Way of the Sword.

[Morgoth]

Matsumoto had anticipated the attack. His fan had already moved forward and deflected the katana, ninja-toh going for a quick killing move. Seki, too, had reacted. His bottle shot forward, aiming for Hinomori's head. The ronin had already fallen to the ground, both weapons missing him completely. His legs sweeped forward, making contact with Seki, who had dropped into a horse stance, rendering him largely immobile, but missing Matsumoto, who had leapt away. Cursing, Hinomori kicked upwards, foot catching Seki in the forehead, bowling him over. Wakizashi extended, Hinomori rolled forward, but a glancing blow from Seki's fist sent him reeling back, tripping over his own feet, and falling to the ground. He sprung up, glancing at the two. Without hesitation, he threw the katana at Seki, who deflected it, shattering the jar and sending the katana hurtling into the wall behind him. Hinomori sprinted forward, lightning fast, knocking Seki's hand away with the wakizashi, leaping into the air, flying cleanly over Seki, feet lashing out behind him in a vicious kick that caught Seki in his shoulders, launching him into the mat face first and Hinomori at the wall, where his hand found purchase on the hilt of his katana, the wakizashi stabbing into the wall next to the longer blade. Feet braced against the wall, Hinomiri proppeled himself from the wall straight at Matsumoto, sending himself into a twirl that made him a whirlwind of of wooden blades. Matsumoto, unable to block, was forced to duck, allowing Hinomori to straighten out and send his katana into the floor. As he hurtled through the air, the katana sped along the floor, both slowing the ronin down for a blanced descent and providing a new threat to Seki, who lay close by. Matsumoto was already by Seki's side, however, and used his ninja-toh to block the oncoming sword strike, destroying Hinomori's flight and turning it into a broken tumble on the floor. Seki rose, one hand still behind his back, and launched into a frenzied assault on Hinomori, Matsumoto right by him, blade and fan slashing, attempting to make contact. But Hinomori thwarted him at every turn, wakizashi and katana combo working expertly to turn away all attacks. But he had made his way all the way to the wall, and now found himself without anywhere to go. So he lunged forward, arms outstretched, catching both Seki and Matsumoto in the chest, knocking them flat. Glancing back, it was only then that Hinomori noticed the segmented staff behind Seki's back. He cursed under his breath, coming to a rolling landing at the far wall. Seki knew the act was over. The segmented staff was in the open now, Seki giving it a slight workout. Matsumoto and him both charged Hinomori, who waited until they were on either side leap straight up, throwing his wakizashi at Matsumoto, catching him in the shoulder, then undoing his belt in midair, wrapping it around his hand, lashing forward and whipping Seki in the face, sending both lurching away. When Hinomori landed, he dropped the belt, grabbed the wakizashi, gave both blades a slight twirl, then charging the other two. Seki was ready, short staff held out, ready to deliver a stinging rebuke. Matsumoto, too, had recovered, weapons at the ready. Hinomori caught them unprepared when he sent both blades twirling in a vicious figure-eight pattern before him, an impervious whirlwind that sent all of the weapons hurtling from it with its sheer intensity. Matsumoto and Seki both stared in shock as their arms were thrown back, and fell to the floor wheezing as Hinomori's weapons contacted with the chests of each.

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki rolled under Harada's training spear and attempted to counter with an reverse swing-back kick. Harada quickly set up his spear to block the kick, and push Hibiki off balance long enough to ram the back end into Hibiki's gut. The young samurai gave a small yell as he hit the ground on all fours, and yelled again as Harada slammed the middle of his training spear onto the lower back of Hibiki, sending him into the dirt.

Hibiki strugled to gather himself, and stand up. But as soon as Hibiki got to his hands and knees, Harada caught wind and kicked Hibiki in the gut with enough force to lift him a few inches off the ground.

"What a cheap shot," one of the trainies yelled. Others started to mumble in agreement.

"True," Okita started, still smiling that inocent smile, "it is a dirty tactic, but... When fighting for your life, honor is pretty much thrown out the dojo." Okita's eyes sharpened, and the inocent smile shifted into a serious look. 'Though... It seems Hibiki is a little... distracted.'

Hibiki gasped for air, blood slowly driped out of his mouth, showing sign of enternal bleeding. He pulled himself up and back into his odd stance, all the while Harada laughing. "Whats the matter?! I thought you said you wanted a real fight?!"

Hibiki didn't say anything. He just shot forward and swung both of his fist up. Harada swung left, ducked, and tried to move forward before he was caught by Hibiki's ax handle in the middle of his back, forcing him to exhale and fall into the dirt. Hibiki didn't want to let Sanosuke recover for even a second, so he slammed his foot into Harada's back, then kicked him in the side, forcefully rolling him over. Hibiki quickly streatched his arms, ripping the makeshift handcuffs and freeing his arms.

