What is truth? [OPEN - Hero?]

[Simon]

Slumbered dead ahead was the rats nest, or to be more literate, the rats den. Rats collected what they will before they scarpered off to fest on their rewards, but what they forgot to bring with them was their just desserts, which was coming for them *how thoughtful* or not.

Standing in the rain was a tall figure, adorned in a silver armor with gold trimmings, looking ahead at the building as the rain ricochet off the helm and shooting away as if it had suffered an electric shock from the surface, emboding that something bad was about to happen and how no one must touch or interfere, as the figure took one step closer, and then another, as the pellets of raindrops continued to fall.

A man adorn in black armor stood at the doorway before seeing the figure approach, "Hey! State your business!", but no words came out of the figure, "One more step and I'll be forced to -", he shifted his head towards the guards and tilted his head towards the figure as they all rushed the figure, who then drawn their sword and slashed low, seeing that it was less protected, before other men came, in which, the sword was thrusted into one, and then thrusted into the other, all on the same blade, before pushing onto the ground, and seeing the man's eyes.

It was then that a voice left the figure's mouth, "I believe there is party in there. A party of which I do not have an invite", the voice giving away that the figure hidden in the armour was indeed a woman, as she then glared up to the building, before drawing her other sword, "I have brought my own food, a tasty kebab", as the other sword touched the chest of the first man, before pushing the two bodies off so both swords were free again, "and have plenty more where that came from".

The man was not pleased with the circumstance at all, and immediately withdraw into the building, and immediately after hearing no music escape from the house, as the female laughed, "It seems I was too good for them", before sheathing her swords and turning her back. "Let that be a warning to you, on what happens when you mess with me!", she said to herself, getting revenge on what they had done to father and the blacksmith, with her rage out. She could of done alot more, but she did not.

[2 Nights Later]

The starry night sky was full of stars, and under such stars, were the countless lives who only suffered for so long, dealt with rubbish for so long, and lived for so long, but in the end, countless lives would die, but at the same time, they already had replacements with new babes being born.

Two nights before, two lives had fallen, but now as Sannu paced through town, she looked around her as men from the dark alleyways came out, aswell as those on the roofs. Immediately, her swords were drawn as a fierce face etched upon her visage, "I knew I shouldn't of let them go so easily", cursing her previous action. It seemed leaving them all free had allowed them to gather men to target her. Well, at least one of them had to be her fathers' killer, or responsible for burning down her home.

Despite being terribly outnumbered, she bursted out laughing, "Goodness me! Does it take all you sweaty men to take down lil ol' me", continually telling herself to tread carefully, seeing as the first hit would mean the attack would begin, and as for now, she didn't like the odds, but she'd get through, for her father, and of course for herself. Many lives might be lost each day, and many lives might be gained, but each life cannot replace those lives that were loved.

She then pulled a face, but with her smile intact, "Now before all you guys come near me....someone mind telling me, which of you killed my father?", glancing round while keeping an innocent face, before shrugging, "Call it...my last request before you all come to get a piece of me....".

She may look innocent right now, though she didn't the night before, and though she always felt ready for a fight and had her dual swords with her, her daggers were not much cop at such close distance, and then her two blades would have to defend against several pointy spear tips, which was not her idea of fun.

It was silent for a time before one man spoke on the roof, the same man who witnessed her kill two of his comrades two nights before, "How can we tell you who killed your father, if your father is not dead?", as her eyes glared at him, "He is dead, butchered!", she exclaimed but now it was the man's turn to laugh, "And who told you? Last I saw him he was alive and kicking, which is the least I can say for you right now....unless you join us?", his face turning serious as she huffed, "And why would I join the likes of you?! Your scum, dead-beats, and soon to be corpses when I finish, just like your pals, and you too!".

The man laughed again, "Not me, for I am out of here, but I'll be back. Your father has done pretty well for himself, raising such a fine daughter, hey Sannu. What a fine warrior he has made out of you, but it seems all that has gone to waste, and now we must eliminate our masters' work. Ah well", as he jumped off the roof and into a horse's saddle and rode off.

There was nothing she could do, except deal with the enemy infront of her. She couldn't believe what she had heard but she could hear no more of it. She wanted answers, and he had the answers, but she had to pass all these first, as she raised her dual swords higher and shook her head, "You chose the wrong day to mess with me!", or maybe it was the right day. Could it all be true.....

