Rhys and Ronin chapter 3

heh.. man I'm behind. I just realized that. "Session Start: Mon May 12 05:47:10 2003". . oh well. At least I HAVE the logs, unlike for Bikon and Beta .

Korunue awakens, once more, having fallen asleep again. She creeps out of the log and dry-retches on the grass, not having eaten dinner the night before. She was hungry. She looked about for some food, ignoring Ronin's sleeping form.

Ronin quietly opens his eyes. He can sleep lightly when need be, and he certainly needed to last night. Since he was facing the entrance to the log, he can see Korunue outide. He silently watches her, tensing to leap after her in an instant. Korunue considers the lake, but has no clue how to catch fish. She peers into the water, but doesn't see any withen reach. So she sighs, and turns to the woods. It's too early for berries, but.... she finds an edible plant she learned about in school and eats as many as she can find. It's not much, but it's food. She refuses to ask Ronin, or go back with him. Ronin loses sight of Korunue and crawls out of the log. He stays as quiet as possible, which is not that difficult for him. He prays to himself that she has anther flashback...it doesnt matter what she remembers, but the more, the better.

Korunue does NOT have another flashback. She decides to get the hell out of here before Ronin finds her again. Who knows what else he might make up to tell her? Deep down, of course, she knew he wasn't lying... but her mind refused to accept that idea. Ronin follows Korunue's scent. He can't allow her to get far away. She could possibly hurt herself. Maybe she would come to her senses. He creeps up towards Korunue, staying just out of her sight, watching and waiting.Korunue gets the feeling she is being watched and stops, then shakes a little and moves on. She is hungry, and confused, and paranoid... she thinks she needs some space. She keeps moving.

Ronin simply stays out of Kor's range. He wants to just run up to her and hug her and sho her how he cares for her, but he is afraid of what her reaction would be.

Korunue continues to walk. She will not cry... she will not lose it.. how DARE he lie to her? What was he thinking? The freak... why would he hurt her? Why? WHY? She feels like screaming, running, killing something, sobbing... she keeps walking along the path. Ronin slowly gains on Korunue, trying to think of possible ways to help her...but he can think of none. Korunue gives up. She gives up! She won't find anything in these strange woods, and she won't allow herself to do anything she wants, so she sits on a large rock in a clearing. She pulls her knees to her chest and stares off into space.

Ronin settles high in a tree behind Korunue, still watching and waiting. Maybe he can convince her otherwise...but, how? Korunue just sits. And thinks. SO confusing... what was the truth, what was lies? certianly Ronin had lied to her. Why? She thought... he seemed so nice... why did it hurt to blame him, hurt to think he didn't care for him? Could it be she... but no, that was absurd. Because he had been lying. So he probably had reason to lie. So he was probably in on the cruel joke. So he was probably mean to her. So she couldn't be in love with him. Could she?

Ronin quickly climbs down the tree. He walks up to Korunue, right behind her, and sighs...Loudly, maybe she wont run away. He tenses his muscles to capture her though. Korunue jumps, turning to him. She narrows her eyes. "What do you want." It doesn't sound much like a question. Ronin, being youkai, would recognise the posture, the tone: 'go away.'

Some kind of thing clings upside-down, to the branches of a tree, his hands gripping tightly, his feet pressing against another branch above him. His pointed ears twitch a bit as he hears the voices of people. He scans the ground around him and notices a couple speaking to each other, or more, arguing. He adjusts himself in the branches silently to get a better look. He continues to stare down, his eyes seeming to examine the two. The female more so than the male.

Korunue broods- a formerly dangerous habit, but as her previous tone and body language seemed to work, and she didn't want to die, it was simply... brooding. Her weary soul felt a little relif at this, though she did not know it. She ignored Ronin hoping he'd go away, and the newcomer, hoping h'd not bother her. Ronin is too intent on Korunue to notice anyone in any trees. He wants...no, he needs Korunue to recover her memory. He can't live like this.

Korunue broods some more. He must be lying. He must. He must. He must. The same two words, bouncing about her head. He must. That couldn't be the truth. What did he expect her to do, crumple? Anger... anger was good. Better than tears. She let it develop. The thing continues his peering at the two, they seemed to have stopped arguing for the moment, so he waits a while. He scowls himself for not noticing them sooner, hoping they havent noticed him yet. He licks his soft lips, and eyes the gear they are carrying.

Ronin crosses his arms and waits on kor, still tensed to chase after her if need be. Korunue gets madder and madder. How DARE he? How dare he hurt her on purpose! The two-timing dirty fuckin' bastard! She told him about her memory loss, and he took advantage of her! She trusted him! Damn him! She began to glow purple, a little.

Ronin frowns. "Kor...don't get mad, the last time you did this...It wasn't fun. I don't want Kikyo to come out again."

Korunue snarls at him. "What do you know? I can't trust you.. you lied to me, you took advantage of my helplessness... you... you..." she snarls again, the glow intensifying.

Ronin frowns again. "I did not lie to you. How do you figure I did?"

Korunue stops snarling. "You lied about my past! Just admit it! please.... " she looks scared now. "you lied... please, just admit it... I can't handle it..." she begs, softly, her glow fading, as she tries to cling to the lie she had told herself.

Ronin sighs and shakes his head. "I haven't lied to you yet, and I don't intend to."

Grem, the man-thing, smiles finally, as the two seem to begin at each other again. Grem launches out of the tree down towards the man with the swords. He will pose a greater threat. He grips the To on his back, and pulls it out in mid air. He Brings it around in front of himself, and grips the handle in both hands. Swinging it down he aims for the mans belt at the sword side, to rid him of his weapons.

