Toshi Mora Location: Inshanome (Small Island off Japan) Description: The Island is populated by the old families of Japan, people that adhere to the ancient tradition and ways of their fore-fathers. Twenty-first century culture mixes with ancient culture as the people seem to be a blast from the past. The young woman glided down the corridor, her sandals striking the marble floor making nary a sound. She wore a simple white robe tied with a blue sash, her arms folded across her chest, hands burrowed in the large sleeves. Her paced was non-rush but the darting of her eyes - side to side- betrayed the need of urgency. Rice paper walls lined either side of her, only to be interrupted occasionally with a handle to mark a room. Towards the end of the corridor, which intersects in a T, a shadow had passed by her vision. Halting her movement the woman waited for events to unfold that she knew would come to pass, events that will change the course of her future. There, the shadow darts back into her line of sight and approaches - light spilling out of the wall scones chase away the darkness producing a man of authority, his left hand resting on the pommel of his sword which hung at his side. He wore dark fitting clothing and a symbol marking his station is pinned on the right side of his chest, the mark of the Okinawash Constable. As the man got within thirty paces the tell-tale swoosh sound could be heard as two doors, adjacent from each other, slide open, spewing out guards similarly attire as the first man. Drawing to his full height for imitation, eyes fixed out his target - but the woman can spot a hint of fear - the man utters " Toshi Mora….. I here by place you under arrest. Your cooperation in this matter will assist your defense". After hearing the statement and detecting the slight quiver in his voice, and rightfully so, Toshi answered with a small, menacing smile - quickly followed by a low, short whistle. Before the Constable could utter a warning to his men a tearing sound could be heard, followed by a grunt of pain. The officer's head whipped to the side, as he began to draw his blade, to find the source of the attack. What he witness is the blade of a katana, which had struck from behind the paper wall, had puncture the side of one of his men just above the kidney, a good couple inches of the metal entered the body but was now sliding out. While the Constable gazed towards the surprise attack Toshi's right hand slid from the sleeve of the opposite arm, a dagger gleamed as the light first kissed the polished metal and with but a flick of the wrist sent the weapon straight for the man's chest. The aim was true and the dagger buried itself in flesh up to the hilt. The officer yanks his head around, angled to look down in surprise at the dagger protruding from his chest then the man crumples lifelessly to the floor. The two remaining guards hesitated, trying to determine which was the most threat, which proved costly. A form launched over Toshi, as if appearing to fly - arms stretched out, a shuriken in both hand - and while directly over the woman releases the weapons towards the two men. After the shurikens have been released the man completes the arc and hits the ground in a roll to spring back upon his feet, body in a defensive posture but the two guards already lay lifeless on the marble floor, a shuriken embedded in the right eye of each man. Scant seconds have passed when the Constable greeted Toshi to the fall of the four men but the woman realize that time is running out for her and others will be coming - the presence of the Constable alerted the fact she was now a hunted woman. In a soft, yet commanding voice Toshi speaks "Quickly we must join Akira before more interruptions occur". "Hai Toshi-san" reply the two ninja, upper body angling for a slight bow. The katana wielding ninja, just a hair under six feet with a more compact frame than his companion, darts down the corridor and takes a right at the intersection. Toshi follows behind, albeit a slower pace, with Akume - her most loyal and trusted servant. In the matter of moments their pace brought them to the glass door which exited out into the courtyard, through the doorway was clear, the portal obviously opened by her warrior - Jin. Without a word Akume stepped in-front of his daimyo, a wakizashi cuffed in his left hand ready for use and cautiously slides free of the hallway into the night air. After a few heartbeats a low bird call, robin, annouces all clear signal to Toshi and she casually moves forward, her sandals crush the soft grass as she moves towards the outer wall gates. A louder call, this time a sound of a crane, causes her to freeze but before Toshi could react a half dozen spotlights sprung to life, thir light momentarily blinding her. After blinking a few times Toshi could pick out the shapes of men, many men. Majority of the fellows were guards from the Constablry and they form a half circle, armed with katanas or AK-47s. At the apex stood Tenno Yoshimora, dressed in modern western attire - he enjoyed flaunting his wealth and believed his peers on the island to be backwater due to their misguided attempt at holding on to the past - he is one of the kakka, ruling members of Inshanome. "Toshi-yogisha…" Tenno addresses the woman, pausing to let her mull over the criminal title "You WILL release yourself to the Constable. Do not attempt to resist with your black arts as I have no qualm about killing you." The final words were accompaned by a grin. Toshi choose to ignore the