Kenji's Journey

Hobo · #1 07-28-2003, 11:39 AM

The wind kept blowing in his face as he ran, but he didn't care. Turning back now, all Kenji could see was the smoke rising from what used to be his house. He now slowed to a walk, and decided to keep off the track incase the bandits realised he got away.
Kenji sat down and began to sob, in five short minutes he'd lost everything that meant anything to him. He hadn't been able to stop the Bandits from killing his parents or his brother. All he had been able to do was to grab a sack of grain, a goat skin of water and his father's katana.
Kenji heard the beat of hoofs and drew the katana, a lone horseman, not one of the Bandits, just a trader or an advernturer.
Kenji stood up in full view of the horseman.

Kenji: Sir!, Sir!

Rider: What is it! I have no time to speak with simple farmers!

Kenji: Did you pass the flaming house back there?

Rider: Yes, nothing left now, just a few smoldering ashes.

Kenji: Ok......

Rider: What? Did you know them?

Kenji: They were my family, they were all I had...

Rider: I'm sorry about that, here, take this....

The Rider throws a small bag of coins onto Kenji's lap.

Kenji: Many thanks sir!

The rider carries on riding, and Kenji sheaths the Katana and continues in his journey.

Hobo · #2 07-28-2003, 05:17 PM

Kenji has been walking for three hours. He hasn't passed a single man woman or animal. The blazing sun is still beating down on him. Kenji unsheathes the Katana. Kenji holds it in the shade of a tree so he is able to see it clearly. He can see runes engraved into the blade.

Kenji: What the? These are far to intercate(sp.) for decorative runes. I've got to find a Shinobi, for they are the only people who have kept the knowledge of runes.

A quick whistle goes past Kenji's ear. A crossbow bolt fixes itself into the tree. Kenji gets up and turns around. Three Boys, no older than 16 are standing there. The tallest one is currently reloading the crossbow. The other two are both carrying short knives.

Boy #1: Alright kid, give us your supplies!

Kenji: All I have is the grain on my back, a goat skin of water and my blade.

Boy #2: Ok, we'll have all of them.

Kenji: You'll have to take it from my cold dead corpse.

At the end of the sentance Kenji draws the katana and rushes the nearest boy, caught offguard by Kenji's sudden attack. Kenji swings the blade and he strikes the boy across the spine. the boy falls to the floor, dead. Kenji Brings the blade up with surprising swiftness. The other two boys are standing there, quivering with fear.

Kenji: If you don't want to end up like your friend here, drop your weapons, drop your water skins and lie down.....

The two boys do what he says. Kenji lookos at the short knife and puts it inside his pack. He takes the backsling for the crossbow and puts his new weapon and ammo inside it.
Kenji puts his katana to the back of the taller boys throat.

Kenji: Who are you?

Boy: I am keff, this is my brother Shiike. The other was our friend Frikke. We were forced out of our city for stealing and we've made our living out of being highwayman. How long have you trained with blades to use it with that skill. I've robbed 35 year old bandits with less skill than an 18 year old boy.

Kenji: This is the first time I've handled a Blade, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Right, if I see you two being highwaymen again, i won't be so sparing with the blade. Got it?

Kenji walks off, leaving behind, only two boys, a corpse and a bloodstained road.

Hobo · #3 07-29-2003, 07:10 AM

Kenji had walked for six more hours that day, when he arrived in a large town. Kenji makes his way to the local Inn.
Standing behind the counter is a large man with a long ponytail of black hair.

Innkeeper: Hello there young Sir!

Kenji:How much for a room for the night?

Innkeeper: Well, I'd say 3 gold coins, for a young man like you.

Kenji hands over the coins and heads up to his room. He lays on the bed and runs his finger up and down the sword again....

Hobo · #4 07-29-2003, 06:00 PM

Kenji wakes up to a bright orange sunrise. The light stings his eyes so much that he has to squint. He hears a knock on the door.

Innkeeper: Master Kenji! Master Kenji!

Kenji: What is it?

Inkeeper: You must leave, some men came and asked for you, they were big types. Swords, bows, clubs, the lot. I said that you'd gone to the other side of town on an errand.