Ronin perks up, his sensitive ears picking up the movement of air as the man leaps towards him. Thankgully, his youkai reflexes allow him to spin and in an instant he has thrown a dagger towards the man, in the next instant, he has 4 more splayed in his hand, ready to throw.

Korunue turns pale. Then she delibratly ignores the consequences of this. Anger.. anger... ANGER. She snarls, the glow brighter. "WHAT PART OF I CAN'T FUCKIN' HANDLE IT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!!!!" She snarls at him, glowing brighter and brighter.

Ronin is slightly caught off guard by Korunue. One of his ears is pointed towards Kor, the other towards his attacker. "You cant handle it?" The thought crosses his mind that this may be why Kor has lost her memory, but he is too preoccupied to hold the thought for long.

Grem watches the man spin with incredible speed, this was no mere samurai. He swings his sword, that was already in front of him, at the dagger, deflecting it to the side. A grin touches his lips as he looks back to the man, he was heading strait for him through the air. He did his best to bring his sword back up, but was only able to bring it sideways in front of him in defense. Though at the same time, moved his legs into in kick the man's chest.

Korunue ignores grem. "I SAID SO, DIDN'T I? BUT NOO, YOU COULDN'T LISTEN TO ME. WELL, YOU'RE LISTENING NOW, ARN'T YOU? IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT? HMM? YOU WANT ME TO GET MAD? OR WORSE? YOU WANT ME TO LOSE MY MIND ENTIRELY? IS THAT YOUR PLAN?" she doens't know or care what she says, she just is MAD.

Ronin leaps backwards, in an effort that should make the man hit only air, and then dirt. He immediately tosses two daggers, one right after another. Typically an opponent would be distracted by the first and never see the second.But his time ehre had tauht him that nobody behaved typically.He thinks for a moment and throws another dagger after the first two. He glances at the dagger in his hand, and realizes it is the one that Kor had tried to commit seppuku with. With practiced care he tucks it in his sleeve and draws both his swords.

Ronin keeps an ear focused on Kor. "Umm, Kor....I'm a bit busy right now. So if you're going to get mad...get mad at him." He points a swords towards grem, and immediately raises both of them in a defensive stance. "And no, I don't want you to lose your mind."

Korunue snarls. "Ive had ENOUGH!" she screeches, then turns and runs through the woods again. maybe she can lose him! She can escape!

Grem 's kick hits only air as the man jumps back. He swings his sword amazingly fast now that it is back in front of him. Two daggers go flying to either side of him, as the ring of steel fills the air. He looks up as he is about to hit the ground. A dagger zips by just catching his ear as he moves his head to the side. It was a small slice, leaving a small trail of green blood as the dagger continued its flight. Grem lands on the ground aand does a forward summersault towards the man. As he comes back up from the summersault, he jumps a bit, and coming back down he swings down hard with his To at the mans head. A grin staining his face.

Ronin leaps back again. "Dammit! Look what you've done now!" he yells at the man, before immediately turning and running. He absolutely has to catch Kor. Who knows how many of these people are out here...what if one of them find Kor before he does? Ronin sprints as fast as ever, easily keeping track of Kor's familiar scent.

Korunue trips on a root and lands on her side, twisting so as not to hurt the pup inside of her. She winces a little, then sees Ronin following her. "dammit! What do you want NOW? got any more lies for me?"

Grem lands back down, a bit surprised at the mans speed, its not everyday he found one who could match his own. He lands with a small *thud* the dust around the ground lifting into the air a bit. His grin turns to a big smile as he sheaths his sword and launches after the man on all fours. His bounds and leaps keep a speed, though not really gaining much on the man. Boy he was the little speedy.

Ronin skids to a stop near Kor. "What? You want me to tell you that I lied to you? That it was all a ruse? That we wanted you to be our slave? Or something else like that? Cause its not going to happen. I won't lie." He whirls arond and stares in the direction he had come. "We need to go Kor. Whoever that was, and whatever he wants...I don't know. But we need to get away from him."

Grem launches out of the brush, a familiar sight being seen. In mid air he pulls out his sword, the ring of steel again filling the air, and comes down at the man, this time aiming for the head. His blade whistles at frightening speeds, this time he wouldnt miss.

Korunue looks at him in shock. Her glow winks out suddanly. She turns pale, and closes her eyes, swollowing. It hits her. He wasn't lying. He was telling the truth. She had.... she... she screams, as Grem attacks, and closes her eyes tight.

Ronin was thankfully whirled around already, and he has his swords out. He crosses them and raises them above his head. "Dammit, what the hell do you want?"

Grem lands on the ground, a scream ringing in his ear, steel soon taking its place as his blade collides with the two the man held up. "I only wish to have your gold.." he pauses a moment glancing behind to the woman... then to the side with his cut ear. "But your attacks are more aimed at my death..." he looks back to the man, now noticing he had vulpine ears..

Ronin laughs at the man. "Oh yes, we carry gold, out here in the woods. It makes perfect sense doesn't it." He shifts the swords so that the mans is trapped low. "It was not a good choice to attack me now." He would love to turn and help Kor right now, but simply can't.

Grem smiles "Did I say gold? Oh well after you little knife display back there, and your luck in hitting one of my ears, I meant to say your life..." he glances back at the gril.. "And for her, I think I could take better care of her then you seem to be doing." He releases his sword and quickly ducks under it, thrusting his shoulder up at the mans crotch.

Korunue keeps her eyes shut tight. She moans softly. THIS was what she had been trying to avoid! What was the point anymore... what did it matter... why live... she had had some reason to die, obviously.... why live now?

