Blue Kitsune: Ok this chapter is long that the other two by far and probably others too but I hope you'll enjoy this as much as I had fun writing it. Katara, oh I mean Ryoko take it!
Katara/Ryoko: Blue Kitsune does not own Avatar or parts of InuYasha or others that were used in the making of this fic. Read and Review.
Chapter Three
Everything became quiet and still as the music cease, the yokais froze in their position as the dancers were in mid-step and was an uncomfortable hush descended upon the room when they heard the announcement from the terrified servant.
Everyone were staring from the messenger and turning towards the Dragon Lord, expecting it to be one last minute joke he concocted for a good laugh as the night was near finish.
Yuki-onna saw the confusion and annoyance written in her husband's eye and was the one to speak, breaking him from his trance, "Seiryu what's—"
Suddenly something whizzed into the room, an arrow, shot straight at the messenger and falling to the ground and more arrows coming through. A shriek was cut off as another arrow hit one in their throat and soon there were more screams coming through from outside and they could sense the fire and smoke, and everyone rising from their seats, realizing that the danger was real and were being attack. They went quickly to see what it was, grabbing their weapons that lay by the side entrance to stop this intrusion that was happening, Ryoko's father heading out front as the leader.
Ryoko was about to follow but she felt someone grabbed her hand and held her back, turning around and saw it was her mother who was pulling her away, taking her to the back of the room, "Okasan! Let me go, I have to help Otosan with everyone else, I want to—"
"No Ryoko, it's far too dangerous, let us handle this but listen to me: you must go to your room and wait—no on second thought, have your things pack, anything that you will find necessary and essential and hurry. I have no time to be explaining this to you but it's very important that you must do as you're told. If your otosan or I do not come back for you, you must leave immediately and head to one of the other kingdoms, the south is closest and probably the safest route your best chances. You and Katachi must go to Suzakuand be given shelter and protection in their clan." Ryoko stopped in her tracks and stared at her mother, not really believing what she just heard her say as she was taking all this in.
What did she mean, she couldn't possibly be saying that she would have to leave her home, her family, the people and everything she loved in their kingdom? Was this going to be a battle that her okasan fear they might not win or survive either way, even with her father as one of the four strongest Dai of their kingdom and the yokais loyal to them against this unknown adversary?
"Please understand that what I'm asking of you is for the best and I won't risk having to lose you, my own daughter, my Ryoko-chan please do this as my last request for you!"
Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears as they looked to one another and Ryoko knew that what her mother was asking of her she couldn't refuse, even as much she wanted to against her wishes but wasn't compelling to break her honorable words towards her family.
The shrieks of terror became louder, bringing them both back to the reality that they were still in danger and that time was short at hand. Her mother grabbed her once again, this time in a vise grip that felt that could break the tiny bones in her fingers and wouldn't let her go while she hurried them out of there through the back leading door to the other side, "You must go NOW!"
Before Ryoko had a chance to say she could help or not wanting to leave and stay by her side, she found herself already in her chambers, two servants catching her as her mother threw her towards them, stumbling into their arms, and turn back, heading out to join where the others were.
Katachi was already there in her room, waiting with the two other servants and went over and helped Ryoko up from the ground. She like everyone else was as confused and scared when they must have heard the panic going on, knowing something terrible was afoot.
"Ryoko, what's going on? I was talking to okasan in the kitchen when all of a sudden there was shouting and screaming and I smell smoke, lots of it coming from outside, then she told me to come here to pack and wait for you. I don't understand but I feel that it's something terrible isn't it!"
Her friend was looking towards her, pleading to say that it wasn't what she was thinking, that there wasn't trouble going on. As much as Ryoko would have wish to told her otherwise and lie like before, she didn't and had to explain it was really happening, that someone had attack their home. It took a short while to fill her in on what she knew while the servants moved around the room, packing whatever clothes, money, anything they could find to fill the two bags and immediately handed the sacks to them.
They were taken by the two servants and were heading back outside where they could still hear the commotion going, only now with the monstrous shrieks and war cries as the yokais joined in battle.
Ryoko and Katachi were ushered into the stables where the horses were being frightened by the loud noises and panicking all the same. Their hooves pounding on the ground, nostrils flaring and steam rushing out blowing hotly in their faces as they neighed in fear and confusion.
They put the two on the mighty beasts secured for the well-prepared journey, Katachi's rode in back of Ryoko's stallion as they were given the reins and taken out of the stables and told to go. "May lord Seiryu's strength guide you both safely, Ryoko-hime!"
The yōba galloped out just in the nick of time as they saw arrows lit by fire shot through and managing to dodge them but saw it hit one of the unfortunate servant's dead before they were able to escape the rain of the fiery doom that was burning everything they called their home to the ground.
