hotlittlehands:

Amiko, well wrapped in a flight suit, waited patiently as her brother carried her to the landing point near the Yashida compound.

They'd been paired together for a little while, handling various ... errands. It was good to work with him. Even if they were seeing a lot clearer now, as if a lot of clutter had been removed from their minds, they were still family.

Which led her thoughts to the ostensible mission here: to go after the sword Amiko had previously claimed 'on behalf of the sane side of the Clan.' And apparently, she'd been Confused at the time as to which side that was. Their obvious mission was to rectify that.

But so far, they were not being obvious. They were good at that.

"They'll know we're coming," Amiko reminds him. "They're not so lost and stumbling they won't have been able to find out a few things, and suspect what we obviously want. Just not direction or precise timing. And please keep Hajime off of me, Misha. I'm not concerned about the others. They'll hesitate, for old time's sake." Old times were hazy and vague in her head, but not so much so that she couldn't exploit them.

clawed_progeny:

With his injury after the battle with the goddess in Hungary, Keiji had a lot of time to think. Mostly he thought about some way to help Amiko advance her investigation of Hajime's killer.He wracked his brain for possible connections between power players in the Hand and how the mystery man fit in.

And then an obvious fact came to mind that slapped him in the face. Keiji made his way gingerly to Amiko's office. He knocked on the door once.

"Amiko-san. I have to talk to you," he said urgently. He omitted "chan" due to being unaware if she had a visitor.

ng_divine_ones5:

Ophois unleashed the Egyptian goddess Sakhmet on the city of Budapest. The goddess' blood lust was insatiable and she tore through the city leaving a sea of blood behind her. Anyone that got in her way was cut down and the blood flowed freely.

hotlittlehands:

Amiko sat solemnly at her desk, looking at two pieces of paper. One was a requisition form from a univesrity library, the other was a security report, a little more crumpled than Amiko normally keeps her papers.

weakerlink:

Kayura had really needed to get out of Tokyo for a few days. There was an old summer home that had belonged to her family for a long time but she hadn't been there in many years. She didn't want to go alone so she had invited her 'big brother' to come with her.

The dog was asleep in the back seat soundly looking like a mass of white hair. Kayura is in a very good mood right up until she hears a clunk and a sputter from her car.

"Oh.....Dear. That doesn't sound good."

nextgen_orochi:

He'd underestimated their power. Or perhaps he had overestimated his own. He was in a human body after all. Then again, perhaps it was a combination of both. Either way, it didn't change his current predicament.

After the attack Orochi had used the distraction of breaking the water from the street as a means to escape. Using his control over water he had found a small underground cave, usually flooded over. Ir was here where he was currently recovering. His body was healing, but not as quickly as he would have preferred. It would need to be sped along. He needed the remainder of his power. He would require assistance.

"If only I had the power to revive my servants. I suppose I must make do with what the current age provides me with." He began to chant, raising a hand as four of his fingers began to glow. "Find me four souls who hate those that attack me and grant them each a portion of my power. Bind to them the armors of the old times and bring them forth to serve me..my Youkai!"

Four beams of magic erupted from his fingers, seeking out those chosen.

weakerlink:

It had been a long past few days. Kayura had been out of it for most of that time. The poison that had gotten into her system had done a number on her body. The doctors had done everything they could for her. The fever had kept her looking like death warmed over right up until it had gone down a few hours ago.

Finally she starts to come to aware of only a few things. She isn't at home, she feels horrible, and the room isn't as silent as she'd like it to be. She pries one eye open and slowly becomes aware she is in a hospital bed. She can't remember why at first and puzzles over this for a minute then it hits her and she jerks up a little too fast for someone who hasn't eaten in a long time. Her head spins slightly and she just blinks as she tries to make the room stop spinning.

Things feel almost better so she stops to figure out just where she is.

