Alrighty then, I hope people will join this one, it doesn`t have very strict rules or regulations like my other rp.... but you know the basic rules and if your a newbie I can spell em out for ya. This rp has been... inspired by the manga series(into which I have just gotten into) Blade of the immortal, setting it in nowhere else than medieval japan! It`s a bit improvised... and the story explanation is nothing historical, also I was lazy so I didn`t put too much effort into it

The year is somewhere around 1700 and the Tokugawa shogunate is still going strong, however as there has been somewhat lasting peace in the land soldiers find their services unwanted or they simply find it out to be simple boring guard duty. Also there was the fact that many people found that lasting peace boring as their skills were being wasted or since had just never really gotten to the taste of blood. Class issues also bothered various groups and a number of sword schools have began to rise rapidly.

So the question really was, if you wanted to get to the taste of blood, profit and on the side improve your skills as a ronin or samurai, how to do it? Two options arose, become an outlaw or hunt outlaws. One, utterly bored and annoyed, young man plans to gather up a band of fighters in order to get what he, and they, want with a reasonable cost.

The thing with the characters is that they can come from any social class, but make em so that they can all end up banding with the rest of the characters, also I`d like to see some ideals clashing in this one. Meaning that one character could believe in bushido(samurai`s code you know) as where the other doesn`t, you get the idea eh? Also the characters can be former warriors, soldiers, lol even some kinda spies/ninjas if ya want, peasant whatever you like as long as they are capable fighters... or actually if you wish someone`s character might only learn to fight during the rp. Also be creative or well at least try to find some kinda variety when choosing whatever weapon your character uses etc, but katana`s just fine... Male or female is just fine too, also I`d like the characters to be at least 18 all tough then can`t really have too much experience.

Characters:

Osaragi Shin

Name: Osaragi Shin
Age: 24
Appearance: Blond hair, thin build, green eyes and youthful, also unusual appearance overall ( http://suikosource.com/images/chars/s/sheena01.gif ) (check the picture)
Personality: Confident, cunning, careless and quirky
Strengths:Sharp minded, nimble(quick) and balanced
Weakness:Lack of physical strength, carelessness and impatience
Weapon/s Of Choice: Shin carries a shirasaya(the scabbard and swords/daggers handle are made of wood) katana and tanto on his sash(obi), he also has hidden blades in his sleeves.
History/Background:

Shin originates from a family of wealthy merchants, who ran a successful business in Edo. Shin was to be the heir of the business, but since an early age he neglected his duties and did as he pleased thus being repeatedly beaten by his father as a punishment. After enough punishments, Shin was forced to live as his father pleased and began to focus on his studies. At the age of 17 his father unexpectedly got ill and was bed ridden for the next half a year, during the time Shin became 18 his father passed away. Shin, alongside with his mother and sister, were left to take care of the business with Shin in charge.

Shin was able to manage with the duties and requirements left to him by his father, but he was rarely accepted among the other merchants because of his young age and he also craved for something else. Ever since he had been a child and disobeyed his father, he had been trying to practice use of weapons, starting out with a tanto(a dagger). Now around the age of 24, he leaves home with enough money for himself and leaves a portion to support his family. He seeks to use his rightfully earned wealth to hire and tempt a number of people into a band of mercenaries or thieves, whichever is more convenient at that time.


Kinamoto Mai

Name: Kinamoto Mai
Age: 18
Appearance: Black long straight hair, dark blue eyes.
Personality: Cunning, short tempered, hard worker, tricky, sarcastic, friendly and kind.
Strengths: Fast, cunning, tricky.
Weakness: Short tempered, when angered lost focus in battle, when lost in her thoughts lets her guard down, reckless.
Weapons: Has a katana, uses also little knives, shurikens, kunais, she also is very good in martial arts and uses fans that have knives on them
Background:
She became an orphan when her parents were killed by some thief's, she then was adopted by an old lady that wanted a bodyguard that didnt called too much attention, she was taught martial arts, ninja techniques, use of weapons. But then she got sick of the old lady cause she was always bossing her around so she ran away, now she uses all she learned, working as a mercenary, and thief working for rich people.