Kenji: Who could they be?

Innkeeper: No time for that, I refilled your grain and water for you. Got you some more crossbow bolts.

Kenji: Thank you kind sir!

Innkeeper: Quickly, get out the back door, leave town, steal a horse, and ride!

Hobo · #5 08-01-2003, 04:31 PM

Kenji ran through the Inn, his Katana unsheathed. He knocked down people in his way until he reached the back door. There he jumpedd on a barrel and leapt over the fence. He found himself in a small alley.
A shadow crept over Kenji.

Man: Give us your money!

Kenji turned to see a man with a club in his hand. Three more men appeared from the shadows. Kenji gripped his katana hard. He yelled a War Cry and then struck his blade from below into the mans chest. He then kicks the mans body off the end of the blade and swivels to face the other men.

Man: This one's asking for it!

One man charged at Kenji.Kenji slashed with the blade leaving a huge gash across the man's face. Kenji drew his crossbow, loaded for him by the kind Innkeeper, and fired it at one of the remaining men, the bolt struck him in his sword arm, forcing him to drop his blade.

Man: Ok, now it's my turn!

The last man was a giant. He had tatoos all over him. In one hand he held a horse whip, the other he held a long bladed sword.
Kenji holstered the crossbow and drew the katana again. The man charged. Raising his sword above his head, ready to strike. Kenji ducked as the man swept the sword at head level. Kenji pinned the mans foot to the earth with the short knife in his belt, causing the giant of a man to scream. Kenji rolled back and darted behind a barrel. The man, still screaming, vainly through his sword, striking the barrel. Kenji appeared over the top with his crossbow. He fired a shot, striking the giant in the face. The man toppled back, dead.
Kenji retrieved his knife. The man's screams had attracted attention. Kenji left the four dead men's loot alone, and fled the town.

Hobo · #6 08-02-2003, 10:59 AM

Kenji found himself near a farm. The track he walked apon became rough and bumpy. he found an abandoned farm cart and tipped it over and began to sleep.....

Hobo · #7 08-04-2003, 04:30 PM

Kenji wakes to the sound of a conversation.

Deepvoice: Have you seen a boy who travels by the name of Kenji?

Womans Voice: No, try looking west....

Deepvoice: Thank you miss.......

Hobo · #8 08-05-2003, 04:55 PM

Kenji silently draws the blade and gets ready to ambush the men.

Voice: Hey, sir! Something's breathing under this cart!

Kenji Tips the cart over and puts the blade tip an inch away from the nearest man's throat.

Kenji: Anyone moves and i'll puncture this man's throat!

The tallest man steps forward.

Man: Kenji? We are the Monks of High Mount. We come to bring news that the bandits on your tail are assasains. Sent from a rival Shinobi group of your father's and ours.

Kenji: My father was a shinobi?

Monk: He was the Leader of the Chi-Bi clan. The assasains are from the Yu-Tai Clan.

Kenji: Can you help me with these runes? What do they mean?

Monk: Only the quick of mind, can kill the quick of spirit.

Kenji: So, what shall I do?

Monk: As our laws state you are now the leader of our clan. To accept your leadership you need to visit the High preists of our clan. They live up in the mountains. We have been sent to escort you. I am Jia, my friend here is Lazgo.

Hobo · #9 08-06-2003, 11:03 AM

Kenji and his Companions head off after their conversation.

Kenji: So what weapons do you two use in a fight?

Jia: Well i use a pair of large black clubs. and at a distance I use my longbow. It packs a punch.

Lazgo: Up close I use my hand to hand skills or a knife, from a distance I use throwing knives. Through i prefer to avoid combat and to pick off targets without fighting, using my stealth skills.

Kenji: How many days travel is it to the High priests?

Lazgo: About 35 full days, 60 at current pace.......

Hobo · #10 08-11-2003, 07:04 AM

Kenji and his companions stop at a guard post. The guards come out of the house and stand infront of them....

Guard: The young one, that's Kenji!

Guard2: Ok boy, don't move and we won't fight you....

