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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 24, 2006 19:36:56 GMT -5
Akihito's arms suddenly rose in the air and above his head, once he did that the body guards that were formed in a protective circle around him came to a halt. He had narrowed his eyes at the leader of the guards before setting his arms down to his side. The guards gave each other a passive stare before shrugging their shoulders and going back into movement. Obediently he followed within the group before stepping forward to slide his way through the guard to the right so that he could rest his arm against the leader's side.
"How much further until we get into town?" he asked the leader of the guards, unsettling eyes glancing up towards the other's face. Instead of getting like an answer like he had wanted, the leader directed his arm forward to gently pull the kid back towards the center of the group. He didn't even answer. Akihito allowed his eyes to close before opening back up to stare at the sky. It was a nice day out, a cool temperature considering the sun had hid behind the clouds. It was at least a half a mile to go to town, as long as they followed the path. However, he wondered if there was a short-cut.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Jul 24, 2006 19:44:39 GMT -5
The road was thankfully littered with trees, providing for ample cover. He had been following the prince for the past two miles, gauging the way his bodyguards moved - their formations, defensive positions, and reactions to their master's commands, but there wasn't much distance left until they reached town, and he was long overdue to act. Hidehira had been careful to always keep a distance of at least seventy or so feet between them. He wasn't skilled enough yet to walk closely without being noticed.
Finding a precarious balance on a thick lower branch of the tree, he stood up and licked a finger, finding the wind against the projectile of the weapon. He would have to do this quickly, or else they would move on. If he could shoot the nearest two - standing closely together, much to his luck, it would be easier to narrow down the others when they scattered in surprise. Slipping two bows from his quiver, he notched them and drew back the string until his thumb was behind his ear, aiming upwards at an angle, and let them fly.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 24, 2006 20:15:12 GMT -5
After awhile his eyes stared at the back of the leader's head in slight annoyance. He was getting sick of being around these people, considering when neither of them talked. He was about to say something about it until he heard a slight chocking noise come from the guard to his right. Turning his head he stared at one of the guards toppling down head-first while the other one had already been on the ground in silence. Akihito was about to run to one of the guards to check if he was alive before he felt strong hands around his arms and dragging him forward along side the path. One of the guards had taken action.
"Come with me," said the guard while pushing him forward, walking rather fast that the both of them were in a run.
Looking back at the rest of the guards, they stayed behind with the fallen corpses and were scouting the area for any other signs of hostile actions. If the person was an archer, why hadn’t he took his life instead? He was right in the open.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Jul 24, 2006 20:32:11 GMT -5
He had been told to leave no witnesses, and in effect to spare no survivors. Hidehira closed one eye in aim and shot down the rest of the men like he had the other two. To stay in the same spot where their comrades had fallen was a mistake. They made for even easier targets, and the process became more reptition than a task requiring skill. "Tsk," he muttered, seeing that he had wasted enough time with people that didn't matter. The prince and the last remaining bodyguard were already a good way down the road.
He jumped off the tree and broke into a run, wishing for that moment that his legs would carry them faster. He reached the fallen targets and jumped over them without a second thought, tearing his arrows out of their backs to minimalize evidence. If the Shogunate found out what was going on, they would no doubt go on a paranoid witchhunt for traitors. He flicked the arrowheads free of excess blood with distaste.
Finally, the prince and the last standing man came into view again. Hidehira notched another arrow and shot while running. It was more blind luck than anything that he was able to bring down the guard, since movement impeded his ability greatly.
Now for the prince.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 24, 2006 21:05:11 GMT -5
When the last guard that was leading him away got hit with the arrow, he felt the man's weight fall onto him. This caused him to slow down drastically as he lifted the guard off from his back to lower him to the ground. There was no life in this man either, it seemed as though the assassin had the perfect aim to kill off any of his victims in one hit. This only meant that he was the last one standing and all of these people had given their lives to ensure he would live. He had two choices: to stay and fight or run for his life so the deaths weren't in vain.
If the user was an archer the arrow could reach him at long or short distances. Suddenly reaching under his coat he unsheathed both of his blades before turning in the assassin's direction. At last he broke out into a run, heading not away from the assassin but in the direction of the attacker. He could see the figure now, staring at the weapon he was holding. Akihito knew archery, and with this way he could get the direction it was aimed.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Jul 24, 2006 22:56:35 GMT -5
His eyes widened in alarm as he realized what the prince was planning. "Shit," he cursed aloud, taking a step back instinctually. He would be severely handicapped if it ultimately came down to close range battle - he would have to whittle the noble down while there was still space between them. Rapidly, he grabbed an arrow and shot, reaching for another immediately after, firing in rapid succession at the approaching figure.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 24, 2006 23:11:16 GMT -5
Noticing the figure step back he started to increase his running pace, allowing the first arrow to nearly miss his head before running to the right instead of head-on. He had to change the pattern otherwise he would be a sitting target. Each arrow had barely missed him, but he was one step faster than the other's movements. Once he was close enough to the figure he threw himself at Orie instead of trying to kill him off with one of his blades.
