Night Shadows

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

Kichi frown as she pulled the black cloth over the bottom half of her face. With a quick flick of the wrists, it was tied behind her. A glanced down had her revealed in the dark blue and black clothing that molded to her frame and kept her covered but for her hair and her eyes. The long black hair was pulled up and tied so it would not hang in the wind or risk the chance of being caught on her mission. The trousers were tight against her legs tied at the knee and the ankle. Tonight she was going on a scouting mission. Her charge was safe enough in the bosom of the clan and would not miss her for the evening. That one was fully capable of taking care of herself for a few hours. What kind of trouble could she possibly get into? Another glance down from those red eyes and she was pulling the katana up on her hip and it was secured.

A deep breath and she was gone into the shadows. That is what she was anyways, just a shadow. Blending into the night she was gone from the camp of their nomadic clan, a horse under her. One as quiet and well trained as they could come. She would ditch the horse when she got close enough to the village that was being built. A scouting mission was all she had to do, but still, one always wanted to know about ones neighbors. And hers was not to reason why, just to do as she was told.

A hour into the ride and she left the horse to continue on foot. swift and sure, she made her way, leaving the horse to chew upon the grass in contented silence. As she grew closer to the village, she slowed and crept through the area, the moonless sky offering her more shadows as she crept slowly towards the small village. She was to gain a count and memorize the placement of the buildings. Plus since they were more like mercenaries anyways, these people might need protection. Kichi remained silent as she watched the people from her position low in the taller grasses. She knelt and waited for the right moment to creep closer. The moonless night offered cover, but also it offered poor visibility. So she would have to get closer to do a proper count. Failure would mean more chores and she just was not going to fail on this mission. It was so simple.

-438-

Intern Rep! : 2 Location : Kingdoms of Amalur

There was something Yukina was never good at.. Listening to what others told her to do. She was independant. A good trait for becoming Leader, but cause all her bodyguards a time of distress when she disapeared from this. Though Kichi never had a hard time fallowing her out. But then she didn't try and hide from Kichi. The others... They could just go and fuck themselves. But she couldn't say that outloud because her mother would whack her right upside her head. And the old bitch could really lay it in.

Thus the reason she was following her main 'shadow' out into the night. A scouting mission. It was simple, yet Yukina was bored with the clan. They had settled down in a nice place. It had been a year now and Yukina wondered when they would move into a new region. Her mother was probably allowing the last of the pregnant females to give birth.

THe night was moonless and she didn't bother with a steed, instead flying low, just above the grasses so she would not be heard. She landed when Kichi dismounted and kept hidden. Yukina would become the Mistress of Shadows when he mother retired and was already beginning to live up to the name. But then she had her father... Their father to thank for that. He was of the oni. She met him several times during the year. But he was a traveler. But he learned to remain loyal to her mother. Reitosuru Karasu was not a woman to cross if you wanted to keep your body intact and breathing. Even Yukina was cowed easily by her mother's power.

Yukina was quiet becoming one with the night as she moved closer to Kichi. When she finally knelt, Yukina grinned wickedly as she snuck over and without a hint of warning, popped up next to her half sister with that cheshire grin in place.

"Lovely night... ne?"

-323

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

Her ear twitched and she gave no motion as she stared down into the village. Her red eyes a mere glow as they tried to pierce the night. Now when her half sister popped up, most people would have been startled, but not Kichi. She should have known better. The little princess got her by flight most of the time, sometime the use of that should remain hidden as the rest of the shadows of their clan. But her sister, although the same age, was younger at times than herself. Merely, having heard her approach, the bastard stain upon their clan, blinked and spoke softly. "You make noise like a dying cat. You are suppose to be silent while scouting." her eyes finally looked towards her sister as she smiled beneath the mask. "You know I am suppose to be your shadow, not you mine. Your mother suffers my existence for that reason."

Some would think that Kichi was jealous of her sister, but not in the least, it was more of an age old joke between them. Their father had been with another woman around the same time as with Yukina's mother. Kichi's mother had died in childbirth. But Kichi suspected otherwise. It was the way of the world. But she had been allowed to live, play, and even be accepted as the 'shadow' of her sister. Nursed off her mother's breast, learned the same lessons with reading and writing. The only reason her and Yukina knew was that their father had requested access to his bastard daughter. The rest of the clan, minus the elders, only knew of her as an orphan of the clan. Raised by their leader.

