CrimsonWolf

Toru's eyes widened as Yuri slumped forward. She reached out and caught the girl, gently lowering her to the bed on which she sat. The medic yawned slightly, but checked Yuri over.

"She's fine, she's just sleeping." he said groggily before slumping to the floor himself.

"What on earth?....." Toru thougth to herself. With one last glance at Yuri, hoping she'd be alright, Toru dashed down the hall. She was feeling a bit drained, and very confused by what had happened in the infirmary. She'd return to Ryuu and see if he knew anything more than she did.

Toru padded silently into the room where the others were gathered. Students were laying scattered on the floor! At first, she thought the stranger had killed them all. But there as no blood, and their chests still rose and fell steadily. Were they alseep too? What was going on!?

Her movements graceful, Toru strode up beside Ryuu. "What's going on?" she whispered near his ear, her shoulder touching his slightly, a stance they always took when assessing a foe.

Lord Recluse pumps his arms and dances like there's no tomorrow as he sings the lyrics to a dance-mix verson of.....

Lord Recluse: "Ma-ia-hii. Ma-ia-huu. Ma-ia-hoo. Ma-ia-haha. "

Toru was beginning to feel......drained. Not tired, just physically drained. Or maybe it was emotionally. Honestly, she couldn't be sure which. The new life she and Ryuu had been given was alot to absorb in a short amount of time. She had just recently begun to feel secure in the Dojo. However, that sense of security was slowly ebbing with the arrival of Yuri's attacker.

Yuri looked as though she would bolt and return to the fight, but Toru wasn't about to let that happen. Grasping Yuri by her wrist, gently but firmly, she forced the girl to walk beside her and into the infirmary where one of the medical staff began to disinfect her wound.

Planting herself firmly between Yuri and the door, she leveled her gaze on the girl. "I know what you are feeling right now. You want to return to the battle. Trust me, my brother is back there and it pains me to think he may be facing danger without me at his side."

Toru paused for a moment as she watched Yuri wince as the medic began to stitch her wound. "However, if you go back in your current condition, you will surely get yourself killed.....or close to it." Another pause, hoping her words would register in the girl's mind. "Do you know that stranger who attacked you?" she asked curiously. If Yuri knew her assailant, perhaps she could learn more about him, maybe discover a way to either defeat him, or at least make him flee for his life........it might take the entire Dojo to do it, but there were many brave, experienced fighters here. This wasn't just a beginner's Dojo. It catered to some of the best, brightest, and most deadly fighters in the world.

[ QUOTE ]
Yuri stopped walking, bit her lip and waited a few seconds before whispering to Toru, “Stay.” She brought herself up to standing position, almost as if she wasn’t hurt. “I can’t… I need to go back. I need to help…” Unfortunately, most of her ‘healing’ was an act.

Her hand bled, dampening the cloth around her arm, making the grey cloth look tie-dyed with a rose red. Most of her body was bruised or bruising. Standing up like she did made her seem crazy. “I have to go back…” She said, her voice fading when she finished. “Please…”

[/ QUOTE ]

Toru's eyes widened as she gaped at Yuri. "Are you mad girl? You may act all you like, but any fool can see you are injured and in need of care!" Her tone had become rougher than she'd intended, so she paused, closed her eyes, and forced her voice to take a more calm tone. "There is a Dojo full of skilled students your......accquantance....can entertain himself with. At least until we can get you patched up. What else could you do right now? Bleed to death on him?"

Toru chuckled slightly in an effort to lighten the moment. Shaking her head, she placed an arm around Yuri's waist and guided her into the infirmary.


((as for the Sensei: there are several: You will see Sensei Draeko or Sensei Schayde mentioned. These are actual characters in game and should not be controlled by others unless permission is given through PMs here. Any of the other Sensei dont' have specific names, they just go by Sensei, and can be controlled by any poster who has need of using one in their post. You can also introduce your own Sensei character if you choose but you must specify controll permissions if/when you do in order to avoid confusion.))

((OMGOSH it was a very busy weekend for me so the threads didn't get any attention from me but i will work something up this afternoon ))

Lord Recluse enters his living room, set up to look like the set of a TV talk show. He is dressed in pink spandex, a boufant wig, big, glitzy costume jewlery and so much make up a drag queen would be disgusted by the sight. He sits himself down on a sofa, crossing his legs in a lady like manner. Then he speaks with a girlish New Yorker's accent....

