Hellish Company [Monthly Quest/MAKI]

[Yamabara Shou]

It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Having received a new task to transporting a message, to the other side of Japan. Shou had not wanted to travel all the way by land. It would have taken a long time, and by then his message may not have even being relevant anymore. Taking a ship down the coast sounded like a good idea. The wind at this time of year were good and he would probably cut his journey in half. However what should have been perfect weather for the trip, turned sour. A large rumbling sound in the distance signalled doom. A giant wave coming for far out at sea, picking up in size. The ship folded to the force of the wave, as easily as paper. Breaking apart as it was lifted up and smashed back into with enough force to split the ship in half.

Blackness came over him as he was pulled under the water, and looking back on it he should have been dead. However eventually, he had no idea after how long he regained consciousness. He was soaking, freezing, sand and rock under him, digging in to the joints between the armour. His clothes wear torn and a large section of wood lay next to him. Wave licked up behind him, keeping his feet wet, while the rest of him was slowly drying in the sun.

Dragging himself to knees, Shou pulled himself forward out of the range of the waves. Letting himself collapse on the sandy floor below him he turned over. He knew he would have to get up soon, to try and find out where he was, but his body ached the armour that normally made him feel stronger heavier than it had ever felt before. From where he lay, he looked left and right across the beach, in case he could spot any more people who had washed ashore alongside him.

[Kuroshi Maki]

Having to take a trip, I went for a boat as they told me getting there by boat would be way faster.So I went with the boat that already seemed kinda old an easily broken but well I went anyway. Going below deck to get some rest and I would lay down weapon close. The journey started and all was fine as the sun was bright and the sky was blue. As I fell a sleep i could not notice the chaos that was about to happen.

The sky turned dark and rain would fall, the water turned restless and was rocking the boat, yet my sleep was deep. A storm would raise up and wave after wave would crash against the boat. Soon a large wave would made the both slam over. I would wake up crashing against the roof above me as it was now under me. Grabbing my weapon I could feel water. Before I could react another wave crashed against the boat. U was knocked out of the boat by force and ended in a fight with the waves. The sea was a strong enemy indeed.

After being in battle for some time i was slammed upon some rocks and washed a shore. I was on the other side of the island then Shou so I never knew he was there yet. I crawled up weapon still at hand as my grip was strong. I didn't knew what this land was. All I could see was sea at one side and sand and a treeline at the other side.

[Yamabara Shou]

Having looked around the beach from where he lay, Shou couldn't see anyone else from where he was. There was random debris ,probably from the boat had been on, littered across the shore. Laying here was solving nothing, and Shou climb to his feet with some effort. His body ached, but he pushed himself to move anyway. Walking along the beach, Shou looked to see what was actually in the wreckage. It was mostly broken wood, however much to his surprise Shou noticed half embedded in part of the ship. The demonic ability to return to him, seemingly doing so in a way he never expect. The sight of the weapon, caused him to suddenly check his person. A couple of his favourite throwing daggers still remain hidden upon him, but most had been lost. Not a small cost to replace but better to have some.

Walking the beach, he started to notice just how much his soaking clothes were causing him to freeze even in the sun, and he knew remaining in them was a bad idea. Removing his armour and stripping off his upper clothes and depositing them atop a piece of drift wood he dragged them up the beach before collecting more of the wood. He couldn't stay topless in the sun forever though or he would risk getting burned. So finding one of the smaller pieces of wood, he cut it into a pile of shavings and piled them up in a hole in the sand. Striking his daggers against each other as hard as he could aimed into the hole, they sparked over and over.

It took time but eventually the small shaving caught alight. Blowing on them gently and causing the flame to slowly grow he stuck a few of the smaller planks into the hole. Goading the flames to keep going as long as he could into it slowly dried a little before also catching on fire. Smoke and steam rose skywards, and he continued to build on the fire until was a reasonable size. Before he propped up his clothes next to the fire and lay onto one of the planks of wood left, close enough to the flames so that his hakama would dry also. Once he was warm and dry he could focus on searching for some sign of life, and failing that, water as he knew it was one of the most important things to survival. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

So I had two choices, I could go either take a chance and swim but that's would have a really low success rate or go into the tree line and see what was on the other side. I took my chances in the Forrest then. Making my way deeper in I would look for stuff to survive. Hell i lived in the woods for 12 years when I was younger anyway. I had to first look for some food and shelter. Because when it becomes dark you were to late for shelter. Dying in these woods would be easy, poison or no food things like that.

