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Post by Kelathi on Jan 18, 2019 1:35:44 GMT
Kasumi welcomed the change of topic gladly. “I’ve been away for a few days, I was just stocking up on supplies.” Glancing at the bag at her feet, she chuckled. “I didn’t get very far, though. I don’t normally do my shopping when there’s so many people about, but…” She shrugged. “It’s nice to have a change sometimes. What about you?” For the moment, she seemed to have forgotten her suspicions that Ryo was Kitsune, distracted by the conversation at hand.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 18, 2019 4:36:15 GMT
He was grateful that she was happy to keep talking, convinced that he had ended the conversation with his very different response. Of course, he remembered her and that day. He just… never really thought he’d see her again. Being confronted with someone of his own past had caught him off guard, and it had brought back flashes he had tried so hard to repress. Usually, his withdrawal was enough to end an interaction, no matter how simple.
But Kasumi stayed, even offered a way to carry on. She still wanted to be there. That alone calmed him.
As she spoke, his shoulders began to relax a little, his eyes remaining on her rather than flickering back and forth. About to ask where she had gone, she traded the conversation back, but the most important sign he had finally started to settle in her presence was the way he rolled with the change. “Well… I’ve been busy with work, lately. So I said I’d take Naoki out. Like you said, for a change. Just… didn’t realize it’d be on a market day…” he noted with a slightly less than pleased glance around them at the crowds. The expression settled again, however, as he added, “I’m glad we came today, though.” Then, with a glance at Kasumi and a bit of a blush, quickly noted, “For… y’know…”
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 18, 2019 16:40:01 GMT
Things seemed to have eased again with the change of topic. The more he spoke, the surer she was that he was genuine in the way he acted. If he had initially just approached to find out more about Karyuudo, it was clear that that was no longer at the forefront of his mind. She found it flattering that this seemed to be the case, but had to admit that she was also enjoying herself. His words evidently pleased her, nudging him playfully with her shoulder. “I’m glad, too.” She replied.
***
Tea finished, they had decided to take a walk to find somewhere a little less crowded with people. They settled upon a street on the outskirts of the reach of the market, here, carts were able to trundle about happily without the steady press of people. Being this far into the traditional part of the city meant that cars were few and far between, wooden carts being much more prevalent, and in general moving at just faster than walking pace. The smell of food had drawn them to a street-side vendor selling dango, sweet and salty dumplings served on a skewer; and now they were walking besides each other, eating and chatting, more at ease with each other now they had spoken more, if still a little awkward at times.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 19, 2019 3:25:56 GMT
Her reply increased his blush, but he had managed an awkward smile a few moments later.
Any thought of asking Kasumi about the Karyuudo had evaporated since realizing that they might have once known each other, and part of him regretted having pushed that memory aside with the rest. While the conversation sometimes stalled and grew awkward again, they had managed to keep it going.
It had been some time since Ryo had enjoyed himself as much, once he settled into the rhythm of their impromptu date. He had insisted on paying for everything, and as they walked past the carts he kept himself between the street and her. The only shift in this was as they crossed the street, and everything seemed as usual. As they passed behind a parked cart, however, it suddenly shifted back, trying to roll down the hill before the owner could stop it. The event itself had been small, but instinct had kicked in before reason.
Ryo happened to look over just as the cart moved, and might have hit Kasumi. Without thinking, he pulled her in as he went to grab her, not quite putting her down from holding her waist as they stood just a few feet from where they had started. It had been a flash, noticeable only in that they were no longer behind the cart when it stopped where they had been not a second before. Ryo didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary with the sudden jump, instead watching the scene resolve itself for a few moments.
“You ok?” he asked, pausing when he realized how close they were, his arms letting go but not moving away.
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Post by Kelathi on Jan 19, 2019 22:01:47 GMT
Distracted by him as she was, she didn’t notice the cart rolling towards her. Missing things like that was not something she could afford to do when Karyuudo, and the fact that she had was grounding. This feeling of dropping very quickly from the clouds and down to Earth was further amplified when she realised exactly how they had avoided the cart. One moment they had been talking, the next his arms had been around her, and then they were safely besides it. If she hadn’t already known about his ability she might have thought she’d just missed the few seconds it took to get out of the way, as that would be the most logical explanation. It was such a small leap after all, but knowing what she knew, she was sure beyond a doubt exactly what had transpired. It was the last part of the puzzle, the last clue to slide into place. Now there could be no doubt.
