[center][b]Sotoki, Kitsu[/b][/center] [hr] While rubbing his head, Kitsu watched Sotoki as he sat on a bench and let the cat sit on his lap. While petting the cat, Kitsu sat beside him, making Sotoki feel uncomfortable. [B]"That's what I get for returning your precious cat to you?"[/B] Kitsu said to him in a grumpy tone, but he was ignored still. The boy next to him sighed and smiled at Kitsu, [B]"Thank you!"[/B] then that smile that seemed so gentle had turned back into a scorn quick. [B]"Ha. You're really quite the guy aren't you?"[/B] scowled Kitsu at him. Suddenly, a scream was heard on the other side of the shrine. Quickly, Kitsu ran to the noise. [I][B]'What's going..?[/B][/I] then it hit him. Airi was saying something about three red lights from when they were headed to the current shrine. If what he thought from before was right, then those lights are monsters and... [B]"They're here now?!"[/B] Sotoki followed after Kitsu right away, forgetting about Tako, but the cat ran behind him anyway. The two reached the place where the screams were coming from. [B]"G-GAaaaaaaaaah!!!"[/B] shouted by one of the shrine members while writhing in pain. His arm had been cut off by none other than the Cerberus in front of them. The monster howled as it charged to the wounded person. As it was about to pounce him, Sotoki appeared in front of the hound and blocked it with his daggers, [B]"Enough!"[/B] Parrying the monster, he swiftly went beneath it and sent the dagger to its chest, slicing it afterwards. All of a sudden, the cerberus was sent to the ground and started to turn to dust. Above the monster was Kitsu who apparently punched the monster to death. [B]"Back now! Take the wounded with you!"[/B] Sotoki followed him, grabbed the person on the ground and went nearer the shrine. [hr] [center][b]Nikko[/b][/center] [hr] As they all ran, the shadows were still being persistent despite his and Harashi's continuous attacks to stop them. [B]"T-There's no.. end to these.. things.. Haa...."[/B] he was starting to reach his limit as well. Being frail is taking a toll on him now. They all neared the rocks which Yuriko pointed at earlier. She tapped the ent and signaled it to head left, making the both of them follow also. Harashi complained about the sudden turn, though it really is. Nikko almost tripped but he managed to stay on his feet. As a last attempt to make the shadows stop, or at least stall them, Harashi split the earth apart and made the creatures fall. Nikko then tapped the nearby trees to make them grow branches as a barrier in case the shadows climb up. [B]"Hopefully.."[/B] he said in agreement with Harashi. Now, as they ran, they made it so that Yuriko was at front while Nikko was slightly behind her and Harashi being a bit farther than them both. A formation just to keep them all safe. The albino had been trying to sense their surroundings as well using nature. That's when he sensed dying trees on their right. He had a bad feeling about it, but hopefully they all would have left the forest by the end. [B]"Yuriko.. continue leading the ents.. like that please.."[/B] Though, once they have left the forest, their next step hasn't really been planned yet. He decided that they will figure it out once they have managed to escape.