Swords In The City [Open]

[Kishinami Kou]

Lost? No she wasn't lost, that would be absurd! Who got lost in their own hometown? And on a bright day like this none the less! Ok it wasn't exactly bright, but atleast it wasn't snowing or especially windy. She wasn't lost as in she couldn't find her way home anymore, but she indeed didn't quite know where she was at the moment, nor did she know where it was she had been supposed to go. The reason for this was because she had heard someone talk about a Showfight going on with sword and all the good stuff involved. Ofcourse those were things that hadn't been meant for her ears at all, as these fights could end really badly, so a kid walking in there, well, she wouldn't exactly be welcomed with open arms. Atleast she wasn't about to do anything illegal but alas, nothing about swords to see for her today it seemed. She would have been disappointed anyways, after having been born as a part of the Nanjirou bloodline, there was rarely any pure swordfighting outside of her clan that looked interesting.

Anyways, after having gone kind of lost, she had wandered around a bit absentmindedly and what finally got her to look up from the ground was a shop that was selling swords. Out of reflex she gripped the wooden Katana at her side and mustered the swords infront of her, or well, behind the glass window. Ofcourse she had a sword at home, waiting for her to make it officially hers, but since she was an academy student, she wasn't really allowed to carry the weapon around that was made of her grandfather... That is what her parents told her, they probably didn't want anyone to steal it with how much time Yuzu spend outside the house, not that she knew the real reason. Regardless, with her face smooshed against the Window, she had the strong urge to get her hands on one of those swords just so she could call one her own.

MFT: 339

 

[Saitou Rei]

Susukino District. The words felt odd on Reicheru's tongue, far less direct than 'Oak District' or 'Maple Town'. Oh well, 'simple names for simple minds,' she thought with a begrudging grin as she looked over the weaponry displayed in the shop Danii had been so excited to investigate with her. Though Reicheru had made mental notes of the restaurants along their path and found herself amazed at the variety of entertainment sources provided in a mountain village, she had to admit that her heritage was showing as she eyed each katana and dagger and longsword with a critical eye. It probably wasn't the best look, two strangers who'd only recently arrived at the gates popping up in the sword shop. Really it wasn't their fault though! Could you keep an Akimichi away from dango or an Uchiha away from black clothing and eyeliner? How could you expect any different from the clan of samurai?

As much as she felt this defense was solid, the dark haired kunoichi kept her wits about her and split her attention between the beautiful steel in front of her and the chakra signatures around her. When one such presence began to linger a little longer than the others, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Of course, she had no reason to believe she was being watched based on this alone, but it wouldn't be the first time even this morning. Her over-layered attire on a relatively mild day alone proved her foreign status, even without wearing a Konoha headband. Slowly turning her gaze, Reicheru caught sight of the person putting her off-kilter… someone who couldn't be less interested in Reicheru. Ease washed over her as she recognized the trance the young girl at the window was in, one she herself had fallen victim to many a time in her academy days. Grinning at the childlike wonder, the kunoichi returned to her browsing. Making her way about the shop, she noticed a small hallway which, when peered down, revealed a back room with an anvil. She took another mental note; Maikeru would be interested to hear about this place.

After some time passed, enough for anyone else to have wrapped up their window shopping and moved on, noticed the child was still there. Tilting her head to one side, an amused chuckle rose in her throat. Examining her more closely and noting the bokken that hung at her waist, she pegged her as one of Kumogakure's academy students. Her fondness for those who displayed a thirst for growth at a young age prompted Reicheru to cross the distance between the shelf she was at and the door. Leaning up against the open doorframe (apparently the weather was just fine, why close the door? These crazy Kumo nin…), the slightly older Nanjirou gave the girl a warm smile. "Got a favorite?" she asked, looking casually at the girl and then nodding toward the display. "Y'know, you can probably come inside… so long as you don’t touch anything," The last part of her offer was accompanied by an apologetic look at the shop keep who she probably should have asked first. The gruff middle-aged man looked up from the blade he was polishing before giving an uninterested shrug; he seemed the type to be able to handle any rowdiness. Not that anything like that would happen, of course!

