What is justice? [Kenshin]

[Simon]

Everything she had known was gone, her parents, her home, the smith, and what was worse, everything she had grew up to know, were all compiled with lies and deceit, and despite being a young woman, she was still a target, not out of lust, but out of fear and anger. Her life would no longer be the same as it once was. Her life was her own, wherever that may lead.

She had no-where to call home, all she had left was her armor and her dual swords to protect her. She had no work, no money, except a driven anger and driven curiosity, of what could be beyond Echigo. Growing up, she only paid heed to what was going on in her village, or round Echigo, but never really got herself involved with what was beyond, but never really had any time to think beyond.

Ever since that ambush, it was hard to say who your friends were, and the attack clearly shown that her time would no longer be easy from hereon out. Musashi had thankfully came to her rescue as a knight in shining armor, even as much as she disliked having aid, but she was pleased he had come, and it was thanks to his arrival and his strength, that helped her to keep going. Though she could no longer stand for her father, she could stand for herself, for her own pride, and if there was something she could do with her life, it could be to show how strong a woman she was, just like what Musashi was doing....except he wasn't showing how woman he was, which he obviously is not.

Sannu still couldn't believe that her father was working and fighting alongside such filth which destroys peoples lives, including his own daughter. Just then, he spotted a group of them after seeing a shady-looking man looking suspicious and enter an alley-way. She peered round the corner, and saw them. This was her chance, as she climbed quietly ontop of the building and listened in. It was them for sure, so as soon as one came out, she then leaped into the air, with her sword drawn, aiming straight for him. Now! She would get her payback!

(OOC: Upto you if you let Kenshin intervene or reprimand/talk with her after her attack)

[Kenshin Uesugi]

Everything was going well so far. It was not that long ago since Kenshin had made it clear to all of Echigo that he was going to lead them to victory. With that vile Nobunaga controlling the nearby lands, he could not afford to wait any longer. If he was going to move, he was going to do it now. Driven by his cause, he would make sure to successed. Failure...would not ever be an option. It was do or die. He was not content on standing back and watching that corrupt and unjust Daimyo claim and unify the country under his evil rule. There was no way he was going to allow that to happen.

He had been travelling alone for awhile now, looking for more brave soldiers who was going to follow his cause. He had gotten a pretty good reception back at the temple but there were plenty of others. Others such as the ruffians that littered the small towns and villages of Echigo. They always could be found in these small areas. Most of the people here were either petty theives or ronin samurai. Needless to say, it was very dangerous for him to be passing through here without any one of his bodyguards here with him.

The sky above had began to darken. This was not a good idea. Traveling in these kinds of places at night would be someones worst nightmare. It was not safe. Around this time, the theives and crooks were out and about. People were liable to either get robbed or killed. This was not a good place to be right about now. Just then, a noise would be heard. It was nearby and coming from the top of a building. Could it be a thief or an assassin? Either way, the nobleman would not wait to find out. Looking at a nearby alleyway, he deduced that the action was going to be located somewhere around there. It was dark so a robbery or kill could easily be pulled off. Picking up his pace, he arrived just in time to see someone preparing to jump off the roof. It seemed the mysterious person had their target in sight, as there was a man coming out of a building. It was clear, this was going to ba an assassination. Not on his watch, unable to simply stand by and watch, he quickly unsheathed his blade and ran at a quick speed to make it. He watched as the dark figure above began to make its move. His dark eyes watched as it jumped down with the blade aiming downward towards him. Reacting quickly, as the blade was nearing its target, Kenshin's own blade would hit the killing tool, knocking it off course. The startled man, aware that his life had just been saved, stepped back to give the two room. Kenshin and this mysterious person now stood at a deadlock.

"Stop assassin! I will not just stand by and watch this happen."

[Simon]

Her attack was launched, as she leaped off the building and now the man was in sights, as her blade drew nearer. Soon, the man would be at her mercy, she'd get the information she needed, and then pay him back for the crimes he has done. Then, and only then, could her mind finally be at ease, and then end the corrupt group once and for all, free her and the people from their crimes, even if it means freeing herself from her own father by her own hand. Mightswell put her fathers' work to some use, and how ironic, to use that same work on the one that taught her. The thought was something she'd never think of doing, until the truth was revealed, but what was truth nowadays.....

Just then, a blade came scorching through and deflected her hit, causing her blade to slide, before she landed, turned herself, then regained her stance as her weapon and the weapon of the one who intervened were deadlocked together. "Stop assassin! I will not just stand by and watch this happen", the intervener spoke. Assasssin? Her? Well, her father did teach her to be a killing machine, but still! She was no assassin, merely a lost soul seeking answers and regaining her place, but no.....nothing worked out well for her did it.