I would look up for a large tree and one that was easy to climb. I found one and it was in a center of the open area just perfect. Finding some large leaves and sticks I would build myself a small platform up in the tree, I would make it work using thin yet flexible sticks as rope. I would now be save from of the ground at night. Now I needed food and would take my armor of placing it up in the tree, it would have given myself away during the day.

Hiding in a bush i would wait for an animal to pass by to kill for a small food resources. A deer would pass by and my GuanDo would strike it down fast. The deer would make a noise heard around the whole island. last but not least I had to find a water source. Not the sea water as it was salty.

[Yamabara Shou]

Laying there clothes drying out, Shou would hear noise from the tree line behind him, maybe people where closer then he thought. Redressing putting his armour back on in case whoever lived here was hostile, Shou left the fire burning. It was a small waste of wood to leave it going, but it meant if it was still alight when he returned he didn't have to struggle starting another. 

Sword in hand, dagger hidden up his sleeves Shou made his way into the trees. Cutting his way through foliage, the serrated blade of his sword wasn't the best for it, but it got the job done. Keeping  a eye on there trees and ground for any form of threat Shou would cup one hand over his mouth. "Hello. Is there anyone out here?" He would shout, causing some birds to scatter.

Along the way, Shou was also trying to keep a eye out for anything form of food and water. Those birds looked good, but he doubted he could throw his sword that high. Small pool, not enough to survive on occasional where impressed in the ground. Probably from rainfall in the past, that tree cover had stopped the sun from drying up. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

Grabbing the deer and placing it upon my shoulders, I tried to walk back to my small camp up in the tree and leave the deer their before I would look for water. Not having my armor on I would walk around with just a pants and some shoes. As I made my way near the tree I heard a voice and because of Shou his armor I did not recognize it right away. As I turned around I saw him demon armor and all. I recognized the blade though.

" You got the be kidding me! "

My voice sounded disappointed, of all people I had to walk up on this fool.. He was wearing armor and all as if he wanted to fight. Deer on my shoulders and Guando in my hand I would not be able to best him knowing the powers these armors had. But I was trying to survive not even willing to fight.

" Just turn around and walk away, you're the last person I wanna see right now. "

My voice was serious and I didn't plan on sharing my food or hiding spot. And knowing Shou I knew he would not do the same anyway. I would then turn my back to him again and walked off.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would take off the mask of his armour as he recognise Maki. He was un-armoured and carry what looked like a dear over his shoulder. Shou, would put his weapon away. Maki obviously didn't want to fight, and Shou did have the advantage of equipment it would have made any win over the other man unsatisfying. "The feeling mutual. But before you storm off. Do you know where the hell we are?" Shou would ask his tone just as annoyed as Maki's was.

He didn't want to be in the presence of the other man for longer then absolutely necessary, but the sight of the man's catch made his mouth water unconsciously. He was going to have to catch something himself soon, but water came first. "Have you seen anyone else?" Shou would demand to know, if there was at least someone else here apart from Maki, Shou could hopefully work with them if this place was a deserted as it seemed. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

His voice just made me feel sick, this guy was just really somebody I would never get along with or even like.. Respect would maybe be a thing but as for now. I had no respect for him last time they were together was in that crazy place and they had to work together and that was long enough. Hell even before that he bit my shoulder after calling me a coward. These wannabe Hero's really pissed me off. His questions were something I would have wanted to know also but I had no answers for them.

" I have no idea what this place is, yet surviving isn't that hard if you know were to look. "

Hell I knew it all, if done it before and I will be able now. Finding a way off this place would not be the first thing to do. First you had to make sure you had it all to survive. Even the knowledge of whats to come. Then you can find you're way off this place.

" Its just me and well to bad for me you. I haven't seen anyone else. But I will be fine on my own. "

I would walk further but seeing something in the corner of my eye made me started to run. I saw a small creek running to my right. As I made it I would drop my deer and drop to my knee's and let the water run into my hand and then place them to my mouth. Fresh water tasted so good.

