A NOTE TO REVIEWERS----------------------------- Ok, I know I keep going on
about it, but thanx alotta for the reviews guys!
Himi-chan------------- Thanx for the compliments. I really appreciate your thoughts. Also thanks for the luck, and the same back to you.
Apsara-----------------Ta, amigo. I'll certainly will try to keep it up. Gotta keep reading if u want to see what happens!! Lol
Wolf gang Thursday---- Thanks, amigo, glad you're enjoying it! Will definitely continue! Hope you like the nxt chapters as much.
Akuryu Skadi----------Lol! Ok, ok getting to the update, glad you like it. As for the questions, hopefully they'll become clear in the nxt chapters. There's no fooling you, you will probably guess the pairing real soon lol!
By the way, if you guys ever want to make any suggestions about where the story goes, or the people, feel free! I live to please! ..well not literally lol! ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ .......
Just as swift as they had come upon her the fantastical images began to fade away, brief flashes of places and people zipped by and disappeared into space leaving only the blackness of night.
As she tried in vain to focus on the scene, the chipped stone sculpture's sharp edges melted away to reveal only one corner of the room, and the waterfall began to flow sideways but became a discarded shirt billowing in the breeze from the open window.
"Hey wait" she called to the retreating figure, but suddenly found herself staring at the ceiling. Asano Rin slowly turned onto her side, with exaggerated care, seemingly reluctant to disturb the peace. She peered into the gloom, straining her senses, becoming accustomed to the dark, but not a sound could be heard. 'Nothing from the roads' she thought, remembering the late night travellers that would pass the dojo frequently.
A delicate hand came up to rub the sleep dust from her eyes. 'Well of course there isn't' she mentally reprimanded. 'Who would be stupid enough to travel at night in these parts, especially with them around'
Her mind took her back to the dream figure's words, "now you must wake", what for? It was still long before dawn!
Rin glanced up at the jumbled pile of limbs on the sill, which was for some reason was snoring unusually quietly. There was something strangely relaxing about the immortal's trademark road drill snore.
She tensed suddenly as a thought struck her; it was never this quiet, even the hum of the insects had ceased.
Rin nervously rolled off the sleep mat, as a knife the length of her forearm embedded itself in her pillow. Rin shrieked, a strand of severed hair lying limp on the mat.
Manji was in battle stance before he'd even opened his eyes. Suddenly the tall grass outside rustled violently before the pounding of feet reached their ears. Manji leapt up onto the window, drawing his sword in one liquid movement. "RIN STAY HERE!" He yelled disappearing into the grass as he took off after the assassin.
The teen jumped to her feet, and was still, she was shaking uncontrollably at the sight of the knife, a very real reminder of just how close she had come to leaving this place permanently.
The footfalls died away and left Rin pacing the room fearfully. Suddenly the wooden door to their room was wrenched aside. Rin whipped around taken by surprise, and breathed a sigh of relief.
A man stood there in his night wear, with a scowl on his face, which appeared rather amusing in the midst of the danger as his moustache looked like a furry animal. He held the candle a little higher to illuminate Rin's face.
"What is going on in here? I hear thudding and lots of commotion. 'Sides lady across the hall say she hear screaming." Rin blinked at his heavily accented voice, and briefly wondered where he was from; she hadn't noticed it before when she and Manji had first arrived.
"Um, I'm sorry mister Takuya , it was me you heard" 'Did she just hear something outside?'
The overweight Inn- keeper peered at her suspiciously. "Now see here girl," he said gruffly whilst waving an accusing finger at her nose. "Can't have you and kenshi of yours keeping other customers awake, bad for business!" Rin jerked her head, at the weapon harpooning the floor. "No, but you see"
He held up a hand to interrupt her. "Go to Aya's 'cross the street for honeymooners"! Rin wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Eww! It wasn't like that at all! Don't be so damn rude!
There was movement outside, she was sure of it this time. She strained her hearing.
"She no charge you so much, cos I sent you"! "SHUT UP! I'm trying to listen"
"Listen? What listening to? Me! Should be listening to me, but no, crazy girl wants to hear bugs"
Rin turned to him angrily, and brought her face up close before he could start talking again. She pointed at the knife, he glanced to where she had gestured. "Don't you understand? Someone tried to kill me, and my friend went after them" .She continued at a whisper "I think there is someone else, and they are outside right now, we could all be at risk"
She watched the innkeeper with a tiny amount of satisfaction when his features changed from sceptical to genuine unease. They both looked up when they heard a short sharp click.
"GET DOWN"!
They both dropped at the sound of another man's voice, as a shower of daggers flew through the room and dug into the walls. Then nothing. Against the doorframe, Rin cowered, her arms wrapped around her form defensively. Again she heard the pounding of footfalls as the mystery attacker made off into the night.
