Bait

[red_branch]

Cu Chulainn wasn't a patrolman, nor did he ever aspire to be one. He was the guardian of his country in the sense that he would respond immediately to dire threats but he had never been the man to watch every village one by one and butt his head into every squabble he saw. Despite that, he had a keen eye for trouble and countless thoughts about what justice was supposed to be--so, he tended to intervene in problems when they presented themselves if only because of the fickle nature of what justice looked like to him.

Two farmers were arguing over a fairy mound, claiming ownership over a magic bow that sprung out of it. It had been hovering in the air, moving around on occasion from their perspective. Cu Chulainn, puzzled, wondered if the two men were fools--as there was clearly a man in white attire holding the damned thing. He stepped down from his horse to approach the two in the middle of their quarrel, watching the bowman, who was ignoring them as he read from a thin piece of paper held up in front of him. The two men didn't notice the bowman at all.

The bowman met eyes with Cu Chulainn, perplexed.

"You can see me?"

"Yeah. You can call me Cu Chulainn and... I'm curious. Never seen an archer carry that kind of bow, before."

Their exchange of words was brief, if not polite on Cu Chulainn's end. The farmers backed off immediately when they saw Cu Chulainn speaking to what they presumed was a demented ghost clutching the bow and ran when the bow lifted and fired, trying to take off Cu Chulainn's head from the neck. The young man let out a terse sigh, unstrapping his spear from his back after avoiding the volley before making a bit more effort to close the gap and stride towards him. The dark-haired archer was stunned that his shot hadn't landed and even more so when the following dozen bolts were parried and redirected just as easily. He jumped up and kicked the bowman square in the chest, dropping him to the ground before there had been a few popping sounds.

Strange. It didn't sound like the sound of bones breaking--he didn't think he kicked hard enough to do that. The bowman stumbled back, coughing and wheezing, his eyes bulging open as he buried his hand in his clothing to pull out a vial. The thing had broken in the center and little white tablets fell to the ground, dissolving. The shocked expression he wore spoke more about what happened than whatever he could pull out with his strange accent.

"I--I can't stay here!"

He threw a capsule to the ground, blinding light shining and catching Cu Chulainn off guard. He stepped back, vanishing into a tear in thin air, just as a few more of the tablets landed on the ground where he had been standing. Cu Chulainn rubbed under his eyes before stepping over to the remaining tablets, picking them up with a scowl.

"What a pain--fairy mounds are just troubling these days. Nothing good comes out of the damned things anymore--"

As if proving him right, a dozen or so howling voices rose up in the woods, the town, and the mountains all at once. Screaming farmers and milling people came shortly after, clearly bothered by the owners of those inhuman howls. His irritated scowl deepened and he ran off, away from the mound and towards the sound of trouble, "Speak of the devil... and he'll come crawling right away, huh?"

Comments

[goneonenight]

[To her horror, it looks like all she's done is make things worse. With more speed than she would have thought he could muster, Cathbad is suddenly in front of her, throwing up a barrier and dousing half the hall into a seething, noxious darkness. She has enough presence of mind not to interfere, and at the corner of her eye she can see others frozen, apparently not wanting to take the slightest chance of attracting Cu Chulainn's attention.

The old man is as tense as a bowstring, all his attention focused on his barrier. No sooner does he relax for just a moment than a massive blow cracks the shield, a hand and forearm briefly visible before they withdraw back into the darkness.

Cathbad can only maintain the spell a few seconds longer before falling back, clutching a badly broken arm to his body. Yoruichi has no idea who the witch is that he's cursing, but it seems like a question that can wait as she drops to her knees at his side. ]

Gods above. [Her eyes are huge with alarm, but her hands are steady, slipping one arm around his back to keep him upright.] Is he okay? What the hell was that? I didn't [She swallows, suddenly looking very young.] I didn't do that, did I?

[Despite everything here being new to her, Yoruichi's usual self-possession and skill have carried her through up to now. Having her efforts seem to backfire in such a spectacular way has left her shaken, and driven home how alien this place truly is.]

[red_branch]

[A number of the children followed instructions from the servants to repair the gate. A few ran over with staves and daggers, casting spells in the hopes that they could reassemble it in time. All the while, the servants moved furniture out of the way to check on anyone who fell or hurt themselves when Cathbad's barrier collapsed.]

Gods above...? [One errant look from the old man followed a trail of moonlight coming from the shattered doors. Perched on the broken doorframe was a raven who, when spotted, offered a hollow squawk and flew away. Cathbad's expression stayed grim.

Yoruichi left him at a pause, beginning to pant and swallow hard. She couldn't have known but people like her, he supposed, were quick to assume the worst of things had been within their power to stop. Maybe it had been but he knew better. Even Scathach couldn't clean up that mess. The more he watched Yoruichi, the more he felt she didn't quite fit his image of what a Soul Reaper really was. She wasn't the same as the Captain he had met. There wasn't any of the same callousness he remembered. In that time, Soul Reapers probably didn't have any more use for berserkers.

It killed him wondering how old she would have been if she were human. She couldn't have been any older than his grandchild. She looked smaller and frailer than one would have expected of someone who could dispatch their old king.]

