Tsukuyomi, tsubasa wo kudasai! [open!]

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

“Chikushou!”

The curse word echoes through the trees of the deep and dark Tsukushi Forest, causing sleeping birds to take flight towards the light of the full moon. The wrathful voice stemmed from the mouth of the one human being living in the middle of Tsukushi, the hermit Nakigahara Jun. She, who was cooking a late night snack over a dim flame, had burned her finger in its heat for the fourth time tonight--the burning sensation jolted her drowsy eyes to a glaring look as she stomped out the fire outside of her small woodland home.

The shack in which she lived, was actually rather well kept, looking more like a small Shinto shrine than a Ronin’s resting place. Bright light from the moon pierced through the trees shining down on the arches of the small building, its lucky charms and paper prayers reflected its light.

On her body, Nakigahara was dressed down for the night, leaving her numerous heavy swords inside and trading them for a comfy, yet ragged, Nagajuban. Having given up on food for the night, she sat down, leaning against her home and looking up at the stars.

[SAKAMOTO RYUICHI]

The labyrinth-like forest was less of a maze then I had originally anticipated, provided a map by an underling which was by my side. There was several of these men in fact, five in all, clad in various layers of armor adorned to samurai of this age. With my absolute power I had forced them to allow me to come with them on their routine patrol of the forest adjacent to our capital, wanting to experience such things for the sake of saying I had — I often thought that way, no one could talk back about knowing nothing of the job if you indeed know. I myself looked a bit different than them, my helmet tarnished and broken on one side, and my armor much lighter than their samurai equivalent. Also, whilst the horses they rode were wild things of patched color and questionable lineage, mine was a pure black stallion.

The trip thus far had not provided any sort of action or excitement, nothing more than the occasional raccoon or large cat to gawk at. However, as lucky as though it were, we would happen upon a single glimmer of light other than ours which penetrated through the trees only a few meters ahead. Surely the person would have heard us, our six horses trotting and neighing loudly as we rode down the way. But, we weren't trying to be inconspicuous, perhaps to the point of foolishness, these men wanted some sort of action, whatever it was.

As we approached the makeshift camp, they did well to ride ahead if only in the unexpected event of an attack, willing to trade their lives for mine.

"Interesting. . "

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

In a moment, the ambient sounds of the forest were interrupted by the trotting of six domesticated horses, and the subtle clanking of the armor of those who road them. Visitors? At this late hour? And this deep in the forest no less? It all seemed rather unlikely, but unless her ears were deceiving her, there was a small but armed search party making their way to her little clearing. With each passing second they grew closer, leading the hermit to hastily run into her shrine, grabbing her wakizashi, Fukurokuji, and slipping on her straw sandals.

Nakigahara rushed back outside to see how the party had progressed--the shadows of the men were now visible through spaces in the trees. She sighed, currently being in no mood to deal with most unwanted guest... especially if they were carrying swords. Tightly gripping the handle of the blade at her side, she stood boldly in the moonlight--she was no shinobi, she did not hide. She was a ronin. And ronin stand tall and fight.

By now she could see the armor of the man who was lagging behind the rest of the group, obviously this person was of some importance, at least to the five men who were charging ahead. One... two... five... six... Six armed men. While in her mind she had no idea that she would have no trouble slaying each and every one of them one by one, reality set in. It was dark, she was tired, and her vision in her good eye was failing her at the moment. Of course if push came to shove, the ronin would foolishly brandish her sword and probably die in battle, she knew it was probably best to take a diplomatic approach. Bleh. Diplomacy.

She waited for them to make the first move.

[SAKAMOTO RYUICHI]

Seeing the woman immediately quirked my interest. A woman? Her being here in the dead of night created an interesting situation and was questionable. The forest was known for being ruthless, and riddled with many bandits and 'demons' as people called it. How had she survived? The question was answered as the moonlight caught the surface of one of her weapons in my eye, creating a glimmer bright enough to discern exactly what it was. Obviously, she was some sort of fighter, a ronin perhaps — though my mind didn't want to attribute a woman to even that stature, call me sexist.