[Topic Entered]

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

Rurou Kotsurugi
NPC

The morning sun rose to greet the elderly sage with warmth upon his wrinkled face. His eyes opened to the light, honeydew yellow eyes glared upon the morning light. "Ah, another day. Another blade." The old sage mumbled while yawning and smacking the dryness of his lips. Arising from his bed, the giant robed himself in soft leaf green kimono that looked worn thoroughly by time and use. The giant tied the beads and charms through his long hair trail down his backside of leaf green. No weapon carried upon him visibly as he finished dressing, eating and readying the delivery.

His thick snow white beard flowed in the wind as he stepped out the Rurou Temple and stepped quietly down long cold stone steps to the courtyard and onto the small farm before the entrance to his home. Outward to that was the Ancient Forest, his little get away from the hustle and bustle of the village. Only to make trips into the village eon business or personal matter. Rarely has Kotsurugi ventured from his home the past couple months. Today was delivery day. His forge had finished just yesterday producing the last blade of an order he filled for the villages weapon shops.

It was well known amongst the villagers of Kumogakure that the weapons sold in most the shops were produced from metals within the mountains of Kumogakure, brought to the village. Most of which to be forged by Kotsurugi and very few other blacksmiths in the village. He himself did not have a shop, he was retired shinobi. Now he only made the blades sold to Kumogakure or travelers across the land. Some swordsman to this day may carry some of his blades or weapons he's made. His Clan symbol his marker on most of his make. Today twelve blades were being carrying in a thick wrapped blanket. He had the sheaths made simple, Distinguishable by the different tree's he used in the ancient forest. Finished and smoothed nicely.

The elder moved slowly through the forest but had his short cuts to make it Susukino District with ease by passing through the back yards of estates and within but an hour or two from his temple the giant elder finds himself amongst the noise and bustle of the busy streets. Life and liveliness run among the streets vendors, the shopkeepers string their wears amongst windows to attract the eyes of many travelers.

The giants free hand reached into his old robes for his elongated up he rested to his lips, stuffing it with his own home grown mixture and lighting it with a flick of a match along his robes. A few puffs and a cloud trailed about the giant with the scent of mint leaf. The giant continued his way through the bustling crowd, making his way to the weapon shop. Seeing that the shop had two people standing by the doorway and window he thought it would be only proper to give pause and excuse himself to the Kunoichi. "Pardon me." The giant spoke with a soft humble tone as he bowed and passed by the two kunoichi.

The sound of the giant was silent except for the beads and charms strewn and tied in the elders hair. Kotsurugi was so tall and wide that he had to duck quite a bit to get under the frame of the door and into the shop. Greeting the blacksmith with a warm hello and laying his wares upon the table. "Here are your blades for this month." The giant stood with his hands held behind him. Hiding his giant war scared hands under the length of his sleeves.

The blacksmith removed the blades from their sheath, one after the other. Examining the blades, their sharpness and alignment. Checking their sturdiness and flexibility. The blades hade little to no flaws to be seen by the blacksmith. "Good stuff as always. The money will be sent to your home Rurou-San. Many thanks." The blacksmith spoke with a big grin as he collected the blades and immediately began putting them up for sale.

"Pleasure doing business." The giant replied solemnly as he took his leave, pardoning anyone he had to pass to get out of the building. The giant barely made glance to the Kunoichi. As the elder seemed to be interested in a very nice tea stand right across from the weapon shop. "Oh lovely!" The giant hummed a simple joyful tune as he shuffled silently to the stall. He spoke to the woman behind the stale with a gentle voice that was just loud enough to be heard over the crowd of passerby. "A cup of sweetened lemon grass tea please. Something nice and calming on this nice morning."

The woman nodded and prepped a small container of lemon tea. The elder took a seat on a nearby bench while he waited for his tea to heat up. His soft honeydew yellow eyes glanced about the crowd, looking to see how many travelers he could spot out the crowd today. Smoking from his pipe and blowing out different shapes in the smoke.

