It had been nearly an hour since Tenkuu had arrived in the city from his normal wandering of the lands around the area. He was later then he would have hoped for making it back to this location, but he had made it back none the less. He weaved his way through the streets, making his ways towards the Shrine of Water.

The lights of the streets were dim, but it gave enough light for those who were out this late to travel to the destinations that they needed to travel to. When Tenkuu had finally arrived at the streets of the Shrine, he paused to hear the sound of voices talking above him. 'Four,' he had said to himself, smiling slightly as he heard the slight agitation spewing from the group. 'Two ronin's at that, not to be surprising given the wording of the message.'

Tenkuu moved with purpose up the stairs, he wasn't sure how much he had cared about the request for the gathering, he just understood that Mokuzai had wanted him there. He stopped at the entrance to the Shrine, his eyes looking over the group for a second, then bowed his body slightly before entering the shrine then straightened himself up and took a step inside the door to join the rest of the group.

"A nice gathering of swords that I see here, if not a rather odd collection of views, ideal's and stations among them. Greetings, my fellow Samurai and I extend that greeting to those cousin Ronin's as well. I am Tenkuu, the Violet Samurai of the Elemental Samurai. I am here, by request of Mokuzai, to extend my sword for services."

The scene before Akio was a complicated one. With such opinionated people it would be impossible for any of them to reach a conclusion without taking an extremely long time.

Each spoke words of truth, their own truth. Akio was blessed with the ability to understand where the other others were coming from, but that didn't mean he personally agreed with everything said here. Luckily for him, the fourth person was just about to come into view.

"Now that we have enough people," With those words Tenkuu came into view. Akio would wait until the Samurai finished his introduction. " allow me to fully explain why I have called you all here."

Once he had their attention and everyone had stopped their talking Akio would continue.

"I have been ordered to take provisions to the common people that are still out there, those that have not picked sides and are caught up in the middle of a war that is destroying their city. It is important that we restore their faith in the Shogun."

He paused for a moment, letting the information sink in before continuing onto the second portion of the mission.

"Our mission will carry us deep into the rebels territory. And while a large contingent of soldiers would work better it is the hope of some of my superiors that if a small elite group enters, the rebels will attack us while we are providing care."

Akio didn't think he needed to explain it anymore then that, he had left out several other details, but that information could easily be filled in.

"You will each receive one hundred gold if the mission goes well."

That should clear up the majority of the question, but Akio understood that there would probably be more individual questions and waited patiently to answer them.

The only indication Gekido gave of Kensaki's introduction was a brief look, his attention was focused elsewhere, more specifically Tanjiro.

He said nothing in response to Tanjiro's first statement, it was true, and nothing would be gained arguing it. The motion made to stand however, now that was worth some interest. Not a single motion of the man's rise missed Gekido's observance, right down to the white-knuckled grip he had on his weapon.

As Tanjiro finished his second statement, it was Gekido's turn to chuckle with amusement. His arms were crossed relaxedly in front of his chest, showing that even if he had taken offense to the man's words, he had no intention of acting on it here.

Gekido took notice of each of the next events in turn, most without much reaction at all. The arrival of the new comer, his introduction, and at last, the explanation of their mission. Gekido spoke not a word through it all, though it would be noted that the fingers on his sword hand clenched reflexively at the mention of being attacked, and his eyes flashed a hint of their orange, blood-crazed glee. The look was fleeting and gone in an instance. His reasons for being here had nothing to do with the cause, or the shogun, or even the money. No, he was here to sate the insatiable bloodlust that flowed endlessly through his fire-filled veins.

Kensaki quietly waited for Akio to finish speaking before turning his head to address the newcomer. All of his earlier amusement was gone, his features blank, as he spoke quietly in a cold voice.

"Heed my words very carefully Violet Samurai. If you address me as Ronin," Kensaki almost spat the word out, "again, we will have a very serious problem. I am an artist. The sword is my instrument and my medium is death."

There was no animosity in Kensaki's words; he simply spoke as if stating indisputable fact. The moment he finished speaking, his full attention returned to Akio and his proposal, and his amused expression returned as if he had never spoken at all. The hundred gold would be useful, of course, but it had nothing to do with the joyful glee displayed by the whispered voice in his head. He could only hope that these pathetic rebels would have enlisted a few true warriors. In short, his interest was peaked.

"Satou Akio, I accept your offer. My sword is yours for the duration of this mission."