Nevertheless, my men approached her first, two dismounting and approaching her the other two still on horseback behind them, before parting to allow me to be visible in the center, also dismounted, though positioned a bit further. My eyes looked the woman up and down, taking in every small nuance of her frame, from her strong build to one of her eyes being peculiarly unusable.

I immediately spoke my mind, "A woman, here? How have you managed to survive? What are you even doing here?"

It was direct and blunt, going straight to the questions that had inquisitively plagued my mind in the short ride after seeing her. I knew some of the answers I'd get naturally, but was much more obliged to be amused by hearing her speak the words. A woman samurai? I chucked to myself. What was next; a woman having some say in a governing body?

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

Nakigahara raises a brow at the words spoken through a mask--she had long since forgotten the misogyny of the men of the outside world. This man seemed especially confident, standing behind his bodyguards. By now it was obvious to her that he was of particular importance, a shogun maybe? No, he wasn’t dressed the part. A daimyo then? But why would he be so deep in her Tsukushi Forest?

“Mind your men!” Nakigahara exclaimed, “They tread holy ground.” Nakigahara took a step closer, scanning the area and running through possible scenarios in her mind. As she widened her stance, he sandals dug into the dusty soil below.

“So I suppose you aren’t blind,” she said sarcastically at the man who had stated the obvious. They kept a fair distance, so she loosened her grip on her blade. “I suppose I’ve managed to survive out here because I am the most fearsome creature in this forest.” She grinned an arrogant grin, “Considering this, it would be wise for you and your men to proceed with caution.”

Using her thumb to partially draw her blade, she continued to speak, “I suggest you state your name and your purpose before I kill one of your guards.”

[SAKAMOTO RYUICHI]

I couldn't help but bust with laughter. The woman gave me an order! Ha! Mind my men, and for me to proceed with caution. She was surely brave to exclaim such, perhaps it was all the time in the wild. I gave her this one pass, but I wouldn't accept such insolence a second time over.

"You're a cheeky girl, aren't you? You see. These men know their place, they are expendable. If you slay one, you will be slayed, it's simple numbers, and we have the upper-hand. So I'd mind YOURSELF."

My hand moved to my own blade's hilt just in case, before I stood my ground and watched the woman's movements. In an instant, if she made the first move, all of my men and I would be ready to strike at her. Like I had explained, she would only be able to fell one of them before she herself died, even in a good situation in her favor, the numbers just didn't allow her to win.

"Now, because I am feeling nice I'll tell you who I am, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Daiymo. Mind your tongue, woman. I won't have this insolence a second time, or perhaps you'd rather me destroy your so-called shrine?"

Call me a blasphemer.

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

“I’ve always been a firm believer in quality over quantity, and I can tell by their stances that I would not even break a sweat,” she laughed a subtle chuckle as she shot the man a wicked glare through her good eye. She was arrogant, but not stupid. She knew she would be dispatched by these men if not for their numbers alone. These were simply big words from an even bigger ego.

Nakigahara noticed that he two reached for his blade, so his words were at least taken into consideration, which was really all she could ask to come out of trash talk. “You reach for your blade as if admitting that this “cheeky girl” might just be a legitimate threat. I will respect that.” She stands upright and takes both hands away from her wakizashi. She raised her hands in the air as if to signify that she had no intention of attacking, seemingly cutting the tension in the air.

She slowly takes a step forward, leaving her hands in plain sight. “Daimyo, eh? I wasn’t expecting royalty to be gracing me with his presence.” She spoke with a sarcastic grin, “And I without time to clean. Welcome to my humble shrine.” Nakigahara threw up her hands, as if presenting a glorious monument.

“There’s no need for violence here. Not now at least.”

[SAKAMOTO RYUICHI]

My own hand steadied before I shook my head, shaking it specifically at her assumption that I considered her a threat.

"Only the foolish aren't prepared for even the most infinitesimal of chances."