Harada quickly rolled ut of the way when he saw Hibiki attempt to slam his fist into his stomache. When he stood up Hibiki swung his right arm at him, Harada quickly lifted his staff to block the puch, then he lifted the other side when Hibiki swung his right fist.

Hibiki tricked Harada with a fake left kick, but when Harada moved to his right, Hibiki forcefully put his foot down, and with the energy the impact with the dirt made lifted his right, hitting Harada in his right side, full impact. Harada fell to one knee, trying to absorb as much of the hit as he could. But it also left him wide open for an attack. Hibiki lifted his right hand and swung down, at the same time Harada lifted his training spear and made an atempt to jab Hibiki in a spot he acidently left open, when;

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Both Hibiki and Harada stoped their attacks just before they made impact, and looked up at an impressed crowd. Which included Okita, Saito, Hijikata, and the commander of the Shisengumi himself, Kondou. "It was a good show boys," said Kondou while clapping. "But I'm afraid I have to interupt this impressive battle. We can't have two of our top fighters injured, now can we?"

"Agreed." Even Hijikata and Saito had somewhat impressed looks on their faces.

"Harada," Kondou started, "I need to talk to you and Hijikata about some defensive stratagy, so if you'll follow me..."

"Er... Right..." Harada stood up and brushed himself off. the followed Hijikata and Kondou. Hibiki wiped the blood from his lips, and started to walk torwards his room. "Oh! Hibiki!" Hibiki turned his head to see who was talking to him, and relized it was the lead cook Ayume. The second Ayu got a good look at Hibik's wounds, she gasped. "Hibiki! Are you okay?" She picked up a cloth and wiped the blood aboved Hibiki's eye, and the blood around his mouth. "What happened?"

Hibiki blushed slightly, Ayu was considered the beauty of the Shisengumi, though most of the man didn't even try to hit on her, on the count that Harada had absolutly the biggest crush on her, even if he didn't want to openly admit it. "I'm okay, really, I just got a little carried away in a spar with Harada, thats all..."

Ayu sighed. "That Harada! He could be such a ruffian at times..."

Hibiki almost slapped himself when Ayu said that. Honestly thought that Harada and Ayu were a good match, besides, Ayu was the only one other person than the higher ups, and possibly Harada's friend that could calm the muscle head down. "Its alright, I'm the one who told Harada to fight like he ment it.... Was there something you needed?"

"Oh, yes... I need you to take one of my assistants out to the market. Its getting late, and I don't want her to get hurt, or even worst."

Hibiki head soft steps come near the door where Ayu was standing, and almost fell in surprize when Minami poked her head out. 'Her?' Hibiki made an metal sigh, but acted like he wasn't shocked.

"But look like you're in bad shape, I'll just ask somebody else. Maybe I can get Take-"

"I can do it," Hibiki snapped. He honestly couldn't stand the person Ayu was about to mention. Takeda Kanryusai was by far the most anoying person in the world, or at least in Hibiki's mind. "Please, I'm fine. Besides, I would rather do it then that snake Takeda even comming near her, or anybodie for that matter."

"Okay, okay. Just be careful."

 

[Donsehan]

Seki, stepped back and bowed, "anatawa ii desu nee, Matsumoto san shabemimasta antawa ii o nee, demo watashia wa shinjumimasen. Kurokaze anatawa totemo ii desu."
(translation: you really are good. Matsumoto said you were really good, I never believed him. Blackwind, you are very good.)


He picked up his butterfly knives and his 3 sectioned staff and his polearm, and walked off. Matsumoto bowed "Kurokaze domo arigatoo gozaimasu. For giving us the honor of fighting you." He then walks off, retrieving his sheath, and his Naginata and placing his fan back in his belt, making sure it's blades didn't cut it. "Ikimashoo?? Kurokaze san, anata no heani are wa" He says as he points off a direction, as he starts to step out.

(translation: "thank you" "let's go? Blackwind, your room is that way (a direct translation your room is over there))

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori bowed back as well, then called the two of them back. "And I thank the two of you as well. I don't believe I have ever recieved such a workout. Not even from you Minamori. But, that was hardly the point of our exercise. This was supposed to teach you something. While I did use wooden blades, I fought here as I would have fought if I was facing down two assassins. Did you see my technique, my moves? You'll never learn them in a school. There's a reason for that. An enemy can hardly predict what he doesn't know. So when I went into the figure-eight, you two had no clue what to do. Now I'm sure that given several seconds more, you would have realized my weakness and exploited it, but in a fight to the death, you hardly have that time. Therefore, you can use this weakness against the enemy. When you retire tonight, try to think back on our fight. Try to recall when I did something unconventional. Also, try thinking yourself of unconventional moves that no one would ever expect. Minamori is one of best senseis in Japan, and he has fought in quite a few street battles himself. He will be the first to tell you that perfect technique and form do not win a real fight. It's speed, surprise, and being unconventional. But you two have done very well. Again, I thank you both." Hinomori bowed again, stepping off the mat, then walking back to his room.

