The Village: Season Two

[Liamane]

"Demon...?" the girl questioned weakly, her voice faint. Attempting to thoroughly understand the concept, Kohana was silent for a long moment before she finally continued, "Is that... how they're all made?"

Naomi lightly shook her head. "Well, no... not all of them," she replied softly. She offered a warm yet dubious smile to the girl to ease the arduous instant at hand. "But some of them, yes."

Becoming gradually enlightened, the child nodded, and as she began to fidget with her hands, she asked, "Oh...what about the one Vincent fought?"

"I really don't know," the magen answered, darting her eyes to ground. "From what I'm told, the Academy is looking into it." She looked to her younger friend, an almost forced smile still present; Naomi was rather relieved that the conversation wasn't as grim as it had previously been.

[Liamane]

The strange silence that seemed to constantly dwell over the two girls was present once again as they both seemed to fail to draw words. After several long moments, it was Kohana that spoke, inquiring, "...Are they looking for Vincent?" Her obvious sadness resurfaced.

The woman frowned as she shot a glance to the blue sky above her. Birds darted across the heavens, chirping in harmonious unison, and while the image maintained a crystalline beauty, the mage's unhappy demeanor endured. She didn't want to disappoint Kohana, not by any means, but lying was not an option.

"No...I don't think so," she finally responded, almost in a sense of disbelief. Vincent was a prominent figure in Riyona now, no doubt. If such was the case, why wasn't anyone looking for him? The question had plagued Naomi's thoughts for the past month.

Crossing her arms and pouting her lips slightly, Kohana simply huffed in retort. "They should be," she stated, anger began to rage within her.

"You're right," the woman agreed, "they should be..." As the mage's voice drifted off, a sudden thought emerged in her mind, and a genuine smile appeared upon her face. Her brilliant idea delighted her, and it was truly bound to have the same effect on the others.

[Beebs]

"Naomi?" Kohana questioned, cocking her head to the side after noticing a strange look on the magen's face. "Are you okay?"

"Better than okay," Naomi said brightly, a grin still plastered across her face. More excited than she had been in a long time, Naomi stood up from from the ground and looked out at the horizon. The academy wasn't far now, which meant the possible solution to finding Vincent was in reach.

As wind softly rushed through the woman's hair, she looked to Kohana and continued, "Come on, Kohana, let's go."

Returning a puzzled look to Naomi, the young girl shrugged and replied, "Well...okay. You've got that look on your face that Jiro gets before he sweeps Kikyo off to her room."

"I do?" Naomi answered, soon bursting into an amused batch of laughter. She was soon accompanied by Kohana, who didn't fully understand the extent of the joke, but couldn't resist the prospect of a rare laugh. The young girl stood up as well, moving directly beside Naomi and glaring up at her cheerfully.

"Are you ready to go?" the young woman offered, glancing over at the healed flower. "Do you want to take the flower with you?"

"Why would I?" Kohana asked curiously, looking at the newly alive plant. "We just healed it. It's got its planty-plant life ahead of it."

"You're right," Naomi said with a warm smile, wrapping her arm around the girl's shoulder. She smiled in return and the duo began forth along the path that lay ahead.

[Liamane]

Meandering into the kitchen, Skye presented the men with a delightful grin after she threw her lustrous blue hair over her shoulder. With her apparent clothing change, the young woman sported an orange dress, to match each morning's sunrise, which extended to the middle of her voluptuous thighs. A pair of emerald earrings dangled from her ears, and they both shimmered and reflected the sunlight in the kitchen.

"Well," she began, daintily clearing her throat to ensure that she was to receive a most fitting entrance, "how do I look?"

A wide eyed Vincent rose from his seat, and releasing a breathy chortle, he presented his beloved with an alluring, enigmatic smirk. "You look gorgeous, Skye," the Turk answered, igniting passion within him.

