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Post by LochNess on Dec 22, 2014 5:20:55 GMT
The canons cease fire after a brief moment of rounds being shot off. They are being reloaded as fast as the humans can muster. The woman says something to the large guard man by her side, but it's muffled by the sound of rain. Slowly, she starts to look backwards, where our group is as well as where the large she wolf charges her from. An old style rifle is raised that she had at her side. It rests on her shoulder, aiming as the she wolf leaps down onto the oxen and men. She charges the woman head on, knocking carts of rice, oxen, and men all over the cliff to god knows where. Unfortunately for the wolf, the woman fires her gun, and it hits her. The wolf doesn't cry out, but she is knocked back with the impact over the cliff like all the men.
Cider badly uses her indestructible boyfriend as leverage to keep herself propped up. Her small hands grasp on his arm as a means of affection as well as a means of balancing herself since setting her foot down isn't the the most pleasant of ideas. Somehow, she's not as muddy as her boyfriend, but she is very soaked from the rain. In fact, her shirt becomes transparent due to how light a color it is. The jacket she was wearing got messed up at some point just so I can mess with Ichigo by having his girlfriend's shirt become see through. Still, she smiles obliviously to him. "Were still human, but I'm fine. Though, I should ask you that. You seemed to land harder than me." She giggles as one hand reaches and wipes a bit of mud off of him. It's only after the hand canons fire that she realizes they didn't arrive in a peaceful setting. She catches a glimpse of the she-wolf sprinting down towards the caravan to fight and protect what ever she can't see them firing at due to the heavy rain. Knowing the witch to drop them by their missions, she knows they need to follow the caravan like Kyo said. She shoots a worried glance at the ledge where many men died. Surely some of them could be alive, right? "Should we just leave the fallen?" She wonders aloud. They might not find this lady easily if they all went to save the men, but leaving them to die sounds just as much of a pain to her.
Akira is a panicking mess by the time her ears catch the sound of her son's voice. Red eyes whip around to find him healthy and happily greeting his favorite person besides Akira herself. She is before Grimmjow in an instant, and she takes her baby. Kurogane, who was already happy, cries out again with a grin as he sees his mother again. While he really is fond of Grimmjow, it's Akira who's his mother, and so she will be his favorite for a long time. He forsakes jumping on and antagonizing Grimmjow for his mother' swarm arms. It's only then that relief washes over Akira. A sigh escapes her, taking all the fear and tension of missing Kurogane and fighting titans with it. "Thank you, Grimmjow," she says. A smile appears on her face, and she beams it up to him. "Gr-... Gr-..." Kurogane struggles to mimic his mother and call out Grimmjow's apparently difficult name. "Grimmjow!" He giggles, proud to say it as he pokes his point finger at the hollow's chest. Akira gives a soft laugh as her son practices his name. She's brought to reality as a rush of fur behind her startles her. She reflexively lurches forward to escape the sudden force behind her that threatened to knock her over while she held her son. Though, that makes her extremely close to Grimmjow. She's as close as she can get with out touching him, though Kurogane enjoys being able to better reach his favorite hollow so he can be held by Mom and investigate his favorite Hollow's little jacket and skin with pokes and what not. Akira remains close as she warily watches the scene unfold before her. This isn't a world of only mortals. That she wolf was not normal wolf at all. So, why are they still with out powers? A frown sets on her face as the others discuss the possibilities.
Kyo watches with the most eagerness. The witch doesn't drop them somewhere like this with out a purpose. They're to follow one of these groups. The caravan is obvious, but like Cider says, what about the men that fell? Hell, even the she wolf could be their guide. She didn't talk to them before charging the caravan, so that doesn't seem as likely. But... He shakes his head. "There's so many possible ways to go from here. I hope it all leads to the same task we need to complete." The caravan people seem tense, and for good reason. Perhaps... Perhaps while they are all still human, they should wait it out and then go after the humans that fell? Surely they can direct this group of misfits to their destination if they are conscious. He looks to Erza and then to the others as the caravan collects themselves to carry on. "What should we do? Perhaps some of us can go on ahead? Or should we stick together again?" He knows they're uneasy about splitting up, and he's calculated it. He seriously thinks they'll end up meeting in the same place if those men are at all alive. Plus, He wants to help the men, but the lack of transportation and wolves like that she wolf out there, he's uneasy about all of them going to help. Especially when one is injured, and they have a young child in their midst and they're all still powerless. "We can't travel with an injured girl and a baby by ourselves, though." He looks to Kurogane and Cider warily. "So either some of us split off to help the humans that fell or we all go and try to convince the caravan to let us come with them." This gets approval from my girls and Kouga at least.
Speaking of Kouga, the guy approaches his own girlfriend after shaking off the landing. He just wants to ensure she isn't severely hurt. Once she seems well, he does what he's been wanting to due since their mission started against the titans and their powers failed. He embraces her, relieved they came out of that safely. His strong embrace is only a second or two long, but it's a silent, sincere attempt of saying he's relieved to see she's ok. He releases her as cannons fire though. He tries in vain to make out just what they're aiming at, though, as Erza and Yurei think the cannons are firing the way, he quickly picks up his girl as she crouches. "They're not aiming our way," he says. "I don't think they even noticed us." Even as they turn to see the she wolf, they seem to only blend into the background. As the men and the wolf fall off the cliff, he realizes the situation much like Kyo and Cider. He listens to them both before saying, "I think that we'd be safe to split up this instance. Kyo is right. We can find our way back to one another, and there's no way we can all go to help. Akira should go since I know she has experience with medical stuff, so someone else could take Kurogane to where ever this lot is headed a head of her. Cider should go on to their village to rest herself and her leg." He looks at the others just a moment before deciding, "And I can help her out at least so she isn't alone." He looks to those not mentioned. "Come help us or go on with the caravan. I don't care except the two of us will not have canons and guns and men to help us, so well be on our own as humans traveling among giant wolves and who knows what else." Of course, Akira agrees to go. She passes Kurogane to whoever decides to go with Cider to the village since she has great trust in her comrade to protect her son.
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Post by OokamiShinjo on Dec 23, 2014 2:27:46 GMT
Ichigo stands firm on his two feet for his girlfriend's sake, letting her hold onto his arm as need be. However, as her shirt has become transparent, he blushes. He may not be a virgin any more, and he may like sex as much as any other guy in a healthy relationship with his significant other, but that doesn't mean he's immune to his face heating up at the sight of a translucent shirt. He coughs lightly, "I'll survive," he assures her, "Though it's annoying that we're still human. His body aches a little from the landing, but it's nothing he hasn't handled before he gained heiro. "Here," he tells her, taking off his dirty but still usable Shinigami clothing that's color I've forgotten so I'll say it's black. "Your shirt is kind of...You know," he's not immune to being shy either, apparently. However, by the time the canon fire begins, he wraps an arm around Cider and holds her close to him in a form of protection, even though against a canon ball his body is as useful as a piece of paper is against a bullet. Also, even though they're not actually aiming for them. He watches as the short battle goes on, the she wolf taking out many a man before the woman shoots her down, sending her over the ledge of the cliff. He purses his lips. That wolf had two tails. That's not just some random mutation that happens, that's normally a sign of having powers beyond that of a human's. So why is he still so mortal? At Cider's question, he sighs, he wants to do both. In fact, if need be he can carry Cider and a wounded man at once, and tough it out as he always has. But wouldn't that endanger Cider and the injured man? It's a tough choice for a guy like him, who has something of a minor hero complex.
Grimmjow in the mean time releases Kurogane the moment Akira is in front of him, letting the worried mother smother her son with love. However, upon seeing a warm smile being sent his way, the tough guy turns his gaze away whilst shoving his hands in his pockets and fighting- only half succeeding- to hold back a blush that settles on his cheeks. Don't smile at me like that...I can't hold myself back forever you know, he mutters to himself mentally. Still, his body reacts on its own as it has been recently and sends her the smallest of half-smirk half-smiles. "No problem," he tells her honestly. However, he's taken by surprise as Kurogane goes ahead to properly state his favorite male's name after a few tries. Being human at the moment, he has an organ called a heart in his chest. This organ flutters with an oddly warm but unknown emotion towards the boy. "That's right, brat," he tells the green eyed angelic demon, "I'm Grimmjow". However, as the battle between human and over grown she wolf happens, bringing Akira closer to him, he reaches out and takes a hold of her waist out of just natural reaction. He brings her closer so that not only may he shield both the boy and his mother, but also so that Akira may help him shield the child as well. Upon hearing Kouga's statement and suggestions, he takes no time to think about it. "Kurosaki and I can go and try to travel with the caravan," he announces, releasing- albeit reluctantly- Akira once the danger is gone, "And take Akira, Brat, and Cider with us. You guys should go and try to see if those guys lived". He doesn't really care if those men have decided to die or not, himself. However he knows that Ichigo wants to help, and as you'll see Erza obviously wants to help as well. "Those men are from the caravan. If they've got a place to return to, they'll lead those of us that go to them to where the caravan will end up". All in all, he has the same basic thoughts as Kyo. However, upon hearing Kouga, he sighs, "Never mind then...You actually have a point". He takes Kurogane from Akira with a small tug and holds him with a single arm, firmly against his hard chest. "I'll take Kurogane to the caravan," he tells Akira firmly, gaze showing her that he'll protect him with his life if need be. "So I'll be going with Cider and Kouga".
