[b]Ichiko, on one of the many roads headed towards the town[/b]

Ichiko paused at the crossroads. Crossroads were magical places, roads carried the qi of men from province to province, from town to town. Many spirits supped quietly upon such energy invisibly or while none were watching. Currently, the crossroads were empty. This was hardly surprising since many spirits cowered from the presence of an Onmyoji. They feared being bound, banished or possibly even killed. An Onmyoji dwelled in the realm of spirits, most protected the world of man from the malevolent. Rarely they protected the world of spirits from man. Some, unfortunately, were as bad as the worst oni.

The blonde woman's long tresses rolled down over one shoulder and she twirled the parasol she held in her small hands. She was wrapped in a susohiki kimono, the crimson fabric carefully detailed with golden flowers. Kneeling, one long slender leg slipping out from beneath the kimono's skirt she reached into a small bag and upended it, casting several long lacquered sticks to the dust. Green eyes examined the pattern the sticks made and after several moments she gathered up the sticks. The sticks had told her where she was next needed.

Setting herself on the indicated road she placed one sandaled foot before the other, two finger's width tall wooden struts keeping her bare feet from the dust of the road. She was curious as to where fortune was leading her this time.