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki led Minami through the market, stopping here and there to pick up things that Ayu needed. And a few things Okita so inocently requested. Hibiki sighed at that, he didn't know how, but Okita covinced him to get him some candy.

[Qoute] Flashback (About 20 minutes ago)

"Sweets? Isn't that a little childish Souji? Besides, you just bought some candy a few days ago."

"Awww! You know candy doesn't last long around me!"

"Oh all right!"[/Qoute]

Minami knelt down and looked at some red onions. "Hibiki-san, what about these? I know they're a little more expensive. But they last longer."

Hibiki shook his head. "No, the white ones. Those are sweeter than the whites one."

Minami took a few white onions, and paid the man. As she stood up, she pushed back her hair and looked at Hibiki. "Well, we just need a few carrots, and we're done." Hibiki grimace at the thought of carrots. This forced Minami to laugh a little. "What, don't like carrots?"

"I'm allergic to carrots." Hibiki looked to his left, and his eyes instantly widened. Four men in black clothing started walking there way. It was obvious they didn't notice him yet, but Hibiki instantly knew that they were assasins for the revolutionarys. "Minami," Hibiki whispered.

"But..."

"NOW!"

 

[Donsehan]

When Hinomori reached his room, Seki was already sitting down, seemingly to be asleep at the doorway with his odd polearm leaning against the door. Matsumoto, said "Hinomori san we'll be here, if you need anything, we can get it for you"

He then said "Close your eyed, or I'll blindfold you," constantly looking at Hinomori, Matsumoto bent down, and whispered something into Seki's ear. He also tapped a certain spot on his shoulder and his polearm. Seki feeling it, got to his feet and pulled his polearm away, "We'll be right here, not so much to keep an eye on you, but simply to make sure you're not bothered."

When Hinomori walked in, Matsumoto also sat down on the other side of the door. He put his naginata against the door as well just overlapping Seki's polearm by a little bit.

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori nodded in confirmation. He stepped into his room, immediately moving to his mat on the floor. He felt it eagerly, glad to finally be sleeping on something comfortable. It'd be the first comfortable night in years. He layed the katana and wakizashi by his bed, also pulling some wire from his belt. Gradually, he undid his belt, taking his shirt off slowly so as to cause as little irritation as possible. His entire torso was criss-crossed in scars, and many had turned red after the fight, threatening to re-open. So it was every time he fought. When he would walk away, he often found himself barely able to move, let alone defend himself. That's why he always chose to sleep under the stars, rather than in a comfortable inn. Sighing, he lay down, then tied one end of the wire around his fingers, the other around the hilt of his weapon. The slightest movement on either blade would wake him instantly, and would send both weapons into hand. As he lay down and darkness closed over him, visions of home hit him for the first time in years.

 

[RoneLith]

Heideki sat with his daughter enjoying a meal of stewed vegetables and fish caught in a near by river earlier in the week. Together they sat in silence, enjoying the simplicity of life. Still the nagging in Heideki's mind persisted and eventually won over his heart.

"Get plenty of sleep tonight Akari," he said to her softly.

"Why? Are we going to the village tommorow?" she asked her voice hightening with enthusiasim.

"No," he smiled slightly as her face lowered. "We are going to the capitol, there is something I wish to ask our lord." Akari's head raised her eyes bright.

"Really!" she looked to her clothes. "But I don't have any good kimono's."

Heideki stood and walked to the nearby closet, sliding the door open, he bent down and slid a hidden pannel of the floor away to reveal a two wooden boxes. He pulled out the smaller of the two and slid the pannel back in place. Closeing the closet door he presented the box to Akari. "Before you were born, our Lord presented this to your mother as a gift for her loyal service." He opened the box and Akari hungrilliy took in the contents. The small kimono could not have been made with higher attention to detail and quality. In a sense it was perfect, the one who had made it was obviously both quite skilled and poored his entire soul into just this peice. Pink and gold its design looked to be like a cherry blossom tree shinning in the sun. Next to the beatufil kimono was something that caught Akari's attention even more. A short sword, shinning in the soft light of their lantern. Heideki picked it up and held the weapon lovingly in his hands. The sheath was deep blue with pearl inlay desinged to look like a wilting cherry blossom. Where the sheath was ornate and beatiful the handle was quite the oppisite. It was well made but carried no special markings or inlay's, this was a weapon of use not of show. "This was your mother's sword, though she was skilled with using nearly any weapon, this sword never left her side. Your mother loved the cherry blossom and she had incorpoarted that symbol into her life. To her enemies she had become known as the Beautiful Death, honoring the cherry blossom that was so beautiful in its death. When she left this world she told me to give this to you as it would be your first weapon. This will be with you at all times now, on your back when you are awake and at your side when you sleep. In this way your mother will always be with you to protect you."

