Found, but Lost [Private]

[Muramasa Maya]

Hinoka's ears slowly sank as she realized she was not recognized; but perhaps it was a blessing in disguise. She took it as a sign that perhaps she could meet the boy under less...unfortunate, circumstances. As oppose to the frantic bowing from moments ago, this time the shrine maiden gave a single, slow bow. "O-oh...Yes...of course. I apologize. I thank you for your concern, but we are both actually here for...Well, searching for someone important. Not...any of the usual reasons, I assure you!" She gave a single bow as opposed to the frantic barrage just moments ago.

"Trust me, I wouldn't be visiting this slum if I had a choice..." The blue haired shrine maiden chided, giving a disdainful look towards the fortified doorway in the alley. "Buuut...maybe you've seen someone we're looking for. She has large ears like this. Blonde. The sooner we find her, the sooner we can leave this filth. She's lost, confused, and very dear to us, of course." The girl spoke as she approached Hinoka and roughly pulled the tips of her ears upwards.

...From behind the corner, the sound of glass bottles and other trash being knocked over and disturbed echoed through the alley. Naturally, this caught the attention of the two kitsune; but it wasn't until the shattering sound of a bottle a moment later that they really began to show concern.

"LIARS!! Do not talk to my Riyota like that! I cannot -stand- hearing any words coming from either of you!" Azusa turned sharply from the corner, her tails shaking with rage, as did most of her body. It also seemed the shattering of the bottle was her way of claiming a weapon considering Riyota, well, kinda was in 'possession of her knife still. "...Lady Azusa?" The other two Kitsune blinked, stunned, but were given no moment to realize what had happened; Azusa had not slowed after emerging from the corner and lunged towards them. Quick thinking on the blue haired girl's part used talismans to create a small wall of light blocking Azusa's straightforward charge, the frenzied fox hitting it hard enough to be suppressed off her feet and unto the ground. The barrier faded shortly after.

"W-wait! Please stop Lady Azusa! W-We just--" Hinoka called out, but was prevented from passing her companion, who seemed be channeling chakra into another talisman for her next Ninjutsu, her previous carefree expression becoming one of utmost seriousness. As for Azusa? Given her current state, 'tactics' weren't exactly on her mind; she reached for the shattered bottle again, or if Riyota was close enough the knife in his leg.

Talking had failed to prevent the two sides from meeting, but perhaps there was still time to prevent an all out brawl.

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota was about to go about his business when he was stopped again by Hinoka asking if he had seen Azusa. "I-I'm afraid I haven't seen anything." he lied, quickly looking away in case his face gave away his guilt, he was interrupted once more by the other kitsune and he tried his best to hide his annoyance as she pestered him more about their quarry. "I promise you, if I see anything, I'll let you know." As Riyota lifted his hand to knock his attention was drawn away by the sound of glass smashing and other things being knocked about. 'Oh no...' Riyota thought to himself.

Riyota saw his Lady turn the corner and his eyes widened. 'Azusa...stop, this wasn't part of the plan!' he thought frantically, his mismatched eyes desperately scanning the area for a solution. He saw Azusa be knocked back by a barrier formed by one of whom he could only presume to be priestesses of the Aikayume clan.

Riyota winced as the Kunai was torn from his leg, and he had to stop himself from crying out. Now was not a time for him to be showing weakness. Not in such a crucial moment. He knew the blue-haired Kitsune could not keep creating barriers forever, and Azusa didn't seem to be stopping her frantic charge anytime soon. Riyota did not want any bloodshed, much less did he want blood on the hands of his Lady.

"My Lady please!..." he attempted calling out to her, assuming that didn't work he would throw himself inbetween the two parties. If that failed the boy would be unable to contain his frustration. His curse seal would glow, illuminating the darkened street. Electricity would spark at the edge of his fist and he would let forth an unnatural yell of "STOP!" as his fist punched a dent into the steel door behind him. His voice would sound far deeper and louder than it should, but slowly he would breathe and calm down. Hoping he had at least caught Azusa's attention.