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j144/Mai...EarthAura-1.jpg

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j144/Mai..._lderKyouki.jpg



Eiriasu


Name: Eiriasu (alias: Naraku)
Appearance:

In disguise:

http://inferno.slug.org/jpeg/inu-yasha/naraku-1.jpg

Regular:

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i139/Pur...000naraku2_.jpg

Occupation: Daymino/ secretly Outlaw
Weapons: Various poisons,swords, among other surprises

BIO:

A largely regarded feudal lord who is secretly Working as a mercenary. he however usually is regarded as an outlaw in the southeast part of Japan. he works only for the jobs he sees fit and assassinates all he deems corrupt and evil. He-when he has to act a feudal lord- has the entire north and part of west Japan curled around his finger. )

-------------

I`ll make the first post after some people have joined, if you have any questions, shoot.

I am in!!!

Name: Kinamoto Mai
Age: 18
Appearence: Black long straight hair, dark blue eyes.
Personality: Cunning, shortempered, hardworker, tricky, sarcastic, friendly and kind.
Streghts: Very strong, fast, cunning, tricky.
Weakness: Shortempered, when angered lost focus in battle, when lost in her thoughts lets her guard down, reckless.
Weapons: Has a katana, uses also little knieves, shurikens, kunais, she also is very good in martial arts and uses fans that have knieves on them (Like the ones that a girl has in a Jackie Chan movie but I forgot what movie)
Background:
She became an orfan when her parents were killed by some thiefs, she then was adopted by an old lady that wanted a bodyguard that didnt called too much attention, she was teached martial arts, ninja techniques, use of weapons. But then she got sick of the old lady cause she was always bossing her around so she ran away, now she uses all she learned, working as a merecenary, and thief working for rich people.
That is her whit dark blue eyes

Whit this kimono

(eh I hope ya don`t mind me slightly adjusting your profile as I added it to my first post, you see I find the two things very strong and fast hard to put together ya know? I mean my character is balanced in his fighting skills, but he still lacks the raw power to gain the upper hand in a fight.)

On a quiet day in a roadside inn in the outskirts of the edo region, a young man dressed in a green haori stopped by to take a break from his travel on the road. The young man laid his katana and tanto next to himself on the bench, he adjusted himself into a more comfortable position and crossed his right over the left. Yet despite his outside relaxedness, he placed his fingers before his mouth as, if pondering. His sharp green eyes darted from left to right, checking whether anyone approached him or whether there were any travelers coming down the road besides himself. After a moment of silence, he ordered the waitress to bring him some tempura and tea, but remained pondering even afterwards. Shin gazed at a few of the other customers behind himself, especially those who were armed, before turning back to eying the road.

Crap, I`ve been trough a number of hellholes in Edo and in every single one there have been a number of idiots like these. All darn dressed up well, carrying swords as, if they had any need for them besides boosting their image. I at least had some bruises and cuts to prove myself for just a little, but even that`s disgraceful since I haven`t been in real fight. The law always interferes and breaks up every darn fight I get into, bastards... even dared to threaten me with a fine for troublemaking! ....... Well there`s bound to be some skilled folk outside Edo, less cutthroat than on the alleys maybe, but no doubt more reasonable... and if not then there bound to be some work I can cut for myself...

Shin thought to himself as he gazed suspiciously at everyone else, but his eyes never gave this away as his eyes stood still as, if bored. His boredom and pondering were cut short by the arrival of his lunch, which he immediately payed off and then commanded for the waitress to beat it. Shin began quietly eating away the dish and then took a sip of his tea, which made him yuck quietly to himself as, if he had just drank poison and been fully aware of it. For a moment he stopped to stare at the tea with a grin, but that grin was swept away as it turned into a rather ominous smile. It was time to shake up the customers and see how they reacted, with some luck he might pick up some suitable candidates for his little band.