"Stunning, sister!" Rian exclaimed, rising from his seat as well. His cheery face donned a content, wide smile, just as always around his sibling. Placing his hands nonchalantly behind his back, he inquired, "May I ask why you're dressed as such?"

[Liamane]

Smirking, the woman shot a glance to her younger brother; a familiar glint of unfriendliness was evident in her dagger-like glare. It was an expression Rian knew all too well.

"No particular reason," she replied, her tone uncannily warm to mask her true intent. "Can't a woman look good, regardless of occasion?"

Unaware of the secretive brawl, the Turk raised a brow as he stared at his beloved, admiration building with each moment. "You said you had a surprise in store, Skye?" Vincent asked, causing the woman to offer her immediate attention.

Her expression morphed into a large, pleasant grin. The man smiled in reply, continuing, "Well, are you going to tell us anytime soon?"

[Beebs]

"Well, do you remember Liyah, the inn's maid?" Skye said with a smirk, pacing through the room with her arms behind her back. She stopped when reaching Vincent's seat and stood her ground.

"Of course," the Turk responded, glancing back at the woman. "She's usually here every day."

"Performing her duties properly, I assure you," Rian added eagerly, softly fluttering his eyes in an attempt to calm Skye's would-be-wrath, but his comment went ignored.

"Well," Takun's daughter began, moving between the two gentlemen, "It would seem she's personally close with this village's 'Shrine Keeper' or whatnot. This shrine is located deep in the Riyonan forest, an absolutely perfect weekend getaway."

"Getaway?" her brother questioned, exchanging a curious look with Skye. "You know, if you've grown tired of this place we can always leave."

"I know that," the woman snapped, hastily returning to her sly, but calm demeanor. "But my business here isn't quite done and we could do with time away from this stuffy hotel. I've confirmed my previous arrangement with the girl to be guests to the current shrine keeper, Arnia."

With a devious glance, Skye turned her attention to Vincent and gave him a seductive smile. Her fingernails lightly grazed the man's chin, sending a small chill down his spine, and the woman asked in an innocent tone, "What do you say, my dear?"

[Beebs]

Vincent adjusted his sight away from Skye for a moment, thinning his eyes and pondering the woman's words. He directed his attention toward her younger brother, developing a curious expression. "Well, it's fine with me, but what about you Rian?" the man questioned.

"Oh, don't be silly," Skye interrupted, displaying a wide grin and emitting an awkward chuckle. "Of course Rian doesn't have any concerns."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to hear from Rian, thank you," Vincent responded blandly, his eyes darting between the two. The Turk leaned back in his seat and waited.

Skye clenched her teeth in annoyance, glancing over at a bewildered Rian and back to her love, forcing a smile. She answered in an unamused voice, "Fine."

"I-I, well," Rian began, nervously collecting his words and fiddling with his fingers in his lap, "If Skye wishes it, then of course I'm willing. Not to say I'm entirely turned off by the thought of being out in nature, it actually sounds rather pleasant."

A gnawing silence loomed between the three, accompanied by shifty eyes and grudging stares, before Vincent finally spoke, "Well then, it's settled. It's a lovely gesture Skye and I'm sure we'll all enjoy it."

"Yes," Skye replied uncertainly, her fierce eyes burning through Vincent, "It will."

[Beebs]

"Should we head out then?" Rian asserted nervously , his eyes constantly darting between the two. He stood from his seat and waddled to the room's exit and stood in wait.

Skye's glance drifted toward the Turk, a form of loathing plainly present in her expression. Her twisted emotions only became worse when she directed her sight towards Rian. Much to the man's dismay, a devilish smirk appeared on her face. "Sure," she said coldly, fury flaming in her eyes. "Vincent, get your things dear."

"Alright," Vincent responded, uneasily puzzled as to why she hadn't ask her brother to do the task like she normally would. He loitered in his seat for a moment, expecting to catch a spark between the two, but the endless sound reserve would not let up in the man's presence. He let out a soft sigh, casually lifting up from his seat and heading back into he and Skye's bedroom.

