Soho Sanctuary~

[Jun]

I hope you like it Teru. It was inspired by Spirited Away, haha.
Oh and by the way, this thread is invite only !

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Soho Sanctuary

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"Off the beaten path~"

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Welcome ! Nestled somewhere far off in Kusa No Kuni is a tea house rumored to be run by an all female staff. Left untouched by modern maps, the only way one stumbles upon this "hotel" of sorts is to become hopelessly lost. Indeed, it is so out of the way that it rarely receives any customers at all. With that said, it's a true marvel that the structure is still up and running at all. However, upon closer look this local legend is under obscure management. In addition, being placed in the midst of a seemingly endless expanse of emerald grass makes it easy to pinpoint any foreign bodies attempting to draw near.

On the interior of this mistakenly "abandoned" house is a traditional Japanese setting, including wooden floors and sliding paper doors. The entire place seems to carry with it an aura of authentic culture and "class", if you will. And if the hanging lanterns don't impress you then the hospitality will ! Yes, the ladies inhabiting Soho Sanctuary take pride in their ability to cook, clean, and overall cater to the needs of their clients. With their uniform consisting of a smooth, salmon colored kimono, they set the standard for restaurants everywhere. Trust me, the cuisine here will blow you away. Not to mention that the hot tub, cozy rental rooms, and pleasant weather will have tourists sticking around for days. Just one word of advice, avoid the warden like the plague...

She's a total bitch !

Key NPC's ~

x Chie

Age 21. A high spirited waitress at the tea house. Though she's one of the younger staff members, she quite hard working despite being so damn clumsy. Chie is known to be pretty chatty and often lets her emotions get the best of her. Still, she is motherly in some aspects and can't help but to be concerned when someone appears hurt. She doesn't remember her life before arriving at Soho Santuary.

x Nagi

Age 29. A self proclaimed "Samurai" that has spent the past two months lounging around at Soho Sanctuary. The women have insisted on kicking him out but he claims to be "body-guarding" the damsels in distress. He can talk your ear off with tales of his glory days in battle but most cast it off as mere bullshit. In reality he's just a lazy bastard that spends his days drinking sake and hitting on the local tail. He carries with him a blade he calls "Orochi", though it doesn't seem to have any special properties.

x Lady Usagi

Age undisclosed. She runs Soho Sanctuary and everyone in it. Known to be extremely self centered and arrogant, everyone around does well to avoid her for the most part. Not that they have to try hard, as she spends most of her days cooped up in her luxurious office anyways. On occasion she will leave the house for extended periods without giving reason, though lately she's been trying to rid herself of a drunken Nagi. It is said that the sanctuary originated by her doing but the past is something she keeps to herself. Regardless of others opinions of her, she is an expert leader and good at getting things accomplished.

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[Jun]

"Heeey! I think somebody's out there!"

The voice carried through the breeze, even from afar. I had gone from high ambition to a demoralized wanderer in a matter of minutes. Kusa No Kuni and all of its green radiance had mocked me and led my footfall astray, though encountering in the distance what I prayed was a lodging of sorts gave me a bit of new found optimism. Now that expanse had been closed and I began to converge on the shabby inn, my crimson visuals full of essence. Soft blades of grass crunched beneath my feet as I made my way towards where a stranger in a salmon pink kimono waved at me from the deck.

She had mousy brown hair from what I could tell, and her waving in my direction attracted the attention of others. Soon an additional three females swarmed the front of the massive structure and gazed upon me as if I was some foreigner from another galaxy. They seemed to chat among themselves about something inaudible to my senses. Heavy doses of smoke pitched themselves from pipes on the roof and I began to question what women like these were doing in such a run down castle. Past a wooden fence I progressed, into what was assumed to be officially their territory. Hung clothing attached to twin rods danced in the wind. The coffee haired girl hurried towards me, her features full of thrill. I stopped in my tracks, bewildered by her sudden moves but unafraid nonetheless. This had to be an uncharted place, for there was not even a freckle of civilization for miles around. It was in this remote location that the girl suddenly grabbed my hand and tugged me towards where the others where waiting.

"Welcome to Soho Sanctuary! You must be tired. Come with me I'll get you a drink!"

