Siblings Adventure [Job/Tenma]

Spoiler:

“The wind feels nice…” Noir thought to herself as she leaned against the tree branch, didn’t know what brings her to get a time for herself. Perhaps the war had affected her and it made her wanting to get a piece of calm sometimes. Her current spot was the best place that she could find so far and she liked staying there for a while, letting the friendly wind to caress her skin and putting her to a peaceful slumber. A sigh escaped her lips though, because although she got a quality time alone for herself, Noir couldn't help but to catch herself thinking a lot. What could be inside her mind? It was a lot of things, sometimes it was about the war, or it could be about herself, her goals as well as other things. Sometimes she felt silly for overthinking but perhaps it was just her bad habit for doing so...

Not only that, the girl was wondering to herself about what kind of stuff that she should do for today, at least she wanted to do something different than what she usually did in order to survive from this boredom. Perhaps she should go to look at this job board? Maybe there would be some jobs available for her to do that will pay her well although she was not that sure especially when the land was still in a bad condition due to the war.

WC: 240/1500

A sound of gentle melody filled the entire room as Tenma played his flute, there was a mellow yet calming vibe being hinted from the tune as if it was trying to depict the swordsman feeling to life. Unfortunately his solo concert will have to end soon as there was a knock of his door, it was not a loud knock but it did sound urgent. When he opened the door, there was a soldier with worry took over all the color of his face and with a stuttered voice, he tried to deliver a message to the black haired man. While it was strange enough that the soldier didn't go to other people, for example his captain or people on the same level but Tenma decided to not pry more into the matter. He could tell that the soldier was not hiding anything shady behind the information, so he would start to prepare himself to investigate the matter.

Tenma thought that he might just go alone to this place, although it wouldn't hurt to bring one more reliable companion. Not to mention that he trust this person deeply, even willing to give his life to protect her. He would wander through the palace although his instinct was the one that led him to this person that he was seeking and praise his instinct because it took him not long to find this peculiar someone. Perhaps it was true that blood is thicker than water? Tenma was amused by his own skill to be able to find his sister easily. "Trying to fall asleep there? That is so you." He would chuckle as he looked up towards the girl who was sitting on the tree branch. "If I tell you that I have an interesting mission, would you come with me? Apparently a group of thieves, known as The Vultures have been targeting several unprotected villages in a row."

If the girl was willing to come with him, then Tenma would gladly escort her towards where the thieves would show up next. He was sure that the thieves would be sorry for what they did, not because he think he would beat them into pulp, but his sister might be the one who would rip their head off... Oh well, he would see later.

WC: 384/1500

Noir's ears perked up when she heard what Tenma said, it sounded interesting and she wanted to take the job even though she had to do it with other people. Although she thought that if it was Tenma as her mission partner, then she had no reason to decline. The one eyed man had always gave Noir a reliable vibe, not only that, she felt like she had known him like forever. "Alright. But..." She couldn't help but to ask this question, "Why did you asked me to accompany you?" The man could have decided to go alone and victory would be still in his hand, maybe he wanted some kind of change? She didn't know but she will find out as soon as he answered.

The girl would then climbed down from the tree and wondered what she would do to those group of thieves. She was in no need to prepare for her mission, what she had on her was enough and she would be ready to go now.

WC: 414/1500

Tenma was prepared to answer the question from Noir, he could tell Noir would be curious to ask about that, a habit that Tenma knew Noir had since she was little, a curious little girl. But he thought that he should wait until she finished climbing down first before he answered her question. Although Tenma knew Noir could climb down from the tree safely, he was still worried that she might slip and fall. But if that happened, the swordsman would be ready to catch the girl. “I just thought I can trust you enough to let you watch my back. Besides, you look bored.” The one eyed man smiled softly towards the magician, couldn’t wait to spend time together in the mission.

