[centre][colour=#B7410E][i][h1]XAKU[/h1][/i][/colour][/centre][centre][h3][colour=ff0000][i]Contemplation - ???[/i][/colour][/h3][/centre][sub][colour=#B7410E]Mentions:[/colour] [@Dane] [/sub]
[hr]Xaku sits in the seiza position with her head bowed. Her uniform is nowhere to be seen, replaced by a simple, black kimono. The sleeves are rolled up, exposing her flawless, pale skin. Blood runs down her arms in thick, crimson rivulets, creating a picture of morbid beauty. Grass shrivels, flowers die, and the ground is dyed black, poisoned by her essence.

[colour=#B7410E]“... again.”[/colour]

Her flesh splits once more, dousing ever more of the ground with her blood. She doesn’t scream, doesn’t flinch. The pain hardly registers as more than just a faint sensation. It isn’t nearly enough.

There are few with the capability to do what is necessary. And yet...

None were able. They were all just–

[colour=#B7410E][i]“Again.”[/i][/colour]

The cuts are deeper this time. Artery deep, bleeding more. Not enough. Almost enough. Almost–

[colour=#A200FF]“Xaku-sama. Your delivery has arrived.”[/colour]

She stops. Her gaze falls to her arms. The wounds are gone, but the stains are not.

[i]Never enough.[/i]

[colour=#B7410E]“... Give me a moment.”[/colour]

She rises to her feet in one fluid motion, uncaring of the mess in the once-pristine garden. Her sleeves fall back to cover her arms, and her gaze turns to the door, flat and betraying nothing of her brutal acts. She casts one final glance at the cube she had been entrusted with, then averts her gaze.

[colour=#B7410E]“Enter.”[/colour]

Akira Suzuha opens the door with a bow, a simple, unadorned box held in her hands.

[colour=#A200FF]“Xaku-sama. Chiho-san has sent her latest batch.”[/colour]

Xaku takes the box, but doesn’t open it. She knows well what it contains, and harming her subordinates is something she would rather avoid.

Normal wisteria, for all its usefulness against normal demons, had little effect on her, so her only option was to outsource. It is fortunate, then, that she has long since been acquainted with the one person capable of growing exactly what she needs.

Just then, a new sound breaks through the atmosphere.

Xaku answers the call smoothly.

[colour=#B7410E]“Code Red, report.”[/colour]

...

The only evidence of Xaku’s thoughts is a slight twitch of her lips.

[colour=#B7410E]“... Understood. Stand by for my arrival.”[/colour]

She hangs up without another word, letting her arm fall to her side. Her musings can wait. There was a problem to be resolved, and once again, it involves that troublesome group.

[colour=#B7410E]“Yaguchi-kun.”[/colour]

The moment her name is mentioned, Yaguchi appears from a shadow, already kneeling in deference.

[colour=#2F047A]“Xaku-sama. I am prepared.”[/colour]

Xaku sheds her kimono, replacing it with her uniform. She takes her cap and fixes it over her hair.

[colour=#B7410E]“Squad One. Move Out.”[/colour]


[sub][i]Time to Arrival: 15 minutes.[/i][/sub]