"Brother," Skye began viciously, with her savage smile growing by the second, "I don't know what you said to Vincent during my absence, but rest assured that if you put anymore ideas into his head you needn't worry about father hunting you down, for I will personally see to it that you are ended."

Rian swallowed hard, trembling slightly as Skye approached him, her habitual demeanor now apparent. The siblings' eyes met for a brief moment, which sent what felt like an electric pulse down the man's spine. He hunched over slightly, taking in shallow breaths for bit when Vincent returned, causing Rian to stand at attention. Vincent gave him a disappointed stare, and the Turk's attention returned, as normal, to Skye.

[Liamane]

Lunging forth into battle, Jiro emitted a loud battle cry as he gripped his weapon tightly. Cocking his arm back, the teenager launched his arm in Tidus' direction while he continued to charge. The man from Zanarkand smirked, and readying his sword, Brotherhood, he was more than ready for his friend to attack.

As anticipated, Jiro and Tidus' swords met, and the older man parried in response, fending himself against the force the former spy applied behind his weapon. Gritting his teeth, the teenager attempted to shove more of his weight into his attack; the shriek of the two weapons colliding echoed throughout the area. Nahhan stood a fair distance from the two, and a content yet sly smile was evident on his face as he kept his hands behind his back while staring the warriors down.

Attempting to break free of their locked weapon, Tidus darted to the right, freeing himself and allowing Jiro to stumble forward. Nearly falling to the ground, the teeanger glared and grumbled as he managed to collect himself quickly. Like before, without hesitation, he dove forth into battle once again, and instead of waiting for his attack, the Blitzer countered before Jiro had the chance to formidably strike.

[Liamane]

Hoping to gain an advantage, the spy used his two hands, one on the handle and one on the blade, to push Tidus backward. Surprisingly, he was forced in the opposite direction, and resorting to a convenient, almost dirty, trick, he swept his leg, causing Jiro to trip to the ground.

"Cheap!" the teenager snarled, falling to the dirt below as he swung his sword wildly about.

Using his past skills, the Zanarkandan launched himself into the air, flipping over his fallen friend. As their eyes met for the briefest of seconds, a sneer was plastered onto Tidus' face, causing rage to fill Jiro's being. The spectator, Nahhan, couldn't help but emit a breathy chuckle. Landing gracefully upon his feet, he turned to the boy, and continuing to bear a most devious expression, he extended his arm forth to motion for the battle to press on.

[Liamane]

"Screw you!" the young man cried out to his opponent, scrambling to his feet and accepting the foe's taunt.

He dashed toward his friend, yelling loudly. Swinging Elizabeth forward, the sheer weight of the sword managed to pull the boy to the ground. His weapon landed upon the grass a few inches away from his hand, and just as he shifted to reach for his blade, Tidus pointed his own weapon to his comrade's face. With the blade just an inch from his cheek, Jiro shot a fierce stare up the man above him, and knowing that the battle was over, he huffed in aggravation.

"I believe that I'm the victor," Tidus pronounced proudly, chuckling. Leaving the teenager muttering curses under his breath, the man from Zanarkand sneered in delight; not an iota of his energy had been lost.

[Siani]

Giving a small grunt of anger, Jiro took in a deep breath. As Tidus held out his open hand and moved his sword to the side, Jiro looked away before grabbing it. "Good game man." Tidus said helping the young spy up. "You actually did well for a first."

"Whatever." Jiro said under his breath as he grabbed his sword. "We'll see next time."

"Ah, don't be a sore loser."

"How about you try being a spy." Jiro replied feeling the defeat. "I bet you wouldn't last a day."

[Liamane]

Tidus smirked, folding his arms across his chest. "Maybe not," he retorted, offering a mere shrug in reply. He raised a brow almost instantly before commenting, "But, if I'm not mistaken, you've given up on that, am I right?"

