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Dance of Written Secrets WIP
No one took note of the slight framed male racing across the fields of outer Kyoto on horseback. No one noticed the appreciative smile on his face, no one noticed how he reveled in the feeling of the wind in his blue and white fur. Most of all, no one noticed that he was a woman.
The ride to the Aisu house was cathartic...it was a journey back into the heart of Okari Tsukino. For a few precious hours, she was unbound to her family name. For now, she was a Samurai on a mission...that was her one tie, her only shackle. The workers were still out in the field in droves as her horse's feet struck the ground like swift thunder. The peasants looked up, astonished to see an unnamed Samurai riding across their Master's land.
Okari smiled as some of the Master's Samurai mounted their steeds and took off after her. Bending over the horse's neck, she spoke a command that was more like a prayer, "Become the wind, Old Friend." Fire blazed in her golden eyes. "Let us show these pups the ways of the Old Bushido." The black legs struck the earth with such force that the ground seemed to be pulled under him. Together, they lept fences, Okari ducking tree branches...none of the Samurai coming close enough to engage her in combat. She saw the house in the distance, giving a fanged grin, she dug her heels into the side of her equine partner and drove him harder into the heart of Aisu's land.
As they neared the covered porch, Okari slowed her horse down to a canter, leaping off of him and onto the polished hardwood, allowing the horse to careen around the corner. He knew better than to leave his loving master. The straggling Samurai finally caught up to her, swords drawn as she stood smiling at them. The boldest, a deep orange bengal tiger, dismounted and strode towards her. Okari immediately took a defensive stance, thumping her katana out of its sheath. That simple motion made the Samurai stop in front of her.
"Take notice of this, young warrior," said Okari, licking her lips. "I have been here long enough to sneak into this house and kill everyone here. I think it is obvious that I mean your Master no harm." Her voice was deeper than normal, guttural and low.
He was young, callow, and stupid...but nothing short of courageous. His great maw growled its insults, "Bastard! You'd never dare touch a hair on my Master's head. No cur such as yourself ever could."
Okari gave the young warrior a sideways grin, shaking her head. "Tora-kun, you would have no chance...there is but one warrior here who could stop me."
Her blue ear twitched just in time to hear him rushing through the wind like a marlin through water. Her metal clang against his, sparks flying from the perfectly honed steel. She stared into the furrowed brow and sky blue eyes of Kengi, the siberian tiger/wolf mix. He smiled, the black stripes on his white face moving with his grin and snarl. "Good afternoon, Okari-san. You called?" asked the tiger wolf in a low growl. They stood locked in a stalemate, glares feeding into each other.
"Sir," said the younger tiger, bowing his head and placing his fist into his palm. "This man has threatened our land...this man..."
Kengi laughed, shutting the youngster up. Turning his head towards the younger samurai, he spoke in a half amused, half insulting manner, "Remember this, Samurai, there is but one warrior in all of Japan who rides a horse like that. There is but one warrior who I would lose a sparring match to without slitting my belly...and HER name is Tsukino Okari!" With that statement, the fighting samurai both sheathed their swords in one fluid motion, bowing to each other. Kengi dismissed the lesser warriors with a move of his hand, and turned towards the wolfess, hands tucked into his belt. "It's been too long since you last visited, Okari-san. My Mistress has missed your company terribly. I am afraid to say that I am not quite as adept at calligraphy as the two of you are." With that, he placed a friendly hand on her shoulder, leading her into the great house.
Aisu Tsuki had once been a Geisha. She was one of the few who had earned enough to pay back her debt to her Okiya and buy her way out of the Water Lily World. Now, she was content to teach young girls the Noh dances, play instruments, and paint calligraphy...all part of their lives as maiko. As Okari passed half opened doors, she saw girls of all ages and levels practicing dances and other arts, the house moving like a kaleidoscope of life around her.
"Silly men," said a familiar female voice. "Thinking that a man could even begin to ride a horse that gracefully."
Kengi and Okari turned to face the mistress of the house, a blue lioness whose face was still painted with the red and white of a Geisha, her deep blue hair in a loose bun. "So you saw?" Okari said as she stepped forward, arrogance written on her face.
The lioness giggled, raising a small hand to her lighter blue muzzle. "How could I not?! Kengi must train the other Samurai to not only be more efficient, but also less noisy!" She eyed the tigerwolf with a teasing green stare. He chuckled in response. "Kengi, you can return to your duties. I think it's safe to say this young male is of no danger." Kengi bowed, winking at Okari as he straightened his back and left the house, long-furred tail held high. The wolf caught the Mistress of the house staring after him far longer than would have been acceptable before she returned her attention to her guest. "It's obvious you have something to talk about, Okari-chan. It's been many years since you felt the need to ride into my lands as a man. Let us go talk over tea."