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I was puzzled, however still obliged as I was admittedly quite drained. She grasped my hand even tighter and pulled me up the steps and through the paper doors where we were greeted by even more females dressed in the same attire as my savior. So many questions were thrown in my direction, so many sights and sounds overwhelmed my persona at once. It was all too much. And just as abruptly the first male I had seen in days erupted onto the scene just as brash as my generous guardian had done. She had done well in keeping the others at bay but this blade wielding fellow over powered her and demanded answers.

"Just who the hell is this? Let me be the judge of whether she's a danger or not."

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Brown hair stepped up to him. Her size in comparison didn't seem to be a factor.

"Why don't you shut up Nagi? Or you'll scare the first real customer we've had in a while away."

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I had no idea what was going on. Her rude temperament towards the swordsman immediately went away once she turned to face me again. It was replaced instead by a genuine smile.

"Aha, don't mind him he's just drunk as usual. By the way, my name is Chie."

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Just what had I gotten myself into?

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[chiatsuki]

natsufubuki

---

Book - 1
Chapter - 3; Stash-house

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It had been awhile since the chunin had returned home. . but it was the new year and all funikumi returned for the new year for the annual clan meeting. Hyoka had imagined the city in ruins; the smoke from the war still casting its shade over the village. . but what was this? Civilization? The smoke filtering from a chimney atop a three story house, this only reminded him even more of the destruction the village had been left in before him and his clan were forced to move on. (‘Hmm. . I wonder how long I’ve been gone. .’).

The thoughts almost angered him thinking of the war as his footsteps came to a halt at the mahogany wood door. It cringed slightly as the wind blew – his eyes lazily dancing melancholy to and fro the door as the thoughts of his brother Fou once more tracing back into his mind like blood through the vein. These flashbacks were all too much for the brute; he had never been so emotional in his entire life and it was becoming somewhat agitated.

“. . .what do I do fou?” he’d ask himself aloud pushing the door open. His nimble fingers sliding across the door pushing it open scratching some of the old dried paint off of the door scratching some of it under his fingernails. As the hinges of the door, rusted and dry, cringed open the chunin would walk in in attempts to investigate.

[Jun]

The doors coasted open, betraying the presence on the other side. It was an azure headed lad, with height surpassing my own. He stepped in, oblivious to the events that had just transpired. I turned my gaze towards the newcomer, sensing something offbeat about him besides the electric blue hair. Nagi on the other hand must have picked up on something completely different, for the way he pointed his weapon into the face of the drifter would lead one to believe we were dealing with a person of malice.

"Another visitor? This girl must have led him here. Or better yet they're accomplices! Either way they must be up to no good. I'll deal with them myself!"

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"You moron!" Ha, Chie wasn't having that. She drew the line, snatching his collar with authority and making a valiant attempt at pulling him backwards. It was probably the sake that did more damage however, because her animated tug turned into a head over heels flop onto the polished wooden floor. His back hit the ground hard, though none of the women seemed to give the slightest fuck. Yet as he propped himself up and rubbed his thick dome we overheard footsteps coming from upstairs.

"What's all that racket down there?! I want work, not noise!"

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And just as quickly the congregation of ladies surrounding the scene rushed back to their former duties, or so I assumed. "Quick, everyone pretend to be busy!" one of the waitresses uttered, dashing to the back of the room before disappearing behind a sheet covered door. Chie grabbed a broom and stood by idly, as she did a half ass job of sweeping the floor. Overall their act was quite convincing and as a pair of lithe feet came into view from the stair set to the rear I wondered who could be arriving that would cause such a sudden change in the atmosphere. I went to stand by sky hair, uncertain of what was to come.

"Don't worry, I'm just as clueless as you are, stranger."

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[chiatsuki]

natsufubuki

---

Book - 1
Chapter - 3; Stash-house

---

He hadn’t heard much at all in the initial seconds that everything had happened. The seconds that passed by were like eons in the hell that trapped him in this flashback. Hallucinating ever since his cut fingertips softly tapped along the door the distraught natsufubuki still seemed somewhat paused and motionless as the chaos encircled him. Sweat dripped down his forehead through the curvatures around his eyes as his senses finally awakened.