Hospital room. Somewhere in the city? Well that's good she just knows she isn't up for climbing out of bed right now. Annd Amiko-san might get stern if she does that.

nextgen_orochi:

Kazama Goda, foreman of the construction crew, oversaw the removal of the debris left in the wake of the dragon attack. All the damn monsters..he was seriously considering moving. Maybe to South Korea, he had family there on his uncle's side,

"Goda-san, you've got to see this!"

"What is it?" Goda asked, annoyed.

"I don't know, I think it's a dinosaur fossil!"

Officially intrigued, Kazuma went over to where it looked like a partially unburied, reptilian skull.

"Kami," he gasped, moving toward it.The attack must have uncovered it. It was magnificient, he thought, mesmerized and moving toward it.

"Goda-san?" one of the workers called.

He didn't hear it. He reached out and touched the skull..and Kazuma Goda vanished in a wave of primal power. A burst of energy enveloped the body, practically exploding with raw energy. It mutated and shifted, scales forming and muscles shifting as the body transformed in mid-air. Some of the workers fled, others seemed transfixed by what was happening. Finally it stopped as he majestically floated back to the ground, eyes closed.

"Kazuma?" One of the braver workers asked.

The eyes opened, yellow with slitted pupils.

"No," and a burst of lightning sends the man flying into a group of his colleagues. "Finally...flesh..blood. It is not much, but it is a start." He turns in the direction of a strong pulse. "Yes, merely the beginning." And he casually walks in the direction of the signal, energy crackling the ground as his feet touched.

weakerlink:

She had been keeping busy. School just really did not challenge her at all so to keep her mind occupied Kayura had dove even more into practicing and keeping her mind away from what had happened.

It did get better. She had resolved to not let it destroy her simply because she realized it had not destroyed others who had been forced to do the same thing. And that was when she noticed as she put her work up that it was spring.

A very early spring but somehow that was nice. She decided she might go for a run. So she went and changed into proper clothing because it would be very silly to run in a skirt and she went on a run. It turned into a very long run. She hadn't meant to go for so long but the weather was just very nice and whenever she stopped to stretch she kept thinking she could go for a while longer so she kept moving.

She did have to note she would be eating very heavily late because she was getting very hungry but also saw no reason to stop just yet plus she was working up a big sweat and wouldn't want to eat anywhere.

That did though remind her she had two of her favorite things in her office. That made her decide it was time to head back to the office. Apple juice and oreos seemed like a good way to finish off her afternoon.

clawed_progeny:

Keiji had started doing phone watch for the BH6 recently when the phone-call. They needed a mystic's opinion on a triple homicide and had apparently heard of Kayura. Keiji took the details down and quickly made a call to Kayura.

nextgen_orochi:

 It had all gone perfectly. The occupation of the broadcast building had gone without a hitch. Even with the added security that came with the impending live interview with the Prime Minister's daughter, Shinobu's men were up the task. Most of said security were relatively unharmed, adding to the sizable amount of hostages they now had. They had had agents within the building's personnel for weeks, meticulously planning this out. In all, they had several dozen people soldiers, all ready to die if need be to secure their country.

Shinobu stood in front of the camera as it timed down to broadcast his message. "My fellow countrymen, I regret that events have grown so intolerable that I must resort to such methods in order to halt the degrading of culture and society. The American occupation of our land is a constant insult and a tumor of decay that is eating away at our proud homeland. Enough is enough, and it must end. For this reason, I have taken the Tokyo Broadcasting building hostage, as well as its entire staff. More importantly, I have in my custody our illustrious Prime Minister's daughter. Our demands are a simple one. All Americans stationed at the military base must leave immediately. This occupation will no longer be tolerated. For every hour you delay, hostages will be slain. Delay too long..and our Prime Minister's daughter will be added to the body count. I am saddened that this is what it comes to in order to jump-start our national pride, but you have only yourselves to blame for not acting sooner." And he ends the feed.

nextgen_citizen:

Warden Hideki Kanemoto didn't want to do it, but they couldn't afford to pass up on this chance. After years..the families could finally have closure. He called BH6 headquarters, asking for Agent Sunset.

weakerlink:

Kayura couldn't remember the events of last night. What she did know was that she was in her armor still. And she had both her car keys and cell phone on her. She climbed out of the pile of boxes and other trash then realized something was wrong.