Kenji draws his katana and stands in a defencive stance. Lazgo throws his pack to the floor and follows Kenji's stance. Jia pulls out his clubs and runs at the nearest guard, the guard is overpowered and slumps to the floor. One guard runs for his horse, but a throwing knife intercepts him via his throat. Kenji leaps into the air and strikes with his blade point down apon another guard, the katana burys itself within his chest and refuses to ove during the heat of battle.

Lazgo: Kenji! Behind you!

Kenji spins round and delivers the guard a high kick to the face. he then moves in with his fists releasing punch after punch apon the man.

Lazgo throws a knife at the Kenji's adversary's throat. Finishing the last guard.

Hobo · #11 08-19-2003, 08:53 AM

Kenji and his allies are nearing the end of their journey. They are at the foot of the great mountains of the land.

Jia: Kenji, You and I must wait at the base while Lazgo goes and obtains permission from the high preists for you to climb. he shall take three days and three nights.

Kenji: Why can only one of us climb?

Jia: The preist's elite guard who hide among the rocks, have orders to kill any person, who isn't under their guard. Even us Shinobi, must come up alone.

Lazgo starts walking the gravel path, he disappears into the deep fog. That would be the last time Kenji would see Lazgo, alive......

Fez · #12 08-20-2003, 08:02 PM

good good, but i think your operation dark skies and the splinter cell one were better.

Hobo · #13 09-03-2003, 05:02 PM

Kenji and Jia waited at the bottom for three days. On the night of the third.....

Jia: Kenji, something's wrong, we need to get up there.....

Kenji Unsheaths his blade and him and Jia run up the path.

Kenji spots a dark figure and draws his cross bow and loads.

Jia:*whisper* Stop, i'm gonna get a good view.......

Jia crouches and creeps up behind the figure and slips his arm around his neck......

Hobo · #14 09-11-2003, 04:32 PM

As Jia's arm grips the figures neck, the figure fades into the mist.

Kenji: What the?

Jia: Stick together, your blade should protect us, as the ancient runes always do protect the Shinobi from the Spirits.

Kenji: That's a spirit?

Jia: Yes, I've fought them before, only rune encrusted blades can strike them down......

Hobo · #15 09-12-2003, 05:05 PM

Kenji: Why isn't your blade a rune blade?

Jia: They are very rare, and the runes only work for anyone with the blood in which the rune is formed from..

Kenji: Blood?

Jia: Yes, only the Blood of a Shinobi can burn runes into the metal of Orakai, the only metal in which the blades of masters are formed...

Jia pauses

Jia: We must get going, the high priests could be in danger......

Hobo · #16 09-13-2003, 01:35 PM

Kenji and jia dashed up the thin winding gravel path. kenji had his Katana in his hands. Jia slipped and fell face down to the gravel. Kenji gave him his hand, and they carried on....

Three figures stood in the mists Kenji's blade cut through one of the figures before Jia had time to see the spirits. Kenji jumped back, the blade shimmering in the dim light. The blade stabbed through the next figure and it dissappeared, the third one started to move away, but a flash of light struck through it and a man appeared in it's place.

Greetings I am Seram, I was the high guard leader of the high Preists but they have been slain, and we are a leaderless clan, the heir to the clan has not been found.

Jia: This is the heir, Kenji, my lord, you are now the leader of the Shinobi......

Hobo · #17 09-18-2003, 02:07 PM

As Jia speaks these words many more spirits appear around

Kenji: Curses! There appears to be no escape from these wretched Spirits!

Seram: Follow me, I have got our best warriors hidden in a canyon, the rest of the warriors are protecting the women, children and what's left of the elders.

Kenji, Jia and Seram Flee from the attacking Spirits, They arrive at the bottom of a Canyon, infront of them are 100's of warriors, all in runed battle armor. The first 5 ranks on each side are weilding Runed Blades, the other 2 ranks are firing Enchanted Arrows, which have had Magic woven into them to enable the Arrow to damage any form of creature or spirit.

Seram: Men! Your New Lord has Arrived!

Kenji: I am Kenji Wanoko! You become loyal to me, and I will asure you victory in every battle!