over bearing rodent and searched for her genin, she immediately spots Akira who is on his knees with two burly guards on every side holding an arm, the ninja's head hung down in shame or unconciousness….she could not tell. Akume laid a few feet away, face first in the grass - a arrow embedded in his back; of Jin no sign of his presence could be found. Anger rising, Toshi glared at the overwieght Tenno - He will pay with his life - and faster than a blink of an eye raised her right arm, the beginning of a spell tingling throughout her being. With a few deft movements of her fingers pitch black energy, shadowstuff, flew towards the kakka and the few guards in the vacinity. One man seeing a weapon coming toward his lord moved to intercept the blast, his katana raised to deflect but the poor guard's attempt was in vain as the shadow struck the sword and parted around the blade to strike the man. As the screams of pain issued forth from the dying man Tenno calmly raised one hand and with a nod signaled the Constable next to him to retaliate. Raising a small crossbow a dart flies to strike Toshi in the side of the neck, the fast acting drug cause the woman to crumple to the ground causing her spell to end. Slowly shuffling to the prone form of the woman Tenno glares down in disgust "Little criminal Masato-denka will be very displease……yes your father will be most unhappy". With a gasp of breath Toshi came forward from unconsciousness, though her senses were still addled. After a few passing moments she was able to calm her breathing, the fog in her mind began to disapate and she slowly open her eyes - the drug that she was injected with is very potent, while she has employed the substance many times this was the first time she has been on the receiving end. The realization of not being in the island ancient dungeon greeted her with calm, the fact of lying on a soft object and the artistically painted ceiling also gave away the destination of her 'holding cell' - a waiting room for important guests that have fallen out of favor with the denka. The next thing she notice that her hands were bounded infront of her, a cloth bag covered appendages, Toshi guessed that was to keep her from casting spells - thy would have been better off breaking her fingers. Swinging her feet off the couch Toshi stands up and approaches the tapestry that covers the far wall, she gazed at the beautiful, color-rich pictations of an ancient battle - as she had many times as a child. Kanji, characters, told of the battle while life-like drawings of ashigure, foot soldiers engage against oni, while a masterfully, splendid domicle stood in the foreground - this very building the stories say. Her musings were interrupeted by the release of the bolt upon the door that traps her in the room. As she turns away from the tapestry the oak door swings inward, which hampers her view of any that would enter but she know who has come for her. Toshi gathers herself for the conflict that she knew would one day pass, seemingly that day is here. Footstep annouced the vistor as he enters the room, as he steps passed the door he turns his visage toward his daughter, disapproval clearly written upon his features and the flame of angry dancing in eyes. Masato Mora, the denka of Inshanome, cut an imposing figure. Standing at a height of six foot two, the daimyo towered over many of his clan, not to mention his daughter who did not show the hint of being intimated. Masato was simply clad in a blue silken shirt and a hakima, wide trousers, a katana hung off the obi, a belt of folded silk. The denka wore his long whit hair pulled back into a bun and sandles completed the ensemble. According to Toshi her father was dressed for battle, "Greetings father" she calmly said with a slight bow. "Daughter….you have been warmed once before. The arts you meddle in have been banned for centuries and I do not enjoy the stories I hear about your intentions once you master the magic" growls Masato. "My intentions father is to sieze control of Inshanome and eventually Japan". A sneer appeared on Masato's visage as her adsorbs what his daughter just related to him "Careful Toshi, just because you are my daughter does not mean I will see you hang for treason". The two members of the Mora clan broke into silence, each attemping to stare down the other - trying to witness any signs of weakness. To any outsider the outcome would seem assured but those of the clan, and any in employment, have dreaded this day; one tall, formable and commands authority, the other petite, almost fragile in appearance yet holds the undying worship of her ninja and has study the ancient dark magic…..shadow art. One will fall. Time passed as father and daughter continue to gaze at each other, neither showing sings of backing down, until the elder spoke. "Final warning Toshi, denouce the path you are traveling. For the way only will lead to your destruction, also I will not have the taint of a shugenja grip this clan". Fury welled up in Toshi's eyes "Taint.....I am bearing the salvation, no the return to predominance our clan once held. Fools like you and Tenno seek to cower our traditional ways to please the puppets on the mainland, who in turn brace the western beliefs…..this is the taint you speak of." She return in a soft, yet authoritative voice. The vemon laced in his daughter's voice appeared to 'deflate' the denka, his shoulders lowered and his right foot took a step back - while resting his left hand on the hilt of his katana. Before Masato could