A Life Less Frightening pt.2 [Finished]

[Tyro]

He had been walking for some time now. No destination in question, but traveling. These days it was vital to continue moving, especially after the war. At least it was to him. It was very possible that he could simply stay put in a cottage somewhere, and life without worry, but his paranoia led him to keep moving. He had long since left the gate of Mizukagure, after being denied access. The bridge connecting the Land of Water and Fire was long since behind him, and the new scenery of lush trees and fields were the new terrain.

The area didnt seem desolate, but there was little population save for the notable home he was walking some meters by. He approached from the side, moving parallel to it. It was only notable for the single body that was moving towards it. That made it the busiest hub in the area, meant some form of communication.

This wasn't for Akio though. It was none of his business, and he did not see reason to intervene, they needed not his services nor did he have an inquiry. So he continued away from the house, moving along his path, feet making small indents on the ground that gave little sound or remains of his presence. It only continued in this way for a small time however before he heard the shout. Instantly, he pivoted, close to 360 degrees to face the home where the sound came from.

"You'll die! Those who dishonor the Samurai DO NOT SURVIVE!"


Was what he heard as he drew his blade and rushed to the noise. The steel was held out vertically as he made his entrance into the home. Trained eyes scanned the immediate area. Akio found several things. A body, fallen, with no noted signs of blood, another on its knees, with katana bloodied, and one headless. He supposed they had disrespected the Samurai in question, and indeed they did not live. He pitied them greatly.

"Samurai?" he questioned, then, remembering the respectfulness towards his fellow clansmen, "Brother?" He slowly sheathed the katana, should the figure not show an aggressive nature. He couldn't help but put together the pieces that his clansmen had slain at least one of the people here.

"Explain yourself if you would...." he asked. In these times, the words of his own kin were the only ones he was likely to trust. Although the act still did not sit right with him.

[Tyro]

He did his best to calm his head around the situation. Showing signs of anxiousness may make his clansmen nervous, which Akio did not want to do. It was disrespectful when he meant no harm. The scene remained unchanging, save for the man rising only to the stance of a hunchback, and sheathing his sword. Akio concluded that there was no threat, he feared not his clansmen. He sheathed his own blade before continuing to hear the man's story.

Here, Akio was somewhat confused at first. He spoke with a...romanticized tongue. It wasn't an annoyance, but Akio did need a few seconds to process the words before being sure of what he was hearing:


"That which it is that you see before you is the result of unaccomplished ambition and a dream let go. If this was preventable I would have made it so but he the headless slandered our clan, so, he had to go. The girl jumped from the balcony window to the ground below. A suicide for reasons that are unknown but I can only assume she was pushed by fear of letting go."

Okay. The man talked ill of the Samurai, and so he was killed. Likely in rage. Akio himself tried to exercise more tolerance, but they all had limits, and in these times he would be slow to judge the mishaps of his own clan. The girl, suicide unfortunately, from fear of abandonment. Sense had been established then.

His fellow Samurai addressed himself as belonging to the Raharu sect of the clan, named Yokata.

" I am Akio. Of the Akira Samurai." Then he was asked for some information they both starved for. "No...unfortunately I have no word from the homeland. I have yet to travel back there after the war, but I have made myself useful to the land dissolving disputes and conflicts. Establishing whatever balance I could."

He paused, and looked around the scene again. It was the best gauge he had on the man, Yokata. Although he didn't agree that it was a positive first impression, he did agree that Yokata must have been powerful.

"Listen...in these times...I travel alone, and many would question such a decision. Unnatural times are stirring, strange happenings, byproducts of the war. I would appreciate some company. We may be much more effective together than parted. And you could use some time away from this." He indicated the death in the room. Pity they were but a drop in the ocean of current massacres, but Akio was sincere in his invitation to team together. Samurai militaristic ways encouraged grouping for strength.

[Tyro]

With the nod after Akio's proposal, his shoulders would subtly ease down as he felt a notable bit more comfortable with the Samurai. These times brought about a skepticism of partnership. Akio was unsure if he would befriend another should they not be of the clan. These thoughts he suppressed, better to be thought over at another time if at all.

Then, Yokata produced a note, and handed it to him without a pause. He read it through, slowly, and then again, to fully absorb the knowledge. It stated the ideals, the knowledge that all Samurai duly carried. It wasn't new knowledge, but it still served to warm Akio's heart. Word from the Land of Iron, he had so little of it; he was almost as gracious to the note as the homeless to a meal.

Akio turned, and leaned on the door to the home. He looked outside, then back at Yokata after he spoke. He understood. His fellow clansmen wanted to be sure of his own ability, in order to not limit himself. Akio himself did not expect to be babysat. Even in the homeland, they were akin to wolves, the dominant and able survived, if not, they died.

Akio responded simply: "Not to worry, brother, I am quite confident in my ability. Although I do intend to better myself as constantly as possible."


So...where are we to head now?

[Tyro]

His comrade spoke again as Akio gave his response. To not slow him down, he'd make sure of it. Then he proceeded to drop liquid onto the home. Akio did not question it in the slightest. He expected it to be a burn accelerator, the smell was familiar, and it was likely the fastest and most decent way the pair would be buried. They were in the same place for some time, Akio was not up for the idea of digging a grave, nor did he think his partner would agree.

They traveled back out the house as the exploding tag was place, Akio knew it would make quite the large blast radius. He and Yokata stood at a safe distance before the orange glow of fire came about. He wasn't exactly sure of the reason behind the sad scene, but even he felt a tug in his heart at the toll he imagined.

He was happy to begin on his way, they used the road he had previously been traveling on, walking leisurely but the ever present sense of danger was about him. He laughed at his allies statement. "Dont fuck me over.". It was the same thought running through his mind. An extra would indeed be helping in mediating the two.

"We may want to set up for the night. The clouds passing means darkness. I dont believe either of us have a tool for nightvision, rather not be ambushed or the like. Or, we may search for Konoha, it was my next destination after the Village Hidden in The Mist."

[yokata]

The mood was apprehensive as the sky became darker as the cloud coverage blocked out the Sun which was beginning to set. Akio broke the silence with a statement.

"We may want to set up for the night. The clouds passing means darkness. I dont believe either of us have a tool for nightvision, rather not be ambushed or the like. Or, we may search for Konoha, it was my next destination after the Village Hidden in The Mist."

Interesting that he would want to travel out-of-his way to the Mist when Konoha is so much more closer to us than the island.

"Let's go to Konoha first. I heard it's nice and breezy there."

--
[EXIT RP]

[Tyro]

Akio followed next to Yokata, off to Konoha they went.

[exit RP]

[DAVID BOWE]

Yokata;; forty seven exp addition
Tyro;; twenty eight exp addition