I ended my weight-throwing there, ordering my men by signal only to steady their own hands, as I looked the area over. It really was a small establishment at best, not lavish in the least, but functional. Her poking fun at my status by noting it didn't effect me at all however, because I had gotten all I wanted already. My dominance had been established, like the alpha male of the pack, I was sated. However, I found myself with one final conquest. With my dominance established, I needed to have but one more thing, her.

"You still haven't explained what a woman of you looks and caliber is doing here? You talk as if you can take my men, which makes you seem even the smallest bit sincere in being 'samurai', and you're rather beautiful to be living in the wild. And here I happened upon you, lucky as the stars, not having any real reason to be here at all."

I fully exposed my silver tongue to be victorious in my conquest.

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

“Oh, Sakamoto-san! You flatter me without even knowing my name,” her tone still rather sarcastic as she paced back and forth, “But then again, I suppose I am the rude one in this situation, you will have to forgive me, I’ve been in these woods for so many years now.” She smiles smugly.

“What is it that we peons are to do when graced with the presence of a Daimyo such as yourself?” She halted her pacing only a few feet from the lord, “Are we to get down on our knees... and bow at your feet?” Her tone changed, becoming more sensual as if to taunt him. “Then again I suppose I should introduce myself before we move on to such things.”

“I,” she backed away, “am the Sichinihonto no Samurai--well, I suppose I am more of a Ronin now... but now since we are such close acquaintances, I suppose you can call me Nakigahara.” She gave a mock bow. “Would you care to come inside for some sake? I kid. The sake is mine. Some tea maybe? Your ‘friends’ will have to wait outside, there is simply not enough room.

She didn’t know why she was treating this feudal lord with such civility... maybe it was that restlessness she was feeling earlier? She had felt herself longing for company as of late.

[SAKAMOTO RYUICHI]

I was experienced with such sarcasm and smugness, but I nevertheless let it slide for my more carnal pursuits. Though she didn't seem one to resist at this point. I weighed the pros and cons of taking up on her offer for tea, and decided that I would take her up on it, with terms.

"Tea? Wonderful, it can quench my thirst. I don't think you'll mind taking it out here will you? It'd be foolish to lose my upper-hand going alone into a smaller environment, don't you think? It is of course the only reason you seem to be humoring me. I sense your sarcasm and smugness."

With a sigh I stretched, before my head tilted, as I looked her over again, pointing to one my men.

"If you need help, one of my men can help you? I wouldn't want to garnish you in any way. After all, we're getting to know each other and I need you to have all the strength you can have, so you can 'kneel' before me. Eh, Nakigahara-chan?"

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

“Oh? You are smarter than you look, Sakamoto-san. I’m actually quite capable of preparing the rather simple drink myself, thank you very much.” Nakigahara grinned, backpedaling a bit before turning around and and opening the curtain to her small shrine. The inside was far less impressive than the outside, consisting of a mat on which to sleep, a small table fashioned from a large stump, six of her seven swords on a rack, and some clothing hanging from the wall.

She had already boiled some water over the fire that she had stomped out earlier--the likes of which had cooled down considerably but was still warm. Pouring it into a broken cup, she added the necessary tea leaves and brought it outside. By the time she had returned, the warm water was already turning a dark color.

“I apologize for the temperature, I had prepared the water earlier but I was interrupted by some unexpected guests.” She smirked, handing him the small cup. “So now that there is no conflict, why are you still here?”

[SAKAMOTO RYUICHI]

I had asked myself the same question before she had, why hadn't I just left when I had realized she was nothing more than some wannabe ronin? Restlessness was the answer frankly. There was currently no war, and no reason to create one. I was gathering my forces and biding my time rather than randomly attacking without any sort of plan or headway.

"Restlessness. Being a Daiymo IS all luxury without war. Like a shephard without a herd, I sit restless doing nothing. This little incident has provided me with a small bit of entertainment. You're the most interesting thing tonight. Besides you still haven't given me that kneel. I don't know how you can take it being here, doing absolutely nothing of note."

With a stretch, I ordered the men back on their horses, they riding the horses to stand on either side of me.