Still sitting cross-legged on the ground with his scabborded sword across his knees, Kensaki turned his head back toward the floor in front of him and patiently awaited the time for departure.

Tanjiro silently disagreed with Satou Akio’s assertion that a larger group would’ve been better. Actually, a smaller cell of skilled swordsman and the like seemed much more preferable. It could very well entice the rebels into attacking them, the apparent goal for this mission, but more importantly--thankfully, even--it meant that a full blown battle between opposing armies was less likely to occur and civilians fleeing from whatever combat did pop up may be able to escape unharmed.

To be honest, though, the samurai was not all that fond of using the people’s sympathy. He was well used to such politics, obviously, but that did not mean he had to like it. It was a necessary sin and he acknowledged this fact by not bothering to bring it up to those around him. After all it was clear to him that nobody else gathered really cared about the objective, so long as they got what they wanted out of the mission, possibly with the exception of Satou Akio, of course.

A now deep-in-thought-Tanjiro would remain silent and keep to himself for the time being.

Tenkuu was almost taken back by the severity of the words that strung from Kensaki’s lips. He didn’t take threats lightly and his face turned cold for a second, his mind almost taking the threat as a challenge. He calmed himself some, then let a soft and apologetic smile cross his face.

“Forgive me good sir, for I call people by the titles they appear to have when I feel the need to address them arrives, at least until I know the title that I should address them by. Since I consider it rude to request the title they wish to be called, I do it this way. So once again, my Artistic friend, I would like to apologies for my miss-naming of your title.” He bowed slightly to Kensaki, as he raised his eyes narrowed upon the figure, locking with the other mans eyes. “That being said, if you are to threaten me again, I shall take it as a challenge and we will settle it in the proper way.”

The Air Element Samurai’s facial features softened once again, returning to his normal friendly demeanor. The Samurai’s eyes lingered upon Kensaki a moment longer, before turning to Akio’s as he began to start his description of the task at hand. Tenkuu did note, however, that he would keep a close eye upon both Kensaki and the quite Gekido, the look in his eyes set of a warning within the well disciplined samurai’s mind.

Tenkuu listened to the words that Akio had spoken to the now gathered group. The Samurai couldn’t help a feeling that their might be more to this mission, but he didn’t feel now was the time to question it, he figured that this man would alert them to the additional tasks when the time arrived, then he would choose whether or not to question it. The samurai would also question the logic as to why Akio felt that a larger group would be better then a small skilled team, but he pushed the question away as he figured this fact might have been a slip as there being a larger plan or goal involved.

The Violet Samurai smiled, sounded like they were more setting up for a trap then they were setting up to help and restore the faith of the people of Cizok, the Emperor was becoming more and more like that in these days. That may be the truth, but who was Tenkuu to question his lord and master, especially when the aid was needed by those poor people.

“Very well sir, you can count my blade in.” His hand reached up and griped the hilt of his Katana, twisting it so the Scabbard in such a was as if to show him offering his sword. He bowed slightly to Akio, then straightened back up to listen to the voices of the fellow samurai, ronin’s and the ‘artist’ that were in the surrounding area.

The blue eyes of the Samurai slowly searched over the rest of the group. Tenkuu didn’t note any disagreement as to the mission from the group, so he figured that the they were all planning on lending their aid as well. He did, however, note Tanjiro lost in what appeared to be a deep thought process. “Is their something on your mind Tanjiro?”

It seemed Akio had gotten more then he bargained for, he scolded himself silently, knowing full well that this is what he should have expected. Other then Tanjiro, he felt that he was dealing with children.

Still, he knew that this wasn't about him, this was about something bigger and if these people could help then he had to do what was in his power to get them to work together.

"There will be no fighting." It was an order, not a request and it was directed at Tenkuu. He, unlike Gekido and Kensaki, was a samurai and was to act accordingly. In Akio's eyes he was not doing such a thing.

"We will leave as soon as everyone has what they need. There are three wagon loads just inside the gate. I will take the front one, Tanjiro-san will take the second and Tenkuu-san will drive the third. Kensaki-san will ride in-front with me and Gekido-san will ride with Tenkuu-san."

The reason behind Akio's reasoning on drivers was no secret, he choose the three with ties to the Shogun to be in charge of the supplies and separated the other two.

"If we meet any rebels and are in the presence of innocents we wait for them to strike first, we do not need any one caught in the cross-fire. Any questions?"