Akari leaped into her father's arms tears streaking her face, he held onto his daughter, matching the tears.

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji sat in a bar, sipping some tea. He had no interest in Saki at the moment. Nor did he have a interest in the brothel just across the street. Though it seems the women had an interest in him.

'Can't blame them,' Kenji thought as he saw a few big, elderly looking man enter the brothle laughing. 'Just looking at them makes me feel sorry for those girls...'

Kenji shook his head, feeling even more sympathetic for the poor girls that had to keep those men "company".

Kenji noticed two people, one a young boy, and the other a young girl, running past the small bar, then four more. "Get them!"

"Huh... I wonder what going on?"

***

"Minami! Run ahead of me!" Hibiki stopped and turned around, yanking out his sword and swinging at one o the men. Their swords clash, and Hibiki quickly swung his swung his sword lower, cutting the man in his side. As soon as he was off gaurd, Hibiki swung up, and cut the man in the throat, then ran again.

"That little bastard! Get him!"

Hibiki picked up the pace and grabed Minami's hand. "This way!"

"But the base is..."

"No! Its too risky! Theres a abandoned shack nearby, we can hide there!" Hibiki draged Minami intoi a large field and pushed her into the shack, then entered himself.

"Hibi-" Hibiki placed his hand over her mouth, and his other arm around her as he pulled himself to the wall.

"Be quiet. They won't find us if we're quiet."

 

[Donsehan]

Seki sitting down on the ground felt the rumbling of movemont from the ground and through his weapon. He decided to feign sleep, as the vibrations and whispers awoke him immediately. Amateurs, he thought Never whisper, and never are you supposed to make noise. He sat there and acted like he bent over enough to drop his polearm to the ground, not able to sleep upright.

They looked down, seeing the two boys sitting against that door. They'd been searching all over the place. Most of the rooms had been locked, and this was the only one with somebody in front of it. Maybe this was the room. Ha they thought, "look they're totally asleep. that one even dropped to the side"

shh!! was his partner's only reply. They lowered checked the corridor waiting. There didn't seem to be anyone awake now. They decided to check on the two down there, lowered themselves and padded around the floor.

Seki heard them come down, he knew matsumoto must have heard his clatter. The assasins he could tell were amatuers, he let them come closer.

The two checked the boys, the one on the floor, had weird weapons around him, and that polearm they had never seen before. The boy on the right looked like he had a ninja toh, and a woman's fan? and of course that Naginata. They checked the breathing, and realized they were both sleeping. The two ninja decided to kill them both.

Seki feeling their fingers near his throat, he opened his eyes "conbanwa ninja san." He said as he swept his 關刀 (Kan Tou or Seki Tou -Japanese, or Guan Dao- Chinese), knocking them to their feet. Matsumoto sped into action slamming the pole into the closest one.

The shorter assasin got the pole against his body, ugh he groaned. Matsumoto immediately whapped him in the neck with the sheath of his blade. It hit the man hard enough to bruise him. He smashed the hilt into the mans breast bone. The guy crumpled and was yelping in pain.

Seki let his Guan Dao go and used his leg to toss the guy up to his feet. He also got to his feet and kneed the guy in the chest, the guy brought his blade out as he hit the wall. Seki let the guy slash at him, he let the gauntlet slip a little and cover his hand as he let the ninja toh slip into his other hand and threw the guy into the wood supports.

The ninja hit the support and broke it, Seki looked at him wide eyed. "uh oh, he's stronger than I thought." Seki said, as he walked over, noting that he broke the way into two different rooms, he pulled the guy's arm and hit it in a few places using two fingers. Exhaling loudly with each hit. He grabbed the other arm and pulled it in different ways, the man yelling in pain.

Hinamori woke up from the screams, and saw Matsumoto throw a ninja on the ground as he opened the door and saw Seki throw a guy from the corner of the room, where the support was totally smashed. Seki replaced the support with his polearm and threw the guy in. He quickly moved over to the guy Matsumoto had pinned down, and inhaled, he exhaled just as he hit the mans shoulder with an open palm. He then grabbed the mans other arm and pulled it in weird ways this assasin not making noise. The arm that was hit at the shoulder went limp and the other arm was bent in a weird way, locked in place. The same could be said for the other assasin. Matsumoto took off the masks using his sheathed blade.

"anta bakaa o nee" Matsumoto remarked then he shouted "anta shabete o!!!" at the two who had wide eyes, one looked back, and Seki struck him with a hard kick to the head which knocked him over.

"Kurokaze, these two are the amatuerish assasins we encountered." Seki sadi, looking at the taller one, whom he had just knocked to the ground, "although his one, hits quite hard, not as hard as you do though."

"Don't think about running, you guys can't move your arms," Seki said to them and faced Hinomori "well what do we do with them?"

"shabete!!" Matsumoto again screamed at them, this time striking the one he stood behind, on the neck.