It was as if he had seen a ghost – although quite the opposite – because there hadn’t been living people in the village of kusa since he’d last left. Ocean water hues fell quickly into her sanguine coated eyes. . only the first feature he’d noticed of her right away. It couldn’t’ be an angel for there was no angelic glow around her. . the second thing he’d noticed of her.

As she stepped closer her pink lips would become somewhat hypnotic as she calmly cooed the exotic words like a temptress mistress demon - symbolically the perfect thing to Hyoka in comparison to deities. ( ‘perfect. .’) he’d think to himself as she positioned herself to his left. Precaution would make him grab tesaiga’s edge as a figure approached from the end of the room. A seductress in form she truly were – blonde locks trailing to the tips of her shoulders with a skin tight red dress which rose well above her knees which fit perfectly around the curvatures of her body.

This woman did, however, look like an angel and it completely disgusted him. With a quirked brow the chunin would coo a mighty response from the gallows of his gut. “I am sorry to interrupt whatever it was that was going on here. . I’m looking for members of the funikumi tribe. . my name is Hyoka. .” he’d retort in a calm manner toward the lady cascading the steps. Just what type of place was this anyway?

[Jun]

First hips, then bountiful cleavage, and finally the face of a celestial being descended into the room, her steps carrying a hint of conceit with them. And for a modest second my neighbor's ocean eyes made contact with my own fiery orbs. In nature, water and flame would never be compatible but in this moment we seemed to transgress that indefinite law. I peeked around a bit as the seductive woman made it to ground level, all of the salmon dressed girls spoke not a single word, nor did they decide to look at the gem hoarding maiden. Indeed, it appeared as if she had a ring for each finger; a trinket for each day of the week. This lass stopped but a few feet ahead of us, brushing her locks to the side with the sweep of a delicate hand. Ever so briefly I swore I saw a tattoo on the side of her neck, though I deemed it as insignificant.

“I am sorry to interrupt whatever it was that was going on here. . I’m looking for members of the funikumi tribe. . my name is Hyoka. .”

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"Hyoka..." I whispered to myself, allowing my tongue to become familiar with the name. He spoke next of a clan that I knew nothing about. Until now I hadn't even realized that they existed. My own clan was the Akegarasu, though I kept my mouth shut about it. I held much pride in my lineage and thought of what his own people were like in comparison to my own. Surely they had to be worth something for him to be searching for. Obviously however the woman ahead of us thought otherwise, as her eyes narrowed upon hearing that name. Funikumi...

"What business do you have with that murderous lot? And if I did so happen to know of where they were I wouldn't tell you. They're where they belong ~ in the past. To hell with all of them."

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Her words were sharp, cutting down the clan with an animosity I couldn't comprehend. Still, I stood at the side of the man, not yet understanding why she had found it necessary to reject the question with such harshness. I knew not of how Hyoka would react to her opinion but chose to stand up for him, adding my own will into the mix. "I'm looking for something too." My visuals traveled around the room and it seemed as if all eyes were now on us. The dark woman gave a devilish smirk.

"Is that so? And just what would that be, girl?"

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[chiatsuki]

natsufubuki

---

Book - 1
Chapter - 3; Stash-house

---

"What business do you have with that murderous lot? And if I did so happen to know of where they were I wouldn't tell you. They're where they belong ~ in the past. To hell with all of them."

---

Her words were only like knives to the soft penetrated heart . . though hyoka’s defenses remained solid as his lips turned from the frown they’d been placed in back into that infamous devilish smirk. The leader of the funi’s tribe was as hostile as ever when their name was spoken of in such a disrespectful tone. A chuckle would begin to falter from his tresses – his shoulders shaking to personify the psychotic tendencies dwelling within his train of thought. “You’d be wise not to speak to me, or of my clan, in that tone again bitch.. and you are very mistaken to think our numbers have fallen.

If our infamy has still surpassed even our names then you would be wise to give me an apology” he’d respond almost immediately pulling the edge of tessaiga out fully with a slow arc of his arm finally pointing the edge of the blade at her from fifteen meters away. The raven haired beauty to his side had become somewhat become the monkey in the middle of what war was about to rage in this place. . but Hyoka would give the female a chance at least to redeem herself. If not they would all soon see why his name was Tenkihenka – the natsufubuki.