When the next person passed him, he `suddenly` moved his right hand in their way as he stretched out his limbs. Then the rest was done for him, the tea cup slipped his grasp and tea spilled onto the ground whilst the cup cracked as came down. At that same moment, he and the person, who had spilled his tea exchanged angry stares. Shin quickly stood up grabbing his katana by it`s wooden scabbard, immediately the move seemed to rattle almost every other customer, most of all the innkeeper. Shin stared down at the person, who had caused him to spill his tea and nudged his head to the left with a grin on his face.

"It would be nice if ya picked that up for me and while your at it, get me another one cause I really hate putting some `good` stuff to waste... and by stuff I don`t mean your worthless carcass."

Shin challenged the stranger by pointing his katana with the handle first and the blade still in the scabbard.

(People are still welcome to join and if you are joining you can be the stranger mentioned in my post or you can be someone at the inn. Mai this includes you.)

No it is ok.

Mai drinked the last of her tea and rested the cup in the tabble making a loud sound on purpose, she looked at Shin "Why dont you get another one, you were the one that dropped it" She said calmly, all the costumers turned around to look at the girl in the red kimono, the one that "aparently" had no weapons and the one that was basically chalenging a man whit a sword.

(heres my char. I just finshed reading a big book on japanese history so this should be intresting.

Name: eiriasu (alias: Naraku)

Apperence: In disguse. reguler

Occupation: Daymino/ sercetlly Outlaw

Weapons: Various poisons,swords, among other surprizes

BIO:

A largelly reguarded feudal lord who is secretlly Working as a mercenary. he however useally is reguarded as an outlaw in the southeast part of Japan. he works only for the jobs he sees fit and assinates all he deems corrupt and evil. He-when he has to act a feudal lord- has the entire north and part of west Japan curled around his finger. )

Naraku slowlly walked through the bar (assumeing it's counted as a bar or whatever) and had accedentally made the tea drop to the floor inside of his large baboon suit. "you have a large mouth on you.don't cause me any troble or else it is you who shall fall lifelessly to the ground-not i." He said as he turned and walked slowlly to the edge of the bar. "Kanzuki, Shigura" He said as he stood infrount of a man at the edge of the bar. "whaddya want?!? why you botherin' me!?!" he asked. "die." Naraku said as a purple gas errupted from his sleeve. the man took one whiff before falling to the floor dead without a pupil in his eye. without another sound he walked slowlly walked away from the corpes. simpleton he thought.

(also were gonna pretend the girl in the kimmono that was supposed to be the strnger aka me is someone else.)

(cool, kinda unexpected actually, but one thing about your bio, let`s say he has a strong reign over his own area of rule in north japan as it would be kinda foolish to have someone of too great power in the party kinda. and I don`t think a daimyo was able to control more than his own province I guess.. all tough I know what you may mean, but it`s kinda odd for a daimyo to hold such power as to have a tight grip over the north of japan considering that there were around 200 daimyo`s in japan at the time.)

Shin smirked at the masked stranger, who shot the threat back, but seemed to at least the guts to back those words up with steel, if he wanted to. The girl in the red kimono on the other hand didn`t seem like a threat, a snotty nosed rich girl perhaps or perhaps not. All tough it seemed that she was alone, which really didn`t fit the picture so Shin could only guess about her background. However Shin decided to let it go and placed the sword on his belt along with the tanto that had been on the bench. He gazed quickly at the girl in the red kimono and simply shrugged innocently.

"I got my answer already"

He muttered out loud before starting to slowly follow the masked man along the road, Shin remained at a distance, but never allowed the man to shake him off. After a while of tailing the man Shin fastened the phase of his steps and ran right towards the man, but before reaching him made a roll from his right side, passing him. As a safety measure he pulled out his katana, but kept the scabbard on in case the stranger realized his move and tried to slice him as he was rolling. Shin then quickly sprang onto his feet and placed the scabbard along with the sword on his belt. Shin was now blocking the way for the stranger, but didn`t make any further moves that would have proved him threatening in any manner.

