[@PaulHaynek] [@AzureKnight] (SHI)

[quote]With a deep sigh, Takamori turned back to Kerry. "The reason's simpler than you think, yokai."

"When I told Setsuna the news about the incoming Varjan invasion, she proposed... that we join them, to survive. She said that we had skills the Varjans won't waste and if we joined them, we'll not only live through the invasion but maybe also thrive." Takamori sighed again. "...The ensuing argument got heated, and I convinced her... I thought I convinced her not to dwell on this unspeakable act ever again."

"I really should've known. That girl's a survivor, she'd do anything to keep her life." Takamori finished.[/quote]

[color=fff79a][i]Even turn her back on family and country.[/i][/color], Kerry sadly thought to herself, feeling genuinely sorry for Takamori. Somehow, the actual reason for Setsuna's betrayal was worse than the Hornet's initial assumptions. For a young girl to do that to her father, the man who took her off the street and gave her a home....

....It was like a cruel joke.

[quote]"We're finished for today, yokai. I... need some time to rest, and think." Takamori told Kerry. "Tell Takeshi-sama that he needs only to call for me if he wants me wherever. In the meantime, I'm going to try and find any clues as to where my 'daughter' could be. I need to stop her before she hurts any more of my people."[/quote]

Again, Kerry motioned to lay a comforting hand on the glowing-eyed archer, but once more thought better of it. The man clearly had a lot on his mind and needed time to process and digest. Best leave him be.

[color=fff79a]"Alright, Takamori. If that is what you feel is best, then I'll get out of your hair and be on my way. I'll be sure to pass the word to Takeshi."[/color], she replied as she walked past the man. However, before she took flight, she turned her head slightly and offered one last advice. [color=fff79a]"Listen.....I know it seems bleak right now, but don't lose heart, okay? If you give into despair, then that's when the Varjans have truly won. So keep your head up and eyes ever forward, human. Take care."[/color]

And with those parting words, Kerry took to the skies, heading towards Terauchi Temple.

[hr]

[color=fff79a][i]Man, this is turning into clusterfuck.[/i][/color], she somberly thought to herself as she flew. [color=fff79a][i]I managed to get Takamori on board, but Shizuyama's hidden routes have been exposed. Gotta relay this to Takeshi and the others as soon as possible. The chips are already stacked too high against us as it is.[/i][/color]

With her speed and a bit of wind magic, Kerry made it to the temple in record time, although when she got there....

[color=fff79a][i]What the hell?[/i][/color]

....she was just in time to see Kasseros, the Varjan warrior her teammates defeated and captured, escaping through the front gate and was making a run for it.

The detained man saw nothing but the dirt path before him and thought himself home free....until he heard the approaching sound of buzzing wings rapidly getting closer and closer to his position. Kasseros would only have enough time to look up and see the bottom of Kerry's combat greaves as her diving foot got acquainted with his face, sending him rolling back until stopping on his back, knocked out cold.

[color=fff79a]"And where do you think you're going, dirtbag?"[/color], spat Kerry, walking over and grabbing the down Varjan by the scruff of his shirt before dragging him back toward the temple. All the while, the Hornet was confused. How did Kasseros get loose? Wasn't Shizuka, or anyone in the temple for that matter, suppose to keep an eye on him? What happened?

As she walked through the front gate with her prize, the answer soon made itself clear.

[color=fff79a]"Hey, Shizuka! Mind explaining why this jackass over here tried to make a...run....for.....it?"[/color], Kerry began, only to trail off as she took in the sight of her taskforce leader in the middle of fighting one of locals, a....shrine maiden? Wait, what were they called here again? Mikos?

Regardless, Kerry only had one thing to say about the state of affairs before her....

[color=fff79a][b]"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE!?"[/b][/color]

Her loud outburst would be loud enough for both combatants to pause their duel and take note of her sudden appearance.

However, due to Kerry not knowing how this fight came to be, the mamono unwittingly may have made the situation even worse...