[center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (VRA), [@The Irish Tree] (VIV), [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

Kazenosuke simply readied his sword as the next wave of attacks came at him, a confident smirk on his face. Notably, he was not doing his signature spinning-sword technique.

He parried the swing of the first spectral copy, but slashed away the second before it could even think about swinging. He blocked the claws of the first copy again, and then blocked the third copy with his scabbard. Kazenosuke then spun, slashing the two spectral copies into nothingness with one stroke.

It was then that [u]Camael[/u] came at him, a larger and hardier foe. Kazenosuke could only hold up his sword and scabbard to keep the draconic familiar at bay, and underestimated the speed of the fourth spectral copy which managed to land a slash on his back. "[color=indianred]Urk...![/color]" The swordsman then kicked the spectral copy away, while still figuring out how to deal with [u]Camael[/u].

[hr]
[center][h3]Unknown Forest[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAGEHO, INNOCENT SHADOW[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@The Irish Tree] (MAT) ~[/center]

After getting disarmed by a whip of light, the Varjan Brigand then received a full kick to his nether region from [u]Matsuri[/u]. And it was no mere kick, for [u]Matsuri[/u] was a monster and was physically stronger than an average human of her age. The Varjan was in so much pain that he was muted, unable to give voice to his anguish. He released the young Inari and clutched his groin before crumpling into the ground into unconsciousness.

[u]Matsuri[/u] was now free to turn her attention to the other Varjans. But she quickly found that there were no more Varjans to distract. In that short time, her shadowy ally had dispatched the rest of the invaders and left the young Inari alone in the still-burning forest. The flames providing bright illumination for the night.

For several moments, [u]Matsuri's[/u] only companion was the crackling fires burning the the trees down. And then, the young Inari saw it. She witnessed a figure emerge between the blurry line separating the fire's illumination and the dim view beyond, as if it was a mere curtain or veil. [url=https://safebooru.org//images/800/9ee2497fe3adee4ef60a2d0cbb4013934b0f4046.jpg]The figure was a fair-skinned girl, dressed in black with blood-red eyes and spiky, black hair[/url]. In one of her hands, was the packed lunch that [u]Matsuri[/u] had left for the shinobi.

The shadowy girl then held out the packed lunch towards the Inari, as if wanting to give it back.

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Enkryption] (UMI & RCD) ~[/center]

Ayu could only raise an eyebrow at her inquiry being met with indifference, but the [u]Claremont[/u] sisters were left free to begin their construction of their dining hall.

The sisters' activities soon became the source of entertainment for a group of refugees who had nothing to do to pass the time. The group shuffled at times, people leaving and people joining. Right now, there were two men and three women in the group watching the [u]Claremont[/u] sisters.

"[color=6ecff6]What do you think they're doing?[/color]"
"[color=8dc73f]Heard they were building something.[/color]"
"[color=6ecff6]Building what?[/color]"
"[color=8dc73f]Don't know. Why don't you ask them?[/color]"
"[color=6ecff6]Nah. They look like they'll eat me if I look at 'em funny. Wanna take bets instead?[/color]"

[center]---[/center]
[center]~ [@FroggRFlowR], [@AzureKnight] (KIR & LAV) ~[/center]

[quote=Kirei Kannazuki][color=beige]”Answer me. How have you come to know my brother? You can’t be his wife, he swore he would never love again. Not after what happened all those years ago. Is he here on this island? Did you come here with him under orders from Kyouko-san?”[/color][/quote]

[quote=Tomi Oro][color=fff200]"Alas... I am not Shizuka's wife. He was very strong for a human, but kept refusing my advances. It was not meant to be... So I'm still on a quest to find a suitable mate! Who knows... Perhaps you're looking for a mate as well?"[/color][/quote]

[u]Tomi[/u], upon a realization that Takeshi did not fully comprehend, was no longer fazed by [u]Kirei's[/u] agitation. She even tried seducing the blacksmith-warrior, as if he was not ready to lunge at her with an attack at a moment's notice. Takeshi felt it would be best to leave these two to resolve their issues or misunderstandings. On the other hand, he felt responsibility for this taskforce not to fall apart, or at least not hurt anyone falling apart, and decided to intervene.

Despite the fierce chi that [u]Kirei[/u] emitted, Takeshi placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sir Kirei, please. This golden Dragon seems to be only lost, at best, or a ditz, at worst. I think patience is the key in resolving this situation." Takeshi said. "And besides, a fight between you and a Dragon here would only lead to wanton destruction of this refuge."