The choice of what they should do easily comes to Erza's mind. As a wizard of Fairy Tail, and one of the best in the Guild, she's inclined to help those that had been hurt. However, the she wolf wouldn't have attacked if there wasn't some sort of earlier dispute, or if the caravan was trespassing on her territory, let alone possibly endangering any near by pups she may have. Not that she hears any pups crying, but it's a possibility. The caravan was obviously prepared to fight when the she wolf came along; they were organized like an army- and with that many canons, they might as well have been. "Let's go help those men that fell," and maybe they can learn about the she wolf that fell with them. Upon hearing Grimmjow's suggestion, she nods, "That actually sounds like a good idea". It'd be less dangerous for Kurogane and Cider to go to the caravan and try to travel with them, then to go to the men and try to help them when they themselves are basically helpless. It surprises her that Ichigo separates himself from his lover, entrusting her to Kouga. "I'll go help the men," She sticks close to Kyo for a moment before making the first move if you will, grabbing his wrist and pulling him along onto a path that she believes will gradually lead them down to the men. Though, as she pulls the man for as long as it takes him to start walking on his own, she blushes whilst ahead of him. Why is skin contact making her heart flutter?
Yurei gladly returns the hug to Kouga, completely understanding his silent statement that shows that he's happy they're out of that world and for the most part- in Cider's case- unharmed. However, she stands as her lover explains that they are not the target, but the large odd she wolf is. Her brows furrow. Why would they attack a wolf? Let alone a wolf with twin tails? Is she a demon? She has to admit that the nicely dressed woman is more badass than she first seemed, aiming and firing without so much as flinching, and her attack managing to knock the wolf off the cliff. The sad side of that is the fact that men are either dead, dying, or injured badly. She is silent for a good portion of the debate before making her choice of which direction she should go. "I'll go with Grimmjow, Cider and Kouga," she announces. Grimmjow nor Kouga are good with people, and Cider can't cover for anything wrong they do all by herself. Not only that, but she has some medical knowledge herself, and she can keep an eye on Cider's ankle while she's still human.
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Post by LochNess on Dec 23, 2014 3:56:57 GMT
A bright blush paints Cider's fair cheeks as she realizes just how well people could see through her clothes. To think they were about to send her down into the midst of men like that. She wraps up in Ichigo's top so it's like a wrap dress on her. "Thank you," she says to her lover once she's wrapped up. Cider is aware of tails meaning powers as well. She's seen it a time or two in her home world. She observes, "If we were late in losing our powers in the last world, perhaps that means we will get them back late in this world." She says this aloud to no one in particular. Before long, they're dividing up again. She's reluctant to leave Ichigo's side, but she agrees. Though, she kisses Ichigo firmly on the lips before being turned over to Kouga to become his dead weight for a while. "Hurry back!" She calls to him before they go seperate ways. Oh, and she's more than grateful to not be the only people person going to convince these paranoid men to let them follow.
Kouga holds onto Yurei until he willingly takes Cider to carry her since her injury will slow them down otherwise. He is glad to have Yurei go with him. He's not worried about being unable to smooth talk these people, though he will find it near impossible with his social skills. He just wants there to be more abled bodies to protect her while they lack powers. Once it's agreed, he says, "Right. Hurry up back to where ever these people are going. We will wait there for you." He waves off the one half before walking up to the armed, terrified caravan. "Hey!!!" He cries as he is right at the ledge that leads to an eight foot drop to the path the oxen are on.
The woman, who was just starting to move on with the march turns back at the call. Cold, dark eyes land on four individuals who appear where the wolf came from. There's one carrying an seemingly injured girl, one carrying a baby not even a year old, and another girl. Beside her, the guard cries out, "Who are you? Are you spies from one of the other feudal lords?" He gives no time to answer since he aims the fun straight at the blue-haired one with the baby first. He would have fired if the woman hadn't immediately stepped in. "Lower your gun," she tells him. He grumbles, but obliges. She's obviously in charge. With a strangely British accent, she calmly repeats the guard's question. "Who are you? What do you want?"
Akira meanwhile notices the blush on the typically tough man before her. She says nothing, but she does giggle at him as her smile is half returned. She would have changed the subject, but it was changed for her as she was forced into Grimmjow's warm chest to avoid being ran over. She cranes her neck to watch while keeping close and keeping Kurogane sandwiched in between them. The baby curls up, happy to embrace their warmth as though if were bed time and they were his little nest. Still, warm breathe grazes his chest as she exhales. Despite the action, she can't feel oddly safe as she stood there with Grimmjow keeping her protected. She kind of misses him when he releases her, though she doesn't realize it. As she's assigned to help track down the men, she is somewhat surprised to see her son scooped up by Grimmjow. She still sees him as being kind of annoyed by him, but she doesn't protest. Once Kurogane is secure in his arm, she gives the baby a kiss on his head. "Do what Grimmjow tells you, ok?" She then looks to the hollow and says, "Thank you, again. I really do owe you." She shoots one last smile before heading off with Erza, Kyo, Erza, and Ichigo.
Kyo nods once they're all seperated into two groups. "Now, while we are seperated, make sure to find information about this world and that wolf's attack. The Witch didn't just dump us here to watch this spectacle." He looks to the group with the young and injured. "Well see ya in no time." He waves before being dragged off by Erza. He doesn't understand why she has his hand, but he doesn't fight it. Infact, little does he notice how firmly he holds onto her hand as well, keeping her with in arms reach easily. They lead the descend behind the caravan into narrow valley below that is cut throug the middle by a wide, shallow river. Here, bodies remained scattered. Most show no signs of life, unfortunately. It takes five minute before he spots one in the river that moves his chest to breathe. "There's a survivor there!" He darts over fallen tries and wet rocks to get to where he was lodged. He takes Erza with him, thinking she will help to patch him up and he will carry it. There are four survivors total of the ten or so that fell. However, the last two are discovered by some one else first.
In the distance, he sees bodies of fallen men. The young outcast leads his red elk cautiously towards the river to observe it himself. Down the river, four strangers appear, possibly seeing what happened. They're scanning the bodies to find survivors. Well, he decides that he can't just not help either as one near him gasps suddenly. He drags the man onto the bank so he can be safely examined, but he stops from going after the last body as something catches his interest. He peers over a bush to see something, a large, two-tailed, she wolf. She seemed injured with a bloody shoulder, but the boy was wise enough not to recklessly approach. However, what does surprise him is a human girl arriving on the back of another wolf, it's likely the pup of the injured one. She runs to the wolf and starts trying to treat the wound the best way she can. Perhaps... Perhaps they can help to lead him to the forest spirit he's heard of. The girl suddenly turns to notice him staring, and he finds his courage. "Wolf spirit!" He calls. "I am Prince Ashitaka! I've traveled a long way to meet the forest spirit. Can you tell me where I may find him?" His only response after a tense moment is a "Get lost," from the girl before she takes off with her wolf buddies.
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Post by OokamiShinjo on Dec 23, 2014 4:51:13 GMT
Ichigo glows a bit brighter as Cider blushes herself, but still hands over his top as mentioned, leaving his bare skin to take the force of the rain, not that he really cares so long as his lover is covered up. He catches her words about their powers returning to them in a delayed fashion as they had left them; it would be nice if that were true. "I hope you're right," he sighs out almost under his breath. Seriously, he misses not having a heart beat. After lacking one for so long and now having one, it's weird to feel every time he loses his skills. It disturbs him a bit. Still, he gladly returns the kiss given to him, wrapping an arm around her to feel her against him for the last time for who knows how long- obviously not long, but still. He finds no need to give a 'protect her' gaze to Kouga as he takes her on and becomes her support rather than Ichigo himself. He trusts the man with his own life, so he can trust him with Cider's as well. He follows Kyo and Erza down to the river that they end up at once they're done going down hill, and purses his lips. About ten fell, but only four at the most seem to have survived. He lets out a long sigh as he crouches before one of the four people, the one that he just missed the young prince dragging to safety before he had tried talking to the Wolf spirit. "Good, you're alive," he mutters, and gathers up the wounded man onto his back. However, it is when he stands that he spots the boy in the woods, but by then the girl is gone. "Who are you?" He calls, cautious as he should be whilst powerless.
