Back to ze past

Momiji laughed and chased Yuni's sleeves Takeo walked with them smiling
Kuroi followed behind carrying Hikaru as she had trouble traveling with that many broken ribs

Yuni chuckled and tickled Momiji before skipping off in front.

Taro stumbled and Mori frowned, steadying him again and casting him a worried glance. Taro held one hand to his chest and grinned up at him, although there was a sheen of sweat on his skin. "Sorry, lost my balance." Mori shook his head and pulled him along again.
"You're hungry."
"Not."
"Are."
"Maybe."

Hikaru called ahead
"Mori, we need to find somewhere to stay is there a tavern around here or the like?"

"Yeah, First building in the village." He said and pointed in the general direction of said building. "I'll take Taro home, I'll come annd see you then."

"Thanks"
Takeo ran past with Momiji on his shoulders "Onward!"

Kuroi rolled his eyes and followed

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

Takeo went over to the bar (Momiji trailing close behind looking nervous)
"You wouldn't happen to have any foorm of accomadation here would you?" he asked smiling

Rin looked them over with a nod. "We do in fact. For how many? How many rooms?"

"Just two thanks, how much?"
Momiji was tugging on his sleeve trying to hide.

Rin told them the amount and leaned onto the desk with arms crossed.

In a flash Mori had a small six year old child infront of him, waving her doll around madly. "UncleMori! Uncle Mori! Rin made Mama cry! Her hands were all over Papa and Mum walked inside and we saw! Rhun says that daddy has cooties now but of course he doesn't have cooties because girls don't have cooties, just long hair and dresses. And then RIn left and Mama started to yell at Pa then Pa started to yell back and then ma started to cry harder and then she left and Pa seemed to think evberything was ok. Ma and Pa are back together nowand I think its because ma is pregent but Rhun says its because they love each other. Do they love each other? I love my dolll but if I saw my doll playing with another girl I'd cry Oh and..." She froze, her eyes growing wide. "What happened to taro-Daddy?" She said slowly.

"Rin was... with?" He shook his head. God this kid could talk, and if she had any credibility behind what she said - which she probably did... He dismissed the thought and turned his attention back to the blonde in his arms. "Taro-Daddy's just a little sick. He'll be fine." He said and smiled slightly at Evelyn. "Come on, let's get back to you house. I'm sure your mama and Pa love each other, let's go." He shifted Taro in his arms and started walking back with her.

"Taro-daddy loves mama more then papa because Taro-daddy never made mama cry." Evelyn said, skippping behind him. "Do you think Taro-daddy could be my new papa, or evenyou, because Uncle Mori never made any of us cry. Except maybe Taro-daddy but Rhun says Taro-daddy doesn't cry. But everyone cry's, even my doll. or maybe I just spilt my drink on her. But she was thirsty because her skin looked dry and mama says your skin gets dry when you don't drink enough. And we all know Uncle Mori drinks alot because his skin is so pretty. I want skin like Uncle Mori, do you think I could get it if I drink that special drink that Uncle Mori drinks that Rin serves him? Maybe its rins stuff, do you think papas skin will become nice now?"

"You shouldn't drink that stuff. It's not good for your skin. Rin..." He cleared his throat. "Rin has nothing to do with it. I'm sure your daddy didn't um..." Maybe he should stay out of that. In fact, he was definently going to stay out of that. He couldn't remember much else of what she had said anyway, so he just walked back in relative silence. He moved Taro so he was slung over his shoulder and knocked.

----

Elizabeth removed herself from Shades lap and went over, answering the door. Her eyes widend. "Taro?! My god, bring him inside. Evelyn, get me a buucket of water and where is your brother?!"

Evelyn shrugged and skipped off tto get the water.

Rhun walked in just then, lugging a log behind him. "Ma, Uncle mori!" He grinned and dropped the large stick. "What happened to Taro-daddy?" Mori muttered a quick 'sick' and wove him off. Rhun was undeterred, and turned to Shade, interrogating him as to how he could be so mean to mommy.

Mori walked into Taro's room and placed him down ono his bed. "He was shot. I think he broke his arm too." Mori addded to Elizabeth. "He should be fine, he's just a bit knocked around." He said, brushing Taro's hair from his face.

