Fandom Kimetsu No Yaiba: Dreams of the Yokai

[AllHailDago]

Gen Ota​

Three seconds. Gen had put his sword away and begun simply basking in the joy of being outside for maybe that long. Then a tiny, adorable girl slayer had come strolling up to him, sword in hand. Unsure but hopeful he was about to make a friend he tried to cast a small smile at her and seem smaller. It likely looked quite silly for a moment.

Then she called him Demon King.

The depth with which he flinched at that spoke enough of deep hurts. Bullies and civilians alike had referred to him that his whole life, and the pain never really reduced. Being compared to something so universally hated and ritually killed was... It wasn't..... Well it surely wasn't very pleasant.

Then another girl accused him of being a hunk of meat in her way. He flinched more shallowly this time, his eyes flicking this way and that. He gauged his surroundings to see what he was in the way of. While not bodily, his facial expression seemed to relax a smidge when he realized he had moved no less than....maybe twenty feet away from all the gear while he tested his sword. The only thing even close to him were the two girls, and the gear was behind them.

He was glad to not actually be in the girls way. Though he was upset that his hopes of new friends were dashed so quickly even when he hadn't done anything yet. At least the air was nice today.... Maybe he'd get to see his little bird friend today. He avoided eye contact as he stepped out of the girls way and muttered a soft apology.

waifu Hanarei

 

[Colorless Spectrum]

Minato Sukune

He wondered when will it stop? The haunting. It felt like every day it got worse and worse than ever before, his father more disgusted at the sight of him, his sister's want for revenge. With Kisaragi answering his question just spiraled him more into despair. He gave a deep thought on dying outside of the prison, maybe it would be better to end his life then and there. End his suffering and him becoming a danger to others. He was about to speak more, his sister that won't stop berating at his ears was replaced by his brother asking him to stay silent.

"Hush, brother. There is nothing more you need to say." Minato breathed heavily, he could feel his heart beating and if it could burst out of his chest then it might have done so moments ago. “Hey. I bet you must be exhausted.” He heard his brother say, but somehow it also wasn't. Confused, he looked at the one who spoke. “I think you’ll do just fine. Can you sit down with me, please? I’m sure he’ll explain to you once we’re settled again.” He backed away afraid of what might happen, he didn't know her but her voice seemed familiar.

"Why are you talking to me like that?" It was clear his voice was shaking, he doesn't understand that Naoru just genuinely cares. He can't accept that someone actually has the guts to have a hint of care in interacting with him, not when he doesn't want it.

Someone tugged his sleeves unexpectedly, he turned around to find pale eyes facing his direction. He couldn't believe that Hibiki is in prison, much less what he was hearing coming from his mouth. He can't even remember it happening. He sat, quietly not wanting to trouble the two. "That's right," he could hear his brother beside him, "calm down. And look, you made two new friends." Hirofumi cheered, it was always a whirlwind of emotions with the ghosts that haunt him. His twin always supported him, and in these living nightmares, he still did.

Everything else that happened was a blur to him. Things were getting harder and harder to understand, masks, swordsmiths, nichirin blade, Lord Ubayakashi, duty. He only then took notice of what was happening when he heard his callsign. He didn't even notice that he was already standing and was being talked to. "I... I'm sorry, I don't remember anything." It was the truth. Whatever that happened when they met, he could not recall, most visits to the infirmary he doesn't remember.

Guards freed him from his restraints, but red marks stayed still on his wrists and feet, he could feel the sting of it still. He doesn't know what to do, his ears listened to the conversation the two are having while staring blankly at the bags, noticing his swords. He clenched his fist as it reminded him of everything that has happened, "Deep breaths, Minato." His brother urged, placing a hand on his shoulder, and he did to relax. He didn't want to take it yet, his swords, he shifted his attention back to the blind man and to the nurse. "I am deeply sorry for the troubles I may have caused. I am-" He stopped, remembering that they were not allowed to use their real names from now on. "Ikiryo, I should be called Ikiryo from now on. I also would like to know what name you were given, miss?"

interactions: soggyparadise cinnabuns

 

[Reinhardt]

Kitsune

MINAMOTO MIYUKI​

The reunion of a warrior and their long lost weapon is often romanticized, portrayed in splendor as the wielder grips once again the blade they have parted with in the past. Unfortunately, it is far more simpler in reality - sometimes it would even appear to be quite underwhelming.