"Yo, I got some questions for ya fellow, I have no idea why the hell you whacked that guy back there, but it surely caught my interest. Would you be interested in a proposition of sorts? Oh and that tea thing? Just a way to rattle you people and see, who had the guts to respond, which clearly indicates they are up for a fight."

Shin asked with a relaxed attitude with his hands resting calmly on his obi.

Mai looked how the man in the baboon suit killed a man, she got up and paid her tea knowing that is was time to get out of there, she walked out of the bar she looked at the road were the two men took, she shrughed and took the same road, cause that road passed next the town were she was going.

(Yeah I know. he's just ruleing over a single part but the rest of the dayminos in the region are just puppet dayminos -you know under his allegence- so thats why. Oh and also can there be demons or someting because thats useally assoceated with this era. I mean if you don't I still have a way to make the poison and stuff but if there is then I can make my charicter a little more deep but if you don't want to I have anyother way for this to work. I have things to do with ethier answer.)

Naraku turned at Shin. "Fighting now is a fruitless prospect. why? do you wish to try to best me in combat? Or perhaps you want me to do something for you." Naraku said in his useal omnious tone. "State your bussiness." He said noticeing the hilt of Shin's sword was wooden. If this is to turn into a fight then I am well prepared for anything. Naraku thought to himself.

While both of them talked Mai was sitting on a tree branch (No roofs!!! *anime tears*) listening the whole conversation *Why do you have to be so curious Mai??!!* She scolded herself angrily *One of this days you are gonna get in trouble for your curiosity* She thought

"so now there are more of you." Naraku said as he heard Mai sculking through the trees

Mai cursed silently as she knew she was discovered, she looked around to find a way to get out of there whitout being noticed

(eh no, no demons I am afraid, they might be associated with the era, but not in this one sorry and you know the thing about the daimyo`s, I am not quite sure about that honestly I just find it kinda unfitting when a person wandering around has such a high position in power. Someone pought to notice and I`d like our character to be at least somewhat low profile.)

Shin chuckled a bit when Naraku thought that he was after a fight, but after a few words Shin made a slight nod as he had something else in mind indeed. However before he could speak his mind Naraku spotted someone in the tree`s and Shin acted at an instant, he drew his tanto and threw it towards the sound. Or at least tried to, but the answer was a blade sinking into a tree yet it seemed enough as Shin had hoped it scared the listener away. Shin calmly scratched his neck with a bothered face whilst turning back to Naraku.

"As I was about to say, I`d like to hire you my friend. I pay you a fair share as a team by hunting down criminals or whomever broke the law, even extra is possible if ya do a good job cause despite appearances I have some money stored away.

Any thoughts?"

Shin inquired as he relaxedly crossed his hand on his chest.

Mai avoided the tanto easily and shighed angrily "Knew it" She thought she then jumped off the tree and landed on her feets, she just dusted her clothes off

"...So you threaten me then welcome me as a friend...very odd...." Naraku said. "Payment has little to sway my mind though your offer intregs me...." Naraku added. "If you do not except any bountys from the south or east then I will except after you proof to me your skills...By assinateing the current daymino around this place." Naraku said. now we see if your skills are macthed by your mouth..if so then I don't have a chance. He thought with an invisable smile. Just the he turned his back and slowlly walked north.

(I can easly get another person that looks like Eirasu to be the daymino. also the reason will be explained later.

Mai eyes widened ligthly as she heard the conversation "The daimyo??? What the hell??" She thought as she got up quietly and started walking away quite confused of what she heard

(Honestly I didn`t see that coming and I had a really different idea as to where this one should have been going, also you don`t see a problem here eh? They are in the Edo region, which just so happens to be the capital, I covered this in my first post... besides I assasinating a daimyo was never what Shin would agree to, he is not stupid to take such risks. Eh, I´ll do change the course.)

Shin burst into an uncontrollable laughter and slammed his hand against his forehead, after a while he let out a sigh as he stopped laughing. The man couldn`t possibly be serious, no, he was too serious to be freaking real. It sounded like having Shin do his dirty work for him or just send him on a fools errand with no guarantee of return.

