Colours = Sachi - DarkOrchid & Sekkou - SlateGray
Spiralling high above the mountain top, the osprey coloured bird glided effortlessly on the thermals. Large wings outstretched and fluttering lightly. The hitai-ate, or shinobi headband, that was slung around his neck sparkled as the sun caught it when the great bird wheeled, the flashing shine reflecting down to the mountain-top retreat far below.
Vivid purple eyes searched the sky above, waiting for the flash-flash that was their signal. Watching as the dark speck of the bird swirled and swooped high above, the mare smiled softly to herself. Sekkou was so functional she needn’t worry about keeping her own time. Noting the flashes, several in quick succession, she nodded faintly. It seemed that all was peaceful again today, at least where the main section of her clan resided. Dropping her gaze from the circling bird, she turned to look out over the vista that was laid out below like a miniature model map. Hills and valleys rolled off into the distance, and beyond, the ocean, a faint shimmering line of blue on the horizon. Closer than the shadowy shapes of deep forests, the homeland of her herd sat at the base of the mountain. From her vantage point, she could see the gently rolling vale and the river that wound like a lazy snake through the center, its tail up in the mountain she called home, and its head vanishing into the distance to sup the salt water of the seas.
On a clear day, if she looked hard enough, she could sometimes make out the faint specks that were her clan members. But she always knew everything they did and were planning to do, such as the Festival of Leaves that was being organised at the moment. Sekkou, her faithful friend and the only spy she trusted against her own family, saw and heard everything, which he would pass on to her each eve as the sun dipped low. For the time being however, the bird was just checking in, and as she lifted her gaze skywards again, she watched as the faint shape of the hawk wheeled and shot off to the west. He would now make the rounds of the other clans close by.. It was prudent, her father had always told her, to know everything and pretend you do not, that know nothing and pretend you know it all.
Turning from the cliff edge she picked her way along the trail that wound upwards, cresting the sharp ridge minutes later. Below her was a small flat, the grassy bottom was smooth and unbroken except for the spring at one end, which stream vanished under ground to give birth to the snake river that would pass through her family's territory below. This was her home, the place she had been 'given' as her home for protection... but protection from whom had never been made clear to her. Tossing her head, the tassels that adorned her headdress dancing, she broke into a trot, expertly picking her way down the nearly sheer cliff sides that bordered the grassy valley below.
Aim rp between me and Sayoran with Sachiko and her mate-to-be Sofiel.
syaoranpuu: Sof stood tall as his eyes gazed eagarly around his surroundings, it had been a long time since he last found himself the hunted for some reason that change in the wind had arrived upon his journey once more. The trees, tall and sleek in appearance were a good source of cover, especially since he was similar in colour. Taking a deep breath he stepped forward, his small wolf companion scampering beside him and they took into the world once more. He would be lost without Sheriru, yet he would never admit it to her, a sign of his own weakness.
Kaisanti: Sekkou shifted upon his perch, golden eyes narrowed as he peered down through the foliage at the figures some distance below. It was the stallion again and the wolf that had discovered him the last time. Ruffling his wings he side-stepped along the branch, ntaurally shifting his wieght as the slender wood bowed slowly. One wing flashed as he twisted round to face the oppersit direction, attention fuloly on the pair below him.
syaoranpuu: Silently they walked, it was not a habit he made to talk when he walked, almost as if they two actions did not belong together. Sighing he paused, ears flickering once more. He could hear a noise, faint but still there. Perhaps it was yet another sign that the forest was teaming with wildlife and creatures of the day. His eyes darted between the trees, his ninja band jiggled softly with the movement, and caught the light as it broke through the canopy above. His eyes darted quickly towards its reflection, a sturn look upon his face. Was there other movement hidden within the darkness of the trees??
Kaisanti: The hawk shifted again, golden eyes watching the strang pair intently. So much so, that he missed his mistress's soft call.
