Garud replied instead.

"I'd say nothing seems to be happening, but keep your guard up. You never know when a rift may open up right above you spilling a horde of demons. Well, have fun in your worry free break."

Garud turned to Kurama.

"I'll go check on the girls. Don't fidget with your bandages."

The summoner walked off and found Tayummi in a bit of a mood.

"Are you alright there?"

An angered step turned her to face the summoner.

"No, not really. I've just been put down constantly by some bastard who has never even seen me in a real fight and wants to kill one of my friends. I'm also apparently not one of 'You' according to Kurama's inanimate and yet still animate friend. But, one I'm going to vanquish and the other I can just throw in the ocean if he gets too annoying."

With a huff of obvious discontent her sword flew from its vanishing shadow holder and rested her arm up while she leaned against the wall. Her eyes traced away from Garud and up to the sky, their shifting colors reflecting the vast blue.

"I'm alright, I guess."

Garud was sympathetic. He knew that it was tough, and she was probably feeling pretty outcast.

"Look. You are one of us. There is no denying it. You heard what Kurama said. Take Youji with a grain of salt. And that other guy... well don't listen to him. He's just bitter because you are so much better than him. Let him try and put you down... when you are so much more superior."

The summoner sighed, before continuing.

"Look, as far as I'm concerned, you are one of us. Don't let anyone, not Youji, not Taken, not anyone tell you otherwise. I'm actually pretty grateful that you are here. It definetly makes my job easier. Besides, you are a valuable asset to this group. If they get you down, turn that frown upside down. C'mon, is there anything I could do to cheer you up?"

At times Kirakiri almost had to wonder if he was herding a bunch of cats. Kirie had wandered off again and he still wasn't quite certain what was going on with some of the others. One of the ninja had caught his eye and signalled Kohaku's intended actions to him. The ability the sign language gave to hold two conversations simultaneously was quite useful, Kirakiri gesturing his consent. He trusted Kohaku's judgement.

The shapeshifter had another ninja respectfully approach him and whisper something to him. He nodded and turned to Koyuki, "If we are all in agreement then, we should get ready to depart then. Lady Koyuki, do you wish to decide what to do with your prisoner? He is currently with your companion, Ayako. Should I lead you to them?" Kirakiri's offer was intended as a sign of respect - it was a task he could have easily delegated. Giving himself a chance to judge the two personally was merely a side benefit.

Meanwhile, Kohaku was still busy with Falcon. Seeing Kirie offer the kimono to the naked Falcon, he politely turned his back. Deciding to be honest, his words were simple, "It is a matter of trust. We are engaged in an important enterprise and telling even what little you know could jeopardise that. We need certainty that will not happen."

Kirie left the cave, finding one of Kirakiri's soldiers watching a woman wearing the uniform of Kiyomi's forces. "My lady, the gunships have completed inspections perfectly and we are ready to depart upon your desire."
Kirie nodded. "Got it. Stick with us so you can lead us all back to them when they get ready to move out."
"Yes, my lady. Oh, pardon me, but does the commander have a destination in mind?"
The redhead shrugged. "Hmmm. I didn't think to ask him. I guess he'll say something when we board."

She gave a chuckle at a few of his remarks, and ended it with a sigh.

"Oh no, Taken just thinks he's better. He was good enough to fight Kurama and come out looking better, so I'm not going to say I'm better yet. And Youji...well, next insult from him and I intend to take action on it. By the way, I like the new spirit. Much cuter and nicer than the other."

She turned on the tip of her heel and regained her walk, holding the great blade on her shoulder while hse explored the ship even more.

Kurama leaned against the mast of the ship, the wrappings around his body merely the torn strips of Garud's shirt. He was laughing quietly to himself under his breath.

"Really should have...seen that coming..."

It seemed like it would still take some time for the rest of them to get ready. Kirie was anxious to get things moving along, yet leaving without them wasn't wise. They probably doubted her alliance enough as it was. Moving out early to go chasing after the enemy would be stupid, considering those gunboats were probably their only means of leaving the island. Additionally, suppose Kirie did leave now and encountered Kurama. In spite of how much they must have been weakened by the fighting, they would still outclass Kirie and the forces in the boats.
So, to pass time, Kirie talked with the messenger who was waiting outside.
"You didn't get any kind of report while waiting?"
"No, my lady. I can only guess that they are using every second available to prepare the second trial."
"That would be the smart thing to do. The time we bought was more than was expected, but less than I would have liked."

ooc: Sort of talked this little exchange out with Phoenix over chat, although at the time I was pretty much clinically insane due to lack of sleep... so I can't be sure if everything has carried over properly.

in any case, enjoy! :P

ic:
"My name is not something you need worry about for the moment, we're almost to the encampment." Ayako said after a long pause. The cave which held Iori's immediate future was in sight a short distance away.

.................................

