Benihime ~ Iga Village

Ogen had awakened from her rest. She sat up, tired and annoyed. She had always known that Enma, a brash and cold boy, would turn on them one day. She knew, however, she trusted him. Apparently, trust was overrated. Ogen grabbed the umbrella that she had always carried with her, and sometimes used as a walking cane. She stood up, and stretched her weary bones. Hota and Mirrai were still asleep as it seemed.

Ogen walked around as she saw a new face in town, a merchant as it seemed. He was talking to an armored young man who she remembered as Darian, one of the few people who had the audacity to even interact with a cold boy such as Enma. Ogen smiled as she walked slowly towards them.

"Good afternoon, Darian-kun. Have you rested your tired soul from the fight? I would be worried as to how you would be feeling after that boy betrayed us." Ogen sighed as she looked at the merchent. "It seems we have a new guest in the village." Ogen smiled softly, completely opposite of the officers. "I have received reports of you being treated as a criminal, stranger. I do hope you forgive my officers. They are quite... well, hostile. Especially to men." Ogen looked sternly at Darian, as if trying to remind him of something. 

Suddenly, a triad of female warriors appeared from the shadows. They bowed and knelt before Ogen as they extended a white parchment. Ogen nodded as she took the parchment in her hands... A look of surprise took her face, she was in disbelief. "A spy from the Kouga is trying to aid us in entering one of the weak spots of the Kouga... Well. Isn't this new? We need to meet at the temple as it is." Ogen smiled as she looked up. "It seems even your men are turning against you, Danjo. What say you, Darian-kun?" 

Maou ~ Kouga Village

Danjo sat in his office as he looked at some report files about Hache. The boy was a mysterious type... He was deemed unstable yet proficient, the reason why he was even accepted in the village. However, the fact still remained that Hache was not someone to be left alone too easily... a tiny feather could tip the scales, in the same way, a single event could tip the scales within Hache.

Suddenly, his bodyguards entered the room. A parchment in their hands. "Danjo-sama... We have received this letter from an igan scout at the temple. It's best if you would actually read it." 

Danjo coughed as he extended his wrinkly hand and grabbed the parchment. He slowly unfolded the parchment, and began to read it. His eyes opened, and his lips formed into a smile. "An igan spy is going to defect to us at the temple... This will be nice." Danjo chuckled as he looked at his bodyguards.

"Will we accompany you, sir?"

"No. I'll need some expendable soldiers, those that don't really have any real worth. Get Hache. However, two of you will go with us." Danjo instructed as the guards bowed and left. "Well... Will you look at that, Ogen, not even your sweet words can keep the loyalty of your lackies."

The bodyguards arrived at the well-known lot that belonged to Hache. They entered without any warning, that is how men act... They don't need pleasantries, only women do those. "Hey worm, you're needed for a mission. You're going with us whether you like it or you [i]will[/i] like it." the bodyguard spoke in a deep tone as he cracked his knuckles.