Blinking the slender flutter mare paused, rump brushing against the leafy foaliage of a thick buch as she glanced back over her shoulder, and up at the trees high above. "Where is he? He said he would be right back..." Tilting her head she cast a last look behind before moving forwards, dainty hooves leaving no print behind her as she padded silently through the forest's undergrowth. Pausing as she heard something off to one side she shrank back into the foliage of a bush, vanishing from view, wings disolved to hide their vibrant colouring.
syaoranpuu: Sof's ears flickered almost violently as he desperatly looked for the source of the noise he heard, it was faint, but his training had told him enough about the ninja way to know that it would be possible to achieve such quiet movements. He stood tall, moving daringly towards it. If it was the ninja set to find him they would have attacked already, his mind raced with a cover of his 'new' identity, the clan leader had insisted he not say his true name until this situation was resolved. Calling out into the darkness of the trees he said but one word, "Come"
Kaisanti: Sekkou ruffled his feathers as he watched the stallion, crest lifting in indignation at the casual command. No way was he obeying some strange stallion! Huffing he hopped further out, wanting to keep on eye on the male and his scout. A movement to the side of the path saw the hawk's beek gape in shock.
Sounds.. growing closer. Someone was deffinatly there. Suddenly the low, deep voice sounding so close to her hiding spot made the young mare startle. Amathyst eyes widening as she lifted her head, causing a leaf to fall and settle in her mane. Surely.. any hostile would not be so bold as to walk around these lands in daylight. nor would he make himself known so loudly. After a moment, confident that he would be safe enough, or at least no enemy assassin, she carefully stepped out from the buch and into the path some distance ahead of the pair. The sun glinted on her headpiece and the necklace around her throat, casting her soft milky brown coat in dappled shade.
"Greetings, stranger.." She replied, her voice honey-soft and gentle.
syaoranpuu: Sof stood on guard, his heart rate elevated slightly for a moment as he watched the land ahead, he could now hear the low growl that erupted from his familars mouth, something was disturbing her that was for sure.
As the figure appeared in his view line he noticed immediatly the symbol of her clan, an instant dread covered him, perhaps he had predicted the situation incorrectly after all, what a stupid rookie mistake that was, frozen to the spot in which he stood his eyes asscess the surroundings, his face not revealing the slightest bit of emotion, sturn and smileless just as usual, yet there was a slight panic at the back of his mind. breath he told himself as he looked upon her, taking in the details of her horn, pelt, wings, and accesories. They seemed beautiful, she seemed beautiful, perhaps she was the perfect one to chase him, it would after all set him off guard as very few of the mares in his village chose to take the path of a ninja, at least not an active roll. They tended to stay at home and guard the village, heal the injured and gather food supplies.
Although Sof was past the villagers usual age of picking a mate he had never found anyone in his village who seemed to 'catch his eye' no one seemed to be good enough for him.
He was snapped out of his minds wandering as she spoke, it was a gentle, sweet voice that seemed to have no malice or intend hidden behind it. He nodded in greeting again, afterall he was a stallion of very few words.
Kaisanti: Sekkou wanted to fly down and scream at her for her stupidity! Bah!! Had she no sence? But then.. he suposed she wasn't all to blame, they were close to the clan's grazing land and why should she be on guard? She was never told of the raids or the deaths of their shinobi from the recent attacks. Nor did she know which clans were active and which were friendly. He frowned a moment, watching the stallion's companion, ready to protect thier heiress. She was too sheltered! He was forever telling their leader but it had so far fallen on deaf ears. Ruffling his feathers again the hawk clicked his beak irratably.