She had indeed, roped her enemy into a date.
“I’m fine… thank you.” She needed to leave. She needed to re-order her thoughts. Yuudai had told her to speak to Kitsune, but she needed to do that as Karyuudo, not as Kasumi, lest she reveal her identity. “But, on that note, I should probably be going.” She smiled apologetically, scrambling to explain, “It’s… getting later that I intended.” Despite the real reason for her sudden departure, and her attempts to get her mind back on what was really important, she found she couldn’t just leave without smoothing things over. She hadn't merely been playing a part, she had enjoyed his company, and even if she wouldn't admit it to herself... she had felt the beginning sparks of attraction. “I really enjoyed myself today.” The words were said a little quieter, it was her turn now to be hit with the bout of shyness.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Jan 21, 2019 16:30:15 GMT
Ryo’s gaze dropped at Kasumi’s words, moving back and looking a little crestfallen. Surely getting too close had been the problem…? “Right,” he began replying, but paused at her quiet words, looking - not for the first time - genuinely surprised at her continuing interest.
“Y-yeah, me too,” he replied, the ghost of a smile dancing on his lips. “I… hope we can… can do this… again…” he added, a little awkward but for once, forward without being prompted.
Ryo was too busy watching Kasumi walking away to notice his brother sidle up next to him, his gaze bouncing between the two until Kasumi was out of sight. His words made Ryo visibly jump, glaring at Naoki for the very intentional start. “Smooth moves on rescuing the damsel.”
“Oh, shut up…” he muttered with a blush, Naoki laughing. “Oh come on, like you didn’t like getting that close…”
The laugh grew a little nervous due to the look the elder shot at the younger, and a few moments later both were running down the street laughing.
---
It was a few nights later, and like a ghost, Kitsune raced across the rooftops. While there was still that rebellious, reckless streak in him that threw him forward, catching himself by skill and ability, for several days he had reclaimed the sense of freedom such wildness offered. Appearing over the edge of one building and rolling back into a run, he’d jump off and hover in the air for those glorious moments before gravity started taking over, and then he’d disappear again, always making progress forward.
Whether or not he’d admit it, his old sense of adventure would return occasionally after his afternoon out with Kasumi. Instead, he’d say it was perhaps because he’d brought in two would-be robbers to the police, or because training was going well. But Naoki knew him better than that. And he had been using Ryo’s lighter mood to convince him to break off his partnership with the powerful Arashi.
Kitsune knew better than to simply cut ties as Naoki wanted, however; Arashi was a dangerous man, and he worked for the most dangerous man in the country, if not farther. He had never failed the bear, but he feared doing just that. If it had been just him, it wouldn’t be so worrying, as his reckless streak was never fully tamed from his year living on the streets. But knowing Naoki could be at risk kept certain impulses well in check.
But at Naoki’s insistence, Kitsune had spent the last few days trying to learn more about his “prey” and was slowly coming to the conclusion that things were a lot more complicated than he wanted to believe. Karyuudo had protected people from the menaces of the guards, had brought money and food to the poor. In the older parts of the town, he was more likely to hear praises being sung about the Great Hunter than curses against. As he’d travel towards the more affluent areas of the city, there was more concern that they’d be visited and thus more support thrown behind the emperor and his propaganda against Karyuudo.
Of course, his hunt for the lion had never been one for or against anyone; it had always been simply needing a cure for the Noroi. Other means had been exhausted, and Kitsune knew that Naoki’s inhibitor was not a permanent solution, no matter how he might act like it. Naoki had been pushing the idea that the Karyuudo, as much legend as reality, might have a new lead. Kitsune had learned to fear the sense of new hope at finding a solution, as so often it had led to dead ends. So he kept his options open, for fear of retribution should he not deliver the Karyuudo, and fear of leaving Naoki unprotected.
---
Hoodie up, a pocky stick in his mouth, Naoki hid in the shadow of a doorway, working on his phone but glancing up every few seconds to keep an eye on his surroundings. He was well practiced in this sort of multitasking, always pausing as soon as he heard something. It felt a little eerie to be out in the dark again, with the recent increase in the appearance of imperial guards patrolling the streets, but just like going to the festival, being out with his brother - or at least waiting for him - was like returning home.