They convened in a room that Tsuki used as a study, sitting at a low mahogany table with hot tea in front of them. Okari sat in hero's pose, legs folded, hands midway up her thighs. Tsuki still had the posture of an elegant Geisha, holding the tiny cup in one hand and slowly pouring the tea with the other. "So," she began, never taking her half lidded eyes off of the cup, "what brings you here, and what makes your heart so heavy?"
Okari tried to not let that last truth change her expression. "I need to borrow Kengi." She bowed a little in her sitting position. "If you would be so kind as to allow it."
Tsuki eyed Okari seriously for a moment before allowing a smile to graze her muzzle, her whiskers amused. "Really?" she cooed. "You are the only woman I would not stab with one of my hairpins for even MENTIONING that. What need do you have of him? We all know that the ghost of a blue and white shinobi haunts your lands." That last part ushered in a knowing smirk from the great cat.
"Tsuki-san, I didn't figure you the type for ghost stories," laughed Okari in a low and teasing tone. "No, this is for...a friend. I trust only your Kengi with the job."
The once Geisha tipped her tea cup back with both delicate hands before she smiled and made an observation that made Okari's heart skip a beat. "I was wondering when you'd tell me about the young black warrior you have taken into your care. Interesting silver markings on his face, I have seen them only on a certain sect of warriors."
"News travels fast." Okari grinned with a scowl, trying not to nervously grip the material of her hakama.
"News nothing, I saw you two at the hanami festival. You do nothing to hide your emotions, Okari-chan. Try as you might, your aura speaks for you when you refuse words or action." Okari's expression became one of shock. Tsuki felt a tinge of guilt instantly and continued, "Child, you needn't worry...your secret is safe with me." The blue face turned towards the window where Kengi was walking by on the porch. "I understand more than anyone how social standing can force one to hide their true feelings." Sadness was her tone.
Changing the subject, Okari cleared her throat. "You say you have seen such markings before...what about this tribe of warriors?"
Snapped back into the present, the blue cat answered in hushed tones, "They were all but wiped out, dear. The last remnant spread thin and far apart as well as anyone can tell. Last I had heard, their master had been killed some time ago."
Okari's gold eyes darted back and forth. Another question she would have to ask her black wolf Samurai. "But that cannot be for Ragnarok...his master is an enemy of the Daimyo..."
"Samurai have many masters, especially those of less than noble lines," said Tsuki quietly. "I would bet my life and all my talents that he is a follower of that long-dead Master." Okari nodded, obviously deep in thought. "So, you wish for me to lend you my Samurai so that you can put him back on his path to his ruthless master?"
Okari's hands became fists as she pinned her ears. "His path is his to choose. I will not keep him from it."
Tsuki nodded gravely. "Fine then, dear. Kengi will be yours for two weeks." Her voice was more command than offer. "I trust you to protect him and treat him well. Wield him like a well honed sword, I will accept no less, Okari of the Shadows." Grateful, Okari bowed, her hands fists on the ground in the bow of a male. "But know this, keeper of Bushido and Shinobi honor, you hide from your real intentions. I only hope that you embrace them...as I have."
Tsuki effortlessly got up and glided to the window, watching as Kengi trained the other men in the courtyard, barking orders and fighting at the same time. Okari coughed and spoke in a voice full of gratitude, "You have my deepest thanks, Ice Mistress, what can I do to repay you?"
Tsuki turned to her, smiling. "Paint with me in front of my younger students. Pour your heart into the kanji. Show me no deceit in what you really feel...put words to what you will not speak, young friend."
The large sheet of paper was laid out in front of her, immaculate white. Okari stood with the long bamboo and wolf-hair brush, dripping with ink. The young maiko looked on as they sat in their perfect little rows, Tsuki standing in front of them, arms folded. Listening to her own music, Okari began to dance, moving with the flow of ink and kanji, golden eyes closed. When she was done, she opened her eyes, placed the long brush in its well, bowed to the Mistress, and left the house, whistling to her horse, and riding off into the red Japanese sun.
Aisu Tsuki approached the paper with her students in tow like little ducklings. Upon the paper, in beautiful kanji, read "Bond, Magnetism, and Silence."
The teacher of dance and art dismissed her students early that day, retiring to her porch. "Ippiki-ookami," she addressed Okari silently and from miles apart. "I hope you break your silence before it is too late."
More from Okari's and Ragnarok's tale. This time featuring
, 
, and 
.
*ippiki-ookami means lone wolf.
<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>
The ride to the Aisu house was cathartic...it was a journey back into the heart of Okari Tsukino. For a few precious hours, she was unbound to her family name. For now, she was a Samurai on a mission...that was her one tie, her only shackle. The workers were still out in the field in droves as her horse's feet struck the ground like swift thunder. The peasants looked up, astonished to see an unnamed Samurai riding across their Master's land.