Watching the silent stallion a moment she tilted her head, curious. "Are you well, stranger?" She asked softly, taking a delicate step forwards, her wings shimmering back into view as she forgot to keep them concealed. Tail swaying gracefully at her rear she closed the distance between them till she stood only some yards away. Clear violet gaze puzzled, strangly innocent for a shinobi, as the hitai-ate around her thigh surely proved her profession.
syaoranpuu: The symbol of the lotus seemed to bury into his mind as he looked at her, she was forbidden, how foolish he had been to come here, he was certain that by venturing closer to his opponants would at least buy him some time, they would of course look around his village first before branching out, after all that was the most logical solution. The wolf by his side continued to growl, Sof looked at her, she was usually right to warn him in such a manner, it was of course her job since she had chose to join him during his training. She was however unusual, just as he, for most of the wolves that joined the ninja ranks were brown in colour, however she wore a pelt of white with a slight hint of black on her nose and stomach. He shook his head to her as a sign for her to cease such silly behaviour before returning his attention back towards the delicate looking mare. Taking a step forward he lowered himself to the ground, she had obviously picked up on his lack of words, a trait that belonged to him, but he was not to be himself but another, would that other talk more? Reluctantly he raised himself up once more and spoke. It felt so unnatural. "I am fine, oh delicate mare. My name is Kachi, I am of the Kamiorchi tribe." Each word stung the back of his mind, he looked to the ground for a moment to see the shocked look upon Sheriru's face. It was unnatural to her also.
Kaisanti: A sudden squarking from above shattered the quiet as the osphrey coloured scout lept from his perche and dived down, wings flairing just before he drew level with the soquilis and fluttered round to land on the mare's shoulder, between her lowered wings. Beedy eyes stared at the stallion and the touchy female wolf, suspisiously.
Starled Sachi had watched her friend flash down, frowning at him as he chittered under his breath. "Oh shh Sekkou. You see spies in your sleep!" Turning back to the male she dropped into a bow of her own, slender forlegs stretched out before her momentarily before she stood fully once more. "Welcome, Kachi. I appolagise for my friend's behaviour.. he is getting old and touchy." Giggling softly she padded forwards, haulting in front of the male, bright eyes alive and curious. "The Kamiorchi? I must admit I don't know much about your tribe. But isn't your leader one of the Five Great Elders?" Ears picked she dipped her gaze, studying the hitai-ate around the male's neck and sneeking a glance at the rest of him. He was big, impossing compaired to her own small stature. He was also handsom, and very powerful looking. His wings were stunning, and she wondered what he looked like in the full sunshine. Blushing suddenly she realised she had been staring. "Ah.. my appolagies.. Are... you travailing somewhere?" She asked shyly, head bowed a moment.
syaoranpuu: Sof noted the cautious tone in the hawks voice as it swooped down towards the mare, he was the reasurrance he needed to confirm who she was, it seemed that she was of that tribe after all. Yet her question seemed to signal that she was either young or sheltered from the world outside of the village. The hawk seemed to be an Osphrey coloured, similar to the colours rumoured to be on the familar tht protected the kage's daughter. That seemed to coincidental to him, so he pushed it to the back of his mind, his wolf sitting down, her little blue eyes examining the shadows that moved and danced around them.
As she came closer he breather in, pushing his chest out before him in an attempt to seem unintimated by her closeness, no mare, not even one of his own tribe had ventured this close unless to tend to his wounds, and even then he tended to prefer looking after his own. The three bangades that hung around his legs now were simply a reminder of his past battles, for under them the wounds had healed, only scars remained, and they where not of the 'attractive' nature. Across his body was also the odd scar, he had seen many battles, and even fought on the front line when the shadows tried to invade. The kage that now stood at the head of his tribe was old and well worn in the ways of the world, and since he lost his parents in the deverstation of the battle he had dedicated himself to the will of the kage. Even to the point of forming a name for him self, a name he now needed to keep to himself.
He noticed that her eyes examined him, shifting his weight slightly he returned the compliment and looked at her also, her wings were beautiful, a purple glace that seemed almost calming to his eyes, no scars that were visable, but he did notice the small dagger that seemed to be hidden behind her wings. Gulping he prepared to talk once more, "I am on a mission." He looked the ground, the mission that was given to him as a cover seemed pathetic, "to collect several rare insects to be turned into medicines." Yet as he spoke, discomfort rushing over him with each word he noticed her sudden shy motion. So he asked, a note of curiousity in his voice, "yourself?"