Luckily for them, there was some available horses that they could borrow for the mission but the thing was… they can only borrow one horse for both of them. Tenma wouldn’t mind sharing the horse, in fact he would cherish the moment since they never done it together before in their childhood, it was always him with his mother on the horse and Noir paired up with his father. “What do you say, Noir? Is it okay for you to share the horse with me?”

If the girl didn't want to share the horse with Tenma, then the man would understand. As a girl, perhaps Noir thought that it would be not comfortable being too close to a man who she didn't really know for a long time. But if the magician was okay with it, then Tenma would offer his hand to Noir, wanting to help her to climb onto the horse. He would be very careful, making sure that it was secure for Noir before he climbed on top of the horse by himself. As happiness engulfed his heart, Tenma would start to hum happily. A habit that he had when he felt so happy since childhood, although he rarely hum nowadays, even never since he never felt this happy anymore after that incident.

WC: 725/1500

Noir was a little bit surprised that Tenma could notice she was feeling bored, she never told anyone and if she did, it would be her talking to Haku or Kuzunoha. Perhaps her spending time so much on the tree made it look like she had nothing to do and seemed bored, but it was kind of true… It was not like she wanted something to happen, but since she had to stay on guard at the palace during the war, it limited her on doing things. She had finished reading her books and did some training, although she hadn't finished reading everything at the royal library and didn't do training every day, Noir thought she had to do something else to refresh her routine and mind. Luckily for her Tenma invited her to do a mission and after making sure that the knight was really fine with her tagging along, Noir couldn't be happier than this. Unfortunately she couldn't show it as an emotion, but it was not an issue since Noir thought that Tenma wasn't a complicated person.

The moment Noir knew that there was only one available horse at the moment and she had to share with Tenma, she didn't really mind doing it, although she wasn't sure if the man would be comfortable or not. "I don't mind sharing." She said, although she was having a sudden thought. She wondered if the man wasn't comfortable sharing the horse and that was why he asked her in the first place, he was a man with pride after all. "But if y--" Noir halted herself when Tenma offered his hand to her, wanting to help her to climb the horse. The magician thought that the swordsman might be fine sharing the horse, so Noir thought that she shouldn't question it.

The golden eyed girl took Tenma's hand and received his help to climb the horse. He was very gentle and careful while he helped her, even went as far as making sure she was comfortable sitting on the horse first before he climbed on top of the horse by himself. Noir could notice the man humming a cheerful tune though and it sounded like a sound she knew from the past, but she couldn't remember about it at all. "I've heard this tone before." Noir said as they were walking towards their destination, "But I couldn't remember where I heard it."

WC: 817/1500

"Hmm? I'm not so sure as well, but I used to hum like this whenever I feel very happy." Tenma smiled as he controlled the horse carefully,  although there was a hint of sadness hiding inside his smile. Of course it would feel nostalgic for her… the moment they spent together in their childhood years with their parents were the happiest moment of his life and of course she heard him humming multiple time back then. But it was not the time to tell her yet, things were still dangerous… and he didn't want to burden her with this thing, not when she was trying to solve her own problem too. So for now, just being close like this was enough, just to be able to know that she was safe and doing fine, would be enough for now. "Perhaps you heard me or someone else humming the melody before? It's not a uncommon melody, I think." He said with a chuckle, trying to stop Noir from thinking too much about it.

"You see, depending on the situation, want to try to only use your combat skill instead of magic? I think it will be good to see how much you've developed after our last training." It has been quite some time after their last training and the one eyed man was sure that she must've gotten plenty chances to showcase the results of her training, so perhaps through this mission, he could try to assess if there was some other thing the girl could improve. She inherited her mother's blood, magician's blood...and that would automatically make her body to not really have a lot of stamina, although she certainly wasn't as low in stamina as other magicians though…  but Tenma thought it was still an issue.