"Hello and good mawning, welcome to Coughee Tawk, I'm yaw host, Lawd Recluse. Today's tawpic of discussion: Camel Toe, is noither a camel, nor a toe. Discuss....."

He then proceeds to tear up like an emotional ninny, waving a tissue in the air.


((anyone who's seen older episodes of Saturnday Night Live with Mike Meyer's "Coffee Talk" skits, will get that. Gosh i hope i don't get myself flamed for that one lol....))

Toru placed her arm around Yuri's shoulders and guided her further behind Pyre as his whispered words reached her ears.

"Yes." was her short answer. She knew he'd understand. She had no wish to distract him, or Ryuu, by drawing Yuri's assailant's attention to herself again. She'd managed to keep him from slitting Yuri's throat, but he'd still inflicted significant damage upon the girl.

Part of Toru wanted to stay with Ryuu in case a battle ensued...her entire body thrummed with adrenaline at the prospect of fighting by his side again...in true battle, not just some sparring match. But Yuri needed medical attention fast.

Guiding the girl down the hall, past several Sensei and students, Toru led Yuri toward the infirmary. Her voice was a whisper near Yuri's ear when she spoke.

"If only this were a false trip like mine was...." her tone was apologetic as her arm rested protectively around her shoulders. "We'll get you fixed up, then you'll rest in mine and Ryuu's apartment where you will be safe.

When Ryuu and Toru had arrived at the Dojo, they'd been staying where they could find shelter, often a different place each night. Being brought back from the grave after 200 years, with no known relatives in the vicinity, made leading a "normal" life difficult. So far they'd managed to keep their secret. But Toru's increasingly frequent episodes were making it a difficult task. And they were still learning things about this new world they'd been brought back to.

Fortunately, the dojo had been looking for help maintaining the equipment and gardens after the students had cleared out at the end of each day. Ryuu and Toru agreed to do so and in exchange they received a small apartment to the rear of the gardens. Trusting no one but eachother, they'd taken great pains to fortify it. The only way anyone was getting in, was if they were invited. Unwelcomed intruders would find themselves needing the infirmary's services in a bad way otherwise......

((lol roger dodger :P ))

Toru cried out as the stranger's sword pierced Yuri's flesh. "No!" she shouted without thinking. Others certainly heard the comotion. There would be no hiding this incident from the Dojo Administrators now.

Everything had happened so quickly. She was certain she'd gained the upper hand on the stranger, but then he'd spun on her and disarmed her faster than anything she'd ever seen before! Yuri had stepped between Toru and the blade in even less time.

As Toru moved to reach for Yuri, she caught a blur of crimson and grey from the corner of her eye. Her heart leapt in her throat, excitement and anticipation mixing with the adrenaline coursing through her veints - a potent mixture. She and Ryuu would fight as one again....of this she was certain. But first, she had to see to Yuri.......

Toru watched Yuri take off running, impressed by her speed. She was a mystery, and Toru was glad she'd befriended the girl rather than made an enemy of her. The harmless-looking ones, were often the most dangerous.

Toru waited several moments so as not to create suspicion, then followed the path which Yuri had taken. As she grew nearer to where Yuri had vanished, she heard a low male voice.

[ QUOTE ]
“Our ‘friends’ can, and will work this out without you.” Hikaru said, letting out a low and gruesome chuckle.

[/ QUOTE ]

Toru side-stepped behind a tree, using it as cover. Peering around the rough bark, she saw Yuri pressed against the wall, a blade at her throat. She sized up the male whom held the sword and winced as she saw the blade draw blood. Silently, Toru reached for the small dagger she kept hidden in the folds of her Gi. She almost never used a weapon, but Ryuu had taught her to use the dagger sufficiently in case of emergencies. Toru felt this qualified as an emergency.

She knew the rules pertaining to violence within the Dojo...but this guy didn't look like one of the students. So she prayed that if she did get caught....the headmaster would take that into consideration.

Moving swiftly, Toru was behind the stranger in a matter of seconds, the tip of her blade pressed firmly against the artery beneath the stranger's sword arm. She angled the blade so that the edge rested against the tendons as well.

"Unless you wish to lose the use of your arm and possibly bleed to death, I suggest you drop your sword." she whispered between her teeth.