Kichi still remembered that conversation that had ensued. She was tolerated now only because she was her sister's shadow. She was not jealous of her sister, she was just wary of her mother. That woman could kill her in a heartbeat. "Well since you are here, little princess, shall we put our lesson on stealth and silence to its test?"

-374/812-

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

Intern Rep! : 2 Location : Kingdoms of Amalur

Yukina rolled her eyes as she was told that her stealth was subpar by her half sister. "I do not sound like a dying feline, you harpy," she grumbled, but there was no true heat in her words. But she nearly flinched as her mother was mentioned. That was one woman you didn't mess with. She gave Kichi a faint pout, knowing it would do little to help her, but she always tried to see if it would.

She and Kichi were close friends. Even more so when they found out their shared the same father. Yukina's mother said very little on the matter since Kichi had been raised right alongside her. That had been together even on her mother's tit. Nothing could break their bond. They wouldn't bat an eye to killing for the other.

A smirk grew in place of the pout as her sister spoke of 'playing'. For all of this was always a game to Yukina. She was born in blood and was meant to meld withthe shadows and bring forth terror. "Of course. Lead the way, oh fearless one."

-184/507

ooc: Sorry for the wait. I blame work @_@

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

"A harpy I may be, but at least I am one that can be silent." Kichi pointed down to the village and moved closer to whisper in her sisters ear, so low that the murmur would not be caught on the wind. "Our mission to scout numbers and defenses as well as glean information on who rules this little village. So stealth is a must. This mission is the test that Master Yan gave us the other day. Silence to observe, darkness to move, and never engage unless necessary. Flee if detected. No flight, it is a crutch according Master Yan. From here on out, we use hand signals and night noises for communication." The slightly taller Kichi, moved up a bit and continued to crouch. Kichi respected the old man that served as one of their teachers. Although she knew that her sister did not like the lessons the old man gave out. Yukina was more of a blaze your own path, which was why Kichi constantly tried to remind her of the lessons. She did not wish to see her half-sibling killed early on. The world was a deadly place, she knew this. But she sought to shelter Yukina for as long as possible.

Kichi motioned and began to descend down the rise of the hill, her feet barely touching the ground as she moved towards the village. When she reached the bottom of the hill, in her dark blue and black, she stopped and resumed her crouch and waited for the right moment to continue into the village. When the night was just right, she blended into the shadows and ducked behind one of the small yurts. She would wait and watch for Yukina to follow hoping the princess would be quiet and stealthy. Yukina was gifted with such since it was what she born into. So this should be easy for her.

-336/1148-
ooc: no worries.

Mystic Elder Rep! : 19 Location : Los Angeles, California

As one approaches Jun'Jo, village of the samurai lord, Battousai, they would find that there are no walls to impede them. There would be no visible patrols to halt their approach. This is for two primary reasons: the first is that Jun'Jo is a young village and as such travelers wishing to start a life in the village are typically welcome so long as they carry themselves in a manner of order and do not seek to bring chaos into the samurai's village. The civilians of the village know this simple law very well as it is the only true law that currently exists in Jun'Jo. "Maintain order and aid the village. Cause chaos and punishment will be swift." This "law" was given to the villagers when the head of Battousai's Intelligence Network liberated the village. The second reason is because the "force" that guards this village is rarely ever seen as they are structured to blend in with the surroundings. There is very little that occurs in this area that those in command of The Network do not hear about quickly. Especially when one makes quite a bit of noise.

During the liberation, his confidant that had followed him from the Desert Lands to the Village of the Sun and everywhere he's gone in between, had made her martial prowess known to the villagers as well as her knack for ruthlessness. Anything that stood in the way of helping the young man that had saved her from a life of sexual slavery and all sorts of abuse, would be eliminated with extreme prejudice. She stands in the doorway of the medium house that was built for the Leader of The Network watching the moon. It was a calm night. How long it remained so depended on how certain information reached her.

As of right now, no one seems to notice either of the women and even villagers who might pass by their relative location do not notice them. Life continues on normally.

EXP: 373
TEXP: +2 (250 + NPC)

OOC: Do not wait for me to post. I'll pop in and keep you all updated of how/if your actions gain attention from the operatives in Jun'Jo.

