From the Shadows (SAYUMI AND REINA)

[Yami no Yaiba]

Yami leaned against the tree, hidden from sight, as she waited for Sayumi to pass by. It had been months since she had last had contact with these shinobis and she was wondering who their leader would be like, perhaps a strict person or would it be someone more conservative? Yami had a particular interest in this because she often work with the Ikazuchi for her lifelong mission of protecting the Emperor.

[Sayumi Michishige]

Sayumi approached where Yami awaited. Her expression stern, she knew exactly what this was about. As she walked up to Yami quietly. As she saw Yami she slowed down until she stopped.

"Are you the one who "Contacted" me?" Sayumi almost seemed to demand. Raising a brow, as she put a hand on her left hip.

[Yami no Yaiba]

Yami looked calmly at Sayumi as she remained emotionless at Sayumi's behavior, "That is correct...am I to assume that you are Sayumi Michishige? Head of the Shadows of Ikazuchi?" she asked as she observed her carefully.

[Sayumi Michishige]

Sayumi's eyes narrowed, "Yes... I am. How do you know about me? About how I run the Shadows of Ikazuchi..?" Sayumi questioned, "Its not exactly public information."

[Yami no Yaiba]

Yami produced a blue shuriken, the symbol of the Royal Shinobi, as she threw it towards Sayumi, "If you are who you say you are then you should recognise it, then you'll know who I am," Yami said.

[Sayumi Michishige]

Sayumi's eyes narrowed, she caught the blue shuriken as it flew towards her. She looked at it, eyes widening the slightest. She then made a big of a devious smile before tossing the shuriken to the side--it digging into a tree. "So, a member of the Royal Shinobi..? I have to say, I'm honored." She smiled innocently, doing a bit of a curtsie with her skirt--it was hard to tell if she was being mockful or respectful.

Of all the things her Great-Grandfather had taught her before his passing, the knowledge of the Royal Shinobi, who they served, and how they operated was something she had learned. Growing a bit serious as she recollected upon all the information she knew about them in her mind, she eyed Yami again. "Well, that out of the way, what's this about then? Does His Greatness require my services..?" She questioned.

[Yami no Yaiba]

Whether or not Sayumi was being respectful or just mocking Yami she didn't care, she could act cold towards her for all she cared, all she cared about was making sure that if Sayumi was given a mission then she would do it with complete loyalty and to the letter. However a bit of friendliness would go a long way in this line of work as she eyed Sayumi as she asked what the Emperor wanted, though it was hard if she was mocking him or not, "At this moment in time, nothing, though I was merely curious as to who the leader of the Ikazuchi is...though to be frank I am not impressed at the moment."

[Sayumi Michishige]

Sayumi closed her eyes and simply smiled innocently as Yami finished those words, not impressed? "Ahh... So this is what its about, you're curious as to whether or not I'm basically worthy to carry the legacy of the Ikazuchi Style on my shoulders, no?" Sayumi tilted her head cutely. Her eyes slowly opened as that smile faded.

"I assure you; I'm more than enough capable of possessing proving worth to the Emperor." She proclaimed, "The Ikazuchi Style won't fade out--my Partner and I will protect it until we die, of course, I have no intent of doing so anytime soon. Not until I've proven Ikazuchi Style is the deadliest of the Emperor's Judgments." The corner of her mouth had a bit of a devious grin too it. She used the term 'judgments' to describe the various styles and groups of Shinobi who served under and acted as the Emperor desired.

[Yami no Yaiba]

Yami closed her eyes and nodded, "That is basically my concern, the last head was very capable and I admired and respected him, now it is your turn to prove to me that you can remain as one of the Emperor's trusted sword. The Haji Mon clan currently holds the title of the Emperor's must preferred Judgements, I am quite pleased at your dedication to the Ikazuchi art though I must tell you that if it is necessary you will give your life up if it means protecting the Emperor, all shinobis swore this oath, I myself have no desire to die but if the time comes then I will not hesitate to take a hit for the Emperor. Besides..." she opened her eyes and smiled a bit, "I still have to prove to you, and any others, that the Haji Mon clan will always remain the deadliest of the Judgements."