Kaisanti: Lifting her gaze once more as the male spoke she looked up into the stallion's own emerald eyes. Unaware of the male's confusion towards her, she was happy to simply have someone to talk to that wasn't judging her every move, action or word.. or that wasn't some training session or assinment. (Not that she was given too many of those..) "Me?" Blushing a moment she looked down, tail flicking behind her. "Well.. I actually escaped my instructor to come for a walk. I am glad I met you, it is nice to just.. talk for a change. For no reason other than the desire to do so." Looking down she toed the ground with her hoof a moment. "I must look childish to you... Escaping my sensei."
Turning slightly she looked back along the way she had come. "There are several areas I know of where rare plants grow.. they have some unusual insects there also, though my work is with vegitation and not living things. Did... you want me to show you?" Looking back at the male, she smiled softly. ow standing sideways to him, though her dagger was hidden behind her body, he could see the rest of her that had been hidden. The delicate lace blanket of her marking on her rump, the glittering hue of her wings and the single white sock on her back leg. Ears pricking she smiled hopefully. Completely unaware of his duplicity.
syaoranpuu: Sof stood tall, watching her gaze, it seemed she would lead him towards her tribe, that was not somewhere he wished to go, not at the moment at least since there were important people placing high rewards upon his head. Usually he would simply walk off, slinking back into the shadows rather than allowing his cover to be blown but there was something about her that made him more causious about his actions, he did not want to offend her. He shook his head, falling back into his own personality for a moment, he turned his head and nudged it into the direction that lead in the opposite direction. Remembering the need to talk he tried to think about how Huri would continue, after all she seemed to insist on telling sof every detail of her exsistance, perhaps that was simply because he tended to say nothing at all to her, and on most occasions even ignored her. "I believe I saw one of them go that way, thats why I was moving in this direction." He paused for a moment, allowing his words to formulate in his mind. She seemed desperate for 'approval' since she was concenred about how he saw her for running away. Though as she said she had 'private' tutorial he could not help but believe that was even more evidence of who she really was. Looking at her he felt it would be more 'appealing' to be nice towards her, he did not want her to disapprove of him either. "I do not think any less of you fairest mare, we all need to 'escape' from time to time." Though right now that word was rather literal for him.
he started moving in the direction he had pointed to.
Kaisanti: Giving the male a smile and a slightly bemused look she dipped her head in agreement. "I would love to." Trotting forwards, her hoofteps silent even as she drew alongside the stallion. Settling into a graceful, smooth walk, she looked up at the much taller stallion next to her. It was rather odd for a stallion to be chasing after a single insect wasn't it? But then.. maybe this type of insect only travailed alone, and not in the usual swarms. if that was the case.. they could be searching all day! But.. she had no where else to go and certainly didn't want to return to her sensei.. grumpy old fart!
Giggling softly under her breath as she imagined the face of her teacher when he realised she had escaped, she gazed around at the forest as they walked. "Thank you, Kachi. Escape in the litteral sence, in my case." She agreed with a soft smile. "Old Man Daiseku would have me stuck in that clearing all day if he could."
Sekkou, still perched on the mare's back, clacked his beak softly, shifting round to settle on her rump and watch the wolf. He would have to stay now, having no desire to be plucked and stuffed if he failed in his duties to protect the kaze's daughter.
syaoranpuu: "Daiseku?" That was a name that was definatly familar, they had met once a long time ago now it seemed when the tribe he belonged to needed outside aid for their medical supplies, that was of course before something happened between the two tribes to make them rivals, since that day they had not spoken a kind word towards each other, harness and curelity seemed to spread out from them, yet here he was, speaking kindly to one, and one that he suspected to be of a high standing. He could not bare to live with his curiousity any longer, he made a remark in the hope of stirring some kind of reaction, "I though he was now training the daughter of your tribes kaze?" he attempted to lighten the situation by adding a small laugh, his eyes howere were looking at her for any small revealing reaction that would help him in his quest for knowlegde. It was strange how she said his 'name' Kachi...it felt almost insulting to him that he would be expected to go by such a humiliating name.