The world got very big. She looked down at her hands and started to panic. She wasn't very person like anymore.

She decides the best thing to d is to call the boss. But her big plush fingers can't hit the buttons right so he ends up calling Keiji instead.

This is going to be weird.

hotlittlehands:

It shouldn't have to be hard. Just a 'Sir, this is Keiji. Keiji, this is my father, Logan.' Not hard.

Amiko reminded herself that again and then took a breath.

"He'll be here soon. Don't worry. Everything will turn out basically okay. And we'll all talk for a while, and then eventually, he and I will go out to the shrine together, and you can relax again."

hotlittlehands:

"So, the doctors say you're fit for duty again," she told him as they headed toward the workout room. "Let's see, shall we?"

nextgen_misc:

For many reasons most of the Big Hero Six will find themselves directed towards a group of trees near a small shed like structure. The ghosts of the village don't seem to want to go near it at all.

Though they will see one ghosts moving back and fourth near the structure before it flees with something like fear. Not from them. Something about the structure made them need to flee.

Something has drawn them all here. They must finish this battle tonight.

hotlittlehands:

Amiko called Hajime and Keiji into her office. "Gentleman, I have a suggestion it's possible neither of you will be comfortable with, but I want you to humor me."

weakerlink:

Kayura slides out of her seat when they reach their destination. She brought a backpack with her that has several extra things in it. Everything is for the eventuality of something happening. The entire trip here she has been tense. She knows what has to happen and she doesn't like it at all.

"Amiko-san, according to the map the trail we need to take is just over there," Kayura announces as she glances up towards the tree line. The trail looks slightly over grown but almost natural as if it has always been there and looks wide enough for even Grogg.

Kayura rolled her shoulders again. She was very tense because she could feel something somewhat distant calling to her armor. She fights that feeling for now because she isn't ready and they need to find the village. They need to find it so they can try and save the missing people and cleanse that place of the taint.

nextgen_parent:

Leonard hadn't done any work for BH6 before.

In honesty, he was a little wary about working with any daughter of Logan. In comparison, a 'normal' CPTSD case, if that's what this Keiji Oyama turned out to be, would be easy.

Yeah, because 'normal' happens so often in this business.

They're given some office space, and it's time to meet the patient. "Keiji-san. Nice to meet you. I'm Dr. Leonard Samson."

hotlittlehands:

They couldn't talk about it at work yet. They just couldn't. She needed Keiji to really establish himself with BH6 before anyone knew about their relationship, so that people wouldn't get the Wrong Idea. The idea that she was taking advantage, having gotten him the pardon and being responsible for him.

She'd rushed things. She knew she had. But what could she do, keep fighting her feelings? And she didn't want it to stay some dirty little secret forever. They'd tell her father when he came in a few months. They'd let the team find out when the time was right. But to start with....

...Amiko had an idea.


"Keiji?" she asked in a quiet, private moment. "Would you come down to the docks with me tonight?"

weakerlink:

Kayura had gotten to work almost right away. She had some background information that had gotten her through several sources. She had been doing as much reading as she could to be sure about the Captain's family. She had found out that the men responsible for his death had been caught. Like she had suspected it was in part due to the remorse of one of the thieves who had felt guilty over the death of the Captain.

She could not though find out by whom. It left her glaring at the books and various other records as she continued her search. It would be nice to know who had officially finished the duty that Captain Ishii Had laid at her feet.

Finally she finds the rest of the details then groans. She can feel how tired she is now. But they still have to finish this once they have the last of the information. She will have to report her findings to Sempai when she returns to Tokyo.