When Ryo had first donned the Kitsune mantle, he was young and eager enough to want to know what it would be like, and so the two brothers had created a secret “tradition” where Kitsune would meet Naoki in the dark. He’d show the world from the impossible perches only his teleporting allowed, racing across the rooftops and watching over the city like a shadow in the moonlight. It was utterly thrilling for the teenager, and he looked forward to seeing the city like that again, always with his brother keeping a watchful eye.
Even so, Masahiro had trained Naoki well in self-defense. He knew to pause and pull the phone close when he heard some disturbance nearby, hiding the glow as he peered around the corner. In the mix of lampposts and darkness, all he could see was that someone was being harassed by two others. Initially, he pulled back, but thought of what Masahiro had taught him about self-defense, and what he would do in this sort of situation.
Then he thought about what Kitsune would do.
Pocketing the phone, and pulling the hood farther down to cast shadows on his face, he picked up a few rocks and, with well-practiced aim, threw them at the two attackers. One struck a shoulder, the other the back of a head. But when the two muggers turned around, just before Naoki could call out some heroic quip, he could now see the insignia on their chests. Imperial guards. Naoki’s eyes widened as he took a step back, the two men seeming to size up the teenager. In truth, Naoki did stand a fairly decent chance of defending himself against them, but with the imperial guards simple self-defense was not all that was involved, and he had nothing to protect his identity. For a few moments, everything seemed to still.
Naoki was running just a second before the two guards went after him.
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 4, 2019 23:55:20 GMT
Despite their armour, the guards were not easy to throw off once they had someone in their sights. Their wounded pride was enough for them to keep up the chase, and unfortunately, it wasn’t long before Naoki found himself facing a dead-end and with nowhere to run. Drawing to a halt, the guards seemed un-phased to find that the perpetrator, judging by his build and stature, was no more than a teenager, even if his face was hidden. They approached slowly now, confident in their position of having the upper hand, and as their reputation, they seemed inclined to take the moment to teach the rebel a lesson before letting him go. “You just assaulted an imperial guard.” The closest man growled, pushing Naoki roughly in the chest so that he stumbled back a few paces. The second reached forward and grabbed the scruff of his jumper’s collar, drawing him to himself and lifting him an inch off the ground. “Do you know what that means, boy?”
Karyuudo moved quickly, and her actions resulted in the first guard crumpling to the ground with a stifled gurgle. The figure had seemed to appear as if from the sky, and in truth, she had indeed dropped from a nearby roof, straight onto the shoulders of the armoured man. Dazed, for the moment he merely lay on his back, winded. The second man loosed Naoki abruptly, spinning round, and on guard enough to whip his sword out as he did so. As he swung it, it met with Karyuudo’s own. A quick succession of strikes followed, each parried smartly, with Karyuudo falling back. It might have appeared that she was losing, but in truth, she was drawing the guard away from Naoki. By this time, the first guard had recovered enough to rise, circling round the fighting pair quickly, only to strike from behind. Karyuudo twirled as if she sensed the blade behind whistling towards her, ducking as she did so, the blades of the two men meeting instead. Taking advantage of the momentary confusion, she whipped her leg out, using the momentum to spin round and take the legs out from under the first guard. As he fell, Kasumi returned her attention to the second, parrying his attacks quicker than before without the distraction of having to draw the men away from Naoki, and as the man’s sword narrowly missed her side, she spun round and sliced her own against his arm. Crying out, he dropped his weapon abruptly, but instead of capitalising on this and finishing him, she whipped round towards the guard she had taken the legs out from under, and suddenly her sword was at his neck, pausing a hairs-breadth before the vulnerable flesh. The man immediately halted, lest he cut himself on her blade, but sword still clutched tightly in his hand. “Lose it.” That mechanical drawl rumbled through the air, and the man needed no further instruction, letting the sword fall. Karyuudo kicked it away, before speaking again. “Leave now, and you will both be spared.” Then, slowly, her sword withdrew from the man’s neck.
There was a pause as the two considered, but then upon decided their lives were worth more that their loyalty to the emperor, they soon scarpered off into the night, now void of their weapons.
