Meeting in the garden... Nakoruru and Genjuro.
 

Nakoruru nods a little, "Hai, it is." she says as she looks back up at the stars. The moon finally starts cracking through some of the clouds, shedding it's silvery light down on the garden. She breaths in and sighs wistfully, perhaps the thought of family far away, or a loved one that she had laid out under the starts in days gone by crosses her mind. She lowers her head to look back at you, and then smiles politely, "I'm afraid I do not know your name then." she winks, "I'm not as good at guessing as you are."

Nakoruru is next to Mary, sitting on a small retaining wall. Mary is next to her and was looking up at the stars with her for a moment.

Mary smiles, "Mary.  Mary Hollister."

Genjuro steps into the garden silently, his sword over his shoulder. His steps fall lightly and unless you are looking over to him, you might not notice he has arrive, but he is in plain sight. He glances around, then shifts his weight to one leg to stand relaxed until he is noted.
Mary tilts her head slightly as Genjuro relaxes, mentally taking note, but deciding not to react all that much.  If he hasn't screamed and attacked by now, then he likely isn't here to kill anyone.

Nakoruru smiles politely at Mary for a moment before her eyes fall on Genjuro in the background. She frowns to herself a little, but makes not a sound, just watches him.

Mary looks over at Genjuro after Nakoruru does, arching an eyebrow at him and smiling a bit.

Genjuro's dark stare falls on Nakoruru, shifting over to her friend Mary at times. He nods to her then to the young priestess Nakoruru. He lowers his sword and stands it next to him as he waits for any sign to be able to speak or walk over.

Mary glances over at Nakoruru with a look that clearly says, 'I can make myself scarce if you want'

Nakoruru breaths in once, and then gets to her feet. She finds herself comforted that she has the weapon at her side, it is nice to have another person around as well.  She stands quietly for a long moment before finally asking, "Why have you come here, Kibagami?"

Genjuro glances to Mary again, studying her with some caution then steps forward, shifting his weight again. He speaks low with a reserved tone, "To simply pay you a visit. Plus I felt the energies of one I thought to be dead. The priest Tokisada, Sirou Amakusa..." The samurai gives a distasteful look as he glances around then looks back to Nakoruru. "I could feel it as I walked by this place."

Mary smiles at Genjuro as he glances over at her, holding her hands open and out for a moment, displaying that she's not holding any weapons.  That done, she reaches back and levers herself up to sit atop the wall Nakoruru had vacated a moment before, looking on, but not interfering at the moment.

Nakoruru turns her head a little, but continues to regard Genjuro with her eyes, just not directly as before, "Amakusa has been here, why does that concern you though. Want to pay homage to one who acts like you and kills wantonly?" She seems to have some kind of chip on her shoulder.

Genjuro's expression darkens as Nakoruru speaks to him in this manner, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword, eyes narrowed as he glares. Then he shrugs and turns away from her, his ponytail whipping behind him then coming to rest, dangling over his back. "Che...foolish how you side me with that demon! Amakusa...Zankuro. I do not pay homage to them! I sought only vengance.." With his back to you, one hand moves up and under his gi top by the shoulder. The fabric falls away as he brushes his hand over the large scar that runs over his shoulder and down his back, slightly visable now. He takes a deep breath then turns back to face Nakoruru and Mary as well. "Why does he live..and what did he want?"

Mary winces as she sees the scar.
Mary . o O ( ...that HAD to have hurt... )

Nakoruru folds her arms in front of her, not looking like she cares to share any information with Genjuro. She frowns to herself and looks like she's mulling something over in her mind, and finally she ends up speaking, though her voice is very even and lacking much emotion one way or the other, "He lives because he broke the seal that held him back...I do not think he did it alone, I suspect someone on the outside was able to help." She ponders another moment, "As for what he wants...? His goals and ambitions have not changed. Vengence, power, followers. It is always the same."