Ronin shifts his right foot backwards, moving his crotch to the side. Immediately he lets the point of one of his swords dip towards the mans back.

Grem, seeing the mans foot shift, quickly brings his elbow around, hitting the flat of the blade to the side, thrusting his other hand in a first towards the mans gut. A line on his elbow slowly turning a darker green.

Ronin catches the fist to his gut, and as a result, his other sword, and the mans sword are all sent down towads the mans back. Ronin lets out an audible oompf and falls backwards several steps, if either of his swords grazed the man, he still hangs on to them, otherwise he still has them.

Korunue curles up in a ball behind them, trying not to cry. She is lost, needing comfort... but... he was busy fighting for them both... she tried to console herself, to do something, anything...

Grem on his side lands on the ground after his fist hit the mans gut. He quickly turns onto his back, lifting his feet up in the air, sopping the blades on them. Though at the same time, kicking the blades, hoping to knock them, but mostly his, away from the man.

Korunue's mind simply shuts down. She honestly can't take anymore. She falls into what appears to be a deep slumber.

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Korunue awakes, in her bed once more. She.. She doesn't want to awaken, but can't help it. Her mind.. her heart... pain... And now she felt nauseas. She slips to the bathroom and pukes, and pukes. When she finishes, her eye slips to a small knife, for shaving. Perhaps.. she had read about... she takes it, desperate for some distraction from this pain, this anguish, for something to stop her slipping into the void that awaited her mind. She rolls up her sleeve and makes a small cut. A small cut, some small relief.. a few more and she felt brave enough to face the day. This could come in handy. But the blood... she wipes it off with a washcloth and leaves the bathroom, happier.

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Korunue awoke again. Ronin was already awake, watching her. She lowered her eyes.

"Kor..."

She looks away. She can feel herself slipping.. slipping into nothingness, into numbness... it scared her.

"Kor... Kor, look at me."

"I.. I can't, I..." She leaps up and races for the bathroom. Ronin chases her, beating on the door.

"Let me in!"

Korunue takes her knife, smiling a little, anticipating it. She rolls up her left sleeve again, sitting on the edge of the bathtub, and ignores Ronin. She makes a small, shallow cut to start out with, and smiles as it erases her sadness and numbness. She makes another cut, then another, deeper this time.

Ronin beats on the door harder. "Kor! You better not hurt yourself!"

Korunue smiles, forgetting Ronin even existed. She remembers him suddanly, and slices a letter "R" into her forearm, revelling in the pain. She slices a K next to it, and a heart in between. A tattoo! She closes her eyes, probing about. The numbness was gone entirely.. for now.

Ronin hammers on the door. "Kor! Let me in there!" he yells. He doesn't really know what shes doing, but aussumes it cant be that good.

Korunue sighs. She finds her hidden washcloth and wets it again, cleaning off the knife and her arm carefully, waiting for the bleeding to stop. She wipes up the bathtub, and hides the cloth, before unlocking the door.

Ronin throws the door open and sighs in relief, glad to see that Kor isn't dead. He immeidately notes the cuts on her arm. "Kor! What did you do?"

Korunue mentally curses herself for not rolling her sleeve back down, and does so immediatly. She says not a word, looking down at her toes.

Ronin grabs Korunue's shoulders. "Kor, answer me!"

Korunue says nothing. She looks down, feeling herself slipping again, to escape from his questioning. No!

Ronin sighs, almost ready to just give up. "I thought you were going to kill yourself again Kor....but why did you do that to your arm?" he says, motioning towards her arm.

Korunue shakes her head. "It helps." is all she'll say. She doesn't want to get into the details... she might scare him badly...

Ronin is already scared badly. He also feels like giving up. It seems that like no matte what he does, Kor is unhappy...depressed and suicidal at times. He simply looks at her now and sighs, his ears drooping a lot. He turns around and walks to the bed, sitting down and curling up. Much like he did in the forest.

Korunue follows him, sitting next to him and begining to cry. "please... don't...you have to fight it...."

Ronin looks up at her. "Why? No matter what I do, you're unhappy. I mean, every once in a while you're happy for a while, but then somethign happens...and I can't keep you happy."

Korunue swallows hard. "no.. it's not your fault... It's me..... I just... I can't deal... " She sobs, the knife forgotten, it's influence lost. She curles up next to him, sobbing, feeling herself slip.

Ronin puts an arm around Korunue. "Still..." he starts, but whatever he said is lsot. He just cant bring himself to say anymore, for fear of hurting Korunue.

Korunue swallows hard, making one last effort. "what?" she whispers. "say it.... "

Ronin sighs "Still, it feels like we can never be happy, not with me around anyways...maybe you by yourself, after the pups are born. Maybe you could be happy then...but I dont know if you can be while Im around."

Korunue sobs. "no... I need you! Without you.. you want to see what happens if I give up, if I have nobody?" She was slipping anyways.... her eyes went dead, and she curled up tightly, not moving, scarecly eve breathing.

Ronin sighs. "I know what happens when you give up, I die...." he says in a whisper.

Korunue hears him, tries to make herself care... She struggles against the abyss. "no..." she manages to whisper, before falling again, captive, not moving.

Ronin sighs, and doesnt move either...if Korunue doesn't care, why should he.

Korunue forces herself to care... she doesn't want Ronin to die! She doesn't! She uses her claw to cut her arm once more, and uses the pain to help climb out of the void, then claws Ronin's arm.

Ronin jerks away. "Kor!" he yelps.

Korunue breathes hard. "Don't... don't go away.. I need you..."

