After walking for about an hour, Dogura motioned Yoko into a cave that lead into a grassy plain. A lone windmill stood below the dark blue cloudy sky. "Its going to rain soon. Just look at those clouds. Last thing we want is to be swept off the mountain. The rain will run right down this path." The vagabond snuffed, making his way through the tall grass. It looked as if it hadnt been cut in years. Using his sword, he slashed a path through the growing weeds. After reaching the windmill, Dogura pushed the dusty door to the old windmill open, and looked around inside. "Well, it looks as if my old mentor, Reg isn't around to say hello." The samurai chuckled, removing his sheath from his belt, and placing it on the old wood floors that lined the windmill. Dogura sneezed, and looked around. "Darkness welcomes us, but how about a little light?" Dogura pulled on a long cord that turned a light on overhead.

"Not my choise of light, but it will have to do." He muttered, looking around outside. "According to out luck so far, something is sure to attack us in here..." The Vagabond sarcastically, pulling the door shut. He sat down in a bale of hay, and listened to the rain pitter patter on the windmill... "So Yoko... Where are you from, if you dont mind my asking. Any friends, family?" Dogura intended to learn more about the man, especially if he would be traveling along with him. He seemed like a reliable ally. But a good friend? A completely different question.

The Ranger seems to stiffen for a second, but recovered and walked to the opposite side of Dogura and sits on the bale of hay there. “As I said before we left, I came from a clan of shape shifters. They were located very far up north, beyond this land. We lived secretly in the depth of Forest of Ice, that’s why almost nobody knows about our existence. I was unconscious and on the bridge of dying in the Forest of Ice when they found me. They took me in and raised me as their own. I did not know anything before they took me in, not even how I got there, except my name.” Yoko sighs “After they nurse me back to health, they found strange red marking all over my body and blood-red eyes of a Sheikah.” He lift his exposed arm up, there are many red markings covering his arm, along with his scar that he got from the Leever, up to his gloved hands. “The other clan members were afraid of my eyes and the markings all over my body, except the Ikimaro family. I stayed with the family and they gave me this mask” Yoko touched his mask and closed his eyes. “They were surprised that when I touched the mask for the first time, it turns to the shape of a wolf’s face, the rarest and the hardest shape to master. They train me everyday for 8 years, sunrise to sunset, and when I finally mastered the skills of becoming a fine warrior, they gave me AkaKiba and Aoitsume.” Yoko shifts a little in the hay bale and continues talking. “We were living peacefully until that day………” Tightening his fists a little inside his cloak, he says with a hard voice. “I was training deep inside the Forest of Ice when I heard a scream from the direction of my village. I quickly changed into my wolf form and ran back there, but I was too late because when I reached my village, everything is in flames. Corpses of people from my clan were all over the burning village…” Yoko’s blood-red eyes shine with fury as he talks about his clan’s destruction. “I ran as fast as my legs can go to my family’s hut. When I got there, I saw a shadow of a creature, at least six feet tall, with glowing red eyes, and claws dripping with blood, on top of a hill behind the burning hut. It ran away as soon as I saw it, but I didn’t chase after it because I have to make sure my family was all right. I went into the burning hut and all of my family was gone, including my sister who was going to get her mask today. All that was left was a necklace that my sister wears all the time, on the blood soaked, burning ground.” The Sheikah takes out a necklace from around his neck; the necklace is a dragon with blue eyes twisting itself around a dagger. He shows it to Dogura and put it back under his robe. “I buried everyone that night, and set out to find the creature I saw on the hill and get my revenge.” Yoko finishes with a sigh. “So, what about you? I told you my story, now I want to hear yours.”

OOC: I hope this is okay! It took me a while to think of this but I am proud of it!!!!

Dogura clutched his head. He simply could not believe how much he himself had in common with Yoko. The samurai got up, and walked across the room, looking up into the reeves as if wondering where to begin. Finally, his raspy voice broke the silence, as he began telling of what he had been through.

"Long ago... In a small village to the far southern tip of Hyrule... I was born into a small, but powerful clan. My father, Rendd Shadowclaw was the chief of the ShadowClaw clan, and most likely the most skilled and powerful warrior in the south." Dogura turned, and eyed Yoko with his tiger like eyes, as if pondering whether or not he could trust the man with the information. "I was born the Prince of the Shadowclaw clan. The Shadowclaw clan had the unique ability to travel through the shadows, and therefore we were feared amoung men. My father was a noble man of many principles and morals. He always seemed to have something deep to say." Dogura meandered back over to the hay, and plopped down in it.

"I was trained by my father every day. Every single day, grueling training made me stronger and stronger... Until I reached the age of 9." Dogura's voice was shakey, as if he were to cry. "My father... My clan... were drafted into a horrible war. All able bodied men were sent to war. My father had called me out into the pouring rain for one final training session before he left. He told me... to take care of my mother. If I had only known that he wouldn't return..." Dogura looked up, and frowned. "Silence! I knwo you did what you had to! But why did you have to die? How?" . . . "Why won't you tell me!?" Dogura suddenly looked back to Yoko. Dogura wondered how that must have looked from his point of view. "I-I apologize." Dogura cleared his throat, and continued. "I was left at home to take care of my mother, training the same way as my father did day in and day out. My clan was dying in numbers from a horrible Hylian desease, most likely carried in by traders from across the world."