Genjuro closes his eyes and looks down, then tilts his head up and reopens his eyes, which stare into Nakoruru's. "And he left freely... You did not stop him?" He slowly makes his way closer to Nakoruru, his hand on the hilt of his sword but making no gesture to draw it. "And, this is twice you have had the wrong opinion of me..the other night when you let the murderer get away and tonight for siding me with demons. Who is the one who let the demon go? I would have killed him on the spot.." His voice growls slightly as he stops a few feet before Nakoruru, standing straight with his over six foot height.

Mary BLINKS.

Belldandy opens her eyes, leaning away from the tree she was sleeping against. "Oh, my... I must have fallen asleep here." o.o

Mary stares openly at Belldandy.

Belldandy lifts her arms and stretches, yawning slightly. . o O ( I expended too much power yesterday... I was out for a long time! )

Mary . o O ( ...wha..wha...wha...wha... )

Belldandy stands up, brushing out her dress. "Hello," she says, smiling and nodding to everyone assembled. "My name is Belldandy. I hope the owner of this shrine didn't mind that I slept here last night..."

Nakoruru turns her head to look straight at Genjuro as he speaks. She starts to retort when Belldandy wakes up. Blinking, she turns her head just enough to look at the girl, "Erm...no...you're quite welcome to it...all are free to come and go..." she looks back at Genjuro, "As for Amakusa..."

Mary just continues to stare at Belldandy, dumbfounded...

Genjuro glances over to Belldandy, his grip on his sword tightening, but still not making any move to draw it. He nods simply to her then looks back to Nakoruru, awaiting an answer to justify letting the demon go.

Belldandy looks back at Mary, a single strand of hair falling over her face. *pikupiku* She brushes it away and smiles at Mary, tilting her head. "Hello," she says cheerfully, then drops her head in embarrasment. "I must look pretty bad. I slept in these clothes all night." She brushes pine needles out of her hair.

Nakoruru continues, "He spelled himself in, then back out when he had his say..." she averts her eyes, maybe feeling a little ashamed, "I could not keep him from leaving...if I wanted to."  She fixes Genjuro with her eyes again. She does not address his remarks of her opinions of him, perhaps that's what she's thinking about behind those placid, blue eyes as she makes no sound.
Mary shakeshakes her head, still speechless...

Genjuro snorts in slight irritation as he steps closer to Nakoruru. He releases his grip on his swords hilt and looks down to the young girl, his look stern and unwavering. "What did he say....?" A quick glance is cast to the others present but this does not stop his questioning of the young priestess or cause him to back off his growing aggressiveness. He stands over Nakoruru and stares at her, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.

Belldandy tilts her head curiously at Mary, then smiles, hands clasping in front of her. "What are you looking at?" ^_^

Mary shakeshakes her head, as if to clear it of cobwebs, "...I'm sorry...it's just...I've never met...WHO are you?"

Belldandy giggles a little bit. "I just told you. My name is Belldandy." She extends her hand to Mary.

Mary hesitantly reaches out to shake the offered hand, "Mary Tenshi Hollister."

Belldandy shakes Mary's hand. "It's very nice to meet you. Do you come to this garden a lot? It's very restful, isn't it?"

Mary blinks and blushes as she says her name, flustered enough that she forgot to omit her rather embarassing middle name.  She smiles at Belldandy a bit and says, "No, but I should."

Nakoruru unfolds her arms and drops them to her side, balling her hands into little fists, lifting her chin to continue to look Genjuro in the eyes.  Genjuro's hand is not on the hilt of his sword, nor is hers on the pommel of her blade. She continues to look up defiantly at the man towering over her.  A look into her eyes will perhaps discover the fear she is hiding. She is smaller, but she knows that she faster, and the thought keeps her from backing up just yet. "He said that he would return here..." is all that she says, her voice steady and unquivering.

Belldandy tilts her head to the other side. "You shouldn't come here because you feel you have to. You should come here because you want to. Then it won't seem like a chore." She blushes a little bit, pursing her lips and dropping her head. "Gomen nasai," she whispers. "I shouldn't lecture people like that."

Mary smiles, "No, I mean I should come here to relax more often.  I've been getting kind of stressed lately."

