Edo. It has streets.

ahhh... thread postage..

Ame leaves The Teahouse with Okesa behind her. The woman heavily balanced on her sheathed sword like a crutch. Hurt.. Yet now wearing a dirty brown cloak.. Pushing hte hood of it back over her head when she left.

Glancing back over her shoulder, the woman muttered out a dark, "The field..." before limping her way. Mind you, the feild was a ways off.. Amethyst looked tired.. But she was too stubborn to stop now.

*leaning in an alleyway she eyed the streets quietly and sighed. The town she would forever come back to seemed so....* Ame...*a small smile spreading across her lips she stepped forward enough for the woman approaching to see her, or at least she would hope see her since gods know what shes been getting into lately*

Okesa followed behind Ame.

"The fields hm? Any particular reason, or are you just in a whistful sort of mood today?"

The bard kicked a couple pebbles as he walked. Although apparently carefree, he was still alert to the fact taht he wasn't quite off the hook yet. Actually he was rather surprised he hadn't been attacked by Mouku yet.

Maybe my ploy worked after all.

"It's quiet there.." Ame muttered back.. looking pretty pissed off in her bruised limping down TheStreet.. People made sure to stay far out of her way. Except one.

Passing by Obsid, Ame first gave her a mean glare to make sure she knew to stay out of the way. Taking a step. Before doing a complete doubletake, turning out, slipping off her crutched sheathed teachi, and while gasping out, "Obsid" falling over onto her backside.

*frowning slightly she stepped forward in time to see the woman fall almost slow motion like. Grasping the womans arm she moved to help her up. Smirking, she let out an exasperated sigh* I cant leave you alone for a minute Ame...

Okesa looked over at Obsidian in surprise.

"I think its safe to say its been consiterably longer than a minute."

So she didn't leave.. But it's been incredibly hard to find her recently. My tracking skills must be going stale.

The bard smiled.

"Where have you been? i was begining to think you left us."

Ame bit her lip - once taken by the arm and helped up - leaning once again on sheathed sword.... She honestly looked like she didn't know what to say. "Obsid.." was murmured out again in sevier shock. The brown hood once over her head by now had fallen around her shoulders. Which - for the sake of a good fleeing - freaked out those close enough and scared them off.

Slowly, Ame raised her hand and, placing it to the side of Obsid's face, Pulled on her cheek... Gasp, "IT IS YOU!" Ame wraps her arms around her friend and hugs - now leaning on her.

By now, if Obsid wasn't observant enough, ame was pretty heavily bandaged under the robes. She probably got Really hurt again. ^^` just to make sure you know this.

*her lips reaching a small, uncommon smile they were pulled sideways roughly enough to make her glare at the woman* Whatd you think I was dead! *sighing she patted the womans head gently and then growled* What did you do to yourself now Amethyst? Couldnt you spare me some peace and not get into any trouble while I was ...Nevermind...I know youre not bandaged properly, you probably did it yourself seeing as how you look very disheveled...and I know oke cant do anything.. *glancing toward the bard, her eyes showed the smile she wouldnt. Sighing she placed a finger to her temple* Its good to be back....

Okesa looked atht eplay by play between the two and grinned.

"Ah, its nice to know that, dispite this place going to hell in a hand basket.. along with everyone in it, some things just don't change."

"We were just heading to the field. I'm sure Ame wouldn't mind if you come along."

A thought ocured to Okesa, and he continued quickly.

"But no killing any men this trip. The fields typically pretty empty and, well.. I'll probably be the only one there. You can see how that might bother me..."

Ame blinked at Obsid. before glancing down and muttering.. "The russian bandaged me back up... And then.. the people at the teahouse beat me up.." But it was quiet and Oke's talking brought everything back into focus.

Head shooting up, Ame glanced at Oke.. "That's right. The bloody feild." She glanced back to Obsid - who was still being hugged.. "We have to go there"

Useless town...I never liked anyone in it...*focusing herself she shrugged a shoulder lightly so as not to throw the woman off balance and hurt her more* 2 seconds in town and already Im feared... *laughing she shook her head* Id never kill you Oke..just get you drunk....*looking over to the woman, she raised an eyebrow* Whats at the field Ame?

"I see.. you'd never kill me. You'd simply make me wish I were dead. I suppose I should expect that." The bard was still grinning.

Though I was half expecting death consitering how things stood the last time we spoke.

As always, Okesa kept certain comments to himself. Now wasn't the time or the place to open up that topic.

Okesa started walking towards the field, otherwise he was worried they'd spend the res of the afternoon discussisng how they needed to go, without actually getting there.