Don't go... [Leaning against Yoruichi, Cathbad went about the messy business of locking his arm into place with a binding spell. A pale light wrapped around it and kept it straight the moment he muttered an inaudible phase in between his words.] ......Blaming yourself for a mystery we barely have figured out, ourselves. Come on, now. We can't stay idle and enjoy the evening, yet.

[Straightening himself, Cathbad reached with his good hand to grip Yoruichi's shoulder. In a pinch, he could muster the ability to be forthright and kind--even if he would have rather been lying in bed with a belly full of wine and pork. His legs barely had the strength to move, so he gestured Yoruichi to the stairs leading to the castle's exterior walls.]

To make it simple, the boy usually has a pretty thick skin but when he falls into a fury... the red mist clouds his judgment completely. Normally, the soldiers are all trained to cool him off with icy spells but... [Cathbad left it unsaid since Yoruichi knew that part. The walls were tall but the stairs were wide enough for two people. Looking off from the walls, they would see the red flames trailing from the gate to the outer wall, which was punctured in the same pattern as the door. The trail went into the woods and towards the area Cu Chulainn had thrown his spear at.

Each and every warrior in the kingdom had been crippled by pain and left incapacitated.]

Those children are his students. If you hadn't been there, they would have thought they needed to help Cu Chulainn defeat the army once he repelled Fergus. [The spell hadn't fatigued Cathbad nearly as much as his ability to see the course of the future. The imperfect gift he had could only confirm something once certain events transpired and for a brief moment, he saw what would transpire if Yoruichi were absent from the equation.

On the other hand, Cu Chulainn's fury was proof that one didn't need the ability to see the future to understand cause and effect.]

...The best thing to do is wait. He's not heading towards any farms or any settlements in the riverlands. With luck, we can recover him once he tires out.

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi keeps her arm around Cathbad, easily supporting him as they make their way up the stairs. Cu Chulainn's fury leaves flames in his wake, heading off towards the remains of the enemy army. As long as said fury is spent on the attackers, she supposes it'll all work out. But there'd clearly been a danger of him striking out against the very people he'd sworn to protect.

It's too bad she doesn't have an ice zanpakutou; she could have helped cool him off. But Cu Chulainn is a problem she's not going to be able to solve, so she might as well turn her attention to something she can. Her face firms, and although her confidence is still clearly shaken, Cathbad's reassurance has helped somewhat. She can even see where Cu Chulainn is coming from; those kids are pretty young, and wouldn't have stood a chance against Fergus or his army.]

All right. What can I do around here in the meantime? Do your healers need any help?

[Simple breaks and swelling are easiest to handle; she's not the equal of the officers of the 4th Division, but she can handle some field medicine. If nothing else, she can fetch and carry as needed. Even though she's a princess, Yoruichi is no stranger to hard work. Her family would expect no less.]

[red_branch]

With something like this? It's better not wasting magic. They're not hurt yet--they're in pain. [Cathbad had been a druid his whole life even if he were treated more like a sorcerer from another era. It helped him gain respect since he knew tricks no one else could attempt but it made him just as reliable as any other druid--that was to say, he had a limit. If he tried to heal any injuries, he was sure to burn himself out quickly, even if he didn't want to give that away to Yoruichi. If she knew how exhausted he actually had been, she would have looked even worse of. For the moment, he knew he had to give her bravery.]

Herbs to relax their muscles and numb them should help for the moment and we have plenty of those thanks to our harvests. I already ordered it all to be ground down and fed to everyone twice a day until this is sorted out.

[While Cathbad had normally been a hard man to get along with, he couldn't help but notice Yoruichi had steadied herself quickly after. She was off-guard but trying to get her bearings as quickly as possible.

A few images came to mind. He could see inklings of her future behind blurry visions, a rascally grin coming over his face. The 'Yoruichi' who stood in front of her companions as a leader and a figure of respect grinned with confidence and clarity in her eyes and he felt the tension wash off of him.

It was the same light that shone off of his grandson when he took his vows as a knight. For all the good intentions Cu Chulainn had as a boy, Cathbad knew this war would be the end of him. When he left it, he would be different.]

What you can do for me is... [His fist tightened on Yoruichi's shoulder before he leaned in to stare her in the eyes. Yoruichi could see the vision of herself in the future, wreathed in light and a miasma born out of memories that didn't quite exist yet.] ... grow, Yoruichi. I need a goddess to save my grandson from Medb's army--as well as himself.

That is all I need you to do. Nothing else.

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi is still young enough to be reassured by Cathbad's words. Despite his eccentricity, he's clearly a respected elder to his people. If he says his people will be all right, then she believes him. If nothing else, it means she can save her energy for fighting while the warriors recover.]

All right, if you're sure. [His weight is nothing against her side, and she takes a moment to look around as they climb the stairs. She's never been in a building with so much stone before; it feels heavy, and a little oppressive. It's been less than a day, but she already misses the way light and air filter through the shoji doors of her home.

Cathbad's hand tightens on her shoulder, and he grins as he leans in. A frown creases her brow, as she automatically distrusts that look--he isn't going to say something shitty again, is he? She'd hate to have to toss him down the stairs after helping him up them. But then he meets her eyes, and she inhales, caught up in the vision of her future self. She's wearing a captain's haori over the Onmitsukidou commander's uniform and her eyes are sharp above a careless grin. She doesn't look at all like the staid, proper person the elders would want, and the thought cheers Yoruichi immensely.]