"I know where I must go. I will be making offerings to a long dead family and delivering them news on their lost son and brother." She peers back at him.

"We are lucky. Nothing has happened so far."

weakerlink:

Kayura needed to get ready to go do the things she needed to do in Kyoto. She could tell her armor was still repairing itself. She could feel a tender spot where the blade had been shoved into her armor. She was still limping and had to take extra time getting around.

Still she had to speak to The Boss. Amiko would be able to help her figure out some things she had to do. Like that research assignment in Kyoto and trying to smooth other things out. She knocks on the door to Amiko's office.

"Amiko-san, may I speak with you?"

hotlittlehands:

27 September. The Wedding Anniversary. The wedding only left incomplete because of the monster controlling her Lady-Mother's mind. As far as Mariko, and thus, as far as Amiko was concerned, her parents had really been married anyway.

Amiko knew her Father no longer made his attempts to get roaring drunk -- or as close to it as he could possibly get -- on the anniversary, but she liked to keep calling anyway. Just in case, and just to talk to him.

This year was a little... complicated. She hadn't really kept a secret from him before. But it didn't seem like time yet to mention her mentally ill boyfriend for whom she was a parole officer. The ethical questions were bad enough; there was also the safety issue.


She takes a breath and calls.

weakerlink:

There had been a big incident with monsters and the armor. Followed by her having men in suits from the government bringing her in to have a very long conversation with her. She had been very tired from the fight and had to fight to not let anything slip.

But they knew about the armor. They knew about the fact she fought monsters and was pretty good at tracking information down on them. They knew pretty much everything about her.

It was very unnerving. And even more unnerving to be left alone in that windowless office to just wait.

Apparently someone wanted to talk to her.

She was having an 'oh crap' moment.

clawed_progeny:

 Keiji was..very uncomfortable. There was nothing wrong with the seating, it was actually quite comfortable. Misha's stepfather had only the best. No, the problem was..they..were..in..the..SKY!  Keiji had never liked heights. Yes the ride was smooth, yes his seat was secure, but..THEY WERE IN THE SKY! Shinsuke..somehow the older man had fallen asleep! How the hell could anyone sleep in the damn sky!? Keiji breathed in and out in an attempt to calm himself, though his hands still clutched the armrests tightly.

clawed_progeny:

 This was the second time Shinsuke had been to this building. The first was in the guise of a deliveryman in which he had dropped off the ancient Yashida calligraphy set that Keiji wished to be given to Amiko Kobayashi. Now he was here on an entirely different chore. He was certain he had evaded pursuit for the moment, but not for long. He had to act quickly. He knew he could not simply enter, given the place's security. So he forced himself to be patient and wait outside, hoping to get a glimpse of the woman.

quadrimanial:

Sylvie liked her new pink Hello Kitty barrettes. Misha had had to excuse himself for just a moment, so she was turning herself around in her chair, taking in all the sights of the street.

quadrimanial:

Sylvie was downright gleeful when they touched down in Tokyo. Bright lights, big city! Fascinating linguistic differences all around her! After some prattling about this, she clears her throat. "So, hotel first, or Amiko's HQ first?"

clawed_progeny:

Every once in awhile Keiji enjoyed going out in civilian garb and take in the local sights. At the moment he was sitting in his favorite tea shop. It wouldn't be long now. The Wolverine's son would arrive soon, and the cycle would finally end. Keiji wanted to take the time to enjoy the few pleasures he found in his life, the shop's exquisite tea being one of them. He would die or the Wolverine would die, either way it'd finally be over. He often thought about what kind of life he could have had if he were not bound by the oaths made before his very birth. Then he would berate himself that if not for those oaths he would not even exist. Perhaps that would have been better? Keiji shook his head, such thoughts never ceased. He decided, for at least the moment, not to think about it as he took another sip from his tea.

clawed_progeny:


Keiji was currently meditating as the knock to his chamber reached his ears. "Enter".