Dogura looked out the window at the now pouring rain, which soaked the ground, and added a somber tune of nature to his story. "By the time I was 17, I set out for North Hyrule. That when... I came across a small village. It was aflame, and Dark Nuts patrolled the area. Corpse's littered the ground, and certain structures were destroyed. I made my way through the village silently, until... Until a woman about my age called me inside..." Dogura then let out a scream, and clutched his head. Breathing heavily, he held up a hand as if to Silence Yoko. "I will continue later... Please, remind me..." Dogura closed his eyes, and began to breath normally.

The sound was all to familar to his ears, as was the feel on his skin. Rain. Rugger was always fond of the rain, especially in battle. While most others seem to struggle grasping their footing on rain soaked battlefields, the Dragoon had too much balance to let it effect him, usually giving him the upperhand.

However, he had been walking for a good number of hours in the wetness. His robe was completely soaked through and he knew much longer out here he would become ill. 'Hmm I better acqure some shelter and fast, I finally get my strength back, I will not let it succumb to sickness again.' As if the Goddesses read his mind off to the distance Rugger saw a windmill, one that he remembered well many months ago during a trip to Ruto village.

"I have made it this far in only a few hours?! I must say I haft forgotten what it is like to be healthy, I better make haste towards that windmill though."

With that Rugger bolts towards the structure and approaching the door, he knocks softly. Nothing. He knocks loader. Still nothing. This time he pounds on the door yelling "Hello is anyone there." Again nothing.

"Looks like nobody is inside, well I am sure they would not mind if an old soldier rest for a while inside." Backing up and facing the door, Rugger runs as fast as he can and jumpkicks the door. The door bursts open, with the Draggon doing a somersault and jumping back to his feet in attack position. The wind from outside pulls the door shut again and Rugger finds himself suddenly uneasy in his stomach.

By the time the man had landed from his entrance, Dogura was already on his feet, sword gripped tightly in his hands. Dogura was taking no chances with the cloaked stranger. "Your name. NOW!" Dogura commanded. The fire in his eyes was so intense, it could have warmed the man up. The samurai couldn't help but feel a familiar aura, which confused, him, and played with his senses. "Say... Have we by any chance met before?" Dogura hadnt a clue why he had asked the question, for his senses had never fooled him before. He awaited an answer in great anticipation...

OOC: Welcome back to Ha2 Bgrugby! DemonWolf here is new, and I was taking her on a practice mission. I thought you might want a practice mission to get back into the swing of things DemonWolf, this is Bgrgby, and old school veteran. Bgrugby, demonwolf. Now that we got our introductions out of the way, what do you say we introduce our characters? ^_^

PS: I think I went on a mission with Rugger once before, but I'm not sure, so I showed it in Dogura's confusion.

Flipping backwards to gain more distance from the man, Rugger drew his spear in midair and landing in defensive stance. "The name is Rugger, Rugger Cole, former Royal Dragoon Knight of the Hylian Family. And whom might you two be?"

OOC: Nice to meet you DemonWolf

Dogura hesitated, and then finally sheathed his sword. Never taking his eyes off the man, he wondered if Rugger, although an Ex Knight, was still loyal to King Harkanian. If this man still sides with the King... I'm a wanted man. Dogura then glances at Yoko. Dogura had not considered the fact that if Yoko was caught with Dogura, he as well may be added to the wanted list. Damnit. If he has caught wind at all of my escapades... Suddenly, a smile forced its way on the Hylian's lips. "Rugger Cole you say?" Dogura meandered around the man, rubbing his chin. "You say you're a former Knight? very well. People call me Dogura. I would prefer not to disclose my last name, if its all the same to you, Rugger." The samurai decided to let Yoko answer on his own. Whether or not he wanted to reveal his name, was his decision, and his decision alone.

Rugger shelthed his spear, the spear itself not feeling as strong as it used to. 'Perhaps it is still sick like I was, I believe for now I should rely on my sword'. Getting back to the conversation. Rugger bowed slightly to the two, a little taken by the other man not stating whom they were.

"Pleased to meet you. Well if I may ask, what are you doing here? I bust through here because I thought it was empty and I wanted to get out of that downpour out there."

The Shape-shifter slowly releases his hold on both of his daggers and stands up while hiding them from view. “Nice to meet you too, Rugger. My name is Yoko, and I am just traveling with my companion Dogura on a little mission.” He pulls his hood over his head more so to make sure the man can’t see his mask. “I guess we have room for one more person. Do we, Dogura?” I have a feeling this man won’t do anything harmful now, but I still have to be careful…

OOC: Sorry for the late reply! Nice to meet you too bgrugby!

