The Jade Hand

[Enlightened Madness]

Note: While this is more or less open to everyone, keep in mind that a dozen people can ruin every tense situation. Whoever comes first gets a spot, if you want to, but I'd prefer it if we cut the arrivals to people who'd actually be awake at night hours and have any business around the fields.

Two Hours After Midnight - Oni Mura; Abandonned Fields.

First, there was but one shadowy silhoutte, stealthily making it's way across the fields. Only the perceptive would be able to notice the figure, even in daylight. At such an advanced time, guards were usually less wary, and with the skill by which the silent figure moved, it was just too easy to pass the silhouette off as a mere breeze, nothing but a whisper in the wind.

The figure crouched low, quietly observing.

His name was Kensuke, and he was not among those the Jade Hand would label "esteemed guests".

In fact, he was their enemy.

"This will be of interest to the Dark Lord, wouldn't you say so, Kensuke?"

The whispered voice behind the bushi nearly caught the silent man off-balance. Lucky for him, he wasn't a man easily to react by instinct. The Akodo had trained him well.

Daigotsu had just added a more powerful calling to the former Lion samurai.

"Maiko", he hissed in a low voice, not even bothering to look behind him. "Do that again and I shall slay you without another thought. This is no game. If the rumors are true, these people might become a threat."

Chuda Maiko chuckled, her voice, suddenly so very near to Kensuke's ear, dripping with sarcasm.

"Do not worry, little warrior. This gathering will surely not stop our master's plans. There have been fanatics before. Not even the mighty Crab is able to stand in our lord's path. Our time has come. This 'Jade Hand' will fall before it had time to truly rise above those that came before."

Kensuke sneered.

"Is Yoshunagi with you?"

Maiko shook her head.

"Iye. He walked after you, but I cannot say where he went. He seems to have plans on his own."

Kensuke was barely able to hide a growl. Crazy monk.

"We're here to investigate. Nothing else. If the madman thinks he can dance on his own, he's putting our mission in jeopardy."

"He is not mad, merely enlightened.", the silken voice of the maho-tsukai cooed in his ear. "He knows what we have to do."

"He better." Kensuke replied, standing enough to move closer to the tents, with the Chuda following him in silence.

"If not", he added, turning his skeletal visage towards Maiko, untouched by her tainted beauty. "I will kill him."

The tsukai's light chuckle was taken away like the faint scent of a rose among a bloodied battlefield.


To be continued.
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Dragon Clan Monk • Tattooed • Jade Hand Volunteer • Togashi Katsumaru in Disguise

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free”

[Gisei]

[Enlightened Madness]

Something is different tonight, that much Fuji is able to gather almost immediately while on her scouting mission. It's not the immediate environment, no. But still, in the back of her mind, something seems to exhort her to caution.

Maybe it's the faint scent of burned incense, too far away from any shrine.

It might be the cool shiver running down her spine, despite the lack of wind.

And almost, for a mere matter of seconds, she could've sworn she saw a figure hiding in a shadow not too far away from her own position, yet once she checks again, the silhouette seems gone.
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Dragon Clan Monk • Tattooed • Jade Hand Volunteer • Togashi Katsumaru in Disguise

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free”

[Gisei]

She didn't jerk to a stop: jerky, rapid motions were always a give-away. Fuji smoothly ended her movement so that she had maximum use of of a bramble's covering branches. Then Fuji closed her eyes for a moment, relaxed, and let go. When she opened her eyes again a colder, harder woman looked around cautiously, taking stock of the situation.

She had her daisho and her knives. She was certain that someone else was out there, and instinct told her it wasn't one of Himoto's people. She knew of it--but did it know of her? She stilled her mind and scried the night with all of her senses.


Fuji

[Enlightened Madness]

When Fuji opens her eyes, she is easily able to spot a distant figure, standing openly on the small road, mostly shielded from clearer view by the cloak of night. The figure doesn't appear overly tall or dangerous, yet still the same cautionary warning can be felt in the back of her mind, once again.

The figure doesn't move much, as if waiting for something.
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Dragon Clan Monk • Tattooed • Jade Hand Volunteer • Togashi Katsumaru in Disguise

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free”

[Gisei]

Fuji remained still, watching. As long as the figure is visible there is no reason to move. She remains alert for any sounds of others, and for the odd smell of incense that she had earlier encountered.


Fuji

[Enlightened Madness]

After a moment, it seems as if the figure begins to search for anything. It looks left, then right, then slowly begins to head towards Fuji's general direction. It doesn't seem in a hurry, and the closer the figure comes, the more it seems to be a young woman, dressed in the simple robes of a shugenja.
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Dragon Clan Monk • Tattooed • Jade Hand Volunteer • Togashi Katsumaru in Disguise

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free”

[Gisei]

She spent a moment wishing she had Ryoji here. Those who spoke with the kami sometimes did odd things for odd reasons, but were no more of a threat than samurai usually were. The woman approaching her could be a reasonably normal shugenja. Or something else entirely. Ryoji would know the difference.

She made a small motion and a knife dropped out of her sleeve and into her waiting hand. No matter who you were, a knife in your chest generally upset your concentration.

She waited, watching.

[Enlightened Madness]

The woman is young, appearantly of an overall blissful appearance. Her dark hair is worn in the traditional style of an unmarried woman, and while her overall choice of clothing does not offer insight regarding any clan or family, it is neat and clean.

Still, something seems out of place. Maybe it's the woman's curved smile, as if she knows something Fuji cannot fathom. When she stops once more, not too far away from the other woman, and her head moves enough to indicate that she has noticed another person, Fuji might be able to guess why.

"Hello?", she says in an almost cheerful, curious voice. "I am not alone, am I?"

Appearantly, the shugenja woman isn't knowing about Fuji's exact location, but at least she's perceptive enough to realize that the night does not belong to her alone, no more.

"Do not be afraid. I mean no harm."

She chuckles to herself, amused.
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Dragon Clan Monk • Tattooed • Jade Hand Volunteer • Togashi Katsumaru in Disguise

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free”

[Gisei]

Fuji stays silent, watching. The more the situation develops, the more uneasy she becomes. It is not normal to travel about the countryside at night, and Fuji knows exquisitely well that those who do seldom have good intentions. Then again there is Oni Mura's reputation, which would make night-time travel in the area even less attractive.

On the other hand, the stranger could just be a harmless madwoman. One did encounter them from time to time.

"Patience is your greatest weapon," her sensei had told her. Fuji waits, and watches.

[Enlightened Madness]

The woman doesn't seem eager to move, or abandon her idea that she's not alone. Instead, her almond shaped eyes begin to study her surroundings, slowly. It still doesn't seem as if she knows exactly what and where to look for, but she has certainly a good guess where the other person might be located, as she's only watching over a limited area.

An area Fuji is hiding in, somewhere.

"I was hoping to find someone able to lead me to the camp. I've heard rumors about this...Jade Hand, and I was planning on offering my services, if they are wanted."

Her voice seems still cheerful, yet there is an undeniable quality to it that doesn't sound right. In fact, the shugenja girl seems way too cheerful.

Just as if she's terribly amused by something.

"Can you not help me?"
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Dragon Clan Monk • Tattooed • Jade Hand Volunteer • Togashi Katsumaru in Disguise

“A person needs a little madness, or else they never dare cut the rope and be free”