Unshed tears bean to gather in her eyes, blurring her vision. 'Why can't it all just end' she thought sorrowfully. The sixteen year old was tired of forever looking over her shoulder, and waiting for the next threat. 'Maybe I could be free, if only I hadn't started on this foolish quest' It was true that recently she had come to realise that even if she killed Anotsu, someone would come after her on a similar quest, Someone would always want revenge, it was just a cycle that once you found your way into, it was impossible to ever lead any sort of normal life. It was once again quiet, except for the whiny man's constant grumbling, but her thoughts blocked him out.
Come to think of it, even if she hadn't vowed to avenge her parents, the Itto-ryu would still be after her. She sighed loudly. ' It's a no win situation' she summarised, feeling defeated.
"Manji, where are you"? She breathed
"Good idea" The annoying voice rang out again, irritating her beyond belief. "Let kenshi take care of it. We wait for him, cos you just wimpy girl, you cry like little baby" ----------!
"That's it!" She yelled, wiping her eyes. "I've had it with you. All you do is complain. I don't see you defending your precious Inn!" Rin stood abruptly, throwing on her outer kimono, from where it lay discarded next to her sleep mat.
Takuya's eyes darted around fearfully, eventually settling on her as she began to attach, tuck, and hide as many weapons as possible about her person.
She glared at him defiantly, daring him to challenge her. "I'm taking matters into my own hands, I'm tired of being afraid. I don't need any help, and I'm not waiting for Manji!"
Rin sent a thoughtful glance at Manji's extensive collection, which was hidden under a sheet in the far corner of the room. She weighed up the options in her head. 'Even if I can carry any of those, they're way too heavy for me to ever use against anyone' she decided.
"You better pay for all damage in here, hey! I know you hear me"! The innkeeper shouted venomously, as Rin hopped over his crouching form, hurrying over to the window, grabbing her traditional sword as she went.
The young heir turned suddenly as if remembering something. "I'm going after them, whoever they are, and don't you dare follow me!" she added as she jumped neatly through the window.
The man, who had previously been silent, suddenly stepped forward. "No wait, it's dangerous". But it was too late. Rin was out of sight. He ran to the window and leaned out. "You don't know who you're dealing with," he hollered, but the words were consumed by the empty night.
"We 'ave doors y'know" a sarcastic voice reminded" Just then he noticed Manji's toys propped up in the corner. "Hey!" he yelled as he got to his feet. "I no givem permission for these! I confiscate'em" he growled reaching for a particularly nasty serrated tool, just as a sword swiftly bit into his neck, he hissed in pain.
The other man, gestured for him to step back. "I'd leave them if I were you"!
Himi-chan------------- Thanx for the compliments. I really appreciate your thoughts. Also thanks for the luck, and the same back to you.
Apsara-----------------Ta, amigo. I'll certainly will try to keep it up. Gotta keep reading if u want to see what happens!! Lol
Wolf gang Thursday---- Thanks, amigo, glad you're enjoying it! Will definitely continue! Hope you like the nxt chapters as much.
Akuryu Skadi----------Lol! Ok, ok getting to the update, glad you like it. As for the questions, hopefully they'll become clear in the nxt chapters. There's no fooling you, you will probably guess the pairing real soon lol!
By the way, if you guys ever want to make any suggestions about where the story goes, or the people, feel free! I live to please! ..well not literally lol! ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ ............................................................................ .......
Just as swift as they had come upon her the fantastical images began to fade away, brief flashes of places and people zipped by and disappeared into space leaving only the blackness of night.
As she tried in vain to focus on the scene, the chipped stone sculpture's sharp edges melted away to reveal only one corner of the room, and the waterfall began to flow sideways but became a discarded shirt billowing in the breeze from the open window.
"Hey wait" she called to the retreating figure, but suddenly found herself staring at the ceiling. Asano Rin slowly turned onto her side, with exaggerated care, seemingly reluctant to disturb the peace. She peered into the gloom, straining her senses, becoming accustomed to the dark, but not a sound could be heard. 'Nothing from the roads' she thought, remembering the late night travellers that would pass the dojo frequently.
A delicate hand came up to rub the sleep dust from her eyes. 'Well of course there isn't' she mentally reprimanded. 'Who would be stupid enough to travel at night in these parts, especially with them around'
Her mind took her back to the dream figure's words, "now you must wake", what for? It was still long before dawn!
Rin glanced up at the jumbled pile of limbs on the sill, which was for some reason was snoring unusually quietly. There was something strangely relaxing about the immortal's trademark road drill snore.
She tensed suddenly as a thought struck her; it was never this quiet, even the hum of the insects had ceased.
Rin nervously rolled off the sleep mat, as a knife the length of her forearm embedded itself in her pillow. Rin shrieked, a strand of severed hair lying limp on the mat.
Manji was in battle stance before he'd even opened his eyes. Suddenly the tall grass outside rustled violently before the pounding of feet reached their ears. Manji leapt up onto the window, drawing his sword in one liquid movement. "RIN STAY HERE!" He yelled disappearing into the grass as he took off after the assassin.