To Miyuki, especially when compared to others, it seemed rather pathetic.

Every step she took towards the swords felt heavier than the last. The wind grew softer, and softer, until she could no longer feel even a breeze. The sounds all around her gradually faded out, until there was nothing but dead silence. Her gaze was fixated on her sword, and her sword alone.

Until finally, her steps and the strange trance she was in came to a halt as she stood before it - her weapon amidst the others piled together. As she began to reach for her sword, she immediately retracted her hand.

Did she even bear the right to wield it once more? Even after all she had done?

Before another question, another doubt formed in her thoughts, she grabbed the sword. Regardless of her worthiness of wielding it again, there is no other way to atone for her sins but to take it and continue her duty as a demon slayer.

As she moved away to a free spot in the courtyard, the sword felt unnatural to her. It was supposed to be an extension of her body, yet it felt foreign. She couldn't tell what it was, but it just seemed off to her. It could be the weight due to her not having it for a long period of time, it could be the newly polished scabbard, or it could simply be her own regrets burdening the sword. Whatever it is, it was clear to her that she had started all over again, and it would take time for her to return to the old days - even if her body remembers every single move she has made since then.

After reaching her destination, she sat down on the grass and placed the sword beside her. As she closed her eyes and let the gentle breeze try to soothe her, yet another question festered in her thoughts.

Does she even bear the resolve to unsheathe the blade from the scabbard - to steel herself to slay demons once again? She did not dare to know the answer.

 

[cinnabuns]

"Why are you talking to me like that?"

Oh.

He truly remembered nothing.

Oh.


Naoru...knew she should have expected this, but it was a bit saddening, regardless. She hoped that would have given her a leg up on helping him sit back down. Thankfully, the young man next to them - the one who had also been in the infirmary - got up to help her help Minato. She almost breathed out a sigh of relief as their combined efforts got the stressed man back to his seat. Good.

There was nothing, absolutely nothing good, that would come out from keeping him back in solitary. If anything, it would make his mental state even worse to stay in isolation. If they were lucky - the three of them - they would be on the same team here, and would manage to work on this.

As Naoru and Hibiki convinced Minato to sit down, the Captain continued to speak, first to the green-haired girl who Naoru had noticed earlier. Given the callsign Onryo.

The Captain was just as stoic as ever, it seemed. When he answered Minato, Naoru noted his "new" name as well. Ikiryo.

There was something incredibly important in the words the Captain spoke to Minato.

"However, due to the manpower issues your kind are suffering from, Lord Ubayashiki has managed to pull whatever strings he has."

So, her theory had been correct. They were...running out of Slayers.

A theory she wished would have been disproved, rather than proven right. That was quite disheartening. How could they actually be running out of Slayers? People still flocked to the exams, didn't they? Unless....

Unless, the problem wasn't the amount of Slayers going in,

but the amount of Slayers still alive after demon attacks.

Was there...another demonic threat? Something bigger than Muzan, was it making a mark on the Slayer count?

Naoru didn't have much time to think about it, as it was then the Swordsmiths came, one of them showing a brazen amount of authority in what she personally considered the Captain's domain. They explained they were in charge of fixing up their swords - how kind, that they would do such a thing; or maybe this was a punishment for them as well? - and soon enough, the Captain was in charge once again, calling out names for the teams.

“Yokai 1: Inugami, Yamauba, Kowai, Tenome, Kitsune, Ikiryo, Aka Manto. You will be headed to the Jinsei forested area, to the south of the village of Okudo. Once there, locate any demons, and send a message back. Do NOT engage the demons unless told to do so."

Naoru had only heard three of these names. One was hers now - Yamauba. She finally recognized the name as one her grandmother used to be called by the younger children in the village closest to them. A demon, a witch, disguised as a kindhearted old lady. Yes, that had been it. Of course, one belonged to Minato--or, Ikiryo, she thought, slightly dismayed.