Replying to Obsid as Oke walked by them, Ame tugged at her arm and went back to leaning on the sheathed shin'i. Limping a step back while still facing Obsid.. "A tree's at the feild.. and not much else. That's why were're going"

Turning, the woman limped after Oke - but making sure not to let go of Obsid's hand.

Trees are good....*holding onto the woman gently she carefully helped her walk along behind oke. Thinking to herself she smiled quietly, Its good to be back*

Okesa and Obsidian entered the streets. For some reason, the two were looking for a place to find hats.

It's better than going on murderous rampages like [i/]she[i] wanted to do..

The bard glanced around at the various stands selling trinkets and sashes. They'd entered one of the parts of edo more famous for its street merchants.

"If we can't find something here, we won't find it anywhere," the bard noted.

*brushing the hair out of her eyes, she nodded* Ive never seen so many merchants....*eyeing the bard slightly she crossed her arms* what kind of hat are you looking for?

"Oh, I don't know. It's just odd being without one. First the hat, then the hood. And now I feel bald."

Okesa grinned.

"Sence Ame's not with us to pick out her hat.. Does that mean I get to pick one for her?"

*laughing quietly she shook her head* I wont stop you....or her when she kills you for bad taste...*smiling , she ran a finger over the necklaces at the booth beside her* Im sure we can find something shed probably like..

Typically on excursions like this, Okesa would find himself running his fingers across the murchandise in much the same way Obsidian was- only in his case, something would be missing from the table when he was done.

Today though, nothing really caught his eye. He just didn't feel like taking anything.

There was a time when that wouldn't matter. You'd go for it anyway, just for the challenge.

Considering recent events, maybe I just don't find that challenging.anymore..


The thought bothered Okesa. It also reminded him how long it had been sence he'd visited some poor rich guys house. He'd have to do that again sometime soon, lest they forget about him and lower security. Its no fun when they lower the security..

The bard suddenly realized that he'd been drifting off even while he was walking. He rubbed his eyes a little, and glanced over at Obsidian, to see if she'd noticed.

*eyeing the bard slightly she looked away as his gaze began to drift. She never could figure out what he was always thinking about in his head, its like he was talking to himself. Shifting her fingers over a ring she tucked it to her palm and busied herself with dresses hanging on the rack nearby* I didnt think choosing a hat would require such in depth thinking Oke...*she said as she smiled slightly*

"Was I thinking or sleeping? I can't really recall," Okesa said, stiffling a slight yawn.

"I wonder why I'm so.. oh, thats right. My first nap in 3 days was interrupted by Ame trying to kill me. Oh well."

The bard shrugged and continued walking. "What's that you've found there, anyway?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Im glad nothing changed while I was gone...*turning towards the bard she raised an eyebrow and smirked* I didnt find anything..unless youre referring to the dress rack...*pushing a dress aside she shrugged and walked along slowly flipping the ring across her fingers with a smirk*

"Of course I am.. What else would I have been refuring to?" he asked innocently.

Though, I almost didn't see that. I really AM tired.

"You wanted a hat to, right? What were you planning on getting?"

*laughing she flipped the ring over to him and tossed her hair behind her* Ive never had a hat before....I wouldnt know where to start...

Okesa caught the ring and continued talking as he looked it over.

"You're telling me. I got my hat years ago. The whole reason I wanted one was so that I had a place to put my feather. I was an.. odd youth. Catch."

Okesa tossed the ring back to her. "So really, none of us knows what we want to get or why we're looking. This gets better and better all the time."

*catching the ring in her hand she slipped it on her finger and crosssed her arms* What a pair we make Okesa...*stopping she leaned against the wall and looked over at him* You must have some idea of what you want?

The bard thought for a moment. "Not really. But I'm pretty certain I can figure out the ones that I don't want."

"Hmm.. its not like there's much of a variety to chose from. Would I like straw, straw, or straw? Hey, Obsidian, why don't you help me here. Which looks better, straw or straw?"

*raising an eyebrow she contemplated silently. Walking around the bard she took in all the angles* Id have to go with.....*closing her eyes she picked up a hat and handed it to him* Straw...

"Hmm.. good choice." Okesa took the hat and tossed some coins to the guy behind the stand.

"What about you?" he asked, as they continued walking. "You could always get one of those funny plate things you're supposed to tie down on your head, or some such thing. Or not. I never much did understand women's fashion."

Plates? Are plates what go on my head now? *sighing she shook her head* I was never enough of a woman to ...well do womens things....*smiling slightly she felt awkward suddenly as she contemplated that she indeed was very un female*

A small pair of dark brown eyes peered out underneath a shadowy area of a straw hat. It stared out into the wandering pedestrians of the streets of Edo. With a hand wrapped in cloth, clutched tightly to a daito. With a body wrapped up in old worn black samurai rags. A man who seem to have nothing to lose and everything to gain lay against a alleywall. Rejected by all levels of society, with no one to love and everyone to hate. Hayate simply lay doing the only thing a worthless hate-filled killer such as him could do.