Grow? [She shakes her head, clearing her mind of Cathbad's vision to look at him properly.] What was that? Was what I saw real?

[red_branch]

At the moment, it is. [A dry, pained chuckle escaped Cathbad as he reached to pat Yoruichi's shoulder to let her know she could let go of him once they reached the top. He lowered himself down to sit on a rough, elevated part of brick and mortar that formed a makeshift bench. It was supposed to be a post to lean casks of boiling oil but had never been fitted with a cask--so, it was relegated to being a bench to watch the hinterlands. Off in the distance, he saw a tint of red flames in the far distant, rising from the forest. It was reminiscent of the blood-red tint that came at sunset and it was a sign that Cu Chulainn was still lost in his madness. His smile dwindled, though it wasn't gone for good.]

I'm a bit famous around here as a Seer. Only a few men and women in all of human history have or will have eyes like mine.

[His previously broken fingers began to move--green light wrapping around them. Small branches and vines curled around his appendage to create a new makeshift splint and force his digits to move despite the pain it caused. He would need both hands to prepare seals for the next morning.

Returning to look back to Yoruichi, Cathbad took no small amount of delight in seeing the perplexed expression on her. The light in her eyes was bright enough to let on how she felt, if only a little bit and it was clear that what she saw wasn't disappointing, as he expected. Her ambitions fit her family but that wasn't likely to have been what she wanted to see.

She was smiling in the image he saw. It was the look of someone who had confidence and certainty. She looked free, which was something rare for a soul reaper. The ones he knew were criminals, scoundrels and desperate vagrants. He didn't feel bad at all for using his gift to sneak a peek and the little huff of laughter from him cut into his worries about his grandson.]

In most cases, the future is blurry and one's potential can change but... That's the first time since my grandson that I've seen such a clear image. [He shut his eyes--keeping them shut for a while to force the spell to stop.]

At the very least, it means you'll live through this.

[With a pleasant gaze over the hills and forest--Cathbad confirmed every worry Yoruichi had about him.]

I mean--you filled out that uniform nicely in that vision, after all.

[goneonenight]

[She follows his gaze to the horizon, which glows an angry red. From the way his expression sobers, she figures it must mean Cu Chulainn is still on the rampage. Well, better that he be loosed on the enemy than to hurt those he'd sworn to protect.

But when he looks back at her, Cathbad is fairly beaming, seeming smug at her reaction to his pronouncement. Even she hates giving him the satisfaction, it can't completely dim her excitement at the glimpse of her future. Even hearing that it's not a sure thing doesn't discourage her; if there's a way out there for her to get what she wants while remaining herself, then she'll find it. Knowing it exists only fuels her determination.

Cathbad squeezes his eyes shut, and for a moment Yoruichi wonders if he's in worse shape than he'd let on. But then he keeps talking and it's all she can do not to push him out the window.

What is with the men in this family?]

You-- [Her voice is utterly disgusted, and she finds herself lowering her fist, fighting her immediate urge to knock him out.

No, she's not going to hit this wounded, exhausted old man, but she will jab him in the side with a tiny, tiny bit of kidou lightning. It shouldn't do any permanent damage.]

You can Fergus can both--ugh! [Before he says anything else and makes her change her mind about hitting him, Yoruichi spins on her heel, stalking down the hall to another window. If Cu Chulainn needs fetching once his fury burns down, she figures she can watch out for him.]

[red_branch]

[Cathbad kept his gaze forward, desperately trying not to laugh until Yoruichi zapped him right in the ribs. He choked and broke down, snickering even as tears fell down his cheeks--just out of sight. I have a terrible sense of humor, he thought. Or maybe, I'm not having fun at all.

The jolly chortle he always let out, as if to spite the young ones he taught, was something he could rely on to cheer himself up. He was a jolly, stupid old man who assumed that laughing was all it took to improve a bad mood. That evening, he was wrong. Yoruichi left him to watch from a different window and he didn't say anything else to her after that--eventually going down the stairs when the red light in the distance died down. It had taken hours, Cathbad not leaving until the last flickering red lights in the distance vanished. He had been hunched over and tired, finally looking away when the horizon gave way to night once again. The castle, by then, was only illuminated by moonlight.

He didn't feel he had to explain anything to Yoruichi. His grandson's anger must have burnt itself out--so, he no longer had to check to make sure the boy didn't come stampeding back. He could lie down and finally sleep.]

-

[No flame could keep burning endlessly--especially not with its fuel being expended recklessly. Cu Chulainn woke up as his sword came down to cut down the last soldier he found. His mind was suddenly clear and the writing skin and flesh on his shoulder and arms relaxed. His muscled flared up in pain to the point that he couldn't even let out air to give his tension any voice. His anger was extinguished once the last of them was dead and he was left with an utterly peaceful, smoldering forest.

I guess I couldn't help it, he thought. Inwardly, he hoped no one at the castle had been hurt--though he wasn't even sure when he went mad in the first place. His stomach sank when he saw himself, for a moment, bringing his hand down to smash a shadow. He saw his grandfather's and Yoruichi's eyes for a moment before it became a shadow, again. Not that there's anything I can do to stop it.

