``by the light of silver wings

[wulfbayne]

[continued from ``fairy tales and happily never afters]



A challenge... Azusa nodded slightly, not entirely sure that was something she was up to doing. Everything had been a challenge for her, and she wished terribly for something to come easily at least once in her life. Kneeling before Yang, Azusa embraced her and murmured one more heart-felt thanks, before standing. "I'd like to leave now... there's just something on the wind that calls to me. It's how my life has been since- ... my parents died." Azu nodded once, more in a closure for herself about her 'parents' than anything. "I'll visit as often and as soon as I can," promised the snow-haired woman. A bright smile filled her features for Yang one last time before she moved past the tiny leader and into the forest. Since her arrival here, Azusa had gained some new, better clothes. She now had a light, white dress with pale blue embroidery, It had small puffy sleeves (something she could live without, but it was cute none-the-less) and laced up in the back.

Azusa moved quietly through the forest that stretched along the beach until she found the area where Hindari had lead her to. The girls soft vermilion eyes looked about the area. She remembered how frustrated she had been with him that night. All of this began with a stupid apple. One she had only gotten a half of.

She had been on her own for a few hours now, walking with the moon at her back. Azusa was fortunate that the land was flat and open - had their been trees she wouldn't have set foot on the travelers trail. She had decided to return to the village near Tsukiyomi, but the unfortunate thing about this situation was that she chose the wrong direction and, in fact, was heading out of the Tsukiyomi lands and heading straight towards Aku. Azusa, unfortunately, had no sense of direction, and was about as reckless as the wind itself. About her neck, though, hanging from a silver chain, was that small shell she had found the first day she had arrived at the beach and met Yang. Azusa would miss the comfort she felt within the lands, but nothing ever came easily. She would've had to leave soon anyways.

As she walked down the path, Azusa decided to do some small practice. Holding her hand out in front of her (palm up) she carefully formed a small ball of light at the center of her hand. Azu watched it intently for a few moments, and was pleased when the sphere slowly took the form of a very small butterfly. This had been one of her favorite things to try and do when Yang had first instructed her on how to use her abilities. Moving her hand out from beneath the bright insect, she watched as its silver wings fluttered and moved its body about her in looping patterns. The Mizuno smiled brightly and laughed a bit. It was nice to have a bit of her own light in such dark times. The butterfly began down the path, and Azusa followed it - heading obliviously into a land that was not the least bit friendly.

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[Izumi, Yin]

All was still and quiet in the perpetual night that she had created. A smirk was plastered across her face as she moved her hair out of her face. The Izumi leader watched quietly as the Mizuno female left and put Yang all by herself. A purr rose up in her throat - but it was too quiet to be heard. Slowly she made her way towards the unsuspecting Mizuno leader. The little pest was best gone and out of her way. Yin had no intentions of leaving tonight until she was murdered. All around there were other Izumi - waiting for signal to attack. All of their mouths watered for the pure taste of Mizuno blood. How it was so innocent compared to the Izumi's dark, sour blood. Yin pondered on her options and had decided upon a sneak attack. Her crimson eyes sparkled as she went down on all fours. Her fangs bared and she waited for a few moments at the tree line. It could be possibly Yang knew she was there. If she did - then she could've already called for help. Yin had tried to penetrate the woman's thoughts, but that seemed to be impossible, even for her. Yang's mind was strongly guarded from penetration. It had frustrated the Izumi leader when she had tried so hard only to fail and lose the battle in the end. But she refused to lose this battle.

Her muscles tensed and then with a burst of strength she had leapt out of the forest, tackling the small creature to the ground and grabbing her throat. A yip had escaped from the Mizuno leader and Yin smirked with satisfaction.
"Well, well...Miss Mizuno...how are you? Up for a little....game?" She purred and then laughed bitterly as Yang's eyes grew slightly widened in response to her presence.

"Yin..." Yang tried to get herself free from the Izumi leader's steel grip as she gazed up into her bloodthirsty eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Surprising you, tonight the Mizuno die," Yin snarled and stood up - lifting Yang with her. "And you will die along with them."

---

Hindari was on his way toward the fight as he had only recently been told about it. Yin had just messaged him and now he was making his way - quickly- to the beach. But while on his way he spotted a familiar face. It just so happened to be the Mizuno he had saved about a month or so ago. She seemed well. But it also seemed like she was still a loner. This was a good thing - because now Hindari didn't have any quarrel with her to stop him from the main area. His dark eyes watched her as she walked toward the place called Aku. He had stopped in his tracks and now he shook his head at her.
"I wouldn't go there. Aku is not friendly."