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

The night was perfect for this, Kichi moved around the side of the building and began to assess the village. It was not overly big yet, and still it looked more like farmers with pitch forks than anything else really. Quietly, Kichi placed her hand on a barrel beside the outer wall and vaulted up onto it. Her feet barely making a noise as she stood up and balanced upon the water storage. Her hands reached up and caught the edge of the roof as she pulled herself up. She had been taught by the best and as she pulled herself up, she made only the barest of sounds as her feet touched the wood of the roof. Crouching down, she remained still as she watched the villagers meandering around the area. She was atop a medium sized house as she watched and took mental notes of the buildings and population probabilities.

It was still in construction phase, well some parts. Judging by the size of the houses and how many buildings, Kichi did a quick calculation in her head. there would be over 200 people currently if not more if she judged by everything that was in the works. There was a single large house, would would no doubt be the leader's home. So it was time to make her way across to it and try to gauge what kind of leader resided in this village. Quickly she slipped back down the back of the medium house, landing on the ground in a crouch with a slight expulsion of breath behind her black mask. Those red eyes pierced the darkness as she took off behind the house and crossed to yurt beside it. The Large house was across the street, which would mean she would need to cross without being seen. That would be the hardest part. If she was lucky the leader of the village would not be home.

Quietly she crept along the wall of the yurt with her back to the wall. Quietly and silently she peeked out around the corner at the nearly deserted street. Waiting for a few minutes, she made sure of the most optimal time and ran across the street and hide in the shadows beside the wall of building next to the large house. There she waited to see if she had been seen. There seemed to be no military or militia forces present, since she had not seen any patrols. But she could have been wrong, they could be shadow bound and stealthy like her clan. Which was why she waited. She had what she needed, but if she could figure out what the leader was like, then it would be like a bonus prize. Always she strove to do her best.

-487/1635-

Mystic Elder Rep! : 19 Location : Los Angeles, California

All went as normal within Jun'Jo as the two females carried on in their secretive manner. The Network doesn't interfere with playfulness or sneaking around as these two women could be lesbian lovers trying to avoid detection to or from their sensual tryst. Plus, The Network operates on the element of secrecy and subtly. One never knows who exactly is a member of The Network and who is just a normal merchant or farmer. That is its greatest advantage over would-be enemies. So they would be observed, but left to themselves. That is until one of them starts to make her way towards Lord Battousai's residence. Still, no one would interfere with her just in case, this was all part of some elaborate scheme to test the defenses. Besides, since Jun'Jo has a militia, there would undoubtedly be guards at least inside the house to protect the village leader if there are none outside at this current point in time. Word would be sent to The Network Command Hub, otherwise known as the Hunter's House.

The messenger is a young boy sent by one of the Jun'Jo's most promising, incognito operatives, a local boy around 14 or 15 known for mischief and getting into places that he's not supposed to. The operative observes Kichi as potential for someone to play with before whispering to his friend, "You go and inform the Boss Lady about this one." His friend nods and walks off behind a building before running towards the medium house, the other one, in which the interim head of The Network could be found. The operative, still behind and keeping an eye on Kichi, grabs his slingshot from the back of his belt and grabs a small round capsule from his pouch and loads it into the basket of the slingshot gently to make sure he doesn't rupture it. Being a normal prankster, the thought to hurt her never even crosses his mind. Instead, he just waits for her to make another movement from her position of cover towards the samurai's home.

EXP: 390
TEXP: +2 (250 & NPC)

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

Kichi, slowly moved back and pressed her back against the building beside the Large house. The darkness surrounding her and engulfing her. She was playing with fire and she knew it. But still if one never tried to do something, they could never test their skills. The wheels of fate were set in motion as she kept her back to the building and moved along behind it. Away from the kid and the street. The boy would only see shadows now. It was how her clan operated, in the shadows, so she understood how to best use them for what she was about to do.

Fate was always a fickle mistress, and although tonight was turning out to be such a beautiful night with her mission accomplished, Kichi had no idea what was going on around her behind the scenes. She did not figure that the leader of the village would actually be in residence. Nor did she count on the network of operatives. Neither of these details had been in the initial briefing from her foster mother. And if she was caught, she would not be known to the clan if someone came asking.

Sneaking around the back of the building, she crossed the small, narrow lane between the two building, more like just enough for a person to fit through, and finally reached her destination. The back of the Large house. The red eyed, hybrid looked up at the roof and judged it to be too high for a jump. But there had to be a back door or window. Either way it was sneaking time. Whether it was a window or a door, she brought out a set of picks and began to pick the lock, the shadows consuming her for a moment.