(getting a gm in here since it got interesting)

[Katsumaru]

Chie’s eyes widened at the unfolding scene, broom falling from her hands as she gasped in shock. ”No, no, there is no need for this.” she mumbled feebly, stepping in between the two. In her rushed walk, the clumsy girl almost stumbled forward, barely catching her delicate figure by thrusting out her hand to grab a nearby chair. Voice soft, filled with trepidation she spoke again,”Just a tea house, you know? Fighting here makes everything worse.” With fearful eyes Chie took several steps away from Hyoka, her legs shaking.

Nagi turned his attention to the unfolding event, furiously slamming his palms onto a table. Standing rapidly the man roared, breath tainted with the stench of alcohol,”You best calm down there, mate.” he commanded, words heavily slurred. His intoxication was quite evident. ”Thinking you can prove something by threatening a girl? It’s me who has something to prove. I am a samurai.” he stated proudly, referencing the lie hidden behind layers of well-known, farcical tales. Nagi stood with folded arms and hazed eyes, breath heavy and mind dimmed by the excess consumption of alcohol.

The unfolding scene has taken a rather macabre turn, and perhaps it proceeded down a path worsening the already unfortunate matter. With a creak, the door open, the day’s light casting a bright bea, into the Tea House. Quite unfittingly, a shirtless man stepped through the door, muscled extraordinarily well. His finely defined chest muscled, thickly haired chest gleamed under the light, sweat dripping onto the grounds. The hairs were not simply thick, but seemed like a massive forest that made his ebony skin appear almost pure black.

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[Jun]

"Power."

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My response came only with a straight face. I was serious ~ everyone in the room should have been able to have felt it. Even the dark woman's face lit up upon hearing my request. Then I glanced to my left, sight beholding the persona of a sadistic man with intentions just as wicked. His laugh had not been a pleasant one.

“You’d be wise not to speak to me, or of my clan, in that tone again bitch.."

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He threatened the maiden, who perhaps even deserved it, though I remained silent throughout the whole ordeal. His clan and their whereabouts were none of my business and I much preferred it that way. I found life to be a lot less burdensome when one avoided being tangled up in the affairs of others. Live and let live ~ that philosophy had gotten me this far at least. Subsequently, the chest heavy lady cast a foreboding glare towards the only presence foolish enough to point a sword in her direction. She wasn't too fond of being called a bitch and nearly lost it, as the embers in her eyes gave that fact away. But somehow she maintained her composure, shifting her piercing eyes around the room to where Chie had decided to step in as a mediator and Nagi rambled on as usual about being a Samurai. For her, choosing to engage Hyoka would mean disrupting the workflow and possibly damaging an otherwise valuable estate. Besides, like she needed staff seeing her authority being questioned.

"How about we continue this up in my office?"

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She would coo, a diplomatic grin stretched across her forced face. With that said she'd turn and lead our duo to the stairs. I'd tail her, and if Hyoka did so too we'd find ourselves ascending past the wooden guardrails and hanging lanterns. Traversing upward, I could feel the tension held by the two aggressors I was beside without even looking at them. It was awkward, therefore I'd aim to decrease the strain for my own sanity, if anything else. "What is this place?" The question came naturally, as it had been nagging at my conscious since first arriving.

"It's a tea house for those who wish to escape the trials and tribulations of life. A place of cleansing, if you will."

Her answer arrived with a practiced aura, as if she held herself in high esteem for being the genius who created the idea. My gaze darted from wall to wall, even upon entering the cozy confines of her office. Almost every piece in her space had some sort of gold or high monetary value placed on it. She took a seat, neglecting to offer her guests chairs of their own. Not that there were any available ~ the setup gave off the impression that visitors didn't stay in the room for very long. Workers were in and out, the luxury of sitting was something they weren't afforded.

"Call me Lady Usagi. Good thing you caught me in a good mood."

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From behind her paperwork piled desk she looked up at us and smiled, her painted fingernails intertwined with one another.

"What I said earlier about the clan stays, lad. For apologizing would be like changing my opinion of them."

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Her eyes veered towards sky hair, as she awaited what could have been another hostile reaction from him.

"But if it makes you any happier, I can tell you that you won't find who you're looking for around these parts."

Then she eyed me up and down for a bit, calculating something, or so I assumed. Yes, she'll do just fine... Lady Usagi thought to herself, an unspoken plot playing itself through her materialistic head.