Ryoko wanted to go and search for her mother and father and turn her steed around to head out to where the battle was being commenced. Katachi glance behind to see where Ryoko was going, turning her horse around to follow and called out to her, "RYOKO COME BACK!"
Ryoko didn't hear what she said as she was racing, passing what she saw remaining of the once mighty castle that was slowly being consumed by the flames that the enemy had managed to penetrate towards the grounds where the chaos was becoming stronger and destructive.
How could this have happened? What in all of the ancestors could this be done if no one was inform or at least given fair warning to prevent this disaster?
Fire was everything and a startling realization that it was like her dream, the flames surrounding the whole place, the sky showering masses of fireballs on them while everyone in the panic had scattered and tried to flee but got caught in the downfall. Some stayed to fight for their home and she saw a few she knew, yokais that were their allies, friends of her parents, all those who had been attending the ceremony were holding off as best they could in the combat but there was no sign of her father or mother among them.
"OTOSAN! OKASAN!" She finally heard a familiar roar that shook her and she race faster than ever, her heart jumping wildly in her chest just as she reached the outside of the family garden.
The garden where she, her mother or Katachi went to enjoy the flowers blossoming, now a crimson flaring blaze circled the surrounding and with two figures fighting and she recognized her mother, a powerful looking dragon swiftly dodging her foe while sending out flames her own but that didn't stop the other as he manage to hit her in the side with his own attacks, causing immense pain to her already wounded body and blood flow freely down on the earth.
"OKASAN!" Ryoko tried to make it to save her mother before the wall of fire flamed up around them, her horse reeling back and she while trying to steady him and find some way through in but had no chance of reaching her in time, could only watch what she had seen.
She only got one glimpse of her, the dragon who laid on the ground defeat, blood seeping from her gaping burning wounds, her eyes, one completely shut as it had been burn away by the flames, leaving an empty socket where she once had two beautiful blue eyes and saw the other glazing one look her way as the figure approach, drawing a sword in his hand and raised it directly over her, a still silence came over and the world had seem to stop as Ryoko watch her mother's dragon lips moved, no words coming out but could understand what she said.
"Live long Ryoko…." And Ryoko reach out at the last minute, almost as if to get through the flame but found too late as the fire separate them.
"NO!" The pain of the burn didn't hurt as much, neither did she felt it before pulling it back and saw the skin blacken and singe hair met her and quickly put it out before it went further up on her. "OKASAN!"
She still heard the battle going and not really caring what happened as she didn't move or even hear the clapping hooves of another coming. Katachi was shouting her name as she got to her side and grabbed her hand, pulling her and her stallion back before the fire got them.
"Ryoko we have to go, there's nothing else we can do! You're the only hope we have left, come on!" Ryoko was still lost in her dazed state before her steed having a mind of his own, galloped off with her, followed by Katachi to keep her close holding on for dear life as they made their way to escape.
She didn't want to see anymore and had closed her eyes, burying her face into her stallion's mane, darkness her only ally but could still hear the screams of her fallen brethren as were her reminder of what had happened. Her tears ran down her cheeks onto the ground, having lost everything and everyone she had love perished as the flames consumed them to this night as she and Katachi disappeared into the sky together.
Meanwhile under a secret post by the forest where they sent up camp, two soldiers were racing from their post to tell them the outcome of how their men were fighting against the 'beasts'. They had never seen such creatures before in all their life. When word had reached their nation, the lord insisted to set spies and then worked on a plan for their benefit to conquer thanks to many of his war generals' strategic planning and commanding army.
"Commander up there, there are two that are escaping heading southeast sir!" One pointed for his general and he lifted his spyglass to his eye and indeed saw them, flying off for safety towards Agni knows where.
Well they wouldn't go far, he would make sure of that. He had a cruel smirk on his face as he ordered them to ready the catapults and have it aimed in their direction and to wait for his signal when they got into perfect lining.
"Fire!" A flaming ball was shot towards the two, hitting one immediately while the other in a panic frenzy fled before the rider could control it and hold on to its mount. The one hit by the fireball was not so lucky…
They hadn't seen it coming as Katachi tried to comfort her after she seen little of what had happened in the garden of fire but had to guess seeing the fire spread beyond the kingdom towards the field, burning everything to ashes with those they loved still fighting a dying battle.
"Ryoko-chan…" She finally said, placing her hand on top of hers, the one burned but probably could have been as Ryoko pulled her hand back slightly as if pained by her touched. She looked down sadly, knowing Ryoko wanted to be alone and not say anything really and thought she should deserve the moment to mourn the lost in private. "I'm so sorry…" Ryoko barely heard what she said but lifted her head, her eyes blank and dead looking to the world, her face still wet with her tears.
"Katachi…" Katachi looked up and before she could say anything her eyes widen when she saw something huge hurling straight at them and screamed.