Not being able to use the first names of her teammates would be a strange way of doing things...but she couldn't get into trouble again, not with the Captain, not with her fellow...Slayers. It felt weird not being a former Slayer, and being a Slayer once more. The thought was solidified when a guard came over and gently unlocked her cuffs. Very, very weird.

The third name...where had she heard it? Under someone's breath...Ikiryo's, which meant the name must belong to Hibiki. Now Tenome. Which meant, she'd been right again. Relief washed over her at the realization. Good. Two people on M--Ikiryo's side.

“Fancy seeing you two again, huh? Looks like you and me are on the same team, Ikiryo.”

"I... I'm sorry, I don't remember anything."

Naoru was pleased to see Hi--Tenome being so friendly off the bat. Just like they were back in the Infirmary. Even if Ikiryo couldn't remember, what mattered was that he got a good amount of socialization. And Tenome was notorious for his type of socialization; or at least he was, in Naoru's eyes. She didn't remember a moment where he hadn't been flirting with her in the Infirmary. Naoru didn't mind; she'd flirted back, even. Tenome had done a lot of talking, but thankfully, he wasn't as awful as--

Ugh, wait. Aka Manto. He was on their team? Well. Not right now, he wasn't. Maybe, if they were lucky, he would continue getting himself into trouble. She'd never wished solitary upon a person as much as she did with that handsy fuck.

“What about you, pretty nurse? What lame name did you get stuck with?”

She was about to answer, standing alongside the two, when Ikiryo spoke up. "I am deeply sorry for the troubles I may have caused. I am-" He paused for a second, and Naoru's eyes softened. "I should be called Ikiryo from now on. I also would like to know what name you were given, miss?"

"It is absolutely okay that you don't remember, Ikiryo. I'm just happy you healed up fine from your injuries in the Infirmary. You had me worried some nights, but it seems you're physically okay." She didn't dare comment on the mental, instead letting the smile on her lips reach her eyes to show she meant it.

"The same goes for you, dear Tenome." Naoru reached a hand out to give Tenome's a squeeze, knowing he couldn't see her reaction. "It is good to see you're all healed up as well."

Oh yes, they had asked her about her name. "I was given the name Yamauba. Quite a mouthful in comparison to my real name, but it will have to do. I am pleased to be on the same team as you both!"

It was funny that she said "mouthful", because a voice echoed in her head, "Buruburu." Okay. Maybe her name wasn't as bad as that.

Buruburu.

Naoru loosened her grip on Tenome's hand to wrap her arm around his, offering the man some help in the attempt to find his weapons and accessories, smiling at Ikiryo. "I hope I can be a wonderful teammate and offer you support. We should probably get our things and head out to the Courtyard."

"Would you...." Naoru had noticed Ikiryo's hesitation to go towards his swords. She understood it; she herself felt strange, going to hold her swords again, but his feelings must have run deeper, if his constant nightmares were anything to say about it. So she asked, offering him a hand.

"Would you like us to bring your sword to you, Ikiryo? Or you can come with us, if you would like. Whichever is an easier task for you; I want to make sure you're comfortable."

[ soggyparadise , Colorless Spectrum ]​

 

[simj26]

ShikigamiShikigami watched as the teams began to assemble out at the courtyard. He was thankfully left out of the conversations, allowing him much time to observe the others in his squad. Or so he thought. A heavy weight clapped down on his shoulder from behind him, and he near jumped out of his skin. He spun around, and came face to face with a stout, middle-aged man, his great bushy beard surrounding his face, and, in the midst of the tangle that was his beard, a wide grin. He broke out into a loud, boisterous laugh. “WAHAHA! I’ve never seen a rabbit more skittish than you!”

Shikigami rubbed his shoulder, wincing. This was probably Wanyudo. The younger man grunted his greeting. He didn’t really enjoy the company, really. He just wanted to sit back, and observe from behind, at least until the clash of swords started up. Wanyudo, possibly feeling that Shikigami wasn’t much to chat with, wandered away, into the middle of the group, where he resumed his greetings. “WAHEY! Seems like I’m to be called Wanyudo here! How goes it, kids?! HAH! Seems like they’ve gotten a buncha fans of masks here! VERY NICE! HOHOHOHO!” Shikigami scowled.

