[center][h2]Kyoto - Uzamari Ryokan[/h2]
[b]Monday, June 6th 20XX[/b][/center]
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The sound of soft, flowing water, the gentle touch of steam coupled with the cool breeze of the night sky was but an atmospheric quality of Japanese outdoor hotsprings. The idyllic stonework and Japanese style gardens lining the high bamboo fences granted a sense of tranquillity to these baths. Just moments ago these young girls had been giggling about as they scrambled to undress and get into the hotsprings, and when things had died down, Seirin found herself looking towards the night sky.

This was not the first time she saw the full moon in such a way, though she had been locked inside and seldom saw it with a window between them, tonight it felt rather different. Perhaps because she was now sharing it with friends... Or maybe, because she didn't feel like any scant time she could have to herself could be ended abruptly. Either way, her heart felt at ease. Of course not everyone she had spent the day with was present, all the boys were not here for obvious reasons. One person she expected to see was missing, throughout the day in fact, Fuuko... But she imagined that the young ninja was not present due to her obligations as a member of the Yatagarasu.

The others were having fun and this time of calm for her was just a moment for her to consider what it all meant, her Blessing of Amaterasu, Tamamo no Mae, and all of that. Somehow to her it all felt like the beginning of something she could not even begin to fathom. The voice in her head from within the egg... She believed it was Amaterasu, but when she thought about it now, and what she remembered, was that Amaterasu? Or someone else? She could scarce believe it would've been Tamamo, but if it was not her either then who was it?

An errant splash would snap her from her train of thought. Perhaps these thoughts would be best left for another time. Yes, for now such worries would not be relevant.


[center][h2]Kyoto - Outskirts Forests[/h2]
[b]Monday, June 6th 20XX[/b][/center]
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The crunch of leaves and twigs steadily and on a step by step basis would dully ring out through the dark forests of Kyoto. A man in a light blue yukata having a leisurely stroll in the moonlight, smiling, almost content with himself. His hand would immediately raise as the blade of a katana would attempt to cleave his head. Appearing form the shadows in front of him like a fog taking form was a robed man with a large straw hat... Or rather it would be more accurate to say, a mess of weapons in the shape of a man, covered in robes.

[color=00a99d]"Hooh~ I see, so then the fearless leader must not be too far behind you then? Is this any way to greet a comrade?"[/color]

[color=a36209]"Snivelling half-breed, you lost us the precious Sessho-seki, and failed to summon a completed aspect of Tamamo no Mae. What we witnessed was but a raging shadow, and no more. Release your hand so that I may enact our punishment"[/color],

[color=9e0b0f]"Enough Benkei"[/color], the low baritone voice of a coarse man emerged from the shadows behind him, first appearing his red, glowing eyes, before his red and pale skin in a mixture like a combination of swirling flames and red veins, along with his two horns. This man was a bona fide oni, not like the halves that were more common these days.

[color=9e0b0f]"By the looks of his face, it appears he has something worth telling us, is that right Shinzou?"[/color], the one identified as Benkei stepped back, pulling his blade away as Shinzou relaxed into his usual casual self.

[color=00a99d]"Indeed, though the Alliance now holds the Sessho-seki, there is now a... Domain, of sorts. It doesn't appear they've noticed, but that golden egg created a connection to somewhere... I would wager, related to Amatarasu, or one of her chosen"[/color],

[color=9e0b0f]"How interesting..."[/color], from one moment to the next, Shinzou's skin turned the porcelain green of his yokai form as he coughed up blood, now lifted a few feet into the air.

[color=9e0b0f]"This information, shall prove valuable, however it does not compare to losing the sessho-seki. The plan had ultimately failed, and so punishment is necessary"[/color], the oni's arm lowered, before he pulled it out with force, causing Shinzou to fall to the ground into a kneel.

[color=9e0b0f]"Let that be your penalty. In this state you will walk with us, and if you cannot follow us, then you are lost to us",[/color] and with that he turned. As Shinzou's eyes craned up at the demon's back he could see the horde of yokai that followed him, their eyes glimmering in the darkness of the forest. His demonic form in full fervour as it tried to repair the damage. The one named Benkei coldly turned away also, though that was not a surprise. The darkness around Shinzou swirled for a moment as the Kurobozu he was with slithered away too. Gritting his teeth, the young half yokai with blood pouring his from his wound, walked forward. A powerful glint of hatred in his eyes as he did. What was he really looking for?