"As for the girl, I have a proposition for you darling."

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Her approach was too friendly, and I suspected something almost immediately. Though I didn't know what it was. Meanwhile she reached behind her, where a row of scrolls rested on various shelves. She grabbed one of the heftier ones.

"I'll give you one week. If by the end of the seven days you succeed, you'll have the power you've been seeking. If not, you become my servant in Soho Sanctuary for life. Deal?"

[/right]

She unraveled the parchment, numerous hand prints replacing the usual blank pages. It appeared as if the palms served as signatures. That's the impression I received anyways. "What is this?" I questioned, not readily available to just sign my life away to slavery. Lady Usagi gave me another one of her infamous smirks.

"What else, dear? It's a Summoning Contract."

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OOC// Forgot to add some techniques for the NPC's in case they were needed, so yeah.

SPOILER: Click to show

Lady Usagi~

x All Raiton up to S Rank
x Kuroi Kaminari up to S Rank
x Curse Mark Seal

SPOILER: Click to show

Nagi~

x All Kenjustu up to B Rank
x All Heavy Blade up to B Rank

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[tigaevo]

+23 Soh
+47 ane
+8 kats

Modified, all players must exit the thread before you receive double exp.

[chiatsuki]

/exit

[Jun]

Hyoka must not have liked the answers given, for he departed from Soho Sanctuary without a hitch. Still, I felt as if our paths would cross again in the near future. My intuition was second to none. Though for now I took Lady Usagi up on her offer, my eyes tinted with a bit of skepticism. Why she was so prompt to bestow a stranger with such a gift was beyond me, but I wouldn't let her know that. I'd nearly nod and add my own hand to the assembly of others, prepared for a grueling week. The race was on and I wouldn't allow myself to become a mere workhorse for her to rule ~ there was simply too much at stake.

"Ah, good. May the best woman win then."

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She'd wink, yet I could see right through her act. She was up to something and even as I abandoned the strange tea house I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Without a doubt the summoning scroll she had left in my care was authentic enough ~ anyone with eyes could see that. Then just what was it about her that threw me off?

---

Without dwelling on too much I began my quest, and found myself standing upbeat in the midst of an emerald pasture. Tall stalks of grass leaned into the breeze, oblivious to the cloud barren skies passing overhead. My attention was on the scroll before me, engrossed in its contents. Surprisingly, I had some sort of experience with summoning, or rather seals in general. The concept of calling upon beings from other realms had always sat well with me. Now that the opportunity presented itself, it damn near impossible to say no.

Once I felt I had a solid understanding of Kuchiyose no Jutsu and its inner workings I put that knowledge to the test. I was quick with learning, and even faster with mastering so calling a measly D rank beast out came with ease. Intentionally, a rounded fang punctured my right thumb, drawing blood. Such was the price one had to pay to gain other worldly power. My dainty fingers weaved the subsequent seals without my even thinking. This was all elementary to me. It was with confidence that a bloodied palm crashed into the soil, resulting in a plume of smoke.

When it was all said and done I had a rabbit standing before me with a coat of fur as pure as snow. In addition it displayed an dark jacket with Kanji etched on the back. Overall a rather cute summon ~ surely one not suited for the battlefield.

"Whoa, who the hell are you? You aren't lady Usagi!"

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The creature was naive, though I stared down at it as if conversing with another human being. "You're right, I'm your new master." I explained bluntly. If the little lady objected, I doubted she'd be able to do much about it. Although she did do quite a bit of jumping around in protest ~ not that it mattered.

"Besides, your old lady is a bitch. I can do way better than her."

The small one suddenly stopped in his bunny-sized tracks. Her ears were perked and full of interest.

"Really? I'd love to see that! She's pretty talented ya' know."

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SPOILER: Click to show

Himi
Rank: D
Types: Ninjutsu – Genjutsu – Taijutsu
Release: Raiton ( Lightning )
Description: Himi is the first summon under the Rabbit Contract and is a lower-type within the Rabbit Family. She is completely white with electric blue markings around her eyes and lips. Himi sports a black jacket with the kanji-symbol of lightning on her back. The bunny is very lighthearts; he has a very bubbly attitude and loves to jump around. Her energetic personality represents her release. Himi is small enough to fit on the head of her user.