The sound of footsteps approaching from behind made him turn around again. He didn’t want another instance of his shoulder almost being dislocated. Two of the soldiers were approaching the first two teams, each with a katana, and a crow on their arm. Behind the male soldier was the prisoner who had spoken up about his name being Aka Manto. Around, he noticed that the other teams also had a soldier joining them. The teal-haired young man moved over to the second team, while the shorter, smaller female soldier bounced over to their team, and gave a wave to Shikigami. “H-hi! I dunno if you’ve seen me around, but you’re Mura-- ahem!” she cut herself off before she could make the mistake of addressing him by his real name. Seems like the soldiers were also given instructions to refer to them by their callsigns. “You’re Shikigami, right? I’m Private First Class Minazuki Hayami from the medical team! I’ll be your escort for the mission.” She directed his attention to the crow on her arm. “And this little guy’s named Jiro! He’ll be our point of contact with the base. He’s also trained to raise the alarm if a hair on my head is so much as harmed so don’t try anythin’ funny, alright?!” She gave a light-hearted warning.

“Oh.” Shikigami answered. Hayami looked a little bit disappointed at his response, and he felt a tiny pang of guilt as her expression fell. “It’s nice to meet you, Minazuki,” he added in an attempt to satisfy the young girl.

Her face immediately lit up again, until she realised that she was still speaking to one of the prisoners, and she quickly darted away to the rest of the group, where she made the same introduction to everyone else. Wanyudo replied in his own loud way, and she looked almost ready to scamper away at his response. Shikigami scoffed. This was going to be a disaster. He reached down to his peaked cap, and slipped it over his head. Seems like the teams had someone following them, just in case things went south, huh. Why wouldn’t they? The One Eyed Bandit was a man who saw every possibility of failure, and followed up on it. This was a fairly solid failsafe, really. They kill their handler, they get smacked with the ‘kill on sight’ order, but at the same time, they had someone to communicate to base with.

He looked over at Yokai 1, which the other soldier had approached. The soldier stopped, and saluted the group, then dragged Aka Manto in front of him. “Don’t try anything funny, Aka Manto, or you’ll be the bait for the demons.” Somehow, the soldier managed to make it sound as if he was both joking and serious about the threat. He turned to the rest of the group. “I am Takashima Mori, Corporal. I will be your handler. This,” he motioned to his arm, where the crow similar to the one Hayami had was perched on, “will be our point of contact between base and your team. It also serves as a warning system, where in the unfortunate incident where I am killed by any one of you, it will return back with the message that you will be marked as criminals to be killed on sight. So,” he smiled brightly, “no hard feelings, yeah? In any case, I do hope we’ll get together, and make this a successful mission. That means you too, Aka Manto. I expect you to behave yourself, alright?” He gently elbowed Aka Manto in the rib, and gave a small laugh. The bald prisoner didn’t seem at all comfortable with the soldier at his side, and struggled to even look at his team in the eyes properly, a completely different sight than what Wanyudo was.

Shikigami returned his attention back to his own team, where Hayami was now excitedly explaining their route to their destination. “It’ll be a three days walk, and we packed your bags with enough rations to last that journey, so don’t go eating it all in one go, okay?” Wanyudo was already making a face at this suggestion, and was starting to bellyache. Behind Shikigami, he could hear the same being repeated by Corporal Takashima. Hopefully, patience wasn't going to be strained through these few days...

 

[Rantos]

Moku o Motokiyo
Tags: The One Eyed Bandit
Was it cold ambivalence that wrapped around the words of her Sunken Goddess. Surely, the tone she took left bitter bruises. So genuine were her responses, yet there was a chill that slipped from her tongue. A chill that wrapped around Moku, forcing shivers from the woman as the sound of Her voice alone constricted her. A sensation like being caught in a snowfall that renders the skin so cool it matches the frigid air until you too become still. And there Moku was, still in Her presence.