After calling his advice to her, he turned and kept going the way she had just came. By the time he would get there, a battle would be raging. By his calculations - at least. Yang was not going to go down easily and neither was the Mizuno clan. When he got to the beach, he expected to see red-colored sand and the sea being made filthy by two totally different clan's blood.

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[wulfbayne]

The silver butterfly before Azusa suddenly dispersed into a million tiny lights as her concentration was suddenly shattered by a terribly familiar voice. Azusa's wine-red eyes widened and she spun around just in time to catch a glimpse of the Izumi before he headed off - in the direction she had just come from. She blinked a few times, not sure if it was her mind playing tricks on her or not. Had that been... Hindari? She stood there for a few moments in hesitation. What if it hadn't been him?

Deciding it was best to find out, Azusa took off after the male. She had him in her sights a few moments later. She was a fast runner, always had been - she considered it one of her best traits because with her speed she almost always outran any kind of conflict. But he wasn't in earshot, and really, Azusa had no interest in attracting his attention. She hoped he would stop soon so she could catch up...

But then they were at the beach, and suddenly the air was filled with an odd scent... Izumi? It resembled Hindari's scent. Then she recalled what Yang had once told her - the Izumi weren't exactly friendly with the Mizuno... and their leader, Yin, disliked Yang terribly. Worry blossomed within the girls chest and she swiftly moved off of Hindari's trail and headed straight for the beach.

Azusa was in such a hurry that when the ground shifted from hard dirt to soft sand she nearly lost her footing and stumbled. Luckily she was able to catch herself with her hands and push herself upright. The only thing wrong with the beach, Azusa though, is that when you're in a hurry the sand holds you back!

Then she caught site of Yang... and Yin, apparently. Azusa slid to a stop and watched with wide eyes. Azusa watched the two quietly for some time. Yin was speaking to her in a rather venomous tone. A frown settled across Azusa's features and the urge to help Yang was strong. Mustering her strength and concentration, Azusa formed a ball of light within her palm, aimed carefully, and hurled it at the dark-haired woman. "Leave her alone!" Azusa called out while attempting the meanest look she could muster - which was quite pitiful, because the fear was more noticeable than anything. What the hell was she doing? That had to be Yin, the Izumi leader! Azu had just secured her own death in this. Knowing that sapped the color right out of her. Realizing that she, a Mizuno with very little knowledge on how to use her abilities, was standing up against Yin, the leader of a clan, meant that this might be her last few moments on earth. He was right... I really need to think before I act, Azusa thought, recalling what the Izumi male had told her just before he tore some guys throat out. Well... now she had to finish what she started.

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[Izumi, Yin]

It had been so close to the death of her enemy when it had hit her. A weak light ball that stung her skin and made Yin blink. Slowly she turned her head with her dark, blood eyes and glared with a look of darkness (one could say pure evil) at the Mizuno female. Waves of darkness seemed to pour of her for those who were sensitive to emotions as well as venom.
"It seems your pet is interuppting me, Yang. What shall I do?" Her grip tightened on the Mizuno leader, "she looks so frightened. What a pathetic excuse for a demon. Do all of your demons cower like this?" She smirked and chuckled as she threw Yang straight into a tree. The Mizuno leader had hit on her back - hard- and with a short gasp had fallen down on her side. Her small body seemed worthless and maybe even crippled now. But Yin stood at her full height of 5. 8.5" as she moved toward Azusa. Her muscles seemed to show now and ripple as her claws flexed out and prepared to dig into skin and muscle. Her smile was a confident smirk that revealed her top fangs that slowly went into a full, wide smile to show all her pointed teeth.
"Why so serious-looking? Come on...smile...let's have some fun!"

The Izumi leader laughed as she stopped a few feet from Azusa. Her head tilted and her eyes glowed with a malicious intent. "Do you want to play with me, child?" Her hands came together quickly as her eyes grew wide with insanity, "then let's play!" A solid shadow ball had formed between her palms and now she threw it forward with speed and strength right for the Mizuno female.

