tora. I wont eat him." Akisu pulled on her pant leg. "Come. It's time to start your training."

Tora had no choice but to follow the tiger. She almost had the feeling she was being bossed around by her food.

"Akisu..." Tora asked while walking down the hall. "Were you... the voice in my head?" Akisu's eyes strangly saddened.

"I....no. I was not." Akisu said.

"What are you hiding- WHA?"

"See, look boys! The entertainment finally arrived!" The innkeeper grabbed Tora's arm. He was sweating like a stallion, and it was quite apparent he got himself in some sort of trouble.

She cursed at herself. She looked suspicious enough, and a tiger would just add to it.

Tora broke free of the innkeepers grasp. She began walking again, but the innkeeper jumped for her. "Please, please help me out."

"No amount of money could-"

"Your traveling, right? Are you going towards the border? I may have something you need..."

Soran:

Soran frowned as Tora talked to the tiger and then allowed it to lead her out of the room and into the hallway. He stood with the others for a moment, baffled, then ran out into the hallway after them. “What the hell is going on—” he demanded, but before he could hope for an answer some new stranger had grabbed Tora’s arm and held it up triumphantly.

"See, look boys! The entertainment finally arrived!" Tora seemed thoroughly uncomfortable. Soran took the man by the collar and he looked up at him in recognition.

“N…Nightblade…” he stuttered nervously.

“Explain,” Soran said, to the man and to everyone else for that matter.

Mizuki:

"Alright that's it!" Mizuki yelled in frustration. "I'm not moving from this spot until I know what the heck just happened here!" She was angry that Tora left without saying anything... and what was with the tiger!

She grabbed Soran by the shoulders and pulled him to face her. "What happened here!? A tiger just trampels down a door, almost kills you, and Tora just walks off with it! We've got a little girl here who pratically acted as your sheild! I can't believe you'd let a child do that for you!"

Mizuki was so angry she wasn't listening to any reason flying thru her head... or the fact that Soran was so close to her face since she pulled him closer to her and that she drew an even bigger crowd by yanking Soran from his 'prey'. She was just so angry that she didn't even care about anything else.

OOC: Soran's post came so fast that I had to fix mine

Emora Deen:

Rai came down, Toby had gone a head and all this running around was confusing her. Rai looked at the tiger for a moment and she kept getting closer and closer. There was more to this tiger than there seemed.

She was trying to sneak up on it, but didn't know if it was working. Toby was watching carefully and he seemed to know what she was doing and he came in front of her. She looked around the room at all the people around. What was going on? Who were the new people? What was with the tiger? She was so confused and yet, she wasn't that frightened of the tiger. To her the bird was more scary!

Sakura:

"She's too short for a stripper!" One of the men yelled.

"HEY! Who are you calling short! By the time i get through with you...." Tora went over and did her worst.

"Heh..." The innkeeper, with the sounds of crashing in the background added to his nervousness, sweated to the the point one might think he just went swimming.

"You guys won't get anywhere near the border without a pass from Queen Sinead, right? Well... I think I might have something that may get you past the guards." The innkeeper gathered every shread of bravery he had, trying to stick up to Soran. It wasn't very much. "But I won't give anything to you unless you get me out of this mess!"

Soran:

Soran pulled back from Mizuki’s grasp firmly, ignoring the stares of everyone in the room who was looking to see how Nightblade would react to such handling. His face was devoid of expression, but he looked commandingly back at the innkeeper.

"You guys won't get anywhere near the border without a pass from Queen Sinead, right? Well... I think I might have something that may get you past the guards." "But I won't give anything to you unless you get me out of this mess!" he said, his voice shrinking nervously under Soran’s stare.

“You’re not in a position to make demands. I’m still waiting for your explanation,” Soran said.

Mizuki:

Mizuki ground her teeth. 'He ignored me....' she thought angrily. She was finally aware of the stares and heated glances she was getting. She had to get out of the inn before some man lost his head. She tried to keep a dignified walked but tears were blurring her vision and the reaching hands of drunken, arroused men were just making her want to swing some heads.

It was until one man grabbed her ass and breast that she actually made any aknowledging movement. Her fist swung so hard in his face that his nose broke and his blood was on her hands. After that she was gone.

Sakura:

Akisu sat next to Rai, who had strange liking in her. Tora glanced at him for help, but it was apparent he was going to offer none.