-313/1948-

Mystic Elder Rep! : 19 Location : Los Angeles, California

The boy had a good line of sight on her, but he feels a presence around the area. One that he need not (and dare not) interfere with. He falls back and moves to continue sneaking about the village on his own mischievous rounds.

Back behind the house though, the shinobi would not be interrupted from her attempt. She might find that the lock is exceptionally difficult to pick, but nonetheless, the opportunity to try is afforded to her. The domicile of the lord of the village would not be an easy location for one to infiltrate. Neither would major facilities like the village treasury, armories, granary, and such. Even if a guard detail wasn't present, which would draw the ire of a certain female in the vicinity, base security measures would have to be in place.

After a few attempts or a few minutes had passed, a whip made of magical dark or shadow energy would be making its way from the darkness behind her towards Kichi in an attempt to coil around her upper torso and arms and squeeze. If successful, the whip would attempt to pull Kichi away from the door and to the ground. The best time for an operative to strike someone... when they are busy paying attention to something else and don't know that you're there. If she got an opportunity to see her attacker, it would appear as if darkness itself had reached out and grabbed her. (Stealth ^_^)

EXP: 273
TEXP: +2 (2 threads & NPC)

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

If one wanted to be a good shinobi, one had to learn to keep her mind aware of her surroundings. When one was the bastard child of the Matriarch's lover, one had to learn at a very young age to be very aware of those surroundings, lest that same matriarch decided to inflict harm upon the youngster. That was training that had started years ago, and that training kicked in as she felt the presence of another in just enough time to drop the picks and hit the ground in a sideways roll. The whip would catch nothing but air, just barely. Quickly the young woman was on her feet, instinctively knowing that there was someone out there. So be it, the village was protected. A nice thing to know, and by something as stealthy if not more so than she. Within seconds, Kichi made the decision that a hasty retreat was in order. It was not her job to engage, but to scout. She was just hoping to earn a few brownie points with the Matriarch for the extra information on the ruler of the village.

Right after hitting her feet, she took off to the side and decided to make a break for the darkness of the open plains. Her clothing allowing her to blend into the night in certain places as to appear like she was doing that age old disappear/reappear trick. If the assailant followed, she would handle that, but she was trying for an escape for now. The abandoned picks, were nothing more than simple lock picks, no marking nothing to lead back to her.

-289/2237-

Mystic Elder Rep! : 19 Location : Los Angeles, California

The unknown operative trying to break into Battousai's house had hit the ground and moved away from the door as planned, only one thing was missing and that was the operative within the clutches of the head operative's energy whip. She would not be able to evade her for long as Battousai's house was not on the outskirts of the village where any could attempt an assassination on the lord and easily escape. She would have to make it out of the village. Since her master's disappearance, Mirage had been itching for a good operative hunt. Now she had one. Allowing the female to flee was in Mirage's favor as she could not afford to damage Lord Battousai's house. So the shinobi would be allowed to run. She didn't move that fast, which is a plus for Mirage, who could not afford to allow her escape.

Mirage remains melded into the shadows until the two female operatives are at least 100 yards from Battousai's house. It is then that she would make her move. Misdirection would be the course of action this time. Three rocks would be flicked in different directions around Kichi before Mirage emerged from the shadows with an orb of shadow energy hurled at the right side of her torso. Mirage wields a short scimitar in her left hand held in reverse grip, with the blade running along her forearm. She would look at Kichi for a moment before her image fades away once more, whether Kichi managed to see her or not.

EXP: 286
TEXP: +2 (2nd thread & NPC)

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

Kichi was on the run, and like any good shinobi, she knew that running away was sometimes the best selection for the course of events. The Shadow was soon holding up to her namesake and trying to fade into the shadows. But Mirage was as good as her own name. The three rocks had no effect and she kept her same course. Her path leading her weaving around behind buildings, and construction sites and out to the edge of town. When Mirage appeared, the young woman, tucked and rolled under the effect of the shadow ball aimed to her side. Still keeping her forward momentum. Her face covered from the prying eyes of the operative. Kichi would be the one to get away from this woman. Fate was in her favor. They would be moving at the same rate true, and Kichi was slowly trying to figure out just what to do about that. Finally and suddenly she stopped in the shadows behind a building, her red eyes cutting the darkness. Her hand on her katana, the thumb pushing the hilt out just slightly out from the sheath. This would be the unexpected move from the young shinobi.