She held onto her weapon and pushed against her opponents' blade who insisted to stop him, but her opponent seemed relentless to let her through. "Stand aside!", she bellowed. Her eyes darted to the man she had aimed for, but he, along with the group he was with, were already at a distance and escaping, with their lives, and with the answers she so desperately sought. How could this guy, at least he sounded like a guy, get in the way.

Her eyes sharpened as she then looked into his, "Let what happen?! all I've seen you let happen, is letting those evil men run loose?! and you stop me!", instantly using her free hand to lift her other dual sword to join her other one, putting the two together while he was occupied with her other sword, once again pushing forward.

"...or perhaps, you too are part of their evil schemes, which makes you my enemy. Stand and fight!", preparing herself, as she pulled back and prepared to attack, allowing Mr.Interruption to start first, seeing as he was so eager to stop her. Let him bring it....

[Kenshin Uesugi]

The two stood at a standstill. With the two blades locked together, no one would be able to make a move. Kenshin's dark eyes scanned the assassin. Taking a second, he would see that this attacker was a woman. Interesting to say the least. It seemed that the men were not the only ones who participated in this rugged activity. It seemed the woman was hell bent on getting at the man, because she was not relenting, so neither would he. Speaking of the man, it seemed that he and a few other had skiddadled and left the area. Judging from the sounds of the footsteps he made, it was no lie to say that he was running for his life. The least he could have done was provide a "Thank You", but whether he said it or not...it would make no difference to him.

"Stand aside!"

"I will not falter."

It seemed as though she believed what she was doing was right. However, he was not going to just stand by and let someone die. This was his responsibility. This...was justice. If he was going to be the one to save these lands from destruction and chaos, then he had to show everyone that justice would prevail. He had to show that this type of activity would not be tolerated. Just then, the woman would begin to speak again.

"Let what happen?! all I've seen you let happen, is letting those evil men run loose?! and you stop me!"

"..."

Just then, the woman swiftly and intelligently grabbed her her other blade and successfully forced him backwards. Stumbling a few feet back, the battle genius quickly regained his footing. He then shifted to his iaido style battle stance. His left hand grabbing the hilt of his blade. It seemed a fight would be immanent.

"...or perhaps, you too are part of their evil schemes, which makes you my enemy. Stand and fight!"

"Evil?! I do not understand what you are talking about. I fight for justice and will do everything in my power to see it prevail. If you wish to oppose me, then I, Kenshin Uesugi will face you in the harsh art known as combat!"

Calm and swift, Kenshin would ease his way over towards her. Then once he got close enough, he would make a quick slash that aimed straight for the women's chest area. He was not going to lose here. He could not afford to lose here.

[Simon]

Nothing was simple. Her life was not getting any easier at all. Few days ago, she was ambushed and faced with several opponents or wishing to take her down, yet no-one intervened, and now tonight, she follows someone suspicious, recognises them and plans to take him down, then this guy jumps out and wrecks her plan. Where was this guy when they tried to attack her. Looked pretty fishy.....

Yet despite his meddling, he was pretty strong with the blade, and alot more of a challenge to push back, until she added her other blade along with a push from it which eventually did the trick. Least he would pose a challenge unlike the others, and how they sacrificed their comrades in order to scarper, just as they did now rather than aid the man that had saved them.

The man seemed to be ignorant of who they were, until she accused of him working with evil, in which he responded almost instantaneously, oblivious to who they were, and how he fights for justice. Justice sure had a way to only appear out of the blue, well Justice was too late, which is why it forced people like her to find a sense of Justice themselves.

The man was talking a load of jibberish, not seeing evil which was so plain to see if one had the patience as she did to observe their actions first, and then speaking of justice. One part of what the man said did perk up a little interest though, "I, Kenshin Uesugi". She knew little about the world outside her home, but her home she knew well, and her home was here in Echigo, and it was also knowledge that Uesugi clan were well known in Echigo. This sure was an....interesting encounter.

Her grip upon his swords were tighter, keeping them infront of her as Kenshin closed in on her. Her eyes sharpened and targetted at Kenshin's sword as he made his first move, as her hands shifted towards the blast, before using her momentum to push it away, while curving one part of her blade round so the pointy end was staring him in the face, much like her eyes were. It was not her intention to strike for him though, knowing exactly who he was.

"Fight for justice you say? You do me injustice by stopping me, and do me furthur injustice to allow those men to escape. Are you aware of the crimes that they have committed, Lord of Justice?", she asked, not helping the sarcasm, seeing as she had missed her chance to get some answers, "What exactly is justice nowadays? cos I sure don't see it done often enough". Her hands till holding onto her blade hilts incase he made another move and had to counter it.