He overturned hills and burned at the forests, leaving patches of it black and milled over. The great big trees he tore through had been replaced with blackened husks that still smoked and broke apart as he stood up straight to get his bearings. His heart sank, realizing what he had done and how he couldn't do anything to calm himself down before it all went red. It was terrifying and shameful all at once--so, naturally, he could never admit his concern to anyone. If he did, then he would be shaming his father for the gift he gave him.

He didn't have long to think about it, though. Reflexively, he reached up to bat aside an arrow with his sword hilt--spotting archers and spearmen in the distant woods approaching him. There wasn't any time to relax but there was plenty for him to brood. Even as Cu Chulainn ran forward to fight them alone, he felt a tightness in his chest--worry.

After she risked her life to save me and my students--I might have hurt her. Is there anything else more shameful than that!?]

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi ignores him as best she can, keeping watch on the dull red fires smoldering at the edge of the woods. It takes hours, during which time she sneaks away just once to filch more food from the kitchens.

Finally, the light dies down and Cathbad makes his way back downstairs. His movements are labored, so despite her irritation, Yoruichi keeps an eye on him until he makes it safely to the bottom of the stairs. Once Cu Chulainn had burned out his rage, she'd expected him to be on his way back. But she can still hear the faint sounds of battle on the wind; his grandfather doesn't seem worried, but if the other army is still out there, he may not be able to get back out.

Especially after fighting on his own for hours.

It doesn't seem right to just leave him, and no one else in the castle is in any condition to help. Sighing, Yoruichi looks out into the night. There's enough moonlight for her to see, and she's sure she can follow the sounds of battle well enough to find him. With all the commotion from earlier, it's easy enough to slip downstairs and back outside. She might have trouble with the wards on the way back in, but she figures Cu Chulainn can deal with them again.

The smell of blackened trees and scorched earth gets stronger as she gets closer, and she can hear the hoarse cries of the last remnants of the opposing army. No one ever looks up during a fight, so she takes to the air in hopes of catching them by surprise. There's an off chance that Cu Chulainn will take her for the enemy, but with the confidence of youth, she's sure she can dodge any attack if need be.

The fight is in sight now, and there's plenty of debris around for her first volley.]

Hadou no 57; Daichi Tenyo.

[Rocks, chunks of wood and even discarded weapons surrounding Cu Chulainn rise into the air, hovering for just a moment before launching at his opponents. Yoruichi herself drops from the sky a moment later, landing at his side.

Hey. [She shoots him a quick look before turning back to the enemy army.] Are you back with us now?

[red_branch]

[There was a moment of sharpness in Cu Chulainn that showed his tension the moment he heard Yoruichi coming through the forest. Days spent in Scathach's court, at risk of an attack at all times taught him to react without any notice and, more importantly, with a deliberate air of nonchalance. Fluidly, he went from tense to relaxed when he recognized it was Yoruichi, his expression slipping harmlessly into a wide grin.

Ragged from exhaustion, tense from his placement on a battlefield and a touch nervous from realizing he looked like he was a thrice-boiled meal--Cu Chulainn couldn't quite pull off his usual grin flawlessly. All around him, debris and pieces of what was left of the forest rose and speared their way into archers and pikeman trying to surround the two of them. Arrows were let loose in Yoruichi's direction--or where they thought she was when she first showed up in the air for just a moment. Their eyes were uncanny in their ability to catch up with her but they were lucky to have even seen her at all. By the time they aired their atonishment, most of them were blown away--save for a few who hefted shields up just in time to catch themselves on their feet. Cu Chulainn felt relief from the sight of Yoruichi and, not quite as much, the cool breeze that followed from the incantation she cast.]

Yeah. It's a relief. [Yoruichi would have been able to get away from him, he suspected, but he didn't know whether or not his 'state' would have caught her off guard. At the very least, she looked untouched. She definitely looked cautious but it didn't look as if she were angered. If he had laid a hand on the vulnerable ones in the court--he imagined her expression would have resembled the one she showed Fergus.

He bounced on his heels with the appearance of energy despite the terrible state he was in.]

I must have fought one of Medb's favorites if they're all still this willing to-- [A 'buzz' of an arrow came close to him before he cut it down with the short saber in his hand. The smile drained off of him and looked more annoyed by being interrupted. Everything about their situation was exhausting but it was still a relief that Yoruichi hadn't felt the need to attack him.]

--Chase. I'm not sure retreating would be safe. More of them are gonna follow and Medb's finest are going to start coming out looking for our heads, Lord Yoruichi.

[goneonenight]

[As she'd suspected, Cu Chulainn looks exhausted. The enemy army seems unusually persistent--after a rout like this, most prudent commanders would have ordered a retreat so their troops could regroup. To simply keep sending them out here to die suggests a leader who's careless with the lives of those they lead. Yoruichi's already inclined to dislike this Medb, but this just reinforces it.]

If we kill everyone here, will they still come after us? [If they can't retreat, they either need to stand their ground or push forward...but going into the heart of enemy territory with just the two of them seems foolhardy, especially with Cu Chulainn's exhausted condition. Plus it's dark, and she at least is on unfamiliar ground.]

And my father's the lord. You can just call me Yoruichi. [She rarely has much use for formality at the best of times, but insisting on it now just seems dumb. Another arrow streaks towards her face; instead of cutting it down like Setanta, Yoruichi simply reaches up and catches it, snapping the shaft between her fingers.