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki silently pushed himself against the wall, and watched out a small hole in the wooden wall. All four of the men ran past the shack, completely ignoring it. But Hibiki was too wise to fall for it, he knew that this spaced echoed very easily, and could be their demise if they weren't careful.

Hibiki also notice Minami's pulse was quickening. She was scared out of her mind, that was obvious. "Quiet," Hibiki hissed, "Look, everything will be OK. I promissed you and Ayume that as long as I'm still breathing I'll protect you, so don't worry okay? Calm down!" Minami quickly calmed down in a matter of seconds. allowing Hibiki to take his hand away from her mouth.

They waited in the shack for what seemed like years. But it was only a matter of hours. Hibiki could tell morning was neaqrd when the sky became a little lighter. They had been stuck in the shack for hours, hiding from the assasins. And the cost seemed to be clear, until.

"This is the last place we checked... He has got to be here!"

"Alright... I'll open the door, and you'll rush in and kill him!"

Hibiki could tell Minami was panicking again, and this time even if she kept quiet it wouldn't matter, Hibiki was going to have to fight. He slowly let go of Minami as gently pushed her against the wall. He placed his hand on his sheath and lifted his thumps, unlocking his sword.

"Ready? 1... 2... 3!" The door swung open and and Hibiki shot forward, pulling out his sword and swing. His blade and one of the assasins' blades clash as Hibiki pushed him out. He quickly kicked the man in the gut and cut his throat. The other two caught wind and attempted to take out Hibiki together in one X-swing. Hibiki block the two swords and leaned back a bit to relive the pressure a bit, before pushing up to over power the two.

One let go, allowing Hibiki to surprize the other and cut him down. The last one was much quicker though, as their sword clashed with each other, the assasin goten in quite a few good hits, and even worst, a few goods sword swings. Hibiki swung and clashed into the assasin's sword again, but this time the second their swords made impact, Hibiki dropped his sword and moved to the side. The assasin's gaurd was dropped, and Hibiki set to work with a blur of punches and kicks. One kick made a clean impact with the assasin's neck, breaking it, and killing him instantly.

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori yanked at the wire, sending the blades into his hands. He sighed as he made his way to the two assassins. "Idiots. I figured that he would've sent me experts. Instead, I get two amateurs. More than that, you two actually attempted to collect on the bounty. Your kind never learns", he said, flicking the wakizashi out of its sheath. "You two aren't afaid of some blood are you?" he asked of Seki and Matsumoto. "There's about to be a lot of it. My hunter needs to learn his lesson, and these two are giving me a good opportunity to teach." He dropped down to the big one, stabbing the wakizashi through his eye, ensuring that the blade didn't sink far enough to kill. The assassin screamed, trying to leap back, stopped by intense pain in their shoulders, arms, and back. Hinomori pressed down on either side of the man's mouth, springing it open like a hinge. Then, he reached in with one hand, the blade coming down and slicing off his outstretched tongue. As Hinomori readied the blade for another choice strike, Minamori regained his composure. "That's enough!" he ordered. "I will not have torture in my dojo!" Hinomori didn't pause. Even as he sliced the assassin's hamstring, he spoke, "I'm sorry Minamori, but it must be done. I'll be hunted by these amateurs for as long as I live, and only by doing this can I draw out my true hunter. There is, I'm afraid, no way around it." As Hinomori resumed his grim business, the assassin screamed. The assassin screamed until his throat bled and he no longer could. Tears mingled with blood as Hinomori sliced in again and again, and only after the man had died did he move on to the other assassin.

 

[Donsehan]

"Wow that's greusome." Seki said, then he moved around to stop Hinomori. "Wait, I'm pretty sure if we use other means this one will talk."

He moved behind the man, and grabbed his hand stretching the one that was locked. The man yelped in pain "let go lemme go!" Seki placed his palm on the wrist and took a few deep breaths and then exhaled all of a sudden as his palm still against the mans wrist thrust forward breaking the bones. The hand lay there limp, no blood. Seki brought a bandage over and tied it so that the hand didn't stay at an odd angle. "Now talk, or I'll take you apart joint by joint."

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki panted. The battle was short yes, but it took its toll. The young samurai slashed down his sword in the air, then placed it back into its sheath. He gave a long, tired sigh in relife. "At least it waqs short..."

"HIBIKI!!!"

Hibiki shot around just in time to see Minami at the door way, and the forth assasin that Hibiki thought he killed, comming straight for him with tow swords. Hibiki pulled out his own sword and ducked under the assasin's fatal blow attempt and turned around. As soon as the Assasin turned around, Hibiki cut his throat, and stabbed him in the stomache. When Hibiki pulled out his blade, blood dripped out of the Assasin's throat, and blood sprayed out of the back of the assasin. Then he droped, dead.