[Kenshin Uesugi]

By this point the group of men had left the scene without so much as a "thank you". They had skiddadled around the corner and fled the scene. So much for that. Now there were only two people left in the dark, shadowy alleyway, Kenshin and some dual sword female. The two stood there, locked in a standstill. Neither of the two would relent, that much was clear. That meant that the combat following after should not have come as a surprise.

After the womens eventual freedom out of the staredown, Kenshin then attempted to utilize his Iaido style of training by attempting to make a quick left slash. However, the dual bladed warrior was able to use her skills to block his attack while using the other blade to keep Kenshin at bay. She held it pointed towards his face. The action would one again take a screeching halt. The two would then begin another staredown. Her eyes once again locked on his, their determination and will to win pushing against one another. One question would be asked internally by Kenshin. Why hadn't she stuck him with her blade? It was clear she had him beat at this particular point of time , so why not finish the job? Was it because she couldn't bring herself to do it? Kenshin braced himself for what was to come next.

"Why-"

"Fight for justice you say? You do me injustice by stopping me, and do me furthur injustice to allow those men to escape. Are you aware of the crimes that they have committed, Lord of Justice? "What exactly is justice nowadays? cos I sure don't see it done often enough"

Hmmm. It seemed she had become rather irritated. Keshin couldn't blame her though. He would be mad if someone just waltzed in and messed up all his plans. He would not make any sudden moves. There was something in her voice that seemed like it was calling to him. He could not recognize what it was though. Maybe it would become clear once the two engaged in a conversation.

"It seems that your actions are spurred by vengence. This is not the path for peace...but war. It looks as though I acted to quickly, but justice still shines on me. And it beckons me to stop you on your mad dash for revenge...for it will eat you whole. If you do not like this answer, then just strike me down now. If I cannot save atleast one person...then I am not ready to protect Echigo and stop Nobunaga's cruel ambitions."

His words were sincere. He meant every last word he said. This lady was hurting on the inside. She was slowly self destructing. If he embodied justice inside of himself, then the right thing to do would be to help this woman. With the blade still pointed towards him, it was ultimately up to her if she would help herself or spurn him.

[Simon]

"Why-", she heard him say, before she started criticising his "holier than thou" attitude, but despite the fact her second blade was pointing at his face, it seemed his attitude did not change, despite informing him that those she sought, those he had protected, were indeed evil, yet his attention was still surrounding her. It was strange however, that Kenshin hadn't attempted to get himself out, and instead used words than his sword. If she had been in his position, she'd be doing anything possible to get out of her vulnerable position, yet he did not.

"It seems that your actions are spurred by vengence. This is not the path for peace...but war", he begun, no doubt thinking he can talk his way out of it to loosen her grip, but it weren't working. Here he was, standing infront of her, vulnerable to her attack, still with the "holier than thou" attitude as the head of the Uesugi, yet still sees justice on his side, that he was doing the right thing, and that he wished to stop Nobunaga, yet wouldn't that cause war. Sounded contradictory to her.

Her left hand pushed forward as the blade drew nearer while her eyes grew sharper, "You know....I could strike you down, here and now", giving a slight pause as her blade aimed to slightly touch his cheek but not too much that it would bleed, before pulling away a little, "However, like me, you have a goal. You speak confidently Kenshin, to instruct me to strike you down if I disliked your words and not appear bothered by it if I did. You should not wish your life to be taken away so easily when you have a goal to fulfill and people to save, for that is exactly what I am doing. You may not approve of my methods, but this group have terrorised many people for too long. Many lives have been broken, including my own, so yes, it may be out of vengence, that you see as a war, and if it is, it is a minor one, but for you to stop Nobunaga, you too must create war, and that would be one that affect people world-wide. Now, who looks the most righteous", her upper lip raising, before her sharpened eyes widened.

She knew what it was, and her back was wide open. If she was to take cover, it would live Lord Kenshin wide open too, but if she did not move, she'd get hit again and again. If she turned, she wasn't sure if Kenshin would strike her down for "justice" sake. Then the pain came in again as another hit her. She couldn't hang around, as she pulled her blade back and put them away, and then placed her free hand on his that held his blade as she moved the blade agaisnt his away and sheathed it.

"Trust me, even for just a minute", she said, looking upto him, before dashing forwards and helping getting both of them to safety in an alleyway, away from the main stretch. Unfortunately, an arrow slid into her arm under her shoulder pads, as she could feel the pain surging from it, but she ignored it. Once letting him go, she then turned around, to peek her golden eyes round the corner to see where the arrows were coming from, revealing the arrows on her back for Kenshin to see.