There's enough moonlight to see that there's about a few dozen soldiers left, which they should be able to handle easily--but given what she's seen the humans here do, she doesn't want to make any assumptions.]

[red_branch]

Ah. [Cu Chulainn briefly swallowed his response. Wanting to show gratitude was one thing but he could get overbearing with it at the worst of times. For the moment, he and Yoruichi couldn't spare any extra words.

The hard printing of boots on the dirt and the occasional tap of a weapon against the bark of a tree caught his ear. Then, mixed in with those footsteps of the heavy-set soldiers were the soft footsteps of druids and the lighter armored archers. They were fanning out, trying to use the darkness and their numbers to fool them. They all seemed confident, despite the fiery ruin they were trying to avoid in the midst of their approach.

The archers were trying to kill with their arrows but they weren't firing out of desperation. They were timing their shots with their movements, using the slight whistle in the air as a distraction. Even if Cu Chulainn and Yoruichi were able to notice and defend themselves, they defended themselves because the arrows themselves could hurt them.

Then, it dawned on him: the arrows fired wildly in the air and just then were directed specifically at Yoruichi. The druids knew to give their soldiers 'sight'.]

Yeah. They definitely will. [Cu Chulainn lowered himself into a crouching position, becoming lower against the remainder of the brush the point that he was nearly on all fours and on his stomach. He looked ready to pounce, ignoring an arrow as it cut the air by his scalp, landing in the dirt with a 'puff' of ash following. There was something in his training that kept him from rushing back into the fray without a plan--even if he was taught to always be ready for constant attacks at any angle. While he didn't prefer being shrewd, Cu Chulainn was also aware that stepping on Yoruichi's good graces by being reckless to the point of foolishness was just plain inappropriate. Exhausted and pushed to his limit already, he still pushed his plans along with the intention of getting to know her more as quickly as possible.

Then, it came together in an instant.]

They have no idea how to fight you. [The random shots and the flanking weren't necessary to fight Cu Chulainn. If anything, keeping spearmen up to the front to defend the archers and druids would work even when fighting two enemies. They were trying to observe the two as much as possible, keeping themselves from attacking aside from giving their archers opportunities to fire. Yoruichi wasn't just any other spirit. If she were, the druids would have banished her by then. They must have tried and failed. If they came even close to succeeding, Yoruichi would have noticed. None of them made the cut, leaving Cu Chulainn to guess.]

We have to get through their ranks and take out their commanders before they realize they'll have to call sorcerers who specialize in fighting spirits.

[Quietly, stupidly--Cu Chulainn looked up at Yoruichi with an absolutely serious question presented:]

You were high in the air, earlier. Can you... fly?

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi crouches along with him, aware that her white uniform is a tempting target in the growing darkness. As well as he's holding up, it's clear Cu Chulainn is exhausted; they need to defeat this force as soon as possible and withdraw to the castle.

She nods, her lips pressing together. She has no idea how they would counter a spirit, but she has no intention of waiting around to find out. Best case scenario, they would banish her home. But if it was that easy, she wouldn't still be here.] I can, basically. But I'm fast, too. I could probably drop five of them before the first one fell to the ground.

[Her voice is matter of fact, confident without being arrogant. They won't be expecting it, and he's right, if they take out the commanders, the rest should scatter. Even if her belly wants to roil at the thought of killing humans, there's no help for it. Hollows are one thing, but she'd always been raised to protect humans. But it's either them or her, and damned if she's going to let them kill her out of misplaced guilt.]

Can you point them out to me? Who should I be looking for?

[red_branch]

[It was fair to assume spirits could fly, so Cu Chulainn took his success with a smug little grin. His body was lowered so it would be tough to see but Yoruichi could likely hear a chuckle leave him as he pointed out the ones he suspected were commanders. Yoruichi sounded fairly matter-of-fact, so it clearly wasn't an issue of pride. She may as well have said 'This isn't a problem'.]

Look for cloaks with runes laid on the inside. Those are your sorcerers.

[Drawing a rune in the dirt with his index finger, Cu Chulainn kept his eyes on the spreading line with a handful of glances to make sure neither he or Yoruichi lost the ones that were eager to go unseen. They were retreating as they flanked, fanning out. Each and every one of them was trained well to deal with warriors that would normally be too dangerous for them to handle.

They were exceptionally calm about it.]

If you see anyone manipulating earth or water--make sure to take them down. Water is the element you'd use for sealing in the middle of combat. Earth can bind a spirit to the ground. After that, target anyone writing more than one rune in the dirt. If it's just one rune... [Giving pause, Cu Chulainn considered Yoruichi's earlier charge against Fergus. One rune wouldn't do the trick against her at all.]

...Just hit 'em.

[Cu Chulainn didn't have any intention of jumping in and getting in Yoruichi's way in his condition. She could take down a number of them and maybe even all of them in the next few moments but he was already thinking ahead.]

For now, I've got your back, alright?

[A sound of glass shattering came out from his arms and thin green 'veins' went up from his fingertips to his shoulders. It hurt like hell but he managed to strengthen himself and finish his runes. The ground began to bellow smoke beneath his and Yoruichi's feet--as he used fire magic to create a hot bed beneath and give her cover to jump. The plume of smoke rose up swiftly and a few of the archers panicked, firing blindly into the wall of it trying to catch Yoruichi and Cu Chulainn before they could move.]