[Admin]

The recent battles between the Oda and the Fuma had left Musashi with a stern feeling in his gut. Oda Nobunaga's bodyguard, Mori Ranmaru, had seemed to be a bit to much for him. Likewise, Fuma Kotaro's student, the Fuma Apprentice, had proven to be more than a match for Ranmaru. This only left Musashi with a need, a need to train. For if he wanted to be the greatest swordsman in all of Japan he would need to continue on with his training. In his travels, it would lead him towards the province of Echigo.

Before him layed a few buildings with rain beating down hard upon them. A woman in stern clad armor was visible and it appeared that a few ill-tempered men had formed around her up on the rafters of said buildings. Though this woman may had been clad in armor and wielding two blades such as himself, what would that show of Miyamoto Musashi? To leave a woman in such a peril, it was not something Musashi could live with himself.

As he approached the woman from behind he would make himself apparent. He also did not want to be confused with the likes of those men on the rooftops. "You there, woman. Do you need some kind of assistance?" As his eyes were off of her now and concentrating on the men above. One katana, wielded in his right hand, was resting over his shoulder. While his left hand, wielding a no-dachi was held low to the ground.

[Simon]

She remained tense and poised as her hand held on tight to the hilt, until a voice was heard, "You there, woman. Do you need some kind of assistance?"

[/color]. It was the sound of aid, something she was not expecting, especially with the odds against her, and though she could take care of herself, and attack one way, and then the other, she still had the men on the roofs with her vulnerable.

Despite the man volunteering, Sannu couldn't help being stubborn. Afterall, this was her fight, but perhaps she could allow just this once, since she didn't know what she was fighting for. She originally attacked them for killing her father and then burning down her home, but if what the man was true, and her father was working with them, it meant he was alive, she had been lied to, and the only thing that was burnt down was the foundations.

"This is MY fight! Back off!", using her right hand, which held her right sword, to backup her words, but when she did so, her blade pointed towards the men on the rooftops. She wasn't one to accept help so easily. Infact, she didn't like the fact she was helped at all, since it meant that she failed, but she had to swallow her pride for now, but knew she couldn't say "yes" openly and put the man in danger either. She hadn't even saw the man that wished to help either, when he could simply be a passerby, but if the man was wise, then he could tell what she was asking with the movement of her blade.

If she charged to the right or left, she could use her sword and swing onto the roof to deal with those on the rooftops as it was easier to jump down rather than climb, but either way, she was at risk if any of them threw their blades, whether on the rooftop or the ground, The important part was that she got out of this, and if it meant accepting help then so be it, but she still wasn't pleased.

Immediately, her grip grew harder, before holding both her swords up, before thrusting them forwards, and then swung herself down low to let the enemy to her rear take out the enemy to the front, before she herself sliced her way upwards, before rushing to the side, stabbing her blade into the building, to give her a platform to swing upto one of the rooftops.

She had not yet saw the man, but at the moment, she was pretty occupied. There was also another reason she wasn't keen on getting help, which was the fact she'd be bringing others into her troubles, and she wouldn't want such a thing on others. She had to go it alone, and do it herself, and seeing as she lost everything, she wasn't keen on having others have the same consequence.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

(OOC: In previous post, mentioned that there were some who came out of the dark alleyways so there is a group around her, aswell as those perched on the rooftops - Thanks for joining =] )

[Admin]

Her statement was one of pride. Something Musashi would understand, but he knew that the woman would need his help. Before his very eyes the woman plunged forward and then down. Allowing the enemy to strike at themselves before she plunged herself up onto the rooftops. "Amazing..." Slipped his mouth before he too would also join in the fray.

With the woman's feats he drew to a conclusion that she could handle herself on the rooftops. While he himself jumped forward and slayed the few men that had just recently been behind her. The katana wielded in his right hand was cut through the first man with elegance and the no-dachi in his left hand cut the second man clear in two.

His next movements were to place himself into a defensive stance. The band of ill-mannered men had seemed to have more men coming out of the shadows and he did not want to get himself surrounded. His right hand holding the katana diagonally in front of him to defend from the men, while the left was held low.

[Simon]

Soon as she got to the rooftop, she immediately slashed her sword against one of them, and then another, until quickly taking a hold of one and turning him around just in time for a spear to enter him, thrown by one his colleagues, before kicking him onto the ground to fall on others, which was something she thought was a good idea, and repeated, only this time, forewarning the men below, "Catch this......Another one coming.....Watch out".

Each time she slashed and threw, she saw the men held their hands up to catch, so immediately after the last one, she jumped down, landing on one of the dead man's chests and then jumping onto another, to use them as stepping stones to reach the rooftop and the men that had tried to thrown their weapons at her but ultimately failed, and in one easy stroke, ultimately died.