Erza all the while during their short travel is hyper aware of just the fact that Kyo is holding onto her hand tightly as they walk. It makes her frame warm and her heart flutter faster than it should. It's odd, as she doesn't exactly get why she's acting this way. However, she's not stupid and slowly it will dawn on her just what she's feeling. All the same, she doesn't mind being drug off to the body that Kyo finds, and ends up gently prodding his body in an attempt to figure out everything that's wrong with him. A broken leg and two fractured and possibly one broken rib. This guy got off pretty damn lucky for falling so far. However, upon further inspection, the back of his neck has blood on it; a gash is on the back of his head. She doesn't have nearly as much medical knowledge as Akira or Yurei do, but even so she does know how to reset bones and bind wounds temporarily, which with Kyo's help she does. However, her attention is caught by Ichigo talking. Her eyes travel to where he is, and she finds, if you will, a boy there standing in the woods. Where did he come from?
A rush of cold, yearning shivers floods over Grimmjow's frame as Akira's warm breath tickles his skin, even with the events of canon balls flying around willy nilly around them. It's weird that his mind would focus on her breath rather than what's going on, but that's what it does. Damn body. This time around, he actually returns her a full smile, something we all know is incredibly rare to see. He meant to give a half smile, but his lips insisted on a full one. "You don't owe me anything," he assures her as Kurogane is firmly in place. He nods off to the King of the group before heading off with Kouga, Cider and Yurei as well as the brat. However, it doesn't take them long to catch up with the caravan. The man that aims and readies to shoot at Grimmjow and Kurogane can find himself being glared at with deadly blue eyes, as Pantera has yet to return to his hip due to a lackage of powers. As a result, Kurogane is pressed to his larger frame, which is turned away slightly so that the bullet will more than likely hit him instead of the child. His actions aren't needed, however, as the woman in charge demands that the soldier stand down. He readies to open his mouth to speak, however Yurei beats him to the chase swiftly, as though knowing that he was gonna throw in a curse word here and there.
Yurei in the mean time heads off with her lover, the infant, the 'King's' lover, and the blue haired loud mouth. Travel is short and swift despite having someone injured and a little boy being carried along with them. Being a former archaeologist, as you may or may not recall, she's rather decent at reading people. The man that aims at Grimmjow is not afraid to shoot an unarmed man nor an innocent infant, but he wouldn't be doing it out of cold blood, or even hot blood. Instead he'd be doing it in an attempt to protect his home. The woman, Yurei can tell, is a conditioned leader, calm and cool even in battle as Yurei had seen first hand. This much reminds the currently former bone mistress of any of the women of their group. "Good day," she greets the woman, calm and standing in front of Grimmjow's taller form for a moment before stepping ahead of Kouga and Cider as well for the time being. "My name is Yurei, and as you can see these are my friends. We have an injured woman and an infant, and thus need shelter as soon as possible. We are also unarmed and rather lost. Though we are strangers, we're of no harm to you; you out number us ten to one and taking you on would be foolish. All we ask is that we may travel with you up to the next town and learn of these lands". She pauses, "Are you willing to help us?" To her ears, it sounds a bit too formal, but she can't get a read on what the woman is like, so it's better safe than sorry.
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Post by LochNess on Dec 23, 2014 16:12:36 GMT
Akira's body isn't really cooperating either. The moment Grimmjow releases that full smile towards her, her eyes widen a smidge in wonder, and her cheeks turn a light shade of pink. He... He's smiling. And it looks so nice. Seconds later, she shakes her head, effectively shaking off the effect his smile had on her. She just looks at the ground and mutters, "Thanks all the same." She turns to dart down the mountain with her fellow able bodied comrades down the cliff. Kurogane isn't happy to see her go. "Mommyyyy," he calls as he wriggles with what little strength his baby body can muster. He settles down once she's long gone and they're faced with a fun though. Akira is finishing working on this one man's extensive injuries when Ichigo calls out to a young lad who had been helping one of the fallen men.
Kyo does his best to help Erza. He makes the best splint he can with his limited knowledge for the man's broken leg. The gash on his neck that Erza finds is given pressure with some clothe off one of a fallen carriage that came with the men. The clothe is wrapped securely around his head when Ichigo cries out to some one. He looks up to see the boy.
Ashitaka tenses up as he's called to from behind. He keeps the straw hood and mask over his face as he turns, only his eyes are seen. He sees a topless orange haired man, a dark haired man over another live soul, a blonde working on a fourth man's injuries, and a redhead by the dark haired man. They all appear human despite their exotic appearance. He remembers where they came from, and he answers Ichigo with, "I'm Ashitaka. Did you see what happened to these men?"
Kyo answers, "they were marching along with several others when a giant white wolf with two tails attacked. They were knocked over while the wolf was charging." He says, "Do you know where they were going? These guys have all been unconscious."
The young exiled prince says, "This survivor told me they were headed to a place called Iron town. It's a little ways east of here." He sets a man on the back of his red elk before scooping a third onto his back. "I'm sorry to ask, but could you help me carry them there?" Even he can't haul 4 men.
Kyo nods as the man he and Erza had been helping is picked up by himself. "We were planning on helping them anyways." He looks up. "Climbing back onto the road will be a bitch," he mutters.
"There's no need to climb that cliff. We can just cut east through the forest hear." He looks towards the dense vegetation nearby. The one injured man comes to life as he whimpers out, "AHHHH! You're going to try and go through that forest? That's where the Gods live! No human survives that forest!" He is ignored as Ashitaka says, "It'll be the fastest way to their home. If you want to help, then let's be off." He makes sure the other survivors are scooped up before marching off with his temporary comrades.
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Cider makes sure to be wrapped up in Ichigo's coat. He's human, so she worries about him catching a cold while in the rain topless like he is. Still, she looks ahead as the caravan stares in distrust. Well, all of them do except for the woman.
The woman, Lady Eboshi stares at the group, her face blank. No one sees what she is thinking until a small, however warm smile plays on her lips. "I can't ignore two young women in need," she says, ignoring the loud protest of her guard, Gonza. "Our home is just up ahead. If you'll come with us, we will look at the young lady's leg and get them all fed." She turns back around. So they can continue the march with out further delay.
Cider is surprised how easily she was swayed, so she remains alert and cautious as they near what looks more like a fort then a home town. Wooden fences fifteen feet high look over her and Kouga as they get nearer. Kurogane took a dislike to the woman, and as such, has huddled closer to Grimmjow. His little hands grasp tightly at his shirt as if to help tuck him away further into hiding.
Kouga has been carrying Cider Bridal style just so they aren't slowed by her limping along. He stares warily at the tall wooden wall they come upon. Large doors swing up once they're close, and countless giggling women cheer out, "Welcome back, Lady Eboshi!" They cheer for her, ignoring Gonza as he brazenly talks about protecting Eboshi when he did nothing. He says to his comrades, "There's something different here. It almost reminds me of that world where the women were stronger than men..." They aren't beefy gals. They just have a sense of confidence and are willing to make snide remarks towards the men after all their work. They're not proper or perfect in manners at all. At least they appear happy.
"Someone come here to take this young girl to the doctor," she asks very politely to her roudy ladies. It's then that they notice two strapping young strangers as well as two women and a baby. Two women saunter up to Kouga and says, "This way!" He looks to Yurei, "Stay here. Don't let Grimmjow get us all killed." Any replies of reactions from Grimmjow is met with a mean, teasing grin. That's right. Kouga has jokes. XD
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Post by OokamiShinjo on Dec 26, 2014 18:15:50 GMT
Ichigo looks the young man who announces himself to be Ashitaka. He is of tan skin and brown hair and eyes, his clothing blue and simple. He couldn't be older than his teens, to Ichigo's golden eyes, but that doesn't really matter, does it? The important part is that the boy knows where these men live, and that he can take them there. "Let's get going then," he agrees and picks up whomever is left to be carried, placing him onto his back and following the young man. Upon hearing about the Gods being in this forest, he grows curious. Gods? As in all knowing, all powerful beings? Could they perhaps know why they're here, and what the hell they're supposed to do so that they can leave? The man he carries is out cold, so he can't ask about the Gods. Instead, he asks Ashitaka, "Gods? Do they not like humans or something?" He nods his head in agreement with Erza's question.