"Hm. How can I persuade you to accompany back to my castle?" I made sure to establish dominance in my tone, because in reality, if I wished it, she had no other choice.

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

She actually burst out laughing at his words. “Accompany you? Back to your castle? Why would you ever want that?” Nakigahara shrugged, wishing that she had poured herself a drink when she had went inside. Was this man serious? He was asking her to leave the only place that she had ever known for almost ten years. At the end of the day, she knew that this spoiled Daimyo expected to get as he wanted, though, so she made her decision while the ball was in her court.

“Fine.” She said matter-of-factly, much to her own surprise. That restlessness was finally getting to her--her longing for the outside world had become enough that she was actually ready to leave her shrine, if not only for a night. She extended her index finger to indicate ‘one moment’. “Allow me to gather my things, then.” She said oddly politely.

Nakigahara returned to her shrine, throwing open the curtain and closing them as she entered. She lit a candle on the “stump” she called a table so that she could see as she wished, the subsequent light of which caused her feminine silhouette to be visible on the other side of the curtain. She quickly removed her nightgown, slipping into her tattered kimono left partially open in the front as she wrapped her waist in her red heko-obi. She was far too tired to carry the rest of her armor, but far too mistrusting not to carry five of her swords.

Her kodachi, wakizashi, katana, tachi, and nodachi, all hang from her hips by custom sheaths, as she blew out the candle and walked out of he shrine. She felt as though she should do something... like lock the door... but there was no door to lock. If anyone made it this far into the woods, she doubted they would find anything of interest in her shrine anyway.

“So then, am I to walk like a peasant or are you going to do the polite thing and leave one of your guards behind?” She said with a grin.

[SAKAMOTO RYUICHI]

When she finally uttered the word 'fine', I knew I had won, and my prize was duly mine. However, I hadn't thought far enough as to what that meant, or what exactly I would do with her. What exactly would be the point of taking her back to the castle, and what would we do when we got there? This woman was much to wild and proud to be a concubine, but offering her a place amongst my men ranks also seemed out of the question. Though, then again, she represented the best of both words, as even if it was in joking, she had hinted at something sexual in nature.

In an infinitesimal amount of time I had thought this through, still not sure at the end what I would do, but sticking to my original decision regardless.

"Oh you wouldn't want to walk? I'd rather all my men come back with me, and I'm much too mistrusting of you for you to ride on my horse, so I suppose there is no other choice. You can take . . " I pointed, "That man's horse, but we will be forced to match his walking pace. That way there will be no problems, and you won't be forced to walk."

Politely, I had extended a hand being adjacent to the horse in question — on my horse, to help her onto the soldier's horse. I had much wondered, would the hands of a woman samurai still be soft?

[NAKIGAHARA JUN]

She shot him a wicked glare when he had mentioned the possibility of her walking--the Daimyo had already inconvenienced her enough by forcing her from her shrine. Sure, she could probably use the fresh air, or lack there of, but in reality Sakamoto had given her little choice. Having already established the fact that she was out numbered and that if the man didn’t get as he pleased her home would be burned to the ground, she had deduced that it would be in her best interest to humor him.

Nakigahara could see his eyes through his mask, they seemed confident, as though everything in life was something to win and lose. As if she could read his eyes, she could see that he felt as though he was in control, although she was unsure of how this actually benefited him. Essentially kidnapping a hermit in the woods with a small militia? Not something to brag about. Then again he wouldn’t be the first Daimyo to request the services of the Sichinihonto no Samurai, her skills were somewhat renowned and it is common knowledge that the former servant of the Hiroshi clan resided in the Tsukushi Forest.

“I assure you, I will be walking nowhere.” She said with a grin as she took the man’s hand. Her hands were actually rather soft, though her grip was tight, pulling herself onto the horse. It had been some time since she had ridden a horse, and an even longer time since she had ridden such a high class one.

“For such expendable henchmen, you sure seem attached, Sakamoto-san. Why is that?” He was definitely the paranoid type of leader, surrounding himself with armed guard to prevent the most unlikely of attack. She was interested to see if he ever let that guard down.