Hindari had arrived by now and stayed with the back up. He sighed and shook his head at the sight. That woman just didn't know when to quit. Now she was being foolish enough to take on Yin? She was going to die if he didn't step in again. Messing with Yin nowadays was like signing a death warrent. Yin didn't take shit or tolerate any kind of misbehavior. There was no three strikes you're out. It's one strike - you're dead. But what was he do to? His mind wondered on many possibilities and one of them included throwing an attack at Yin to distract her. But that was his own death wish. Yin wouldn't even spare her student's life if he dared to defy her. Really, why was he planning to help her, anyways? It was her fault for doing this to herself. Hindari didn't feel like he was obligated to risk his life for her - again.

Yet something told him that she couldn't die. She had to stick around for something. But for what? Yin wouldn't listen if he told her this. There was no way anyone could get through Yin's thick skull once she had made her mind up. It could be considered a flaw on her part and a pain in the ass to others. Really - Hindari didn't know if there was anything he could do for her. Except hope Yin give her mercy.

Yang had taken a hard hit and now her back was hurting along with the cut marks on her throat where Yin had been gripping way too hard. This wasn't going to take her down for the count. Yang had a lot more in her then people thought. The Mizuno leader sat up and gazed at Yin as she attacked Azusa. A frown spread across her soft lips.
"Shadow and light will collide..." she stood up as she whispered the prophecy to herself, "and all hell with break loose." She began to form a ball of light in one palm and a ball of shadows in the other...

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[wulfbayne]

As Yin turned her attention towards Azusa a heavy feeling of dread seemed to fill the air around her, slowing the events around her. Her muscles coiled, ready to react at any moment. Suddenly it was like a deeply engraved, yet forgotten, instinct had broken away from the growth in the depths of her soul and bloomed, opening more doors than she thought she possessed. Her trembling died down and all of her focus rest on Yin. Just stay away from her, Azusa thought, tightening her jaw, a method she had often used as a child when she wanted to ignore an incredibly tempting distraction.

Balling her hands into fists Azusa's red eyes observed the Izumi's every move. Then it came - the ball. It had been much larger than Azusa's, and for a moment the Mizuno felt ashamed. Then again, Yin was much older, and obviously much more powerful... who wouldn't feel overshadowed in her presence? But now wasn't the time, there was a big black ball of shadows hurtling right towards her. Azusa waited for the right moment, and then - like a tensed coil - she sprung away from the ball, barely avoiding it by five centimeters.

A sense of relief spread through the Mizuno's body as she realized she had just avoided something terrible. She still had her eyes on Yin, waiting for anything else, when she noticed Yang standing... she didn't look at her long, just a small glimpse, but Azusa decided that it would be best to distract Yin.

The girl searched within herself for that bloom, and when she was once again in contact with that newly awakened instinct she tuned herself completely into it and drew on its power. Crouching forward like a runner, with one hand on the ground, Azusa watched the Izumi carefully. I really need to stop wearing dresses, Azusa thought, deciding then and there she's start buying leggings.

Then her figure flickered and she was on the move. She circled around towards Yin's right - very careful to keep her field of vision from picking up on Yang - and stopped. She dug her feet into the ground and launched herself at the raven-haired woman. Azusa's back curved back and twisted slightly to the left, which allowed her to bring an extended leg towards Yin's head. Adrenaline had filled her veins, everything was happening so fast.

The Mizuno landed in a crouched position, with one leg extended and both hands on the ground after finishing the complete spin due to the momentum of the attack. The Mizuno stood and quickly backed away from Yin before running in a bit of an arch about the Izumi leader to her left. Hopefully this had allowed Yang a bit of time...

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[Izumi, Yin]

Yang watched as Azusa just barely made it out of the way before the shadow ball had hit her. It collided with some trees and exploded - causing that small area of trees to fall and make the area bare. Yang hoped that no one was going to get hurt from Yin's missed attacks. She had to work as fast as she could! Her hands slowly came together as she concentrated on fusing the two balls of opposite energy together. Yang winced as they sparked and both the energy balls shocked her. What she was doing was not something she did too often. It was painful and exhausting. Yang had been trying to master the ability for millions or maybe even billions of years now. So far she had failed to fully master it. But she could get a pretty good attack out of it.