The young man huffed in irritation as he sheathed his weapon, and placing his hands upon his hips, he shot back, "Feh, I may have given up working for the Fuwa Clan, but I'm still a pretty damn good spy, smart mouth. Maybe I'll save your ass one of these days! Who knows?"

The tumultuous conversation was suddenly cut short as Nahhan proceeded to walk toward the two swordsmen. He threw in head back to emit a high cackle as he submerged himself in extensive laughter.

"My, was that a brawl!" the shop keeper interjected, followed by a boisterous chortle. "I must say, gentlemen... I haven't had a good laugh like that in ages."

Blushing in embarrassment, Jiro's mouth produced a scowl as he looked down upon his recently purchased weapon. He had nearly forgotten that Nahhan had been present during the entire battle, and continuing to feel remorse for his loss in the competition, he grunted in regret.

[Beebs]

"I'd like to see you do better old man," Jiro mumbled irritably, thinning his eyes. He turned around in a scoff, making it painfully obvious that he wished to have nothing more to do with other men. The amused duo glanced at each other with a grin, rolling their eyes.

As Jiro began to huffily march away to the edge of the field, Tidus called out, "You're going the wrong way, genius; we're going that way!" His arm extended in the opposite direction of the former spy and he gave a smirk.

Jiro glanced back and flailed his arms in frustration, trudging back to Nahhan and Tidus, mumbling incoherent insults beneath his breath as he moved past them.

Tidus shook his head and looked at Nahhan, giving a hesitant smile, and said, "Well... see you around then. Bye!"

The fair-haired man jolted in the direction of his friend, passing him easily, and patted him on the back. Jiro paused and his arms hung low to the ground in despair.

"You know," Nahhan began, still barely in earshot of the young man, "I might not be able to give advice on winning a duel, but I do know someone who could."

[Liamane]

With his expression suddenly brightening, Jiro darted toward the sales merchant, and placing a quick arm around the man's shoulder, the spy inquired, his voice vibrant, "So, you're saying that there's a super bad ass powerful master out here in Riyona?"

Nahhan, shrugging his shoulders in a chuckle, nodded in response. "That would be correct," he said, attempting to keep his voice low. Tidus watched the two in utter confusion. He scuffed his foot and crossed his arms as he waited patiently.

"Well, tell me already!" the spy interjected, faintly tightening his grip upon the man's shoulder. "Don't leave me hanging!"

Frowning and breaking away from Jiro's grasp, Nahhan placed his arms behind his back, as he always did, and shutting his eyes, he responded, "I'm afraid I cannot tell such. It is... against his biding."

Pouting his lower lip and averting his eyes to Tidus for a brief moment, the young man huffed in anger. "Nahhan! Nahhan!" the teenager protested, meekly nudging the shopkeeper in the side. "My good man! We're friends, right? C'mon! You can share a little secret with your ol' buddy, Jiro!"

Shifting his eyes to the right and left, the man sighed, and offering a moderate smile, he whispered, "I suppose that... just this once, I could, perhaps, tell of him. However... Jiro, you mustn't tell Tidus of what I'm about to tell you. It is... most confidential."

[Beebs]

"Yeah yeah, spit it out old man!" Jiro urged, excitedly bobbing up and down in front of Nahhan. Eagerness gleamed in the former spy's eye and he leaned his ear in closely towards the merchant.

"Patience, my dear boy," Nahhan replied, his voice soft as he slightly backed away. The man's attempt at stealth failed when he, quite noticeably, made sure that the two were not being watched by wandering eyes.

He tapped his fingers together and emitted a nervous sigh, hesitantly continuing, "One of my more... loyal customers, an extremely skilled warrior, lives deep in the woods of Riyona. Privately, he both purchases and sells wares to and from my humble shop. He is quite skilled at crafting swords, I should say, which is why I value his trust in me so very much; without him I'd surely go out of business, no doubt. With his fine workmanship, customers constantly pester me for his whereabouts and name, which is where our problem begins."

