Yamagashi and Touga had once thought they'd experienced and enjoyed it all. Their lives, though short, were filled with accomplishments and battles that were well fought. However, unfortunately, their Master had many more plans for them that spanned even after death, and when they had returned late the night before, they had the even more fortunate fate of bumping into one of those so-called plans. What they saw solidified their belief that the [thing] they were working for did not care for anything less than success, and their lucky streak of hanging on by the skin of their teeth was starting to falter with every encounter. He absolutely loathed failure, so when they went to take their report to him in his private chambers, they were deftly surprised by the familiar face of their informant standing to attention at one side of the sliding doors. Though the surprise was brief, their confusion at his blank and barren stare put a giant rock in their stomachs and a knife deep within their hearts. For beyond the vacant expression lay a spider-webbed pattern that reached out and away from his eyes. They were black, but not so obvious to a passing glance. The fear twisted in their guts and with shaking hands, Yamagashi cautiously knocked on the panel of wood next to the door to announce their presence. An eerie silence descended upon the small hallway, and a light creak startled both men out of their skins. A hand that belonged to the blank eyed informant pushed the sliding door to the side, and they felt a rush as they were unceremoniously shoved inside. Their eyes refused to leave the floor.
"My two favourite failures..." a long hiss was carried off and shut away by the loud snap of their only escape closing. "I'm sure you have some good news to provide," Yamagashi hesitantly rose his eyes to meet his Masters dark depths. "after all you've only ever disappointed me, and your usefulness is starting to wear thin.' Touga broke out into a cold sweat, but kept his head bowed low and let his comrade answer as they had agreed upon.
"Yes sir! We caught the Walking Shadow the town over, and he seemed to be carrying women's clothes..." The dark presence sucked in a heady breath and exhaled slowly. The silence was answer enough to continue. "W-we think he and the stranger have acquired a new, vulnerable, acquaintance...so we wish to use her against them to bring both to you for punishment. We ask your permission and will do as you ask." After finishing, Yamagashi immediately bent his head back to the floor with a small thud and an unconscious shake in his body.
"You surprise me...I will allow this, however, should you either not bring me them alive, or offer more substantial information...I will see to it that my new little experiment," he curled his finger at the other presence in the room. It moved to stand beside them, and both Yamagashi and Touga knew exactly who their Master had called over. "has two new additions to play with." Touga felt like if he could meld with the floor, he would have done it the moment they had stepped into this accursed room, but the sound of footsteps receding saved them from the dark pit that was their fear and the sound of the door opening created a lifeline to safety. "You may leave." Clipped the Master, sharpening his words to cut them to their core. Without waiting for anything else, the two soldiers mumbled their 'yes sir's and departed faster than their legs could carry them.
Back inside the room, with the door once again closed and privacy attained, the Master slumped against the wall and let out an irritated sigh. The sharp black points of his nail dug harshly into his palms as he clenched them, while his face was a mask of contorted muscles. From the corner of a darkened part of the room a figure swept into the light in a flash of ocean blue. His unnaturally forest green hair gave way to his otherworldly stature and he glided forward with grace rarely seen within the current premises. In his hands lay a tray with two cups and a pot, steaming hot. The man ventured deeper into the room and bent down to place the tray in front of the now relaxed dark eyed man.
The Master followed his movements carefully, like a hawk almost, and leaned forward to take one of the steaming cups offered to him. The oddly coloured haired male dropped into a deep bow, then settled down and took the last available cup.
"My Lord Aoki," the new face smiled at its partner, a smile so untrustworthy and snake-like, and let words slip from his tongue as if it was the finest of woven silks. "You are looking well." A small smirk tipped the corner of the Masters, Aoki's, lips as he regarded the figure with a tilt of his head. "I dare say you have become ever more deadly since the last we sat council." Good, more is better. More is power.
"You flatter me, Hatsu." The green haired male concealed a rather large grin behind the rim of his cup. "But please, do tell me what news you have." Aoki grimaced in remembrance of the last report he had to receive and endure. "I trust it will be better than these pests I employ."
"Quite! Your influence has spread far across the land. There are solitary units at your command within strategic positions of the Kingdom. However, there are problems with planting in the Shogunate's administration." The male took a breath that sounded vaguely like a hiss before continuing. "Daimyou Shio has a solid hold and has thwarted any and all attempts at placing our pieces." Aoki hummed in thought and let his mind do the work for once instead of his raging storm of emotions. A sly smile crept across his face.
"Worry not, Hatsu. I will deal with him in due time...for now, I need you to focus yourself and take control of my Shadow." The man named Hatsu almost spat out his tea in his excitement and the fuchsia colour of his eyes glittered in a twisted sort of glee.
"My Lord! Are you certain? There is still much to do, but such power could easily topple our enemies..." Though his voice exuded a mild tone, the enthusiasm in which he had announced such a thing caused the dark creature in front of him to flash a devilish smile.
"Our main pieces are set...so yes. It is time."