Belldandy frowns, a worried expression on her face. "Oh, that's terrible. It must be very serious."

Keiichi walks in, looking for someone....

Belldandy is standing, talking to Mary.

Genjuro considers her words for a moment, placing his thumb and finger to his chin. Then he clutches his gi top and pulls it more closed as he steps back and to the side. "Hmm..so he has returned." The samurai looks back to Nakoruru over his shoulder as he addresses her. "I admire your courage... And it was wise to not draw your weapon." He nods then walks away a few steps, watching the others here but his attention still on Nakoruru.

Mary sighs, "Hai.  It is."
Keiichi huhs?  O_o
Keiichi slips over to Beru...
Belldandy notices Keiichi, clutching her wrist and turning to face him. "Keiichi-san!" She lifts a hand above her head and waves. "I must have used a lot of energy... I was sleeping under that tree all night."
Keiichi nods, and stands next to bell, "I thought so...Ididnt' want to wake you."
Belldandy turns to Mary. "This is Keiichi-san. Keiichi-san, this is Mary Tenshi Hollister. She was standing here when I woke up."
Keiichi bows to Mary. ^_^  "Yoroshiku."
Mary blushes again and holds her hands up, "Just Mary, please.  ^_^;;;"

Nakoruru doesn't answer immediately. As Genjuro backs off, she folds her arms in front of her again and just watches him quietly. She finally breaths out a quiet warning, "You choose well not to draw yours either, ronin."

Belldandy grins and nodnods to Mary. "Mary-san." She turns to Keiichi, eyes widening as she tilts her head a little, an inquisitive look on her face. "You didn't wait for me all night, did you, Keiichi-san?" o.o

#17 walks into the garden, hands in his pocket and glancing around idly with his typical bored look.

A small grin shows itself on Genjuro's face as he slowly turns to look over to Nakoruru. "We are not in combat. It is true I do kill, and have in the past. But I do fight with a warriors honor. And.." He shifts his footing, turning so that his body faces fully to Nakoruru again. "Unless you gave me reason, I will not draw my sword on a child. But if you draw your weapon, then the game will begin and your age..who you are will be forgotten. You will be my enemy and my opponent." His eyes narrow in affirmation, and his hand brushes over the hilt to his sword.

Belldandy stands next to Keiichi and Mary, talking quietly. She doesn't notice 17 walking by as yet, as she's staring questioningly at Keiichi.
Keiichi blushes, "Uhm, well..err.... Someone needed to watch over you, just in case....."
Belldandy blushes, dropping her head at Keiichi. "Arigato... Keiichi-san." Something, it could have been a shift in the wind, a small noise at the edge of hearing, causes Belldandy to look up, glance from side to side, and then turn around, to stare at 17. o.o
#17 slows down to a stop as he notices the people within the garden, he slides his feet aside and  stands off to the side to observe.
Keiichi smiles obliviously. ^_^

Nakoruru dips her head ever so slightly in a bow towards Genjuro, indicating that his words were clearly understood, his warning noted.
Mary balances on the corner of a low wall, perching on it in a most unnatural manner, still occasionally staring at Belldandy.

Genjuro nods to the bow then does something surprising. He places his hand to his chest and bows to her at the waist. Then turns away bringing his sword over one shoulder and walks away, calling back to Nakoruru as he does. "Beware the demon. I will be ready for him when he comes, you do the same.." He walks past the others here and heads out of the garden.

Belldandy turns around and walks up to 17, where he stands off at the side. A small frown is on her face.
#17 glance at Belldandy for a brief moment in time, his look, cold and unemotional, "...." Then eyes Genjuro as he leaves. (Demon?)
Keiichi follows Belle....?

Nakoruru glances at everyone present for a moment, recognizing Mary, but no one else besides the samuari who has paid her a visit this evening. She swallows a little at Genjuro's words, though there is something comforting in the thought that the skilled and powerful warrior would be fighting against Amakusa as well.  She takes one look around the garden. o O (My work here is done for tonight...) she ponders and slips out quickly, hoping to go unnoticed.

End