"Now you can see why I must fight, and have no choice but to fight", as she unsheathed her swords again and turned round so she could stick them both together, as she then explained, "I was merely out for a stroll two days earlier when this group ambushed me, and if it wasn't for the aid of a fellow warrior, I would be laying dead. Where was justice then? This is why people like me are forced to defend ourselves. You may see my actions as spurred by vengence which may be partly correct, but more of survival".

Despite the pain in her shoulder, she knew if she did not move, then those firing would come closer and endanger Kenshin again, even if he was her opponent, "I must.....go. I need to know if your going to...stop me again", turning to her side again and glancing round. There was no honor in retreat, it was no option, but she'd prefer to know beforehead, if he would intervene, so she'd be ready to fight him again if he came to stopping her.

[Kenshin Uesugi]

So she couldn't do it. She could not deal the deciding blow that would have seriously wounded, if not kill him. He watched as the blade slightly made contact with his cheek. His eyes sharpened on her when her weapon softly touched his cheek. What was she planning to do? Was she trying to lure him into a false state of security? Maybe, but it would be best not to count on it. As his eyes remained fixed on hers, she would begin to slowly pull her blade backwards, stopping it only when it the point was staring him straight in the face. So she was still being cautious. Using her body motions as an idea of her current state of mind, Kenshin's right hand would slowly grab onto the sheath of his blade while his left hand holding the blade remained motionless. His eyes would then focus on the blade currently stationed in front of his face. He first contemplated about making a move but almost simultaniously decided against it mainly because of the woman's upcoming speech.

"However, like me, you have a goal. You speak confidently Kenshin, to instruct me to strike you down if I disliked your words and not appear bothered by it if I did. You should not wish your life to be taken away so easily when you have a goal to fulfill and people to save, for that is exactly what I am doing. You may not approve of my methods, but this group have terrorised many people for too long. Many lives have been broken, including my own, so yes, it may be out of vengence, that you see as a war, and if it is, it is a minor one, but for you to stop Nobunaga, you too must create war, and that would be one that affect people world-wide. Now, who looks the most righteous"

Upon hearing the female's words, Kenshin gave a concerned sigh, before looking towards the ground. He had now realized that he had jumped the gun to quickly. Instead of waiting to see what happened, he let his sense of duty get the best of him...and it ended up leaving him on the wrong side of things. It seemed he had been wrong in attacking this woman, but he still knew he needed to help her see that justice had a way of working itself out. It seemed that she had been having a battle with them for a long time. He would carefully consider her words before speaking again.

"It seems that I have made a foolish mistake. But...I heed my words...this is not the way to go. It will make you miserable...just as Nobunage is going to leave the people. As the protector of Echigo, I will battle for the people...not for myself. Which is why rightousness is on my side."

He spoke these words and returned his sight to the face of the woman, ignoring the sharp tool staring him in the face. After about several long passing seconds, the Head of the Uesugi would notice a change in her facial features. Her eyes had grown wide, as if she was experiencing pain. What was wrong? Just then, Kenshin would hear something moving quickly throught the air. When the noice stopped, the facial features on the woman went into the pain look again. It seemed like someone or something was firing at her from behind...a coward's act. He couldn't fight her now, this unwanted interferrance had to be dealt with first. As the woman sheathed her blades as he did the same with his. Suddenly, he felt her hand grab his, and with her telling him to trust her. In a moments notice he would find himself being pulled towards an alleyway. Upon reaching a temporary safe point, she would release his hand and then look to see who were firing at her. It wasn't a hard guess. It was most likely those same guys that he had saved earlier. They had returned to retaliate after her attempted assassination failed.

Kenshin would notice two arrows on her back. They were probably the first two that were shot. He had to silently thank her, for if she was not stationed in front of him, those arrows would have hit him. She would turn around to address the nobleman.

"Now you can see why I must fight, and have no choice but to fight...I was merely out for a stroll two days earlier when this group ambushed me, and if it wasn't for the aid of a fellow warrior, I would be laying dead. Where was justice then? This is why people like me are forced to defend ourselves. You may see my actions as spurred by vengence which may be partly correct, but more of survival."

Kenshin would not move. His eyes would remain on the blonde haired woman.

"I must.....go. I need to know if your going to...stop me again"

"Now that I have seen what has transpired here, to attack you would be a fools act. I shall help you... besides, those two arrows you took saved me. You also pulled me to safety even though I was you adversary. I owe you thanks."

