"Your guess is as good as mine." Cestria said. She had never heard the name before. Though she shouldn't expect to considering that she had only arrived in this city not long ago. Apparently the family was one of importance and she grieved for the loss of an important citizen. Cestria looked around at the crowd that had gathered in front of the now closed gates. People were in small groups some crying some only looking sullen. Cestria felt a little out of place but at least she was with someone she knew, well in a way. She hung close to Makaru as they stood in the back of the crowd. "Do you know who this man was?" Cestria asked Makaru. Several people in the crowd turned toward her with the look of shock on their face as if to ask 'How could you not know this man?' Cestria moved closer to Makaru and whispered her question again, this time in his ear. Makaru explained in a whisper that the man had been a figure in the army and one from a great family in this town. Cestria now understood the looks she had gotten earlier. She felt for the family's loss. Knowing exactly how it felt to loose one's family if only a member. Grief racked Cestria's body and for the first time since she had left the small harbor town she was from, a single tear fell down from her blue eyes. Quickly she tried to wipe it away, hoping Makaru wouldn't notice her weakness but as soon as one was wiped away another made it's path down her cheek. She would not let herself give into pity and cry, but the tears she could not stop.

Oh no!! I'm so sorry Makaru. I totally have been spelling your name incorrectly until I realized it today. Please forgive me, I have gone back and edited my posts that have your name in them and changed it to the correct spelling and in the future I will do my best to continue spelling your name correctly. *begs forgiveness*

~Fumetsu had began to settle in the palace. Everyone, except Fumetsu's grandfather, was standing. Fumetsu had his hands stagnant at his sides, keeping still by his grandfather, to offer company, and silent loyalty. 'Where is she...?' he whispered. His mind had been shrouded by the thoughts of his brother when he was still alive. A guard in full armor came into the main hall and began to speak, holding up a scroll: "I am pleased to announce that the arrival of Ikoma Koseki is complete." The guards opened the giant castle gates, then the doors. In walked a beautiful young woman of 17 years. She gave a light bow to the guards, and then approached her grandfather, near Fumetsu. She bowed, humbly, as Fumetsu had when he entered. Her grandfather stood up, slowly, and grabbed a sword from the floor. It had been lying on green silk, and the hilt was golden colored with brown and black lacing. The sheath was brown colored, with green and golden fabric and metals built into it. Holding the sword on both of his hands, he held it down to Koseki. "Rise... You have passed your gempukku. You are a samurai." Koseki rose in honor. She accepted her sowrd, and gave another bow to her grandfather. "I am most honored." Everyone had left the castle now, for the funeral was to be held in the courtyard, near the alleys. Peasants gathered in those alleys to see what was going on. There never were many peasants there, since the courtyard was only used for funerals and duels to regain the honor of the family. As they entered the courtyard, Fumetsu could hear feint cries of a young girl. They were coming frmo the alleyway. He could not stray from the ceremony, so he had waited untilt it was over. His grandfather, and others after him, continued to speak in the funeral... * About twenty minutes later, the ceremony had ended, and the casket had been closed. Most everyone, except for two gaurds at the gates and Koseki had left the courtyard. The guards stayed in thier palce, and Koseki had been admiring the flowers. While no one noticed, Fumetsu went near the alleyway where a young girl had been crying before when they entered the courtyard. "Hm... Hello?" His voice echoed. "Is everything all right...? I had overheard something... someone crying." Koseki rose from the flower bed and left the courtyard.~ -=}N{=-

Sorry for the delay, there have just been so many screwy computers in my way. What would make my day would be to use my secret weapon on some spam-bots in my RPG section!! :twisted: Er... our RPG section. Makaru seems to be doing just fine in a bar... Well, Business! ******************** ~Fumetsu could see that this girl had been truly sad, and maybe even embarrassed. He thought he had heard another voice earlier, but that must have been a traveler. "I..." His words could not come out. She was a commoner, lying in the alley, and he was a nobleman of war. "I must know... is something bothering you? You seem quite... depressed." He words flowed, as if to be concerned without any of the melodrama. "Wait... Hold that thought." The small gate that separated the alley and the castle courtyard had now been opened by Fumetsu. "It's cold out here... come... come inside, if you wish. We could talk then..." There was more behind this, and the castle's secrets, than had been shown by Fumetsu. His face had a trust look to it, showing only the part of him that shows when he becomes emotional: when he loses someone close to him. This side of him was rare, and almost opposite of his actual self. The wind blew, and it became slightly colder. His right eye and a small part of his right side of his face twitched, reminding him that this was not him...~ -=}N{=-