reply Toshi continued "My hand has been dealt much sooner than I required and sadly…." she raised her hands, which were tied and covered with a cloth bag - black substance immediately formed, disolving the cloth, and leapt towards the denka. The shadows surrounded Masato, fear shown in his eyes and taking another step back, concentrating around his neck - constricting, choking the air supply. "….you must die. A pity, for my plans were to have you rule by my side - for you are family but now you are just an obstacle to my destiny." As her father futiley clawed at the shadows surrounding his neck Toshi walked towards a desk which held a few ornate objects, among them a richly crafted tanto - dagger -, hilt encrusted with jewels. With her hands now free of its constraints she picked up the ceremonial weapon and glided back to her father - who's face was turning a shade of purple, mouth open, wordlessly shouting pleas of help. Standing infront of her father, the leader of the clan and ruler of Inshanome, Toshi shoved the tanto forward deep into Masato's chest, into his beating heart. Time seemed to froze as Masato's eyes stared deep into his daugther, as if to search for a reason but could find no remorse. Though the moment passed and the look of pain glossed over as body finally register death and slumps down to the Persian rug, a sucking noise could be heard as the tanto pulls free from the wound. Toshi gazed down upon the lifeless body of her father, while she experience no regret for her action, though this path was the last one she wanted to travel, a brief flare of sadness passed through her. The sensation passes in a moment, the time to leave the island has approached. A slight movement attracted her attention and Toshi's head snapped up to see Akira standing in the doorway. His hood was missing revealing a large blackish bruise on his right cheek, a thin line of dried blood once flowed from his scalp and he held his katana loosely. Upon noticing that his presence is now revealed to his daimyo, the ninja drops to his knees and bows his head forward until his brow touches the rug "I have failed you Toshi-sama, grant me the priviledge to commit seppuku". Gazing upon the tanto, which she then discard on the body of her father, Toshi replies "Rise my Akira, you have not failed or displease me, yet, for matters accelerated beyond our control." The ninja rises to his feet "The fault rested on me for I had no idea my father possess this much information about my studies". Quickly looking around "Do you have the where abouts of the others?" "Hai….Jin was the one that freed my from my captors. Miraculously Akume still clung to life and Jin secreted him away to someone he trust, who I know not, and he entitled me to find you" replied the young ninja. At just witnessing eighteen winters Akira is the youngest of the yojimbo - bodygaurds - having only served his daimyo for three years. "Very well, we must make haste and depart the island at this moment" Toshi looks about the room one last time, her gaze once again settling on the tapestry, I will miss this the most. "One last thing, I heard that Santo and Masuko have been captured and put to death", states Akira, referring to the last two members of the regime who happen to be away. Toshi took a second to digest his words than held out her hands, to the side and away from her body. Shadow energy poured from her downwards palms, striking the ground and spreads out to engulf the area arounds the shugenja - anyone peering her way would have a difficult time seeing Toshi unless they where a few feet away. "Very well, the time to leave is now. Make way to the harbor, find a boat we can take with no fuss." With a final glance at the body of her father Toshi exited the room heading towards the gate that leads towards her new destiny. Not a soul could been seen as she glided silently down the corridor, clearing the outer door into the garden she made a beeline towards the large gate and notice no sign of oposition. The large woodon gate was slightly ajar, marking the passage of Akira, so she pushed the door open, the shadow stuff continued to surround the area and her left hand poised to began a spell - though no form greeted her on the other side. Toshi spent the next five minutes swiftly making her way towards the harbor, having to adjust her course a couple times to enjoyed the people out and about - mostly members of the Constable. The young woman was soon rewarded by the gentle lapping of the ocean's water striking the shore, a gentle breeze could be felt rolling inward, causing her hair to flutter about her face but she did not miss the low Sparrow call coming from the outcrops of rocks lining the shore. With one last look over her shoulder to see if her flight has been followed Toshi made her way towards her yojimbo and the boat she knew he had waiting. Without a word the sorceress climbed into the small craft, a four-seater fibercraft luckly with a small motor, and Akira pushed the boat out a few feet before climbing in. He picked the oars up then row until believed to be far enough from the shore for sound to travel to any unwanted ears, then with a pull the motor sputtered to like and Akira guided the small craft in the direction of Japan. ----------------------------------------- Shafts of sunlight greeted the landscape as the dawn of the new day greeted the two fugitives as they made landfall on the shores of Japan close to the town of Sendai. There the two appropraited transportation, by way of non-descript