Elizabeth moved over and looked at taro carefully, "Would you look after him for me? Just until he's well enough? I know I'm in no place to ask this of you-" the princess was cut short, hearing a small squeek and a loud splashing noise. Evelyn blushed, her finger in her mouth as everyone looked at her.
"Oops..."

Mori snorted. God he did miss these kids. Mori salvaged the remainder of the water in the capsised bucket and stood up. "Thanks, Evelyn" He said and turned back to Elizabeth. 'Sure. That's fine." Something clicked in his memory and realization flashed over his face. "You! You're having another, right!"

"Anytime." Evelyn grinned, saluting him and marching herself to her room. "Rhun! I think I just stepped on one of your soilders." She yelled back into the room.
Elizabeth smiled and placed a hand to her stomach. "two months in and already I'm looking forward to another rascel around here to make my life hell."

"Congrats." Mori said with a grin, unrolling a length of bandage. "That's great." He removed Taro's shirt and rebandaged him. "Wanted to ask you actually," He paused. "Rin. Evelyn said something and..." He paused with a small shrug, looking to his hands.

Elizabeth looked away. "I'm so sorry Mori. If it makes you fell better, I did make her bleed for it."

He sighed and leaned his hands on the edge of the bed. "Right. So the tavern's off bounds. Great. How am I meant to get my sake now?" He joked.

Elizabeth sighed deeply and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so sorry Mori."

"Nothing that could have been done if she was capable of that." He said gruffly, hugging back anyway. "I'll be hanging around here for a while, if that's alright with you and Shade?"

"Who cares what Shade thinks, I say your staying." Sighing, Elizabeth held onto his cheeks. "Your a good man Mori." She kissed his cheeks and left Taro's room.

Mori slumped down beside the unconcious blonde and held his head. Bloody tavern wench. He scowled.

---------

"Sweet little black bird, why don't you fly, safe inside your nest. Ask you a question, dear little black bird, are your wings broken? Cut at the root. Sweet little black bird, darling little black bird, can you sing a song for me?" A voice seemed to whisper at Ravens ear.

Raven glanced around, eyes snaping open. There was nobody there! He leaned forwards onto the branch to look down at the floor.

"Boo." Amaterasu whispered, jumping down in front of him.

The black haired man leaped back against the tree. "A-Ama! You're dead!"

Amaterasu smiled softly, running the back of her hand across her cheek. "Funny how Death seems to be nothing more then a new beginning." She looked to him, her eyes soft and yet intense. Her hand ran down the opposite cheek. "Tell me, my sweet little black bird prince, is it wrong for me to be alive and walking? Would you call it a sin of god?"

"How is this even possible?!" He asked, voice sharp with unease. "It's been years, you, you were buried!"

"I'm not here to harm you." Amaterasu laughed, she reached out and crawled closer to him. "Did you not miss me, Raven?"

"Of course I did, but isn't it... Is it really you?" He asked, looking rather shocked still. "What are you doing back? Why are you back?!"

"Why? If you don't want me here, just say so." Amaterasu said, going to jump off the branch.

"No!" He grabbed her wrist. "No, wait. It's good, if you're really here, and I'm not.. seeing things, then that's a good thing."

"Oh yes Raven, I am back." Amaterasu reached up and touched his face gently. "And I am back for good."

"That's um, great." He said, shaking his head to try and make sense of the situation. "We should go see the others!" He said, eyes brightening. 'I can't believe this! You're back! They won't believe it!"

"No." Amaterasu said, pressing a finger to where his mouth was. She pushed him back against the trunk of the tree and lent over him. She whispered as she spoke and her eyes drunk in every inch of him. "Tell me Raven, have you ever thought of the darker side of the life? Ever thought what it wouldd be like to be more then what you are and yet more than you could ever be."

"What are you talking about?" He asked slowly. "Ama, you're not meant to be back"

"Perhapes." Amaterasu said, slowly pulling down his mouth mask thing. Her thumb ran over his bottom lip. "Yet I don't see you complaning. so again I ask you Raven, ever wondered what could be install for you on the more dark side of the road."

"And why would I consider this?" He asked, raising his hand to pull hers away. "What could possibly make me turn my back on everything I've gained." He asked, voice levell.