Alright you posted!!! Let's get this goin'!! This is a lot of fun you guys I really enjoy looking forward to reading your posts and moving on with the story. I never knew it could be sooo fun :). Can't wait to read more! Cestria looked up when the young man asked her to follow him into the castle. She could tell that he was noble born by his clothes and the air that hung about him. Yet something in his eyes told her she could trust him. And Cestria did want to trust him, behind the trust and concern in his eyes she could also see sadness and grief that his face would not betray. Cestria stood up and brushed herself off. If she was going into a castle it would not be with street muck all over her. But luckily it wasn't wet and so she didn't actually have much to worry about. "Just one minute." Cestria said and quickly walked back to the mouth of the alley. She looked around for Makaru in the crowd and new that by his shirt alone she would be able to pick him out. But there was no bright colors in the sea of gray and black that surrounded the area she had left him in. She felt extreemly guilty for running away and felt even more foolish for her pride getting in the way. If she had just stayed he might have understood but now she might not ever know and she might not get another chance to see him again. But it was getting cold and her new companion waited patiently at the end of the alley for her. She turned around and returned to the young man standing there holding the gate open. "All right." She said in a mere whisper. But he seemed to have heard her and led her into the area surrounding the castle. Cestria had never seen a castle but from afar before and even in the dim light of the setting sun it was enough to take her breath away. The large castle lay in the center of a large piece of land and somehow it seemed both foreboding and comforting at the same time. The strong walls and presence of the guard seemed to make the castle look all the more protecting. Cestria followed the young man as he led her across the field toward the rear of the castle after nodding to the broad statured guard at the gate. "I don't even know your name." Cestria said as they walked in complete silence. "Fumetsu." Was all he answered and continued walking just slightly in front of her. His face was a war of emotions fighting against each other. Cestria followed quietly.

Please do refrain from making my character perform actions. I know it makes the story kind of run a bit slow when you try and post a lot without moving everything too fast, but try and stay out of mind control. No biggie, you pretty much did what I was to do. ******************** ~As they walked into the Japanese castle, many corridors of rice-paper walls had been shut, and they all had looked the same. Fumetsu, never being in the castle before, did not know his way, but he followed the sounds and smells, and was able to reach everyone room with a tact, keen instinct and precision. He slid one door open, which contatined guards, six, or seven, all in kimono's, not armor. "Men, ready the steam pools. We've a guest." The guards nodded and drew from their seats, and into several different room, eventually leading outside of the great castle. Fumetsu slid the door shut, and walked further on down the hall. Noticing the girl following him, he stopped at one door and turned around. "Go in here, there will be a wash room with a hot bath-spring and a kimono, compliments of the daimyo to all who reside in this castle." This is why the guards were to ready the hot water. He opened the door, and smiled, no longer drifting his mind into the darkness and cold thoughts. "But, we will speak... later."~ ******************** Yeah, sorry that my posts are so short. Once we get further into things, I'll be able to post more. It's kind of like a... jam. -=}N{=-

Sorry!! Ill try to be better. But your right it is hard to post without having the other character do something even if you think it's something minute. Well I'll do my best... :) Cestria had followed the young man through the corridor and into a large room with race paper walls. She had never been inside a castle and was in slight awe at the simplistic beauty that she found within the walls. Fumetsu had told her that the hot bath was beyond the door and a kimono as well. Though she had never worn a kimono in her life she was kind of excited to try one out. She had seen the beautiful women in her village wearing them and the different fabrics and colors depending on the seasons or celebrations that were going on. But Cestria's family was poor and never could afford the kimono and besides she had never thought she might like to wear one anyway. A bit fancy she had always thought. Cestria entered the hot bath and heard Fumetsu behind her tell her he would talk with her later. But her breath had been taken away by the hot bath she saw waiting for her arrival. The steam seemed to float on the top of the water like a fog over a valley. Cestria looked down at her dirty skin and clothes and immediatley felt out of place and disgusting. But the young lord had led her here right? So she shouldn't feel worried. Cestria began to undress and left her clothes in a dirty pile by the door. Her sword she took with her and set it down on the edge of the bath as she slid into the steaming water. Cestria hadn't know exactly how tense she had been over the past week until the water hit all the muscles and they began to relax. She worked out quite a few knots that had found their way into her shoulders and laid her head on the cool stone that surrounded the bath and closed her eyes. It had been too long since she had been able to take care of herself properly but revenge doesn't leave time for bathing and relaxing. Cestria heard a noise coming from the adjoining room and decided she needed to finish up quickly that maybe someone would be waiting to use the room as well. So she found the rough soap and quickly washed her pale skin until it had become the pearly white she had always known. It was amazing how dirty she had been. Well if my skin is this dirty my hair must be a mess, she thought to herself Cestria dunked her head under water using a little soap and cleaned it as well. When she came up her red hair seemed to glow now that it was clean. Hopefully the people who used the bath next wouldn't mind all the grime that was now in the water. Cestria shrugged and climbed out of the bath and onto the cool stone. Fumetsu had been right. A beautiful kimono awaited her set folded on a small table beside the rice paper door. Cestria grabbed her sword and made her way over to it. The beautiful light green kimono seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the hot bath. Along time ago a wise woman had told her that her color was light green but Cestria had never believed in the old stuff. She unfolded the layers of cloth as it fell it didn't make a sound. Around the bottom of the kimono were painted lotus flowers and ripples of water. Cestria thought that nothing she had seen in her entire life was as beautiful as the kimono she held in her hands right then. But there was one problem. She had no idea exactly how she was suppossed to wear this, how was it supposed to stay on? "Would you like some assistance my lady?" Asked a female voice. Cestria startled turned around to find a beautiful young woman with starlting brown eyes waiting for her answer. "Oh yes please" Had she been called a lady? No one had ever used that term with her before. It felt awkward. The woman made quick work of the kimono and soon Cestria was dressed again. With her sword in her hand, since there was no where on this beautiful kimono to put it she stepped back into the room she had come from. The woman had told her that her old clothes would be seen to and returned and to wait in the room beyond. Cestria sat down on the mats, leaning against the walls and closed her eyes, waiting for Fumetsu to return.