[Sayumi Michishige]

Ooo, she liked this girl a lot. She seemed pretty confident in both her own ability as well as her loyalty to the Emperor. Of course, dying for the Emperor was no less noble than it was tragic--of course Shinobi weren't mean to have their lives valued much except for as swords for their Lords who didn't desire to stain their own hands in blood.

"The Haji Mon Clan have my utmost respect, but times change. I'll prove I'm a far greater Ninja than my 'predecessor' and once I've resurrected the Ikazuchi Style as well as built back up the Ikazuchi-Arashi Clan I'll make sure to challenge the Haji Mon Clan to show them how far my style has come." She smiled most devilishly, as she giggled.

"Ah... Of course, I don't mean to say we're enemies. In all honesty, I like you--even respect you--its just... I have more responsibilities to bear, beyond that of my own clan as well as preserving the needs of the Emperor." Her tone weakened in how devilish it sounded before, she seemed rather soft-toned presently. "I have my own life, and many people who respect me as a individual, even someone I truly care about, someone who needs me until the end... Someone I value more than the Emperor." She closed her eyes.

[Yami no Yaiba]

"And I respect the Shadows of Ikazuchi and I welcome the competition Sayumi-san, it would be a great thing to have between our two clans, I will have to ensure that my clan is up to speed with the world and that we remain as powerful as we always have," Yami said with a slight respectful bow. She liked this girl, she was willing to go against the most powerful shinobi clan, she seemed sure as well that her clan would come out on top. That would be a wonderful trait for her to develop, it would allow her to improve herself under the guise of trying to beat Yami.

"And I respect that, I will admit that times have changed and that shinobis have civilian lives to adhere to. I am happy that you have found someone you care, though I'm unsure about the 'more then the Emperor' part of it but I will not stop you from your responsibilities. If I may ask, who is the person that you care so much about?" Yami asked innocently.

[Sayumi Michishige]

Sayumi smiled, it seemed Yami hadn't taken any offense to the fact she didn't hold as much desire to throw her life away for the Emperor then she had. She perked when Yami questioned her about who this person was, she shifted somewhat shyly. Oh boy, she knew she shouldn't have mentioned that part.

"Uhm, well, she's my partner, as well as my greatest friend..." Sayumi felt faint heat gather on her face as she moved some of her bangs from her eyes. "...Your clan probably already know her as the Co-Leader of the Shadows of Ikazuchi, and the only other current member of the New Ikazuchi-Arashi Clan." She told them.

[Yami no Yaiba]

Yami gave a faint smile as she saw the girl blush, of course she would recognise the name, having a co-leader was rare, but not unheard of, however it made things much easier to have someone you trust have equal power. Yami did not have anyone that would be able of handling that task, she was happy enough being the head and everyone respected that, "Ah...yes I have heard of her, as well as read her file, an interesting girl. Also in regards to your clan, do you have any plan on recruiting more members? I recall that you, and your friend, are the only members at this present time," she asked.

[Sayumi Michishige]

Sayumi flinched at the question, that right there--what she addressed--was the hardest of the many tasks Sayumi was bent on completing. Gathering new members of the Clan was no easy feat, seeing as how times were different than before. To get someone new who could actually endue and uphold the principles of the Ikazuchi Style was... rather difficult.

"I would like too, however it's no easy feat, especially during these times. I was thinking of going around to the various Shinobi Clans that have begun to fade out with the times, and see if I can collect any remnant Shinobi looking for a new home." Sayumi explained, "Of course I can't say this type of idea would work..."

[Yami no Yaiba]

That was the challenge that Yami would observe over the coming months, to see what the young heiress would do in regards to her fading clan, of course in this day and age people would laugh at the concept of joining a shinobi clan. Long ago there would have been plenty of candidates, mostly orphans, but Sayumi did not seem to be the kind of girl to take orphaned children and with the legal system it would have proven impossible anyways, "No your way would not work, shinobis are still proud people and would not leave their way of life for something else even if they are faced with extinction, there may be some who might be willing to abandon their way of life for yours. But I suggest thinking of new ways to do so."