Yin dodged the things that Azusa threw at her and then merely stood with an amused look upon her face.
"Is that all you have?" Her eyes flicked away for a moment as if looking behind her. Then they went back to Azusa. "Your attempts at distraction are not all that great. I am fully aware of what Miss Yang is up to behind me. And if she does pull it off, I'm so sure she's aware that if it fails she could be in a lot of danger. Especially from my clan." She grinned as she sensed a wave of surprise hit her from Yang. Yin just loved to be the devil.

Her eyes followed Azusa as she ran to try and distracted her. A soft smile came to her features - but not one of a nice intention.
"Is it my turn now, dear?"
Her hands rose and the ground began to rumble and soon shadows were erupting from the sand. The strands swayed back and forth wildly - awaiting a command. Yin twitched her fingers and they came down to pin the Mizuno. That or they could whack her pretty good and pretty hard. It was all a matter of how much fun Yin wanted to have and just how good this Mizuno may turn out to be. She might actually have a challenge on her hands.

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[wulfbayne]

By now Azusa was tired. She had tried several other attacks on Yin, all of which had been avoided, and often countered. The Mizuno could feel several bruises that had formed on her arms and legs, and a nice pain emanated from her side. It wasn't such a bad pain, so hopefully nothing had been broken. The girls chest rose and fell with the quick, panting breaths she was taking. Sand was something she had never actually encountered, and the fact that it absorbed so much energy from her movements meant she wasn't going to be able to fight as well as she could on a hard surface.

Well, if blows weren't going to do any good... then it was time for tricks. That idea was swiftly swept away as columns of shadows spurted our of the sand, and towered over her. The Mizuno looked about her at the swaying tendrils and frowned. "Crap," she said through a breath. How could she rival this?

And so Yin's tormenting began. Azusa, although quick on her feet, earned several new bruises - and possibly a fractured rib this time. She was able to avoid most of the sweeping shadows, but every now and then one blindsided her.

And that's how she found herself on the ground with pain pulsing within her skull. A loud ringing filled her ears and a spell of dizziness engulfed her. The world, in her eyes, seemed to sway with the shadows. She was dead now, Azusa came to terms with death as she watched the pillars of shadows. A game of whack-a-mizuno, that's what this was...

Once more she felt backed into a corner while death slowly approached her. Azusa shrank slightly and dug her fingers into the ground. What was she going to do about this? She had given Yang some time, but the price of helping her was Azusa's own life... This won't do, Azusa thought, closing her eyes. I can't expect to get away from this knowing so little... she bit her lower lip gently. That instinct though, every Mizuno was born with it... Azusa just didn't know how to tune into it completely.

Well, now was the time. She was backed into a corner with her life on the line, and at this moment she decided she wasn't going down without a fight. She drew herself back into her mind and slowly attempted to calm herself so she could think properly.

Finally there was a mesh, and that understanding of who and what she was suddenly clicked into place, like a puzzle piece. Having finally realized she understood what she was, Azusa felt a flow of energy pour through her limbs. "Not yet," Azusa murmured to herself as her eyes flicked towards Yin. "I've only just begun."

Azusa yanked her hands out of the sand, but still held to something - a blanket of light, it seemed. As she had sat there, Azusa had spread a thin blanket of light beneath a layer of sand about her and Yin, and even further. As she yanked this blanket up a storm of sand filled the air, creating a barrier about the two that disallowed a direct line of sight. Now in the cover of her diversion, Azusa spread several vines of light up each tower of shadow and held them in their place, keeping Yin from being able to continue her game of squash. When the sand had settled and was no more a problem, Azusa had moved herself backwards several yards from where she had recently been

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[Izumi, Yin]

Yin found her game amusing as she bashed on the Mizuno again and again. While she merely had to stand, the sand was making the Mizuno so tired. She wasn't that grand a fighter, was she? Yin chuckled softly as she wondered just how far she had tapped into her abilities. Yin was toying with her - playing with her like she was a doll. She was quite delighted so far over her little game. But her mind was more concentrated on Yang. She heard the soft sounds of pain coming from her as she tried to make a monster attack. The attack she was making could be devastating - if she ever did it right. Yin wondered faintly how such a softy could become as powerful as Yang could be.