Okari smiled as some of the Master's Samurai mounted their steeds and took off after her. Bending over the horse's neck, she spoke a command that was more like a prayer, "Become the wind, Old Friend." Fire blazed in her golden eyes. "Let us show these pups the ways of the Old Bushido." The black legs struck the earth with such force that the ground seemed to be pulled under him. Together, they lept fences, Okari ducking tree branches...none of the Samurai coming close enough to engage her in combat. She saw the house in the distance, giving a fanged grin, she dug her heels into the side of her equine partner and drove him harder into the heart of Aisu's land.
As they neared the covered porch, Okari slowed her horse down to a canter, leaping off of him and onto the polished hardwood, allowing the horse to careen around the corner. He knew better than to leave his loving master. The straggling Samurai finally caught up to her, swords drawn as she stood smiling at them. The boldest, a deep orange bengal tiger, dismounted and strode towards her. Okari immediately took a defensive stance, thumping her katana out of its sheath. That simple motion made the Samurai stop in front of her.
"Take notice of this, young warrior," said Okari, licking her lips. "I have been here long enough to sneak into this house and kill everyone here. I think it is obvious that I mean your Master no harm." Her voice was deeper than normal, guttural and low.
He was young, callow, and stupid...but nothing short of courageous. His great maw growled its insults, "Bastard! You'd never dare touch a hair on my Master's head. No cur such as yourself ever could."
Okari gave the young warrior a sideways grin, shaking her head. "Tora-kun, you would have no chance...there is but one warrior here who could stop me."
Her blue ear twitched just in time to hear him rushing through the wind like a marlin through water. Her metal clang against his, sparks flying from the perfectly honed steel. She stared into the furrowed brow and sky blue eyes of Kengi, the siberian tiger/wolf mix. He smiled, the black stripes on his white face moving with his grin and snarl. "Good afternoon, Okari-san. You called?" asked the tiger wolf in a low growl. They stood locked in a stalemate, glares feeding into each other.
"Sir," said the younger tiger, bowing his head and placing his fist into his palm. "This man has threatened our land...this man..."
Kengi laughed, shutting the youngster up. Turning his head towards the younger samurai, he spoke in a half amused, half insulting manner, "Remember this, Samurai, there is but one warrior in all of Japan who rides a horse like that. There is but one warrior who I would lose a sparring match to without slitting my belly...and HER name is Tsukino Okari!" With that statement, the fighting samurai both sheathed their swords in one fluid motion, bowing to each other. Kengi dismissed the lesser warriors with a move of his hand, and turned towards the wolfess, hands tucked into his belt. "It's been too long since you last visited, Okari-san. My Mistress has missed your company terribly. I am afraid to say that I am not quite as adept at calligraphy as the two of you are." With that, he placed a friendly hand on her shoulder, leading her into the great house.
Aisu Tsuki had once been a Geisha. She was one of the few who had earned enough to pay back her debt to her Okiya and buy her way out of the Water Lily World. Now, she was content to teach young girls the Noh dances, play instruments, and paint calligraphy...all part of their lives as maiko. As Okari passed half opened doors, she saw girls of all ages and levels practicing dances and other arts, the house moving like a kaleidoscope of life around her.
"Silly men," said a familiar female voice. "Thinking that a man could even begin to ride a horse that gracefully."
Kengi and Okari turned to face the mistress of the house, a blue lioness whose face was still painted with the red and white of a Geisha, her deep blue hair in a loose bun. "So you saw?" Okari said as she stepped forward, arrogance written on her face.
The lioness giggled, raising a small hand to her lighter blue muzzle. "How could I not?! Kengi must train the other Samurai to not only be more efficient, but also less noisy!" She eyed the tigerwolf with a teasing green stare. He chuckled in response. "Kengi, you can return to your duties. I think it's safe to say this young male is of no danger." Kengi bowed, winking at Okari as he straightened his back and left the house, long-furred tail held high. The wolf caught the Mistress of the house staring after him far longer than would have been acceptable before she returned her attention to her guest. "It's obvious you have something to talk about, Okari-chan. It's been many years since you felt the need to ride into my lands as a man. Let us go talk over tea."
They convened in a room that Tsuki used as a study, sitting at a low mahogany table with hot tea in front of them. Okari sat in hero's pose, legs folded, hands midway up her thighs. Tsuki still had the posture of an elegant Geisha, holding the tiny cup in one hand and slowly pouring the tea with the other. "So," she began, never taking her half lidded eyes off of the cup, "what brings you here, and what makes your heart so heavy?"
Okari tried to not let that last truth change her expression. "I need to borrow Kengi." She bowed a little in her sitting position. "If you would be so kind as to allow it."
