First story. Not much to say here. self explanatory

Bam! Went the firework as it exploded into the cool night air, sending sparks arcing across the sky. The sounds of people below oo-ing and ahh-ing before clapping in happiness followed the explosion as the sunset in the background, signalling the end of the daylight portion of the Festival of Fire. Now the Blood Moon half began as people from all across the nation came to view the spectacles and events that were to unfold during the course of the night.

It was a grand time for the citizens of Ionia and practically everyone's favorite holiday, but even with all the bright smiles and sounds of laughter, darkness still lurked on the edge of civilization, primed to strike at any moment. Knowing of this threat, the Kinkou order was positioned to intervene at any given moment if something were to happen throughout the night. Positioned around the city in a perimeter were small teams of ninja, lead by Akali, Shen, and Kennen. From there the order would keep watch upon the city so as to maintain balance among the people.

"All is at peace..." inquired Shen quietly to himself from atop a balcony that overlooked the city. As he turned away from the blazing fireworks to face the edge of the city, his mind returned to him as he scanned the horizon for any signs of unbalance. He saw nothing yet he was still uneasy.

A few minutes passed of him double checking before he sighed and donned his Hannya mask, prepared to perform the theatrical lore he and Akali were assigned to do. Giving one last glance at the edge of the city, still suspicious, he turned and jumped off of the balcony to proceed to the large amphitheater where a large mass of people had gathered.

"Fist of Shadow, may I proceed?" came a gruff voice from behind the door as Akali held up her new kama's which were especially made for the theater performance. Giving a glance at her now reddish white garments and how they slightly defined the curve of her hips, she sighed.

"Come in," she said lowering her kama's and picking up the mask that was lent to her, pretending to be busy prepping for the show. At her command, the door slid open and a man dressed in traditional Ionian attire entered, but upon his left shoulder was engraved the symbol for the Order of the Kinkou.

"Fist of Shadow," he began as he noticed her stare at the symbol in disapproval to which he quickly covered it up with his garments, "My apologies, but I am just here to give a status report."

"Go on," Akali replied smoothly as she put on her mask as well and straightened out her garments.

"There is nothing to report as far as strange activity in the North quadrants and North Eastern quadrants of the city," he said pulling out a small scroll and handing it to her, "I have acquired Intel, however, from Heart of the Tempest."

"Is that so..." said Akali raising an eyebrow as she accepted the scroll and dismissed the ninja. Opening the scroll she read it quietly to herself before frowning at the very end.

Fist of Shadow,

As per request here is the list of the high potential threat members attending the ceremony tonight...

Akali stared at the list of names once more before grimacing and rolling up the scroll.

"What in Ionia's name is he doing here," she scowled as she lowered her mask over her face, "Despite the no violence laws of the festival... it is best he never show his face again..."

"Hear for the festival eh?" asked a farmer as he stopped his small caravan at the side of a dirt road to a stranger before him dressed in raggedy clothes with nothing but a straw hat upon his head.

"You could say that," said the man as he looked up and nodded his hat, a small tweed straw sticking out past his grin, "Do you mind giving me a lift?"

"Oh no not at all!" Laughed the farmer at the suggestion as he patted the seat next to him, "Anyone whose a fan of the Blood Moon festival is a friend of mine. But say, what business do you have at the festival? A farmer's gotta know what he's getting himself into you know."

The man chuckled at the farmer's gesture as he vaulted himself onto the seat beside him and settled down.

"I'm here... to find an old friend," he said softly before chewing slightly on the straw, "And you?"

"My daughter's been begging to go see that ole Akali ninja perform," laughed the farmer as he jutted his thumb behind them where another caravan was waiting, "But besides that I've got some business to attend to. Got to make a living you know?"

"Ahaha... that you do old man. We all have to," the man laughed as he leaned his hat forward some more and took out a small instrument, "Do you mind if I play."

"Oh not at all," scoffed the farmer as he raised the reigns once more, "So long as you don't go and make me deaf."

"Oh I assure you I won't," the man said as he lifted the shakuhachi to his mouth and played.