Raikotsu smiled at Kirie, almost gently, though his eyes still held their usual steel, "You must have been very lonely."

Waving one hand behind him, he sliced through the trunk of a mighty tree with a large airblade, topping it to the side, so that it would form a crude, natural bench. He led the green-clad maiden by the hand over to it, a gust of wind catching his waist-length hair again and tossing it about, sitting down, and gesturing for her to join him, "Tell me more about yourself, Kirie, how did you become a half-demon? I can tell that you were not born as one."

After leaving the room Ishumo, pressed himself against the wall, listening to Chi. "Listening in is always useful even when your listening to someone who's quite obviously insane" He thought smiling slightly. While he was listening his spared a look for Raikotsu and Kirie. [I] "He's flirting? Now? Couldn't he have chosen a better time for it? Besides that Mika is much cuter." Ishumo was about to say something when Raikotsu and Kirie vanished. Shaking his head, he continued to listen, and when he heard what Chi said he began thinking. If I use this correctly it could turn out quite well, after all they don't have to know just yet." Ishumo kept on listening one arm hovering next to a shade, ready to grab on to it at the slightest notice.

Ishi had remained silent throughout the entire meeting, he merely watched the others. They are all children, Ishi thought, They squabble over the most insignificant matters for what some miniscule sense of demonic pride. The one in blue acts as though he is the king of demons, I have no more need to quarrel with him. No sense in fighting a man who is already dead. The one in white mentions an army to tend to, she will have trouble relinquishing that power when Talkatz takes form once more. This group marches together for all their own reasons, but in the end unless they praise and follow Lord Talkatz he will kill them all. Humph, and I am the foolish one. Ishi laughed inwardly but showed no signs outwardly, it was best to play ones cards close to the vest.

As the final member of the so-called team left Ishi looked up to see Chi's mood change greatly. Listening to the third mention of Sanjuro, Ishi grew concerned once more. I've been beating Sanjuro to a pulp since childhood, the only thing he ever did right was till the land. These great demons couldn't beat him, on top of not being loyal they are incompetent as well. Ishi smiled outwardly as the mention of being chosen and riches came up, Lord Talkatz had chosen well. How utterly hilarious, soon a the age of demonkind will be ushered back into this world, and it will be done so by two mortals and the blood of the demon they serve. Ishi threw forward his hand as he smiled, "As a child I took on a blood oath to Lord Talkatz, its only suiting that as an adult I take on an oath to his blood."

***********

Sanjuro couldn't remove the smile from his face as they all sat into their various chariots. He turned to Suzume who sat across from him, "Isn't this great Demon-Spark, a feast and everything." After a moment a memory floods back to the surface of Sanjuro's mind. "OH YEAH, AFTER THE FEAST WE SHALL TRAIN! Right Demon-Spark?" Sanjuro still had a look of wonder in his eyes towards the Demon hunter.

"Although, I can't use my right arm, can you sword fight with one arm." Sanjuro looked concerned as the chariots continued to make their way through the vast city-scape.

Chi smiles happily at the two out reached hands. Moving forward he extends his own hands. Altering his left hand into a right one. Shaking both firmly he smiles more broadly. "And as our first action as a team I think we must deal with a small problem." Chi suddenly sprouts up from a crack in the ground at Ishumo's feet. Smiling in a chesher grin he says simply "boo." Ishumo reflexively grabs hold of the shade and Vanishes into the shadow. When he emerges he sees he is still in the cave. With the back of Chi facing him. It wasn't the back for long as Chi altered his form to be facing him again. "You didn't honestly think my own Shades would betray me did you fly?" Chi gestured quickly and the blood from the chairs flowed over and sealed the exit hallway. "Tell me creature, who are you and why should I kill you?" Chi smile grew ominous as he waited for an answer.

OOC: I felt this was the best way I could deal with the situation and still allow Ishumo the option of eves dropping. All he has to do is some fast talking And he'll be able to escape.

Suzume looked at Sanjuro with bored and tired eyes. The kid was eager to learn, that wasn't a bad thing. However, the noise and stupidity was something he would really have to get used to. Putting his three swords on his lap, he addressed the matter at hand.

"Don't worry about your arm, you'll be using it anyway with my style. The only times you'll be using one sword are when your arm's broken or it's been chopped off. So get used to fighting with an injury, you'll be getting a lot of them."

Looking off at the island for the first time, he noted how beautiful it was. Vance definitely knew how to pick a home, that was obvious. The only problem was seeing all these demons bothered him to no end. If it weren't for the fact that Vance was here and keeping them in order, he probably would have gone on a rampage by now. Personal hatreds really were problems when in the midst of what you hated...