(Tony has quit posting, and has removed all his character from the current plots, so we will just have to continue without him.)

Kensaki did not stirr as the Violet Samurai addressed him, did not, in fact, even acknowledge that the man had spoken. There would be no fight with Tenkuu, that seemed obvious, so Kensaki focused on the task at hand.

With a smooth motion, Kensaki rose to his feet, standing relaxedly with his scabborded sword held at his side in the left hand. If his face showed any emotion, it was a trace of the same amusement he had displayed several times earlier.

"I beleive that I have enough information to proceed. I am prepared to depart whenever we are ready, Satou Akio."

His eyes swept the other men in the room, waiting to see if there were further questions for Akio. If not, he would begin to move toward the door.

“No, no--It’s nothing.” The samurai spoke, a small smile adding a bit of weight to his words. “It seems my issues with the mission are already taken care of,” he gestured to Satou Akio, who had just finished explaining the formation they would be taking with the supplies and, more importantly, how aggression would be handled when citizens were involved.

Not endangering the people or making them resent the government anymore than they already did was a pretty big priority for the man; his loyalty was always to his people before himself, or even his lord. While he would follow Akio’s orders to the best of his abilities and without overriding the man’s authority, he still would not allow unnecessary actions to take place… This is what got the Shogun into so much trouble in the first place, after all.

“I have no questions,” he announced to Akio. “And I second Kensaki-san’s sentiments.”

In the wings, a man waited. Hair hung to his shoulders, held back from his face with leather ties. A mask decorated his features, hiding them from those who would know. Cerulean eyes stared from the mask, their blue bright enough to catch in the light. A calm persistence decorated his posture, the way he stood. Silent, watching.

A hand rested on his sword's hilt, fingers wrapping calmly about it. He was here for his Lord. For the Shogun. He was here to serve the man who his life had been dedicated to.

Anger rippled beneath the surface, however. Without placidity, it surged forth, filling him. His eyes did not change, however, flicking between each speaker of the conversation without pause, an ever-shifting manner of movement without movement that filled him. Always.

He had been mistaken for a statue in the past. He took a step, as near to "between" as he possibly could without evoking an angered reaction. Silence spilled from his features. Angry silence.

Offtopic: This... may be the wrong topic to be posting in? CONFUSION.

Tenkuu didn’t want a fight any more then the rest of the group, he just wanted to lay down some ground work. After all, a challenge was a challenge and needed to be dealt with. However, the Samurai could easily see why others might have taken it for an open invitation to a fight, its just he always thought that much more bloodshed and infighting among samurai’s could be prevented if they were more open about what sort of things were considered disrespectful to them.

Akio’s words were acknowledged and Tenkuu bowed his commander, showing he supported and understood the command. “All is understood, I’m ready to depart for our mission as soon as yourself, Satou Akio, is ready.”

The Violet Samurai paused for a moment, he sensed a odd shift in the winds, his eyes shifting just before the silent, statue like figure stepped before them. He didn't seemed surprised, though inside he was, instead placed a soft smile upon his face. "Well, it seems that another has come before us. Is there something that we can assist you with, or are you here to lend your sword?" He had noted a look of anger in the mans movements, but didn't react or seem to pay it any heed.

Things seemed to be coming together smoothly Akio told himself. Everyone in attendance had pledged their skills to help him, and for that he was grateful. Still, a doubting thought nagged him in the back of his head. He quickly silenced it.

Calmly he walked over to Gekido and whispered something to the hot headed ronin, a moment later the man was walking away from the group a look of anger clearly etched across his features.

"He will be doing something else for me, as for the rest of us I think..." He stopped abruptly as Tenkuu addressed someone ... someone that Akio had yet to see.

Someone else, here the entire time? While Akio was adept at hiding emotion he noticeably frowned in the general area Tenkuu was addressing. From where he currently stood the pillars blocked his view of where the man was.

It wasn't wise to eavesdrop on conversations, especially when warriors were concerned. It wouldn't surprise Akio if someone like Kensaki acted in anger, luckily Gekido had already been sent away.

"Who is here?" He finally asked, making it a point to get to an open area where he could see and be seen by the eavesdropper.