"Assassinate the daimyo? What are you an idiot? That would make me one of the most wanted man in all of Japan and do you think that killing one man, then getting caught is worth anything? Hardly..."

Shin said with a smile on his face as he slowly began to draw his katana out of it`s scabbard, he took a few steps forward and finally pointed his sword at Naraku. There was a calm, ominous look in Shin`s eyes as he stared at Naraku down the blade of his sword.

"Don`t try to screw around with me, if you wanted a display of my skills it wouldn`t have had anything to do with an assassination. True skills are shown in a battle, not sneaking up on someone and stabbing them in the back. Either you take me for a freaking fool or a murderous tool, that you could use for some petty reasons.

Also as I said, the threat wasn`t actually real, it had nothing personal to do with you so just shut up about that."

Shin said with clear annoyance in his voice and his muscles ready to spring into action, if the stranger chose to fight him.

((May I join? Sadly, I will only be able to post 2 or 3 times a week because of school and my family situation.))

"I take no offense to the threat. I just find it...a peculier way to make an companion." Naraku said. as the blade was pointed at him he laughed. "but you have a point...you seem far to weak for anything to intense." He said. just then a yellow gas shoot out his suit the left the party temporarally blinded-except for Naraku. he took the oppertunity to knock the swrod out of shin's hands. "we won't be needing weapons for mere disccusion." He said as the smoke cleared.

(*gasps* godmodding.... lol, no problem tough... well death awakens, yea you can, but you`ll just have to adapt your posts to ours kinda, if we post once a day or something like that. Welcome and do post your profile.)

Shin blinked his eyes as the smoke cleared, but simply smirked at the sight of his sword laying on the ground and Naraku standing there in complete calmness. This was the kind of fellow he had just been looking for, crafty and skilled, one that would prove useful in fighting against all that dared cross his path.

"Nicely done my friend..." Shin started complimenting Naraku on his surprise attack. "I might not be one that is fully skilled in the ways of warfare, but I suppose there is always room to expand and as to our different views... well let us agree to disagree? Besides I have no intention of breaking the law, yet, and I hardly care about any ideals that one might be swaying before others to justify his actions. That doesn`t cut out with me."

Shin said with a bothered face and he gazed at his katana on the ground, then at the tanto sticking out of the tree before hmhing to himself. Seemingly he was without weapons and thus might be underestimated, but considering the craftiness of the masked fellow before him, he doubted a surprise attack would be possible. On the other hand, he was still wondering about the sound in the tree`s and was worried whether they were being listened to. He decided against it and looked at Naraku quietly.

"Anyway, you must know how I feel, working alone, feeling restricted and not being able to move around more as you please. I think that you and I teaming up might be a good idea, I might not look like it, but I have some very good contacts in high and low places, if you get my point... also finance is no problem with me, I am willing to aid you be more effective and you help me out with slicing some necks.

Also were going to need more people, it may sound at first like I am trying to put up a band of hired killers, but truth be told there`s more to it. It`s not just about money or killing, it`s about... how shall I put it... gaining leverage... Or would you like to say some terms of your own? Yet I am hardly going after a daimyo, took much trouble to kill one man and without benefiting anything really."

Or would it benefit you some how, if I had actually decided to follow your foolish demand? Shin thought to himself as he was rightfully suspicious of the man`s true intentions and agenda.

This fellow may help me with my plans...this offer intregs me. Naraku said. "But you must understand...Killing dayminos..is what I plan on doing" Naraku said with a smile

Mai just listened the conversation "Interesting" She thought she slightly smirked "Really interesting" she thought

"Wow... sounds like you have some great grudge against the daimyo`s unless... you have another motive to kill them? Well whatever you want that`s your business for now, if we have an agreement we should start from the grassroots level before starting to behead the rulers of this country."

Shin said with an amused smile all tough he remained suspicious of his apparently new `friend`, it was obvious there was some motive to killing the daimyo`s, which could mean he was working for the shogun himself or some daimyo? Then why bother taking up his offer unless it would work as a cover up for his work? Nothing too complicated it seemed, but for now he would prove useful in the beginning. Shin gazed to his side and raised an eyebrow.