"Hehehehe" Sanjuro smiled boldly, "Excellent, take that Takin's beliefs!" Sanjuro roughly slaps his forearm to show his determination, the sudden pain wrenched through his arm, "OW IT HUR-...." Sanjuro looks quite ashamed at his outburst, "I mean ow...it wont hurt much after this." He rubs his arm gently for a moment trying to sooth the pain.

**********

Ishi marches forward to stand behind Ishumo, he flicks open his sword, the loud click echoing in the cave. "I suggest you answer him quickly, so please tell him why he should kill you." Ishi's smile had faded, the man before him was in a bad spot. Ishi knew the man was dead if he told lies or tried to move around the truth. If the man attacked either Chi or Ishi, Ishi was ready to cut him in twain.

Sendo drew both his blades as he approached Ishumo. Licking his lips he stated "I claim the right to kill him if he speaks lies". Sendo looked hungrily down on the man. He would be sincerely dissapointed if the man was not to be killed.

Green Kimono (Kirie)
Don't let him get to you. He's a demon. You're not exactly immune to his charms.
Kirie grinned awkwardly and took her place next to Raikotsu. With a heavy breath, she began.
"I was one of about eight children in an orphanage when the demons struck the place. While the orphanage burned to the ground, we all survived miraculously. It was Lady Shizuka, the Red Kimono, who saved us all. She recruited us into her own army and put us all through training. It wasn't anything hard and it got even easier when we were turned to half demons. Apparently, I was the only one to show really considerable potential and I was hand-picked to become one of the Kimonos. The others were transferred to Tsubasa's army of ninjas."
Kirie paused and stared up at the sun. "I don't blame the demons for the attack. Instead, I blame the humans, particularly our parents for abandoning us to the dangers of the world. They didn't want to be responsible. They didn't have the courage or hope to try bearing the burden of raising us. They left us for dead, without food, water, or shelter. Until I came under Lady Shizuka's care, I never knew wonderful things like full course meals and hot baths. More like foraging and small animal hunting and bathing under impure waterfalls and in lakes. It wasn't hell, exactly. I'm sure there's people and even demons out there who had it a lot worse than myself, but I still had it pretty bad. I guess that's why I think I should be more than Tsubasa is. I suffered through so much more than she has and I'm more powerful because of it. Still, a woman like me is apparently a double-edged sword so I should just shut up and recover the parts of Lord Talkatz as they instructed me to."
Then Kirie gazed dead ahead. "I've got a lot I need to decide on, now that I think of it. This mission to restore Lord Talkatz to power may actually help me come to know myself. Then maybe I can figure out why I haven't bothered to try cutting you even considering how worthless a notion that would be."

"If suffering was the sole measure of power, then martyrs would be gods. It is not how much you suffer that matters, Kirie-chan, but how much you gain through your suffering. As for you shutting up, don't...your voice is as fine as your perky rump." he flashed a wicked grin at her, stroking her long, red hair as he spoke...his eyes seeming to gaze into her very soul.

As the chariots began to move a soldier on horseback came up next to Vance and Kurama's transport. Mashiro whispered to the man briefly and he rode off ahead. The ride to the Castle was a pleasant one. As the carriage went down the street a bustle of activity could be seen. Everyone was preparing for the festival. They could be seen hanging decorations, and signs of greeting. Food was being placed out on tables in the street for people to partake of. And from every room top, a flag was being raised. The flag was black with a red symbol on it. As the chariots passed through a square a large one could be seen clearly. It had on it a royal dragon twisting around to bite its own tail. A symbol for eternity.

As the chariots approached the castle it became evident that it had taken long to build. It looked as though it was carved out of the side of the Volcano. It was clear however that whomever designed it had function in mind, rather then beauty. Solid was the best word to describe it. The chariots passed through the outer wall gates. Then through the inner wall gates. And finally came to a halt before the castle gates. As everyone exited they were handed a metal pass on a leather cord. The phrase 'honored guest' imprinted on it.

As everyone exited Vance spoke to several geisha. Pointing to each light warrior in turn. One approached each one and politely asked for them to follow. Vance Excused himself and left with Mashiro down one direction. While the geisha led the warriors another direction. Ushering each of them to rooms. Fresh clothing was laid out for them as well as a small map of the Guest section of the Castle. The map had the nearby communal hot spring. As well as a feast hall. The Geisha's informed you that in an hour you were all to meet at the feast hall and then ask if you will need anything else.


((OOC: Yes the guests are housed in the main Castle))