After as they passed the border and entered this forest that would lead them straight to the village, Tenma kept manuevering the horse until they almost reached the end of the forest. It was not a really big forest after all, so it was not hard to find the exit. As they kept moving forward, Tenma could feel several presences surrounding them. It was just like how a wild beast targetting their prey...hiding, blending with the background and used the element of surprise to ambush the unfortunate victims. He would just ignore them for now though… it wouldn't be fun if he didn't play along right? "They're here…" The swordsman whispered to the magician, although he looked straight to not gather any suspicions. Not too far from them, a hooded figure helplessly lay on the ground...but one would think that it was a cheap trick… then Tenma wondered to himself…'Should I play along…?'

WC: 1207/1500

Noir nodded when she heard the man's explanation, agreeing to what he said... maybe it was really a common tune and she heard it somewhere. "I see, perhaps you were right." The girl could feel the breeze caressing her cheeks as the horse speeding up, it felt comfortable and the fact that Tenma was behind her back gave her this sense of security... all of those made her feel sleepy. She fought it though as she pinched her thigh to give her this sudden pain sensation to wake her up from the sleepiness, but it was difficult and her pinch was not as strong as she originally intended. Not to mention that the man has become quiet as well to avoid biting his own tongue and was probably focusing on riding the horse to get to the destination quickly, what a perfect combination to drown yourself into the deep slumber.

Thank the Ilah that Tenma's suddenly slowing down and started talking the moment Noir almost gave in, his voice startled her and fortunately snapped her out from the sleepiness. "So no spells at all?" Noir slowly turn her head to see the swordsman, "Okay." She said and the man replied her with a happy smile and a nod. It was not long until they reached the forest, which Noir believe would lead them to the village as soon as they found the exit. Noir could see several color of white rukh coming from the nature itself, green colored ones, blue colored ones and hints of many others that helped the forest to grow. However, she could see several others... white and black rukh swarming but it was close to where they were at the moment, but it was not her rukh nor Ternma's. She nodded when Tenma whispered to her, stating that the enemies were already here as if waiting for their prey within the bushes and unseen locations. It would be hard to talk to the swordsman at the moment about when to attack, since she couldnt really sense how many people will be there to ambush them... although there was one other way to find out and fortunately the enemies already gave them the perfect opening.

"Tenma." Noir called the swordsman, "That person needs help. " She said as she pointed to the hooded figure on the ground. The girl would then hop off from the horse effortlessly and without hesitating, she walked towards the laying person. "Hello, are you okay?" She kneeled slowly, waited for the person to answer. After several second waiting and still no answer, Noir would take the chance to touch the hand and before she was able to do so, the hooded man pointed his hook sword and grabbed Noir's wrist. "Give me all of your jewelries, now!" He said with a threatening tone under his red vulture mask. Already expecting this, Noir quickly delivered a hand strike with extended knuckle right below his chest and he released the girl's  wrist right away because of the pain. Worried that this man might try to do something else, the black haired girl sent a punch towards his cheek with her exceptional strength.

One down and she saw 2 more surrounding them, one of them lunged towards Noir to thrust his blade, while the other also running towards her with his hook swords. Instead of waiting for her enemies to come towards her, Noir decided to run towards the one with the hooks swords. Startled that the girl was coming to him, he got ready to swing one of the sword although Noir would suddenly squat to avoid the attack and sent a punch to the man's shin before getting up and used her knee to attack his stomach. She would turn to see the other man, who was ready to send her attack with his Dancing Bird skill, however the girl was fast enough to take her axe before parrying the incoming attack. This one was quick on his feet though as he avoided the strike that Noir sent towards him by swinging her hammer. As Noir knitted her eyebrow because the man managed to get away from her attack, the girl used her speed to run towards the enemy before lunged the back of her axe towards the man, aiming it to his chin.