[Yamabara Shou]

Maki answers were not one's that he like. They both didn't know where they were, or if anyone else was around. But Maki unlike Shou seemed confident that he would be able to survive on the island alone. As the other man moved away, Maki suddenly ran away and Shou saw him drop to his knees as drop the catch he already managed to find. The temptation to run up along side the man in order to drink, and possibly take the food he had came up. 

However Shou pride held him back, turning Shou would head back the way he came. Pissed off at his luck. Along the way, he drank from the small pools he had seen before. Once temporally sated, Shou took his mask off completely and plugged the hole in it up. Digging deeper into one of the holes, Shou would scope up a small amount of water. He would carefully return to his make shift camp. Carefully putting the mask down as not spill any of the water he had brought, before removing his armour again.

Thirst dealt with for now, shelter was important, once he had both of those he would worry about food. With his sword he stripped a tree of larger branches leave included by throwing the blade up along side it. Stabbing the branches into the ground, before laying out large leaves under them. He made a small make shift shelter, near to but not to close to his fire. Thirsty once more by the time he finished, Shou drunk a small amount from his mask, stoked the fire, adding branches he hadn't used in construction, and lay down. The sun was slowly starting to set, and he knew exploring in the tree at night was dangerous. He wasn't going to starve straight away, and could easily worry about food in the morning. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

Not even noticing that Shou left, I drank until I felt my body had enough, I was lucky enough that is was near my camp so I had a water source to begin with and food. Walking back to camp after filling a self made cup of leaves with water. I would start a fire using wood and smashing two stones together to create some sparks. Blowing it gently until it begun to burn. Hell it was like a field trip for me anyway. Using my GuanDo I would cut of a piece of the deer and would cook the meat until it was well done. Hanging up the deer on the tree high enough so a bear or some sort would not be able to grab it.

After I have eaten and drink some of the water I would climb up the tree, this after I put out the fire. I was already beginning to become dark as the sun was going down. I was now up on the platform, created a blanked with those large leaves I would stare up at the sky as it was now bright orange. I did kinda miss it but once I did what I had to do I could always return.

But that Shou kid, he seemed to be out of his element being here, and also he had to share the island with someone he hated, as did I. But being here in my own habitat would make it easier.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would sleep though the night, it was still cold even with the fire burning beside his make shift shelter. Without the two, and if he hadn't dried his clothes out earlier he probably would have been in a much worse state then he was, when he woke in the morning. His stomach growled, in pain at him and his throat was dry and sore. Woken sharply by the pain he got up quickly. And found his mask laying where he left it. Carefully he tasted it, just incase sea water had got mixed in with it. However it lacked the taste of salt and he downed the rest of it. He felt like throwing up, but held it down. He knew being sick now could probably kill him. 

He needed to gather more water, and find food before his body became to weak to do so. Knowing now that the only other person nearby was Maki, Shou considered donning his armour again before searching just in case he bumped into the other man, but Maki obviously knew a fight in there current predicament was stupid being injured he even slightly could spell death. Hoping that Maki would continued to not want to fight Shou would leave the armour, but would take the sword. 

Shou would head back to where he had bumped into Maki the previous day, in order to find the brook that Maki had found. Once he found it he would follow it back to see where was the closet point of the stream to where his camp was. It wouldn't be as close to his camp as he hoped but he would find a spot he could find again easily each day. Drinking his fill into the soreness of his throat subsided. Shou started exploring the forest in order to track down some game like Maki had done so already. Shou was stealthy yes, by a humans standard, but animals had senses beyond that of a normal man and Shou lack knowledge of hunting. It was going to be a long day, and he felt as if he was still going to be hungry at the end of it. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

As the sun came up, I would open my eyes slowly. My back was killing me as it wasn't used to the spot I slept on. Climbing down the tree I would start by stretching my body, legs, arms and so on to get the blood flowing right again. I almost forgot I was stuck on this island. Seeing my deer still hanging I knew at least I would not get hungry today but soon the deer will start to rot and I have to find more. But first things first. I would walk up to the creek and start to fill my leaf made cup with water before returning to camp to start cooking some meat.