"You know I`ve had this unnerving gut feeling that whoever or whatever caused the noises before is still out there, I suggest we just check, you wouldn`t want anyone to be alarmed of your intentions, no?"

Shin inquired with a smile as he carefully picked up his katana from the ground and placed it back in it`s scabbard.

Mai cursed silently and got up and walked away slowly whitout making noice as she looked at the two men trought the bushes

"I didn't hear any noises earlier." Naraku said simplly.

Shin grinned quietly and shook his head before almost rushing off to the side of the road, along the way he quickly grabbed his tanto into his left hand. He charged trough the bushes and stopped, gazing around and the girl in the red kimono wasn`t too hard to spot amongst the green surroundings. Shin coughed out loud to catch her attention, also at that same moment he realized that this girl was the one, who had spoken out at the roadside inn. So she had followed them after that? Just by chance or was she after something?

"Young miss you seem to be lacking some manners, eavesdropping on a business conversation is hardly forgivable and I suppose you should be punished accordingly. Now are you going to stand and take your punishment or will you force me to chase you?"

Shin said and pointed the tanto towards Mai whilst letting his other hand fall to the hilt of his katana.

"let go of the girl." Naraku said pointing a blade to the back Shin's neck.

"Eh?"

Shin said raising an eyebrow with a clear smirk on his face as he slowly turned to face the blade pointing at his neck, yet he didn`t move his body simply glanced over his shoulder as, if unafraid of Naraku`s threat.

"I am not even touching her, she could run ya know and tell someone, not about our business since there`s nothing wrong with that in a way yet I wonder how they might react to your intentions pal. Besides I wasn`t going to hurt her, nah, just a little chat.... or what did you think I was some cutthroat, who wouldn`t hesitate to hurt women?"

Shin inquired as he turned to stare at Mai.

"The latter. she hasn't done anything yet." Naraku said. "I thoguht she was with you anyway. with brigs me to a question. why did it take you so long to figure out she was here?" He asked

Shin shrugged quietly, but kept staring ahead at Mai.

"At first I hoped I would haver caught her with the tanto, but since there was no sound of a body slumping or hitting the ground, which I would have noticed, I figured I`d finish my business with ya first. I suspected that she would stay to hear the rest of the conversation, out of pure interest and not to miss any details.

Also have you ever heard of a preemptive strike? This might be merchant talk, but you have to seize the opportunity so that there aren`t any unfortunate set backs. The past always comes to haunt you, if you are sloppy or don`t finish what you started.

Now stop pointing your blade at me, your acting like I had already done something wrong while on the contrary I`ve been looking out for your. Not even you are untouchable all tough you seem to think so, that mask won`t protect you forever."

Shin said calmly before taking a few steps towards Mai all tough there was still a distance between them, Shin flipped the tanto around in his hand.

"How about we talk girl?"

He offered all tough it must have seemed that it was better to run and leave the two to quarrel amongst each others.

"I don't need the mask boy. once you find whats behind it you'll agree" Naraku said lowering his blade. that blade actually had 2 blades. "enough of this. Let her tell whomever she wants. I already have death wareents out for me in most of Japan and these dayimons can do nothing to me." Naraku said.

Mai turned around when heard Shin, she then looked around as the man talked, she knew she could get out of there easily but like always her curiosity won, for now she would pretend she was just a harmless girl, she then just looked at Shin "I dont think there something to talk" She said as she stared at both of them

"That is your belief because you do not share my point of view, but allow me to begin by apologizing for my nasty attempt to kill you, it was nothing personal I assure you."

Shin said as he disarmingly sheathed his tanto and lowered his other hand down from the hilt of his katana. He took a step forward, but still kept a distance as not to alarm her or to scare her away. She was obviously curious as to what he had to say to her, just like before, she was a curious little girl. Yet something didn`t match, she traveled alone, either she was poor and foolhardy or she thought that she would be able to protect herself. She was no rich girl as he had thought at first, no, a rich girl wouldn`t bother eavesdropping on them, the wealthy had more manners than that. Shin took a more relaxed stance despite the fact that Naraku was right behind him ands still probably with his weapons sheated.