Erza in the mean time, once the man is all bandaged up, she makes her rounds to see if anyone else is alive. By simple glace, there is no one that is. However, just to make sure that no one is left for dead, she checks pulses and for heart beats swiftly before following along. If Akira doesn't pick up the man she's been taking care of, then Erza will grab hold of him and carry him. Other than that, she walks at Kyo's side, keeping a close eye on his charge as the man is obviously badly banged up and could easily die from infection in this world it seems. With Akira still being human, they have to be even more careful than they normally would be. She listens to Ashitaka as he insists that the forest is the fastest way to the men's home, which she prefers to the safer way. Ichigo has a good question, but she likes hers better. "Was that wolf a God, then?" It wasn't a normal she wolf after all.
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In the mean time, as Kurogane is unsettled by Akira's leaving, he hushes the child with a simple 'shh' before going on his way with the others. He doesn't like the woman's, Eboshi's, smile. It is too quick to come to her, in his eyes, and the fact that she aims to only really help Yurei and Cider doesn't really sit with him right. It bothers him. Kurogane seems to feel the same way as he tucks himself closer to Grimmjow's person, prompting him to hold him tighter against his frame. Still, he follows Eboshi and the men to their home which is oddly walled off from the world around it. He watches as the women greet Eboshi but pay not much attention to Gonza despite his insistence that he protected Eboshi. At the mention of the burly woman, Grimmjow grimaces. He wasn't there, but the Witch had shown him what the group has gone through in the past. And while it was hilarious what Ichigo had to be put through, the women were gross. He grunts out a, "Hey!" at Kouga as he tosses a joke into the air that makes Yurei giggle, and then scoffs with narrowed blue eyes. "I can keep myself out of trouble thanks".
Yurei in the mean time smiles in turn, secretly trying to read Eboshi to see if she has any ulterior motives or anything of the sort. However, the woman is good at keeping herself and any secrets she may have composed and to herself. It doesn't bother Yurei much, however, which is good. She looks around with a curious gaze as they make it to Eboshi's large abode, surrounded by wooden walls fifteen feet high and containing women that also remind her of another world they had been to in the beginning of their journey. It sets her a bit on edge, due to the memories of that place, but for the time being she won't jump to conclusions. She giggles at Kouga's joke as mentioned and playfully salutes him, "Yes sir!" Once gone, Yurei turns to Eboshi, assuming she's still with them- if not she'll talk to whatever person is near by-, and questions, "I'm afraid we're not too familiar with the culture or even the nature around here. However, we spotted you fighting a rather large wolf with two tails. It may be rude to ask but, why?"
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Post by LochNess on Dec 26, 2014 18:53:03 GMT
Ashitaka leads the way into the forest with a man on his back and one on the elk. He listens to their questions. They seem rather confused, even more so than him, a boy who was raised far away in a very remote village that was as peaceful as they come during these hard times. "If it was the one I saw just earlier, yes. She is a god." As for why the gods are attacking them, the man on the elk chimes in. "They've always had it out for us! We slave over making a living for our village, and they always try to ruin it!" Of course, there's reason behind it, but a dimwit like this guy wouldn't know. Ashitaka looks to the man curiously. A moment lapses before he turns to the front again. It's then that he spots something. Two little marshmellow type spirits. They're no bigger than a doll, and their faves are around with black holes. "Ahh! They'll kill us!" The man on the elk cries. What little color his has drains away from his face at the sight of them, but Ashitaka rains calm. "Relax. These tree spirits are friendly." He looks to the spirits, and with a smile, he says, "please, would you grant me passage through your forest, little ones?" The tree spirits agree to it by getting up and running ahead, looking back to see if the group follows. He arrived at a pond that's vast and shallow. Green grass and moss paint everywhere except the water and tree trunks. Even the sky is covered by a thick green canopy. "Let's take a quick break." He goes to the side of the pond after setting down his passenger. A red bowl is dipped into the water, but he pauses to take it back out. Looking forward, he catches sight of something. A large, strange animal. It has the antlers of an old bull elk, the body of an elk too. It's face was human-like, and it's feet were like a hawk's. It walks over the water, and when it glances at Ashitaka, he grunts. His arm pulses spasms as if acting on it's own. For the first time, Ashitaka looks panicked and in pain himself. He resorts to sticking the arm in water to cool it off, which succeeds on temporarily subdoing the spasms.
Akira watches as the others ask. The boy seems rather clueless as to why the violence is happening, and the guy on the elk... He just seems too biased and fearful. She doesn't know of any god that'd attack with out reason. She couldn't imagine it. They're not necessarily good or peaceful, but she assumed gods generally left others alone so long they aren't threatened. So, what are they doing to cause the gods react this way? She observes in further silence as the tree spirits appear. This boy seems as foreign to these lands as herself. He doesn't show fear or hate, but that's all she saw on the people in the caravan passing by when they arrived. Comes in last in their little march as they're led through a dense forest. It's beautiful, and it looks pretty untouched by men. She thinks it is, too, considering the man on the elk was so fearful of the forest and it's inhabitants. Eventually, they come a cross a large, shallow pond. She gets a drink for herself, so she's given a view similar to Ashitaka. She doesn't get to notice his reaction, though, as suddenly, she feels entranced by the deer. She's drawn into his presence, and only when he passes does she shake it off and look to Ashitaka with a tense face and his arm submerged.
Kyo listens, and he sighs. These people seem rather useless. Ashitaka appears as much a foreigner as they do, and the one conscious man speaks out of fear and a bit of ignorance. "They didn't attack with out provocation." Oh well. Let's just hurry so we can get back to the others. He thinks this to himself before walking on with the man Erza bandaged on his back. He observes the happy little tree spirits, and he's busyooking everywhere but the deer when he appears. He does notice Ashitaka, though, and he frowns. His arm seems... Cursed. He feels it best not to ask about it now, though. It'll only scare the man on the red elk. He resolves to ask later, or let his companions ask if they think they should ask now.
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Since Kouga and Cider are off, I'll leave em be. Well... Except for Kouga teasing Grimmjow further he just laughs as Grimmjow asserts he can keep out of trouble. "I bet you also think you can sprout wings and fly like a bird." He disappears before Grimmjow can retaliate.
Eboshi looks to Yurei. "She and her pups were working to attack us, so we defended ourselves. She and the other gods here don't like humans, least of all those from Iron Town. We took down a forest to scrape out our living, and they retaliate now when ever they can." She waves to a few more who greet her, also those ignoring Gonza. It's not like he really fights anyways, so it's not like he doesn't not deserve being ignored when holding a title such as captain. She looks to new comers, and she says, "Would you like something to eat? We don't have too much variety, but we did just bring in some rice if you need something to eat." She plays says this to play off the topic of this little war she's started.
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Post by OokamiShinjo on Dec 26, 2014 19:38:08 GMT
Ichigo listens incredibly close to Ashitaka's words, as well as the man's. Like the others, he realizes that Ashitaka is fairly clueless as well when it comes to the lands of this area. Which honestly is interesting. He seems far from his home compared to the injured they're all carrying. He blinks though as Erza's little girly reaction was unexpected. Especially since the little tree spirits really aren't that cute. But then again, he is a man so of course there's not a lot of cute things out there for him. Never the less, he's more open about disbelieving the injured man on the elk. He agrees with Kyo, "Nothing attacks unless provoked. Especially not a God". Not even a Hollow, as they're just provoked by their hunger rather than someone more than half the time. He looks around curiously as they are led to a spring to take a break for the time being. This place is beyond beautiful. His eyes latch onto the figure that makes its way across the water. It is odd looking, and at the same time Ichigo has no doubt that the creature has knowledge passed any of their years. Is that a god? Or perhaps it's just a spirit? What's the difference between the two in this world? His thoughts are broken as Ashitaka grunts and takes on a panicked look. He sets down his silent cargo, ignoring the fact that the man has left blood on his bare torso, and places a hand on the boy's shoulder. Gold eyes look the boy over, "Are you okay, Ashitaka?" What's wrong with his arm?