Tora came back after driving the men off. They did, however, shot threats.

The innkeeper explained. "I promised Anita, you know her, dancer? Its hard to get her to dance for you... I promised the guys if they contributed hard cash i'd get her. She came, but she ended up stealing the money and taking off! Without dancing! I'll be ruined if i dont give these guys a refund! Or a dancer. You have to help me!" The innkeeper looked back at Tora. "This ones too ugly," he said rudly. Tora, in her mind's eye, stabbed him a thousand times. But she kept her cool. The innkeeper eyed the half elf. "This one, however..."

Emora Deen:

Rai looked around as all hell was breaking lose. She didn't know what to do and she felt like she was standing in the middle of what was about to be a very bad place to stand. She wondered what was wrong with Mizuki and what was going on with Soran. She noticed that the men in the room weren't being gentlemen, either.

She began backing away to back into a corner or something to get out of the way from what she knew was coming. She backed right into some one and she turned around, he towered over her and had a mean look in her eyes. Even he was scarier to her than the tiger. "Sorry," she said very softly and swallowed hard.

Mizuki:

"Kid watch where your going!" the man bellowed as he went to strike Rai. But Mizuki was quicker and it was his head that slammed on the ground.

"Anyone wish to touch another woman of my party?!'' Mizuki yelled. She was at top rage and no one messes with her a top rage. She gently grabbed Rai's hand and kneeled down to her level. "Are you hurt Rai? We need to get you out of here. This is no place for a child."

Emora Deen:

Rai nodded and fully agreed with Mizuki on that. She didn't like where they were. The people in the room made her nervouse. "They are very rude," she whispered to Mizuki and then looked to Tora and Soran. "What about them?" she asked quietly.

Toby was right beside them, snarling and growling at any one who came near them with anything threatening on there faces.

Mizuki:

Mizuki turned to where Rai was looking. "Don't worry, Tora is coming too. Soran can take care of himself it seems." she said coldly. She hurried across the room with Rai to Tora. "Come Tora, we should get out of here.... and don't mind that damn innkeeper." Mizuki smirked at Tora.

Soran:

Soran felt strangely furious as the innkeeper insulted Tora and suggested the half elf as a substitute for their cheap entertainment. He glanced back where Mizuki had been standing, but she was nowhere to be seen. Several of the patrons who had been molesting her looked away guiltily as they noticed what Soran was looking for. The rogue narrowed his eyes, unsure which way to go. He thought that Mizuki had possibly been ‘taken out back’ by some of the men, whose nervous stares answered none of his questions.

He looked over at Tora and the strange tiger, who didn’t’ seem to be threatening anyone. Rai crouched fearfully in the corner. The situation was out of control. Whichever way he went, someone would be in danger. A sharp male groan drew his attention back to where Rai had been standing. Mizuki had pounded a precocious man’s head down against the ground and was holding him in a vicious lock. Soran let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

The situation had gone on long enough. The rogue raised two fingers sternly over his head and whistled sharply. The room abruptly fell silent as those who hadn’t recognized Soran before suddenly realized who he was. A glass shattered on the ground somewhere, otherwise the room was silent.

OOC: This is awesome! First time in a while we've all been on at the same time! Sort of confusing though.

Sakura:

Akisu was the only one in the room who was having a grand old time. He layed on his and relaxed as if there werent a care in the world.

The innkeepers comment got to her. Her mood darkened and her head began to lower. She groggily made her way towards the stairs.

"Your not just gonna walk away are you?" Akisu teased. "The man needs your help."

"He got himself into this. Why should I help?"

"Because, if you think about it it wasnt his fault. He did get the entertainment, it just ran off. Besides, doesn't he have something you need?" Akisu said.

"Soran can just kick the crap out of him and steal...whatever the hell he has. Innkeep's probably lying anyway."

"If your dwelling on that comment, just to let you know your not the most graceful thing that ever walked this earth." Tora began to leave, and Akisu's plan to draw out Tora's anger wasn't working well...

Mizuki:

When the room fell silent it was apparent that Soran finally had some order going on. Mizuki still had the man's blood on her hand so she wiped it on some nearby drunken who barely moved from her contact.