"RYOKO LOOK OUT!" Ryoko turn, seeing the flaming ball heading their way and had managed to steer Katachi away, forcing her beast to push against hers but was unable to move in time and was hit directly instead in the line of fire. She heard herself cry out in pain, the flames licking away at her clothes and skin and lost her grip on the rein, slipped and fell sideways from her mount and tried to grab onto something and found her hands grasping on to the sack tight.
"Ryoko hang on!" She was, holding on it as much she could and trying to pull back up, but the binding holding it to her saddle fell loose and along with Ryoko, was falling down from the sky.
"Ryoko!" She heard her cried but as she was heading head first towards the ocean they were crossing over before they were attack. She tried to will her body to transform but her mind was too traumatized to focus and was still whirling around the horror what she seen recently, of her mother's death and her beloved home being destroyed with the ones she loved.
How could this have happen? Why? Okasan please help me, I will be soon joining you in the world beyond and hope that you are waiting for me then to be by your side. She was falling faster, ready to accept her fate as she would be dead to this world like everyone else.
Her mother came into her mind one last time, her speaking suddenly with words she never heard her say before. They kept echoing inside her head and repeating themselves like a chant until she got it in her mind that her mother wanted her to remember and say out loud just like the lessons her instructors drilled for her to do in order to memorize hers.
Said these words and they will take you anywhere… She didn't understand why but she believed her and quickly said them, her voice ringing in the darkness as she plunged.
Spirits hear my cry
Guide me
To which I may ask
A world not my own
But a realm I once belong
Bring me there and give me
Strength, courage, wisdom, love
Show me the world I once walked upon
I beseech thee
Water, Fire, Wind, Earth
Seiryu, Suzaku, Byakko, Genbu
Take me to where I once belong
Open the gate of time and space
And let me through the pathway of this kingdom
Obey my command
Abate, abate, abate!
When she finished, a white light haloed her and those around, a dragon with glowing blue eyes overshadowing the sky, making the night illuminate to the mighty roar of its roar before the light becoming brighter, almost blinding to the point and feeling slightly dizzy and weak from using all her energy to summon this unknown power and became unconscious into the water and disappeared under the murky blackness of the ocean consume her at last, sinking deep into the depths of her watery sleep.
Ryoko didn't know how long she had been out for, probably longer than she expected before feeling her lung cry out for air and open her mouth to catch great swallows of water to choke and gagged on, opening her eyes to see she was underwater and sinking fast.
She swam towards the surface, splashing and swimming over to the shore, sputtering and gasping before she could pull herself out of the water, dragging the along the bag that had been caught tangled in her arm and lay there. Her body still shaken from the fall, but managing to get up and walk a bit, stumbling some along the way, feeling slightly unleveled like she had drunk too much sake and falling back down of the soft earth underneath a large tree.
I must get some rest and save my strength, I need to let myself recovered before I go looking for Katachi and… She didn't finished what she was thinking as she closed her eyes and found a comfortable position under it and fell fast asleep.
It wasn't too long for the night to be finished and waking up to see the sun high in the sky, clear and bright even under the shade of the tree she was under. She blinked, rubbing her eyes, tired and weary from her somewhat short-lived nap.
Wait, how long had she been sleeping certainly not too long when it still had been dark when she got out of the water. She blinked a couple times just about ready to go back to sleep before they snapped wide-awake, realizing hitting her and sat up.
The attack on the yokai kingdom, her brethren being attack and the battle must still be commencing and dying. The fire in the garden, her mother…
It had been no dream, all of it had been real.
"Okasan…" She placed her hands over her chest and felt the sadness overcome her heart again and tried to control the tears that dare threaten to fall. She became thirsty and went to the lake and gasp at her appearance.
Her kimono was tattered and covered in scorch marks and dried soot, the sleeves singed and smelling of smoke. Her makeup was smudge and used one of her sleeves to wipe it away, ruining it further and causing her to look gray with the soot she rubbed in. She then noticed something was strange with her hair and raked a hand through to see that it was now dark brown and the highlights had remain, shining brightly through with the blue as the darker color of the three.
She let it hang loose and down her back before turning to stare at her new surroundings, carefully gathering that this wasn't any forest she been to as of yet.
Why had she come here? Where was she exactly? She decided to save these questions for later and that if she were going to get some answer she would have to find someone, anyone here in this strange new realm she was in.
She untied the obi and let the kimono fall to the ground and stepped in and washed herself to rid her make-up, the soot, the stench of the fire, blood, everything, soaking for a few minutes in the water. When she was finished, she went back for to her bag and pulled out one of her short kimono and donned it on and tied it loose in back. She searched around, praying that they had pack it in here and not in the other bag before finding what she had been looking for and hanging its scabbard on her belt by her left side.