Erza doesn't like the obvious bias towards the creatures known as Gods and Spirits that the man on the elk has. Back in Fairy Tail, there are no Gods or Spirits, just Mages and normal people- and formerly dragons as well. However, even she knows that a God or a Spirit isn't commonly evil. Besides, the little tree spirits that greet them are, "Adorable," she coos upon seeing their simple frames and small build. She feels the urge to pick one up and cuddle it, but she feels that would be rude for one. Two, she doesn't even get a chance to try as the spirits turn and lead the way through the forest to a beautiful spring where they take a break. She marvels at the sky most of all, wondering how it's green instead of blue as it is anywhere else. She does not take her gaze on the elk like creature, completely amazed by the sight. Despite its older look, she finds it to be a beautiful creature. Its tan and white fur is long especially on the neck and chest, and its frame moves gracefully for something with such an odd build. What is it? For now, she is silent, entranced by the creature.
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Grimmjow glares and growls a little after the joking Kouga. There's a muttered statement of, "At least I don't need wings to touch the sky". After all, he can walk on fucking air. However, the short and vauge explanation bothers him. Why would they choose a forest that they knew had Gods in it to live? Didn't they predict that those that inhabit the forest would work to protect what's theirs? These guys are invading the Gods' territory, why shouldn't they retaliate? He opens his mouth to speak and demand an answer to his self-kept questions, but a hand is placed on his shoulder, shutting him up. He looks to the owner with a raised brow and a questioning grunt. Why doesn't Yurei want him questioning Eboshi? It won't do any harm if they're not in the wrong. Still, he answers for them when it comes to eating, "Food sounds good. I'll eat whatever you've got. So will this kid, right Kurogane?" He addresses the snuggled infant with a little jostle.
Yurei in the mean time have similar questions and a similar thought pattern as Grimmjow does. As far as she knows, the humans started this war. Is there no flat land to live off of? Surely this is not a world filled with just forest. If it was, would the Gods not be kind enough to share portions of the forest for humans to survive? Or better yet, wouldn't the humans have more respect for the forest if that's all there is to live in? However, not knowing the world well, as well as being defenseless, they're not in a good position to potentially start a fight where they can't protect themselves. She places a hand on Grimmjow's shoulder to keep him quiet, knowing that he plans on brazenly asking questions. However, in this situation a little tact is required, "They attack you though you've done nothing to truly harm them. I've not seen much of this land, but surely they have enough land to spare for just a small town of humans. Being Gods, it shouldn't be a problem for them". As Grimmjow agrees to food for the three of them, she nods her agreement. She could go for some food.
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Post by LochNess on Dec 26, 2014 20:36:24 GMT
Ashitaka is calmed down by the time Ichigo had a hand placed on his shoulder. Though, he's still reserved enough to say, "Don't touch me," when Ichigo touched him. He shrugs him off quickly, and he avoids being touched further. What happens next, though, makes him tense up.
Akira is glad she isn't the only one thinking they aren't being told all the story. Still, by the time the creature passes, she starts to notice something. Eyes widen as suddenly, she's hyper aware of the light around her once more. Discreetly, she calls to her hand a ball of energy and light. It shines like a start, and she smirks. That thing... After we looked at it. It gave them their powers back. "Ichigo," she says, as she walks past him and to Ashitaka. With her powers back, she picks up on the severity on a curse on his arm due to it's inherent lack of light and evil, hateful nature. She envelopes her hand in light to avoid touching as she pulls back his sleeve to reveal a long scar running around and up his arm. "How did you get this?" She looks warily to Ashitaka. It honestly... It feels like Kyo's cursed scar, but it feels like it could spread as well.
Ashitaka's eyes widen. She's human! And yet, she bends light to her will as if she were a god herself. He shudders as her hands touch his accursed arm. It felt nice, but... He shakes his head. "A god turned demon by hatred attacked my village. He touched my arm, and now it is cursed." He ignores the shocked looks on the man on the elk as he sees Akira command light.
Kyo looks as Ashitaka explains his secret after the pressure he received from Akira to explain more than he was comfortable with. He sighs, but he is happy to feel sensitive to the warmth of the sun once more. They were vulnerable with out their powers in a forest of spiteful gods, but now he's comfortable. He nods to Ashitaka. "That actually helps us a lot more than you think." He smiles a charismatic smile, and then he looks to the others. "We have our abilities returned to us." He looks to Ichigo. "Can you sense Cider?" He looks to Akira, "Is it possible to heal all these people? They're injuries are critical and now as have a doctor." Akira agrees and promptly goes about to the injured people starting with the one on the elk. "Now then," he looks to the others. "Let's hurry to get these men home."
Ashitaka and the gang collect the men still unconscious and goes into the thick forest once more, lead by Ichigo and Cider'a connection as well as the forest spirits. Even with their power, they'd easily get lost in a place like this.
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Lady Eboshi calmly plays off the obvious questioning looks she receives. "Good. Follow me, strangers." She turns around and starts to lead the way to eat. About half way, though, they're stopped by the injured girl who is no longer so injured. It's strange. She specifically remembers the swollen redness and all. She at least bad a fracture in her ankle. Suddenly, it's healthy and taking her weight as she runs up to Grimmjow and Yurei.
Cider and Kouga are indeed darting towards them. She slides to a stop and she says, "Hey! Did you two notice?" Her voice is low to avoid ears that aren't theirs or Eboshi's. "I can feel Miraikou again, and Ichigo!" She grins at Kurogane in particular. She pokes and tickles him to play. He squirms and giggles as she expertly makes tickling sensations race over his body. "He writhes and giggles as she plays, but once she stops, he's like a limp noodle in Grimmjow's arm.
Eboshi smiles at the two. "I'm amazed you two can care for a child on such a harsh road as this." She smiles, but it falls as suddenly Cider looks so flabbergasted and denies the baby and man as hers.
"No-no!" She cries with an uneasy smile. Kurogane isn't mine, and I'm not with Grimmjow."
"I'm sorry, I just assumed."
"Well, he sure at least seems happy with his daddy at least." She smiles at Grimmjow, and before he can give a protest about him not being Grimmjow's baby, Kurogane seems to confirm her guess as he cuddles up and says, "Daddy!" It sure is easier for him to say than Grimmjow.
Kouga came darting up as well, and he lets Cider give the news of having their abilities back. He smiles politely at their host as he says, "Sorry, it seems that our injured passenger got her ankle back to normal on her own." He watches the exchange. It's funny when Grimmjow and Cider are assumed a couple by the lady. It's even funnier when Kurogane is still lumped in as Grimmy's son, and he starts copying Eboshi in calling Grimmjow "daddy." Infact, it's so funny by then that he's barely stifling his laughter. He says to her, "Yea. He absolutely adores his father."
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Post by OokamiShinjo on Dec 26, 2014 21:09:51 GMT
Ichigo blinks in surprise as Ashitaka shrugs him off rather roughly for such a small man compared to Ichigo himself. However, it was smart for the boy to shrug him off as suddenly Zangetsu in his usual white Tensa Zangetsu form is once more on his hip, while at the same time his heart stops beating, and as though someone just punched a hole through it, a gaping hole appears in his chest. His Hollow hole is back as well. The feeling of once more having heiro is another relieving factor that assures him that he no longer is immortal. The air around him ripples as for a moment a portion of his reiatsu leaks from him but is immediately under control once more. He watches as Akira looks over the arm, but his attention is turned away from the scar and given a question. "I can feel her," he informs Kyo. Mentally, he searches for Ogichi. However, his inner Hollow is the first one to speak. 'Man, I've been waiting forever to be able to get unlocked again! Damn it what was takin ya so long, King?' Ogichi huffs before sighing, and rolling his shoulders. 'Freedom feels damn good'. Ichigo in turn smiles to himself, 'Good to have you back,' he tells his bleached out counterpart. He's very much missed power rolls within him like a storm. He'll be hyper aware of his power for a little while, after not having it for much too long. Once ready to go, he stretches and walks at the head of the line, using his connection to Cider and the little tree spirits as a guide. He can't help but grin to himself. His power is completely back. He can feel the four locks on his power in place, as well as the strength behind those locks. In the distance, he can also feel Grimmjow's reiatsu, as well as Cider's own even without their connection. They're really not too far apart from the other half of their group of friends.
Erza in the mean time furrows her brows as Ashitaka shrugs Ichigo off, but her curiosity is put to ease as Akira takes the initiative and bends light to her will in order to examine the boy's arm. Wait....If she can bend light, and Ichigo obviously has a gaping hole in his chest where his heart once was then....She smiles confidently to herself before calling upon her own power. Up until now, she's been stuck in her usual white blouse and skirt get up, both of which got dirty over her time with now powers. Swiftly she re-equips into a clean version of this outfit and into her usual Kruz Heart armor. As Akira sets to healing, she looks to the clueless Ashitaka and smiles a bit wider. "You look lost, Ashitaka. Are you confused?" Of course he is. After all, surely he thought that they were naught but normal humans. Like Ichigo, she revels in the feeling of her power back under her skin and at her finger tips. She felt odd all this time not having her powers, just as she's sure everyone else has. She doesn't really spend time to ponder on the Prince's scar, already understanding the apparent effect it has on him.