Ronin smiles a little, ignoring his arm. "Well, Im glad for that Kor."

Korunue closes her eyes. She says nothing, biting her lip to stop the tears from coming...

Ronin hugs Korunue. "You know I need you too, don't you?"

Korunue nods, saying nothing. She does know. She just... it's hard.... everything hurts... she can't handle it... she needs to just accept her past and move on, but... the "moveing on" part was the hard part. Ronin smiles a little, but doesnt say anything else. He cant think of anyhting to say anyways. Korunue sighs. She should be honest with him... "shall I... should I tell you... or ... can you handle the truth.... or shall I pretend everything's fine?" She doesn't want him to end up like her, after all.

Ronin looks at Koruneu and nods. "I can hadle it. Tell me. Please.

Korunue closes her eyes, taking a deep breath. "I.. my mind... I am weak, I cannot handle the truth... I cannot get my mind around it, so I lied to myself... but... I cannot lie to myself any longer... I did try and kill myself... I know I should just accept my past, move on... but... there seems to be nowhere to move to... I'm scared, Ronin. Scared that I'll do it again.. I don't want to die. But.. I'm not sure I want to live."

Ronin nods a little. "You can do it. You were fine before you lost your memory. You're tougher than you think Kor, I know you are." He says, smiling and hugging Korunue.

Korunue smiles a little, looking down. "I just... there's nowhere for me to go from here... and if I let my guard down, I slip into a dark abyss, where nothing matters at all."

Ronin nods again. "That sounds familiar."

Korunue looks down still, ears drooping. "Pain... pain makes it go away..." she rolls up her left sleeve.

Ronin grabs Korunue's arms. "Stop it, please? It hurts me too."

Korunue sniffs. "I... it's strong, this abyss.... It's hard to fight it...."

Ronin shakes his head. "Kor, I've already told you. You're more than strong enough to resist and stand through anything."

Korunue swallows. "no... I'm not half as strong as you think.... I... if I was strong, I wouldn't have tried to escape..."

Ronin sits up. "Sure you are Kor, if you still had your memories, you would remember...you would know just how strong you are."

Korunue looks him in the eye, sitting up. "Tell me the truth. Why was I in the lake? What was I like right before I lot my memory?"

Ronin looks back at Korunue. "I don't know why you were in the lake. I was listening to you in some wagon. YOu had just found out that you're pregnant. THen you ran out...I chased after you, you knocked me out of the way and by the time I got to the lake, some white woman was carrying you."

Korunue sighs. "I think I know... I've been dreaming about it..." She closes her eyes, then abruptly changes the topic. "So... tell me again about the wedding."

Ronin shakes his head. "Tell me what you have been dreaming about, please Kor?"

Korunue shakes her head. She opens her eyes. "The wedding... what was it like? Were there a lot of people there?"

Ronin sighs. "There were a few people there..." He launches into a full blown description of the wedding.

Korunue listens intently, then sighs at the end. "Sounds wonderful." she says, having avoided talking abot something painful yet again.

Ronin nods and smiles. "It was. Now tell me about your dream."

Korunue remembers her dream: what she had mistaken for peacefulness was actually similar to the numbness. She had felt nothing... nothing at all... she hadn't been breathing, she realized, and had passed it off as part of the dream... and yet... what if it had been a memory?

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Hoshi enters the inn. She is rather pretty, being well built by human standards, petite and muscled. She had long, reddish-grey hair, and reddish fox ears that have a hint of grey around the edges. The ears, as well as her amber eyes, give her a wild sort of look, untameable. She wears a cloak, though she moves too gracefully and unhindered to be wearing any kind of skirt or pants beneath it. In truth, she wears a leotard beneath it, as she is a dancer.

Korunue appears at the top of the stairs. She looks similar to Hoshi, save that her ears are larger- dog ears, like huskey ears. They are black, and her hair matches. She wears a white kimono with black trim on the sleeves and neckline, creating a nice contrast. Her eyes are purple and mysterious, holding a mixture of emotions, most of which are unreadable. She heads down the stairs, taking a seat at the bar not too far from Hoshi, ears not monitering the room like Hoshi's but staying straight ahead.

Ronin steps out of the room right behind Korunue, his hand on his sword. He keeps about 2 paces behind Korunue, and a little to the left. Acting almost exactly like a bodyguard. His own fox ears scan the inn, looking for any possible sign of danger.

Hoshi looks at Ronin, sniffing him a little. Another kitsune! Or no, her nose tells her, a halfling. She moves over to sit next to Korunue, eyeing Ronin and ignoring Kor. Dogs and foxes wern't meant to get along, but another fox! "Konnichi wa. Who might you be?"

Ronin glances at this new kitsune in surprise. He looks over to Korunue and shrugs, the looks back. "I'm Ronin, and you?" he says slowly.

Hoshi sniffs him. "Hoshi."She takes a long hard look at him. "You're not from the clan."It is a simple statement, that is meant to mean something to Ronin.

Korunue doesn't seem to mind being ignored by Hoshi, as she orders a sandwich from Moe. Strictly for appearences; she didn't want it, but not eating made people upset.

Ronin stares at the kitsune. "What clan are you talking about?" he says after a moment. He smiles as Krunue orders something. Maybe she will eat for a change now.

Hoshi stares right back. "The clan? You know, the Clan." She sniffs him again. "Then again, perhaps a hanyou like you wouldn't be welcome in the Clan. But your parents should have told you about it." No "us".... just it. Her tone was slightly scornful.

Ronin glares at the woman, taking a slight disliking to her. "Well, I don't know what clan you're talking about. Now, please go." he says, turning away from her and back to Korunue.

