Shin answered Kenskai with a knowing grin and small chuckle before turning to face the too blundering fools that clumsily made their way in Shins general direction. He debated letting them slide by and then make his way back to camp, making them to wonder a little more in the dark for his amusement.

Shin decided against it though and instead propped himself up against one of the boulders so that when the two rounded some of the rocks he would be casually awaiting them.

It didn’t take long for Keno and Torgu to come upon where Shin and Kensaki had been, though neither would be noticed until Shin cleared his throat bringing the light of the lantern to be focused on him.

“Put that out, light does more harm then good.”

Torgu ignored Shin and looked into the darkness for Gaka. “I heard sword fighting… if you killed…”

“Hardly.” Shin pressed off of the rock and began his walk back to camp. “He is alive and tending to his own business I am sure. I have witnessed his technique and it will suffice for your plans.”

Keno remained silent but gestured for Torgu to continue walked and follow the Tenken back towards camp.

“Well, what did you see?” Torgu pressed, taking several long strides to catch up to the smaller man.

Shin remained silent for a moment, knowing full well the time that elapsed only angered the bigger men who saw his position as one that was held in higher regard then Shins. Shin hardly cared.

A small grin played its way across Shins child like features. “Ask him and I am sure he will show you personally.”

Torgu must not of detected the hidden meaning in the statement Shin thought, which didn’t surprise the Tenken now that he thought about it.

“We should finish preparations and retire for the night, Gaka should be along any moment.” Shin finished as the trio began to walk out of the field of boulders, their camp in site.

As if on cue, Kensaki stepped out from the darkness into the light of the lantern, looking exactly as he had upon leaving the camp, with no sign of the recent battle.

"It appears that curiousity got the better of you, Master Tonalant, but unfortunately you have missed the show." Kensaki smiled slightly at Keno. It was unclear whether he was referring to his technique or the battle Torgu had thought he heard. "Have no worry, though. You can always catch the repeat performance. And Master Torgu, your concern for my well being is rather touching, although misguided." The latter was said with a hint of mockery, obviously intended to get under the large man's skin.

Torgu swung the lantern to focus it on Kensaki, somewhat startled to find him standing so close. It was clear he had not heard his approach. Torgu snorted and sneered angrily at Kensaki, but at a look from Keno remained silent. Keno's face had remained impassive at the abrupt entrance, although Kensaki doubted the man had detected his presence. Either the odd comments did not register with the Black Company leader, or he ignored them.

"Your technique has satisfied Shiden, Gaka. Let us not waste any more time with idle conversation; we will be marching early." Keno gestured for Torgu to lead the way with the lantern and fell into step just behind, leaving Shin and Kensaki to follow. As he moved to follow, Kensaki directed a feral grin at Shin, leaving no question as to what he had meant by 'the repeat performance'.

The walk back to camp would be quick but uneventful, it was truly getting late and it showed as there was no motion within the camp. Torgu, at a gesture from Keno, walked into the main tent while the leader turned to face the two.

“A handful of our scouts and the both of you will leave first thing in the morning. You should make it to Stronghold Tamna by mid afternoon, which is more then enough time to enter and scout the layout and determine the best approach. Do your business and then meet us south of the city…there I will reveal the rest of the plan to the both of you.”

Keno wasn’t looking for approval, and in the absence of Torgu he held a tone of authority that demanded attention, unnaturally so and both warriors would find it difficult to look away from Keno’s penetrating stare.

Shin said nothing and merely turned to go to his tent, he had his own business to take care of before he departed.

“There is a tent set up over there.” Keno gestured down a few tents. “Sleep if you want, I will have someone wake you when it is time to go.” With that Keno turned about and entered the tent, closing the flap behind him.

******

The sun had just climbed past its highest point when one of the scouts came back and reported that Stronghold Tamna was visible just ahead. The day was bright, with few clouds in the sky, but the temperature had not risen to uncomfortable levels. The small group stopped, all faces turned toward Shin, with the exception of Kensaki, who stared into the distance with a contemplative look on his face.

"Sir, what are your orders?" The scout leader asked respectfully.

"Yes, Shiden, what is it you would have us do, since we have been relagated to the task of simple scouts now?" Kensaki's voice held a measure of contempt; he did not turn to face Shin when he spoke, but remained staring in the direction of the Stronghold. "Do you truly intend to merely 'have a look around'? Or would you rather us put our talents to some actual use?" A small smile played across his features, although the group would be unable to see it. He turned suddenly to fix Shin with a stare, the challenge in his eyes clear.

“You have been delegated a task that is befitting your station.” Shin shot back at Kensaki before turning to face the other men that had accompanied them.

“You will continue with the orders that were already issued to you. Gaka and I will take care of the rest. Just make sure you are in place by night fall.”

“Understood Sir.” The leader of the small team barked before heading off in a jog towards the eastern gate, leaving the south gate for Kensaki and Shin to deal with.

Shin turned again in the direction of Kensaki, only he stared passed the man towards the city ahead. Shin was already deep in thought, his eyes scanning the walls from the distance. They were likely fifty feet high, though it was hard to tell from this distance.

“We will need to discern the best possible route to the front gate.” Shin said, pulling off the small sack he had been carrying across his shoulders. “And we will need to do it with the utmost care. Your talents will do you little with a hundred archers coming down on you.”

Shin pulled a black jar from the bag and very methodically began to run the black grease through his hair, turning his azure hair to a raven black. He worked like a man who had done it on more then one occasion.