Hibiki stood upright and swung his sword down, slinging the blood off before putting his sword back into its sheath. "Minami, lets g-" Hibiki noticed that all too familar look in her eyes, she looked as if she had never even seen blood before, it was as if she was locked in dead fear. Hibiki walked over to her and took her hand. "C'mon... Lets go home..."

"You're wounded..."

Hibiki shook his head. "I know, but don't worry about that." Hibiki walked back into the shack and picked up the groceries. "Lets go..."

***

"Hibiki-kun! Minami-chan!"

Hibiki didn't notice Okita running up to them until they were face to face. "What happened?!"

"Attacked. We're safe now though."

Hibiki noticed that many of the Shisengumi were awake, and clothed. "We were about to look for you two..." Hibiki shifted his head to look at Saito. "Seems you have been through quite a night..."

"Very funny..." Hibiki muttered under his breath. He handed the food over to Harada and smirked. "You give these to Ayu, I'm going to sleep."

Hibiki pushed past the crowd and headed over to his room. He was halfway there and out of the group's site when, "Hibiki-kun..." Hibiki looked up to face Okita, who probaly went around one of the smaller buildings so he could get ahead of Hibiki. "Is there something wrong?"

"Huh..." As Hibiki walked up to Okita, he pulled out a small bag, and with a twing of force, placed it on Okiata's chest. He past by Okita just enough for their ears to be alinged with each other. "Souji... I wasn't attacked by bandits... They were assasins... They knew who I was... They even knew my last name..."

***

[Flashback]

"You're Hibiki Mizukage aren't you?"

Hibiki's eyes widened. "How do you know me?!"

"Thats for us to know, and you to never find out!"

***

"I didn't even know I had a last name Souji..."

"Then... What does it mean...?"

Hibiki turned his head to look at Okita directly. "There is a traitor in our midst... Warn Hijikata-san and Kondou-sama... Somenpdy is out to kill me..."

"Hibiki... You know I'll hel you in any way I can..."

"Souji, no... This is my problem, I will not let you get hurt in this matter..." Hibiki let go of the bag, and Okita caught it, and opened it. "Oh... Its my candy... Hey! Theres one missing!"

"I don't do errands for free Okita..." Hibiki walked away, placing a single piece of candy in his pocket.

Hibiki entered the main hall leading to his room. Hibiki saw that Takeda was leaning against the wall, smiling. "What happened, got into a fight, denfending that girl like you're some kind of hero?" Hibiki ignored Kanryusai and kept walking. Takeda laughed and nodded his head to the side. "I wouldn't of even tried to defend that little bitch..."

Hibiki stoped and snapped around, grabbing him by the clothing and lifted him to the wall. "Listen you son of a bitch, I'm sick of you and your attitude! If you say another word, I'll slit your damn throat, GOT IT?!"

 

[Morgoth]

"Very well, although I doubt he knows anything useful. He's just a toadie. His employer would never meet him in person... although he would know the agents that work for his employer. Go ahead, Seki. If he doesn't talk, there's always my method", Hinomori said, flashing a grin to the assassin, who whimpered, doing his best to cringe back.

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki droped Takeda. his breath was harsh and shallow due to his injurys.

"You little brat! Have you forgoten that I am a captain of the Shisengumi?! I can have you killed for mutiny!"

Hibiki ignored Takeda's words. He relized that his wounds were starting to affect him. It wasn't a surprize though

"Apologise!"

Hibiki shot back into reality and glared at Takeda. "SHUT UP!" Takeda backed into the wall as if he was trying to go through it. Hibiki just grunted and left. The moment he got into his room as slammed it shut and walked torwards his corner. But every step he took, the more the room spun. It was also becoming further and further away.

Hibiki couldn't hold his balance anymore and fell to the ground unconsious.

***

Kenji looked at the four dead bodies of assasins. He gave a long sigh as he threw his cloak over them. "Dumb fucks... They just in it for the money... Nothing more. Whoever did this is truely a noble fighter... Judging by the small initial cuts, he was giving them warning signs before he killed them..." Kenji looked up at the sky. "Guess I should get to my mission..."

