Note: While this is more or less open to everyone, keep in mind that a dozen people can ruin every tense situation. Whoever comes first gets a spot, if you want to, but I'd prefer it if we cut the arrivals to people who'd actually be awake at night hours and have any business around the fields.

Two Hours After Midnight - Oni Mura; Abandonned Fields.

First, there was but one shadowy silhoutte, stealthily making it's way across the fields. Only the perceptive would be able to notice the figure, even in daylight. At such an advanced time, guards were usually less wary, and with the skill by which the silent figure moved, it was just too easy to pass the silhouette off as a mere breeze, nothing but a whisper in the wind.

The figure crouched low, quietly observing.

His name was Kensuke, and he was not among those the Jade Hand would label "esteemed guests".

In fact, he was their enemy.

"This will be of interest to the Dark Lord, wouldn't you say so, Kensuke?"

The whispered voice behind the bushi nearly caught the silent man off-balance. Lucky for him, he wasn't a man easily to react by instinct. The Akodo had trained him well.

Daigotsu had just added a more powerful calling to the former Lion samurai.

"Maiko", he hissed in a low voice, not even bothering to look behind him. "Do that again and I shall slay you without another thought. This is no game. If the rumors are true, these people might become a threat."

Chuda Maiko chuckled, her voice, suddenly so very near to Kensuke's ear, dripping with sarcasm.

"Do not worry, little warrior. This gathering will surely not stop our master's plans. There have been fanatics before. Not even the mighty Crab is able to stand in our lord's path. Our time has come. This 'Jade Hand' will fall before it had time to truly rise above those that came before."

Kensuke sneered.

"Is Yoshunagi with you?"

Maiko shook her head.

"Iye. He walked after you, but I cannot say where he went. He seems to have plans on his own."

Kensuke was barely able to hide a growl. Crazy monk.

"We're here to investigate. Nothing else. If the madman thinks he can dance on his own, he's putting our mission in jeopardy."

"He is not mad, merely enlightened.", the silken voice of the maho-tsukai cooed in his ear. "He knows what we have to do."

"He better." Kensuke replied, standing enough to move closer to the tents, with the Chuda following him in silence.

"If not", he added, turning his skeletal visage towards Maiko, untouched by her tainted beauty. "I will kill him."

The tsukai's light chuckle was taken away like the faint scent of a rose among a bloodied battlefield.


To be continued.

I wouldn't say that Fuji has business in the fields after dark, but she does have a history of skuking, err, scouting about at odd hours. If you think that's good enough we'll roll. Otherwise, I'll use my Awesome Moderator Powers(tm) to delete my post. Good?




Fuji slips from her tent and heads out towards the village, evading the guards as usual. She takes extra care tonight: the suggestion that Hida Yagimaki knew about her recons bothered her, personally and professionally. As she makes her way from shadow to shadow she considers where she should go tonight. She had seen no sign of an oni yet, so perhaps a little closer, for better listening.


Fuji

She didn't jerk to a stop: jerky, rapid motions were always a give-away. Fuji smoothly ended her movement so that she had maximum use of of a bramble's covering branches. Then Fuji closed her eyes for a moment, relaxed, and let go. When she opened her eyes again a colder, harder woman looked around cautiously, taking stock of the situation.

She had her daisho and her knives. She was certain that someone else was out there, and instinct told her it wasn't one of Himoto's people. She knew of it--but did it know of her? She stilled her mind and scried the night with all of her senses.


Fuji

Fuji remained still, watching. As long as the figure is visible there is no reason to move. She remains alert for any sounds of others, and for the odd smell of incense that she had earlier encountered.


Fuji

She spent a moment wishing she had Ryoji here. Those who spoke with the kami sometimes did odd things for odd reasons, but were no more of a threat than samurai usually were. The woman approaching her could be a reasonably normal shugenja. Or something else entirely. Ryoji would know the difference.

She made a small motion and a knife dropped out of her sleeve and into her waiting hand. No matter who you were, a knife in your chest generally upset your concentration.

She waited, watching.

Fuji stays silent, watching. The more the situation develops, the more uneasy she becomes. It is not normal to travel about the countryside at night, and Fuji knows exquisitely well that those who do seldom have good intentions. Then again there is Oni Mura's reputation, which would make night-time travel in the area even less attractive.

On the other hand, the stranger could just be a harmless madwoman. One did encounter them from time to time.

"Patience is your greatest weapon," her sensei had told her. Fuji waits, and watches.