four-wheel car, and made the trip down the coastline to Yokohama. Toshi had an apartment registred under an alias in the downtown district and was the destination that the two ended up at, early in the afternoon. The only person that new about the get-away spot Masato, since he was unable to relay the information they would be safe for the time being but Toshi thought is wise to leave first thing in the morning because she knew sooner or later the Constable would track her down - safe bet on the former. Before retiring to the bedroom Toshi booked a flight for two out of Kansai International in Tokyo. With Akira standing guard beyond the close door Toshi drifted off to a blissful slumber. ------------------------------------------------- The Boeing 747 glided into the runaway, smoke lifting from the ground as the huge tires strucked the surface and the plane taxied towards the terminal. Moments later finds the plane attached to the terminal by way of the boarding ramp. People began poaring forth into the terminal, heading towards the custom entrance. Toshi, dressed in a dark blue business suit, her long dark hair tied with a jewel crusted brooch and stylish eyewear perched on her nose, join the line. Akira, carrying a briefcase, was station behind his daimyo, he was decked out in a richly crafted navy blue Cashmere suit. Time pased and she eventually became next in-line, which Toshi handed her passport to the custome agent. The man took a few moments going over the pages to see if all the paperwork was legit, then closed the tiny book and haneded the passport back - while looking up and saying "Welcome to the United States Mrs. Sato and also to Paragon City." With a smile. Toshi, or "Mrs. Sato", offered a polite smile back and purred a "Thank you" while retrieving the passport. She then continued down the path, which was roped off to keep people from wandering, but spoke before getting to far "Come Akira". She moved though the terminal with out a care for her surroundings since Skira would spot and terminate any threat. After retrieving their luggage and being settled into the Towncar that was awaiting their arrival Toshi alerted her bodygaurd to the next stop in their journey, which will be the last until she is ready to return to Inshanome, "Akira, I wish you to obtain transportation to the Rogue Iles, a pacific island called Mercy and I want to leave tonight" - speaking in Nihongo, Japanese, incase the driver might be listening. "Hai Toshi-san" replies Akira. -------------------------------------------------- Early morning of the next day finds the two fugitives standing in their motel room in Darwin's Landing, a zone on the island of Mercy. While the accomendations was beneath her Akira was unable to appropriate better loggings since the whole island seems to wallowing in despair - despite the sectons controlled by the group called Arachnos. Over the next few days Toshi study her magic, wholly ready to begin the return to her home soon as possible. Akira meanwhile study the island they currently inhabited, traveling from shore to shore, assessing the dangers, and stumbling onto the occansional encounters that result in him fighting for his life. A week later found the daiymo and her bodyguard in a new situation. Journeying out one evening, because Toshi required a few supplies, the pair had to cross the ruin that are inhabited by members of a group called the Hellions. Shadows were hard to come by as small - and some quite large - fires dotted the area, so Akira did not notice the Damned until he was a few briefs steps away. As the ninja assumed a defensive posture four other gangmembers join their leader while the shifting of debris behind Toshi announced two more Hellions. Before Akira, or even the Damned, could act a thick piece of vine sprouted from the ground near the feet of the Hellion leader. The vine quickly climbed up the body of the startled man, coiling around his body until the tip ended wrapped around his mouth, cutting off a scream - one would think the man was being strangled by a large snake. As the Damned struggled, a flock of specks alighted over the area which the gangmembers stood and immediately the four Hellions turned toward each other, with weapons raised - be it knife, club or pistol - they attack each other. Akira asborded the chaotic scene in an instant, turn and removed a shuriken with his free hand, luanching the weapon at one of the rear guard. The aim was true as the shuriken took the unsuspecting Hellion in the neck, crumbling to the ground with a gurgle. Following the path of the flying shuriken Akira rushed forward and ran his katana though the belly of the remaining ganger as he was watching his buddy crash to the ground in a death throes. Throughout the whole spectacle Toshi watched with an amusement, the four Hellion literally beat theirselves to death. The Damned continued to struggled but the sound of bones creaking marked the end of his life and he fell toppeled onto the ground as the vines disapeared. A voice called out of the darkness and a body followed coming towards the two "I had the utmost confidence that you both could help the situation but …..ah could not help myself". The voice belong to a woman with shoulder length dark green hair, wearing a ray-ban type glasses, tinted blue, and a form fitting costume completed her attire - bare legs covered by some kind of mesh cloth - all dyed a dark green. "Allow me to introduce myself, name is Foliage and I would like to talk with you for a few moments….." The end.