"That's enough..." he would look between the three kitsune. "I will not allow you to take Lady Azusa...but I will also not allow her to harm you. That is the offer, the only offer. Refuse, and I will be forced to act." he stated, bold and clearly.

MFT 387

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Azusa was deaf to Riyota's requests to stop, and blind to his attempts at intervention. Her only desire was to destroy the barrier, or more specifically, the blue haired woman maintaining it. Hinoka was also on her list of enemies, but seemed to be spared from Azusa's focus due to her not actually doing anything. "P-please Kiri, stop! You are upsetting her! We must not fight!" "Are you serious? She attacked me!" Kiri's barrier grew dimmer and dimmer with each strike from Azusa...She was fortunate that Azusa's raw strength was low, but even so, the wall of chakra shattered...

But Azusa did not continue her attack. The loud sound of Riyota's shout and metal being smashed stopped the Kitsune...Primarily because in her image of Riyota was of someone who as always levelheaded and calm; she had never seen, or heard, Riyota upset. The surprise was enough to return at least some sense to her. She was silent, as were the other two Aikayume shrine maidens. The only sound came from the door, sparking with leftover electrical energy from Riyota's strike (and of someone moving and swearing behind it, apparently having been listening on the discussion going on).

"...Go. Leave us. Now." Azusa scowled at the other two, but no longer moved towards them; she ceased her attack. She definitely intended to have words with Riyota afterwords, but for now accepted his judgement while biting down on her lip in frustration. (...They come here hunting me, and now they are upsetting Riyota...Its all their fault...) She wanted nothing more than to tear the fur from Kiri's tail, but for now would give Riyota what he wanted. See? she wasn't entirely selfish!

...But not everyone was in agreement. "With all due respect my Lady Azusa, you're no longer in any position to be telling me -or anyone really- anything. Sooo....No~" Catching her breath, Kiri turned to Riyota; "...I can't do that. That bitch has had this coming, and belongs to the Aikayume. Whatever promises or offers she made you are empty; she has no power, assets, or any ties to the clan beyond being a liability. If it is wealth you are after, than restrain her and bring her to us. If not....why are you even acting on her behalf?" She questioned...and threw several talisman into the air, where they would gain momentum and shoot into the air high above any buildings while leaving bright streaks of blue light in their trail. Letting someone, someplace, know her location. "Wait, no, Don't call anyone else!"...

"...The other's will be here soon now. If you don't want to get caught up any further, then leave now or restrain her until the other Aikayume arrive and be rewarded." She demanded from Riyota. "As for Lady Azusa...You won't be lucky enough to escape your cage again this time."

...Suffice to say, Azusa was regretting not continuing her attack against Kiri when she had the chance.

[MFT]

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota's eyes darted behind him as he heard a voice inside the building, he looked upon the door suspiciously, but his attention was swiftly turned back towards the angered Kitsune group. He witnessed the magatama flares rise into the sky and he knew that their time was now limited. The light from his seal finally completed faded and he calmly stood in between the pair and Azusa.

"I think you should realize by now that I am not going to back down and betray her. I don't care what she did to your clan, or really to you. To me you are strangers, and to me your clan is worthless and I do not care for it in its current incarnation. If money was a concern there would be nothing to stop me from taking every coin in your coffers." he explained to them, sparking his fist for added effect. The boy was mostly bluffing about the 'taking every coin' bit, but they didn't have to know that. So, it should be blatantly apparent to you smart ladies, that my protection of Lady Azusa is to do with nothing more than a promise. A promise which will not allow me to back down here." Truly, his promise stemmed from his love towards the Orange haired Kitsune, but he assumed she didn't want to hear such words at this moment.

"I offer you one alternative, you will allow us to leave and claim your signal was to shut down this store here." he indicated to the dented steel door. "I am sure you will find evidence enough in there to sustain your claim." his mismatched eyes darted between the two opposing kitsune.

"I have nothing else to offer you than the promise that I will not harm you. Even though you do still have two choices, neither of them end with you taking Azusa. He stood fully straight. "You can either allow us to leave and remain unscathed and fluffy tailed as you are now, or you can try to stop us, and both you and whoever you summoned will be lying on this sand wounded or dead. I know which option I'd like to pick." he gave a small smile as he cracked his knuckles.