"Power." She whispered, her lips ghosting over his cheek. "Wealth, people speaking your name wherever you go." She paused, and licked her lips, her eyes glued to his. "And Me. I can teach you things of which you've never dreamed but only thought. Things you've never thought but only dreamed and things of which you have neither thought nor dreamed."

"And you could teach me this?" He asked, drawing away from her again. "You know these things?"

"Teach you pride." She appeared on the other side of him. "Teach you the power of Envy, gluttony, Wrath, Greed, Sloth and..." She appeared infront of him again and bent down, her eyes lock on his."Lust. I can teach you how to weild the elements and how to control your fears."

"And what would you want in return for this then?" He questioned lowly. "You can't offer power and expect me to think it's easy."

"Such little faith, my dear sweet black bird." Amaterasu muttered, touching his cheek again. "A cat will creep and seek its prey as the black bird sings its sweet song. Note for note, note for note. The kitty seeks not a meal but a companion, a friend in the sweet singing black bird. That sings its fears and worries. note for note, note for note. But the birds notes strike fear into its own heart and so the cat will utter the words that she does not mean harm and wishes for a friend. She speaks her own song, note for note."

"You simply want someone to travel with you?" He frowned. "And you would teach me these things?"

"See, power is seductive isn't it." Amaterasu smirked, she roseher fingers, a snake curled around her arm and fingers. She kissed its mouth before looking to Raven. "So many possiblities."

"Fine. If I were to agree, where are we going?"

"Well, I could only tell you that after I train you." Amaterasu cooed to the snake, before throwing her hand out. It became a stick and fell to the ground with a thud. She held her hand to Raven. "Ready?"

Raven made a noise of agreement and took her hand. "Ready."

Amaterasu smirked and lent in close, her nose touching his. "Hold your breath." She leane din closer as wind seemed to circle them both, taking the air from their very lungs.
They reapared on a cliffside. Amaterasu smirked as she fell backwards.

Raven darted to the edge of the cliff. "Amaterasu!" He yelled, leaning as far as he could and reaching after her.