Her feet were apart in a stance that was a perfect for being able to swing around, using the fluid motions and momentum of drawing her sword, should she have the need. The operative was good, but was she as good as the youngster? If nothing else Kichi would be able to give her a run for her money. Her sensitive ears listened to pick up the slightest movement of the shadows.

-289/2526-

Mystic Elder Rep! : 19 Location : Los Angeles, California

Kichi would not escape from Mirage. The primary advantage that the operative had over the shinobi here is the terrain. She may have scouted the area, but Mirage KNOWS Jun'Jo from its infant stage to where it is now. She knew the shortcuts and where to provide the best ambush. The problem though is that this is her home, so pushing over the wood or stone being used to build some of the new construction was not in Jun'Jo's best interest and therefore not in hers either. When she fades away, Mirage takes one of those shortcuts, while her shadow magic allows her to track the shinobi. It was quite the enjoyable game for Mirage, tho something else was starting to arouse her senses as well. Something far less pleasant than this hunt with this thief. Still, one problem at a time. When the shinobi stops, Mirage emerges from the shadows as if she is a shadow merely taking on a humanoid form in complete silence. (Stealth) She just looks at Kichi. "You cannot escape me. What is your business in Jun'Jo?" While her positioning would have allowed for an attack of opportunity or sneak attack, Mirage seemed to be channeling her master in this encounter. It is not always best to attack, but to try to uncover the motives of the intruder. There was truly only one thing that Mirage cared about with this operative...

EXP: 267
TEXP: +2 (NPC & 2nd thread)

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

Behind her mask, the young woman's mouth lifts up at the corners. This woman was good, and rather careless. Kichi would not speak, just draw the sword in a simple, quick movement. A fluid slash as she maintained her position. She did not attack the woman straight up, and just as she raised her sword to point at the woman, an alarm sounded, along with shouts of "Bandits." This took attention away from the the fight, and the young shinobi glanced to the side for a moment, before glancing back to the woman and shaking her head. Tossing in a silent shrug for just a moment. As if saying, don't look at me, not my doing.

The red eyes continued to watch the woman to see who she would chose. The bandits attacking the village or keeping the shinobi here. It really wasn't Kichi's doing, but she would take the moment to flee if she could. Then she smelled something acrid and a pale red glow centered towards the farthest edge of the village. Fire. Kichi, slipped her sword back into the sheath and gave the woman a mock salute, as she took off on foot towards the edge of town. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. A good motto to live by. As she past the house on fire, the young shinobi heard a tiny sound that made her pause. A child's muffled scream of fear. In a most human of gestures, the shinobi stopped and gazed at the building going up in flames. She couldn't let a child get injured. Not like that. Her mission was nothing like these bandits, she was not here to hurt or kill, just to scout and report.

In an effort, she jumped up, her gloved hands using the edge of the roof to pull herself up. Once there she noticed the flames growing ever larger, and took two steps away from the wall, towards the center of the roof. If she wasn't careful, she could collapse the roof and that could be really bad. Drawing her sword, she began to cut away at the roof until there was a small hole. Then she dropped into the hut. Through the smoke and red flames, she saw the small boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old huddled in the corner. He was coughing and crying. The smoke was so thick, that she took off her half mask, moved to the boy. Wrapping the mask around him, so that he could breath better. In one smooth motion, she sheathed the sword and scooped up the boy. "Wrap your arms around my neck. I need to use both hands to climb out." The boy was scared and did as he was told, her hands shifting him around until he was piggyback. The smoke was starting to cause her to cough and sputter, but sheer force of will had her moving a chair to the hole and jumping up. Using the edges of the roof, she hauled them both up, and then tumbled off the roof.

Smoke and soot covered her face as she shifted the boy around her while she tucked and rolled. Protecting him as they impacted the ground. Scrambling up, one hand on the boy she ran a few steps from the hut with the child and the set him down. "Stay here, they will find you." Then she offered him a smile, took her mask and slipped back on her face. Then she gently tapped his nose and took off into the night.

-624/3150-

Mystic Elder Rep! : 49 Location : Greenville, SC

Updated Kichi - reseting values

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