His small wolf friend ran ahead, her eyes scanning the surroudnings, even from here he could hear her sniffing noises as she looked for anyone attempting to track him, they had both learnt that caution was needed at all times, though even with that lesson learnt he knew that what he was doing right now went against his common sence, perhaps he should leave before more damage is done.
He continued to walk towards his wolf friend.
Kaisanti: The young mare snorted and nodded her hail, long tail flicking behind her with her evident agitation at the one whos name was spoken. The silky length accidentally brushed against the male's rump though Sachi seemed unawar as she watched the wolf trot on ahead, and felt the hawk lift off from his perch on her back and wing forwards, following the stallion's companion. "Yes.. He is our best sensei so he thinks everyone has to do everything he says." Sniffing she tossed her head. Thinking the stallion was this 'Kachi' he claimed to be and feeling safe with him at ehr side, and being so close to her clan-land. She saw no reason to withhold information from the male, for the Kamiorachi tribe were friends with her own. Giggling she nodded her head, golden hair fittings flashing delicately. "Hai, that's me. If you know of him then you know why I escaped for the day. Im going to go blind if he makes me practice any longer." Pausing in her stride she turned her head to peer intently into a bush, one slender forleg raised, ears pricked with intent. "Kachi..." She whispered softly, carefully setting her hoof down silently as she turned towards the bush before her. "... I think this... might be what you were looking for?" Her voice was barely a whisper, her gaze remining on what ever she had spotted in the bush though one slender ear flicked towards the stallion.
syaoranpuu: A look of suprise covered his face as he felt the soft hair of her tail hit his rump and the back of his leg, there seemed to be something about her that made him stay off guard. Stopping in his tracks he looked to the ground, his mind was racing with the possiblity of other things between them until suddenly she said the words that he had been dreading, she was who he thought. He had never been able to catch so much as a glimpse of her when he had been invited into their village, yet now here she was, unprotected bar for her hawk, an assasins reward, if only that was still his mission. Perhaps it was the knowlegde of this mission that angered her tribe to place a bounty upon his head, he wouldn't blaim them, after all she sure was beautiful, and for a moment he wondered if it was on of her ninja talents to have him so off guard, or if that was simply his own doing.
"Interesting." His voice was shallow, dry almost. He hated speaking so openly, yet he knew that none of his words bore any resemblence to the truth, nor did he intend to let his guard down in that department, after all his life was on the line. As she spoke again he shook himself gently back into reality, had she actually managed to find one of the bugs that he had been searching for? He looked in the same direction she was, the soft breeze blew towards them carrying her scent towards his nose, it was mesmeriziingly tanterlising in its beauty, just as she was. No. This was not the attitude he could have. He needed to focus. Stepping forward, his hooves not making a sound as he stepped forward he looked at the small creature, it was green with yellow spots, three horns and a spiked tail. It seemed that it was in deed one of the creatures he searched for. He turned his head towards his dear friend and whistled, the sound on a frequency so low that only she could hear it, after all her range of hearing was different to all the soquili breeds and even the hawks. With the noise she sprang into actually and pounced towards in him ina silent fashion.
Her mouth tugged at the badage around his rear leg revealing a jar with several holes in the lid, it was empty, for the time being at least. Pressing the lid with her paw it popped off and she grabbed hold of it, Sof then leaned down and watching his target kicked the jar at the percise angle that it would capture the small creature.
syaoranpuu: As if the scene played in slow motion, the jar flew towards the wall, swishing past the mare causing her hair to move gracefully, the leaves around the bug rustled and then before it had a chance to react it was swooped up in the jar which then began to turn as it made its decent, it was at this moment that the wolf leaped upon it midfal and placed the lid over the hole before forcing the lid and jar towards her stomach to ensure it was secure. Upon the ground the jar rolled slightly towards sof's hooves, inside the little creature sat still bar the wiggling of its antena.
Sof then nodded to his friend once more as she scurried to tie the badage back into place. Sof lowered his head softly for a moment and spoke once more. "Thank you."