~Fumetsu had heard her begin to bathe as he continued walking down the hall. He only walked three or four rooms down before enetering another room. The door slid open, with a shifting sound. Around a table with a map postered on it sat four men, all in dark armor colors. "We've secured the main branch of the security watch, but some of our guards have let the alleys give entrance to outsiders." Fumetsu spoke in a stern voice, and it was quite different than before. "In the courtyard? Impossible, we had guards lining the--" "You two guards at the door at the courtyard, which was nowhere close to the alley that streamed from there. We're lucky that it was a funeral this time, and not one of the propositions of the shogunite during that ceremony. Outsiders would carry away too mcuh information." Fumetsu sat down at the table and had show the men, on the map, where security faults were. "Here is the courtyard alleyway opening... Over here is the entrance to the castle, itself, where we had a break in last week. Luckily, it was me. You won't just get fired from this job if you fail us; you will be severed from the imperial line, and maybe killed. This castle is the reason for this war, remember." The guards only nodded, and gave a slight bow. Fumetsu left that room, and walked the other way down the hall, hearing the girl again, and some other woman. It was no longer of his concern, until later. As he passed the doors, he stopped and did not even turn to face the door. It opened, and a hand with a scroll popped out. Fumetsu took it, and stashed it in his kimono, and only nodded. He continued down the hall, and swiftly entered a room with two sliding doors. He had entered his own room. Upon entrance was a weapon rack, where his katana and wakizashi have been set just now. He undressed, leaving his kimono and all in a pile on the floor, and passed all that resided in the room, into an extension of the room. This was his own personal wash room, where there was another hot bath. He stepped in and fell asleep, only for a minute, and dreamt... He heard his mothers voice, and a blade had swiftly come up to his neck. The voice told him, "Run..." but the hand with the blade was not his mothers. He awoke, immediately, taking heavy breaths! This would be the last time that he would sleep in a long time. As he brought himself out of the water, he dried off with a towel. He opened a small sliding door in the wall, a shelf, and pulled out a navy blue and white kimono. As he dressed himself and tied his kimono, he took his hair out of his pony tail, and let it flow down to the middle of his back, sleak and dark as it was. Fumetsu arose, once again, and walked back into his main room. He shut his eyes, and sat on one of the mats. A sudden knock came at the door. "Yes...?" A guard spoke. "Sir, should we have the girl escorted to you?" Fumetsu slightly smiled as he spoke, "Yes, please..." And his smile wore off with a few seconds time. The guards seemed to have stepped away, and down the hall. The same guard that spoke to Fumetsu had knocked on the door and spoke. "Fumetsu-sama wishes to see you. Do not rush, though, take oyur time. When you are ready, we will escort you to his quarters." Fumetsu moved to the table in the middle of the room, and had set tea a two cups for the both of them, not to beignto drink until the arrival of the girl.~ -=}N{=-