She wrapped her old outfit and taking the jeweled combs she had worn, though she should have maybe consider keeping to sell if she didn't have enough money with her but she decided to better use these as an offering for her mother, her people and her fallen kingdom. She kneel towards the water, discard them in and put both hands together and bowed in silent prayer for those decease and joining the next world above.
"I'm sorry that I didn't have anything to use for the proper spiritual ritual for everyone other than the few things I could spare and my deepest sense of sorrow to whom I've lost now and still might be more. I only hope that you will understand that for having to leave you in the midst of battle even against my will I now mourn you here in my heart.
"I have lost everyone I loved, Okasan, Otosan, Katachi, my people, my kingdom, everything that I had treasured. The only thing I now have left is my honor and the hope of returning things back to what they were before and hope to restore everything lost though some could never be forgotten." She unsheathed her sword, the blade reflecting her face as she held it towards her, her eyes like dark clouds with an approaching storm. She drawn back her sleeve, the arm where it skin once had been badly blacken and blistered, now smooth and soft and tan like before thanks to her regenerative system and made a cut an inch long to her elbow, her blood staining the grass red, her yokai spirit raged at the lost of her fallen kin and she felt like howling herself.
"I, Ryoko, daughter of lord Seiryu of the east and Lady Yuki-onna, now passed, shall see to it that your deaths not be in vain and that I will avenge you all or die by my honor with the blood of a yokai still runs in my veins. That is my sacred vow to you!"
She held her sword high and plunged it into the earth, the blade sinking in with her hot blood on it red and pulls back out, watching how red liquid starts to spurts out from the ground as it bled on it with flowers starting to grow and bloom.
Akuma kagebara, the devil's shadow rose that grew only when a blood vow was said and made for the dead and set to the sacred ground where the person made their oath for vengeance, its seed fed on the blood that was given and bloom to grant power and strength.
The petals were the darkest red like blood, hers to be exact. Tints of black on the edges for death and shadow go along in hand, hence its given name. The thorns that grew though harmless to the touch but contain a highly powerful toxic if not used wisely that can either be for curing the worse illness or used as the world deadliest poison.
She plucked over a dozen of these roses, snapping their thorns off and placing them inside an empty vial where she would later secrete the juice out and held them in her arms then tossed out to the water where they stay on the surface then sunk below to the bottom.
She gathered her belongings and tossed her bag over her shoulder and taking one last final look to the lake, "Goodbye everyone, until we meet again in the next world…", then walked through the forest, knowing that was all she could do for now and hope to find a town nearby to get some necessary supplies and possibly information.
I just hope that I don't run into any trouble. But just to be sure, she patted her fingers on her side, touching the hilt and holding on to it, almost as if she wanted to draw it but didn't have to. She never part this sword, a weapon she kept by her for almost as long she could remember since the day she was given from Otosan, created by a swordsmith whose craftsmanship was legendary among others. His weapons, all very powerful and mystical forged with a piece from her own otosan kept her spirit up, knowing he was still with her in part.
Just lend me your strength and courage to get through this otosan. Please watch over me as I walk this new road I'm now on and hope that I find my way back again to our world and not stay here too long. Already I miss my old home, my friends, you…
But this was no time for her waste any more tears, time was the presence and if she wanted to find a way back and see to it that everything returns to normal, she would have to go and start her long journey on foot with what she could carry and keep her identity secret for now.
She managed to acquire herself in strides, keeping in mind that the path she was walking on smelled used, not only by animals but also by something she couldn't quite put her finger on yet. It wasn't long before she saw civilian, only this was something she had not expected herself to be.
Mortals. That was what she had been sensing only she had sense few with hanyos but never this many before and she was heading for a town filled with them. How was she going to handle herself with getting through a village packed with humans? She had never thought that in a million years she would be finding herself going to one where she had never thought this many existed.
Of course I should of, sensei didn't just teach me lesson about humanity for me to think them otogibanshi you baka! They as plainly real as the mark around your neck!
"And here I thought there wasn't sure an actual existing places for these ningen for what they have to live with. War and disease and the likes," Then again it explains why there was hanyos back home, Katachi for one herself. Katachi, she had almost forgot about her and wondered what had happened to her friend.
Did she survive the attack? Was she worried about her, did she make it all right and head south if she made it to warn the others in time?
She hope so, better chances for her to find more protection and better safety with one of the neighboring kingdoms.
With her situation however, humans didn't exactly show much kindness or hospitality towards them and she suppose that they didn't either from what she remember told of the many stories of the deaths and destruction of mortal to the brink of extinction and the laws that were written up and those that broke them were executed or banished, stripped of their rank and power.
No for these people, she doubt they would forget and she rather avoid that more than take her chances heading down there and risk her head. But she needed food and certain supplies if she was going to be roughing it until she got home, and at least an idea where she was and where to go exactly.
