[centre][colour=#B7410E][i][h1]XAKU[/h1][/i][/colour][/centre][centre][h3][colour=ff0000][i]A Test of Patience - Torigoya Onsen[/i][/colour][/h3][/centre]
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Xaku does not often engage in frivolous visits.

Certainly not at an onsen, of all things.

However, if nothing else, she was a reasonable woman. Squad One had been fresh off a week-long assignment when she called them out to Funachi. It was only fair that they be given time to relax before she sent them on another one, and as their commanding officer, it was her duty to ensure they were well-rested and prepared for their next mission. Their skill and effectiveness made them more than deserving of a relaxing break. If they wished for it to be at an onsen, then so be it...

... Is what she would have thought if that was actually the case. Unfortunately, the [i]children[/i] in her ‘A-team’ are not that.

[colour=#FF66DE]“Xaku-sama! Xaku-sama! Look what I learnt! Look, look!”[/colour]

[colour=#B7410E]“I am not here to witness your techniques, Hina-kun.”[/colour]

The pink-haired demon pouts at Xaku’s flat response, her shoulders slumping slightly as the ball of water between her hands falls to the floor with a splash. Another demon with orange hair pulls herself out of the water and slings her arm over Hina’s shoulders, her pink eyes glittering.

[colour=#FF7E38]“Aw, cheer up, Hina–chan! You know what our Chief is like, all serious all the time. Isn’t that right, Suzu-chan~?”[/colour]

The question is directed at the dark-haired woman sitting calmly in the water, seemingly the only human amongst the trio. A cup of tea rests on a coaster held daintily in her hands.

[colour=#A200FF]“It’s Suzuha, [i]Ria[/i], and Xaku-sama is simply a professional. She has standards, unlike [i]you[/i].”[/colour]

Ria sticks her tongue out at Suzuha, to no visible reaction. The unbothered woman simply takes a sip of her tea and ignores the provocation. 

The scene isn’t exactly a new one for this particular group. Xaku is well-known for a great many things, but a sense of humour is not one of them. Not a single member of Squad One has ever seen her so much as crack a smile in all their years on the force.

And they have tried to change that. Unsuccessfully.

Suddenly, Xaku goes still, more so than normal. Then, her head tilts, and a single finger on her left hand twitches. Chips of wood explode from the rear wall, carving a massive trench at the top of the wall. Sawdust fills the air, but not a single particle touches her uniform.

A yelp, followed by a splash of water, rings out.

[colour=#B7410E]“... You do not belong here.”[/colour]

Hina and Ria’s jaws go slack for a moment before Ria’s eyes narrow into blood-red slits.

[colour=#FF7E38]“That... damn... [i]pervert[/i]! Ugh, I am [i]so[/i] gonna–”[/colour]

Xaku shoots her a warning look, and her mouth closes immediately, though her expression still seethes with rage.

The sound of someone hastily stumbling to their feet echoes in the onsen.

[colour=#B7410E]“Detain him. Do [i]not[/i], kill him.”[/colour]

Xaku turns on her heel and marches towards the entrance, ignoring Yusuke’s sputtered protests. Ria’s furious roar rings out, followed by a high-pitched, decidedly unmanly yelp of pain.

Xaku doesn’t turn back.

On her way to the entrance, something catches her attention. She smells them before she sees them.

The sharp, almost stinging tang of [i]Nichirin[/i] is a familiar scent, one she associates with more memories than she cares to admit. She doesn't slow her steps even a little as she gets ever closer to the source.

[colour=#B7410E]“Muragarasu-san. Once your other guests are settled, would you mind joining me for tea?”[/colour]