Yes I came to Virtue because i was told it is the "unofficial rp server" made so by the playerbase. I can't imagine a better place to be. I'm glad I made the move to virtue.

((hehehe no law against short posts...i'm guilty of making a few myself in the shadow manor thread hehehe. still is great to have you here, no matter how long or short your addition may be ))



Toru followed the young girl out of the Garden, distracted by her thoughts so that she almost collided with her outside the infirmary. The young woman spoke in a calm quick tone, her accent heavily Chinese.


[ QUOTE ]
“My name is Yuri,” She started. “I am sorry about what had happened. I wish for you to accept my apology; I should have been the one to get hit.”

[/ QUOTE ]

Toru offered Yuri a small but polite smile, some thing she rarely did for anyone. Unaccustomed to soothing other's concerns, she hesitated, placing an awkward hand on Yuri's shoulder.

"Do not blame yourself Yuri," she whispered so as not to draw attention from anyone that might be lurking nearby. "I knew what I was doing when I dropped from the tree. Better I be hit than my brother." her mouth formed a grim line of determination.

Yuri spoke once more.

[ QUOTE ]
I fear for your brother’s safety. We must go back to the garden, but we cannot be revealed. Someone might get hurt.”

[/ QUOTE ]

Toru nodded, "I agree. I wish to know my brother hasn't gotten himself into trouble. That's my job..." she winked at Yuri, chuckling softly. Toru was one to keep to herself a majority of the time. But something about this soft-spoken girl made her feel as if they might actually become friends one day......

Toru nodded to the young woman. In an uncharacteristic move, she took the offered hand, setting her pride aside. For the sake of covering Pyre's use of his magic, she was willing to swallow said pride...this time. He had been kind, and she wanted to repay him by protecting his chances of remaining at the Dojo.

"Yes, let us go to the....infirmary..." she murmured.

The sound of voices distracted her, causing her steps to halt. Ryuu stood facing the youngster she'd seen throw the pebbles, yet he spoke to a stranger at his back. By the set of his shoulders....a tight knot formed in her stomach......."please," she thought to herself, "let his reason soothe this situation...." after all, there was to be no fighting amongst students unless it took place on a sparring mat......

((hehe thanks hun!! i had a LOT of fun decorating the Dojo......and all our other sub bases lmao. We have six sug-sgs with bases for the Shadow Manor sg lol....im working on taking screen shots now so i can post a recruitment thread on the boards lol.....its sooooo much fun being a base-o-holic lmao.....all of our sgs have plenty of coalition room if any of you have sgs that want to coalition so you can gain access to them on Virtue. Heck, even if you play on another server and wanna make an alt on virtue to put in one of our SGs you're more than welcome to the more rp friends the merrier I say :P :P))

Udpated pictures of the Dojo for you all.....

First, here's one of Toru. Unfortunately i dont' have one of Ryuu at this time

Tsuki Toru

Updated Overhead view

Garden Entrance

Garden View

Additional Sparring Mats in Garden

Sword Practice Area in Garden

Ok, this is supposed to be the pond. I couldn't get the floor to change for some reason...its supposed to be blue to look like water...but the color wouldn't change. but you get the idea....

Garden Pond

And this is Ryuu & Toru's apartment. There are only 3 toons in the Dojo SG lol....had to do some alt shuffling to get enough prestige to decorate it as nicely as I did. But I figured they needed a place to live too :P lol

Ryuu & Toru's Place

Toru was a bit startled by the appearance of the pretty, young Asian girl as she appeared by her side, recognizing her as the girl who’d followed her from their class. Inhaling sharply at the girl’s touch, she offered a weak smile, which looked more like a grimace as she gritted her teeth. Who knew that two tiny pebbles could hurt so much…..of course when they traveled with the speed of bullets…..

Toru nodded her head as the young girl wrapped a cloth bandage around her, securing it snugly. “Thank you……” her words trailed off as she realized she didn’t know the girl’s name. “I’m Toru……what’s your name?” she asked in a low tone.

Before the girl could answer, Ryuu’s sparring partner appeared, kneeling beside the pair. He reached for her, placing his palm against her skin. Toru jerked beneath his touch, not because she feared him, but because he was male, and he was touching her. Other than when sparring, Toru usually tried to avoid contact with males. She told herself it was because guys were all jerks and only wanted one thing. But really, it was because she felt extremely naïve and awkward around most men….except Ryuu. She was at ease with him because he was her twin, she could tell him anything, and he would not judge her harshly for it.