Tsuki eyed Okari seriously for a moment before allowing a smile to graze her muzzle, her whiskers amused. "Really?" she cooed. "You are the only woman I would not stab with one of my hairpins for even MENTIONING that. What need do you have of him? We all know that the ghost of a blue and white shinobi haunts your lands." That last part ushered in a knowing smirk from the great cat.
"Tsuki-san, I didn't figure you the type for ghost stories," laughed Okari in a low and teasing tone. "No, this is for...a friend. I trust only your Kengi with the job."
The once Geisha tipped her tea cup back with both delicate hands before she smiled and made an observation that made Okari's heart skip a beat. "I was wondering when you'd tell me about the young black warrior you have taken into your care. Interesting silver markings on his face, I have seen them only on a certain sect of warriors."
"News travels fast." Okari grinned with a scowl, trying not to nervously grip the material of her hakama.
"News nothing, I saw you two at the hanami festival. You do nothing to hide your emotions, Okari-chan. Try as you might, your aura speaks for you when you refuse words or action." Okari's expression became one of shock. Tsuki felt a tinge of guilt instantly and continued, "Child, you needn't worry...your secret is safe with me." The blue face turned towards the window where Kengi was walking by on the porch. "I understand more than anyone how social standing can force one to hide their true feelings." Sadness was her tone.
Changing the subject, Okari cleared her throat. "You say you have seen such markings before...what about this tribe of warriors?"
Snapped back into the present, the blue cat answered in hushed tones, "They were all but wiped out, dear. The last remnant spread thin and far apart as well as anyone can tell. Last I had heard, their master had been killed some time ago."
Okari's gold eyes darted back and forth. Another question she would have to ask her black wolf Samurai. "But that cannot be for Ragnarok...his master is an enemy of the Daimyo..."
"Samurai have many masters, especially those of less than noble lines," said Tsuki quietly. "I would bet my life and all my talents that he is a follower of that long-dead Master." Okari nodded, obviously deep in thought. "So, you wish for me to lend you my Samurai so that you can put him back on his path to his ruthless master?"
Okari's hands became fists as she pinned her ears. "His path is his to choose. I will not keep him from it."
Tsuki nodded gravely. "Fine then, dear. Kengi will be yours for two weeks." Her voice was more command than offer. "I trust you to protect him and treat him well. Wield him like a well honed sword, I will accept no less, Okari of the Shadows." Grateful, Okari bowed, her hands fists on the ground in the bow of a male. "But know this, keeper of Bushido and Shinobi honor, you hide from your real intentions. I only hope that you embrace them...as I have."
Tsuki effortlessly got up and glided to the window, watching as Kengi trained the other men in the courtyard, barking orders and fighting at the same time. Okari coughed and spoke in a voice full of gratitude, "You have my deepest thanks, Ice Mistress, what can I do to repay you?"
Tsuki turned to her, smiling. "Paint with me in front of my younger students. Pour your heart into the kanji. Show me no deceit in what you really feel...put words to what you will not speak, young friend."
The large sheet of paper was laid out in front of her, immaculate white. Okari stood with the long bamboo and wolf-hair brush, dripping with ink. The young maiko looked on as they sat in their perfect little rows, Tsuki standing in front of them, arms folded. Listening to her own music, Okari began to dance, moving with the flow of ink and kanji, golden eyes closed. When she was done, she opened her eyes, placed the long brush in its well, bowed to the Mistress, and left the house, whistling to her horse, and riding off into the red Japanese sun.
Aisu Tsuki approached the paper with her students in tow like little ducklings. Upon the paper, in beautiful kanji, read "Bond, Magnetism, and Silence."
The teacher of dance and art dismissed her students early that day, retiring to her porch. "Ippiki-ookami," she addressed Okari silently and from miles apart. "I hope you break your silence before it is too late."
More from Okari's and Ragnarok's tale. This time featuring
, 
, and 
.*ippiki-ookami means lone wolf.
<<< PREV | FIRST | NEXT >>>
Category Artwork (Traditional) / General Furry Art
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 1123 x 893px
File Size 81.4 kB
Lol, ah my warped mind, I'll never understand why people like even parts of it! I'm glad folks seem to be enjoying it at least a little bit. Writing helps me get my frustrations out more than art does, actually, so I've really been liking it lately. Plus Okari is an old character that I really need to do more with.
I'm so honored to know I can inspire you. Your art is gorgeous, and it always makes me drool.
I'm so honored to know I can inspire you. Your art is gorgeous, and it always makes me drool.
Patience my fluffy timberwolf, patience! Still getting the bios in order though the Origin story should be ready in the next couple of weeks (life has taken priority it seems lol). Plus once you finish the drawings of Zed and raven then I'll give more info. So in short all in due time my friend
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