Hoshi frowns. Then, her eyes grow larger, a little. She scowls. "Who is your mother, halfling?"She had heard stories.....

Korunue recives her food at long last and begins to eat her sandwhich. She takes small bites, each one forced, but it's food. She keeps one ear on the conversation around her.

Ronin turns back to the woman and glares, then frowns and sighs. What could it hurt if she knew his mothers name? "Tepin. Her name was Tepin." and with that he turns back around and watches Korunue eat.

Hoshi was floored. She did not speak for a good half minute. "You're kidding. She ever mention Teri?"

Ronin glances back over his shoulder at the woman. "No. I'm not kidding. And no, she never mentionad a 'Teri'." He says with a snort and turns around again. "Kor, you feel any better now?" he says to Korunue, whispering into her ear.

Korunue smiles a little, muching on her sandwhich. She does not say anything, though- she won't lie, but she doesn't want him to worry about her. So she takes the easy way out: nothing at all.

Hoshi scowls. "Fine, then. I can see you care more about this stupid ikkiyou than your own cousin. At least Mom mentioned she _had_ a sister." With that, she turns her back on Ronin, though she is still interested. She had pride. Let him come to her.

A woman dressed in a loose yellow outfit bearing a ying and yang sign on her cheek enters the inn, her eyes a clear green color, her hair a nice tone of pale brown. A carefree smile playing on her lips, she walked forward making her way toward Ronin, giving him a slight wave. "Hey there"

Ronin ignores the woman, the words slowly registering in his mind. Slowly he twists his ears, and then his head back around towards the woman. "A...sister?" His eyes widen as he sees the flower-lady coming towards him. He spins back around and reaches for Korunue's shoulder.

Korunue looks interested. "What?" She eyes Hoshi. "She does look like you... Maybe you are related?" She tries to keep interested....

Hoshi smirks. "Yes, a sister. Perhaps the shame of being exhiled from the Clan is so great, she forgot all about her sister? Maybe the human" the word was sneered, full of hatred "warped her mind so she forgot? But she has a sister. Teri. And a niece- Teri's daughter, Hoshi. "She indicated herself with one hand, in case Ronin had forgotten already.

Upon seeing that Ronin ignores her the woman-Inari- passes infront him and brushes her hand on his side, eyeing him as she does so in a very flirtacious way.

Ronin squeezes Korunue's shoulder and growls at Inari. He looks back at Hoshi "So...cousin." he says, now sneering his words. "What do you want with me?" He glances over at Inari again and holds up his hand, indicating the simple gold band on his finger.

Hoshi snarles. "Nothing. I had forgotten you existed until a few minutes ago. I came here because I have a show nearby. Didn't your mother teach you manners, hanyou (halfling)?"she lets the snarl go. "But I would like to meet my aunt."

Korunue looks a little alarmed. Must all youkai fight? She sighs, nibbling her sandwhich. She wasn't hungry... but he seemed so glad she was eating... and she hadn't eaten in a long while...

Not really knowing what the symbolic of the gold band proves, Inari starts poking it around just for fun, then her fingers travel unto his shoulder and she seems to concentrate on something.

Ronin pushes Inari away. "Get back human." he snarls. Turning around towards Hoshi, he stands still and simply looks at the woman. He doesn't say anything for a few minutes. "My mother is dead." he says finally and turns back around to Korunue. He motions to Moe and orders some wine.

Hoshi seems stunned again. "I'm sorry.... "Her ears droop. "Kami-sama, I've acted like an ass, havn't I?" She sighs, rebuked. That gosh-darned attitude of hers... always got her in trouble in the end.

Pushed away, Inari figures it to be some kind of challenge and her hand once again travels around Ronin's body, she heads behind him and plays with his hair for fun.

Korunue puts an arm around Ronin's waist, to comfort him. She says nothing, but eyes Hoshi, sniffing her a little. She decides to be the peacemaker. "It's alright..." she tells Hoshi, before seeing Inari. The human was getting wearysome. She snarles a little, tiredly. "I belive my husband told you to scram?" She hasn't the energy for a good retort.

An animal-man nearby, staring at his plate, tells Inari "You might want to watch that lady, he doesnt seem too interested!"

Ronin grabs Inari's shoulders and spins her to face the man. "Go talk to him, ok?" he says before turning back to Hoshi. "Yes, you have. It's alright though. I've met worse people." He says eyeing Inari.

The man laughs. "oh thats ok, i am quite well taken myself. I dont need her crawling on me!"

Not turning herself back toward Ronin, Inari speaks up " How can you say that I'm a bad person? When you don't even know me in the least"

Hoshi watches Inari with some slight intrest. She debates removing her cloak and freeing her tail, maybe practicing... She eyes Korunue a little, suprised. Dogs don't usually talk to Foxes. She decides to help Ronin out a little to make up for her bahavior. "Human," she sneers. "you cannot just throw yourself on random people and expect your reputation to remain untarnished!"

"The human being is an animal, therefore he should be able to do what animals do without feeling shameful, if you're too prude it's your problem I don't hold myself back from touching people" Inari says smugly.

Ronin cant help but agree with Hoshi. "I'm married, and somehow....you always seem to come and hit on me when I'm with my wife." He says, putting an arm around Korunue.

"Touching is one thing, but is the way you touch that seems to be offending people my dear!" chimes in the man.

Hoshi smirks. "Let the human go. Even animals know better than to mess with three angered demons." She idly flexed her claws, grinning with too-pointy teeth, suddanly beoming a creature to be feared rather than some innocent pretty girl with a hint of wild in her.