Come on! Don't lose your nerve, now!

[goneonenight]

[She nods, her eyes flicking along the line of soldiers, marking the positions of those he points out. The positions of the archers make more sense now if their objective is to protect the sorcerers.

Even with her speed, there's no overstating the importance of the element of surprise . So she's happy to use Cu Chulainn's distraction to the fullest.]

Got it. [She looks at him from the corner of her eye, tossing him a quick grin as she loosens her sword from its sheath. As the smoke billows up from their feet, Yoruichi seems to disappear from sight. Launching into shunpo, she jumps straight up to clear the smoke, then heads for one of the sorcerers at the far side of the clearing; she figures they'd expect her to go for someone closer first, so hopefully this one will be less prepared for her attack.

As it is, he barely has time to widen his eyes in shock before her zanpakutou slices across his throat. She's gone before the first blood spray hits his neighbor.

There's not enough room to swing her sword the second time, so she simply draws back her fist and punches the man in the throat, crushing his neck and killing him instantly. In the commotion, no one has realized the first man she killed is dead yet.

As the next three fall, the shouting takes on an urgent note as one of the soldiers finally notices the dead man falling at his side. Her window of opportunity is closing, but she coolly moves on to the next target. He's not where he was a couple of seconds ago, but it's just a matter of adjusting her trajectory to intercept. Another soldier tries to shield him as he begins to sketch a rune, but Yoruichi knocks him aside with a casual backhand before stabbing the sorcerer in the heart.

The last screams at her defiantly, a ribbon of water arcing over his head as the earth at his feet starts to rumble. Thanks to Cu Chulainn's warning, she knows better than to get any closer. She slips a throwing knife from its hidden sheath and throws it unerringly at the sorcerer's throat. His spells collapse as he gurgles on his own blood, and Yoruichi wastes no time. She flickers out of sight once more, reappearing at Cu Chulainn's side with a puff of displaced dust.]

I think I got them all. Are we ready? [She flicks her sword down and to the side, ridding the blade of most of the blood. Cu Chulainn looks exhausted, so she may need to get them out of here sooner rather than later.]

[red_branch]

[There was a whistle from Cu Chulainn when he clapped his hands to clear the smoke and dust. Little embers of runes faded from his fingertips and the air went still, though the crackling flames left from before still popped through the silence on the battlefield, replacing the sounds of shuffling, metal and the hiss of magic. Yoruichi's work wasn't just swift but rather it was efficient and calculated. What little he saw beyond the smoke was only the punctuation to Yoruichi's cool assessment of the battlefield. He didn't get to see her fly but noticed she didn't sprout wings for it. Maybe he was a little disappointed by it but there wasn't much time for that.

He had his vision obscured at first but he caught the tail end of Yoruichi's landing before he spread his feet and threw his shoulder into an archer trying to catch her with a quick shot from her flank. The assist wasn't needed as he was clearly still in Yoruichi's sight but it was a convenient thing to do on his way to extinguish other runes on the battlefield. The archers had been laying runes as they surrounded the two, catching Cu Chulainn somewhat off guard. None of them had been written to seal spirits or attack either of them directly. Each of them had been 'Berkano', a spell he recognized as intended to bridge two passes. It was for tracking.

Taking his time, Cu Chulainn walked through and wordlessly extinguished them, his expression becoming more and more troubled the further along he went. He couldn't tell why they used a tracking spell on two combatants they had already found.]

Not sure. They kept using tracking spells when they were surrounding-- [Cu Chulainn turned the way he came from--Emain Macha.]

They couldn't have been decoys? [He turned, expecting to see flames and smoke rising from the castle in the distance. Nothing. Cu Chulainn felt himself lean forward, one hand resting against his knee as he finally caught his breath.]

... I think it's safe to head back.

[goneonenight]

Tracking? [She'd noticed Cu Chulainn a time or two in her peripheral, but hadn't been able to spare the attention to wonder what he'd been doing. Now, she's simply glad he'd been aware enough to notice the additional energy.

Why would they use tracking spells on the two of them? It's obvious where they came from, and Emain Macha is hardly a secret base. She follows his gaze back to the castle, relieved to see it seems to be intact. Even if the remaining soldiers in the castle aren't up to full strength, she suspects they would have put up enough of a fight to make any attack evident.]

Can they still track us? [It could simply be for the sake of revenge; Cu Chulainn had cut a swath through the entire army, and it wouldn't be surprising if Medb would want to target him specifically. And with Yoruichi being an unknown quantity it would make sense they would want to keep tabs on her going forward.

She bristles at the thought; no scout likes to be spied on in turn.]

Should we tell your grandfather? Maybe he can make sure. [Cathbad may be a pain in the ass, but he's clearly accomplished in their kidou--runes. Whatever they call it here.]

[red_branch]

They weren't tracking us.

[Fergus must not have told Medb he was going to get the bulls. Cu Chulainn inspected the burnt-out remnants of the runes once again.]

I thought the phrasing was weird but it makes sense now. It's to track 'a king'. I thought they would be tracking Conchobor but they wouldn't need to if they confirmed their messenger met with him. They sent someone to rescue Fergus.

