Kaoru/Zelgadis: Personality Match?

[Bean Bandit]

The shadow man nodded.

"I can't give you exact locations on most," he told Zelgadis, regretfully. "The ones that have made it here are all traveling, and aren't likely to stay in one place for too long. I will, however, tell you two things that may help."

He paused. "One, if you head for the event I mentioned, you'll likely meet up with all of them. Two, you've already met one of them. If you think hard enough, you'll realize who it was."

[Shukuen]

"Hah, I meet one already, eh?" Shukuen repeated, not really quite surprised. "Well, all right. So what exactly is this 'mission' we've been chosen for?"

[Bean Bandit]

The dark man gave the impression of biting his lip. "This is Meiji era Japan, halfway between Tokyo and Kyoto."
He began.

"In a few days time, in the mountains near Kyoto, a battle between two men will take place. This battle will be a focus for what happens..."

[Shukuen]

"Interesting." Shukuen quirked his head, asking the final question that was bugging him.

"You mentioned wanting help resisting you rival's influence 'here' and another 'recruit'. Does that mean there's another group that we'll meet with?"

[Bean Bandit]

The dark man smiled faintly. "Hopefully, If all goes well...a few more will join the fun." He nodded.

After a moment, he spoke again. "And now...I have to attend to other things." The shadow man smiled and pointed up the shoreline.

"That's where the people from the boat are gathering. Oh, by the way...you dropped that as I pulled you to shore." he said, pointing. Even as he pointed, he began fading away...

And suddenly, Time started again. As Zelgadis looked where the man had pointed, he saw his sword had come loose from his belt, and fallen in the sand nearby....

[Shukuen]

"Hmm, well, that was interesting," Shukuen tsk'ed, picking up his sword and resheathing it. Smiling slightly, he glanced back to the area where the stranger last stood and gave a quick, two-finger salute. "S'pose I'll pay you back next time then," he chuckled, then pulling his hood over his head, started to walk off to where the others were.

[Carthrat]

The last few stragglers who hadn't drowned pulled themselves to shore, and the survivours watched mournfully as their ship finally fully succumbed to the wrath of the mages mighty spells.

Everyone was sopping wet and freezing, and many people were huddling together to try and get some warmth back into their bodies. Someone had managed to get a fire started, and most people were huddling about that.

It was getting quite dark.

Kaoru and Yahiko had both managed to pull themselves ashore with only a little difficulty, and more than a few people made exclamations over Kaoru's new possession, namely, the jagged sword.

They were also the first to notice the approaching form of Zelgadis, who seemed miraculously dry and unhurt. Even his clothes were still in good condition.

The area where the survivors were placed was underneath the shade of a cliff. They were a little ways in from the beach itself, and had found a grassy spot on which to rest. The beach itself didn't seem to go on for very long; an obvious path up to the top of the cliff was quite present to the west, which was of course the opposite direction Zelgadis was approaching from. The area was treeless and relatively flat.

An aura of suspense and barely restrained panic was about, with people gradually getting their thoughts under control, and beginning to make plans for getting home safely.

[Bean Bandit]

Bean sat on the shore clutching her shoulders and shivering uncontrollably. She'd quickly wrapped the sword in the biggest piece of cloth she could see, and clutched it as she pulled herself and Yahiko close to the fire.

God...being a girl sucks. I NEVER got this cold as a guy. And WHY is this damn kimono itching so much??? On really, really, REALLY sensitive parts!

She sneezed quietly.

Perfect. The middle of Meiji era Japan, and I run into sorcerers. Well, I'll hang onto this sword. Maybe I can use it? Geez...If Mages attacked the boat...I wonder if Kenshin's making it safely?

She was utterly shocked to discover a pang of worrying accompanying that thought.

I did NOT just think that...What the hell is wrong with me? And WHY can't I get warm?? She thought in frustration, her teeth chattering.

[Carthrat]

Kaoru might have taken a little solace in the fact that everyone else was freezing too. More than a few people were tempted to go straight to the nearest villiage, but a few more people warned that even though this was the Meiji era, bandits still roamed the roads, preying on those foolish enough to go down them.

And then there were some hinted murmurings of a more powerful group establishing themselves, possibly in Kyoto...

"Kaoru, how are we going to get to Kyoto now?" asked Yahiko, sounding quite cold indeed.

[Bean Bandit]

Bean sighed. "I don't know, Yahiko." She sneezed again. "If worst comes to worst...We'll walk." she told the dark haired boy firmly.

"We came this far for a reason...Not that you or Megumi would let me forget it," she commented, blushing and ruffling his hair Much as I would like to. I NEED to figure out what the heck is wrong with me.... "We're not turning back now...Kami-sama..."

Her eyes went wide as she caught sight of the hooded figure approaching the group of people...

[Shukuen]

Shukuen came to a stop when he reached the group. Glancing around for a bit, he paused as he realized a very important detail.

"Where am I again?"

[Bean Bandit]

Bean blinked away her surprise, and she had to admit, lingering fear of the stone man away. At least he had the good sense to put his hood up, this time...Is he going to start tossing magic around again?

She gripped Yahiko's shoulder nervously. "Just outside Tokyo..." She responded softly, not waiting for anyone else to respond, or take a greater. "Where were you expecting to be?"

She stared hard at the slate grey skin she could see, not entirely hidden by the shadow of his hood. Unless he puts on that mask thing he usually wears, he's going to start a panic...

[Shukuen]

Shukuen blinked, "Uhm, thanks... not that it tells me much."

"Hmm... okay... what am I forgetting again...?" he murmured, the feeling nagging him.

[Bean Bandit]

Bean wondered what was going on.

Successfully stifling the urge to play nervously with the sleeves of her still sopping wet kimono she finally gave in. Something was wrong about this whole situation...

"You don't know where  Tokyo is? Where are you from?"

As she spoke, she tapped her face lightly, trying to make it look like a mannerism and hoped he'd get the hint...but for some reason she didn't hold out much hope for that.

[Shukuen]

"Obviously not around here," Shukuen replied sarcastically, noting the subtle gesture to pull up his face mask and did so.