WC: 1555/1500

Stamina: 160/220

Weapon:

Skill used:

He should have known by now that Noir was not that impatient, so with an understanding smile, Tenma stopped the horse and let Noir to hop off before he climbed down from the horse as well, watching as the magician approached the laying person. The one eyed man crossed his arms as he watched how the hooded figure decided to try and rob Noir, Tenma could only sigh and pray for the hooded man’s life. It seemed that he was in trouble as well, but seeing how Noir could effortlessly beat the man, Tenma didn't think it would be a trouble for him at all… At the moment, there were 3 enemies around the swordsman and they were all ready to attack him.

The man would take a deep breath, focusing his magoi to cover his body. Well that wasn't necessary but he wanted to watch Noir’s fighting so he can help to improve her skill. Apparently, one of the enemies grew tired of waiting, as the man wasn't really interested in dealing with them. So one of them ran towards Tenma with a dao sword, before lunging at it although it was futile since there was magoi protecting the man from the attack. “Ahh… you are a bit impatient arent you…?” Tenma beamed the enemy with a bright smile before sending a punch on the enemy’s chest. “Okay.” The swordsman muttered when he saw the one he punched laying on the ground before running towards the other enemy and sending a kick towards the enemy, helping him to rest on the ground. Another one was pretty smart as he used the chance to attack Tenma from behind with the hook swords, but he didnt calculate that his attack didn't work at all. So with fear apparent on his face, he took a step back, worried that Tenma might suddenly attack him. With his shotei uchi ii skill, Tenma sent the enemy to join his unconscious allies on the ground before turning his back to continue watching Noir’s fight.

Well, he was pretty proud of the girl, she was a fast learner as well. At this point she just needed to improve her reflexes but that can be done by doing a lot of fighting. “I think that's all of them, I don't feel any more presence here. But we should still go to the village to make sure the vultures got their lesson.”

WC: 1500+/1500

Magoi/Stamina: 260/320

Skills:

After they arrived at the town, Noir would let Tenma do his official business while she looked around at the marketplace. There were several interesting books that Noir hadn't read yet, so she would carefully take out her wallet before purchasing some of the books. There was a sense of relief when she saw the sellers smile, happy that finally someone bought his goods, only God knew for how long he waited in the midst of scorching sun. “Dear Miss, would you be interested in a magical book?” The seller asked Noir as he received the money from the young magician. With eyes sparkling, Noir would nod excitedly and waited until the seller showed her his goods. The magician could feel magic emitting from the book and wondered what kind of surprise it would have. “So young miss, this is like a communication book. You can write something in one book, then it will appear in the other book. Books like this usually come in pairs and the writings you scribbled inside the book would only appear in the book that was paired to each other.”

Thinking that it was interesting, Noir would also purchase that one. She wanted to give it to the swordsman, perhaps it would let them communicate more. After saying goodbye to the seller, Noir would be waiting for Tenma at the spot where they went separate ways while holding the books. She will give one of the books to Tenma, hoping he would accept it. She wondered if this was how it felt like to have an older brother…

“Tenma.” Noir called the man as he approached her, seemingly done with his business here. “Here, we can communicate with this book.” The girl would hand the book to Tenma before explaining what it could do and how much easier it would be to communicate with each other.

WC: 1500+/1500

Just as he was finished to make sure that the vultures wouldn't cause problems anymore in this village, Tenma made sure to go back to where he and Noir separated. He didn't want to let his sister to wait much longer especially when she was alone with no one guarding her. The swordsman would smile as Noir called his name and he would fasten his pace a little bit before calling the magician’s name as well, “Noir.” he said softly, “Did you wait long? Oh?” He looked at what Noir was handing to him, a magical book that would allow them to communicate with each other. “I see, I will make sure to use it a lot. Thank you very much.” He was happy with Noir’s gift, this would be the first time he received a gift from the girl again, the last time he received a gift from Noir would be years ago when both of them were still a little kid.

“I didn't prepare anything… but I will make sure to give you something in return.” Tenma said with a happy smile as he slipped to the pocket behind his blazer, couldnt wait to use the book soon.


WC: 1500+/1500