Even as the now known Rokuro hazard an incorrect guess as Moku's call name, she didn't dare correct the woman. No, out of the mouth of Her, any name sounded just as correct, just as fitting. How Moku wished for a moment she actually could be a Mokumokuren. The prospect of having even more eyes with which to surround her Sunken Goddess sounded blissful.

"Mokumokuren." Moku moved closer to Rokuro. "Would be more fitting than you'd think. I've never been one to resist getting a good look at-" With a smooth and unbroken movement, Moku slid past Rokuro, catching a nice and close glance of the woman on her way past. "-things I consider very beautiful." Moku caught her breath silently, restoring to her lungs the air that was so easily robbed from them. Just by getting close. Between her Goddess, the Blessed Bird, and some others Moku had seen whether or not she'd be able to last without making a mistake became a very real concern for her.

"Your movements were so clearly Breath of the Stage, it almost hurt me. In contrast, my style lacks the soft grace and ethereal stopping power so fitting of your school. My sister." Moku took her blade and shook it a few times, causing the clacking mechanism to activate. "You can hear it can't you? A louder clack befitting of a Performance. That is my school. So think I'd be able to meet a holder of the progenitor style is... I'm beyond words. And, extremely excited to see your graceful movements, your crimson dance must be exhilarating." She wanted to see it, she wanted to see it now. How long until a demon would offer itself to her art, her craft, and perfection?

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Inugami

Inuko Sato
​

Inuko had spied from a distance as the other prisoners began to congregate into two loose groups, so she silently padded over to the one from whom she could hear the callsigns she recognized from their mission briefing as being in the same assignment as her being thrown about. Inuko regarded the other prisoners with dull, incurious eyes. It wasn't Inuko's place to question who she was assigned to work alongside. Working for the Yakuza often meant putting aside such reservations as gangs were rarely able to attract the best and brightest of candidates. In her time Inuko had worked with drunkards and lechers, with perennially self interested grafters and skimmers, with cowards and braggarts and addicts of all stripes and with those who were merely too breathtakingly dull to be employed in any business except crude, thuggish violence.

Still at least most of the assorted thugs Inuko had worked alongside had been mostly lucid. The long haired man, Ikiryo he had said he was to be called, bluntly looked and acted unstable and his two companions, one of whom was apparently blind, seemed pre occupied with tending to him. Aka Manto was the loud mouthed idiot who had made a fool of himself earlier and seemed likely to cause further distractions. Next was the girl who seemed close to Inukko's age, who would by process of elimination have to be either Kowai or Kitsune. That one seemed eccentric too and at the very least lacking in common sense from the way she had antagonized the enormous man on the other team earlier. Their final member, the other woman, looked sane and healthy at least, but the way she handled her sword hinted at an uncertainty and lack of resolve that would be fatal in a fight. To her. Then of course there was Inuko herself, a dog without a master, what a pointless thing. Was this...what they wanted? Whoever "they" were they had assembled and armed a team of the broken and the lost, maybe the reason their orders were so contradictory was because their handlers did not consider them capable of achieving anything more useful, what possible use could they serve like this?

Inuko spared a glance at the Corporal who was handling them as she received her ration pack. If he shared any of her misgivings towards the group he had been assigned her did not share them, his expression was relaxed and assured, it belonged to someone certain of their actions and their role within a larger scheme and Inuko felt a pang of envy at that. Once she had felt like that all the time, now such assuredness seemed very far out of reach. Still none of Inuko's feelings changed the job ahead of her, so at least she had that certainty. Regardless of what the other prisoners did or did not do she just had to complete her orders. Simple.

mentioned:
simj26 cinnabuns Reinhardt Colorless Spectrum soggyparadise waifu

 

[soggyparadise]

Collab Post for Minato, Hibiki, and Naoru by Spec, Cactus, and Cin


"Why are you talking to me like that?"

Well that was inconvenient to say the least- and a bit hurtful at that. Hibiki would’ve assumed that this man would at least remember those he’d done a service for in the past but it seemed extensive trips to isolation and a guilty conscience rendered even the days they’d spent together in the infirmary nothing more that a fleeting thought. Still even though Minato didn’t remember stepping in to save Hibiki that didn’t erase the debt he felt he owed him. Helping him through these missions would certainly be a good enough way to atone as any other. Besides, some fresh air and a bit of demon slaying might do the mind some good.