[Beebs]

"He does not wish to be bothered," a very serious Nahhan continued. "I've sworn to him that I would never reveal his location to those who inquire; I list the weapons' maker under a secret pseudonym. I cannot break this contract, except under the condition of torture; I added that bit in myself for, you know, safety purposes, heh."

"I can rough ya up if you want," Jiro offered, grinning and rolling up his sleeves.

"Uhehehe, yes, well," Nahhan stuttered anxiously, waving his arms in protest, "That won't be necessary."

"A master sword guy, huh? I insist on meeting him," Jiro stated with determination, assertively puffing out his chest. "What is this fine gentleman's name?"

"As I said, I know him by only one alias," Nahhan answered carefully, leaning in towards the young man. "Ronin, the Sworn Shinobi."

[Liamane]

Eyes widening, Jiro stepped backward and a gasp escaped his lips. "Whoa, whoa!" the young man exclaimed, hands flying about in the air. "The Sworn... Shinobi? Are you freaking serious?!"

Putting a finger to his mouth, Nahhan quickly retorted, his voice almost frantic, "Keep it down, boy! Your friend may soon catch on; don't you get it? Not a word."

The older salesmen averted his shifty blue eyes toward Tidus who, still, remained suspiciously quiet. He sighed as he placed his hands behind his head, and the man continued to wait patiently for the other two.

The former spy simply waved his hand about in the air. "Feh, don't mind him, he wouldn't care," the teenager replied, shrugging. Once the initial shock hit him again, he smacked the side of his face, and his expression instantly lit up. "Man, oh man! I always thought that the Sworn Shinobi was just a legend! My dad always told me that he was fake, but heh, was he wrong! I just... can't believe he's really out there, and right here in Riyona Village!"

[Beebs]

"I can't believe it! Is it true he defeated the Eternal Assassin with a shoelace??" Jiro exclaimed, shaking intensely with excitement.

"Er... what now?" Nahhan questioned in confusion, staring the former spy down. "According to the fable, he bested him with a bamboo branch, but--"

"Not the way the Fuwa Clan told it!" Jiro interjected, swerving around on his heels. He instantly repeated the action to face the merchant once more, this time with an inversed expression. His eyes were thinned, cold with determination. He soon swung the sheathed Elizabeth in all directions, causing Nahhan to hesitantly back away. The young man began to make low battle cries, obtaining a curious glance from Tidus, and his arms then formed very clumsy martial art moves. He unleashed a harsh screech at Nahhan, who replied with bewildered blinks.

"A power such as mine can never be defeated, you fool," Jiro uttered, extending his arm out to the man's neck and clutching it, causing a hoarse cough to be emitted. "For I am the Sworn Shinobi and although your name proclaims it, you are certainly not eternal!"

Jiro whipped a thin rope out of his pocket and spun behind Nahhan. He quickly wrapped it around the man's neck a few times before bouncing away and proclaiming, "I prevail once more!"

Nahhan slowly turned around, causing the rope to unroll and slowly creep down his chest until it fell to the ground. His unamused expression was quite apparent and he muttered, "Are you done now?"

"Uh... yeah," Jiro said softly, his face turning slightly red.

[Liamane]

Hanging his head and drowning in bashfulness, the young man scratched the back of his neck, and his mind scrambled for words. "So," he continued, looking to a baffled Nahhan, "where do you suppose I can find--" Jiro paused, bringing a fist into the air as he swooned, emitting boldly, "the Sworn Shinobi!?"

Nahhan sighed. The boy's enthusiasm was, no doubt, boundless, and although intriguing at first, it was beginning to prove its annoyance. "Perhaps... if you would calm down," the salesman replied, thinning his eyes.

The former spy released a sheepish grin as he gave a light tug upon his collar, continuing to bask in the older man's glare. "R-Right," Jiro muttered, clearing his throat. "So, uh... Where can I exactly find him?"

The man cleared his throat as he began, slowly, "Well, surely, you're familiar with the mark of the Sworn Shinobi, yes?"