[quote=@writingrin]
Then both men turned to examine Kaizou and the soldier with him. Kuro internally raised an eyebrow. He knew this Tanuki. He wouldn’t call him a ‘troublemaker’ exactly, but he knew him to be opinionated and angry at the dragons. Except perhaps for Shinrai, due to all her efforts? He was not one of the prisoners of war though and could have chosen to remain in the Sky Islands. Kuro was almost glad he hadn’t remained (since he might have become a troublemaker there) but seeing that he’d volunteered to come on this mission somehow made him uneasy. Had he come just to win his freedom, or for some other reason? He shook his head at himself. Shinrai would be ashamed at him for thinking the worst in people. So he forced himself to nod slightly in civil recognition to the Tanuki. 

Tatsuo peered down at Kaizou. He was a large man, of course, well suited to his high position. “State your name,” he directed first. Then asked flatly, “Do you intend this expedition any harm?” watching keenly for a reaction. This time Kuro’s eyebrows did draw up in surprise.[/quote]
Kaizou looked up at General Tatsuo, maintaining a certain amount of defiance in his glare; it wouldn't do to appear too accommodating.  "Kaizou," he replied, "and no, I intend this expedition no harm.  I merely desire my freedom, but these godforsaken mountains are no place for a tanuki to make a home, so I'll help until we've found the princess and gotten to some decent land."  His goal for now was to locate the princess, the only good dragon in his opinion, and if possible, to come into possession of the Orb, something his superiors had ordered him to do.