"Tora, what has been going on? What's Soran doing with the damned innkeeper?" questions sprung from her mouth but it seemed they were about to be answered soon. She held Rai closer to her but held a defensive stance.

Soran:

It seemed like things had tempered down, so Soran looked at the innkeeper. “Whatever you want, you’ll ask the girl directly, and keep your hands to yourself,” he growled warningly, mediating the negotiation. Irritation was plainly evident in his voice.

Emora Deen:

Rai noticed that if the people in the room weren't looking at Soran they were looking at Tora, Mizuki and herself. She hugged Mizuki, afraid of what was going to happen. "We need to leave..." she urged and looked up at them. "Please..."

She had a very bad feeling about all of this, a very bad feeling. What would happen to her if these people decided to attack them? She couldn't fight off a full grown man! They seemed on the verge of attack, it shouldn't be to much longer before the order that was establish would be gone.

Mizuki:

Mizuki was aware of the looks they were receiving. She had to do something about it.

"Any man who ever so touches the woman of your so feared Nightblade and her comrades will get their head ripped from their shoulders and fed to the tiger!" Mizuki annouced. Soran will porbably kill her later but it worked. Every man averted their gaze from them to Soran as if asking if what Mizuki said was true. 'Soran don't blow that, it's keeping us safe.'

Soran:

Soran blinked and stared at Mizuki, for once completely stunned. His face felt suddenly warm. Everyone else in the room seemed equally baffled.

Sakura:

"Ohh yes, I will eat you if you dont abid." Akisu said sarcastically. "What fun."

Tora had an idea. Stripping wasn't the only form of entertainment...

"Akisu... didnt you say you were hungry? Well, look at that big juicy innkeep over there. Full of meat..."

"Full of crap." Akisu said. "You can't manipulate me Tora." Tora grinded her teeth. So much for the fight.

"Tora, heres your first lesson." Akisu said. "This should be easy for you. Close your eyes. You are going to do the same fire spell you did against the pirates...only this one may be weaker."

Tora closed her eyes and followed Akisu's directions. She summoned the spell successfully, and she was set on fire...

Only something was a little different.

"Ok, this isnt the exact same spell...its a little variation...your the only one set on fire." Akisu said casually.

Tora stared at him with a growing rage. "WHAT WAS THE POINT OF THAT?!" All eyes stared at her. The fire was burning her clothes....

"YOUSONOFA-" Tora began to chase Akisu around, knocking of tables. At first it was pure entertainment, until the glass shuttered on the floor, people slammed against the walls, fire spreading...

It was only a matter of time before the entire inn was caught on fire....

Mizuki:

"Tora you idiot!" Mizuki yelled. The place was about to go up in flames and she had no idea why she put herself on fire. Running around in the fiasco with Rai in her arms since she trusted no one in the inn, she literally ran into Soran who glared icily down at her.

"Sorry..." she mummbled. "We gotta stop this Soran. You seem to be the only one able to bring down the commotion!"

Soran:

“Get Rai outside,” Soran said to Mizuki above the ruckus. Tora was running around on fire, and the flames now covered parts of the room. Everyone was acting insane; it was like he was on another planet. He pulled a heavy curtain off the window and threw it tightly around Tora to choke the flames covering her body, then hurried her toward the door, his face icy and blank.

All around the room, patrons were arguing with each other and shouting. “What are you idiots doing! Put out the flames,” Soran said tiredly, chucking heavy curtains at the men. They finally remembered reality, and those who didn’t flee the room beat out the flames with the thick cloth. All that was left was a smoky, half-charred tavern. “Now get out,” he ordered those that remained, who gratefully dropped the curtains and ran from the room coughing. Soran was the last to emerge. He looked around the area grimly for signs of the others.

MIzuki:

Mizuki was embracing Rai and fretting over Tora at the same time.

"Tora you idiot!" she yelled like a stern mother, "Why'd you do that?! Rai are you ok? Oh... STUPID MEN!!!" Even after a fire men still tried to have some fun with them and each time Mizuki or Tora were throwing fists in their face.

When Mizuki saw Soran emerge she sprinted to him forgetting her rage at him and fretted about him too. "Are you ok? Wounded? Burned? Please tell me you can breath!" She threw her arms around in in exasparation[sp?] then remembered who she was hugging. She let go blushing. "Sorrry...."