Inside, Riyota was cursing himself. He was back to the self he thought he had left in the desert. The chilling, intimidating, dark teenager. Who bullied what he wanted out of anyone he came across. He desperately hoped that Azusa would understand that what he was doing was solely for the cause of aiding her, and wasn't whom he truly was.

"Shall we, My Lady? he asked, giving a small gesture and beginning to escort Azusa away, but remained vigilant and ready to defend if the pair attempted anything.

MFT 464

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Throughout Riyota's statement, Kiri's smug expression turned into a scowl the more Riyota spoke. The blue haired shrine maiden began to sweat from her nerves, her pulse racing. "Ugh, this is why I hate shinobi, always jumping into other's business without ever listening to reason. What? She raise her tail for you and got you charmed? Tsk..." Kiri spoke, trying to maintain a confident facade and bide her time. As much as she disliked Azusa, she was not going to underestimate her, and had no knowledge of the exiled priestess's loss of chakra. And she thought that not only Hinoka would be of no use in a fight against her former Lady, but it also seemed Azusa was able to find one of her shinobi allies to stick with. "Fine, go ahead and run for now. Unless you plan on protecting her forever, she'll be caught eventually anyways." The odds were not in her favor, and Kiri knew a fight against against two shinobi would end quickly.

Meanwhile, Riyota's unwavering stance on not allowing them to take her calmed Azusa, soothing the curse seal that stirred her blood into a frenzy, the runic design slowly receding. By no means was it easy for her to accept this 'draw', but...she wanted to trust Riyota's judgement. "...And there you have it. My Riyota would never consider turning against me like...like you disloyal beasts! So do not follow us! If...If either you ever steps in front of me again, I swear, I...we...will not be so tolerant again! L-leave us!" Azusa shouted at the two other Kitsune while following Riyota's gesture. Her voice wavered, almost as shaky as her body's trembling. Anger, humiliation...she couldn't stand the thought of letting Kiri get away with insulting her! And yet...she knew that whoever else Kiri had called were only moments away, and Riyota had given her an opportunity to escape that she wouldn't have had on her own.

She had to swallow her pride, but it left her feeling defeated. She was silent, tugging on Riyota's sleeve to beckon him to follow her down the alley. Her only words came when they were out of ear shot of the other two Aikayume. "I...I am running away, am I not?...It feels disgusting. I could have fought! I...hate hiding..." She felt weak and afraid, although would never admit so, let alone say it to Riyota. In truth, the kitsune had pulled up the hood from her cloak again simply because she refused to be looked at when feeling helpless.

[MFT]

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota stopped as Kiri spat words at him clearly intended to make him question his own actions and allegiance to Azusa, but to no effect, he had made his choice and would stick by his Lady until the bitter end. "I do intend to protect her, not forever, for I am incapable of doing that, but as long as I retain the ability I will not allow anyone to harm her. That was the pledge I took." as he and Azusa were about to turn the corner. "Mark my words though, it took everything I had to not kill you on the spot, if you care about those other coming, you will call them off, because if they catch up I will slaughter them without hesitation or remorse." Riyota did not truly believe himself powerful enough to fight an entire squadron of Aikayume by himself, but he hoped beyond hope that his threats combined with his hopefully intimidating composure would be enough to make the Kitsune reconsider. He sent a streak of lightning down his arm for effect as he escorted Azusa around the corner.

Truly he hoped words were enough to at least buy them time, it was fortunate that the Kiri did not know that Riyota had never killed anyone before.

When they were a safe enough distance away he listened to Azusa's frustrated rant with silent consideration before responding. "My lady, please don't think of this as retreat. If anything, we simply spared their lives." he smirked, whilst this may or may not have been entirely true he hoped that the fiery fox would at least accept it for the time being.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, concerned, checking her arms and forehead for any signs of injury. If she responded with the affirmative he would attempt to tend to her injuries with what little supplies he had, if not he would back up slightly and bow his head in apology.