“Of course, once the job is underway feel free to kill whom you see fit.” Shin added, a look of enjoyment in his eyes.

"Be careful what you wish for, Tenken."

A soft chuckle escaped Kensaki's lips as he watched Shin work. In short order the small man's unmistakeable countenence had been disguised; it would be unlikely that any roving eyes would linger now.

It would be far easier for Kensaki to produce a similar effect. He removed his coat-like Haori and, folding it into a compact bundle, stowed it in the small satchel he wore. Underneath, his robes were of plain grey, and would not distinguish him from other travellers. Back at camp, he had exchanged his ornate blue and silver scabbard for that of a common soldier's katana. Darkstar's distinct hilt could still be seen, but he wore the sword across his back with the hilt over his shoulder, and his pack helped to conceal it.

Once complete with his preperations, Kensaki critically regarded the stronghold once again. Based on what he had seen from Shin last night, he had no doubt that the Tenken would have little problem scaling the wall. Kensaki knew he was capable of no such feat unaided, and would need the use of a rope and grappling hook to get inside, should the plan require it. Putting his mind back to the task at hand, Kensaki turned to face Shin.

"Lead on Tenken. That is, if you aren't afraid to show me your back." Another soft, dry chuckle as Kensaki smirked at his unlikely ally, if only for the moment.

The Tenken told himself he had no need to acknowledge Kensakis verbal jabs, he told himself he was above such petty attempts at his pride. He told himself these things and yet he could not take his own advice and as he began his trek towards the gates, passing within Kensakis sword range he looked over his shoulder, a calm smile flashed Kensakis way.

“Dear Kensaki,” Shin said, though there was no hint of mockery, it was obvious simply by his words that Shin was anything but sincere. “I do wish for just that. However, if you end up as a bloody mess at me feet again I will make sure to nurse you back to health myself.”

Shin would allow Kensaki that last word if he spoke again, knowing full well that the reminder Shin was the one that walked away from their last true fight was a bigger strike to him then anything Kensaki could possibly throw at Shin. Much to his dismay Shin understood certain things about Kensaki and continued to learn things about the psychotic man every time they crossed swords.

Kensaki’s obsession went further then merely killing Shin, he had told Shin that he wished to eradicate his very existence, the very memory of him. Kensaki was obsessed, no…an obsession wasn’t the word, Shin was his life, his reason for being at the moment. Shin wondered what Kensaki would do if he did win?

Whether Kensaki followed Shin from behind, decided to walk by his side or even take the lead Shin would head straight into the defended complex, through the south gate and from there he would have to decide where to go and how to waste time…which they had plenty of.

"Remember that you said that, Tenken, as the life drains from you. The moment will be all the sweeter for it, as you realize that is was this very arrogance that led you to the grave."

Kensaki returned Shin's calm smile, barely managing to keep his voice level, but if anything it only proved him to be a master of controlling his emotions. He was distantly glad that Darkstar was on his back rather than in his hands, as it would have been difficult to keep from drawing it just then. The depths of his mind were pure chaos as Kensaki's will fought the twin titans of his own desire to kill Shin and that of the 'other', which currently raged against the outside of the Void with uncontrolled anger. Kensaki had a brief, disturbing feeling that the voice was inside with him, pounding against the Void like the walls of a cell, but dismissed it. After all, the voice came from the sword, not from his own mind.

As it always did, will won out over desire despite the wishes of the voice. He fell into step beside Shin, heading toward the Sronghold. Over time, he was successful in overpowering the 'other', once again forcing it far from his perception. Unless Shin spoke the journey would pass in silence; Kensaki seemed distant as he continued what he had been doing for most of the journey, inwardly analyzing the brief fight from the night before.

The defensive ‘town’ was what one would expect of it, high walls with even higher towers, all made of the gray stones pulled some thirty miles to the east. Guards patrolled the walls and others sat with a clear vantage point in the towers. Shin noted the large torch like pillars set out every fifty meters from the wall, not only illuminating the area but no doubt acting as markers for the archers in those towers.

The inside of the structure wasn’t anything spectacular, mainly training facilities and long barracks for the soldiers. There were scattered houses within the walls as well, probably the higher ranking officers Shin guessed. Inside a single market square dominated the entrance, with shops set up along the perimeter and a separate road leading to the right leading to the stables.

Shin and Kensaki were permitted entrance up into the square but no further, guards and likely new recruits at that, were stationed at the trails that lead to the more restricted area. Shin paused in the center of that dirt square and let his gaze linger over it momentarily before leaning in towards Kensaki.

“I believe I have an idea.” Shin spoke with a smile and before Kensaki could respond he walked off in the direction of one of the longer barracks looking buildings.

Kensaki stood where he was for a moment as Shiden strode away. Things had not gone exactly according to plan so far, but he was content to bide his time for the moment until another opportunity to strike presented itself. Looking around at the inside of the fort, Kensaki admitted to himself that playing along with this job would have its upsides as his gaze settled on a group of particularly raw recruits. If these men were any indication of the quality of troops stationed at the Stronghold, then this might hold some enjoyment for the murderous swordsman.

He turned to follow Shin across the square, his curiosity piqued. Whatever the Tenken had planned at the barracks, Kensaki was fairly certain that Keno would not approve. This was, after all, to be a scouting mission only, as Shin himself had stated. He reached back discreetly to ensure that Darkstar was loose in the unfamiliar scabbard, just in case, and waited to see what the now raven haired Tenken would do.