Her mind shifted back to Azusa as she spoke. It made Yin smile at her as she protested and said she hadn't even started. Her power level seemed to go up as she reached near-death. Yes, the instinct to survive was a strong one and it could really do some stuff. Yin would wait with patience as the Mizuno did all that she did. In the end, she had just wanted to stop Yin's towering shadows. So with a yawn, Yin dismissed them and wiped the sand off her body. The Mizuno was much farther back now. Was she suddenly going to become long-range? Yin hated short range fighting but found it easier to fight with one since they tried to get so close. Fighting another long-range fighter could be called troublesome. She huffed and closed her eyes, pretending she was falling asleep because of this. But in reality she was listening to Yang.

Yang had managed to push the two balls together and now the one, big ball of energy was gray. Her maroon eyes looked toward Yin and she prepared. With all her strength, Yang shot the ball forward and toward the Izumi. To her surprise - it hit Yin square in the back. Yin hadn't even made an attempt to move. This put Yang on guard as the large ball of energy exploded and afterwards there was no Yin. Where had she gone? Yang looked around carefully - but winced and felt her knees buckle a bit. She had lost a lot of energy and was now hurt even more because of the attack she had just thrown. It was an attack only she could do - as far as she knew. No one else had been able to master it or even get close to meeting the requirements. Not even Yin.

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[wulfbayne]

When the towers were dismissed Azusa felt a bit of relief, but also slightly insulted. Dealing with that emotion, though, would come later, for the bloom with her was slowly closing. She could feel the energy seeping out of her; her body drooped a bit and her breathing became ragged. The dizziness came back in a wave, nearly knocking her off of her feet; the Mizuno swayed a bit, but moved her feet further apart to supply herself with more balance.

Then came an explosion, which caught her by surprise. Azusa shielded her eyes and waited for a few moments before looking towards the place where Yin was standing... had been standing. Where'd she go? Azusa's eyes skimmed the area, only to find no trace of Yin. Where...? Oh, she didn't care. She was too tired to care. Azusa looked towards Yang who seemed drained as well. This wasn't good. "Hn." She started towards the Mizuno leader and hoped that it was over. That was too easy, thought Azusa, her lips tilting into a frown. Nothing ends this quickly.

As the rest of the adrenaline faded from her blood, the pain from her wounds became more intense. Her head pounded, her side ached terribly, and her arms and legs felt like silly-puddy. Her body swayed violently and she crashed to the ground, grabbing her head in the process. Azusa shut her eyes tightly and forced herself onto her back, trying hard to keep her face out of the sand.

Sleep became a strong desire for Azusa, but when she had lived with Aimi the woman had told her to stay awake due to the risk of a coma if one was to sleep after receiving one. Azusa forced her eyes open and gazed at the blue sky and focused on naming the constellations she could see. She couldn't recall any, the pain was too much - it felt like something was driving a spike through her skull.

Something felt odd about her side, though, it was more of a searing pain than a dull one that constantly lingered, and her dress clung to her skin around the area. Afraid to look, Azusa felt towards the wound, and when she looked at her fingers they were wet with blood. How had that happened? She felt about again, this time closer to the wound. There was a gap where the skin had split from the impact and a terrible pain suddenly clawed at her side. The Mizuno grimaced and turned her head to the side opposite of the one which hosted the wound. At least she had been able to do something for the clan which she originated from... but she didn't exactly want to die in a bunch of sand... it was itchy. What a great last memory...

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[Izumi, Yin]

Yang knew that Yin was watching the two closely and had probably sent the others home. They had been back up just in case and now she realized she didn't need them. Yang and Azusa were prey she would take care of herself now. Yang had used up most of her energy with that one attack while Yin had hardly fought at all - to conserve her energy. She had been trying to tire them out. Now Yang would be able to fight if Yin attacked yet again, but Yang wondered if she would. This hadn't been an all out attack - merely Yin playing with her. Yin was attacking for a very short time, startling them, and then leaving without any care. This was a game to her.

Yang made her way over to Azusa as soon as she saw the Mizuno girl collapse. Yang knelt down beside her, brushing her hair gently from her face.
"Hold on," she murmured softly and began to heal her wounds. She had to concentrate on her work, putting her at Yin's mercy. If Yin wanted to attack right now - Yang would have no time to react. But Yang trusted that Yin was done for tonight. That this had been a fun time and not a serious thing. But what happened the day it would be a serious thing? Yang was still waiting for the day Yin asked for a real fight instead of small skirmishes that she starts.

"Azusa? Azusa?" Yang watched her closely, watching her eyes to see the life in them. "Can you speak? Are you starting to feel better?"

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