She now had some lee-way now, and finally caught a glimpse of the man who wished to come to her aid, and saw he had not backed off when told too. Nor did he follow her blade for him to attack the rooftop, which if followed, would of avoided the weapons being thrown at her, but it had all worked out in the end...except the men who were now drawing round him.

She sighed, before jumping to the other rooftop, and then jumping off, with her swords infront of her to clear her path. After landing, she then proceeded towards the man helping her, kicking or pushing back anyone who interrupted her walk, before thrusting one of her swords into the stomach of one infront of the man, while her other defended, until saying loud enough for the man to hear but quick also due to the urgency, seeing that he had taken his front, rather than his rear, "Enemy at 10, hit 5", seeing a man charging towards him with a raised weapin and about to slash.

"There are not your enemies, they are mine, and as you can see, I'm quite a wanted woman, and now you've gone ahead and put yourself into it aswell. Why do you think I told you to back off", also putting up a defensive stance to have a chance to speak to the man who wished to play hero, seeing as she would now be covering his back from the last attack, and would be most logical way to stand defensively, or his back would be left wide open.

[Admin]

The woman came down from the rooftops with just as much grace as she scaled it. As well as she defended Musashi from the ill-minded men. They had positioned themselves back to back to defend one another with greater ease. Now Musashi only minded the enemies before him, his katana in his right hand slashing down a man from his shoulder blade to his stomach. The no-dachi in his left hand got stuck in a mans skull for a moment before Musashi kicked the mans chest to withdraw it. "A man such as myself could not leave anyone with so many enemies nearby."

[Simon]

What was right? What was wrong? Was truth really truth? or was the world full of lies? All that could be relied on was fact, and the fact was the man had now interrupted her affairs, and now could pay the price, which is why instead of charging forward, she had moved to his defence and let them come to her instead. Did he not realise the extremity of the situation before them. No, he would not. The fact that the man saw was that she as a woman was surrounded, and it was also a fact that women were women. Looks like even facts can be proven wrong, in which case, what exactly could be relied upon, except self.

"A man such as myself could not leave anyone with so many enemies nearby", the man responded, in which she merely shook her head and smiled, as she slashed a man infront, bringing the blade in her right hand down to the bottom left, while the blade in her left hand, slashed down to the bottom right, before both being brought back to her chest to begin again when another came.

She hated to admit it, but his presence had helped her fight, and not get attacked by all, all at once, but still, "You still should not of come. These may seem alot to you now, but this is a whole lot bigger than it looks, and I do not wish you to be involved, aswell as the fact that this is -", striking another, and another who decided to think two could beat one, "- my affair to deal with", before adding, "I would ask for your name, but that would have to wait, or they'll be after you next".

When the man before, told her about her father, she almost lost sense of direction, but the fight, and helping another had brought her back, and though she disliked having someone interrupt, the last thing she wanted was more people dragged in. They'd be enough people hurt by all that has happened.

[Admin]

Musashi chuckled, he cared not for why they were after her. Only that she was alone and despite her obvious warrior prowess he could not just abandon her. With his right hand another blow landed on the ill-tempered attackers. The left handed blade blocked an attack before he would speak. "I do not care why they are attacking you, just that I would not be myself if I left you here. Afterwards we can go our own ways and my name is Miyamoto Musashi. I will be the greatest swordsman Japan has ever known!" He bellowed out taunting their enemies.

[Simon]

"I do not care why they are attacking you, just that I would not be myself if I left you here. Afterwards we can go our own ways and my name is Miyamoto Musashi. I will be the greatest swordsman Japan has ever known!", bellowed the man who was defending her back. Even if he didn't care why they were attacking, she was more concerned of the extent of how much power this group attacking her had, and if the other man was right about her father being with them, it was said that the sins of the father transfer onto the offspring, meaning she had alot to atone for.

Not thinking about that, she concentrated on the enemy before her, feeling more courage with how strong and courageous Musashi felt, despite the fact that he had announced himself to this group, her grin appeared, "If you are to be the greatest swordsman in Japan, then I shall be the greatest swordswoman in Japan", raising her dual swords close to her.

Her head then lowered a little, before saying quietly so Musashi could hear, even if it took a mark upon her pride, but if what the other man was true, her pride was already lost, "Thank you Musashi", before looking up, her eyes sharpened, before the blades she had brought close to her were then pushed out, knocking those near her, before swiping low and then thrusting high.

