Before Kaede could answer, the half demons ears perked as the others soon followed. The first to get her attention was Kouko. [b]"Kaede-San counts as someone. The springs are not that far Kouko-San."[/b] she said gently before Yuki and Akane soon spoke up. Surprisingly to dare order her and even call her a idiot. That was a bit surprising, since such a single negative word to royalty would get the offender executed and dishonor upon the whole family, losing any privilege they had in society. 

Despite this, Mizuki didn't exactly want such a thing to happen to either of them. They were doing their job, despite how her father would find their progress already a failure since she had been injured the first day with ease by Hanzo. However... That didn't mean she didn't have any pride either, at least a little.

[b]"You already have done that for yourself by that mere word Yuki-San. As you seem to pointed out, your assistance has already been tarnished back when Hanzo easily infiltrated the defenses. Nor do I have to take either of your orders. If neither of you can handle this, then maybe this 'job' is too much for you. Because I'm not going to waste what little I have sitting around and doing what I've been doing for twenty years. Nothing."[/b] The Princess said firmly yet held little to no anger to them. She was merely stating what she thought at the moment.

Just then the shadow appeared and moved toward her. Kouko attempted to stab it, but it quickly split apart from the stab and continued on its main goal. As if to taunt the guardians, it grew and slammed against the three warriors with a large tentacle like arm. Their attacks only able to go through it minus Kouko's holy blade. If the Priestess here, I would be more easy to deal with but being a simple shadow, it easily weaved away from them. 

Despite this, the shadow leaked out black smaller shadows in the shape of snakes, hissing and snapping at the guardians.

As the shadow moved toward her, Mizuki lept away quickly, but it chased her wherever she went around the springs. Both were moving at high speeds around the spring and she was getting tired. Eventually she slowed and yelped as it latched onto her, black arms reaching up and wrapping around her body. Struggling against the binds, it only took a moment before she was completely sucked into the shadow.

Successful in its mission, the shadow sped off, disappearing in the darkness of the forest.