Karyuudo turned to Naoki then, taking a few strides towards him. “Are you hurt?” The words came out as a fierce growl, but it was clear both in how she had protected him and how the sword was lowered that she had no intention of harming him.
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Feb 5, 2019 0:30:52 GMT
Crap crap crap crap crap “Oh crap…”
Naoki skidded to a halt as he realized he must have taken a wrong turn, finding not an alleyway with a fence he could scale much more quickly than two men in armor, but a dead end. He turned to see the two guards approaching slowly, his heart racing as if about to burst from his chest. He let them get close, hoping that they’d be overconfident enough to give him a chance to slip past, but then one had hauled him up, not quite revealing his face as he struggled. Silently, he was berating himself for getting involved so quickly, and for not having a better escape route waiting. He knew pleading would get him nowhere with imperial guards.
Suddenly, he wasn’t the only one they had to contend with, and he was unceremoniously dropped. Scrambling to a safer distance, unfortunately closer to the dead end, he finally looked to see who was defending him. At first he thought it was his brother, but the mask and different outfit quickly solved the riddle of who. And it was his grandfather’s approval that seemed to answer why.
By the time the two guards had run off, Naoki’s expression was just a little starstruck at being rescued by the mighty Karyuudo himself, he standing as the hunter approached. Naoki cringed a little at the voice initially, now fully aware how intimidating it could sound, but he nodded with a growing smile. “No, I’m-I’m fine,” he replied, and was about to ask something else. About to, as he suddenly vanished. The only indication of how was the flash of light against a glass-fronted helmet.
At the other end of the alleyway Naoki’s protest could be heard almost immediately, even as Kitsune’s sword was now perilously close to the Karyuudo’s neck, almost as close as the hunter’s own sword had been against the throat of the guard. Kitsune made no sound to accompany his threat, but was visibly tense, and in spite of his abilities, had placed himself directly between the Karyuudo and his brother, sword ready to flip back into action should the need arise.
The fact that he wasn’t already actively attacking meant something, however; he had been looking for Naoki in their chosen spot when he noticed the sound of a fight, seeing two imperial guards running and Karyuudo mere paces from Naoki. He knew something had happened… what, he dreaded to think. Naoki, meanwhile, stared at the pair, eyes wide with concern and fear, shocked at the sudden turn of events.
In the moments of stillness, however, Kitsune finally spoke, pushing the sword just a little closer. “Stay away from the Akiyama family,” he growled, softly, but with malice. His gaze didn’t leave the Karyuudo even as Naoki’s own voice cut in, finally running forward until he had rejoined them. “Wait, Kitsune, Kar- he saved me. He helped me!” Naoki argued, clearly worried when the helmet didn’t shift to show his gaze moving elsewhere, still focused on keeping the Karyuudo at bay. But he also curbed his words, not wanting to attract any more imperial attention by uttering the word Karyuudo.
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 5, 2019 0:44:54 GMT
It was impossible to know where Kitsune was going to appear from, so it was with ease that he suddenly had his blade to her throat. She hadn’t moved, hadn’t even flinched, bur rather frozen as he had re-appeared. At his words, the metal of his blade pressed gently against her neck, only the thin fabric of clothing between the sharp edge and her skin, and in response her chin had raised a little with the motion. She was bemused to find that she was now on the receiving end of an action she had only moments before subjected a guard to. She wasn’t sure whether it was Naoki’s words that gave Kitsune pause, or whether he had no intention of killing her in the first place. It did seem strange, he could have easily slit her throat and cut out this exchange altogether, but instead, he seemed intent on warning her to stay away.
What did he want with her, then? Why bother with this?
“I haven’t seen you in a while.” The voice almost purred, the mechanical sounds of her tone echoing off the intricate metalwork inside sounding jarring this close up. “I had hoped your absence might mean you’d had time to figure out that you are fighting for the wrong side.”
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Feb 5, 2019 1:29:01 GMT
Kitsune was clearly taken aback by Karyuudo’s words, the sword slowly being withdrawn at the mention of fighting for the wrong side. Naoki tried to hide his expression, grateful to hear the Karyuudo speak in such a manner. So he’d been right! Grandfather had been right! Kitsune, however, needed more than that.