After his slender wrists were freed from their shackles Hibiki gingerly rubbed them, the marks not very prominent considering the short amount of time he’d actually been required to wear them. It felt good in a sense to be out of his cell for once without the heavy weights of incarceration binding his hands and almost as if to test it out he did a few stretches while he listened to his two new teammates.
Reach towards the sky. . ."I am deeply sorry for the troubles I may have caused. I am-" A pout formed almost immediately on the blind man’s face, "I should be called Ikiryo from now on. I also would like to know what name you were given, miss?" And as he came down from his stretch he gave the taller male a light smack on the shoulder.

“Hey! Quit apologizing, like I said, you already saved me once so I don’t mind repaying the favor, even if somehow you’ve forgotten about little old me.” Hibiki hummed even sparing a wink for the other slayer, though the effect was slightly lost by the fact he was staring not at Ikiryo but instead at a random empty spot in the room.

Minato flinched when Tenome told him to stop being sorry. He hasn't heard words like that in a long time. He wishes he could remember what happened before,when he met them formally then maybe his whole time in jail would be more bearable. Noticing the wink the smaller slayer made, he was quite unsure to who he was directing it at even though it was the two of them talking at that time.

Tenome’s somewhat casual facade nearly crumbled however when a hand closed around one of his own. It was soft if not a tad dry and as the woman moved closer to him to hold his hand he could tell it was likely due to the disinfectant alcohols she used in the infirmary that he could still smell mixed with her own unique scent. It was. . . nice in a way? He felt his cheeks get just a tad warmer especially near his eyes and wore a small frown in response. Well at least she couldn’t tell his face was getting hot right- as far as he knew there weren’t any tell tale signs of this. Little did he know, around his high cheekbones a small flourish of pink bloomed in response when Naoru wrapped her arm around his.

“Well well well~ You already seem to be quite supportive” He said, gesturing slightly to their locked arms “Couldn’t wait to get a little closer huh?” Hibiki couldn’t help but tease however he returned to a more serious manner when Yamauba addressed the other companion in their little group.

“Oh good, then I’m doing my job right already. Of course, I couldn’t wait~.”

Naoru thought it was hilarious seeing the way Hibiki’s face barely matched his words. As she’d taken his hand she’d seen the way his cheeks had reddened, even with the frown on his face. And even now, when she’d wrapped their arms together, his face had flushed up even more. It was quite adorable. Hibiki-Tenome—goodness. It was harder doing this when she was aware of their real names. His behavior was already helping with Minato.

Or Ikiryo. Really, how did the Captain expect them to hold to this? She thought, before continuing with what she was saying.

Hibiki knew that however hard it was for him, it must’ve been ten times worse for someone who seemed as tortured as Minato. Sure his own crimes had been bad- but he didn’t feel true guilt for them. As far as he was concerned, he’d just slayed demons still in their human form. . .but for Minato- whatever he had done, it was obvious it still weighed on him like he was carrying the world’s sins on his back.

Tentatively he reached his free hand out to him as well. “Here- we can do it together okay?”

Naoru looked to Minato with warm eyes. She knew this had to be hard. She couldn’t even imagine being isolated to his degree. He looked so sad and lonely...it tugged on her heart. She really hoped he would take their hands. When Hibiki mirrored her action, without even knowing that was her movement, her heart warmed, replacing that hurt. Her smile seemed to grow. He had no idea how much that had meant to her. Yes, the three would work together if they could.

Stunned. That is the word Minato can describe himself feeling right now. He had been so sure that people would look at him with disdain in their eyes, like the way his father and sister does to him even if they are illusions. He first looked at Naoru, mouth opening then closing. Unable to say anything like he lost his voice. "I…" He wanted to say that he is sorry, unable to decide but he needed to.

As much as he hated to be part of the corps once again, albeit differently than before, the back of his mind tells him to do it. This will be him, helping people again just like he did before but his heart beated loudly. Afraid of history repeating itself.