Avoid village and keep going and have no clue where and get lost or head over and face it like a yokai? Tough decision, I should think about it.
Finally she made up her mind and heaved her bag onto her shoulders again and prayed silently and beseeched her yokai ancestors to help her as she chose the latter and walked towards the small village.
Kami help me…this has got to be the worst choice I ever choose in all my life… She was putting her faith into their hands now, hoping that her first encounter with the mortals wouldn't cause her to act strange or out of place among them and draw any unwanted attention to her. Just wanting to get what she need then get the hell out of there fast without anyone knowing to stay alive was all she asked.
Deep breaths, just take deep breaths Ryoko, you'll do fine…I hope. She swallow a hard lump stuck in her throat when she saw few look her way, some just plainly stare longer than and she felt any second one of them would accuse her and then a mob would form and the rest she didn't want to think about. That hadn't happened yet as they only took a notice then went back to their business and she breathed easily.
That was close. Others however continue to observe and whispered among themselves and she picked up some of their conversation with her oversensitive hearing, trying to see what they might be talking about and give her a head start if things went wrong her way. They spoke in a different language to her own and was quick to translate from all her years of practice with going her otosan to his councils and meeting ambassadors from the foreign reigns outside the empire. She listened carefully to what they were saying.
"What kind of girl has that coloring in her hair, it looks like someone did a terrible dye job on her…"
"Why is she carrying a sword, is she some kind of warrior? She doesn't look like she's working for the Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom…?"
"Did you noticed how short her kimono is, she's showing off too much skin it's distasteful…."
She didn't think that her hair or attire was going to let her stick out like a sore thumb this much. Well that wasn't even close but at least it's better than having to expose myself by shouting for everyone to hear within the perimeter, 'I'm a yokai!' while leaving my neck out for them to start sharpening their axe and chopping away.
True still maybe she should have pinned her hair up and cover to keep it hidden before coming here, but since the damage was already done and there was no way she was going to don those long kimonos on such a hot day in this heat. How could those mortals stand it though she probably couldn't even begin to guess? But even on the hottest of days she would still be fine to this temperature or on the coldest winter night where she could sleep nude and not freeze to death.
She found her confidence rose as she was getting it through with no one being the wiser or second guessing her true nature. She felt some were odd by her but that passed and she found it too easy. This is no different than back home when she would go to the market with her mother or friends.
She saw the many opened stands and the venders selling, shouting for people to come and see what they had on sale at certain special discount prices or what rare and unique items they had acquired from or whatever ridiculous trade they had at outrageous bargains. On her list the first thing she needed to get was food and having already check her pouch for how much she had to spend, she had just about enough to probably live on for a year or so if she were to be stuck that long, which she didn't really see that happening.
I'll more likely spend a couple months, six month. Half a year the best bet I think. But somehow even as comforting in that thought, it might take more than that and was grateful to have enough to hold off on to with the money and jewels she still had.
She saw one selling assorted fruits and vegetables that caught her attention right away and then another standing next to it with bread and went to those two, buying as much she could, about a two weeks' worth and handing them a good reasonable amount of copper and silver each, being wised that if she were to reveal too much of her money they might even become more suspicious and trouble could ensue while she continue to make such hefty purchases with what she spend.
Let me just get through this and be on my way. She saw a man pushing a cart with hats passing by and purchased one wicker hat and put it on, forgetting to put her hair underneath like she planned but walked on, finishing up what she bought.
Her shopping went well and everything seem to go smoothly with no one thinking her other than someone buying supplies like everyone else and thought she was ready to leave.
But not everything stayed fine as she thought it would. Down by the docks, a large massive metal ship set in to the harbor, a giant compared to the other fishermen boats that were there. A plank was set and an army of soldiers dressed in red and black armor came down into town, followed by four large muscled men carrying a red palanquin, people moving out of the way as someone from the royal family came into the square of the village.
They lower it and moved aside and out came a young woman, wearing the same kind of colored uniform, only hers held more of an elegance and superiority as she stepped from the litter. She stared out to them, as if searching for someone, her face as calm and collected but had that icy edge when she looked their way, before gaining everyone's' attention in the vicinity or those at least wanting to listen.
When she saw the crowd gathering by, hearing them whispered about something, she turned to the shopkeeper asking what was the commotion about. "That's the princess of the Fire Nation, she's a powerful prodigy and heir of the Fire Lord and you must watch yourself around her. She as deadly and dangerous as they come, so you better listen to what she says."
Ryoko tried not to roll her eyes and didn't heed the warning as she wasn't paying any attention or listening to whatever decreed this princess character was talking about while she wrapped the package of dry salted meat and shove it into her sack.
Something about two wanted people, traitors to the crown and anyone harboring and helping them would be considered traitors to the Fire nation and face the wrath of the Fire Lord or that was what she thought she heard her said.