"I touch women too just like animals can tell each others appart with smell, contrary to what you think, it wasn't in any way for physical activities that I did what I did, and its also very amusing when somebody objects to what I do makes me want to try harder.." Inari says.

"then you dig your own grave lady for you show no respect for others opinions with such actions!" The man says, fingering his dagger. "some people are no so forgiving when it comes to people like that"

Ronin glares at Inari and shakes his head. "Bah, let her go have her fun." With someone else he hopes.

Hoshi's mirth vanishes in a heartbeat. "Don't preach to me about animals, human." her fox-ears twitch, as she takes deep breaths to avoid tearing the woman apart limb from limb with her bare hands. "Lest I be forced to show you what an animal can do to a measly human, barehanded."

"Hey now.. don't be so hateful to humans, this one has done nothing wrong beside playing around that is no reason to kill her.. You think I'm some kind of freak but if you took the time to listen to yourself maybe you'd find out you're no better " Inari seems unphased.

Preparing to stop Hoshi, the man moves his weight so as to lean forward and either take a hit or grab Inari and sprint for it. He begins clipping his knives and cloak back on. Removing the cloak from his 5 1/2 foot sword revealing the blade that destroyed armies all by itself.

Hoshi stands, quickly, her hands balling into fists. She snarls angrily. "I'm no freak, human! You'll pay for that remark!" She snarls viciously, preparing to attack yet holding herself back for the moment.

Ronin isn't really worried about Hoshi. He isn't even really sure if she is related to him. He yawns and squeezes Korunue's shoulders.

Korunue gasps, seeing Hoshi stand and prepare to fight Inari. "Ronin... There'll be a fight..." She wonders if he'll get in it when it heats up,seeing that he seemed to have a problem with Inari. "Who's that woman? What does she want?" of course doesn't remember anything about Inari.

The man locks his crossbow into place on his left arm and lifts his sword while moving his body closer to the end of the booth to more easily clip it onto his back.

Inari shows fear and remains behind the man the whole time using his back as a shield, she brings both of her arms around his waist and leans her face beside his whispering the simple words "protect me.."

Ronin nods at Korunue "More than likely there will be." He is pondering wether or not he should help. He could of course, but does any of this really concern him anymore? Maybe if the man gets in it, he might. Thats one thing he doesn't like, an unfair fight...or at least one thats outnumbered.

"I will not lady" the man says, moving his tail inbetween them. "You put yourself in this pickle i just dont want anyone to get hurt". The man lifts her up and sets her to his side softly. "face her and appoligize"

Hoshi smirks. "You can dish it but you can't take it, eh human? Pitiful. Just like a weakling human to insult without having the skills to back it up." To increase the threat, she throws off her cloak, which lands on the bar stool. Beneath she wears a shimmary blue leotard. A few scars can be seen on her back by people behind her, as well as a fluffy fox tail. She has plenty of muscle, and is built for agility and speed rather than physical strength, as well as being trained as a dancer, honing those muscles.

"There is no need of an appology remember how I place the words, I said she was as much of a feak then I am.. so in a way I treated her as an equal never as an inferior.. I don't fight for no valuable reasons either" Inari says.

The man grips his sword which seems to make a loud rustle throughout the room. "now ladies, please, is there anyway to avoid a conflict at this point? ok, well if no appology is required is there a way we might just drop this?" Now moving one clawed leg in front of her ready to protect and flee. He turns to Hoshi. "might you offer a suggestion that could end this quickly without someone getting hurt? I seen no need to have bloodshed over such a small matter."

Korunue looks a little scared for Ronin. "Why must we always pick fights with more powerful beings?" She has forgotten, for the moment, that she is a quarter-demon, and is referring to herself as human, like Inari.

Hoshi sneers. "Me? Bargain with a weakling human? She called me a freak. She shall pay! Nobody calls me a freak and lives!" She lunges forward, a punch aimed at Inai, not even using her claws for this first attack, but using her speed and agility to swerve around the man, hopefully connecting with Inari's ribcage, almost too fast for a human to see, much less dodge without really really good reflexes.

Ronin looks over at Korunue, then promptly looks the stranger and Inari up and down. "I don't see any more powerful beings. We are part youkai after all Kor, don't forget."

Korunue shook herself a little. "Er, sorry... why must humans mess with more powerful beings?" she corrects herself, blushing a little. Her use of the word human was not derogatory, nor even negitive; it was merely what Inari was, no scorn or anything implied.

As strange as it might seem, Inari could easily see through that attack and sent her body out of the way in a graceful and fluid kind of way. She was almost flowing with the wind, and was indeed not human, but what she was would remain a mistery until she would admit it herself.

A little startled, to be sure, Hoshi rolls, draining her excess momentum in a summersault and getting to her feet, just short of a table. She whirls, too quickly to see. "What the hell?" She spots Inari again and uses her full speed and agility to turn and leap at Inari, claws outstreached, intending to impale her through the gut. The entire manuver, from spot to leap, took about a second or two. The roll took a little longer than that.

Ronin shrugs in response to Korunue's corrected question. "I don't know it's just something they seem to enjoy doing I guess."

In these same seconds the man grabs his sword and uses the flat side to hit Hoshi back, hoping not to break anything.

Korunue watches with mild intrest. "That's no human. Too fast. What is she?" she wonders aloud, watching. " Perhaps we should help... Hoshi, was it? She seems outmatched..." This said quietly, not wanting to provoke Hoshi's wrath.

Ronin glances over at Korunue. "You really think I should help her? She does seem to be outnumbered." He says with a smirk. He reaches inside his shirt and withdraws a single dagger, studying it thoughtfully.