He raised his hands slowly, taking hold on the ones reaching out to his. He gave a gingerly nod as he bit his lip in nervousness. "Together."

“I hope you’re not about to say sorry again, M—Ikiryo.” Naoru, much like Hibiki, felt there was no need for apologies. The words came off as a gentle tease, not as irritation. He had apologized so many times and he hadn’t done anything wrong. “Be nicer to yourself—“ To which the taller man nodded.

And then he took their hands, and although he looked anxious, he said the magic word.

Naoru intertwined their fingers and gave his hand a small squeeze. “Excellent.” Her words were soft, and as warm as her eyes. She was so thankful he’d said yes. However, she realized something….

“Come now, my dear boys; I think we’re the last ones to grab our swords. We should hurry.”

Hibiki felt a wave of relief wash over him when his free hand was taken by the taller male, feeling his hand, old calluses still present from years of honing his swordsmanship skills, close around his own slender one. Minato felt colder than most, there was a certain strength to it- but still Tenome could feel his pulse beating through his skin clear as day, slightly quickened from the stressful situation.

“Na- Yamauba’s right. Pretty much all the other prisoners have left the room already right?” He questioned, head tilting to one side, his matted green hair falling in front of his eyes. They needed to get moving before they got yelled at- he was sure despite this newfound taste of freedom, just loitering around the conference room wasn’t allowed.
Tentatively he unhooked his arm from Yamauba’s, deciding that Ikiryo needed hand holding more than the woman did, and as much as he’d have been happy to hold both of their hands, a ring around the rosie-esq circle wasn’t the most conducive to walking. So now, with the tallest of the three in the middle the green haired slayer began to tug them out to the courtyard, relying on his hearing to follow the familiar voices of those who had been in the meeting room along with them.

Soon enough Hibiki could feel the cool midday air on his face and taking a deep breath now felt refreshing instead of stale like it had inside the cells of the prison. This was already seeming to be an improvement- after all fresh air and sunshine were two of the simplest medicines known to man and now they’d likely get it in abundance.

Slowly the slayer drew in a deep breath as he cast unseeing eyes over the courtyard before as he exhaled he released a yell with such force that it seemed he’d only barely been holding it back during his time in prison. Following this he squeezed Ikiryo’s hand tightly, a pleased grin tugging at the corners of his lips. “Still resonates just like it used to- my stuff is over on that table,” He paused, pointing with his free hand to a small pile which seemed to hold two swords, and a hat made from bamboo, bells dangling all the way around the rim.

Gingerly he turned towards Minato, enclosing his hand momentarily in both of his own before letting him go so he could trot over to the table, immediately snatching up the wide hat, plonking it atop his head with a flourish of jingles. As if to test its effectiveness once more Hibiki gave a small shake of his head before spinning in a circle, all the while his bells chiming as they bobbed with his movements. After he spun he stopped on steady feet, pointing directly at the two companions he’d walked in with, blinking as though putting the hat on had the same effect as a fresh pair of glasses. “Much better! Now I can get a good sense of you guys, mm you’re pretty tall and built Ikiryo. . . and you look pretty strong too Yaba~” He chirped, playfully shortening her new call sign to a simple two syllables like her real name.

To have people around him that didn't bear ill will or fear, it's been such a long time. And honestly if one would ask how he felt about this, he'd say that he doesn't know. His feelings were all mixed up that he is unable to identify which is which. He watched Tenome walk towards his equipment after a sudden yell, to his surprise. Near the smaller man's equipment was his own. "We should get ours too, Yamauba."

There was a slight quiver to his voice as he looked straight to the woman, taking in her features. She was kind, different but beautiful. Tenome, his frame may be small but Minato can feel how comfortable he is. Proceeding to the table, he gulped at the sight of the dark blades of his dual swords. Hesitation. He took it and felt each of its weight with his hands, they were heavier than he remembered. Colder. "To hold these again, it's familiar yet not at the same time."

"Yes. You are quite… small." He said with a blank face, unsure if that counts as a compliment at all. "I hope we all do well with our assigned duties." Hope. That is the word. He doesn't want any more lives gone because of him.

