Peri 🦐 - 05/14/2018
They were in the Land of the Rising Sun no longer. Whatever ties that bound them were coming to fade, dissolving away the further they ventured from the fires of war. Often he pondered what the world might look like on the other side of the conflict; what life might be like without the threat of enemies looking to sink their blades where you were weakest. It was the only thing that ever kept him going at times—the future where a Dragon finally ruled—and forever he lived and breathed, willing to give his life to make it true. Perhaps he never thought he'd truly live to see it... his pride and willingness to make that ultimate sacrifice driving him to make brash decisions. Which was why a man like Kojuurou knew not how to deal with this.

Takenaka Hanbei. A sworn enemy somehow turned into an ally, though that word seemed far too 'friendly' for his liking. It made his tongue want to rot, his annoyance showing in the tension of his shoulders as they rode on horseback. The shadows that danced across his face and the stormy quality of his charcoal-grey eyes all but screaming his dissatisfaction for the task at hand. Playing nice with a man who once believed he held him in the palm of his hand—but again, this was not the Land of the Rising Sun. That was nothing more than a life time long past, and the Right Eye needed to learn to turn a blind one to old grudges.

“It grows dark,” he rumbled loud enough to be heard even as the forest trail rushed past. “Traveling at night only increases our chances of running into the creatures that roam these woods.”(edited)
silence 🦑 - 05/14/2018
There was some sort of satisfaction in being the Right Eye’s sole protection at the moment. Of course, the Dragon’s Right Eye hardly needed protection but thinking of it as such would surely annoy the stormy eyed warrior and so, Takanaka Hanbei continued. Anything to keep his mind from straying too far from the task at hand. If he allowed them to flicker to the place they’d left behind then he was lost. He had not intention of losing, not here. When he was safely back in his home was a different story. His thoughts could wander as much as they wanted.

His companion’s words flowed back to him, a low sound of thunder. Spurring his horse forward, he came to ride beside he other, wind tearing through his clothes and his hair. “Where do you propose we go, Katakura?” He hummed, glancing through the trees towards the fading light. It played soft shadows across both their faces and dappled the flanks of their horses in soft golden sunlight. “Will you camp for the night? Within meters of your enemy?” His eyes danced, smirk flickering across his lips. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll stab you in the back once your eyes close?”

It was all good fun, nothing more than barbed words falling from his lips. He wasn’t stupid enough to actually attack Katakura. He’d face the wrath of the dragon himself if he even so much as breathed on his precious Right Eye wrong.

“The next clearing we come to,” he said, “should bode well for bedding down.”
May 15, 2018
Peri 🦐 - 05/15/2018
“Anywhere but the main road,” the Right Eye rarely showed much emotion, his exterior as honed and sharpened as the blades he kept on his belt. Yet there was care in every ounce of energy he spared. If their cargo did not arrive to Dragon Territory unscathed then how many bellies would go unfed? How many of his people would go without the medicine they needed?

All the more reason to be cautious, to be calm and collected. To minimize risks. Even if that would indeed mean making camp and suffering through the night with the white haired man who at some point managed to sneak up on his side. “I'll choose the lesser of two evils,” he gave his own toothed answer in a harsh attempt to humor him. “I've always been one to keep my enemies close and where I can see them. Should I have to rest with one eye open so be it.” He was never a fan of Takenaka's love for banter, if he had his way they'd have sworn to silence so long as they were forced to travel together. BE COOL. It was what Masamune had asked of him and he'd be lying through his teeth if he did not find it difficult. Trust was a delicate thing, and this snake had yet to earn his even if he fancied to hide amongst his fellow Dragons.

As if to take his companion's suggestion to heart, he knowingly guided their beasts along a trail which veered to the west. Soon they were bathed in twilight as the daylight finally burned and fizzled away—swallowed by the forest and leaving them in a world splashed in a canvas of inky gray shadow. The meadow was a welcome sight after riding all day and Kojuurou wasted little time in dismounting so that he could offer his horse some reprieve. Gently patting the animal's neck, he ran his fingers affectionately through its mane and the hint of a smile reflected in his eyes. A pleasantness that never quite reached his lips or else his face might just crack.
“This will do,” he muttered dryly, giving Hanbei an almost careful eye. He was never quite so good at honeying his words. But maybe his forwardness was what kept him so honest as he scowled, “Rest. I'll be the first to keep watch.”
May 19, 2018
silence 🦑 - 05/19/2018
The response was full of daggers but the Toyotomi strategist brushed them off with little more than a flick of his wrist, lavender eyes crinkling as a smirk danced on his lips. Stating the obvious was quite hopeful, he thought sarcastically but managed to seal it behind his lips as the clopping of their horses' hooves echoed throughout the quickly dimming forest. Soon, the sun would be gone and they would fall prey to the beasts of the night and the yellow light of the moon. It was regretful that they hadn't been able to make it back to the Dragon Territory before night, forcing them to sleep surrounded by the unknown. Though, really, it was no dangerous than sleeping in the Dragon Territory, at least for Hanbei, still looked at as an enemy rather than a friend.

It didn't bother him much, considering he'd fought against these vassals and their lords on several occasions. They supported a different man's rise, one that he would not bow to in such a way. There was only one man fit to rule the Land of the Rising Sun in Hanbei's eyes. But he couldn't bare to think such thoughts in this world. His lord was not here, it was a waste to breathe his name on every bloodstained cough or in the night when he woke from some throat constricting nightmare, something that rarely happened at home because he knew his lord was stronger than a misplaced sword through the gut.

Being worlds, lifetimes, away had something to do with his fear, he was sure.

"Peace, Katakura," he pressed out with the same smirk, "I've called a personal truce against your lord and therefore his vassals. I will not break my word -" A spark danced in the depths of his eyes. "Unless it benefits me to do so." If Hideyoshi arrived, it would be a different story depending on his orders but for now, his lord was no where to be found and so, the truce stayed. It trembled when some barb tongued samurai tried his patience, but it stayed.
Dismounting in a fluid motion, Hanbei patted his beast's neck and the horse nickered against his shoulder. He huffed, eyeing it before reaching into his pack and producing a handful of apple wedges he'd grabbed before their departure. His horse greedily ate them up before bumping his arm as if thanking him. A smirk played on his lips, a little lighter and more amused before he tugged off the tack and laid it at the stallion's feet, laying against it and peering towards Katakura. He shrugged and hummed out in agreement, pulling off his belt. He laid it and the scabbard beside him, still within reach should anything try and disturb them during the night.