Takeshi then addressed [u]Tomi[/u]. "Greetings, Dragon. I am Takeshi Oja, heir to my father Hideo Oja, the Island Lord... Well, perhaps the Island Lord now since I know not of my father's fate." Now this was clear evidence that something was off, since [u]Tomi[/u] knew Takeshi to be... brighter in color and not at all gloomy like the young man before her now. "Why don't we start over to clear any confusion? Do you mind introducing yourself and telling us how you came to Shizuyama?" The young lord asked.

Meanwhile, Ayu and [u]Lavinia[/u] watched the tense exchange from afar.

[quote=Lavinia Isabella][color=lightskyblue]”Ms. Ayu, it seems our new friend is already making things a bit more lively. Hopefully Lord Takeshi and help quell things before they get too…extreme.”[/color][/quote]

Ayu sighed as she scratched the back of her head. "[color=limegreen]I sure hope so. The new dragon girl seems to have struck some of Kirei's nerves. Last thing I want is for a Dragon and a dude blowing up half of Terauchi Temple because they couldn't keep it in their pants.[/color]"

"[color=limegreen]Speaking of the young master, I'm surprised he's this accepting of a yokai's help. His father, the Island Lord Hideo, is absolutely strict in keeping yokai out of Shizuyama. In a morbid sort of way, I think it's best that his father is not here to see this.[/color]" Ayu remarked. "[color=limegreen]Err, don't tell him... anyone else, that I said that.[/color]"

"[color=limegreen]That said, there are people in Shizuyama who will disapprove of Lord Takeshi's decisions. I mean, really disapprove.[/color]" Ayu continued grimly. "[color=limegreen]I just hope they will see the reason in the young master's choices.[/color]"

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

[hider=Nobutada, Unwavering Will]
"There's a monastery east of here called Fung Temple.

There's a monk there named Nobutada. He's one of the most sturdiest people I know, able to weather blows that could shatter boulders. When my father called for the monks of Fung Temple, I didn't see Nobutada among them. If he's still alive, he'll be in the monastery and he can lend us his aid."
[/hider]

[hider=Sorae, Gentle Protector]
"Sorae's skill with the naginata is fearsome and second to none. She and her clan was summoned to Sanjo Beach, but never appeared. We should head to their estate in the west and find out what happened to them and, if possible, recruit them to our cause."
[/hider]

[hider=Kageho, Innocent Shadow (ONGOING)]
"Kageho is a shinobi who was supposed to attempt to sneak through the Varjan blockade alongside others. The last wave of shinobi that we could send. I... ordered them not to go anymore, behind my father's back, since it would have been a waste and the Varjans were upon us. It was too late to call for reinforcements from the other islands.

Still, I expected her to show up in Sanjo Beach with the other shinobi. But they didn't. Anyway, their hideout should be around here somewhere. Try looking for any suspicious clearings in the forests around here. We can use their help."
[/hider]

[hider=Kazenosuke, Dancing Blade (ONGOING)]
"Kazenosuke could deflect any attack with his spinning blade, and deliver slashes faster than the eye could see. I have no idea why he couldn't make it to Sanjo Beach. I know he's a ronin, but he still should have heeded my father.

Well, his house is near Terauchi Temple. Not very near, but just follow the river near the temple and we'll find his home and then we can ask for his help."
[/hider]

[hider=Yurine, Death Keeper]
"Yurine has taken care of Clan Oja for as long as I can remember. Despite being a servant, I know she can swing her masakari axe pretty hard. I've little idea of her past but I know it involves tending cemeteries.

She should be in Castle Oja but my father sent her to Onrai to begin enacting some way to protect the graves from being desecrated by the invaders. I know of a famous cemetery south of Terauchi Temple. We can begin looking for her there and she'll surely help us."
[/hider]

[hider=Kikyo, Ever Faithful]
"My childhood friend Kikyo was on an anti-yokai mission before all of this. I... was kind of glad she couldn't be on the beach and hoped that maybe she'll find a way to escape and live a full life elsewhere. But I know she would never do that.

If she's coming back, she would definitely head for Port Wadatsumi in the southeast. We should find her before she does anything... drastic."
[/hider]

[center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center]

[hider=Honey Trap]
There was a villager woman, crying alone near a large tree within Terauchi Temple.

"Yokai, could I speak with you? A group of bandits is terrorizing Sanjo. They slaughtered my whole family, like animals!

They were killed at our home, near a river. I am Saki, please avenge my family and stop those bandits."
[/hider]

[hider=No Place Like Home]
An upset woman noticed the taskforce member approaching.

"As if losing our homes wasn't bad enough, we have to see Varjans in them as well.

They took a home nearby a few days ago. The man who lived there won't leave the area. He keeps begging for help."
[/hider]

[hider=Shizuyama's Freedom]
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. 

"Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by a shrine priestess who wasn't present in Sanjo Beach."

"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not properly trained."
[/hider]