She shook her head, thinking it was pretty stupid and petty for going after two mortals with a whole army for whatever reason she did not know or care. "Seem very ridiculous and not to mention a waste of time and energy if you ask me…" She was saying this mostly to herself but really shouldn't have as the princess heard what she said and looking through the crowd for the one who had dared spoke while she was still speaking and spot her standing by.
"And what may I asked did you just say peasant?" Ryoko didn't know she was the one being addressed, her back was turn while she was done packing the last of her things and not bothering to find she was the center of attention. This got the fire princess angry at the defiance of this naïve fool, "You, the one with the skimpy clothes, standing by the stand there! I'm talking to you wench."
Ryoko turn her head and saw everyone staring, the princess's amber eyes seem to been sparking, ready to smolder anyone who dare make a mockery of her in front of these worthless slaves. "What is so amusing that you dare make jokes at the fire nation? I order you to speak now!"
Ryoko blink and almost frown, what was she, a dog for this bitch to shout commands to, she didn't like to be told to do but she pretend to be thinking what her answer should be, mostly a lot of insult direct towards her. She adjusted the straps over her shoulders and crossed her arms and stared over at her bored.
"Oh nothing, just that how could two fugitives being on the run, chased by, oh I don't know, a thousand well-armed soldiers and have yet to be caught and seem pretty much, well you must get the idea what I'm saying. Waste of manpower trying to hunt just two don't you agree." The princess's eyes narrowed and become hard and cold as they glowered icily at her, "Do you know who I am?" She growled.
Apparently someone who as annoying can get and seem to get temperamental when things don't go her way and who also like to being a bully around people and blows out lots of hot air, that pretty much fits the description. Hai it seems to work but again she played dumb, having no idea she was messing with fire and that this wasn't going to be easy to be put out once its lit.
"Not a clue, just got into town so don't have any idea as to who you are so sorry to not give the least bit of courtesy to you, knowing whoever you are."
Or even gives a rat's ass to her highness and couldn't care less of giving this princess any of her respect the way she used her own power over these people she saw, cowering from her and she was savoring it like a wonderful delicacies that she couldn't get enough of.
It was those like her that disgust and repulsed her, reminding her of some yokais from the past that done the same, abusing and intimidating others and becoming hungry for more and try to takeover their kingdom before the Shijin of her ancestors took care of the problem by getting rid of them for good and setting the record straight for everyone else with the laws they abide.
Everyone slowly back away as the word she said might as well been her death wish as the princess glare angrily, thinking how dare this peasant not only be rude and dare defile her and her title and showed no signs of fear like everybody else.
This one had some backbone to her and she thought she might have some fun and enjoy breaking it until she learns the true meaning of terror for the Fire nation princess.
"I am Princess Azula, daughter to Fire Lord Ozai, heir to the Fire Nation and for your impudence I hereby place you under arrest! Guards seize her and take her back to my ship and place her in the cell until I decide what I shall do with her!" Ryoko didn't do anything to move away but leaned against the pole, her feet standing in a simple pose but her body was coiled back, ready to spring into action.
She was always taught to give an element of surprise to her opponent and not give under pressure as Azula had summoned two of her guards to get her. She watched as they edge closer and Ryoko kept herself waiting to strike at the last second.
"Gee I would love to spend time in your prison cell and enjoy whatever torture you got running in your head princess, but I have better things to do and in which case I'm going to be kicking both your Asses and getting the hell out of here, in three…two…" The guards grabbed each arm and knew was time to start heading down on the road, not without giving a proper farewell to these guards first, "ONE!"
She slipped out quick from their grasp and in one flat beat slam her fist into the guards face, causing his mask to break then move under and gave a swift kicked to send one flying into the other and off to the side, breaking a stand where she threw them towards. She stood back up and wiped her hands together before everyone, Princess Azula stunned to have seen what she didn't want to believe but quickly got over and called out more guards to go for her.
"Well this wasn't exactly how I wanted to be but if you insist!" She punched in their faces, giving a lean kick here and there to their stomachs and sometimes right down at their 'precious' jewels and fall over on top of one another while she made her escape.
Princess Azula watched angrily and cried out, "Don't just lie there you so-called soldiers, go and get her. NOW!" They hadn't been need to be told twice as they got back on their feet and hurried off chasing after her.
Ryoko heard the heavy footstep and clanking metal of armor and turn around to see them right behind and another group of soldiers in front as they were making ball of fires in their hands and before they had a chance to shoot one at her, she jumped on one of their face, stomping it hard with her feet and then moving away, pushing him forward and get trampled by the others.
She could not believe that in one day, just one whole day, after coming to this small remote town to get supplies then get going she all of a sudden gotten herself into a load of trouble. Why did I get myself into these things?