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[Jun]

"Why? You don't believe me?" I inquired, wondering just what this little specimen knew about the lady who ran Soho Sanctuary. We were quite the distance away from the Tea house to begin with, only its silhouette appearing in the lofty horizon.

"No, not at all! But she's the only human I've ever known that was capable of taming Machimi-sama."

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"Who?" I hadn't the slightest idea of who or what she was talking about. I swear I hadn't heard that name anywhere before, but -sama had to mean that this soul held some sort of weight. I crouched ever so slightly, now able to speak with my bunny companion somewhat face-to-face.

"Ugh, don't worry about it. Let's just see if you can get past Jakkumi first. He's really mean."

[/right]

Using context clues, I assumed she was mentioning members of her family. I stood upright once more and nodded, newly found resolve ready to bring me closer to summoning all of them. My life was on the line after all. Grass continued to sway and blood continued to trickle from my open wound. This sanguine liquid was vital to Kuchiyose no Jutsu, and I would reuse it in order to create the same effect. Indeed my bleeding thumb joined its brethren in weaving a collection of the zodiac, chakra soon pouring from my essence. "Watch and learn little one." I would coo, confidence seeming to radiate off of my pale skin.

Kanji stretched itself across the ground, as the equivalent of a smoke bomb escaped into the wind. As I regained my footing I eyed my aftermath, easily satisfied with how it all turned out. An over-sized rabbit with a beige coat of fur stood before my presence, its expression unpleasant. This one would go from kneeling to standing on two feet, measuring nearly five feet in height. In addition, I was quick to take note of the bandages cocooned around his hands. A Taijutsu practitioner, presumably. Jakkumi, as I figured, gave off that close-quarters type of vibe. In the rabbit world, I gathered that he was pretty handsome.

"Eh? Little Himi you have some explaining to do."

[/right]

His declaration didn't have a sweet tone attached to it. Simply put, he sounded irritated, as if I woke him up from the best nap of his life. He peered down at his younger sibling, who only returned a light-hearted shrug.

"Hey, don't point your paws at me. I guess Lady Usagi must have passed our contract on to this girl."

[/right]

She gestured up at me. My gaze faltered from one hare to the other.

"What?! I don't believe you! A scrawny girl like this? She'll have to prove herself before I even think about following her orders!"

[/right]

The Jack Rabbit poised himself, prepared for battle. I could already see where this was going.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Jakkumi
Rank: C
Types: Taijutsu – Ninjutsu – Genjutsu
Release: N/A
Description: Jakkumi is a considered an unorthodox summoning within the contract. His stature reaches at a height of about five-feet when he stands like a human. His coloration and appearance matches that of a Jack Rabbit. Jakkumi’s oversized hands are free to shape into fists for battle and a fist-fighter, he has placed bandage-wraps around his arms to soak up the blood of his victims. Jakkumi prefer Taijutsu over any other type and is extremely competitive. He takes fighting very seriously, but will continually mock an enemy while he fights. Jakkumi also wear tattered black shorts.

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[Jun]

It was a stand down, with my animal adversary 5 meters ahead. Our eyes were locked and I could see his husky paws clenched in anticipation. As a hare, I expected Jakkumi to have speed, which he verified by using those hind legs of his to thrust himself forward. Through the meadow he bounded, a single furry fist braced to collide with my bonny frame. However I was just as graceful on the field of battle; so much so that as he touched down where I once was, he'd turn only to find the tip of a charcoal katana at his throat. The moment had ensued in a matter of seconds and from the look on my adversary's face, it was a safe bet that even he hadn't seen it coming.

There I was, both hands clutching the hilt of my weapon. I did well in taking care of my blade, as a glint of radiance reflected off of the metallic surface ~ all thanks to the almighty sun. My breath remained at the same pace held before our brief altercation, my expression just as emotionless. I was truly ruthless, for in times of war hesitation only led to ones own demise. Although, I believed Jakkumi got the point since he made no additional attempts at resistance. If anything he seemed bewildered. "What do you know about Lady Usagi?" That's all I gave him.

"Besides the fact that she's stronger than you'll ever be? I dunno. But what'd she say when she gave you our contract?"