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori looked to Seki, who nodded back. Kneeling, Hinomori brought his face close to the assassin's. "You saw what I did to your friend? That was just a warm-up compared to what I'm going to do to you. So unless you want me to get to work, you're going to give me the absolute truth. If I even suspect you're lying to me, I'm going to slice off a finger... then a toe... then, well, you don't want to know what I'm gonna start cutting off after that. Do you understand?" Hastily, the assassin nodded his head, and Hinomori smiled. "Good, good. Let's get started, then. What's your name and social status?" Gulping, the assassin croaked out, "Heiji Kuni. I'm a commoner." Hinomori nodded. "A pretty worthless one at that. Next question: Who is your contact?" The assassin gulped. "If I tell you, he'll kill me!" he proclaimed, but Hinomori just shook his head. "And do you think death is worse than what I'm promising you. Believe me: I'm more creative than him", Hinomori announced. The answer came, "His name is Chiro Kazanawe." Hinomori nodded again. "Where can I find him?" With a tremor in his voice, the assassin responded, "He lives in small village near this city. I don't know where." Hinomori shook his head, snatching one of the assassin's hands, rapping the knuckles with the hilt of his wakizashi, forcing the hand open. In a split second, the dagger had severed the man's ring finger. The assassin stared at the bloody stump in shock, and it took him several seconds to realize what happened, and a few more to start screaming. Hinomori dropped the hand, then kicked him in stomach, forcing an end to the screaming. "Scream again and I'll just kill you. Now, answer truthfully." Whimpering, the assassin spoke. "He lives in an inn in this city. That's the truth, I swear." "Good. Now, how can I reach him?" "He has contacts in the ranks of every major faction in the city. You can't contact him. When you anger one of the organizations too greatly, they'll set him loose agter you. But, since you're already being hunted, you'd probably have to find out who one of the contacts is, then take his place. That's all I know. Please, you have to believe me", he shouted, tears leaking from his eyes. Hinomori scoffed. "I don't 'have to' believe anything. But, that's enough information anyway", he said, then looking to Seki and Matsumoto. "Get rid of him how you see fit. I'm going to back to sleep."

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji turned and started to away. He buried the assasins and taken a piece of paper one of them was holding. It was in fact their misson. It reads:

Find and assasinate Mizukage, Hibiki. He rarely leaves the masion unless he is out running errands, so be patient. When this part of your mission is completed, go to the brothel across Sora's bar to recieve orders.

Leader of the Satsuma Ishin Shishis.

"Sora's bar?" Kenji shoved his hand into one of his secret pockets and pulled out another piece of paper. This one read:

Find out information on the Shisengumi's scret plans four secret operatives have already lost their lives trying to complete this mission, so please be careful. If needed, more information can be found across the street from Sora's bar.'

Sub-captain of the Mizu clan operations unit,

Sakio

"So the brothel is the place I need to go for more information? But this order says that the assasins also had to head there after they killed this Hibiki guy...

... What is going on?"

 

[hybirdx]

Hibiki woke up and shot up on instinct. This made Hibiki's sore muscles, and sensitiv wounds that was inflicted earlier, flex in agrivation. This made Hibiki moan and fall back down into his pillow in sheer pain. He shut his eyes tight and groaned. "Shit... Wh- where am I?"

"You're in your room..."

Hibiki's eyes rolled up... To meet with Minami's. "You again?" Hibiki now noticed that he didn't fakk into a pillow. He insted fell into Minami's lap. This was just a tad bit more than a little anoying. "What are you doing here?"

Minami's eyes narrowed. "Tending to your wounds. When I came in here to bring you your breakfast, you were unconsious in a small pool of blood. If I haven't came in here you may have went into shock, or worst."

"II take it that when you say worst, you mean death, am I correct," Hibiki asked, his eyes piercing into Minami's as if he was searching for something. "As I thought... I rather have died."

Even though Minami attempt to hold him down, Hibiki tried to pull himself up again. But, his bodys scream for rest and relaxation ultimately ruled as it made him give a small cry of pain and fell back into Minami's lap. "Shit!"

Minami's eyes sharpened in anger. "You're acting like an old stubborn mule! Will you just stop and go back to sleep?! At least let your body try to heal!"

Hibiki had no choice but to laid back down. He sneered at Minami's scolding, but mentaly shook it off and closed his eyes. 'So she does get angry, and she does get an attitude. Shinpachi and Harada owe me a hundred Yen each now...' Hibiki sighed and once again doesed off. But this time he was able to fall into a deep, peaceful sleep.

 

[Donsehan]

Seki, took the bandage off that was supposed to keep the man's wrist from not looking broken, and wrapped it around the finger, cleaning up the wound, he burned it, and wrapped the bandage around it. He said "kimasu" leading the guy out the main entrance.

"Kaze, go off to rest, I'll take care of this guy." He watched Matsumoto walk off, turning to the man, "So I can let you live, or I can kill you. I am for letting you live, but I under the circumstances that is hard. You've seen my face, and my partner's face. You've even heard what I call him." The man had an expression of fear. "I fear that if we let you go, you will be able to identify us outside and lead more skilled assasins our way."

The man stood there, Seki said "Therefore," he lashed out with a kick that dropped the man into a kneeling position. "I'll let you live, if you pray out here for 3 days. If you try to run, I will kill you."

He let the man kneel, then grabbed some rope, while watching the man, he tied his legs up, and tied another rope to the door. "If you move, I'll know." Seki stepped back in and grabbed some extra clothing, bringing his butterfly knives with him, he stepped back out into the courtyard. "Good you didn't move yet." He sat down on the raised wood in a lotus position, watching the man and closed his eyes.