Looks like I'm in this on my own... ******************** Makaru knelt down in one of the corners of the pub. The man in the orange tunic, the leader as makaru gathered, was in the back of the tavern. No doubt concocting a 'deal' with the proprieter of the establishment. A tight knot in a rope kept his hands bound together, which draped in front of his waist. If you think this is going to keep me down, you're wrong, fellows. One of the guard bandits walked walked by and kicked Makaru roughly. Makaru smiled and jumped to his feet. Before the robber could unsheath his weapon, Makaru jumped and kicked him in the chest. He fell backward and into a fire pit. It was a shame, as the fire wasn't lit. The clamor attracted the attention of the other guards. The tallest of them palmed his cleaver and ran to strike Makaru. He swiped his weapon, missing Makaru's hands by a narrow margin. But it did manage to catch the ropes binding him. The weapon still tangled, Makaru kickflipped off of the tavern wall and over the man's head. The force managed to rip the ropes, setting Makaru free. The man with the cleaver turned again to strike Makaru, but only saw his foot as it struck him in the face. He dropped like a sack of rice on top of the man in the fire pit. The Cleaver dropped to the floor, and the other Four men rushed to tackle him again. But they were more likely going to kill Makaru this time. Makaru picked up the cleaver and turned the handle to the mob. They may be murderers, but Makaru sure as hell wasn't. In a manner of maneouvers much too awesome for a single post to do any justice, Makaru defeated four of the men, who now lay unconcious in a pile on top of the other two men. He turned to face the last member, but saw him escaping into the back of the room. He looked at everyone else in the tavern, still shocked from being held captive and stolen from. Makaru yelled for them to escape, and as they ran from the room in a hurried panic, Makaru retreated to the back to face the last man and leader. As he walked into the kitchen, he saw the owner of the tavern lying on the ground. A fresh wound in his head bled mildly. He whispered something about the two men escaping through the back door, and how he had sent for help. Makaru turned to look back into the main room and saw about five guards, similar to the ones that had been at the funeral earlier. He looked down at the keeper, and he felt guilt for what he was about to do. He left the man on the ground, hoping that the guards would know what to do. ********** Makaru burst through the back entrance. He scanned the crowd and he saw the man in the orange tunic and started to follow him, making sure not to be seen by him or the last bandit. As he persued the two down through the town, he noticed they were no longer rushing, and had been joined by a few of the guards he had seen from the kitchen of the tavern. He thought that they would be arrested, but as he watched, it appeared they were being escorted. Night was falling, but Makaru was curious to see what they were up to. He continued to follow them until they were at the outskirts of the town. As the slow chase continued, Makaru noted where they were going to. He recognized the road, the snow on the gorund, the tree he had been in earlier, and especially the mansion. Whoever these men were, they worked for the vassal of this land. Makaru hid behind the same tree he had been sitting in earlier as the gang of men walked through the front entrance. Makaru noted the low ammount of guards. As strange as it was, he decided to take advantage of it. He walke to the same door and opened it up. But before he could walk through, he was grabbed roughly by the shoulder, and he heard a rough voice ask him, "And where do you think you're going?"

~Fumetsu closed his eyes once more. "You're here... Place your sword on the rack to your right." Across from Fumetsu was a seat at the table that did not have any chairs, but was a table low to the ground. Instead of a chair, it was a small pillow on a mat. "Please, have a seat..." Fumetsu opened his eyes. "Those tears, back at the funeral... they were not tears of your own, but tears of the death of another. I could recognize the emotion..." Fumetsu spoke, but could not find the point he was trying to dwell on. A guard stormed into the room "Sir the assassins are here! The town is burning, the peasants and other citizens are--" "I know... Now leave me." Fumetsu spoke almost agrily at the many. "Y... yes, sir...!" Fumetsu poured the tea into both cups. "When I heard you in the alley, crying, I thought that I shouldn't have said anything. But, when I came to you, I realized I did the right thing. Your emotions then could have easily been broken when the assassins came if you were in danger. I knew I could not save all of the town's people, not even half of them. One thing I knew I had to do was save myself. By saving you, I had redeemed my sanity, because I really thought I had been going insane. Doing something pre-emptive to saving a life would prove my sanity. I had already lost one thing, my brother, and I wasn't about to lose my mind. Your presence is not only reassuring myself, but... Well, you don't care, do you?" Fumetsu had thoguht he sounded like a jerk. "I was not using you, because I felt a sort of pain in your eyes, and I still do. But even now, we are not alone. The assassins will start in the castle once itis darker, tonight." Fumetsu now looked up, "We have guards in this castle, 2,000 strong, plus me, and my older sister. You are safe here. But... are you familiar with the shogunite? They are an elite group of imperial government military that work for the shogun. The shogun is the emperor's military leader. They are the ones who sent the assassins..."~ ******************** This is much better than reading a book. -=}N{=-