Koyuki appeared to be considering Kirakiri's offer with a minor interest. Her face remained the same impassive mask of barely contained fury it always was, though something in her chest sped into flutters at the mention of her "prisoner".

Koyuki was all ready playing a dangerous game, but then again...

she was a dangerous creature.

Koyuki waved a dismissive hand towards Kirakiri, stomping off as she addressed his proposal. "I will deal with that weaklings failures myself, prepare yourself to leave immediately, this small matter won't take long and we should be on our way as soon as possible." she said curtly.

........................

"Wait here ronin, I shall enquire as to what mistress Koyuki wants done with you." Ayako stated flatly as she entered the mouth of the cave, leaving Iori behind.

"As you wish." Iori replied listlessly.

Ayako entered the cave only to be greeted by Koyuki heading the other way. Somewhat surprised at the expression on Koyuki's face, Ayako attempted to deliver her news.

"Lady Koyuki, I have found several of the Tama scrolls as well as a..." Ayako ended abruptly as Koyuki stormed past her seemingly uninterested.

"How strange..." Ayako mused.

.....................................

Iori stood in the clearing outside the cave, wearing an expression of serenity which did not at all coincide with the rest of him, His clothing was torn in places with flecks of dried blood here and there. A small scar had recently formed oh his right cheek and his right eye was only now beginning to stop swelling. He looked as if he'd just taken on an army, or a demon.

Koyuki emerged from the cave with a murderous look across her face. She did her best to maintain that mask, but her eyes could not help but soften at the sight of Iori. The two caught each others eyes once more as Koyuki continued her advance.

Ayako followed behind at a distance, out of sheer curiosity.

Koyukii's face changed for the briefest of moments, but for that moment there was a smile that defied every bit of demon that she was. Iori saw the quicksilver change and felt a tension he wasn't even fully aware of vanish from his mind. Whatever happened now he would be fine.

Koyuki now stood a few inches from Iori, the proximity inciting an odd reaction from both of them; uncertainty. For two beings that had lived most of their lives in front of someone that wanted to kill them, uncertainty was as alien as compassion from another. Life was this moment, balanced on the edge of a blade. You were certain or you were dead.

"Trust me." Koyuki mouthed.

Iori nodded slightly in reply.

"You fool!" Koyuki screamed as she grasped Iori by the throat, lifting the taller man bodily with one hand. Iori's eye's didn't even widen at the sudden assault, though they never left hers. "Such insubordinance will not be countenanced again!" she shouted as she tossed Iori onto the muddy ground like a sack of barley.

Iori landed roughly, his recent wounds crying out in renewed pain. He winced in passing agony and grasped his side. Koyuki pounced like the predatory animal she was, landing atop the swordsman with her legs straddling his chest and her face inches from his own.

"You have to play a part if you want to survive this, you are my prisoner in the eyes of these other demons. We can't talk as equals until I'm sure no one else is listening." Koyuki wispered hurriedly, keeping her voice barely audible in case Kirakiri or any of his ninjas were around. She then grabbed the folds of Iori's yukata in a threatening gesture.

"I understand, and have but one reply." Iori said as he raised his lips to meet hers. The kiss was all the love he'd ound for life, all the regret he had for his past and all the hope he held for an uncertain future manifested in a single gesture of undeniable passion. For a brief window of time they were everything to one another. That window lasted less than a second however as Koyuki hauled Iori up to his feet forcefull and tossed him aside once more.

"Now gather yourself together and prepare to leave, we haven't time for your mortal frailties now." Koyuki managed to utter in an angry snarl.

Iori picked himself up off the ground and kneeled before Koyuki. "As you wish my Lady."

"Hrmph." Koyuki glared with that hateful glare at Iori, before pivoting to return to her earlier position of interest. For despite his uses, Iori was not capable of understanding the situation, and nor did he have the strength or reason enough to assist her in this endeavour, even if it would be socially acceptable to use him.

For now, it would be best to treat him as he was seen.

Ayako grimaced as Koyuki strode closer, trying to evade her mistress' angry glare that she had, indeed, followed the pair.

"The scrolls, m'lady?" Ayako replied meekly, offering the remaining Tama scrolls.

"Feh!" Koyuki growled, her right hand shooting out to swipe the ancient, and delicate scrolls from her weaponsmaster with little concern for their own saftey. In fact, had Koyuki exibited any less dexterity, her razor claws would have reduced the scrolls to useless scraps of parchment.

"Hm. Lost his scrolls, did he, that weakling Kurama..." Koyuki mused, glaring at the scrolls indifferently, "That proves it, then. You have served me well, Ayako, but your curiosity betrays your intentions." the dog-demoness scolded seriously, before disappearing back into the cave to attend to the business at hand.

"Indeed..." Ayako whispered to herself... Mistress Koyuki was indeed acting very, very strange of late...