With the tide in Sannu and Musashi's favour, the group then had a portion of them rush at them, before the rest retreated while they were fighting. The plan to get Sannu on their side had failed, and plan B also failed, seeing that she could not be defeated, then they would have to try again another time. At least, they would leave her with something to think about.

[Admin]

The attackers had retreated and left their fallen comrades to wither away. Such disrespect he thought before turning to Sannu. Lifting his right arm up and laying his blade across his shoulder. The other blade was lowered pointing towards the ground. "So, what now? I can take my leave if you like." Musashi remembered the woman's comments and had deduced that she didn't really want his help or attention. Though he did indeed help her after all.

[Simon]

Sannu continued to strike, until there was no more coming to her. She turned her head slightly to Musashi and saw he had no-one, nor did she see any in the alleys. Silence had befalled them except for the sound of their blades moving, as she heard Musashi in the background, "So, what now? I can take my leave if you like", though the only part she heard was the first part, the same thing she was thinking.

What now? The men after her had fleed, the man that knew more had vanished, her father's....position was unknown, and now she had no-one, and no longer could stand to defend her father, if the man spoke the truth and her father was one of them. Her mind continued to get jumbled up, and could hardly think straight. What now?

She didn't know what to do with herself. She could try tracing them, but then she'd just be making her life harder. What could she stand for now, except defending herself, and that's when she remember what Musashi had said before and her response, "If you are to be the greatest swordsman in Japan, then I shall be the greatest swordswoman in Japan". Thing was, she had to clear her head first.

Though she was stubborn and prideful, it seemed she had no pride left. What did she have? "No. Please stay", was her response. Afterall, he had helped her a great deal, not only with the fight, but also lifting her own spirit which would of broken down. Before she learnt how to use her weapons and make weapons, she was her daddy's girl, and her whole ordeal before the events of today occurred, was all to avenge her father, but now all of it seemed pointless. Now, she wondered if they would be back, if she would be ready, seeing as she may not have Musashi's help next time, and hoping that they would not target Musashi either. What a reward for showing goodness of heart....

"Please forgive me for my outbursts and rudeness", tilting her head to the side, "I have always been taught, that I am in control of my own destiny, that the things I do may have consequences, that I have to face my troubles alone and not burden others", though it sure was ironic that the teachings were also turned upside down, just like the reality she had known, since right now, she had burdened her troubles with his.

Turning around to face him, she then replied, "Nevertheless", as a thin smile made an appearance, "I thank you for your aid. It was mighty fine fighting beside you. My name's Sannu", seeing as women usually were addressed by a single name rather than their house name, though with everything that had happened, she didn't wish to be associated with her father at all if what the man said was true.

The name she usually left people was "Striker", just to add an element of mystery to her, though the man must of spoken the truth, since she knew her real name, the name she gave only to those she had respect for, and she sure had respect for Musashi. "How may I repay you?", she asked. Even if she had no pride, if she was going after her newfound goal, a warrior had pride, and if he had helped her, then it was her wish to also pay such debt.

[Admin]

Musashi lowered his head slightly, in a respective bow motion. He did not have any real needs or wants besides his goal, to become Japans Greatest Swordsman. He had proven himself to the Oda, but that was not enough. All of Japan would know his skill one day. Musashi paused before speaking, he did not have a real answer for Sannu. "You do not need to repay me in anyway that I'm sure you have already thought of. In fact, I have a better solution. Let us accompany one another and aid each other in our goals." A slight smirk came across Musashi's face. He remembered the woman stating that she too wanted to be the Greatest Swordsman in Japan.

[Simon]

Much had changed in such a small space of time, but that was what life did. Some people had it easy, whereas others had it hard. For Sannu, it was once a peaceful life, and then tragedy befalled her and she was lost, kept together with her determination to avenge what was taken from on, only to have all that shatter to dust when told that she was merely raised to be a war machine to slaughter those she was sent to without question.

Now she was beside a man who shown great promise and great skill, and she could not deny that. Even if those guys return to attack either one of them, whether together or alone, she was sure both could counter them just as well. Though the question now, was what her purpose was now. Before, she was filled with pride, keeping to herself, and now since she lost it, she was getting too soft, yet it didn't affect her skills in fighting. If she wasn't so torn and back to herself, she would of told Musashi to leave her be, despite men surrounding her, and even after it was done, she would of said he could leave her now, but instead, she had changed.

She couldn't say she had many friends, since she kept her distance. Probably it was the thought of being alone and not having a purpose anymore, was making her feel more open, yet not enough to completely make her look stupid and to open completely. "You do not need to repay me in anyway that I'm sure you have already thought of. In fact, I have a better solution. Let us accompany one another and aid each other in our goals".