"Also forgive my newly found friend, as you see he is very shy about his appearance and that also applies to his trust in people. Yet who can blame him? Now then I suppose you heard our whole conversation? And you are aware that on the outside you are not as you seem? Confusing?

Shall I reason it for you? You clearly aren`t wealthy or even in moderate money, otherwise you would have had company or even guards yet, if you are poor you must be foolhardy to travel alone. However am I correct in assuming, that you are not entirely defenseless miss.... I never caught your name, what might that be?"

Shin inquired after presenting the conclusion he had arrived to about her reasons or to be more correct skills.

shy with my apperence? you act as if you've known me for ages. Naraku noted.

Mai nooded "My name is Mai" She answered simply not answering or agreeing whit what he said

"Well isn`t that an evasive answer..."

Shin said with a rather embarrassed tone as his conclusions were ignored completely by simply giving out a name. Shin sighed and scratched his hair in frustration as he pondered how to talk to the girl, if she was just going to play dumb. Shin gazed quietly and ominously at Naraku, it was a risky move no doubt, but it could turn out to profit and might actually be fun. Then again Naraku seemed instinctively protective of her already or at least apparently innocent women.

"Listen, as we have established that you are not wealthy and apparently you are alone. Why not let us escort you to your destination, surely we can repay our rudeness. He seems to think that I was being rude before so he will certainly agree with me on this one, why let us repay you? We are hardly any bandits and as you witnessed my friend didn`t want any harm to come to you."

Shin proposed, using what had happened earlier as an excuse to learn more about the girl and besides to him it didn`t matter too much where she was headed. There were always bandits to be hunted all over the country.

our? I think not Naraku thought. "or maybe she could handle herself. I saw her at the bar and she didn't seem alermed by my Poison. peraps there is a reason why." Naraku said.

Mai looked at Shin as she raised an eyebrown, she wasnt quite sure of what he was he was thinking, she was about to say something when Naraku spoke she looked at him and then at Shin "Well that is really nice of both you but I think it is ok if you guys dont wanna do that" She said as she shrughed, she then looked at Naraku "Why did you killed that man?" She asked calmly

"He was....a crimanal ." Naraku stated.

Mai nooded as she looked at Naraku not saying anything *Who am I to ask, I am mercenary myself* She scolded herslef as she regreted asking

"I already noticed that back there, why else would have I been hinting that she has the ability to defend herself? If so then I might be interested in recruiting her, you know how hard it`s to find women with true fighting capabilities. Yet she decides to play dumb for now... I just want a straight answer here, is that too much to ask?"

Shin said with frustrated tone before glaring at Mai.

"So am I correct to assume that you can fight and are interested in being hired?"

She actually thought that. Guess that was my fault I guess I should have been more clear.

Mai just raised an eyebrown as he talked *I think he forgot I am right infront of him* she thought, she then just shrugehd "Well..." She was saying but stopped *I can go to the nearby town and get a job easily but then again I hate doing that,working for those rich bastards always jealous of other people wanting to kill them and so coward that they can fight someone for their own, and anyway this looks way more interesting* She thought, she looked at Shin "Well I am interested" She said as she slightly smirked

((Okay here is my character, I can make adjustments if needed.))

Name: Miyamoto Gakuto
Gender: Male
Age: 27
Blood type: O
Eyes: Brown
Weapons: Daishō (Katana/wakizashi) and a Yumi (Gohonhigo).
Training/Skills: Trained in the school of Hyōhō Niten Ichi-ryū kenjutsu techniques.
Strengths: Physical strength, can read and write and a descent Go player.
Weakness: Has a new found love of nihonshu (sake), so he has a trouble staying sober. Not very good at handling money since he enjoys drinking. A pretty face in trouble, he is a sucker for the ladies.
Personality: Playful but stern and discipline when it comes to battle and jobs, obnoxious drunk at times.
History: Gakuto was a samurai for a tozama daimyō near Kaga han in Etchū Province of Japan. The daimyō fell in ill favor with the Bakufu (shōgunate) causing the daimyō to lose his position and land. Since the daimyō lost his honer, he preformed Seppuku. The area was assigned to the Maeda clan and they did not hire any of those who worked under the former daimyō since they had their own employees. Without a master, Gakuto abandon the Bushidō code of conduct and became a rōnin. He normally takes jobs as a yōjinbō (bodyguard) for a living. He often states that he is a shugyōsha on a Musha shugyō, however he can normally be found drinking nihonshu.