 

[Santaru Kaede]

Of course Danii decided to join Reicheru on a shopping trip. The young Nanjirou had immediately agreed when asked to check out a local smith's shop. Her friend didn't have to ask twice. As they made their way to the shop, Danii pulled her hood over her head. Despite the weather being nicer today than it had been the day they arrived, she would need some time before she adjusted to the lower temperatures in her new home. One of the first things she did after settling in was purchasing new coats and some leggings to cover up more. Today, she wore a green hoodie over a simple white dress with matching leggings. Despite still being new to town, she carried her strapped to her back. She had suffered long enough with it hidden in a scroll. She needed to feel the comfort of it hanging off her back if she was ever expected to truly settle in here.

“Thanks for the invite Rei. It's been too long since the last time we were able to ditch Maikeru for a little bit of girl time. It's a nice change of pace. Plus, I was hoping to find something today, or at least find a smith to place an order with.”

As two entered the shop, Danii drifted up and down the aisles and between showcases. She wasn't near the blacksmith that her grandfather was, not as talented as Maikeru even. But she had spent her entire life helping her grandfather in the forge or with merchants and has been wielding a sword since before she could walk. That is to say, she had a keen eye of the quality of a sword despite not being good at forging one. The blades in this shop seemed to be largely the run of the mill type meant for an average shinobi or slightly trained civilian. The edges would hold for a bit and get the job done, but most were far from a master's blade. Lost in her window shopping, Danii didn't notice that Rei had slipped off to the door. In the back of the shop, Danii finally found something of interest not in a showcase, but in a box underneath.

“Wait… no… it couldn't be… JACKPOT….”

She whispered to herself as she pulled the box out a bit. To the unsuspecting shopper, the object wouldn't appear to be a weapon at all, but Danii knew what it really was for she had another one of the creator's masterpieces. Her gramps had told her to always keep an eye out for another and now she would have it. She quickly hurries over to the blacksmith with what appears to be a bronze bangle in the shape of a serpentine skull. It seems to be of similar design to the gold dragon bangle on her right hand. She waits patiently as the customer in front of her finishes up her purchase. While waiting in line, Danii looks around the room for her friend.

 

[Kishinami Kou]

Half spaced out and in her head, thinking of how nice a own weapon would be and half focused on the swords infront of her she didn't notice the oder girl approaching her. She wasn't much of a ninja that she could focus on so many things at once, or even unconciously keep track of her surroundings. As a result of this, she got severly startled when a voice suddenly appeared next to her and worse even, it was directed at her. The young samurai took a step back from the window with her hands raised in defense as if she was trying to show that she hadn't done anything wrong. When she realized she wasn't about to get yelled at, she lowered her arms and folded them infront of her obi. "No... not really. I kinda have a sword at home anyways, but I'm not allowed to use it yet... I was just fantasizing about finally having my own real katana." She pointed at the wooden thingy on her waist and sighed. "These look good and aren't bad by any means, but they lack spirit." She was too used to the swords her family was making, top grade weapons that one could feel a difference from just holding the sheathed thing in hands. Ofcourse that was a little different, not everybody was of the nanjirou clan who had a completely different outlook on swords. To her family, the were more then a weapon, they were family members and a part of their body, they would just be any forged metal.

Before Yuzu could ad anything on to her previous words or could try to explain herself - even though she might have said too much - she was interrupted by a huge man passing them by, infact even walking into the shop. Yuzu couldn't quite see what he was all about, but this elder man truely had an impressive presence. The young Iai's mouth was hanging open for a moment before realizing she was staring. Shaking her head, the previous conversation was pushed aside inside her head and she approached the door. Maybe I should enter to not block the entrance... She pushed herself past the woman and stepped inside the building, immediately she stepped over to one of the shelves and mustered the goods that were layed out infront of her. She suddenly seemed to realize something as she looked up and at the woman that had invited her inside. A-ah! I'm so sorry! I totally forgot to introduce myself! My name is Yuzu! Iai Yuzu and I am learning at the ninja academy how to become a ninja!" She bowed and straigthened back up, looking at the woman expectantly to introdue herself aswell. She was a little embarassed by already being so rude to this stranger who she had just met.