She dodged another advancing group and pushed them aside, along with the crowd as she tried to make it through, not wanting anyone to get in hers but theirs she thought she could deal with. She turned and took a quick glance to see how far the guards were only to duck when one threw a flaming fireball directly at her.
That was a close one, she thought as she dodged another, this one nearly singed the brim of her new hat and quickly dropped it onto her back as she ran. The soldiers were having difficulty because of their huge and heavy armor were slowly them down along with the people that got in their way while she had more room and was agile and quick-foot with no armor weighting her down as she zip through.
She jumped over the stands, seeing it had more opening to move faster and got herself almost caught when she landed in a cart carrying cabbage and throwing one or two heads into the guards' faces before she was able to pulled herself out just in the nick of time when she saw more were coming.
Great, at this rate they'll have me caught, not while I still have more brains than these overwhelming thugs who can't even catch two fugitive, let alone a yokai like me. I need to lose these guys and fast!
A quick search around the streets to see if there was anything useful and saw a pyramid of barrels tied and stacked together.
Perfect! These were definitely the one diversion she was needing and race towards them and adjusting her hand, the stretching of skin, the elongation of bone and nail, and had transformed into a sharp deadly claw and slice the rope, cutting the coils in one slash and kick one down, causing the whole tower to topple and collapse, rolling down to them. She jumped on top of one to send it towards the guards and people were scattering and got in the way of the guards and were nearly trampled by both them and the barrels that came.
"Hope you like them barrels!" She laughed, watching them being struck down but still they never gave up as they tried to get up and more came through.
Just what I need, overworking grunts that don't know the word 'quit' or 'give up'. Must not be in their vocabulary. They just keep coming back up after they've fallen down. I need to lose them for good and I need something fast to outrun them.
She saw a cart, lying to one side, with the yoke broken and the two strangest two-legged creatures she ever seen, with the head and clawed feet of a large bird and the tail and fur of a horse, waiting impatiently and stomping their feet anxious on the ground.
Well beggars can't be chooser and I'm not being picky about it! Wasting no time at all, she grabbed onto one and cut off the rawhide binding to the cart and took off.
Seeing as she had nothing to hold on or steer this animal, she grabbed tightly to its feathery neck as she and the beast rode through, having no such control to where it was going in its wild frenzy.
"Whoa, make way, coming through, watch out!" She cried to everyone that was in the way. The beast was running wildly and frantic and she could not do anything to slow it down while holding on for dear life.
She didn't have much of a choice either as the princess and her guards were still chasing after her, taking those weird beasts like the one she's on to chase after her.
She saw that the princess was indeed furious, looking ready to smother her into ashes as she was sending fireball after fireball at her, directly at her head.
Great she's gaining on me! Wish this stupid thing would go faster! One almost hit her and dodged it as they moved quickly until they were out of the town and heading to the outskirt of it and reaching a cliff up ahead. The beast stopped finally before Ryoko had a chance to look over, seeing how far the distance, a long fall with a small river at the bottom.
She heard the sound of clawing ground and grunts of beast and realized that as she looked back that they had followed and could see a bunch of soldiers coming in close, the princess in the lead.
Damn so much for thinking I was safe…maybe I can transform before they get to me but that would be revealing my secret? Oh what should I do and I better think something fast. Okasan please help if you can hear me.
She got off the animal, seeing as there was nothing else it could do except run away on its own and tried to think of an escape plan. The group quickly surrounded her and the princess move forward, setting her beast astride and got down, staring smugly in victory at her captured prey. "So did you really think you could get away with it? Trying to run away from a full army of fire soldiers and not think of the consequence that was to happen, hmm? Face it you lost, there's nowhere for you to run, surrender now and I might show you mercy and possible even give you a chance to live."
Yeah right you lying abazuren'na and I rather face all the yokais in the netherworld than whatever you have inside your sick twisted mind of your so-called 'mercy', Ryoko didn't believed one word what she said not for a moment but she wasn't going to let her guard down. She had to stay focus as she moved her hands to brush over her kimono and slide inside her stitched secret pockets without anyone seeing, feeling around for anything that would help her out of this situation.
She touched something cool and hard inside her grasp and her eyes look to the sky and smiled. Azula scowled when she saw how calm her captive was being after being caught and trapped by her and her men, no where to go except to jump off that cliff behind her.
"And why do you seem so happy right now when you're completely surrounded and don't have a chance of getting passed us as of right now must be getting so exhausted?"
Ryoko almost laughed at that last comment. Her, tired, she was only getting started and this wasn't anything she had done before, she hadn't even broken out into a sweat yet.
"…And the only way for you to escape is if you jumped off the crag but that would be suicide and you living through that fall are none. So tell me, any last words?"