Welcome Death Awakens!

(Thats a good profile, welcome aboard, we can have your character hop in somehow or you can decide how to do it. Right now they are on a road in the midst of a wood so we might have to get them out first.)

Shin nodded slightly in relief as he wouldn`t have to twist any words.

"Good, as I mentioned I need people with skills in order to hunt down some criminals or well to collect bounties at first, later on I shall... reveal more of my plans for I am not going to stoop to bounties forever. I employ you for an equal share and in return you lend me your skills, so do we have an agreement or do you have any terms of your own you would wish to specify?"

Shin inquired after presenting his idea.

"Well I am in" She said as she shrughed and smirked

"More company. very well. now onto a question I have been holding for a long time. what is your objective?" Naraku said turning to Shin.

"Aren`t we impatient?"

Shin asked before gazing at Naraku, obviously he was the type that thought he should know everything whilst he told nothing about himself. Shin shrugged casually with a smirk on his face.

"I am not going to elaborate until I am ready for it unless you are willing to show me your face and tell me who you really are? No? Thought so, but stopping with the accusations and the inquiries I suggest we move on. I was also on my way to a nearby village where I have a contact, who tends to keep in touch with me all tough he has been quiet as of late so I suggest we check it out and while we are at it see what news we can pick up..."

Shin said, he didn`t directly command them to do as he said, but it was obvious that they hardly had any better ideas.

Mai looked at Naraku, she was curious about why he hid his face she shrughed "Guess he has his own reason" She thought as she walked out of the bushes into the road she then looked at Shin "Well if you are talking about the town I think you are talking we will get a job in no time, there has been a lot of trouble there, especially in the road ahead, thiefs attack people, so people are scared of going to the town especially merchants they cant take the risk of loosing theyr merchancy"

"If were in an organization then I at least deseve to know our goal. Also if I wish to keep my identaty a secret then I will. I am wanted in Large areas and you knowing my identity could casue problems and you could use that as a potensial bargging chip for later." Naraku explained while still keeping his omnious glow about him. "however if it will mean anything I will give you a clue and you will tell me part of the objective." Naraku said. this maybe risky but if he gets out of hand I can easly elimanate him. Naraku thought.

Shin had already taken a few steps out of the bushes to the road, partially ignoring Naraku and listening to Mai, but on the background Naraku`s voice suddenly caught his attention. Shin stopped and partially turned to gaze at Naraku with a blank expression.

"Intriguing, but even I am in doubt of our object and it may slightly vary as we travel this rocky road. Since you are so keen on keeping your identity and life safe I shall respect it, besides were it revealed to anyone then we would both feel threatened and most likely one or both of us would end up dead.

I was planning on living out much longer and perhaps achieving something in my life alongside trustworthy comrades, don`t you?"

Shin inquired in his confident yet careful manner before walking out of the bushes and onto the road, next to Mai. He quietly nodded to her all tough he had partially missed what she had said, but he had got the big picture from what he had heard. This was exactly the reason he had been moving around here and why he had been on this particular route, the region outside cities and kind of organization tended to get infested with criminals.

"Exactly what I was after by coming here, besides looking for people to help me out, and I think my friend can help us out. He runs a shop in town and knows a lot of the people, that come and go. He can at least tip us off in the right direction... lets get going..."

Shin said with a rather determined voice before looking at both of them, they all were wondering whether they could trust each others. It would be like that, awkward, for a while now until they would get used to each others company. Shin began walking with a steady phase down the road.