I would eat my breakfast to regain some strength to do some things for today. I could increase my camp by improving the platform or I could hunt some more. I would grab my Guando and started to search around the camp for things I could use. Hoping on not running into Shou. I could find berries, some were poison and others were not. I just had to be careful on witch I picked. Lucky for me I remembered the ones I could eat. The ones I was not sure of I would not eat. Having collect food for some time I would return to camp.

Upon arriving I would start building a small roof above my platform using those big leaves, if it would rain I would be dry. A thing I was glad for it didn't do yesterday. As the day passed and I would eat more of the deer. I would rest for night once more until it became day 3.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou attempt at hunting failed. He eventually returned back to camp and slept hungry. He awoke early, and in pain. Lack of food starting to get to him. He had no idea of how to hunt, how to avoid staying downwind. How to get be silent on ground that every step seemed to break a twig or disturb some smaller animal that disturbed another. However Shou knew for a fact some where there way food.

Heading out Shou would go drink his fill from the brook, before continue on to the other side of the island and exploring. Shou would eventually come across the other man's camp in the tree, and he could see what he wanting. Moving off some way Shou would hide in the tree and wait for night fall to come. 

When it did, and hopefully the other man was asleep. Shou would try and sneak into his camp and steal the animal he had killed the other day. He didn't want to be doing so, but he had no desire to die, and didn't expect that the other man would just hand over what he had. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

As I woke up, it seems the roof was still there and that pleased me. Taking of the leaf blanket I made in the beginning. My armor still standing at the side and my GuanDo next to it I would grab the GuanDo and dropped from the tree. I had my armor hidden under leafs so nobody would see it. Once again drinking and eating would be done after I stretched my body. Today I would eat some of the berries I found with abit of meat. The deer would be good for maybe two more meals.

I would leave camp and would place some traps on certain parts to catch smaller prey. Above holes I would put trip wires, if they get activated a branch with spikes would slam into the prey killing it. I would place 3 traps for now as I would find my way back to camp. Placing them wasn't the problem but making them took time. So 3 was it for today. Back in camp I would drink some and eat some more berries.

I would train abit on my Guando and martial arts before getting tired and climbing back up in the tree to get some sleep, not knowing Shou was nearby lurking on my food.

[Yamabara Shou]

Once darkness fell, Shou would approach Maki's camp. Waiting he would keep his eye's open for any movement and only proceeded onward when long enough had passed that he was sure Maki would have gone to sleep. Shou himself was tired, low on energy, and if it wasn't for the water he had access to he was sure that he would have already fallen and not gotten back up.

Sneaking as best he could, Shou would get to where Maki's catch hung. Standing under it, Shou would throw his sword. The blade would cut the animal free and drop what remained of it onto him. Catching it over his shoulder, knees sagging from the force. Shou would catch his sword back in his over hand and quickly go to escape. 

If he managed to get away cleanly. He would return to his camp, cook as much of the animal he felt he needed and gore himself. It was near impossible to keep down. He was eating more then he should to suddenly, but he was so hungry that he lack the control. Once full, should would copy what the other man had done. Hanging what was left from a tree rather then letting it remain on the ground. Before collapsing in his hut, exhausted.  

[Kuroshi Maki]

Being a sleep, I didn't hear Shou sneaking around in my camp. He was of course the most sneaky person I ever met anyway. As Shou would successfully steal the rest of the deer and leave for the camp and stuff that mouth of his, I would just sleep till the morning.

As I woke up I did notice that the deer was missing, at first I thought maybe a bear or whatever took it but seeing as the rope was cut to smoothly I knew it was that two faced bitch of a Shou. A loud roar would leave my lips out of anger. Loud enough to wake that stuffed Shou up. I would grab my Guando and rush to wherever Shou was.

Arriving at his small camp I would see the remains of the deer and Shou who stuffed himself with to muchts. A grin appeared, this guy had the balls to steal the food of somebody that kicked his ass so bad before.