Moving quickly, Inari rubs her two hands together, her eyes suddenly staring back with a serious expression. She seperatees them and draws out flames that spread in the arc she creates, the heat having been gathered by the friction of her motion, thought the fire doesn't seem to be lethal to her. She only uses it to make Hoshi draw back on her poition and refrain from attacking her. The flames dissipate as soon as the sweep ends.

The man is now in a ready position, Sword across his right shoulder and feet wide supporting his weight better. Keeping his eyes on both begins to back off seeing perhaps his help may not be needed. Hoshi turns in midair to snarl at the stranger, turning her claws to him and twisting out of the way of the flames. She lands on her feet, twisted around to face Animus, and a quick leap and twist sets her straight facing the man. She snarls, crouching and turning to get both of them in her sights, one ear on each.

The man snarls back, and moves his sword between them. "I simply wish to keep the peace, I wish not a battle with anyone". He digs his claws into the floor board so as to more readily be able to move how ever the next action may require of him.

"I don't wish to continue this so calm yourself young one, and if I must, I appologize for calling you a freak, I understand how much it would aggravate you but now stop this foolishness." Inari adds.

Ronin watches what is happening intently. He puts the dagger back inside his shirt, probably wouldn't need it anyhow he thinks. Looks like this 'Hoshi' can take plenty care of herself.

The stranger locks his sword back in place so as to further show support of the idea of simply ending the fight. "Come now please, let us sit back and perhaps share a drink. If anything i will pick up the tab?"

Hoshi turns an ear to Ronin and calls out to him. "Cousin! She insulted our kind! Am I to just set that aside for the sake of her worthless life?" She is PISSED. How DARE this human be so god damned fast! She snarles at the man for good measure. "And the little freak had to call in her little friend, too. 2 on 1!"

Ronin glances up at Hoshi. "She's not human, told me so herself, many times." he says after a few moments."Besides, you don't look like you need much help."

"Now, now my lady, i, first of all, do not know this woman. I only mean for no one to get harmed. And second is one life so worthless to you. Who care what she says of your kind? It only shows how little she knows of your kind!" As he says this, the stranger relaxes his muscles to hopefuly calm the others but also in turn can increase his own speed if needed.

Inari heads toward a table and sits down on it leaning her legs together, she closes her eyes and breaths in and out. She shouldn't have used her powers like that, now she would soon be discovered and that was not something she wished for.

The man follows her. "Are you alright?" He orders her a drink. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Hoshi growls as Inari leaves. "I ain't done with you, you pathetic wanna-be human!" She hops to her feet in a single move, turning to Ronin. "Come on, we'll make her pay, Cousin. She won't get away with this!" She keeps one ear on Inari and another on the man.

"I'm alright I guess sorry I had to do this, its not like I like to use those powers but I guess I'm forced to sometimes, in anycase thanks for helping me now I owe you one, ask me anything" Inari replies to the man.

Ronin looks up at Hoshi slowly. "Just leave her be I think. I told you she isn't human, just...well, I don't know what she is." Korunue sits, wordlessly, waiting to see what he would do. The fight seemed over... if Hoshi could only let it drop. She was scared for the demon girl; She could imagine her coming to a bad end because of her temper. She is relived to hear Ronin refuse to help, though she fears for what Hoshi would do.

Grabbing Inari in one arm around her waist and holding her at his, the stranger leaps toward the door. Turning, he aims his Crossbow at Hoshi, then turns toward Inari "we can talk of such things later!"

Hoshi feels betrayed. She does not care about the crossbow aimed at her, snarling to Ronin and racing to attack the man, claws outstreached as she runs, then leaps, intending to tackle him so she can rip him apart. How DARE he aim that silly twig at her! She is too angry to think clearly, relying on instincts to guide the fight.

The stranger twists under her and aims one arrow at each major joint only wishing to stun for a moment. In the pause he switches Inari to his left hand and pulls his sword loose and runs it into the ground, through all the wood and the stone below.

Ronin perks up and focuses both his ears on Hoshi, and then on the stranger and the crossbow. He instinctively fingers the dagger in his sleeve, then remembers that his first jo is to protect Korunue. Possible family could come later. With the speed the stranger used a shockwave hit the chairs and tables round and knocked over some drinks along with some customers.

Hoshi is hit, twisting out of the way a little to land on the floor. She does not have a quick recovary move handy, and so flops to the ground, getting hit with the shockwave. She snarls viciously, shooting a look that could kill to Ronin. It also held betrayal in it, though. She used the last method avalible to her: she used her natural ability as a youkai to become a small, reddish-grey fox, the same color as her hair and ears. She forgot about the arrows, though, and they do more damage in her smaller body. She pulls them out with her teeth and crawls under a table.

Running the blade across the ground, the man destroys the floor and stone in front of him till he reaches the door. With Inari in hand takes out the door and leaps out. Ronin watches him leave with slight amusement. "Good riddance" he says to Korunue. He scans the inn with his ears and his eyes, trying to locate Hoshi.

Korunue watches the small fox. "Poor Hoshi." She glances up at Ronin, as if to get permission, the heads over to the table beneath which Hoshi crouched, extending her hand to the small fox. Ronin follows behind Korunue. He wants to talk to this Hoshi now. Maybe he can find out what all this stuff was about a clan. Hoshi bites Korunue's hand with her sharp teeth. She snarls at Ronin, unable to talk in this form, but mentally cursing him. She backs away to the other side of the table, licking her bleeding wounds.