Ryoko tried not to gagged but held it in as she said, "Oh you definitely like to ask so many questions don't you your highness?" Again mocking her and said in a voice dripping of sarcasm, mimicking the princess's, which caused her to frown at her, "But I don't think I have the time to answer them as we're in for some rain and probably lightning and you know what they say of lightning striking as we're so close and I back away if I were you."
Before she could understand and figure out what this crazy woman was saying, Ryoko pulled her arm back and threw something straight at her, "Think fast!" A bunch of tiny metal balls float in the air and the rain came drizzling down on them and lightning struck down on the orbs and everyone freaking out when the bolts came clashing down upon them.
Azula try to aim through the storm by sending a shot of her own and hitting one on direct target, hearing the yelp of pain as she got her.
Before she was able to gloat over the pain she caused, lightning flashed and she saw before her a white blur figure pulsing and a huge ferocious dragon stood there, its eyes glowing with a strange aura shimmering around its body, opening its mouth and letting out a roar, so strong and powerful that it shook the ground beneath them. The thunder struck again, this time brighter and blinding and she shut her eyes and held up her arms to block the light. When the storm had stopped and the clouds were evaporating, she lowered her arms and saw that both the girl and that beast had disappeared.
Azula race to the spot where they had been, searching around for any sign of where the girl could have gone.
She escaped! There's no way she could have gotten passed us! But how, how was that possible, unless… She went over to the edge to see the river down flowing, any chances of her splashing down there were very possible but her surviving the fall like she said was impossible.
Azula fumed, steam coming out of her nostrils and clenched her hands into tight balls, raging with fury and rage inside. She had slipped through her fingers and vanished like thin air. She turn around, her knuckles becoming white, cursing and swearing at the girl, making silent notation to add her to the 'wanted' list beside her banished brother and treacherous uncle. Even if she was still alive, even from a drop like that, were one to a million, but somehow she knew this girl wasn't anything of the ordinary.
The way she had handle herself against a whole army of the strongest guards, her movement quick and agile like a panther and precise like a killer's instinct. The attack, though not lethal but still did damage from smashing faceguards to armor itself with such strength that no human had ever display before, even with years of physical training possible.
And the dragon that she had seen before she disappeared, she wasn't sure whether to consider it an illusion or trick that she conjured to distracted her but the girl had made her a complete fool in that village today and she wasn't going to live it down being humiliated by some little peasant.
That was surely not someone she should estimate, especially considered she wanted to take revenge against the bitch.
When I get my hands on you wench, you'll be begging for mercy from me when I'm through, taking great pleasure in seeing you suffer next to my brother's once I captured him as well…She smiled cruelly, thinking of all kinds of torture she could used against her before looking to her men and getting their attention after they stopped panicking from the outrageous storm they've ever seen. She pointed to her captain as he came over and stood and wait for what the princess requested.
"I want you to send word to the Fire Nation and have them post this message out, a full description of the girl to every commanding officer in their post and that if anyone finds that Blue-haired peasant, I want to be inform first and have her arrested and captured. And make sure they show no leniency towards her or anyone who tries to help her!"
She'll get the same special treatment as my brother, I'll make sure of that. She stared down below, staring at the water and thinking that if she wanted to catch her prey, she was going to need an elite team, a force that would be nimble and agile, small and prepared in a firm tight circle without having to be held back.
She was going to thank those two crones later for their advice when she had the chances. She then called the captain once more, telling him to inform the helmsman their new courses and then dismissed him again and turned her attention to the rest of the crew. "Everyone listen to me well, if anyone of you find that woman again, I want her brought back to me alive as soon as possible!"
Because I want to torture and kill her slowly and painfully when I get her…
Definition Japanese/English Meanings:
Hebi-Snake
Yokai-Demon (In a dictionary it's akurei but I used the one from the InuYasha series, but if you like this too let me know)
Yuki-onna-Snow woman (I'll give description of her if anyone wants)
Shijin-Four Guardian Beast (I'll give information on those too.)
Seiryu-Blue Dragon Guardian of the East
Hai-Yes
Okasan-Mother
Otosan-Father
Ryoko-Huntress
Kami-God
Yukatas-informal summer wear
Sensei(s)-teacher/instructor
Bokusen'on- grandfather wizard nettle tree
-San-Mr.; Mrs.; Ms.
Katachi-Shifter
Hanyo-half demon/half human
Asagao-Morning Glory
-Chan-used as a pet name for kids
Futon-bedding
Yogensha-fortuneteller
Obi-belt
Byakko-White Tiger guardian of the West
Suzaku-Red Bird (Phoneix) guardian of the South
Genbu-Black Warrior (Turtle with A Snake ((weird I know but these were the guardians) guardian of the North
Dai-Lord
Yōba-yokai horse
Hime-princess
Akuma kagebara-Devil's shadow rose
Otogibanshi-fairytales
Ningen-humans
Baka-idiot
abazuren'na-bitch