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Yurei nods once, "Thank you, Lady Eboshi," she replies to the woman and follows her first before Grimmjow. However, as Cider and Kouga rush up, the former perfectly fine, her eyes widen. Before she can ask, Cider lowly points out something that Yurei only feels now. Her bones are much lighter, and tougher feeling than they did. Being that her ability is not as abundant in power as the others', she has to search a bit more but she soon finds that it's all there. She is tempted to draw a bone from the palm of her hand to see if she's not imagining things. However, why would she be if there's now a Hollow hole in Grimmjow's gut? She beams to Kouga and takes to his side, much more relaxed now that her skills are back. She giggles happily as Grimmjow makes to insist that Kurogane isn't his boy, but Kurogane doesn't let him even get a word out until the damage is done. "He's got your stubbornness at the very least, Grimmjow," she teases light heartedly, ignoring the angry snap sent her way.
Grimmjow is probably the first out of my guys to feel his power come back to him in full. As soon as he does, his attitude is turned from grumpy and weary back to confident and calm. Like with Ichigo, the air around him ripples a bit as his reiatsu dances slightly out of control for a moment before falling back into its place. He grins as he eyes Pantera that has returned to his hip, and after a small searching, he feels the fullest of his power under his skin. Also like Ichigo, feeling his heiro being back is a relief, as not having it is similar to the feeling of how it feels when you take off something you've been wearing for a long time and then suddenly take off for however long. Still, as far as he's concerned, there's no longer anyone around here that can take him other than Cider. And why would she do that? They did have their rematch after all. He doesn't even blush when it's thought that Cider is the mother of Kurogane and he the father. If anything, he mentally panics a little because even though he feels Ichigo's reiatsu to not be near, the man can once again kill him with ease if he wants to. He can just see the damn carrot top throttling him for innocently being put together with Cider against his will. "I'm not this brat's-!" But Kurogane cuts him off with 'daddy!' as mentioned. "O-oi! I ain't your dad, ya damn brat!" He holds the boy at arm's length to glare at him fully, "You know that," not really, actually. "He growls at the demonic angel infant and then scoffs to Eboshi in hopes of clearing his name, "I'm just a damn baby sitter. His mom is elsewhere".
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Post by LochNess on Dec 27, 2014 4:14:29 GMT
The group march on, and eventually come to a vast lake, on the other side of wich lies Iron town. "We made it!" The man on the elk cheers. "There's our home! There's Iron Town!" He cheers happily as they move on. Ashitaka doesn't hesitant to lead the way wading through the lake. Once on the other side, men and women alike are around eagerly laughing and looking at the strangers who have four men they thought to be dead.
Akira decides to keep with Ashitaka's pace. He knows the way best, and she doesn't feel like hauling extra bodies along with the cursed prince and his elk just to make it faster. She walks along, just eager to see her baby again so soon. She leaps easily over thick roots and branches, bending what she must out of the way of Ashitaka and the elk. Eventually, they leave the thick, green forest to find a vast lake. On the other side of it, at the foot of a tall mountain resides a village with tall wooden walls. She wades through the lake, not minding the water. She listens to the distant shouts of the villagers, calling for the others to see the men they thought were dead coming out a forest they considered impossible to make it through. By the time they're on the other side, they're surrounded. She looks desperately for Grimmjow who had Kurogane. Assuming he appears, she makes a bee line to him. "Kurogane!" She cheers, collecting her son with an affection kiss on his head. She beams up with every fiber of her being excited from being reunited with her son and as much of her powers she possesses after they are graced with them once more. Kurogane eagerly meets his mother as well, the only person he's as eager have around as "Daddy" Grimmjow. Speaking of which, he giggles as he's held out and Grimmjow's rejecting the title. Well, he tries to. "Daddy!" He insists, supporting Yurei's calling him stubborn. Akira looks to Gonza and Eboshi as they appear to welcome them into the walls. She whispers under her breathe, "Have you found anything out about this world?" She looks to him curiously as well as Cider, Yurei, and Kouga as they're led on once more to get food and talk with Eboshi.
Kyo continues to haul the one guy on his back. He could be a dragon and carry then all, but knowing how they reacted to oversized wolves, he thought better of it. He's fine walking along. At least they won't tire due to their lack of inhuman stamina. He arrives at the other side of the lake to observe the others. He looks as Eboshi greets them. He waits for them to be welcomed before approaching the others with a grin. "See? We made it back before the sun even set." He rolls his eyes at Cider's reaction, and he nods to Eboshi. Food sounds about good now. Even if it's plain old rice. He decides to wait until they're alone with Eboshi to ask any real questions he has since his time with Ashitaka only raised more questions.
Cider giggles as Grimmjow denies being Kurogane's dad. "Maybe not biologically, but he acts like a miniature you: stubborn and tough." She adds in her mind, unless it's around Akira. "He's taken to you too. Hell, you act almost like his biological father. Of course you'd be his daddy now." She smirks. About that time, men and women are seen running towards the outskirts of the town. Curious, she reaches out to notice just how close Ichigo and the others are. She beams. "They're here!" She bolts with her regained shunpo speed to be the first one at the water' sedge. She doesn't wait to greet them like Kyo does either. She pounces on Ichigo once his unconscious passenger is taken by villagers. In their mind, she cries out, 'It's about damn time!' Even Ogichi is greeted similarly. Of course it's less passions and more pure excitement at being able to greet him again. She tackles him and hugs him as tight as possible, knowing the hollow will survive a hug even if it's very literally bone crushing for the average human. She lets go before Eboshi starts talking, and when they're led away to food, she looks to the others. "So, what was it like on the way here?" She knows little of what the forest is like or that there are as many spirits and gods in it as there are in the entirety of her home world.
Kouga laughs at Grimmjow. He nods at Cider's and Yurei's observations. "Suck it up. You may not of made him, but he's taken to you better than any of us. You're as much a daddy as he has. You'll get along fine." He waves him off with an evil, teasing grin. He doesn't need the shouts of people to know his friends are near. He smelled them as the wind blew over the walls, but he waited for the humans to notice before strolling along with Yurei to meet their friends. He nods to the other half of the party. "'Bout time, you slow fools," he teased. He's just in a teasing mood it seems. As Eboshi insists they are rewarded with food and a place to sleep, he nods. Might as well not turn down free food and boarding.
Eboshi appears after my group as well as the mob. They've already collected the men they recovered, and are in awe at how they are all so healed up. Eboshi notes this as well. Considering how far they fell, it's impossible they're all unharmed. Moments pass before something clicks in her mind. She smiles to the extra strangers. "It seems we are meeting all kinds of new faces today, and you brought these four back to us all healed. Please, let me thank you by letting you in. We have food and places to sleep to out for all of you." She beckons to Ashitaka and the last of our group to lead them away to eat. She will talk to them, and see if any of them will help her with her task.
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Post by OokamiShinjo on Dec 27, 2014 4:51:01 GMT
It's hard to keep from Sonidoing his way out of the forest and to the town they're headed to with each step they take. However, he barely manages to contain his excitement until one of the men announce that they've made it through the forest and to their home town. Cider is so close, he can practically taste her reiatsu. That's all he's been thinking about this whole time. Now with her so close, he doesn't bother with staying in sight of those behind him as a single bound of Sonido takes him over the water and in front of Cider where he wraps his arms around her tightly They hadn't been apart for long at all, however she was hurt and approaching unknown people without any sort of weapon. 'Sorry we took so long,' Ichigo replies to her mentally. Ogichi in the mean time throws a sarcastic smile Cider's way and bows to her playfully, 'Long time no see, my Lady,' and lets her pull him into what would normally crush a human frame without any pain received. Hell, so happy to be back in business, he lightly wraps his arms around her smaller frame in a less tight hug, but one all the same. In the mean time, he ignores the humans as some take the man that he had on his back from him, and turns his attention to the rest of his friends there. If he had been human still, he'd be ready to scarf down food, but being back to normal makes him once more indifferent towards food. He'll eat it, he's just not estatic about it is all. Still, he nods and follows Eboshi. Why turn down free stuff? Besides, she just might be their guide. However, to answer Cider's question, Ichigo smiles, "It was pretty normal until we hit a place that was apparently home to some sort of spirit that had an elk body, humanish face and talons for feet rather than hooves. You would have loved the spring; it was beautiful".