The teen jumped to her feet, and was still, she was shaking uncontrollably at the sight of the knife, a very real reminder of just how close she had come to leaving this place permanently.
The footfalls died away and left Rin pacing the room fearfully. Suddenly the wooden door to their room was wrenched aside. Rin whipped around taken by surprise, and breathed a sigh of relief.
A man stood there in his night wear, with a scowl on his face, which appeared rather amusing in the midst of the danger as his moustache looked like a furry animal. He held the candle a little higher to illuminate Rin's face.
"What is going on in here? I hear thudding and lots of commotion. 'Sides lady across the hall say she hear screaming." Rin blinked at his heavily accented voice, and briefly wondered where he was from; she hadn't noticed it before when she and Manji had first arrived.
"Um, I'm sorry mister Takuya , it was me you heard" 'Did she just hear something outside?'
The overweight Inn- keeper peered at her suspiciously. "Now see here girl," he said gruffly whilst waving an accusing finger at her nose. "Can't have you and kenshi of yours keeping other customers awake, bad for business!" Rin jerked her head, at the weapon harpooning the floor. "No, but you see"
He held up a hand to interrupt her. "Go to Aya's 'cross the street for honeymooners"! Rin wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Eww! It wasn't like that at all! Don't be so damn rude!
There was movement outside, she was sure of it this time. She strained her hearing.
"She no charge you so much, cos I sent you"! "SHUT UP! I'm trying to listen"
"Listen? What listening to? Me! Should be listening to me, but no, crazy girl wants to hear bugs"
Rin turned to him angrily, and brought her face up close before he could start talking again. She pointed at the knife, he glanced to where she had gestured. "Don't you understand? Someone tried to kill me, and my friend went after them" .She continued at a whisper "I think there is someone else, and they are outside right now, we could all be at risk"
She watched the innkeeper with a tiny amount of satisfaction when his features changed from sceptical to genuine unease. They both looked up when they heard a short sharp click.
"GET DOWN"!
They both dropped at the sound of another man's voice, as a shower of daggers flew through the room and dug into the walls. Then nothing. Against the doorframe, Rin cowered, her arms wrapped around her form defensively. Again she heard the pounding of footfalls as the mystery attacker made off into the night.
Unshed tears bean to gather in her eyes, blurring her vision. 'Why can't it all just end' she thought sorrowfully. The sixteen year old was tired of forever looking over her shoulder, and waiting for the next threat. 'Maybe I could be free, if only I hadn't started on this foolish quest' It was true that recently she had come to realise that even if she killed Anotsu, someone would come after her on a similar quest, Someone would always want revenge, it was just a cycle that once you found your way into, it was impossible to ever lead any sort of normal life. It was once again quiet, except for the whiny man's constant grumbling, but her thoughts blocked him out.
Come to think of it, even if she hadn't vowed to avenge her parents, the Itto-ryu would still be after her. She sighed loudly. ' It's a no win situation' she summarised, feeling defeated.
"Manji, where are you"? She breathed
"Good idea" The annoying voice rang out again, irritating her beyond belief. "Let kenshi take care of it. We wait for him, cos you just wimpy girl, you cry like little baby" ----------!
"That's it!" She yelled, wiping her eyes. "I've had it with you. All you do is complain. I don't see you defending your precious Inn!" Rin stood abruptly, throwing on her outer kimono, from where it lay discarded next to her sleep mat.
Takuya's eyes darted around fearfully, eventually settling on her as she began to attach, tuck, and hide as many weapons as possible about her person.
She glared at him defiantly, daring him to challenge her. "I'm taking matters into my own hands, I'm tired of being afraid. I don't need any help, and I'm not waiting for Manji!"
Rin sent a thoughtful glance at Manji's extensive collection, which was hidden under a sheet in the far corner of the room. She weighed up the options in her head. 'Even if I can carry any of those, they're way too heavy for me to ever use against anyone' she decided.
"You better pay for all damage in here, hey! I know you hear me"! The innkeeper shouted venomously, as Rin hopped over his crouching form, hurrying over to the window, grabbing her traditional sword as she went.
The young heir turned suddenly as if remembering something. "I'm going after them, whoever they are, and don't you dare follow me!" she added as she jumped neatly through the window.
The man, who had previously been silent, suddenly stepped forward. "No wait, it's dangerous". But it was too late. Rin was out of sight. He ran to the window and leaned out. "You don't know who you're dealing with," he hollered, but the words were consumed by the empty night.
"We 'ave doors y'know" a sarcastic voice reminded" Just then he noticed Manji's toys propped up in the corner. "Hey!" he yelled as he got to his feet. "I no givem permission for these! I confiscate'em" he growled reaching for a particularly nasty serrated tool, just as a sword swiftly bit into his neck, he hissed in pain.
The other man, gestured for him to step back. "I'd leave them if I were you"!