[Despite the fact that he suspected someone had broken into the capital to free Fergus, Cu Chulainn didn't appear too worried. The fact that someone got past himself and Yoruichi in the middle of the fighting without being spotted was actually a relief.

Still, Yoruichi wouldn't know that. Cu Chulainn stood up straight and offered Yoruichi a smile. He looked like crap but he wasn't disturbed by what he suddenly realized. After she had beaten Fergus, the thought crossed Cu Chulainn's mind that Yoruichi would be unhappy with that sort of sneaky distraction.]

It'll be fine. Not many people in Medb's order can sneak past folks like us. The few who can are decent folks, so... I may have to offer them drinks if they acted like proper guests.

[goneonenight]

[It is rather disconcerting to know someone had gotten past them to rescue Fergus, but Cu Chulainn doesn't seem bothered at all. Yoruichi lets out a short huff, her eyes flicking back towards the castle.]

After all that work to get him, he's already gone? [He's right, she is pretty annoyed that someone had gotten past them and possibly freed the man she'd beaten in battle. But as dangerous as Fergus is, Cu Chulainn must not think he's hurt anyone during his escape.

It's hard not to smile back at him, even as she shakes her head in disbelief. If she hadn't seen him fight, she'd think he didn't take this seriously at all.]

They're the enemy. Why would you offer them drinks? [Yoruichi can hold a grudge like nobody's business, so this attitude is completely alien to her.]

[red_branch]

Don't worry--he isn't worth much as a hostage.

[It was a rude way to speak about a king but Cu Chulainn clearly didn't hold a grudge against him. He just knew what the stakes were.]

Plenty of nations don't respect royalty but Ulster would never harm them if they were prisoners. They may spend a night or two imprisoned but we'll turn them over without any fuss.

[It was probably the reason why their new 'guest' likely went in without violence. If they realized Fergus was a prisoner of the kingdom then they knew he wouldn't be hurt while he was in a cell. Therefore, it was bound to be a peaceful exchange as long as everyone understood how to be 'courteous'.

Cu Chulainn heaved himself forward and felt the weight of fatigue on his knees as he went through the uneven, mangled terrain he wrecked earlier. It was still hot in that part of the woods but it was the most direct path back to the castle.]

My mother used to tell me that it's sensible to fight in the day, since it's just work. During the evening, we should be friendly and leave work where it belongs.

[Despite their disagreement in philosophy, Cu Chulainn answered Yoruichi fairly genuinely.]

It's because I understand they're fighting for their kingdom.

[He couldn't help but assume Yoruichi would understand. She was exceptional at what she did. Talent came with a lot of burdens--especially when it was talent on the battefield.]

I can't bring myself to hate them, no matter how angry I get. Besides---wouldn't it be insulting if I were disrespectful to the people brave enough to face me?

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi picks her way through the scarred field; after surviving the battle, it would be a hell of a thing to twist her ankle in the dark. Cu Chulainn is clearly tired, but he seems steady enough as they head back to the castle. She hasn't fought nearly as much as he has, but she could definitely do with a rest after the day she's had.]

But they didn't face you at first. They cursed all the adults and left us the only ones able to fight. [Her annoyance isn't directed at him, but she still feels angry at the thought of all those children left undefended.] Anyone who attacks like that probably isn't leading people who are too worried about honor. This queen sounds like a nightmare, but you obviously still care for your uncle even though he follows her.

[Belatedly, she realizes that might come across as insulting, so she huffs and shrugs, a trace of apology in her voice.]

But you know them better than me. We just don't have those kinds of rules back home.

[No, Seireitei runs on intrigue and subterfuge. Cu Chulainn's views would sound painfully naive to the more seasoned nobles and leaders.]

[red_branch]

[It was difficult to argue with Yoruichi on that. Warriors who went in to take over a castle after it was ambushed with an unfair curse couldn't possibly call themselves honorable. Still, it wasn't something he had to argue. He agreed. They would be dishonorable and cruel if they went with a plan like that. They deserved whatever punishment came with it.

Cu Chulainn didn't look remotely broken up about it. Of all things, he accepted the futility of his own philosophy but still enjoyed practicing it. Among his peers, he was an oddball.]

You don't have to dress it up. I know I'm foolish for thinking the way I do. Honestly, it's most likely going to be the thing that ends up killing me when this is all said and done!

[With a huff, he stopped watching his feet as carefully since they broke into the open field by Emain Macha. There was hesitation in him when he saw the gaping, smoking hole at the front gate. Embers were still hot and they were pushed as if they came from the inside. If it had been an attacker, they would be on the inside.

That was his exit point. Cu Chulainn's voice went lower, almost speaking to himself alone. The intrigue of politics were always lost on him. Wealth and power were things that could trade hands in seconds and the lines that divided countries were fluid. Human lives were wasted all the time and he never felt he had the right to act as if he was different than any other soldier. They could die at any moment and so could he.

With a strained sigh, Cu Chulainn made his way down the dirt path into the castle, past the rubble and the smoking embers.]

I hope she didn't make her decision lightly. If she turns out to be a fool, then she'll have made an enemy out of me for nothing.