Grimmjow glares at the infant, but if one were to look closely, they'd notice that there is no malice in his gaze. Though there is no 'fatherly love' in his eyes, there is a small fondness in there. "I ain't your dad," he growls at the brat, fully embarrassed by this nonsense. He's a big bad Hollow, why the hell would he be a damn father? Still, as soon as he feels Kurosaki's reiatsu, his head whips towards the gate of the town and he's on Cider's tail as she Shunpos the hell out of there, using his own Sonido. Gladly he hands over Kurogane to his relieved mother, pleased to see the two reunited for reasons he wouldn't say to anyone other than the woman he's currently holding himself back from smiling at to show that he's pleased to find her safe. Instead of a smile, she's graced with a small smirk as she comes to his side while Eboshi offers them shelter and food. "Haven't figured out a single thing concerning just what the hell we're supposed to do," he tells her lowly. "Apparently Gods hate Humans, and Humans hate Gods. The Eboshi lady started a war I'm guessing".
Yurei can't help but to find Cider's and Grimmjow's rush to get to either Ichigo or Akira. By now, the young Bone Mistress has been able to realize that the brutish blueberry may feel something more than what he probably thinks is lust towards Akira. A man who just lusts wouldn't go so far as to bond with a single mother's child, and even protect him without being asked. On top of that, he would rather laugh at being the child's father, rather than freak out. That's how Yurei sees it at least. All the same, she takes her time with Kouga and chuckles lightly at him and his urge to tease the others that have just arrived. Still, while the little reunion goes on, she smiles to Eboshi and motions to lead the way. "It's in our best interest to take up your offer. Please lead the way," she tells the woman before following after her. However, Yurei just barely catches the whispered information Grimmjow gives to Akira, and her eyes narrow. That's right, this woman probably was the one to instigate the war. It'd be best if Yurei kept her eye on the woman, even if she does turn out to be their guide as she seems to be the most calm about such sudden new comers.
"It would have taken longer if we hadn't gotten what we lost back at the spring," she speaks up in reaction to Kyo's casual statement. She finds Cider's reaction cute, though her heart thumps oddly and she finds herself glancing at Kyo for no apparent reason. Upon catching herself doing so, she rapidly looks away wondering just why that happened. Erza in the mean time is silent for the most part, sticking with Kyo and helping the man on his back get down so that he doesn't re-injure himself- not that he really could with Akira's patch job while still in the forest. Once alone however, Erza too keeps an eye on Eboshi, but not as close as Yurei. She doesn't like the way the woman carries herself is all.
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Post by LochNess on Dec 28, 2014 5:02:13 GMT
Eboshi leads them a good ways to side of the village. A tall building isolated by fencing appears. Here, they are lead to traditional medieval japanese room with a low table and plates of food ready for all of them, even Kurogane. "Here we are," she announces. "Eat your fill. We can talk afterwards." Indeed, after she's done with her bowl of rice and such some time later, she starts. "You are obviously not all human." She looks to our squad. "Where are you from? What are your names?" She waits for someone to tell her, which Kyo does, before continuing. "I'm sure you strangers are aware by now. We humans are at odds with gods of the forest. Life is hard for humans. We struck iron here on this smaller hill the town is on. We've become strong and successful, but the iron under us has dried up. We want the iron under the mountain beside us, but the gods of the forest do everything in their power to ruin our attempts." She pauses a moment to sip some tea. "I have a plan to scatter these spirits and gods, and I will be willing to pay you all handsomly for lending a hand." She looks to Cider. "Take the head of the great forest spirit. With it, the supernatural beasts will become nothing more than giant wolves, hogs and other animals. We can access the iron more safely."
Of course, Cide genuinely tries to crush the life out of Ogichi too with the force of her hug. She seperated only a moment. Of course she holds onto Ichigo, embracing him with all her might. Of course, this hug holds more passion than Ogichi's. She ignores the women all gawking and laughing and giving playful jabs as she greets her boyfriend with out restraint before the crowd. The only time she lets go is to go eat, and then she has her hand in his. At the mention of a spring, she's easily intrigued. "Let's visit later then, if we have the time." They can just shunpo and sonido there and back, so she's not worried about the trip. Unlike Ichigo, she has an appetite now that her powers are back. She downs the rice and what not with a great deal of speed. She tries to savor it, but she's starving and fairly plain rice doesn't hold much interest to her tongue. She looks to Eboshi once she starts talking. Kill a great forest spirit? To Ichigo's mind, she asks, 'Could the think you saw be the forest spirit she speaks of?' This woman... She doesn't seem like any sort of guide. It's been a while, but she figures it isn't impossible to not have a guide seeing as it's happened before. Still, killing the spirit who seems rather peaceful seems like something the witch would ask of them.
Grimmjow is met with a big grin from Kurogane after being told again he was no father. "Daddy!" He insists stubbornly. Still, once in Akira's arms; he is relieved of the embarrassment of being called a father. After all, Kurogane now has his real mother to curl up with. Akira frowns at Grimmjow. "That's no help at all," she mutters. She could tell that the moment that wolf dropped on the caravan. Still, she sits down and feeds Kurogane first. The appetite on him seems to have grown. The little... Let's say 8 month old child downs an entire bowl of food before he can be considered full enough to refuse any more food. Akira worries aloud, "I'm eventually not gonna be able to feed ya till you're full." Kurogane hardly cares about that now, though. Once Grimmjow is done, he receives the child, due to the child's own choice. Akira takes it as a chance to eat her own food, during which Eboshi starts talking. She eats slowly as she watches Eboshi. Kill a forest spirit? Maybe it's the one she saw at the spring. She wears a frown after a while. This doesn't sound right. Why kill the spirit of such a beautiful forest for a little iron? "I'm sorry, I don't see why we should slaughter the life force of a forest so you humans can live on and continue to ravage the land."
Kouga meanwhile watches as the missing half of their team comes onto shore. He notes the light teasing the girls make when Cider so eagerly meets her boyfriend. It's kind of funny. Despite this hard life, they seem to be in high spirits. Unlike all my other characters, he isn't so completely against this village. Their destructive behavior makes him cringe, but their lives seem no less important than the forest's. Well, he thinks this until Eboshi's offer to kill the forest spirit for lots of money. What a shallow offer! He's been enjoying his rice, happy to fill his stomach for free. He looks to her tensely. This can't be what the Witch wants! Killing a peaceful spirit seems like it'll only cause more chaos though it will solve their problem temporarily, mainly Yurei since she's been interacting with the lady for them all. He looks to his companions. How do they turn her down? Or do they agree? Fortunately, they are spared learning the results of their answer, what ever it is.
Kyo meanwhile doesn't even seem to notice Erza's staring. Well, that is until the last second. He happens to notice her brown eyes resting on him, and thinking nothing of it, he glances at her and shoots her a teasing grin. He thinks nothing about the meaning behind her glances, just that she happened to be staring. He glances back to their host, and he gladly accepts food. Unlike their hollows, his body requires nourishment. He walks beside Erza, not at all as tense as her or Yurei about Eboshi. She does seem sneaky, but he knows if she tries to turn on them all, she'd stand no chance anyways. He eats calmly after a sniff to ensure their food wasn't drugged. He ears slowly, even eating as Eboshi explains her offer. The lady is sharp, he will give her that. They didn't display much of their power, but she realizes the potential help they could be against gods. He asks Eboshi, "So, how are we exactly going to give you access to the forest, ma'am?" When they're told, he raises a brow. That sounds... Like a very bad idea. It'll do more damage than good, even he can see it. He lets others answer, but before Eboshi can really react....
The sound of a large bell rings through the air repeatedly. It seems to be of minor consequence until heavy foot falls start running around along with, "It's the wolf girl!" From passing men. Eboshi remains composed, but very aware of the new threat. She gets to her feet. "I'm sorry we need to stop short on our chat. The wolves have made a move and are attacking us. I must make sure they are all safe." She strolls out of the room, leaving our people to discuss freely what they need to do.