Toru’s eyes widened as a cool, soothing sensation eminated from Pyre’s palm and into her side, the sting subsiding significantly. Her eyes darted around the room as she hissed frantically at him, “your powers….do not let the Sensei see you use them here…..it is forbidden….” She honestly did not want him to be ejected from the Dojo because he’d been kind to her……..

((cool, cool and what is this Hero Machine? where can I find it? lol))

((hehe no worries darlin, you are fine helping Toru little addlibs like that don't bother me. now if you had her choking on her own blood and dieing, it would be a different story :P :P :P but ya, yer fine and i think Ryuu's waiting to post until Pyre does))

((hehe ok we'll say he was gone from her line of sight if you want :P))

Toru continued to watch the two swordsman, mesmerized by their fluid movements, thinking they almost appeared to perform an ancient dance….two warriors bodies honed for battle…….

A soft splash caught her attention, her gaze snapping in the direction of the small pond in the back of the garden. Her eyes narrowed as she surveyed the area attempting to locate the source of the disturbance. There, leaning against the trunk of one of the trees, stood a young boy in his early teens. His expression was dark and brooding as he idly rolled two pebbles between his deft fingers. She watched him a moment as his attention moved to Ryuu and Pyre. A mischievous gleam came to his eye as he looked first at his pebbles then back to the swordsmen.

A feeling of suspicion coiled in her gut as she tried to interpret what that look could mean. Her eyes darted back to Ryuu and Pyre for a moment. By the time she looked back at the boy, he was already taking careful aim. Toru knew what his intent was. So how could she prevent the sparring men from being pelted? Sure they were only pebbles, but if one or both of them were struck, they could become distracted. Their carefully planned movements could falter and one of them could be seriously wounded by a sword. Sparring was meant for practice but few people realized just how close to being real the sword play was.

As the boy launched the pebbles, Toru dropped silently from her perch in the tree. She landed lightly on her feet placing herself between the projectiles and their intended targets. A soft grunt of pain was all the sound she made as the pebbles both struck her right side below the ribs. The force was enough to send her off balance, staggering so that she stumbled and fell to her knees, then landing hard on her hip.

Grimacing, her hand moved on its own accord to her side. Gritting her teeth, she pulled up the bottom of her Gi to inspect the wounded area. The pebbles had traveled with enough speed for her to feel as though she’d been struck by bullets, the proof now embedded in her flesh. Two small wounds bled slightly, her fingers brushing over them, causing her to wince as she fell to her elbow. She remained there for a moment, breathing steadily, her mind focusing elsewhere to drown out the burning in her side. Her gaze darted back to where the boy had stood, but he was gone……..

((hi and welcome to the thread! feel free to be creative all are welcome to join as mentioned, one doesn't need to be a scrapper or stalker to participate. You can rp that you're any archtype showing an interest in one of the many classes the dojo has to offer. There is a garden and even a pond, i just haven't ahd a chance to update the pictures hehe. i'll do that this weekend i added 2 rooms to the dojo, one being a garden and the other being a living area for ryuu and toru (since they are the 2 toons left in teh sg lol. i created the sg with a bunch of my alts, decorated it and then put the alts back where they belonged lol. So once again, welcome, i hope you enjoy participating ))

Toru balanced expertly on her perch in the tree, her eyes tracking every move made between Ryuu and his opponent. This dark stranger was skilled, there was no doubt about that. The real question would be, was he good enough to best her brother? She smirked slightly, doubtful, but curious none-the-less.

From the corner of her eye, she spotted one of the younger students from the Aikido class she’d snuck out of. Toru held her breath, hoping the Sensei hadn’t noticed her absence and sent the student to fetch her. She didn’t want to leave yet! Remaining perfectly still, Toru tore her gaze from the young woman, her focus once more on Ryuu.

Sometimes she wished she had taken up the sword instead of dedicating herself to her empty-handed fighting style. To move fluidly like Ryuu, so focused and disciplined….she admired his talent. But still, her skills had proven a good match for her brother’s fighting style. She smiled to herself, recalling all the enemies they’d bested together. The bite of his blade was a good finish to any foe that had tasted the sting of her roundhouse kick. Something wild within her ached for those days once more. But the world had changed in the 200 years they had been dead. There were new foes to face, but they had an entire arsenal of foreign weaponry. It would be some time before they were ready to face these new villains.