Sit. Watch. Wait. Exist until he was in prime condition to carry out his task. This is exactly what Hayate did. He was in a shadowy alleyway wall. Most people wouldnt notice him. Even if they did, most of them wouldnt even care. The fact that no one cared about his existance was a fact that the ronin became quite used to. If it wasnt for his purpose to kill Moritsune, Hayate probably would've used his daito to end his own existance long ago.

Hatred is such a troubling thing. Hayate had an over-abundance of it. Though as much as he wanted to die on the streets. As much as he wanted to end his nightmare known as life, and as much as he wanted to cease existing.....the man simply had too much hatred built up inside for Moritsune. Hayate couldnt, and wouldnt, let himself die until he saw Moritsune's body lying dead before him. With being in a injured state as he was in, however...made it quite difficult for the ronin to do any real attacks.

He didnt have any money. Nor did he have any place to really rest. Hayate had become aquinted with the cold stone streets he had known for so long. Along with the puddy tasting water and the mushy food he was able to scrap along every once in awhile. Everything from digging water from a abandon well, to scrapping away at garbage piles. Hayate was doing what he could to survive. Always, always cold. Even when the weather was hot.

How long would the ronin have to exist in his existance until he got healed to kill Moritsune? How exactly would he kill Moritsune.....Hayate knew the answer to the latter. Being a uncared for wanderer gives one time to wander around in a environment for quite some time. Hayate knew that he probably didnt have the skill to beat Moritsune in a straight swordfight. But his hatred was so hot, so strong, so consuming. He had the burning hatred to kill Moritsune. The ronin just needed a way to materilize that firey hatred. While wandering down the wrong alleyway, Hayate found the right things that would easily materilize his extreme flames of hatred.

As his mind and soul burned with in his own self-suffering...Hayate's body also did physically. From all the non-stop drifting and wandering he did around town with his injured body. He was resting due to that fatigue. Not much anything else he could do.

Nothing much else he could do, except exist. Waiting. So thats exactly what Hayate did.

A familiar woman paced out with a heavily guarded limp from the feild. It had been a while since Sasha decided to pop her foot out of it's joint and, since it was such a minor wound, the pain from it has settled quite nicely. Leaving her with a mild stinging in the end. Less of a limp. Yet still the satisfaction that she had to use her sword sheath as a mild crutch for small moments else fall over and get wounded up in the whole healing process all over again.

But still, even now, the woman was walking on both legs just fine. She still wore the stolen homeless cloak. Her hooded eyes casting a pretty weary glance at everyone.

While sitting in the feild, she had decided once in her life to get some issues cleaned up. Instead of doing what came logical: running away. Since right now she would soon get hunted to her death by Moritsune - though it's uncertain wether or not he knows that she's still breathing - it was about time to talk with certain people and do certain things to make her karma less stingful. Specially for one specific individual.

This is what brought Amethyst's walk to the alleys. She was searching for a most wellknown uncertain filthy man and knew from experience that he'd either be throwing himself on Mori's sword gladfully or sitting in some alley planning on ways to do the first.

Stepping slow, eyes casted dark yet alert. Mind on many things - none of those including sake.

Hayate was in the darkened alleyway. Hidden away from all of the obvious eyes of street patrol. He took quite a good effort in hiding. Seeing as how most everyone in the town either wanted him dead, or was indifferent to the subject. Hayate had picked a especially shady spots in the already shady alleyway. His plan was to simply sit and wait for his body to stop hurting. Letting his hatred and rage gather up more and more little by little. Then he would materialite it all onto Moritsune. No longer caring about who he killed in the process.

His eyes simply stared at a single point on the wall. Those eyes had been staring at that exact spot for a endless amount of hours. Yet even though he stared at that spot, he didnt see it. His mind was wandering into visions, day dreams of the way he would exact his vengeance. His daydreaming was filled with imagery, filled with sounds, filled with feeling. But it was here that Hayate began to hear something not from his vengeful dreaming. But from reality.

Footsteps were picked up by Hayate's open ears. Someone was approaching him from somewhere. Hayate couldnt afford anyone knowing his existance in this hiding place. He immediately put a hand to his daito. He didnt care who was walking down, in a few moments Hayate would swing his sword to end their lives. He scooted back against the wall a bit more, just to take precautionarys to conceal his location even more.

Hayate was going to kill this person. Then go back to daydreaming.

