[h2][center]Kujitsawa no Yoshitsune[/center][/h2]

Yoshtisune had been travelling for a few score days now - heading to the village named O-kuni, he was about to finally work with Oni, something that for a great deal of time he never thought he’d do.
Taking a quick glance at his companion - Lyn; the thought crossed his mind that she was an exception, truly a blessing in disguise was the Spirit warrior that appeared all those years ago as a wandering Ronin, now his most trusted advisor and most respected retainer…
No.
Samurai - she had earned that title, if not officially. 

O-kuni village offered many things that Yoshitsune thought impossible, that was mainly a working relationship between human and Oni, when one spends their life seeing what the worst the Oni race (as broad as it was) had to offer then your outlook on what they can do when working with humans is not bright, he knew, that the second he would appear there with these Oni, he would sleep with his blade above his pillow, something he hasn’t done since he recruited Lyn.
Trying times awaited him, maybe he’d finally learn something redeeming from this race, or then again, maybe he’d be fighting them as he has done with so many others if this was the case, he’d not be the first to strike, he must honour the Emperor's will, they are his allies, up until the moment they turn.
It was not a matter of “if”, simply when.

It took a few more days of travel before Yoshitsune arrived at O-kuni village, It… was not was he was expecting, especially when it came to depart with the entirety of the band.
The village itself was humble, small and had probably remained the same in structure and presence for well over a century, as if stuck in time; the country was littered with villages such as these but for such a great and momentous occasion to occur in one of them, this is what struck him as odd. 
However the thought was soon removed from mind after the introduction from a large Oni - standing at least 8 foot, if not taller; the horns that adorned his head only magnified this height further. 
Yoshitsune spat upon the muddy ground with a look of distaste plastered on his face; the filthy creature gave out orders that came from the descendant of the Gods themselves - not word for word, the beast simplified the words and spoke in a frank and base manner.
No loyal Human would ever so much as dare do anything of the like, least of all in the presence of a Kujitsawa.

After the Oni performed his song, that Yoshitsune recognised as a war ballad, or at least an Oni representation of one it appeared that the creature knew that death was on the horizon, battles to be fought and won - or may death claim each and every one of them.
A sentiment that Yoshitsune could respect, the Oni was a warrior, through and through - in time it may earn a Warrior's respect. 

----

Yoshitsune spent much of the next few hours in silence, he didn’t even talk to his companion, Lyn.
He was busy analysing his “allies”, the term was loose and weak however, these Oni which is what mainly comprised the group could hardly be called allies at the minute.

Firstly, there was the Oni named Hideaki Tatsuji - a demon that radiated an intense heat and flames billowing from his head and his shoulders.
Something that was naturally weak to the element of water; or was it - if the heat exerted a high enough temperature, water would merel become steam, effectively becoming harmless. 
But if deprived of air, like any other breathing living creature this thing would suffer immensely - something worthy of note for the future, to aid against, or to use against him, depending on his affiliation down the line. 
Personality wise, Yoshitsune did not mind this one, he was not arrogant or hostile, he appeared to be quite calm and almost human like in nature and emotion. 

Next was the Elf,  breed of Oni that were elusive and flighty - creatures that heavily resembled humans in not just looks but actions, culture and emotion.
This specific Elf was one that Yoshitsune was not unfamiliar with, old, bordering ancient the “Pale Spider” was as beautiful as she was deadly- like the horned one, a Oni worthy of respect in regards as a warrior - Yoshitsune would love to clash blades against this one, a sparring match would be fun.
But to fight to the death, there would be few who would match in comparison for the greatest fight in all of the realm; part of Yoshitsune wanted the “Pale Spider” to turn on the Emperor's wishes merely so Yoshitsune could have his desires fulfilled.

Three more Oni graced the ranks of this group - Zasiki Warashi, a small almost child like Oni that was pitch black, it made the fabled Hattori Ninjas of the southern mountain ranges look like amateurs in blending in with the night. 
She looked like a child, yes, and she acted like one too- the battles ahead would hopefully hammer some responsibility and maturity into this one. 
The motives of a child are hard to pinpoint,  which makes them unpredictable - something Yoshitsune didn’t like.
The other female oni was was easily the most “suspicious” of the group - Chiyoe no Kurushime…
A sad name filled with harrowing presumptions of ones past, or, future.
One could easily mistake her for a human lady; not a Geisha; she held an air above her that even the boldest of Geishas didn’t. 
It wasn’t an air of superiority as such, but rather an air nonchalance and mixed with a grave distaste for many things; sorrow was not something that was alien to, that was what Yoshitsune felt. 

She lacked the ability to turn on this group in his opinion, she would abandon it; but not betray it, whether or not this was for better or for worse - time would tell.

The final Oni was horned; but easily its most distinctive feature was its single, large eye - almost as if it were a bullseye for an archer plastered to a stick figures head.
That was the best way to describe this Oni - it lacked the commanding strength that the Oni leader of the group held.
He looked unintimidating and weak; but Yoshitsune knew more than most, looks can be deceiving., and most Oni employ this tactic to their advantage. 
Yoshitsune would have to keep his eyes firmly fixed on this one.

Then.
There was the human.... Out of all the possible candidates, it was quite literally one of the worst - a common, base raider type - he was on the surface as generic as the hordes of bandits that Yoshitsune had already killed when they preyed upon the weak and defenceless, this man was no doubt a similar type in that element. 
He shied away from those who offered a real challenge and killed those whom could not do anything to defend themselves with - if the orders of the Emporer didn’t hold him back, the next time this “man”; if you could call him one, would fall by Yoshitsunes blade.
His head a trophy.

Then finally there was the graceful Raiden Kotori, a woman demanding of respect, a blessing that she is amongst the ranks of this group, which can only really be described as ragtag.

(tbc when I’m not tired)