With the man holding her, Inari stops to worry, just trusting him enough to bring her to a safe enough place, she smiles to him from under and let her legs dangle down. Korunue pulls her hand back, putting it in her mouth and sucking on it like a small child would. "ouch!" She turns to Ronin, her eyes questioning, as if to ask, 'what now?'

Ronin squats down next to Korunue and looks at the fox. He grins for a second then takes a look at Korunue's hand. "Does it hurt much Kor?" he asks softly. All the while thinking 'Stupid kitsune, claims to be family and all. Wonder where she really comes from.'

Hoshi snorts. Nobody cares about HER wounds. How would she dance if her joints got stiff? How could she make a living? But her own cousin didn't care about that. He picked an ikkiyou over her. She heads over to bite him as well, much slowed due to the pain in her joints. Outside, the man releases Inari. " Well, my lady, forgive me my name is Animuscorbaccio, but if you like you can just call me Ani."

Korunue winces a little, but shakes her head. She pulls her hand out of her mouth, revealing a neat line of puncture marks across her fingers. "I probably deserved it... I shoulda' helped her out."

Ronin shakes his head and examines Korunue's hand. He decides it wont be a dangerous wound. He gets done examining it in time to see Hoshi crawling over to him. With a slight smirk, he reaches out to grab the scruff of her neck and pick her up. Hoshi is aghast, and snarls with all her might. She can always turn back... then he'd have problems. How DARE he treat his own kin that way! Did kin mean nothing to him? What kind of monster didn't care about his own cousin! She does not struggle, but keeps her dignity and glares at him.

Korunue blinks. "Put her down! Sheesh, if she doesn't want to be handled, leave her alone." She feels pity for Hoshi... she obviously did not have someone to look out for her. She looked like she needed a friend.

Ronin looks over at Korunue and nods. He carefully sets Hoshi down. "I'm just not sure if she is even my cousin or not. How do I know. She could have made the whole thing up just now." He says, looking warily at Hoshi.

Hoshi scampers beneath the table again, licking her still-bleeding joints. She heads out the door to hide under the porch and lick her wounds, mentally cursing Ronin bitterly for abandoning her. She wonders if he'll follow her.... she is unaware that hanyous have no animal form. Korunue looks to Ronin. "Should we follow her? She's hurt... even if she's not your cousin, she is your species... and she's bleeding."

Ronin looks at Korunue for a moment and nods. "I guess we should. I can patch her wounds at least." he says, patting one of the pouches on his belt. He beckons for Korunue to follow and walks out the door to the inn, sniffing and following Hoshi's scent.

Seeing Ronin come from within the Inn Animus begins to lightly move Inari forward trying not to cause any alarm, simply to get her moving away form another fight. Hoshi hears him coming and crawls in further. She ignores her bleeding wounds, the instinct to escape growing. How had she lost? She wimpers a little under the porch, wishing she had some water and some clean bandages. Korunue comes with, knowing full well the woman hated her for being too human and not youkai enough. BUt... what could she do? nothing. She wished it wasn't that way...

Ronin checks in his pouch, making sure he has the necessary items to clean wounds. "Kor, do you think you could get her to come out, so I can help her? I would do it myself, but it seems she doesn't like me that much."

Korunue looks at him blankly. "Me. An ikkiyou. Coax a full youkai from her hiding spot. You _must_ be joking. She'll tear me to shreds if I get anywhere near her!"

Hoshi hears the whole think and comes out on her own, glaring at Ronin. She turns human again so she can talk. "You got some nerve, hanyou! Abandoning your own kin in favor of an ikkiyou!" She glares at him. "Thanks ever so much for the help, Cousin." said mockingly.

Ronin smirks at Hoshi. "This ikkiyou is my wife. And as far as assistance goes, you looked like you could handle yourself nicely back there. BUt, now I can help you with your wounds." He says, holding a small jar out, filled with a sort of jelly.

Hoshi sneers at him. "Pathetic. And you got her pregnant, as well. I almost pity your pups." She eyes the jelly. "All I need are bandages, cousin, and I'll be on my way. You are too like your mother. You would never fit in in the Clan."

Korunue winces at the intended insult. She places a hand on Ronin's arm, to caution him to just let it go and give her bandages. She knows she won't be able to convince Hoshi she's worth a rat's ass... she doesn't bother to try. Ronin sighs and puts the jelly away. "Have it your way then. Cousin" he says, pulling several bandages from his pouch and handing them to Hoshi. "Now then, since you obviously don't need, or care for us. We'll be going."

Hoshi takes the bandages. "I would have _liked_ to get to know my own kin... ah, but kin means nothing to you, does it, cousin? What if that bastard had aimed to kill, hmm? I could have used backup..." Her eyes fill with self-loathing at having to admit it. Korunue sees her eyes and feels pity, her own showing sadness and compassion. She doesn't even bother to say a word to Hoshi, knowing that it was not her place to talk to one so far above her. She looks down, submissivly, a single tear forming in her eyes.

Ronin nods at Hoshi. "I would like to get to know my kin too, if I was sure you're my kin. And if he had aimed to kill. I would have helped." he says, turning to Korunue. "Look up Kor, and stop crying. There's no need for that."

Hoshi would sneer and mock, but something in Korunue's eyes stopped her. She frowns. "I am. I am Teri's daughter, and Teri is Hana's daughter, and Terin is Hana's daughter, and you are Terin's son. That makes us cousins."

Korunue shook her head no. She tugged Ronin back towards the room, yawning some. Hoshi turns to her fox form, taking the bandages in her mouth and trotting under the porch once more.

Ronin nods at Hoshi. "Maybe we can talk some other time then. Good night." And with that he walks Koruneu up to their room and closes the door.

that's about enough of that. review.