[/right]

My gaze tightened ~ he was a stubborn one. Still I obliged, for it was understandable that he have questions of his own. "I have a week to complete the contract," I began, never once lowering my blade from his neck. Our visual contact was steady as ever."Or I become her slave for life." The entire time my features remained stagnant, yet somehow he took it all as a joke. His sudden laughter had me feeling a bit rattled, admittedly.

"Haha, and you accepted? Are you stupid? She knew you wouldn't be able to complete the task in seven days, why do you think she gave it to you? Lady Usagi would never just freely hand out power. You're a fool."

[/right]

"Even if that's true, I still have to try." It was too late to turn back now, regardless of if I felt feeble minded for falling into her trap in the first place. And even further, I was no ordinary Kunochi ~ I could achieve what others thought of to be impossible. I refused to spend the rest of my days as a mere waitress in a tea house.

"You've already lost, lass. Machimi-sama bows to no one but the mistress."

[/right]

Even hearing those discouraging words I didn't falter in the least bit. I had too much confidence ~ too much ambition for that. "Trust me, I won't lose." That was the only answer I could hand him, though it must have sufficed as he made an unexpected leap backwards, covering a distance of at least three meters. Indeed, he caught me off guard but to my surprise did not retaliate. Instead he returned to me a look of understanding, as if he realized that no matter what he said, he knew I wouldn't cave in.

"Well prove me wrong then."

[/right]

And then he was gone ~ a plume of smoke replacing where the rabbit once stood.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Jakkumi
Rank: C
Types: Taijutsu – Ninjutsu – Genjutsu
Release: N/A
Description: Jakkumi is a considered an unorthodox summoning within the contract. His stature reaches at a height of about five-feet when he stands like a human. His coloration and appearance matches that of a Jack Rabbit. Jakkumi’s oversized hands are free to shape into fists for battle and a fist-fighter, he has placed bandage-wraps around his arms to soak up the blood of his victims. Jakkumi prefer Taijutsu over any other type and is extremely competitive. He takes fighting very seriously, but will continually mock an enemy while he fights. Jakkumi also wear tattered black shorts.

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[Jun]

Day three ~ Intermission

"And if you think that was bad, wait 'til I tell you about the time I found myself outnumbered by eight men!"

[/right]

I sat with Nagi in the middle of a warmly lit room, a lowered table having us rest on the floor in order to enjoy its luxuries. After opening the sliding paper door and taking a few steps forward, the wooden floor dropped about a foot ~ this is where shoes and such were traditionally placed. Barefoot, I occupied my side of the table, lackadaisically sipping on a jaded cup of tea while complying with the Samurai's drunken attempts at conversation. Well actually it was more of a one-sided chat, as he did nothing more than babble on about his past achievements, all the while putting a dent in yet another bottle of sake.

"Shut it, Nagi. We've all heard enough of your stories. And I'm sure she doesn't wanna hear them anyways. Sorry about all this, Anemone-san."

[/right]

Chie entered, the mousy topped youth displaying her salmon kimono attire. She brought with her a pitcher, along with another meal for the brute to indulge himself with. She placed the platter down while Nagi wiped his mouth clean of alcohol. Greedily he would eye the plate, as if he hadn't eaten in days. The funny thing was, they kept him well fed around here. And at times I wondered just how well he was able to handle his hangovers.

"Nonsense! We're both seasoned on the battlefield. You wouldn't understand, for the kitchen is all you know. Still, I don't blame you f~"

[/right]

She slapped the bottle right out of his thick hands. And as the liquid trickled from its container, Chie stormed off with an expression just as unsavory. The warrior sat back up a rubbed his sore cheek for a second before looking behind him and retrieving his sacred drink. I said nothing.

"My apologies ninja girl,"

[/right]

He rubbed his rounded head, clearly a bit embarrassed.

"But anyways, there I was in Hi No Kuni, defending my honor to the death! I had no ally at my side but my trusty blade Orochi, which I also used to slay a great demon wolf..."

[/right]

Not surprisingly, I found myself beginning to tune out. Even I had started to become accustomed to Soho Sanctuary. I enjoyed the company, and whether that was a good thing or not I was unsure of. One thing was certain though ~ Nagi was the best alcoholic I had ever met.



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