Dogura silently nodded to Yoko. "We always have room for another. As my mother always told me, the more, the merrier." Dogura smiled, feeling a calming aura about this man. Something just seemed to relax the samurai, which subsequently put him on guard. He didn't like the feeling of being completely off guard, not even for a second. "Well, pull up a bale of hay, and tell us a bit about yourself Rugger Cole." Dogura pulled his sheath off os his belt, and set it next to him, all the while keeping it close at hand...

OOC: I've been grounded, so I'll be on a little less, much like my masked friend here

Rugger slowly sheathed his sword and looked at Dogura. He was taken aback from the new member to join them, not thinking he was followed or that someone was behind him. 'Perhaps my senses are not fully awakened, I must be on extra guard from this point.' The Dragoon then focused on Dogura's question, 'He has not heard of me, that is well. I prefer not to be known as it will allow me a clean slate'. Rugger simply stood, hand rested near his sword, not trusting this particular group yet.

"There is not much to tell about me, I am simply a Dragoon and a warrior. My past...is not something I like to go into my friend, I try not to ponder on it myself. How about yourself my man?"

Yoko sits down once again in his seat after greeting the Dragoon, both arms hidden in his cloak. His hands once again griped his daggers inside his black cloak as he relaxes himself on the bale of hay.

“Well, it seems that we have a little bit in common, Rugger, I would also prefer not talk about my past.....again... Well, lets just say that I am learning more about this land with the help of my friend, Dogura. I am just a Sheikah from a far away land who has traveled into this kingdom.”

Hum……a Dragoon Knight, I never met one before, I wonder what they are……I better be careful about him or I might get caught in something bad……I can feel it.

The rain poured outside, as the smell of wet grass filled the air. Dogura took a deep breath, and decided to pick up where he had left off before. "Now, now, where was I?... Oh yes!" Dogura cleared his throat and continued onward with his story.

"A woman around my age called me into her home. Naturally, I accepted, and she closed the door behind me. She poured some tea, and we talked for a long time about what had happened there, and what we could do to stop it. Apparently she was a lone survivor of her village. When she had been brought to tears, I could stand it no longer." Dogura stood up, and walked over to a window, each step resulting in a creaking floorboard. "I set out to destroy the remaining Dark-Nuts. It wasn't by any means an easy task, but I had accomplished my goal, or so I had thought..." Dogura took in a deep breath. "When I came back to the house... I-I walked in, and called her name... Sh-She didn't answer. I found... I found a golden locket with a picture in it, and an over turned table..." Dogura almost began to cry, as he lookeed out the window. Something was obviously bothering him about this story, besides the obvious.

"It was all my fault. I should have been there. She seemed to be the only one who fully understood what was going on... She was so... beautiful... like a great fairy..." Dogura rested a hand on the cold glass of the window, and it slid down along with the rain that battered the outside of the window. "I traveled onward with a broken spirit, and a tattered heart. Along the way, I found a man who seemed to be headed the same direction. We traveled together to Northern Hyrule, until one night he snuck away with everything but but my sword, and the clothes on my back, including the locket." Dogura reached into his robe, and removed a shining golden locket. "I never leave this anywhere. I'm keeping it forever. Only a fool would attempt to take this from me..." He glanced at Rugger, as he wasn't well aquainted with the man yet. "I continued to North Hyrule, angered, and shredding anything in my path. I had learned not to trust anyone." Dogura again looked out the window, only this time a small grin found its way on Dogura's face.

"That was before I met the many friends I travel with these days. I met most of them doing deeds to repay the ever lasting debt that I owe her... If you see me around, you're likely to find me with one of them. I stayed in North Hyrule for two long years before I decided to head back home to my family and clan. However, I found blockade in my way. Disasted had befallen every valley leading to South Hyrule. I've been living here for 10 years in total. More recently, I had heard that the pass from the mountains here to South Hyrule was opened, but a recent cave in prevented my return home..."

"I am really sorry about your loss……For I had similar losses in my past…" Yoko walked up to Dogura, his hands letting go of his daggers that he had been holding for so long, and patted Dogura's slouching left shoulder with his glove-clad right hand as he stared at the pouring rain outside. The rain drops repeatedly hit the age-worn window as Yoko remembered his painful past with his village.

No! Stop! Stop thinking about the past! A voice whispered to him inside his mind. The past is the past! You have to move forward and find the creature so you can get your revenge! I-I know! But-! No buts! Look! You are letting your guard down! Get your acts together!

"But-" Yoko said out loud, disturbing the cabin’s silence. "I-I am sorry..." He murmured to Dogura and Rugger as he slowly walks back to the far side of the cabin, leaving Dogura to his thoughts, and sits down on the cold, empty ground, his focus is turned to his thoughts again.

I lost control of my thoughts! I have never done that before! I guess I really let my guard down…He looked down at his feet as he sorts his minds out. While he is doing that, he can still hear the rain pouring down on the roof of the cabin…

Ara walks in, and sees the three people. She doesn't do anything, only watching them.
"Who are you?" she finally asks.