OOC: felt like adding that for the hell of it... lol forgive me ^^;

Emora Deen:

Rai looked at the men who still seemed to be fancying Tora and Mizuki. Mizuki ran to Soran and she stood there in front of them, with Toby by her side. She put her hands on her hips. "You're all a bunch of dumb butts..." Rai said and looked at them all coldly. "Didn't your mother ever teach you manners?"

The looked at her for a moment and Rai thought maybe acting big and bad wasn't the best thing for a smaller person to do. "Some one should teach you all a lesson."

"And whose gonna do it? You little one?" one asked Rai and she swallowed hard. Toby stood in front of her, waiting for something to happen.

Sakura:

"Ah, victory." Akisu said. Tora's eyes were paw level with the tiger. She layed on the ground, wrapped in the blanket Soran beat her with.

"Well, Akisu." Tora said with a bitter sarcasm in her voice. She was annoyed beyond words. "Based on my first impression, I hate you. I hate you very much. Please go away."

"Ah, but Tora. Don't you smell that? The smell of sucess?"

"I smell smoke, Akisu, smoke." A piece of paper fell on her nose. "Whats this?"

"Oh, a little something i picked up in the confusion. Just in case if u want it."

Tora read the paper. It was a letter, permitting near and across the border. She looked up at the tiger.

"You were planning this?" Tora asked, staring up at the tiger, who stood powerful and emotionless.

Soran:

Soran recognized Mizuki running toward him. He tensed, dreading that something else had gone wrong.

"Are you ok? Wounded? Burned? Please tell me you can breath!" she pleaded worriedly. The girl threw her arms around him, but he didn’t try to resist.

“I’m fine,” he said, keeping the relief from his voice. She seemed extremely upset.

After a moment, she withdrew her arms. “Sorry…”

Soran watched her for a moment, trying to figure her out, but something else came to mind. “Tora and Rai?”

Mizuki:

Mizuki tensed and she remebered Tora who only wore a blanket and the defensless Rai.

"OH MY GOD!" Mizuki and ran back. So much happened that she had begun to get confused with everything. She saw gangs of men surrounding Rai but when one man spotted "Nightblade's girl" they all scattered.

"Ha ha! Serves you right!" she said as they ran. "Did they hurt you at all Rai?" Rai shook her head no and she sighed in releif. She looked over at Tora and baided Rai to follow her. "Tora," Mizuki said as she approached the nakid vampire, "I think you could use some cloths..."

Sakura:

Tora didn't even realize she was naked. She really wasn't one to blush, but the burn in her face was not from the fire.

"You couldn't think of a better way to do this, Akisu?"

"Oh no, there were many ways to solve this dispute peacefully. This way was just more fun." Akisu said. He was apparently enjoying himself.

"I should skin you and wear you as a coat." She faced Mizuki, still lying on the floor. "Yeah, um, could you spare me something? Heh, before they see me..." The blanket was the only thing seperating her and total humiliation.

Mizuki:

"No problem" Mizuki said smiling. "First we should purchase them.. As of now these cloths and my arrows are the only things I have." Mizuki extended her hand for Tora to grab and get up. Tora got up clumsily since the curtain wasn't properly covering her.

"We should do some spending first anyway...hey" Mizuki noticed the paper in Tora's hand. "What is that?"

Sakura:

"First we should purchase them."

Tora gave Mizuki a blank stare. Walking around town with only a curtain to cover here was not something she wanted to do.

Although flashing people would be funny. Death by indecency. But she pushed it out of her mind.

"What is that?" Mizuki said, indicated the paper.

"Oh this, its probably what the innkeeper was holding." She gave it to Mizuki to read. Some of the men have gone home, others sat in exhaustion. Having a negetive two stamina, the running from the fire was the most exercise they've ever had. Their poor muscles will probably hurt tomorrow.

Not to far off, the Hepian police squad saw the rising smoke. They ordered thier horses to giddyup and rushed toward the scene.

(OOC: I just have to say guys... this rocks [im having lotsa fun])

Mizuki:

"This looks like a permission slip..." Mizuki said gazing at the paper. "Hey Soran! Is this a perrmission slip from the Queen?" She called Soran over and handed it to him. The place is a mess and any minute now she was waiting to be hauled up by her collar by the authorities. People she knew all too well.

