The shapechanger laughed, a silvery sound, and turned to face Raikotsu. Kirakiri was different. Although not immediately apparent from behind, for Kirakiri remained in much the same garb, the shapechanger had remoulded itself into a feminine form. Perhaps she had somehow foreseen Raikotsu's actions or had chosen to make the change for her own inscrutable reasons.

"Such sweet irony in this timing." she said, looking at Raikotsu in good humour. Her face shared the same features of her male shape recast, impossible to truely tell if they originated from either gender. Also much like her male form, Kirakiri had chosen an aesthetically pleasing shape.

"Well, let us talk as we check the route." Kirakiri said, grip gently clasping around Raikotsu's hand, "And then perhaps you will be distracted."

Summary: Kirakiri... is Kirakiri. And is that innuendo?

Suzume looked around at the group as they walked toward the village, wondering why they were all so damn quiet. Normally someone would have said something by now, but not even a peep came out of anyone. Kind of unsettling, considering how loud the group could be.

"Guys, is there a reason why we all seem so fuckin' dead recently?" the demon hunter asked, trying to break the silence. "I mean, it's not like anything bad's gonna happen for too long... right?"

OOC: Well, hopefully that'll do something.

Kurama gave a shrug. He had been walking in a sort of daze, just randomly thinking about things. Sometimes it was nice to have quiet in the group.

"I guess we're going to a ninja village, or something."

After a few miles of travel, the group came to the entrance of Jade's village. It was a medium sized village, with a large gate and many houses and shops. What was the most impressive about it was the large temple in the back where the ninjas got their training. It was at least 3 times the size of any building in the village and very wide and imposing. The two ninja who had escorted them disappeared and soon came back with a group of elders and older ninjas. One of the elders spoke, "I have been told that one of our own travels with you and says that the descendant of the Genki family is with them." Jade stepped forward and bowed. "It is true elder, he is Genki Kurama and he carries the Raigaki. We have come for the scrolls." The elder looked up and down at Jade, "you have left your post that you had been swarn to."

"But sir, we have moved the legs and brought them with us. I am to go with the legs wherever they are am I not?"

"You have moved the legs even though you do not know if he is the true Genki Kurama?"

"I have seen his sword in action, I know he is who he says."

"You realize that if you are wrong, you will have brought great danger to this village and this world as well as bringing disgrace to your family."

Jade nodded as the elders moved past her without even a glance before coming up to Kurama. "Are you familiar with our trials to see if you are the true Genki descendant?"

"I hope so. I know the company certainly bears the seeds of distraction." he smiled back, gently squeezing Kirakiri's hand.

"Can you tell me about the village we are heading towards? Forewarned is forearmed, as they say, and I would hate to be caught offguard." he smiled up at her, his blue eyes shining with youthful enthusiasm.

OOC: It's a six and a half foot pole, you either carry it or you don't have it.

From this range, it was almost impossible for Beraku to do anything very effective. He settled for swinging the metal-coated shaft of his Ko toward Kazunori's hand. Hopefully the pain would make him drop the sword, and let Beraku gain some distance.
As he swung the Ko, the words "Oh shit, Oh shit, Oh shit, Oh shit! echoed through Beraku's head.

OOC 2: I swear this is the last time I take so long to post. We can catch up, right?

OOC: No, we cannot. So now we must fight! Or have a drink, whatever.

IC: Kazunori was suddenly under attack. Buzzers went off, alarms came on blarring a high pitched squeel. But the drink kind of snoozed it off. The swinging staff didn't hit its target, because Kazu was just to swaying for that, but instead hit the sword. And since kazu thought he was holding a winesack, and not a sword, the sword went flying from his hand at anyone that was unfortunate enough to say it went at them.

"AAAHS!" Kazu exclaimed in surprise. "Yous dwinkin sack turned intos a swords!" He stated, probably confuzing him a great deal. The kazunori's keen ears picked up the swishing sound of alcohol, and he felt behind him. "Ohs." He studdered as he pulled out the winesack. "Hehe. Hears." Kazu offered the sack out to Beraku, or at least it looked like that if the arm would stay still as the sack was swayed around like a target waiting to be hit.

Kurama raised an eyebrow, then gave them a strange look. An embarassed smile spread across his face as he scratched at his neck.

"Ehhh...sorry. I must not have recieved that lesson. Could you refresh me on it?"

The elders looked on with mild interest. "To prove that you are the true Genkai decendant, you must fight the strongest ninja in our village, which happens to be your travelling companion. If you can defeat her, then we will give you the scrolls. Are you prepared?"

Kurama looked over at Jade, then shrugged.

"Sure, I guess..."

Kurama gave out a small yawn and stretched his left arm. It was still sore and still healing, Jade's stitches keeping his wounds together. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. His straw hat kept his eyes in shadow.

"Ummm...I guess we fight now, huh?"