 

[Saitou Rei]

As she rested on the door frame, though she spoke to the girl at the window she continued to be alert to the things going on and people passing around them. A middle-aged gentleman bemoaned the prices of the antique goods being pedaled at a stall across the street, calling it all a racket; a child begged his mother to turn around and stop at the pastry shop a few shops down. No, they were going to get Birria for lunch, that would spoil his appetite. Rei made a mental note to figure out what on earth 'birria' was. Thanks to the alliance and introduction of the railroad between Fire and Lightning, some of the foods around were familiar to her - others, not so much. And not everything from home could be found either, which was to be expected but oh so disappointing. What she would give for

Feeling impolite for her wandering mind, Reicheru focused the full of her attention back on the child. Her disappointment with the wooden practice weapon she'd been given as a temporary was one that Reicheru understood, and pulled a light chuckle out of the older girl as she remembered using them with Danii and Maikeru to teach the Uchiha how to fight with a sword all that time ago. How far they'd come she thought, though their most recent spar wasn't exactly a fun one to remember. "These look good and aren't bad by any means, but they lack spirit." The younger girl's words brought Reicheru back to the present. She pursed her lips and cocked her head at the last word; that was the kind of language the Nanjirou would expect her family would use… though after a moment of thought she supposed it wasn't so uncommon. Still, it was enough to warrant prompting. "Hmm, I suppose you could say that. You're quiet perceptive, tell m--"

Her words were interrupted by an older gentleman who, if Rei had still been fully tuned in to her surroundings, would not have gone unnoticed. Though the elder man's large figure was imposing, there was an unassuming air about him as he quietly made his way past the girls. Stepping back, the kunoichi gave the blacksmith a polite bow of her head. Her eyes trailed behind the gentleman, her curiosity piqued. The smaller girl followed suit behind the kimono-draped man, and so Rei too reentered the shop. An unsurprised smile pulled on her lips when she saw her cousin at the counter making a purchase. "Hope it was something nice," the words were playful as Rei moved to stand next to Danii, her eyes scanning the counter nosily to see what had caught the Nanjirou's attention.

Instead her own attention was turned once more to Yuzu, who in a fluster introduced herself and confirmed Rei's suspicions that she was a student at the shinobi academy here. Reicheru's own grey eyes looked into Yuzu's, like looking into a mirror. The enthusiasm of the youth of Kumogakure was palpable... not unlike her own had been in Konoha, once. With a melancholy smile, the slightly older girl returned the bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Iai Yuzu. I'm Nanjirou Reisetsu, and this is my cousin..." Gesturing toward Daenerisu, she would allow her fellow immigrant introduce herself, lest the new name sound too odd on Reicheru's tongue. While Danii spoke, Rei eyed the blades the older man had brought in while the shop-keep looked them over. "You seem to have a good eye for weaponry for someone still using a bokken. Sounds like they're teaching you well at that school of yours." As the three chatted, Rei watched from the corner of her eye as the elder made his way out of the shop and across the street. If she could manage it, she would want to chat with this man before he left Susukino. From the look of the blades he'd brought, it wouldn't be a bad idea for her and friends to all get to know this man.

[OOC: Sorry for the wait, been a bit under the weather]

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

(Hope you feel better soon, Reicheru. )

Rurou Kotsurugi
NPC

The giant elder sat patiently for his tea, breathing in the cold crisp air the mountains brought into the village, the smells of the food stalls and drinks being served. The winds carried many of these smells that watered the mouth and begged for the need of something to peck at the human appetite. It was always a treat to walk down these roads and enjoy the hustle and bustle of life. Being in solitude, smithing tools and blades was all Kosturugi had left. All be it from the odd pupil who would ask for advice in the art of swordsmanship.

Being possibly the oldest living Nanjirou in the village, a shinobi who put his blade away when he thought he could no longer take up the sword for Kumogakure. But yet, something has irked Kotsurugi in his retirement. A restlessness. It was in the air now again, he could not recall what it was. Yet it would linger from time to time. This feeling of unease, a sense of bloodlust, ambition. He could not say. But when he felt it in the air, it always troubled him and chilled his old bones.

