Nobu and Sei shifted uncomfortable at the word "awakened." They exchanged a wary glance with Yama, before their stoic expression returned. Yama took another large bite from his skewer of meat, and chewed thoughtfully on Mamoru's theory. Time stretched out as the silence grew longer. At last, Yama let out a rumble of laughter. 

"Well.. if it is that dangerous, I bet you could strongarm a better price out of that bounty!" 

Nobu cut in, not wanting to hear anymore of Yama's simple-minded drivel. 
"If there's anything needs awakening, its you, Yama." 
He looked like he would say more, but stopped himself, and turned to Mamoru. 
"Yes, three people have died. It would be double that, had it been a tiger. Don't look to superstitions for your answers when a man's own carelessness is more likely." 
He sighed emphatically. 
"You see myth and conspiracy where this is none."

Sei puffed out a rising plume of white smoke and finally added with a relaxed tone. 
"Nobu is just grouchy from being on the hunt for too long." 
He took another hit from his pipe, and gazed wistfully at the ceiling. 
"The traveller we found had been without water for at least two days. His waterskin was bone dry and the tracks showed he'd been wandering aimlessly for awhile. It wouldn't have mattered what killed him--he would have been defeated by the elements soon enough."
Sei regarded mamoru with a somewhat disappointed expression. 
"I couldn't say about the other two. I have not seen the bodies and I don't trust the rumor mill to get anything right. It may be unusual to have so many deaths with the season having just started, but nothing out of the ordinary has been revealed to me during my hunts. If an awakened beast is out there, it's more elusive than any bear I've stalked."

"May the spirits safeguard your travels." He nodded solemnly and returned to indulging his pipe.