He had to find out all that he could, why his guards died and why he was under an assassination attempt.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Jul 24, 2006 23:29:22 GMT -5
The target was not only evasive, he was fast. Hidehira narrowed his eyes and braced himself as the distance between them quickly turned to nothing. He knew he was not nearly fast enough to escape the prince, considering the speed that he was possessed of, nor was he that eager to turn his back on an enemy and leave the job unfinished. The difference in their weights was not enough to keep him standing when Akihito leapt, and he hit the floor back first, the impact knocking the bow out of his grasp.
He winced, but spared no time in moving despite having the air knocked out of him. He had no weapon of use at this proximity, but he was luckily bigger than the prince, and able to fend the blades away from him by grabbing on to the wrists, at the very least.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 24, 2006 23:43:59 GMT -5
Upon knocking the assassin down he suddenly felt a tight grasp around both of his wrists. He was just slightly above Orie before turning his fingers towards the center so both of the blades crossed each other. All he had to do now was lean forward to severe the other's head off. Instead he paused himself there and let his eyes trail to Orie's in contemplation. Giving the other no sign on what he was going to do next - he moved his right leg up to suddenly knee the assassin in the thigh.
"I advise you to not sit up," he spoke quietly, even offering a polite smile.
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Jul 24, 2006 23:54:00 GMT -5
Orie's eyes flitted for a moment, from the face above him to where the prince's knee was pressing against his thigh - dangerous. His grip didn't slack, fingers still wrapped tightly around those thin wrists, but he certainly took the advice to heart. "For a prince," he hissed with a smile that bared teeth, "you certainly play dirty."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 25, 2006 0:03:05 GMT -5
Akihito's smile stayed on his face before he let his knee settle more softly. With the blades still crossed he eyed the other while laughing lightly. "There is always something behind the curtain," narrowing his eyes be suddenly leaned forward to press down on the other's hold - wanting the blades to come down closer to Orie's head. "So, tell me. What is your reason for wanting me dead? I've heard almost all of them. Yet..." moving his torso down and closer, letting the blades hover over the other's face - the red of the paint seemed to glow beneath the shadow of his hear, "...I won't forgive you for killing innocent people."
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Jul 25, 2006 0:09:16 GMT -5
The lowering of the blades did not escape Orie's notice, but he wasn't exactly in a perfect position to protest at the moment. He waited, thinking over his options and biding time. He was certain he could get out of this, just not right this second. "How altruistic," he returned, smiling in retaliation. He refused to be intimidated by this...boy. After all, the prince looked around his age at best. Those features were not well-worn enough to tell of years, though the eyes were weighted with responsibility - not uncommon, for anyone pulled into this coming war. "For the dog prince of an oppressive reign."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 25, 2006 0:27:07 GMT -5
"Fighting words. Fighting actions," mouthed Akihito in response to the other's words. He had taken many insults to the account of his status as Prince. Dog Prince had to be all the most common. "Fighting for what you believe is right? I never thought it would come down to fighting my own people, however, maybe you're not human at all," he was sick of words - sick of all the brutality people had to suffer from political corruptions. Without warning he pressured his left arm down, forcibly making the blade finally rest to the flesh of the other's neck. So, this assassin wanted to smile to mock him with expressions.
Finally letting the cold blade pressure into Orie's neck, just enough to leave a thin cut. He had it sharpened to the best. "Your name, what is it?"
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Post by Orie Hidehira on Jul 25, 2006 0:34:51 GMT -5
Orie looked down, but he couldn't see past the bridge of his nose. He swallowed against the blade, and could very well feel how close the cold metal was to slitting his throat. Despite the sound of his own heart pounding in his ears, he fought the panic down quickly. "I don't know," he said, around the knife, and it was almost painful to speak, "if fighting for what I believe is right. But it's what I chose to do, and I will stand by that decision."
"I am not so worldly to believe myself someone who can so easily deem what is wrong and what isn't. But I don't want to lie down and suffer under ignorant heads like yours!" He had been saving his strength for the last few minutes, allowing the prince to gain the upper hand. Now, with all that pent up energy, he heaved using his arms and knees, throwing the prince off of him and on to the ground beside them.
As quickly as he could, he snatched up his bow and readied an arrow, aiming it point blank at the other's heart.
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Jul 25, 2006 0:55:29 GMT -5
He wasn't expecting the other to throw him off so quickly, however he landed on his left side only to sit himself right up. Soon his stare traveled up and over to the tip of the arrow and then his gaze rose to stare Orie in the face. In any second he could be shot and dead, yet he didn't feel fear while staring at the face of death. Giving Orie a kind smile he settled both of his blades onto the ground next him. Then he crossed his legs in-front of himself and rested his hands in his lap.
"Okay. Go by your decision," Akihito's eyes finally settled to the ground. The assassin could think of him as ignorant, yet he found no ignorance in accepting his death. Everyone who had died to protect him suddenly went to waste. While he waited he started to trace a square-pattern in his lap, trying to calm himself from what he figured he would be facing at old age. Giving Orie what was supposedly his final look, he spoke up once more, "Nothing will persuade you? At least, your name?" He requested again.
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