His attendent, Shinsuke, entered and promptly prostrated himself, hands and face to the floor. "Deathstrike-sama, our contact at the Consulate has informed us that the Wolverine's son will be arriving in Japan within the week."

Keiji didn't smile or show any sign that he was pleased. He took no pleasure in any of this. It was an obligation, nothing more. "Good. Tell our contact I want the time of his arrival and the location of where he will be staying. Tell him if he does this, his debt to me is repaid."

"As you command my lord." Shinsuke was about to leave, but chose to report something else. "Our sources have also found something of that woman you encountered weeks ago."

Keiji, despite himself, was interested. "What did you learn?"

"Her name is Amiko Kobayashi and she is a member of the Yashida clan. Apparently she was..Mariko Yashida's adoptive daughter."

Keiji felt his stomach go cold. That incident was certainly not the Hand's proudest moment. He had only been a child at the time, but he had read about what happened. She had many reasons to oppose his efforts. Not that he really blamed her, but such was the hand Fate dealt.

"Also my lord, apparently she along with her comrades in the Big Hero Six were responsible for the downfall of Jushiro Yashida and his syndicate revival plans. Lords Nobumasa and Hidetaka are already making plans to seize his former operations. My lord, may i recommend that we.."

"Stop there, Shinsuke. I have no desire to chase after his scraps. Let them wallow in their underworld dealings." Keiji suddenly had a thought. It was an odd one, almost whimsical, but he wanted tyo do it. "Send her a token of congratulations on the restoration of her clan's honor. We have an old calligraphy set that once belonged to the ancient Yashidas..send that."

"Deathstrike-sama, the other may ob..as you wish. Anonymous, I assume?"

"You assume, correctly. You may leave."

"As you say, Deathstrike-sama." Shinsuke bowed a final time before exiting.

Yes his fellows would question it and voice their annoyance, however Keiji knew all too well the importance of restoring one's family's honor. He did not look forward to their next meeting. There were a lot of things he didn't look forward to. However..that was just the way things were.

nextgen_holiday:

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible. ~Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul

clawed_progeny:

His name was Keiji Oyama. In underworld circles he was better known as Lord Deathstrike. That name bound him to a duty that was the sole reason he was born. His mother, Lady Deathstrike, could not kill her sworn enemy, Wolverine. In a bid to do so, she had allied with the Hand.  However, in exchange for their aid, she would have to sire a child with one of the group's ninja-lords, who would serve the Hand. He was the result. Even though their combined efforts failed to slay Wolverine, the alliance endured. He remembered fragments of his mother from his childhood. She had trained him from birth in her fighting style. He suspected now that she knew she wouldn't survive her next battle with Wolverine, and had already planned for Keiji to be the salvation of their family's honor. One day she left and never came back. His superiors told him she had been killed by the Wolverine. Now he had two debts to bear. One was the honoring his service to the Hand in accordance with his mother's original bargain. The second..to reclaim the honor of the Oyama Clan.

His claws shifted under his fingers, in and out. A common occurrence when he was agitated. Four months ago, while in service to Lord Junirchiro, he had stumbled upon a government agent. A mutant, like himself, but also the daughter of Wolverine! In the end he couldn't bring himself to slay her outright, she did not posess adamantium herself. Still, this meant he would soon learn of Keiji's existence. There would be no element of surprise. Just as well, Keiji preferred to fight his enemies head-on. His stock in the Hand was great, his knowledge of its practices formidable. Soon he would sit among the lords, an elite servant of the jonin himself. Perhaps..no, Keiji did not desire power for its own sake. Half of his debt was to serve the Hand, not have it serve him.

Regardless, he would have to draw Wolverine into an arena of his choosing, fighting him in his home territory was folly. He remembered the girl, she may be the key to bringing him to Japan. He didn't particularily like the idea of using family against his enemy, but after all, he didn't start this feud. However, he would finish it.