Mizuki was getting anxious. She didn't want to meet those people again. "Lets hurry up here guys....." fear was evident in her voice. She remembered being warned that if she was ever caught by authorities again...she'd be hung no matter what. And she did not want to have the galloes[sp?] as her end at all.

Soran:

Soran did not need to look at the pass up close to know what it was. He had become well-acquainted with them during his years living in the woods near the border. That was a very useful thing to have. "We'll need this. It will make things much easier for us to get over the border."

He removed his trenchcoat and handed it to Tora. “It’s probably too big,” he said, turning away so she could change.

OOC: Yeah, this is great. And I love the tiger! He is really cool, has that psychotic badass-ness thing going on.

Sakura:

She put the trenchcoat on. It was big and dangled at her knees but it was enough for now. She looked at Rai, then at Mizuki, then at Soran. Thier time here was up.

"Theres nothing left. We better start making our way-"

"Freeze!" A man's voice said behind them. Weapons drawn, the police squad surrounded them. "Would you like to explain to us what the hell happened here?"

Burnt down building+half naked woman+tiger,wolf,small child= suspicious.

Mizuki:

'Oh no...' Mizuki thought fear racking thru her body. 'Maybe they wont recongize me! No... Hepian authorities don't forget anyone who was ever wanted by law.... damn I lost the game...' Mizuki tried to hid her face but someone already saw her.

"Well, well, isn't it the great re tired pirate Mizuki?" of the the men leered. "I thought you were locked up or dead but I guess we was wrong. Well now I'll be having the liberty or bringin' ya in now." Shackles were placed on her wrists. Her game of hide and seek was over, they won.

"Each on of 'em get's thrown into shackles until proven innocent." the man announced. "But not this one!" he pointed at Mizuki. "She is immediantly put on the noose!"

Soran:

“You’ve misunderstood. We’re here on official business for the queen. She’s granted us diplomatic immunity until we arrive at the Kirkon Outpost across the border,” Soran said, holding out the ticket Tora had found for the officer to see. “The pirate has been placed under my escort until I deliver her there.” He stared the policeman down sternly.

Emora Deen:

Toby stood in front of Rai and looked at them, snarling and growling. He wasn't about to let them cart her away not while he was alive and breathing. Rai looked around wondering what to do as some were closing in on her. What is it with people and picking on the little ones... "Leave me alone!" Rai said and began stepping backwards.

Mizuki:

"And so have you elf." the man said. "No matter what, Queen or not the pirate Mizuki get's thrown on the noose! She would have to be with child or the permenit guardian of one to be pardoned...."

'Well...I'm dead and gone..' Mizuki thought sarcatisicly. She wasn't with child and she wasn't even the permenit guardian of one.... 'wait... RAI!'

Soran:

“Well it’s convenient, then, that she is. This child is hers,” Soran said, taking Rai’s hand sternly to keep up the impression that these people were under his escort.

Soran frowned. He needed to smooth things over here. “By the way, I think there was a fire a few minutes ago in that inn. I heard the arsonist is still inside. Some people who ran out said he was the same one responsible for the serial burnings last year.”

Mizuki:

Mizuki's eyes glistened with happiness and hope. She was going to live! 'Thank you Soran.' she thought. If she said it they wouldn't have believed her, but with this perrmission slip in their hands and Rai, it worked out. She was going to live!

The shackles were regretfully taken off her wrists and she took one large step over to Soran's side smirking at the men who glared back. She wanted to kiss Soran, hug the man! But she didn't.... 1. He would've killed her and 2. ...that wouldn't look good now.

But even after that Tora screamed for them all to run and they did not knowing what the heck was happening. They reached the gates of Hepian and were out of view after.

After that Mizuki turned to Soran. "Thank you Soran." her voice was shaky, she thought she finally met her end there.... but she didn't, all because of him.


OOC: Last post for the night guys! Feel free to end the thread here and make one up at the Boarder if you want! But if you do make sure you PM me saying you did. thanks

OOC: thank Tora for making me fix it! Lol

Soran:

OOC: Goodnight Mizuki! Maybe we should try planning another time when we could all be on at once like this?

Sakura:

The gang walked away from the police with a huge relief. After shopping around for supplies, they began their adventure toward the border.

~~NEW THREAD AT THE BORDER~~

OOC: We'll make the thread but not do anything. Mizuki will be on tomorrow.