With that, The Dragon of Echigo would assist her in this little skirmish. He could put the recent exchange behind him. It was time to end her suffering once and for all. As one who pledged to turn this land into one of rightousness, he would punish these miscreants and help her out for saving his life. This was the least he could do. Maybe...he was the person to help her, and possibly show her the way. He could hear some footstes coming towards their direction. Could the two of them find a way to co-exist and defeat their new foes? The next few minutes would tell.

"Very well. It seems that we will have to work together to defeat this new found foe. After this, let the heavens decide if you should continue you path of hate and fury or find a new calling in life."

[Simon]

Though Kenshin's intervention had annoyed her greatly, she admired his courage and what he stood for, but how could such a great man be blinded by the truth which stared her in the face every day, with the truth she has always know, had simply been a lie. It was also great ironic how he wished to save her, but could he really save her from her fate. Only she could change her own fate, and the only way she could see herself doing that, was to eliminate the opposition till she obtained freedom. Hmph, what was freedom exactly?

She noticed by Kenshin's expressions that she had made him guilty, for it was a strength Sannu had, which was to hold strong to her beliefs and not let it falter, but yet, it did not please her as she thought it would. Afterall, she couldn't change what had happened, but despite him admitting he done wrong, he still wished to help, telling him it wasn't the way to go, but she could barely answer as she blocked out the pain, but his words would be remembered, "It will make you miserable...just as Nobunaga is going to leave the people".

They both had common cause it seemed, except he was the high and mighty Lord, whereas she was just a commoner that was fighting to survive. Her father had trained her, for what she thought was needed to defend the Smith, but recently realised that it was all a lie. How many people had lied to her, yet the funny thing was, that suddenly the truth was coming out of those that draw their blades against her. Ironic or what?

"I shall help you", she heard him say, as she prepared to rush out there, despite the pain from the arrows, yet once again felt her pride spark again, just like the time when Musashi came to lend a hand. From the sounds she could hear and the two arrows, the men gathered were only just a few. Perhaps these were sent, solely to weaken her. All of them pawns in their masters' plan, to force her hand. Not only did she have a sense of pride, but also a sense of doing what was right, which sometimes bent this way and that way, but the willpower to do the right thing was there. It seemed however that Kenshin would not budge and would not accept her denying him the chance to help her, as he thanked her for saving her.

Then again, just like the time when Musashi did help her, she once again realised that she had no pride left. The sins of the father becoming the sins of the offspring. Maybe she would ask this "righteous" man to see what he thought about that. However, her main concern right now was this group, as her eyes left her watch and turned to him after he thanked her for saving him, "Then you may owe me later. This fight is mine, and the last thing I want is for this group to target the Head of the Uesugi", with her pride and desire not to have others involved and targetted kicking in again.

She lifted her dual-sword up and jammed into the side of the house, in order to swing onto the top, exactly the same manouever she had used that day with Musashi to get those on the roofs. Once her sword was firmly in, she then held onto it, and then lifted her legs upwards to swing up, but as soon as she used her arm, her arm gave way from the pain that grew worse, as she swung herself back down with her other arm, "Guess I could use the help afterall". If it was their aim to weaken her, they had prevented her from using the height advantage, but would never ever, weaken her will.

"Very well. It seems we will have to work together to defeat this new found foe. After this, let the heavens decide if you should continue your path of hate and fury or find a new calling in life", Kenshin responded in which she merely couldn't herself but smile, "You make working with me sound this a chore", before her tone went more serious as the footsteps were coming closer, as she spoke quietly, "Seems they aren't as many as the other night. I'll distract them. You do as you will. I have no right to command a Lord anyhow", before moving out in the open.

She pulled the dual swords apart so she had two blades to use, as the footsteps that were heard were revealed to be a few men armed. Her golden eyes glancing around to see the archers, but she paid them no heed, they were not worth her time looking at. "So! You have my attention now! Reveal yourselves!", her eyes never leaving the man who seemed to be leading the group with his group of swordsmen round him. With her on show, the archers on the roofs had no need to remain hidden with Sannu surrounded, as they moved to the tip of the roofs with their arrows on show.

Quite a daring manouever, but now, both she and Kenshin would see how many they faced, and her hands till held onto her blades. Afterall, they were her lifeline and without them she would be vulnerable. The leader of the group then spoke up, "Sannu! I daresay the boss is not very pleased. You come with us...or your pretty corpse will grace these roads, without your head of course, the boss wants to see it either way".

In her mind she wanted to strike out, but the words that Kenshin spoke were still on her mind. How long could she keep this whole charade up. She wanted this all to end, but then what would she do then, what would her purpose be...?