Just as Kensaki prepared to move toward the door, he sensed movement from the shadows as the newcomer stepped out. Had he been there the entire time? Impossible! No one was that quiet. However, it seemed equally impossible that he could have slipped in unnoticed. Regardless, the man had been spying on their conversation, and from his posture, he was in a cold rage. Whether the anger was due to the nature of their words or to some other source, Kensaki could not say, but it was clear that the man was dangerous.

Kensaki's posture did not change as he spoke, no amusement tinged his voice now, his face a blank mask almost to match that worn by the newcomer.

"Some might say that eavesdropping on a group of warriors could be dangerous. Others might guess at the stealth required to do so, and wonder if the eavesdropper had combat skills to match. And still others might say that just such an act of eavesdropping would be an excellent way to find out whether or not he did. I would ask your name, interloper."

As he spoke, Kensaki's hand slowly reached across his body to grasp the hilt of his sword, sliding it out of its sheath just far enough to bare an inch of jet black blade. He slowly turned his head until he was staring at the masked man across the room, waiting for his reply, ready to attack or defend in an instant should the need arise.

Like the others gathered, Tanjiro had not felt the presence of the eavesdropper, at least; not until Tenkuu had brought it up. It was at this point the samurai had immediately reached out with his senses, a bit of aggression in the effort, but to his surprise, the person he had felt, was actually a quite familiar one. It was the man who served his father as advisor and bodyguard, Takahashi Makoto.

A stark look of embarrassment momentarily crossed his features, his eyes hardening with an anger rivaling even that of the eavesdropper. Tanjiro, still standing from his earlier outburst, quickly rushed into the shadows, if a brawl had started out here, the only victor would be the masked man, of that; the Kumamoto samurai was positive.

It had only been a few seconds after he receded into the darkness of the shrine before he returned, his hand clutching at the arm of the eavesdropper, his usual calm replaced with silent anger, but his eyes had softened considerably.

“This man is Takashi Makoto-sama,” Tanjiro announced as his body dropped into a bow. “Advisor to Lord Kumamoto Michio, Daimyo of Cizok.”

It angered Tanjiro, having to use his father’s true title. He had chosen to refer to his father as a ‘General,’ earlier. Even if his family name had been recognized, his father’s status as a Daimyo wasn’t all that well known, and any form of special treatment--even respectful--was something that annoyed the samurai. Still, he did not feel he had to worry about such things with this group.

“I believe he will be of use to us, actually.”
Tanjiro looked the man over, no matter how you looked at it, the eavesdropper, Takashi, was noble born.
“He could quite possibly help inspire the people, bolster their respect for the regime. And of all of us gathered,” his voice had become quite stern, as his eyes focused on Kensaki for a brief moment.
“He’s probably the most skilled and experienced.”

Tanjiro did not compliment people lightly nor boast unnecessarily, Takashi was just that formidable, there were rumors that he had even went head-on with Tokkaido, of the Hidden Faction.

”Introduce yourself properly,” he whispered to the masked individual.

The man turned towards Tanjiro as he was hastily introduced, his eyes searching the younger man. He looked, then, towards the "Violet Samurai" and then beyond, to the others in the room. The anger slowly subsided. It was not something he carried easily, not a burden he bore fruitlessly.

The anger was most certainly directed at the men in the room. And it was targetted at the fact that he had not been noticed. There was no reason a group of such men should have been left unawares until he'd decided to make his presence known. If he had been an assassin? Sent by the Hidden Faction -- sent by Tokkaido? Tokkaido himself? -- to destroy them? What then.

His charge would have died. Lucky it was him. He waited for the younger man to finish speaking before he lifted his head, keeping the mask over his face. His eyes swept the others before he bent, bowing smoothly in their direction. The Cizokian dialect left his lips smoothly, though the sound itself was like gravel grating across rock, "I am here to be of aid to my charge, Kumamoto Tanjiro. I am here to lay groundwork for my Lord, Kumamoto Michio, and to assist you in whatever way I deem... apropos."

Laying a hand on the shoulder of Tanjiro, Makoto nodded once. Shortly afterwards, he removed it, his hand not straying to the hilt of his blade, as these other men's had. He had no reason to wish them ill -- aside from their foolish lack of indecency. These were times when they had to ascribe to ways of thought foreign to them. Vigilance was required. Skepticism. There was another group who practiced such traits -- and did so without thought.

He had learned from them, from reading of their ways. It had been enlightening, even as it frightening him. He had known the day would come when he would find it necessary to put their beliefs into rigid, structured practice. And they had finally arrived.

May the Spirits help them all.