"Forgive me, my Lady. If I hadn't gone to that shop for my own selfish goals this would not have happened. For now though, I recommend we keep moving. We can take shelter in my home, although its accoma...Acommada...Its um...its living stuff may leave you wanting. So the Miroku clan house is also an option." and thus, the true Riyota slipped through the cracks for just a moment, as formal as he tried to be in the presence of Azusa. Big words were still very hard to say.

[Sorry this response took so long ;P)

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Spared their lives.

Thats what Riyota had said this situation was. A wonderful way to attempt to look at things in a positive light, making them seem benevolent in the process. And yet...it did not help her. Sparing the Aikayume was the furthest thing on her mind; what she wanted was complete and utter submission from them. To not only once again acknowledge her as their Priestess, but to think it utter madness to even think of disloyalty towards her. "..." She was silent, shaking her head to Riyota's concerns about her injuries, despite his own wound in his leg.

Without a word, the kitsune tore a piece of her cloak into a strip, crouching before Riyota to attend to the wound she was guilty of inflicting on him in the first place. Ignoring the fact that it was in both their best interests to continue moving. "...Do you remember our class, Riyota? Where you were...injured." An understatement. "I did not help you. What I did was fake. An illusion. There was nothing I could do besides hide behind a fragile illusion." If not stopped, she would wrap the strip around his leg in an attempt to place pressure on the wound.

"...I cannot remain powerless like that. If I were to stay with you, the Aikayume would track us down...You would be their enemy. It would risk your clan and family....I can't accept that."...She had no doubt that if she asked, Riyota would not hesitate. But for that reason, she did not want to rely on him to the point he came in harms way. Even if Riyota was strong enough to protect her, he still needed to sleep. There were plenty of Aikayume, and all it would take was one to slip passed when their guards were down, and... "...You are kind, Riyota. I...did not think of anything like sparing them. They do not deserve sparing. Tonight showed me I lack the strength now to do anything...but I will not ask you to stand in front of me while I hide behind you. Until I have the strength to fight for myself...I can't risk you, Riyota. You have already saved me today, if not from the damned foxes, then from myself." Riyota was hers. He swore as much. And...she wanted it to remain so.

"...If...no, when I regain the ability to defend myself...That is when I will need you with me. But until then...I....my issues are my own. I am not some poor addict stuck on the streets..." ...The fox said as she, if not interuptted, would finish attending to Riyota's injury. She had certainly shown no rush.

[MFT]

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota was surprised when he saw Azusa rip a piece of her clothing and begin bandaging his wound. "Azusa we really shoul-..." he did not address her by the honourific this time around and he tried his best not to wince as she bandaged his wound. His sentence being cut off by her own. He waited, standing silently as she spoke, wrapping the cloth tightly around the gash in his leg. "Azu-...My Lady, even as a child I was not stupid. I knew full well that no actual healing was being done, but I did not care." he would kneel to look her in the eyes. "Your mere presence was enough to soothe me, to make me feel like the pain was gone. That was when I knew that I-...I-..." he blushed deeply as he could not decide whether it was appropriate to say. "That...I lo-...I loved, you..." he finally said, albeit quietly.

He politely waited for her to finish her rant, her explanation of how she couldn't allow him to stay with her. Riyota could not determine whether it was genuine or an attempt to get the annoying boy to leave. Whatever the reason, he did not move an inch, even when she finished. He reached over and gently clasped her soft hand in his own. "Let me ease your mind Azusa, the Miroku are a bunch of psychopathic, violent but powerful Ninja. They wouldn't care for the source of the threat, they'd be satisfied merely being allowed to fight something. So you needn't worry there, same goes for my Father. Akkuma would happily destroy any threat to me or yourself, so your concerns are unfounded." he paused to gently squeeze her hand.

"I believe you misunde....misundersto- misundy...didn't get me earlier. Yes, I proclaimed myself a knight in service of you. Traditionally, Knights pledged themselves to a King, but that never stopped the king from fighting too. The best king's stood with their Knights and fought with them, side by side." he smiled, an almost childlike glint in his eye. "I'm not asking you to stand behind me whist I face the world on your behalf. I ask that you allow me to support you when you need it. I ask that you stand beside me, as my Lady and my Companion, and I ask that we both grow stronger together."

