It begins again [travel]

[Runeska]

The docks for Mizu no kuni were public property and a location for commerce and business for it's inhabitants. Once upon a time, it was a location maintain and supervised by kirigakures anbu. But, that was a decade or so ago. The reason was never disclose, but it was what it was. However, the location hadn't changed, so to travel was very short, taking something like 30 minutes after emerging from the maze like swamp surrounding the mist clad village. Gekkido was both first to emerge and first to make his way to the docks. Still his brisk pace was slow enough to allow those less traversed to keep up.

Once they arrived, he waited for his comrades to get their bearing. Should he listen to Aclime though? For some reason, the kamyuja was upset about the turn out, and no longer wished to take the mission. The Akumu on the other hand was indifferent. So, the question is, would everyone gathered really be ok with not going out for a mission as planned? In either case, he sought out his boat. He'd informed the staff at that docks that he'd be arriving to take his boat out to see a while ago. As such a pre-inspection had already been carried out. The boat was older, but well maintained. It had a single cabin near the center and had both an engine and a sail, and could thus be manually piloted if needed. Everything seemed to check out. so there wasn't much reason to dawdle. Soon, he'd explain the plans. Kuria was sure to have questions, since the rest of her team mates didn't show up. Zenovia would probably be fine with anything he decided though

Checking his equipment, Gekkido approached his boat, leading the others along the way. Kyuushi went at his waist, left side, while Tokihage went to his right. On his back, he wore the Tenkyo Buryoku. Next, he attached his gauntlets and his grieves, which paled in comparison of grandeur. In one pouch that he wore, there were 30 Hira shuriken, 3 blood clot and solider pills, and a gas mask with D filter. In another, there were 4 kunai, a knife, 40 exploding tags, and 32 makibishi. Once that was equipped and sorted out, he grabbed a compass, map known world, his bingo book, 30 Saddilia nuts, a bittermorn potion and his light shield, taking a field pack as well. Never knew.

[Deleted]

{enter}

Ame entered the dock following not too far behind Gekkido. She was visibly a little annoyed by the turn out, for her other "teammates". Either they were just very late or they decided to not come. Either way they had proven themselves to be untrustworthy in Ame's eyes, and they no longer held any lasting value. Ame grumbled to herself as this could very well mean that they would not be going on their mission as planned. However, seeing as Gekkido continued on with their miserable trek through the swap, he probably had other plans if he wasn't going to continue on with the mission. Either way Ame had prepared herself for whatever was to come, the best she could, so she was ready for anything. 

She followed behind Gekkido as she checked her gear, she had dressed herself for battle and so she wore her usual; a white collared Egyptian cotton polo, with a short blood red and black plaid skirt, with black ruffles extending from the bottom. Under the skirt she wears silk black tights, that extended down to her ankles. On her feet she wore leather, thick heeled platform boots. Over her polo shirt she wear a thin white cardigan, with her forehead protector sewn into the left arm of the cardigan just under the shoulder. As always she wore her black leather, metal plated Gauntlet Gloves. Over her waist and zipped cardigan she there was an utility belt. The belt housed 30 Hira shuriken, 15 caltrops, 50 marbles, and 60 explosive tags (40 actual explosive tags, 10 Elemental Lightning, and 10 fake explosive tags). Attached to the utility belt were leather holsters on both sides, that held her 4 swords. As she approached the boat she tightened the holsters, and adjusted her gloves, as she did so she situated the single kunia she had had hidden up each sleeve(2 total). 

Ame got onto the suspect looking boat, and then looked over towards Gekkido. She gave him a look that said she was ready for anything. Whether or not that was true, was a question that she was eager to have answered herself. Ame let out a deep breath, as she cleared her mind and ready herself for what was to come. Even if they didn't take the mission, and Gekkido just decided to have them explore for awhile (after all he did mention something to that affect when she first meet him) he was a former Kage and was sure to have enemies, powerful ones. With that being the case, even a routine outing could turn dangerous in a heartbeat. She had to be vigilante, if she was going to survive her time with him. 

[AMATERASU]

[enter]

My mind was clear again. Clearer than it had been for days. Was it the influence of my holy-swords? Maybe. That or it was the fact I was finally on the move again. I'd been far too sedentary up to now. Sister Griselda would be ashamed if she had seen me like that. Travel was quiet, none of us were the type to chatter idly it seemed. Kuria was the only one here besides Gekkido and myself, and so I maintained a cautious view of her. Something bothered me about her, but I wasn't able to identify exactly what. Without evidence, I had to restrain my hostility, and it took all of my will not to pray for the power to Detect Evil. If Gekkido trusted her, so should I.

Our march through the swampland wasn't difficult, though I regretted that it had marred my white cloak somewhat. Perhaps rather than my Exorcist raiment, I should have worn the House Runeska uniform provided for when I acted in its service. Too late to change now, though. My leotard and the long gloves and boots reinforced to act as gauntlets and greaves were all strapped down to fit my form perfectly. They were a one-size-fits all black leather material, which didn't show dirt and mud nearly so plainly as my cloak.

Across my back, within easy reach of my right hand were two swords - a long eastern blade given by Gekkido, and the bizarrely shaped ultra-massive holy-sword Durandal, the later of which I had yet to master the use of. At each hip was another sword - on the left side a curved single-edge eastern sword, on the right the ornate western-style double edged holy-sword Ascalon, which was not as suitable for slashing as Durandal or any of the eastern weapons, but was more versatile in that it could be swung to slash in any direction easily, as well as being better for thrusting strikes. I favored Ascalon above all other weapons for its many excellent features. I particularly enjoy the weighted pommel, excellent for clobbering suspicious girls. Well, maybe I shouldn't be thinking like that. At least outwardly I could remain professional. Nobody need know any of this.

Bringing the total number of my blades to a perhaps-unnecessary five was a shorter curved blade sitting horizontally above my rear, positioned to be drawn left-handed. The remainder of my gear consisted of a pair of pouches next to the katana at my hip - one for what little money I possessed and one for a trio of alchemical boosters referred to as soldier pills - and a large ceremonial flask hanging empty next to Ascalon on my right, plus the small buckler fastened to my right forearm.

Scattered about my person were secondary tools, mostly kept in the hidden pockets and folds of my cloak. An electronic compass, a set of anti-flash goggles, a pair of stun grenades, three blood clot pills, a knife tucked in each boot, and a wireless radio in my ear, hidden by my hair. I'd also packed a knapsack with a few of the textbooks Gekkido had purchased to study as we traveled, and a light lunch of assorted sandwiches courtesy of Shuria. Of course, since she had packed for five and there were only three of us, there was likely to be some left over. Although probably not, considering how the two of us usually ate.

I was always on lookout for trouble, though I mostly thought it would come courtesy of Kuria. I noticed that so was she. Smart girl. I didn't like it. Meanwhile Gekkido simply continued his march without a care in the world. Without me as his shadow, I wondered idly how he ever survived such blissful overconfidence. But it didn't matter apparently, because they - we - reached a ship entirely without issue. It was almost disappointing really. A small dose of chaos to shock my spirit back into form, that would be good.

I debated asking what we were going to do, but to be the one to break the silence felt awkward to me, so I kept quiet. Stupid. Why was I so uncomfortable? I could only bring myself to embark the ship and wait near the bow. Damn it...

[Runeska]

[Exit]