Upon entering the room, Fumetsu had suggested she put her sword on the rack where his own stood. She was reluctant to be without it but thought he would take insult if she brought it to the table. So she leaned her sword against the smooth wood of the weapons rack and made her way slowly to the table. She lowered herself down onto the soft cushion infront of the table across from Fumetsu. "Those tears, back at the funeral... they were not tears of your own, but tears of the death of another. I could recognize the emotion..." Fumetsu spoke. Cestria looked up at the young mans face. He must have known the man who died she thought. Cestria didn't really know what to say. She nodded slightly and looked down at her empty tea cup. She wasn't sure if she should trust this man or not. He had taken her from the alley, a commoner and covered in dirt to this castle and so far had treated her kindly but she wondered if there was a underlying reason. Cestria thought about asking him about the man who had died and if and how he knew him. But as she opened her mouth to begin the door slid back with force and the burly guard from before barrelled into the room. Cestria was shocked when he informed his lord quickly about a infiltration of assassins hitting the city and heading for the castle. But Fumetsu grew angry and dismissed his guard before he had time to give a full report. The man looked shocked at his dismissal but left mumbling as he slid the door shut. Fumetsu poured tea in both their cups and continued as if he had never been interupted. He began to tell her why he had brought her here. He explained that he had felt like he was loosing his grip on sanity and somehow she had been the last key to keep his mind together. That by saving her his sanity had remained intact. But Cestria had no idea how she played such a role in a man's life that she had just met. He explained how he had just lost his brother and wasn't about to give his mind up as well. That's it! Thought Cestria it was his brother who had passed. Now she understood exactly why he had felt pity towards her, he understood exactly the loss one feels at the death of a loved one. "Your presence is not only reassuring myself, but... Well, you don't care, do you?" Cestria looked up from her tea cup as he said this. Because he seemed not to understand. Somehow in the deepest part of her soul she did care. She longed to be able to share these horrible feelings with someone who understood the pain of loosing someone dear. She had hoped to share these with Makaru but not knowing exactly where he was and having gotten seperated when her pride got the best of her she hadn't gotten the chance. Fumetsu broke into her thoughts as he informed her that the assassins would be storming the castle around dark but that she was safer in the castle than in the city. Her heart went out to Makaru. Would he be killed? Would he die on the streets never knowing what had hit him? She had longed to thank him properly for the help he had given her but with the funeral and everything else she really hadn't had much of a chance. Or maybe it was just that she hadn't taken the chance, but none the less she hoped he would live. "I appreciate your concern." Cestria said quietly and for the first time since sitting down looked Fumetsu in the eyes. She didn't care about the proper way men and women treated each other in noble situations, the fact was she wasn't noble, and this is who she is. "Will you fight?" she asked concern showing on her face for her companion. ****** Yes I am truly enjoying this RPG it's like writing a book but with friends and it makes for interesting story plots and twists. How fun!

Oh no... This one's not dying yet... Not on my watch... ******************** Makaru felt the hand on his shoulder. He wasn't sure what he had in mind, but he also wasn't tempted to find out. He lunged downward and rammed his elbow into the stomach of the man behind him. He stood back up and bust through the palace door, barely hearing the man behind him croak out a warning to any other guards. Makaru ran through the halls of the mansion, unaware of where to go. He heard the shouting of a few guards behind him, and the clamor of many pounds of armour waiting to kill him. He continued to run until he saw that his pathway was blocked by two armoured men up ahead. To his right, he saw a partition leading to the main grounds outside. Without thinking he dashed through. Makaru's heart pounded as he ran from one side of the courtyard to the other. From the sides, like waves, came an onslaught of more and more guards. Wherever these extra guards were coming from, they were coming fast. Three in particular were blocking his path ahead. He saw a rake and picked it up. He slammed the end of it into the ground near the guard's feet, projected his weight into the end of the rake and sailed up and over the guards. He continued to run until he saw another partition leading back into the mansion. Unthinking, he darted back into the building. As soon as he got in, he slammed the door and moved a chair and positioned it to keep hte door from being opened again. Panting at the few short moments, he heaved a sigh of relief. He heard a gasp from behind, and his blood ran cold. He turned around to see a man dressed in a formal, blue Kimono. He was sitting at a table, and looked like he had finished a small meal. Across from the table was a rather stiking young maiden. She wore a bright and colourful kimono, and her brown hair was reflecting the faint light of the room. He didn't recognize her until he saw the blood red sword leaing against the wall. "C...Cestria?" ******************** Oh, and I do believe that makes 100.