He allowed her to finish the bandage on his leg and he grunted slightly as she tied the final knot. Before he spoke once more. "I never saw you as a pathetic street urchin, to me you never stopped being Lady Azusa. Leave the street urchining to me." he chuckled slightly before getting to his feet and helping her up as well. "Now, I suggest we get a move on."

MFT

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Twitch Twitch. The top of her dark cloak moved, her ears beneath it wiggling as she heard Riyota reveal the source of his devotion towards her. In a more powerful state when her bashfulness was at its peak, she would have been proud of herself for acquiring the boy's confession, perhaps even dismissed it as the only reasonable feeling one should have towards her. But right now...

It hurt.

Riyota was her ally. He felt as she had soothed him with her presence in the past? Well, he more than repaid that dept with what he was doing now. "...!" He was most certainly not making it easy on Azusa, despite his attempts at writing off the Miroka as a bunch of battle-starved brutes. Riyota was certainly the black sheep of the bunch, seeming so...reserved. And yet, now he stubbornly continued to attempt to sway Azusa from her decision. She had claimed Riyota was hers, and had meant it...But after losing her clan, her blood, her chakra...Riyota was a bright light of warmth to her that she realized she just might be terrified of losing, but lacked the strength to protect.

"...When did you get so cruel, Riyota? I couldn't possibly reject you if that is how you truly feel. This is...unfair! You cannot take a hint! I'm saying that if something happens to you when I can't do anything for myself, then I'd definitely be...displeased...How can you be my knight if you argue my decisions?!?" Azusa finally spoke after a delayed moment of silence to contemplate her options. Riyota was determined. But she lacked the conviction to make use of it.

While she was certainly proud of Riyota for being so devoted, it was also bittersweet. The kitsune raised her other hand to hold Riyota's with both her own, rising to her feet. "It..would be wrong for me to stay with you. I know this...I have my reasons. But...if you are so stubborn...and will accept me being selfish...then maybe for one night --for just tonight-- I...I can accept that much." She knew she couldn't possibly stay with Riyota in her current state and drag him to her level. It was not a matter of believing he would think less of her after seeing how far she had fallen; he had proven himself thus far, and remainded at her side. It...was a matter of pride, perhaps her greatest flaw. But she didn't want to let go. If he was pushing her to be selfish, then how could she resist?

(OOC: Not ignoring the Akkuma mention fyi; just at the point of time this topic takes place, Azusa hasn't yet learned that "Akkuma" is the name of the demon she hates)

 

[Miroku Riyota]

"My lady, my father abandoned me when I was ten years old. After that I never thought of myself as something that was allowed to exist. I put on a facade of happiness merely because I didn't want my mere presence to depress others around me. So I cannot understand your concern for my wellbeing when yours should be top priority." he paused for a moment in an attempt to compose himself before continuing. "I wandered the world outside Suna for five years trying to find a man who never loved me, in that time, so many things tried to kill me, yet here I stand. So I will try to cease your worries with the fact that I am highly unlikely to let myself be killed by anything." He gave a large re-assuring grin to cement his case.

The boy had never felt so trusting towards another in his life before this. He was blurting out his inner troubles to this woman whom he doubted even felt the same way about him as he did about her, but still he continued.

"I suppose stubbornness is my best trait, well that or pain tolerance, one of the two." he smirked. "I'll allow you to be selfish if you'll allow me to be even more so. I'll always be there for you Azusa, whether you want it or not. If you run away one night and try to distance yourself from me I will always come back until you don't need me anymore."

"No matter what becomes of you, if you become a monster then I'll become an abomination to make you dazzling in contrast. I don't intend to merely serve as your protector, I'll also be a friendly parasite that you cannot rid yourself of." he leant closer to her and brought her into a hug. "And I promise I'll try not to scare you next time." he whispered in her ear.

Pulling away and addressing her to her face he straightened himself up. "We should keep moving, I'd hate to have to back up all my claims of being able to take on your clan." Riyota laughed, guiding Azusa by the hand, further on.

