After being called out, Ozaku stepped forward out of the shadows; there was no point in hiding if they knew he was there. As soon as he stopped touching the tree, the cloths that enveloped his body, including his face, lost the tree texture and once again faded to jet black. "You have a sharp nose," he said in a soft but clear voice. "You detected me even though these cloths mask my scent. I can see why Ayako took an interest in you. But at the moment, I would like to speak with Garoth." His tone was not threatening, but at the same time was far from apologetic for making the wolf "testy."

"It's OK," Garoth said, stepping out from behind Megumi so that he could speak with Ozaku. "Sneaking up on people is just a bad habit of his. He doesn't know how to say hello like a normal person."

Ozaku knew that Garoth was just trying to pick a fight. Normally, he would be happy to oblige and give the young griffin a lesson or two, but for now he would let it slide so he could get straight to the point. "It is my understanding that a colleague of yours has taken a book out from the library." He knew that Garoth himself hadn't taken it out, because nobody had seen him in that library in years. It wasn't his MO. "The council has requested to see that same book. Who should I speak with to obtain this book?"

Garoth raised an eyebrow as Ozaku spoke, and then busted out laughing. "Geez Ozaku, all these theatrics just for a book? You realize you could have just walked up and asked me like a sane person, right?"

"Where is it?" Ozaku reiterated, finding no amusement in the matter.

"Fine, fine. I asked Scarlet to look something up for me. If you want the book then..." but before he could finish his sentence, Ozaku had already vanished back into the woods. He turned back to Megumi, shaking his head. "Like I said, some people are tough to get along with. Anyway, I'll take you back to The Guild. Anything is better than dealing with that psycho ninja."

Ayako was used to seeing Scarlet with a troubled expression, with her intuition telling her all sorts of dangerous things, but this time she actually came forward with some physical evidence. When he saw the book, though, an amused grin crossed his face. "I had just sent Ozaku to fetch this one for me. I think we can expect him any minute now. But in any case, I recall there being something important about the case with the Wolf of the West that may pertain to Megumi. You seem to be confirming my suspicions. What exactly did you find?" Even when dealing with serious matters, Ayako spoke in a calm voice. Nobody in The Guild could remember a time when the old fox appeared worried.