“I’m on no side,” he countered, still defensive, and still keeping himself between Naoki and the great hunter. Still didn’t explain why he was hunting the Karyuudo, but the growl this time indicated that he certainly didn’t see himself on the emperor’s side at the mere suggestion that he was.
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 5, 2019 1:41:23 GMT
Her words had gotten the hoped-for response, Karyuudo breathing a little easier as the blade pulled away. It wasn’t lowered completely, but far enough for her to be able to bring her own sword up to hit it away suddenly, should she need to. His words that followed, however, were not as she had expected.
“Then why are we fighting?” Came her question, the one she had been asking herself since her talk with Yuudai, unbeknownst to her that Kitsune had been asking himself that very same question…
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Feb 5, 2019 1:54:54 GMT
Naoki looked to Kitsune at the question, hoping his brother would take it seriously. He was, weighing his options, weighing everything he knew about the Karyuudo from legend, from word of mouth… everything that seemed to say that the Karyuudo was not the enemy.
“Because the Emperor wants you,” he finally replied, sounding bitter. The reason soon became clear. “And the Emperor is the best chance of finding a cure for Noroi.”
Standing strong as he was, no shake, no crushing pain bringing him to his knees… Kitsune’s words indicated he was looking for someone else. Those who suffered from Noroi were either begging for death, or on inhibitors that dulled every sense, not just pain. Only because Naoki was smart and determined had he found a way to modify an inhibitor to block just the pain. His tampering was technically illegal; no one else had the technology. It was a safe bet that Karyuudo wouldn’t suspect it was a search for a cure for himself, while still revealing just enough to prove what might push a man into helping the Emperor.
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 5, 2019 17:24:44 GMT
Noroi… a disease as legendary as Karyuudo itself.
So, someone who Kitsune… or Ryo, cared about, was suffering from it, and the Emperor had promised him a cure in exchange for the capture of Karyuudo. It was no small ask, but if there was anyone that could complete the deed, it would be Kitsune. All this explained why he had not yet killed her even when he had had the perfect opportunity to a moment ago. But the fact that he was stopping to talk rather than just initiating a fight indicated some hesitation. It was clear that despite his desperation, Kitsune was conflicted. She remembered Yuudai’s words- she needed to get him on her side; the Emperor was far too powerful for her to take down on her own.
“And you trust in his word?” She challenged, unable to help herself. She heard a noise then, one she was all too familiar with… her head turned to the side slightly as she listened, and she was able to pick out more clearly the unmistakeable sound of running feet and the clink of armour. The Imperial guards were returning with backup.
“You don’t want to fight me.” She spoke suddenly, turning her full attention back to Kitsune. It wasn’t a jibe, or even a challenge, merely an observation based on his actions thus far. “You are not like them, I can see that. I think our motivations are more aligned than you may think.”
The footsteps were getting closer. She took a half-step back, ready to flee, but needing to say what must be said.
“Join with me, and I will provide you with a cure.” She was fully aware that it was her word against the Emperor's, and she had no way of convincing him that hers was worth more. It would be completely down to him. If she tried to leave now, would he stop her? She took another half-step back, noting how he had yet to stop her, evidently thinking on her words. She had no intention on fighting the group of guards that would be rounding the corner, preferring to evade unless her presence was needed. “I have to leave. If you try to stop me, I will assume you have chosen your side. If not… then think on it, and I’m sure your answer will be clear the next time we meet.”
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Post by Red Irish Dragon on Feb 5, 2019 19:30:47 GMT
Kitsune’s uncomfortable shift at her challenge of trusting the emperor, finally lowering his sword arm, was answer enough. No, he didn’t trust the emperor. Only from desperation had he tried to make a deal with Arashi, thinking his other options depleted. A tilt of his helmet showed his attention was also drawn to the sound of incoming guards, more concerned for Naoki’s sake as the teenager hovered, unsure where to go.
Karyuudo’s words initially made Kitsune tense, but the tone was wrong for a challenge. He felt an edge of fear at the hunter’s words, in part from the question of “whose side” he was on, but also from the idea of being forced to take a side. Were Kitsune and Karyuudo on the same side? Were they supposed to be? That had always seemed to be Masahiro’s feelings, defending Karyuudo against any propaganda from the media. Two sides of the same coin, he would say.