It was almost as if Hayate's immeasurable timeful stare at the wall was a rope Amethyst hit. For when she entered what gaze the dilusionary ex-samurai held she knew almost automatically who was there and the danger just placed on her.

The sound of a sword hilt being gripped in preperation of a kill was almost classic to the woman's ears. What with having lived on the run and in war a bad portune of her life. Almost immediately, she put her hand to the tachi's hilt. In the spare milisecond before action her eyes darted haphazardly before falling on someone in the shadows nearby. Planning to - if not save her skin - block the assumed persons' attack and counter.

The sounds of foot going onto the ground of the alleyway came closer to Hayate. He was focusing himself to swing his blade in a swift strike once the sounds came close enough to him. He would aim directly for the head. A quick, clean decapitation. A simple task for the ronin to do. All those years training in the samurai dojo, and in solitude have turned Hayate into a very effective killer. Maybe his mind and spirit were broken - but his fighting techniques were not.

The sounds came close enough. Hayate knew now would be the perfect time to strike. In a insane amount of time and speed, the ronin immediately unsheathed his sword and did a horizontal swing. Alot of strength and focus was put into this attack. He was preparing for a one-swing kill, after all.

The insanity of the strike, and the skill behind it, matched a very haphazard dejavü. Something of a very short lifespan Ame held while berserk flooded racingly through her mind all at once as the grevious madman ripped his daito with immesence speed through the darkness. That untold sound of steel ringing through the air nearly defining the woman

A blaze of light shot from the darkness - the reflection of Hayate's sword. A very intense nanosecond of silence. The braced if equilly intensed click of a sword being freed from a sheath. All followed by a harsh lopping sound of metal against material and an overpressued rush of air through the alley.

In the end was the make for a pretty tense picture. Hayate's sword was mere inches from the woman's neck. Though stopped by - not Shin'i's blade - but it's handle. Both weapons, however, held strong. The daito had cut 1/3rd of the way virtically down Amethyst's small finger as she backheld the sword. However the blade was also caught by the backside of the tachi's tsuba. Blood did not fall, for how clean and fast Hayate's sword fell on the attack.

But it was obvious how painful this was through the look in Amethyst's eyes. Which were all but seen as mildly berserk and vaguely pupilated - her hood having blown off from the intense wind that followed the attack. She was pushing back against Hayate fairily hard as well. Not daring to be weak enough and let the asshole finish by beheading her.

Her voice was low, soft, and hard.. "I Came To Talk..."

A new trait had arisen in Hayate's eye. It has existed ever since the moment he really began to break down. Or maybe it existed when he actually found his true self. When the ronin entered into combat, there now seemed to be a vacant look in his eye. As if he was existing here physically, but entirely somewhere else mentall. Hayate had his look in his eye. It stared at Ame, indifferent and uncaring.

He knew who Ame was, and that she probably wasnt allied with Moritsune. But it was still a possibility. After all, Hayate thought Akisu would never betray him. Hayate thought that the hebbi no dojo would live on forever. Hayate thought that his mother, Yae, and the few other people he had strong feelings for would be with him forever. Hayate had thought a lot of things. Most of them were false. He had reached the point where he didnt trust any assumptions, or any thoughts.

Ame was here for unknown reasons to him. But most likely she was here to harm him in some way. Hayate had made it clear in his mind - in order to protect himself, he had to either kill her, or make her run away. Upon hearing Ame's voice come out weakly, he had decided to let his own come out.

"....leave. Or you will be killed."

Hayate said as he grinded his weapon against Ame's. He was giving the woman the chance to back off, before he would quickly retract his weapon and go for a vertical slice.

That familiar eyesite ran through her body like a cold sweat after seeing a ghost that was of someone she knew long ago. Spoken words flew from his lips like blue fire. Something that had easily burned her a day before and she was too stubborn to learn from. Added to that the push of the sword against her own, not to mention her pretty sevierly damaged finger.

Amethyst grit her teeth and leaned more into her weapon. Blood from her finger finally started to slowly fall - rolling down her arms, dripping off the hilt, streaming over Hayate's blade like small rivers of chrimson.

Her own gaze was all the more intense. As, at this moment, she was trying to keep from being overwhelmed and going completely berserk.

At this moment, Amethyst wanted neither of them to die.

Voice even more pronounced, cold, harshly forceful, and determined... Almost barking out the first word, "Neither. I Came To Talk With You. Not Fight." teeth practically breaking under the pressure of gritting out the last words.

Okesa saw so many openings for snide comments in Obsidian's remark, but he dismissed them all as suicidal. Instead the bard just smiled, glanced at a stand and picked up a hat.

"Straw", he said with a chuckle and tossed it to her.