For Hibiki the ceremony consisted of a thousand melodies. He heard the sunlight, the birds in the sky, the hope in the villagers and the curiousness in the eyes of the children. Lord Shimas melody was a friendly tone, but at the same time is was epic, commanding like something that would play during a battle. The lord had given Hibiki the task to listen to all his companions, to find out if one of them would be a danger to the group. That did not seem the case. 

There was the melody of Yuudai, one of the Half-Oni. Her tune seemed harsh and loud, but was actually pretty soft. She seemed like a dangerous warrior on the surface, mostly because she was, but on the inside she was a good person. Someone who cared. Hibiki still put her on the list of those who he should watch.
Hibiki almost did not notice Jiang when he put his hands on his shoulders. He nodded as an answer to the friendly words. Jiangs Melody was fast, fascinating and exotic. Still one could hear the tone of an warrior and a noble friend, as well as a special lightness. 
Kenji's melody was one of harmony. It was a devout song, like it would be sung by Shima monks. Also one could hear a friendly tune in it.
When Hibiki first listened to Gin he laughed. It was a playful, childish song one the one hand and a beastly, aggressive and much darker song on the other. It was something special.
Tarou was called the rising sun, for Hibiki he sounded a lot like that. Proud, brave and radiant, impatiently waiting for its time at the zenith.   
The old Tengu women had a sound like nothing Hibiki heard before. Mostly because he never before met a Tengu. Her melody reminded Hibiki of an bird who broke his wings. It may once have sounded like the endless blue sky, but now it had bitter tunes in it.
Nana was a high tune, filled with the joy and energy of a child. 

Hibiki looked forward to this journey. He knew it was going to be dangerous. He knew people might die. But he would do everything to help his group. While everyone talked and the little children played, Hibiki listened. [color=00a651]"This is going to be our journey. I am grateful to go them with any of you."[/color], he said quietly.