He had to laugh at himself from time to time, thinking it being his old ways haunting him. "You're just scaring yourself, you old fool. No one wants to kill you anymore. They've all forgotten about you." He mumbled under his breath. It was true, they had forgotten about him. He had no enemies in the world who knew of him. None of the shinobi he knew had gone to visit him in the woods, none had mailed letters or even word of students needing sword lessons. He felt, day by day, like a forgotten relic of kumogakure.

This irksome feeling was slowly spurring the sword sage into a motion. A thought to step back into that world he long stepped away from. To bring back his blade into this world, to be Kinsei again. To search this world for evil and strike it down with his blade. The sage sat forward on the bench, holding his hands together. almost looking as if to warm them from the cold. But when clasped together, he could feel the flow of chakra in them, the light forming around them. The blade wishes to be made again, to breath the air he breaths, and to rend through the flesh of evil. Pure indignation in cold light steel. The light faded away. "No. I am not a shinobi anymore." He whispered as he brought his hands to his mouth to warm his hands. Standing when the tea was ready, thanked the woman behind the stall, paid for his tea and continued on his way as he sipped sweet lemon grass tea from a small cup.

"Perhaps I should go forge some more blades today." The elder said allowed to himself. Whistling a soft tune as he headed home.

 

[Santaru Kaede]

Danii waits patiently for the interaction to finish at the register and steps up to make her purchase. She thanks the smith, who looks confused at why someone would buy such a gaudy bracelet, but smiles and counts the few bucks he made from it. He seems happy to have made the sell of the item he was getting ready to scrap. Danii slides the large bracelet onto her arm and tightens it as she walks over to join her friend. The metal feels unusually war as it rests against her skin. The other bracelet seems to grow colder as if reacting to it and confirms her thoughts on the jewelry weapon.

“I'll show you what it does later. The guy didn't even know what he had.”

She softly informs Rei about her purchase. The bracelt looks similar to the one she wears on her right arm except it appears to be a bronze serpentine skull instead of a golden draconic head. Noticing the stranger talking to Rei, Danii turns to the young cloud kunoichi and introduces herself. Hearing the unusual name coming out of Rei's mouth, Danii remembers that they are supposed to be using their new names in public now.

“Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Reisestsu's cousin. Nanjirou… Umiko!”

She narrowly avoids using her real name as it tries to naturally roll off her tongue. She quickly corrects herself and hopes no one noticed. She quickly moves the conversation forward by asking some questions.

“So, did you find anything cool? Most of what I saw was meh. But then again, I was spoiled by my grandfather's works and my father's blade. There were definitely some good beginner blades though. Is that what you came here for, Yuzu?”

Danii pats the hilt of the sword on her back as she mentions her father's sword and turns to Yuzu with a curious grin on her face. She couldn't help but wonder what brought the younger girl to a place like this.

[WC: 332]
[MFT]

 

[Ketsueki Satou]

The winds blew cold through the elder long flowing beard. The giant dressed in warm robes walked slowly through the streets, sipping his lemon grass tea while humming some unknown tune. He sounded rather chipper and in good spirits. He thought himself to have a smoke on his way home.

He reached for his pipe and bag, stuffing his pipe with a blend that when lit. left a nice scent of mint in the air. Noticing the bag that had his blend was getting low. Kotsurugi decided that maybe he would do well to grab some herbs for his pip and spices for his meal today. Instead of heading home, he turned himself back around and headed back past the blacksmith he was at early. A trail of mint smoke wafting behind him as he hummed and sipped his tea. Going from stall to stall along the street, looking for the right ingredients.
"Maybe i'll forge another blade after a bit of shopping me thinks. Yes, that sounds nice indeed." He mumbled to himself when looking over some chickens hung at a stall of meats. "Hmm Spiced lemon chicken and rice sounds good tonight."

He purchased a chicken for himself and went on to grab a few things from other stalls nearby. "I wonder if Keiji will be joining me tonight. He hasn't stopped by the forge in awhile." The elder talked to himself as he took a pause on a bench once more, to finish his tea and smoke. Even though Keiji was a physical giant, he only took up half the bench. Humming away as he made different shapes out of the smoke clouds.