" I knew you were low and a coward but a thief also? "

I would slam the blade of the Guando on top of his sleeping place, one he build on and crush it.He took something from me I will take something from him.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou jerked awake to the sound of a loud roar of anger across the island, rushing out side to see what it was grabbing his sword quickly from where it lay. Looking around the sound had been far off not near, but just really loud. Starting to realise what it was Shou quickly knew he wasn't going to like what, well who was coming his way. Not long later the sight of a enrage Maki appeared from the tree line. Weapon in hand. Shou hoped that this would break down into a fight. Calling him a coward and a thief, Shou felt a sudden burst of anger along with a mix of guilt. He like to think that he was above stealing, but hungry had driven him too it. He had been to tired and hungry to hunt properly before maybe now he could, well if he was still alive after the encounter. 

Shou watched not expecting the man's next action of using his weapon to demolish the make shift home he had built rather then attacking him. Well Shou probably deserved it, plus it wasn't like he couldn't rebuild the hut anyway. "Happy now." Shou spat, he hand twisting on the handle of his sword in anger, ready to defend himself from the other man tried to continue venting his own anger. "Get the hell out of here." Shou would order. Neither of them could really afford to risk getting injured so far away from help, maybe that would push the other man into backing off. 

If the other man left, Shou would wait until he was sure that the other man was out of earshot. "Damn." He would mutter under his breath moving over to the wreckage of what had been where he was sleeping. Most wasn't usable to rebuild. Tossing the branches and such aside, he planned to use them for another purpose later but for now he had to work on rebuilding. Repeating much as he had done before he'd use his sword to cut suitable branches and build another shelter quickly. Before heading out unto the forest and getting a drink from the brook and returning.  Once back, he wouldn't stop working however. He would continue to cut down wood, and start stripping the smaller branches and leaves of them. Putting the larger logs aside, Shou would chuck the rest into his fire and work on relighting it. The plan for next few days now that he was feed, was to get that fire as big as he could. Maybe then someone would see it and rescue him.

[Kuroshi Maki]

Fighting him now would be a waste of energy on both sides. Being wounded would lower the chances of hunting and getting a infection would even mean dead. How bad I wanted to kill this fool, I was not stupid enough to fight him. I would not underestimate him as I know he would be able to wound me. Clenching my teeth I would walk backwards back into the woods. Eyes locked upon him.

" We will set this straight one day "

With those words I would disappear in the tree lines. Trying to cool myself I would try to make a plan for the next week. I first had to hunt and get some food going. Checking the traps i made earlier it seems I had some rabbits and that would make a nice meal. Knowing Shou could not hunt and probably starve to dead before I could fight him I did something weird.

Walking from the tree lines I would toss him a rabbit and berries packed in some leafs. My eyes were serious as I would speak these words.

" You better not die before I get that chance! "

It was not a peace offer it was to keep him alive so I could kill him later on. Disappearing again i would hunt for the next few days and kept this routine. Making sure I would eat enough and drink enough and never skip a morning workout for the next 7 days.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou couldn't help but be thankful towards Maki over the next few days. Though he would never tell the other man that. However the food the man had left him could see him through for a while. Shou would cook the rabbit on the growing fire, before carving it up, in to small potions for the next few days. He had to ration what he had. Though what Maki had left also supplied Shou with some information. He would study the berries, until he felt that he could recognise them. At least that way he would be able to hopefully gather more if he needed to.

The days that followed became slightly more routine, while it was light he would go drink for the day. And search for more berries like those he had been given. While the afternoons and evening he would cut up fuel for the fire, eat what small amount he felt he could afford. Before sleeping again and doing the same on the next day. As much as he didn't want to do what Maki had said, he had no intentions of dying any time soon. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

The week past and it became like I was back in what I used to do always. But i could not hang around her forever I had to get back. It was time to create something that would lure ships nearby and help me get back to land. I would look up a part of the beach and try to gather lots of wood for the days to come.

After a certain amount of days I would have gathered a large amount of wood and it was time to put the fire on. It took some time to get it going and soon a large fire was created upon the beach. Smoke would rise up and could be seen from far. All I had to do was make sure it kept burning for as long as it took.

I would get back to my routine and add the fire into it. Hunting and training was all I did now and hopefully i would be off this island too. From time to time I would drop some meat near Shou his place. yet I would not show my face anymore.