But what goal was her goal? The energy she had in the whole attack, had gave her adrenaline, and fighting by Musashi, she felt she could take on the world, and even went far to say how she would be Japan's Greatest Swordswoman, seeing as he aimed to be Japan's Greatest Swordsman. Was this the goal she sought, and what if she got stronger and regained her pride and posture, would she return to her old prideful self.

To travel with a soon-to-be legend sure was alluring, and the smirk he had on his face also made it tempting, but she'd have to pull the plug on such a dream, knowing how she was. Afterall no-one knows themselves better than themselves. "And what would people think of Japan's Greatest Swordsman having the aid of a woman?", she asked innocently, not wishing for his reputation to be tarnished when her reputation was so low. Though Musashi now knew what she was capable of, others did not, and would simply be seen as just a woman.

Feeling she has disappointed him, and not only herself, she looked away, "Besides, I am not fit company right now. I still need to find out who was behind this attack, as they will no doubt come again, and I'd rather be on the offensive than the defensive, mind you", before looking back at him, "But I sure won't forget your kindness, and will be sure to meet you again Musashi", allowing her smile to re-appear.

She then began to wonder about him, before asking, "If you don't mind me asking, where would you be thinking of going after this place?", curious. She didn't believe in the old wives' tale that curiosity killed the cat. Afterall, it didn't take curiosity to have men come to kill her....

[Admin]

Musashi sure had high hopes to expect this stranger to accompany him, whether she was a woman or not. Indeed her question would not hold much water. Musashi cared not of what people thought of him personally. Only that they would one day come to the realization that he was Japans Greatest Swordsman.

As Sannu turned back to face Musashi. Her next question was some of worth. He tapped his katana across his shoulder and thought. "I'm sure West. Though I don't have a desired location, but do not worry yourself. I'm sure we will meet again." Musashi smiled once more. To give the woman something to remember him by, besides his prowess as a swordsman.

[Simon]

The fact that Musashi hadn't responded to her concern about his reputation, shown that he did not mind, or did not care, but even if she did travel around with him, his skills would be noticed, but so would the fact that she had his back, and then the question would be posed, if he could fight alone. Whatever the truth was in regards to her father, she did possess skills with her swords and would continue to use them and train with them. Perhaps she could aim for a similar goal, but one couldn't move forwards if being pulled back by the past, which is why she had said that she would not make fit company.

It was also intriguing to hear more about Musashi, and begun to wonder how he came to seek such a goal, where he goes on his journey, before he then responded to her question, "I'm sure West. Though I don't have a desired location, but do not worry yourself. I'm sure we will meet again", as Musashi smiled. Part of her regretted not going, seeing as she would have a companion and exploring the land while mastering her skills with her swords, but she must complete the work she has already started, or the group would only follow her West and would not allow her to rest.

As she trained, she also learnt about the samurai and the code of Bushido. Musashi was indeed a fine example of a strong samurai, and hoped that she too could become even stronger. Afterall, that's what her whole life so far had been to do, except she would use her strength for good, and not for evil as her father had planned, but would she have the heart to do it. She could never be a true samurai, or a true warrior, if she let doubt get in her way. Perhaps it was time to practice what she had been taught, as her weapons were sheathed into her belt, before stepping forward. Her eyes sharpened, as she then took her hand and stretched out infront of him, before she placed her hand against his blade which was against his shoulder, pulling it away once she felt she had recieved her cut.

"We shall meet again Musashi. I swear it", holding up her hand. Her father may have raised her as his killing machine, but while doing so, he had told her about the samurai and how strong they were, and how she too would be strong and like them. He also mentioned how those who went to train to be one, took a blood oath, to show that they were sincere in what they wished to do. Though she did not know the full extent of the samurai, seeing as samurai were honorable yet her father was not, she felt that conducting herself as she had, was doing the right thing.

"Perhaps....we could spar sometime", her smile re-appearing, moving to his left side so she could place her not-bloodied hand on his shoulder, "Until we meet again.....Musashi". Her smile remained intact, even after she walked off. Even if her skills helped to keep her alive in this case, she still had quite alot to learn, and even Musashi, with how strong he was, still continued to train and make himself stronger. It seemed the work of a samurai was never done, though she was quite ignorant in what alot meant, seeing as she didn't grow up round samurai, so she probably missed something out or messed something up. Musashi would probably stop her if she had.....Now she had to work out what to do next. Maybe go back to where she was a few nights before.....