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Post by OokamiShinjo on Dec 28, 2014 19:09:27 GMT
Ichigo cares not for the small jeers the women send his and Cider's way, not really caring for them due to them being strangers. Ogichi in the mean time lets Cider try as hard as she might to crush him, not that it really works. All the same, he sits next to his lover, hand around her only free one and plate empty, food placed onto Cider's own. He's given up on eating despite not needing to just to be polite. All the same, as dinner is eaten, he recalls the obviously rough but seemingly happy life that the humans of this world lead. They all seem happy. However, upon hearing Eboshi's proposition, his eyes narrow while his free hand clenches tightly into a fist. They want to destroy someone's home just so that they can have iron? Being from a modern world, he can understand the need for iron, and just why homes of animals are destroyed for man kind's own benefits. However, while he's never given it much thought- having grown up in a society that had done basically irreversible damage on nature itself- he doesn't like the thought of it as it is. Mentally he replies to his lover, 'It would only be our luck that I and the others did run into the Great Forest Spirit'. As such, when Eboshi is gone to take care of 'the wolf girl', after Yurei he is the first to state his mind. "We should help the gods take this place out," he states simply. "I'm guessing we don't have a guide this time around, so our path isn't really predetermined. Even if Eboshi's will were our path, I wouldn't do it," he shakes his head.
Yurei is silent for the most part, taking in the new sights of the traditional hut and table. This must be either Eboshi's own home or a place for meetings of sorts. The rice is plain and boring to her, her taste buds complaining that it tastes more like cardboard than anything and crying out for flavor. However, she doesn't bother to try and listen to them, knowing not if there's anything to add flavor to the food. Instead she basically doesn't bother to chew as not doing so won't hurt her because rice is so small. She listens carefully to Eboshi and the explanation given to her and her friends. Yurei figures that it would probably be best if she were to think their options with an unbiased view for a moment. She can understand perfectly well why Eboshi wants to expand her land and resources. They've already run dry of iron here for one. Two, the town's population won't get any smaller unless the Gods wipe them out or an epidemic hits them. Both are likely but slightly extreme cases. Gathering iron from a fresh vein would also help with trade with any other towns that may or not be near by, which would also allow their kind to flourish. However, the Gods have been in the forest for what Yurei expects to be thousands of years. Perhaps only hundreds, but that's not the point here. The point is that the Gods perhaps have no where else to go. Surely that while if the great Forest Spirit was killed and the Gods driven away for Iron Town to expand, those victims would be forced to invade other territories. That wouldn't solve any problems. Yurei is the first of my lot to speak once Eboshi is gone, "What they're doing is wrong," she states lowly, not at all pleased by what Eboshi is asking them to do, "No ifs, ands or buts. Not only that, but even though none of us are from here, she treats us like we're mercenaries. What would we do with her money when we're not staying here any longer than we have to? I say we help the Gods instead". Out of the corner of where she's staying, she sees Ichigo nod his head as to agree with her.
Grimmjow glares at Kurogane, fully and by far embarrassed about the child's behavior. Where does the kid get off, calling him 'daddy'? Stupid kid. None the less, he doesn't eat either, not even bothering to touch his food and opting for sitting back in a relaxed and careless fashion. That is, until Akira decides that it'd be a good idea for the brat to be passed over to him. He grunts under his breath as his arms take the boy as though he had been doing it all eight months of Kurogane's life. It bothers Grimmjow, that he'd act in such a way. However, he doesn't like the idea of suddenly stopping either. It would upset Akira, wouldn't it, if he were to just suddenly start acting like he used to when he first joined the group? To be honest, not that he'd actually say it out loud, but he'd never go back to being as he was. He actually likes the fact that he's not alone any more. With pride bubbling in his belly, he grunts his displeasure at Eboshi's request. He is last to announce his thoughts, but his feelings are put out to be rather strong. "Like hell I'm gonna take someone else's territory," he's had so many try to do that to him when he was an Adjuchas back in the day, it's not even funny. It pissed him off to no extent. "They claimed it, it's theirs. Humans are weak creatures; they have no right to try and steal what's not theirs". And that's that. He'd sooner kill Eboshi than help her. Blue eyes glare at the door the woman went through. That doesn't sound like too bad of an idea actually. But he doesn't move to do so. Not yet at least.
As said, Erza does as mentioned, pondering and even lightly blushing after finding herself staring at Kyo. Maybe...It's because....Why? She shakes her head, not fully able to connect the dots. Two questions sit in her head that make it very hard for her to figure out her odd recent actions. Since when did Kyo have such nice broad shoulders? And the other, since when did she start noticing all the good things about this man? Dinner is calmly eaten by her, but she's done by the time Eboshi speaks. The proposition reminds Erza of the many requests her Guild gets on a daily basis, offering various sums of money for various things, each differing in difficulty. That makes her and the rest of her Guild like mercenaries...Does it not? Granted, they don't ever kill, nor would they ever, but a mercenary can be one without killing; there are not just murder missions out there. Thus, when she hears the offer of a large amount of money to them, her attention is grabbed. They couldn't use the money, but on the off chance that they can it would be nice for them to have something to spend on a hotel or food that they don't have to hunt for. It'd be nice to be able to not rely on their guides for shelter and food all the time, too. However, her hopes are dashed as the full explanation is given. There goes her thought on agreeing. She sighs, "Her idea is horrible," she agrees with the others at last once Eboshi is gone; she's the last of my folks to speak up. "I find it hard to believe that that portion of land is the only one with iron. Why not look for a different resource? Or simply move to a new place instead of starting a war?"
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Post by LochNess on Dec 28, 2014 21:09:43 GMT
Cider gladly downs the food from Ichigo's plate as well as her own. It's a wonder she does, considering she barely had an appetite at all before. It's good she ate so fast too. When Eboshi asked they kill the gods, her appetite would have vanished. She watches until Eboshi is gone and listens to the others. "Even the Witch never gave us tasks like this... But... Should we really just kill off the village?" She looks around. They're destructive, but their lives are of worth too." Though if pressured, she would gladly stand by the gods. She says, "If we really are going to help the gods, we need to get their trust." Well, they don't have to, but it would be recommended. Cider sighs as she leans against Ichigo. "I wonder what strength they possess, the things they call gods? Are they at Cider's own level? Are they stronger? Weaker? Eventually, she gets to her feet. "Well, it sounds like they're under attack. Should we go see if we can join the gods?"
Kouga, once Yurei is done as well as himself, pulls his girlfriend into his lap to be comfy. He thinks nothing of it, really. He just likes her being close like this. Once Eboshi leaves, he notices the general consensus of the group. They all look down on the humans as being in the wrong. He can't really disagree, but... "The humans are not going to so easily move when they fought so hard to make a living here. I have no doubt they will stubbornly stay where they have already built their walls until it gets to the point that moving will save their lives." He frowns. "I disagree about destroying the forest for their iron. They can find other means of trade." He looks to the others. "Well, we can't help the gods by sitting here." He agrees with Cider as he gets up. They have an intruder. I suspect we can gain their attention at least if the intruder is one of them."
Poor Grimmjow. XD At least Kurogane isn't calling him daddy. No, his tummy is full, and Grimmjow's lap is comfy. He lays out in the lap, sprawled along with his head on Grimmy's thigh. Akira remains impassive about it, but she wants to laugh at the picture. It's cute. She will have to find a way to repay his babysitting. She ponders it until they're asked to kill the forest spirit. Then, she has a firm grown on her face. Once the lady was gone, she shakes her head. "We can't help them destroy the land. It's beautiful." As Cider and Kouga insist they go out to intervene, he nods. "Things will go much smoother once we befriend the gods." She gets up and carefully collects her son from Grimmjow. It won't be pleasant approaching wolf gods with her vulnerable son, but she remains confident in defending him if they turn on her. She darts out of the building. By now, the sun is almost gone, men and women are racing to the center of the village with primitive, but very potent guns and spears. Akira jumps up into the roof to get a look. Towards the center, they are centered around Eboshi, who gleans her own gun. There's no sign of an outsider until she sees it off in the distance. A girl no older than 14 appears on a roof far off, behind Eboshi. She bears a gas mask and a thick fur cape. She stares down as Eboshi antagonizes her. A moment passes before she pulls a dainty little dagger. She thinks to herself, a dagger against a gun? This will be quick. The girl charges down the roof to attack the woman. Little does she notice other guns aimed at her from nameless villagers.
Kyo nods in agreement with Kouga. "Moving or making peace would be ideal, but humans aren't easy. They will cling to what they're used to, even to death sometimes." He sighs. "They're not inherently bad. Not the villagers at least. We shouldn't crush them all merely for being human. But we can't allow them to take the forest either." He looks down. "The Eboshi lady is the real enemy. She possesses dangerous ideas." He gets up as well to go out and see if they can join the gods. He doesn't bother hiding his dragon nature any longer. Let them fear him. He flies up into the air onto a taller building to gain a view of most of the village and observe. His eyes widen as the wolf girl charges with out any real rhyme or reason, right into the aim of the human's guns. She smells human, so surely she'll be killed of nothing is done!
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