[goneonenight]

[Yoruichi has heard people speak jokingly about their own deaths before--it's almost inevitable, surrounded by soldiers in Seireitei. But Cu Chulainn doesn't sound like he's joking. But at the same time, it doesn't sound like it bothers him, either. Just like it's a foregone conclusion he's long come to terms with. It's odd, as young as he is.

They head back into the castle, seeming to agree not to mention the damage he'd done leaving. Even now, the rubble is warm, and she guesses it'll probably still be smoking by dawn. What would it be like to have that sort of power and know you can lose control to that extent? It's amazing he's as good natured as he is.]

Then it'll be her own fault. [Her voice is firm as they pass into the cooler air of the castle interior.] Rulers can be stupid, but it'll catch up to them eventually.

[Her tutors might be exasperated by the informal way she says it, but it's proof she had actually been listening to at least some of the lessons they'd tried to impart. It isn't as though she doesn't see the point in them--it's the needless, often mindless formality she has no time for.

She sneaks a look over at Cu Chulainn, her expression thoughtful. Weird as he is, it's hard not to like him. She already trusts him, even if that goes against everything she's been taught.]

Hey. [She lays a light hand on his forearm as they walk.] Are you hurt? I forgot to ask.

[red_branch]

Huh? [They had gotten through the courtyard. The wreckage ended immediately at the wall and resumed at the end of the courtyard, where the main gate appeared to be blown out and still smoking from heat. That was where he left and jumped, then. He felt a touch of relief when he realized there was no blood in the courtyard.

Yoruichi's question caught him off guard. It wasn't that he didn't feel the pain but rather--he had been ignoring it completely. Once it came to his attention, he seemed to feel all of it at once and slowed down at the gate. Briefly, he looked irritated by his own inattentiveness.] Am I...?

[He lowered his chin and looked down at himself. There wasn't much light when they were walking aside from embers but when they walked through the gateway into the rubble--Cu Chulainn's light blue robe and undergarments had turned a blackish-purple from dozens of bloody prints on him. He had gouges in his body up to his neck and broken-off arrows in his midsection. His legs appeared sandy from dried blood. There were bruises and cuts on his face and neck that only showed up in the light. Beyond that, there were smudges of ash and his bare feet were black with soot and dirt. Yoruichi didn't look as if she took injuries in the fight, though. Despite his horrid state, he was relieved that Yoruichi hadn't suffered any over his senseless reaction.]

...A lot, yeah. It's fine, though. I've got to look level-headed when I go through the door or the kids are gonna worry. [He smiled through it, wanting to at least look like he was relaxed and fine. He didn't want their worry to turn into fear if he could help it.

The moment they got through the threshold of the gate, the darkness in the hall evaporated, bleeding away. Behind it was Cathbad, who offered his grandson a weary look. Behind Cathbad was a wall of worried-looking children still wearing bits of armor from before. Behind them was a scrappy-looking red-headed fellow with a clean-shaven face and a wide, humorless smile. He had bags under his eyes and regarded Cu Chulainn with good humor. The children were pushed aside when he extended a hand to Cu Chulainn to shake--cut off as Cu Chulainn simply hugged him tightly, ignoring his extended arm.

He stared ahead and then glanced at Yoruichi, almost pleadingly.]

Could you please not hug me?

No. I'm just glad it was you.

Look, I'm doing her a favor but don't think I'm interested in joining her war.

A favor? That's a tall order as far as favors go.

It's a very big favor.

Her daughter? [At that point, the man pushed Cu Chulainn off of him gently, staring at him plainly.] Guess she wanted to make a statement, then. Still--getting your hands dirty like this just so she'll let you court her daughter... I thought you were the sane one of us.

[The red-headed fellow scowled suddenly, looking taken aback--]

No, not again. I refuse to get relationship advice from you... You of all people. You do know everyone thinks you left because Scathach, her sister and Emer all turned you down.

[Then, all at once, the facade of stoicism burst into smoke and Cu Chulainn was screaming.]

You-- I never asked Scathach! Are you crazy--

[The short-lived outburst was halted as two of the kids in the trainee corps poured a massive barrel of ice water on Cu Chulainn's head from the rampart walls.

The red-headed man and Cathbad smiled in perfect unison.]

[goneonenight]

[As they come into the light, it's a wonder Cu Chulainn is walking at all, much less carrying on a conversation. What she'd taken for dirt in the dark is dried blood, and she can't hold back a gasp at the sight of the arrows still stuck in his body. He's not even wearing any shoes, and she can only imagine how torn up the soles of his feet must be.

But before she can say anything, he's hugging a redheaded man who submits to his embrace with an expression of long suffering exasperation. She looks on, bemused, as he and Cu Chulainn banter back and forth. Apparently this man is here on behalf of the enemy, although true to form, Cu Chulainn holds no grudge. That is, until he starts yelling about some girl he knows--apparently, out of that list, she's the only one he hadn't gone after.

No wonder no one had been surprised by his proposal earlier. Apparently he does this all the time. Besides threatening the children, is mentioning this woman what it takes to shake his relentless cheer?

She barely steps back in time to dodge the water they dump on him, although from the few droplets that get her, it's freezing. It seems like needless abuse to heap on someone so gravely injured, but if it keeps him from falling into that rage again, she supposes it makes sense.

Still, no need to bring her into it.

Her voice is dry, her eyes going from one man to the next.]

I usually go for hot baths, so I hope that's not all you've got.