At the promise of a cure, however, Kitsune’s attention clearly snapped back in full, Karyuudo managing to answer a question before it was asked. Why else had he approached Kasumi in the market, but to test this connection? This possibility? Kitsune took one step towards Karyuudo as he retreated, as if intent on stopping him not for the guards, but for the cure. Instead of attempting anything, however, Kitsune shook his head for a moment, letting the trickster’s playful quip return as he sheathed the sword behind his back.
“If I was going to stop you, I would have already,” he boasted with a tone that was not quite mocking, not quite teasing. Punctuating these words, he quickly teleported to the teenager’s side, voicing a simple, “Let’s get you home,” before disappearing from sight altogether to distance himself. He had already warned Karyuudo from going after the Akiyama family, so it was logical to assume such a ruse might work.
If only Karyuudo didn’t already know who was under the mask.
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Post by Kelathi on Feb 5, 2019 23:33:44 GMT
Unseen, of course, a small smile twitched onto her lips at his parting words. Then, as quickly as they had disappeared, she was gone too.
It would be around a week before she would meet him again, although not as Karyuudo.
***
Kasumi had finally set apart the time to summon the Seven, and the ceremony had left her drained both in spirit and body. It had been a moonless night, and she had sat upon the smooth stone slab atop the hill besides her old home. In the warm orange glow of candle-light she had taken the knife, and slit from her wrist down across her palm to the crease of her index finger. A line of red had followed, running down her arm and dripping into the clay bowl before her. And in that moment, as she uttered the words, she saw their spectral forms appear before her, swords in hand as they faded in and out of her vision, slaying thousands of others across the ages until... She awoke to the dawn, arm clutched tightly to her chest. When she finally had the energy to pick herself back up, she bound her wound, noting that, as always, there was no trace of her blood in the bowl. But now… they were with her. She could sense their presence, even when she could not see them, and she knew they would come when she needed them.
But now she was weak, and there was nothing she could do but wait until she healed up some before donning the Karyuudo mask again. It was the waiting part that frustrated her the most, often so eager to get back out on the streets that she was liable to disregard her own safety. But, for this time at least, she took advice from Yuudai, advice he had always tried to drill into her whenever she had tried to run before she could walk. Good things come to those who wait.
Except, perhaps, today.
“I don’t have anything to tell you.”
The guards had been doing their rounds, cornering people in the streets, intimidating them and asking for any news on Karyuudo. Of course, this was all done within the old part of town, where morale for the masked vigilante was high. Whether they were actually trying to find out information, were just there to intimidate the people, or to draw Karyuudo out, was unclear, but thus far they had learnt nothing other than rumours of sightings. Their actions had brought them to the edge of the ruins, where occupied houses were sparse and creeping ivy and other greenery ruled, and just as they were about to turn back they had caught sight of Kasumi.
“No?” The first guard taunted, “No claims of seeing the great Karyuudo? I’ve heard many fantastical things today, apparently he can fly.” A chuckle ran through the group at his words, and Kasumi forced herself not to react, despite the overwhelming urge to punch the man in the face if only to stop him from talking. Unfortunately, the men were frustrated with the lack of information they had managed to garner so far, and were in the mood to taunt and tease, which meant that they showed no signs of leaving soon. They had surrounded her easily, for to run would only cause suspicion and a chase, her best bet was to just ride this through. “I don’t care for rumour.” Kasumi merely replied, through gritted teeth. “That’s good.” A second guard replied, stepping forwards. “We aren’t here for rumour, we want facts. Have you seen the vigilante in this part of town? Do you know anything about him?”
“No, I haven’t, and no, I don’t.”
Suddenly, he reached forward and grabbed her wrist, pulling her forwards. The action would not have caused her reason to pause, knowing that the guards were all bluff and intimidation, had it not been her injured wrist that he now gripped. A cry pulled from her lips at the sudden pain reverberating through her arm, the feeling too sudden for her to stifle it. As the sleeve of her kimono dropped down, the guard looked momentarily surprised to see the bandage, but he didn’t loose, lifting her arm to show the others as he mocked her. “My, you really are a fragile flower, aren’t you? Did you do this picking herbs?”
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