[Yamabara Shou]

Shou would notice when more food seemed to turn up, seriously annoyed that he found himself slightly relying on the other man. If they had been anywhere else, it was likely they would have fought and one of them would be dying or dead by now. However Shou wasn't a fool, he had his pride, but he wasn't going to not take the food. Days would pass, and looking over the centre of the island, Shou would see smoke, large plums much like those which came from his own fire. 

It seemed like the other man had only just tried making a signal fire, but it already seemed larger then his own. It must have been down to the fact Shou had been keeping his burning all along. Meaning it was constantly burning down, even thought he had been added to it. Cooking what he had been given, Shou went into double time over then next few days. He spend time on keep the fire as large as he could, but also improved the shelter he had created. Even to the point where he had made a small platform in a tree so he could see father out to sea. If rescue didn't come soon, he would have to think of something else. 

[Kuroshi Maki]

It seems he was eating the food I brought him. He better not have it mistaken as a gift. It was just a nececery thing to keep him alive before I could kill him in a fair fight. This island wasn't a place for that fight and neither one of us would survive that fight. The winner would just perish from the wounds and infections gained in that fight. And neither I or him would like to die here.

The fire would burn and the smoke would rise from both sides of the island as there were two fires now. Better hope it doesn't make it harder to spot now smoke could surround the whole island if it keep d up for long. The days felt to pass by abit faster now that there was a routine and I would keep up the training abit. Strikes would hit the tree hard and even the impact could be heard by Shou.

Even though I got stuck here I had all I needed to survive and I could train, the terrain would be a good place to train that endurance and skill all together. I would leave a stronger man. Day by day passed and no ship had come to the smoke just yet.

[Yamabara Shou]

Over the next few days Shou heard the sound of Maki training, and at one point snuck over in order to investigate. He couldn't quite believe that the man felt this was the proper time for such a things. Shou instead focused on learning skills that were more helpful. He started with teaching himself how to hunt in the forest in the island. Applying his natural skills of stealth, and once having noticed that wind directions shifting and approaching from down wind worked better, he started to find himself capable of hunting on his own.

Maki 'offering' eventually started to instead of ending up in his stomach, was thrown back into Maki camp during the night. The man would get the point hopefully. He wasn't going to rely on aid from the other man again, not unless his life not just his comfort was on the line.  After having taught himself some basic hunting and forestry, Shou focus on building. He started out in the time he had between hunting and the fire to spend time on felling trees. It was extremely hard going work with his sword but the demonic steel managed to hold up. Logs painstakingly would be cut down. Strapped together with twisted foliage. At least he would have some chance of escaping this island if recuse didn't come.

[Kuroshi Maki]

As the food was thrown back at me at night, it seems he finally had learned how to hunt himself. With this I had more food for myself and would stop placing food at Shou his camp. Because once again it wasn't a kind thing in fact it was still a bad thing. I already learned this skill when I was younger hunting and finding shelter it was like the beast inside of me that kept me alive all this time. This was my natural surroundings.

The smoke was still going from both side of the island and there had yet to be a ship to pass by. Days were passing and all just stayed the same. Sure I got stronger and back into shape. The camp improved as I had build upon day by day. Food would now become plenty. Yet I was starting to feel sick of this place. I was stuck in time and could not really move forwards anymore.

Not caring what Shou was doing I would walk on the beach and look around for old part of the ship and collect them. I could find things like the wheel and wood and rope. Maybe if I spent some time with it I could build something that I could use to leave this place. I would collect for day's when i had spare time. Keeping myself well fed and drinking plenty of water.

After I would start building a raft of some sort but it was more complicated then I thought.

[Yamabara Shou]

With no ship coming so far. Shou prepared things for the day that one would. A make shift raft, bit by bit would be created. It wouldn't go the distance but maybe he could reach a passing ship with it. It was nothing more then a small wooden platform of a ship. Next a large branch would be carved. Carved into a large beam of wood with a flat larger end, effectively an oar for him to use. 

Next to that would be small branches also carved, but ends wrapped with dried foliage. A plan in his mind. When a ship passed, Shou wouldn't rely on just his fire to get there attention. But kick the raft out into the sea. Rowing out as far and fast as he could. While in one hand he would wave the makeshift torches lit on his main fire before he had rushed out into the water.