 

[Muramasa Maya]

Riyota had certainly, perhaps unknowingly, beguiled her into agreeing to go with him. And as a proud Aikayume Kitsune, Azusa certainly couldn't go back on her word after his whole spiel or his embrace. The boy had been a lost puppy for years, desperate to find a place to belong to. He had done what Azusa could never do, and opened up, showing all his cards on the table. Oh, how Azusa wanted nothing more than to give him his place! If only were still the Aikayume Priestess, with the power of her clan's Blood, with the wealth of her clan, with everything she had wanted...she would be certain to both pamper and torment him to her hearts content! But right now, Azusa did not even have a place in the world for herself.

It was a dream.
But she wanted to make it reality.
And to do that, she needed to break her habits tonight. Her curse, her addiction, her weakness...It all had to end.

"....."

--Or so she wanted to believe...But she couldn't possibly bring Riyota to the filth she currently resided in, let alone show the depths of her desperation during her times of weakness. What she had done was an unforgivable blemish to her pride she would never wipe clean. She was not ready for Riyota to know. Not yet.

In which case, the only option left...

"...Let us hope that you can do more than just stubbornly endure pain. I can barely wield a weapon, and cannot use jutsu; if we encounter any Aikayume...do as you wish. They made their choice." She conceded to letting herself be protected, and broke away from Riyota's embrace. Riyota was more observant than the Kitsune herself. Or perhaps she was just being reckless; Azusa was unsure. She had come here to satiate her addiction, but Riyota had put a stop to that...to say that her judgement was not at its sharpest point would be putting it lightly.

"If you are willing to bring me to your home even if it paints a target on the Miroku...Then I will give up trying to persuade you otherwise. I would be in your care...For now." Azusa's plan only extended for the night...but if Riyota had opened up to her and was willing to accept the her, then the fox would be willing to do the same.

But, before they had taken off...there was something else he had said that couldn't let slide; "....And just so you are aware, you did not *ahem* 'scare' me..." The fox boldly commented, her demeanor perking up as she did so. "But even so. Do not expect me to let that go. You had best be prepared to persuade me to forgive you...Riyota." The fox stuck out her tongue, her tails playfully swaying side to side beneath her cloak. Cheering her up was a good start though.

[MFT]

OOC: Okay, I have to mention this. This line of Riyota's is absolutely fantastic. "No matter what becomes of you, if you become a monster then I'll become an abomination to make you dazzling in contrast." I absolutely love it.

I'm also thinking this could be a good part to end the topic, unless you have something else planned. If not....topic left?

 

[Miroku Riyota]

Riyota was gladdened when Azusa accepted his offer of Sanctuary. He knew that she saw him only as a guardian, and nothing else, and he knew once she had beaten back whatever issues in her life that were causing her some distress she would likely marry someone far more handsome, rich and powerful than Riyota. The boy had accepted that, but if he could make Azusa happy, then he would be happy. Riyota put a hand on his left pectoral for just a moment, remembering the time when the dark curse seal had been inscribed upon his flesh. 'After all, what noble lady in her right mind would associate herself with a monster like me. If I am to merely be her guard dog, I will perform my duty until I'm not needed anymore.' Riyota gave a contented half smile as he ran a hand through his messy mop of hair.

"I'm glad that you accept my Lady." he smiled and gave a courteous bow. "I'm sure you will be received within our halls as a guest of highest esteem." he bent his arm and held it close to her for her to hook her own arm through. "May I?" he smirked, offering to be her escort out of the dingy, dark streets, back to his home.

As they walked Riyota had to cover his mouth to prevent himself from giggling manically at Azusa's embarrassed claim that he had no scared her. Attempting to regain his composure he nodded. "O-of course not my lady, there is no-one who would be able to strike fear into the heart of a creature of fantastic power such as yourself, forgive me for thinking such a thought." he managed to stifle his laughter further as they continued.

And so it was, the Priestess and the Demon, the Kitsune and her Knight wandered off into a Sanctuary, to merely enjoy each others' company.

Even if only for a night...

[Thread ended, it was an honour ]