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji entered the brothel, and lifted his face mask. Wich was a large battle torn scarf. Most of the younger girls leaned closer to each other and whispered things, as well as giggle. Kenji walked up to the desk and showed the person behind the counter one of the slips of paper. "Oh! You're for Sakura? I see, upstairs and to your left."

"Arigato."

Kenji walked up the stairs, trying to ignore the cat-calls. But of course, the question once again popped into his head. 'Is it that rare to see a young, okay looking man in this place?' Kenji got his answere when he looked to his left, and saw a drunk, old, ugly man laugh while his arms draped over two beautiful women pooring more alcohol into his cup. It was more than obvious they were trying to get him piss drunk so they wouldn't have to, "spend time" with him.

"I just had to ask..." Kenji shook his head as he enter the room he was directed to. It was a farely small room, a comfy looking bed, two seats and a table. He could already tell whoever it was he was supposed to be talking to sitting in one of the seats, but it was too dark for him to see who it was.

"Come," she started "sit next to me... You're a little late. But I'm guessing it is against your principals to come to a place such as this."

"Thats not my problem." Kenji walked over to the next seat and sat down.

"Tea?"

"No thanks, I had enough tea today."

"Then I'm guessing you prefer Saki at the moment...?"

"Saki will be fine..."

 

[hybirdx]

Minami hummed as she hung some cloths outside near Hibiki's room. She didn't notice Okita comming torwards her until he called out, "Minami-chan! How's Hibiki doing?"

Minami looked up from her work, slightly surprised. But other than that, she just smiled. "He's still asleep. He's been out of it since this morning." Minami put up the last shirt and picked up the basket they were in. "Mr. Okita? Could you do me a favore and keep watch over Hibiki for a little? I have to Help Ayume in the kitchen for a while."

"Of course I can."

Minami left to find Ayu as Okita took off his sandals and entered Hibiki's room and closed the door behind him. "So Souji, who else knows that I'm wounded?"

Okita jumped up a bit in shock. "How l-long have you been awake?"

"For a few minutes now. Couldn't sleep with Minami's humming."

Okita chukled lightly. 'Thats a lie!'

"You haven't answered my question. Who else knows?"

"Well... I was with Minami when you were found. And when I told Hijikata-san and Koundo-san about a traitor in our midst, they both suspected that you must have been hurt in some way. And since Saito was there..."

"Enough! You and Minami knowing is more than enough!"

"Are you afraid that one of them may be the traitor...?"

"I... I don't know anymore..."

 

[Donsehan]

The next morning Matsumoto after cleaning himself up, went to the training hall and noticed a large commotion around the courtyard doors. Hearing bits of conversation "what's he doing?" "wow he's strong" "we're going to have beef today!!" He walked up to the gathering, the younger students spotted him "hey you're partner's nuts."

Matsumoto looked at the student, hand on his hilt, they parted for him hearing them announcing his presence. Matsumoto finally got a glimpse of what was happening. Seki san had tied the man from last night up and was playing with a bull. Gripping its horns the bull rushed him, Seki san was pushing and pulling it around, as if the bull was a little child. uh oh, Matsumoto thought, if Seki kun makes a mistake we're going to be in trouble. "Oiy," he called to his friend "yameroo." The only response was that Seki san turned to look at him giving him a look of total fury. Matsumoto taken aback, he called to the other students, "Oiy, be careful everyone, that bull could crash through the walls."

At that moment, Seki san crashed the bull into the ground, head first. He then stepped over, with a foot, pinning it down. "what's he going to do" the students murmered. One of them asked Matsumoto san, "oiy, seki san nani o shimasuka??"

"he's going to kill it" Matsumoto said grimly.

 

[hybirdx]

Kenji taken a sip of saki and made a sour face. "Yeesh...."

"Too sour?" The woman laughed at Kenji. "Why they sent a child is beyond me... Show me your asignment..."

Kenji sighed in agrivation and handed the paper to the woman. "Don't test your luck. You already pissed me off by making me come here..."

"Well... This is proof that you belong here..."

"Just get on with it."

"Here's the deal... One of my informents told me that the Shisengumi is thrown off the gaurd a bit..."

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "And this is why?"

"There seems to be a traitor within the Shisengumi..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, seems that one of the captains is giving information to an enemy faction."

"May I ask you something, a little off subject."

"I cost alot..."

"Ha ha! Not that... My question is, why did they target this Hibiki guy?"

The lady remained silent for a second. "I don't know what yo-"

Kenji tossed the other slip of paper. "I think you do..."

 

[Morgoth]

Hinomori awoke to the noise of a crowd talking outside. Sighing, he slipped his clothes on, slipped the sheathed blades into his belt, then walked outside. As the crowd made way for him, he saw the spectacle. Seki had driven a bull to the ground and was readying for a kill. Hinomori sat, sighing again, this one a bit more agitated.