Raven was pushed forward and pulled back in the nick of time. She smiled to Raven. "Ready for your first lesson?"

~~~~~~~~~~

The flower in Raven's hand shrivelled as it froze. He crumplet the dried petals and dropped them, turning to look at Amaterasu. "So perhaps you were right about these things."

Amaterasu smiled and walked behind him, her hand dragging along his shoulder. "Well done little black bird. I told you power was seductive."

Raven grimaced slightly. "So do you feel the need to elaborate on this?" He looked around him. "You want something out of this, and don't tell me you're lonely."

"I want someone to cause a distraction." Amaterasu said. "To cause havoc where I cannot. To be my eyes and ears in the world of the living, while I'm the eyes and ears of the dead."

"I see." He nodded. "I will do this, then. Just tell me what it is you want me to do, and I'll see what I can do about."

"theres a villiage not to far from here with a few people you may know." Amaterasu said. "I want you to crush them. But I get one, Sadaharu. Understand?'

"Understood. I leave him be and kill the others. That I can do."

She had done well to choose him. "I'll grant you one wish if you succed here."

"I will succeed." He said and smiled slightly, backing away. He turned suddenly and leapt into the tres vanishing in the direction of the closest village.

Amaterasu smirked and wrapped her arms around herself as she walked to the village. "And so the kitty's plan was set. the bird was under her commanded. The black kitten with a heart of coal will find his end is near. When the kitten leeps and the bird attacks."

Raven strode into the village, looking around with a small smirk. This would be so easy. So very easy. For goodness sakes, they only had one water supply! Ideas ticked around his head. His smirk widened - under the mask fortunately - when he saw someone he knew. "Yuki!" He called over, waving a hand.

Yuki turned, a pile of logs on his back. In an instent his face brightend. "Raven! What brings you to our quiet village?"

"Thought I'd drop by for a while or so," He said and walked over. "Ran into some people I haven't seen for a long time and thought, why not?" He smiled oddly.

"Well, always good to see your ugly mug." Yuki said. "Want to drop in and see me old lady, I mean old Sadaharu." Yuki laughed to himself.

Raven rose an eyebrow. "Old Sadi, eh? Why not."

Yuki grinned. "Follow me." he led the Ninja to his small house. Dropping the logs outside he stepped inside. "Sad?! We have a guest."

Sadaharu walked into the main room and grinned at Raven. 'Long time no see." He said. Raven nodded. There was the target. He didn't listen as Sadaharu spoke about something, and nodded politely when the hanyou excused himself to go and get something, walking from the house.

"You seem well settled in. The village have any problems lately?"

Yuki shook his head. "Not really, we had a cat fight today though."

---

Sweet little kitten, where do you walk? Perhapes to the city, perhapes to the shore. Sweet little kitty, where will you lay? In a grave you buried a bone in yesterday.. But sweet kitty, skeletons will not rest because sweet kitty, its your time to rest."In a flash, Sadaharu was pinned to a tree, a knife sticking into his gut. "So many choices." Amaterasu whispered. "And I choose to kill you the way I died."

Sadaharu grasped the blade, eyes bulging in sheer terror. "Ama-" he choked out,

"Good guess, what gave it away?" Amaterasu asked. "The fact Your dying, or the fact that I did it? You see, my sweet kitten prince, I did swear. A curse in fact and it seems the devil enjoys playing with peoples lives."

"It's not possible." He whispered, eyes slowly moving down to the blood seeping out over his hands.

"Then lets make the possible impossible. Say hi to Satan for me." Amaterasu removed the knife from within Sadaharus gut and drove it into the boys temple.

"A cat fight?" Raven rose an eyebrow. "How intriguing."

--------

Sittting on the edge of the bed, Mori cradled his head in his arms. It seemed that every woman he cared for couldn't care back. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed deeply.

Yuki looked to Raven. "You feeling ok?" He asked, feeling the boys head.

"Never better." He said lightly, crossing his arms. "In fact I think it's great to be back."

"Ok..." Yuki looked around. "Oh, want to see Mori and Taro? Their living with a bunch of humans from England up the hill."

"Right. Onward." He said with a smug smile and walked through the door.

Ok, this guy had lost it. Shaking his head, Yuki put on his famous smile and put an arm around the ninjas shoulders.
He led them to an old house.

Raven knocked and stretched languidly. It was quite a nice day really. Sunny, not too hot, not too cold. There were even some birds singing in the trees. It was a nice, simple little village. Fun surely ensued. Rhun peeked through the door. "Oh, hey Yuki." He smiled. "I'll just get Ma." He turned around. "Ma, Yuki's here!" He bellowed through the house.

Elizabeth walked to the door, a cloth shoved into her skirts. She smiled to Yuki. Before looking to Rhun. "Well ask them in insted of just yelling at me!" She looked back to Yuki. "Come in."
Yuki grinned. "Thank you princess. Mori home?"

Elizabeth nodded. "I'll just get him." Walking to Taro's room door she knocked. "Mori! You have guests!"

Mori glanced to the door and then hauled himself to his feet, grumbling a little and rubbing his bandaged shoulder. He opened the door. "Oh, Yuki, Raven. Hey." He leaned on the door frame.

Yuki grinned. "Mori, what happened, you look like you had a brush with death."

(Death in a corner holding a toothbrush. "Yo")

"Had a run in with an angry spirit." He shrugged. "Oh, Hikaru and her lot are up in the tavern, so you know." He added and scratched his head. "You're back, then? Where've you been?" He looked to Raven.
"Places. Doing things." His eyes looked past Mori and locked onto Taro. "And everyone's here. Seems like I chose a good time to pass through. This village is fairly iscolated though, isn't it? Not many merchants come through?" Mori cast a look at Yuki. For starters he was talking without provocation and then he was asking the strangest questions.
"Not many." Mori said, shaking his head. Raven beamed.
"Right. I'll go see if I can't find somewhere to stay." He wove a hand at them both and fairly vanished from the house.

"That was a little... Maybe he's done one job too many or something." Mori shook his head in bemusement.

Yuki ran and hid behind Mori, he peeked out. "I'm scared Mori-pu." He laughed a little, he failed at Taro impressions.He stepped out from behind the older man and looked about. "Anyone seen Sad?"

Elizabeth was cleaning something angrily. She hated Hikaru.