((sorry its been so long since my last post! i've been drawing like crazy lately lmao....but i'm back!!!))

Toru tucked her cheek into her shoulder, her body tensing in anticipation of the impact she would feel when her body hit the practice mats. A resounding THWAK could be heard as her much larger sparring partner poorly executed a shoulder toss that fit better in the body slam category. Several students visibly winced, some of the newer ones curious as to why Sensei would pair the 5’4 Toru with the six foot plus Braden. They would soon learn the lesson Sensei had in store for them: The size of the opponent is insignificant when one possesses knowledge and skill. Toru was about to demonstrate just that.

As soon as Toru’s body hit the mats, her opponent made his first mistake. He loosened his grip, yet remained crouched over her. He should have either disengaged or gone directly into another move. He’d executed the take down – poorly. Now he needed to immobilize her or allow the match to continue. Instead, he loomed over her, the big, goofy grin on his face taunting her to try to best him. There was his second mistake – over confidence in himself. His third – underestimating his opponent.

Toru’s expression remained blank, giving no indication as to what her next move would be. This was supposed to be an Aikido demonstration, but since Braden had drawn upon other skills, Toru decided there was no reason she could not do the same. With years of practiced speed and agility, Toru rolled slightly to her side, aiming a sweeping kick to the backs of Braden’s knees. His eyes widened a bit in surprise as he stumbled backward but remained on his feet. He glared at her, his face reddening as he dove for her, intent on pinning her to the mats, forcing her to tap out of the match so that he could claim victory.

Toru rolled onto her back once more as Braden drew closer. Just as he dove for her, grabbing her Gi in both fists, she tucked her knees to her chest, drawing on her knowledge of Judo. Grabbing the front of his Gi in the same manner, her feet firmly planted in his sternum, she used the momentum of his body and his weight against him, causing his large frame to tumble over her and onto his back. Toru maintained her grip on him, her body rolling with his so that when he thumped noisily onto the mats, she was now positioned above him, a knee on either side of his torso. Braden’s mouth was agape as he held his breath, watching her. The small band that had been holding her hair gathered at the nape of her neck had come undone. In her eyes was the glint of something the novice fighter had never seen before. It was a warrior’s stare….one that seemed to pierce his very soul…..It frightened and fascinated him.

With a shout of victory, Toru raised her elbow and brought it down swiftly, stopping just short of the center of Braden’s chest. If he hadn’t been holding his breath, she would have made contact. He blinked a few times, swallowed then resumed his breathing as Toru rolled off of him, springing to her feet. She bowed to him, a gesture he grudgingly returned once he’d gotten to his feet. Toru then bowed to their Sensei before turning on her heel to resume her seat. She had just demonstrated to the class, and a humbled Braden, that size matters, but not when it comes to sparring.

As Toru sat watching other students spar she could hear the faint clash of steel coming from the gardens. She bit her lower lip, torn between staying even though her part of the lesson was over, and sneaking into the gardens to watch the sword play. Her curiosity got the better of her. As soon as Sensei’s back was turned, she crept silently away from the class, dashing down the hall and through the gently arched doorway framed by lush trees. Toru’s gaze fell upon the platform where two figures were engaged in combat. She instantly recognized one as Ryuu, the crimson and grey of his Gi matching her own. Her breath caught in her throat with excitement. She always did enjoy watching him with his katana, his movements fluid and graceful as if he and the sword were one being. She was certain that were it not for her, his katana would be his best friend.

The other form she recognized to be the darkly clad young man she’d been so rude to earlier. She felt a twinge of shame at the way she’d treated him, but it quickly passed as she watched him engage her brother. Clearly he was a skilled swordsman, and that was no kendo stick he was wielding. Creeping silently to the edge of the class, she deftly scaled a nearby tree and perched lightly in its branches. From her vantage point she could see perfectly without being detected by the class. If anyone had seen her approach, she didn’t notice, for she had eyes only for the two young men below. She watched as the sun danced upon their blades…………………

another one I did of Schayde....inspired by a dream I had...yes, when i've been playing alot, I dream in game mode lmao!!

Click me to see Stormy Night

thank you i was going for a wet look on the hair....but didn't get quite the result i wanted. the toon's hair is the "shy" style. but over all i am pleased with how it turned out