Naoru was amused when Tenome let out a yell into the area. She’d wondered how exactly he used his breath style; she knew it had to be possible, but seeing was different than coming up with theories while she tended to his wounds in the Infirmary. Here was her answer: echolocation. He probably had a strong sense of hearing as well. She didn’t mean to think of her new friends as objects, trying to figure them out like they were tongue twisters...but she couldn’t help her curiosity.

Her eyes brightened as Tenome turned to them both after getting his objects; he was very accurate, now. It wasn’t like before when he’d thought he was staring at Ikiryo and had been staring in the direction of the swords. This was very interesting to her...she was, however, brought out of her thoughts by Ikiryo, and the way his voice wavered when he spoke to her. As he looked at her, she was certain a small amount of red painted her cheeks as she nodded in agreement with his words; she was quite happy he turned to grab his swords when he did.

What a stare he had, it was like he was staring into her...soul. The feeling didn’t creep her out, more than it brought back that same curiosity she’d had moments before. How interesting….

Naoru smiled at the swordsmith who had brought her sword, picking it up, and she was pleased to see her canisters of sedatives were also next to it.

Wait, would that sedative be stronger now, since it had been years since she’d mixed it together? Potency tendered to be tied to age, after all...the idea of an aged sedative was quite amusing. She assumed she would have to test it at another time, when her mission wasn’t just to scout.

“Yes, he is much smaller than us, isn’t he, Ikiryo?” Naoru smiled, proving to the two men that although she had been lost in thought (again), that she had still been paying attention. “Very sweet of you to say I’m strong, darling. And we should be fine. Our mission is just a scouting mission; we don’t have to fight.”

Unless something escalated the problem while they were out there.

Hibiki crossed his arms across his chest, having yet to bother to pick up his swords, still much too captivated by having his hat back, however just because he was focussing on the ringing of the bells didn’t mean he didn’t hear his companion’s comments. As much as they didn’t seem to be said in a teasing manner, the shorter male could help the pout that spread on his lips as he stared past the two of them, pale eyes hidden from their view by the wide brim of his hat. “Height is all just perspective anyways! Just because i’m smaller than you doesn’t mean i’m not big to someone like those ladies-” He argued, nodding towards the direction of what sounded like a flourish of clacking “And you guys are small to someone like him- He’s super tall” Tenome said, assuming the two could figure out which prisoner he was referring to- after all, with his size he appeared more like a timid moving boulder to Hibiki than a human.

The smile on Naoru’s face from her amusement left as soon as she spotted the pe—Aka Manto, with a member of authority who spoke to them all. Ah, good. So while they had an escort, he also had a leash. Excellent. She couldn’t be certain what would happen if he attempted to touch her again, and she didn’t want to risk her “freedom'' on breaking his wrist. So she could only hope it wouldn’t come to that.

She turned back to her men. “And look, we even have bait if things go wrong.” There was mirth in Naoru’s voice, and she’d said the comment for just the two of them to hear, but it was quite obvious: she was much more serious than her tone let on. However, she changed the subject. “I agree with you, Ikiryo. I...feel happy and uncomfortable at the same time. These swords are so distinctly ours but it’s been so long, hasn’t it?”

Her sword definitely felt heavier; she would have to get used to holding a weapon again.

"It has." Minato agreed with the statement Naoru had said but it wasn't just that. The blades he was holding had been used to kill those he made an oath to protect and be his comrades. He found it disgusting that he is to hold the very sword he had used to swing into the flesh of human beings whether he's in the right mind or not.

Hibiki was pulled from his pouting about his height being pointed out by the sounding of a pair of approaching footsteps and soon enough those in his group had very loosely formed a group close enough that they could all hear what their handler had to say. Aka Manto- that creep from earlier. Previously the cretin had even had the nerve to act like Hibiki and he were similar in the way they spoke to women. However he couldn’t be more wrong- the blind slayer respectfully flirted where as the perverted prisoner tended to speak with his hands more than anything. A grimace crossed the male’s rather delicate features at the thought of them sharing a team but thankfully enough it was hidden by the brim of his hat as well as his matted green hair.

Hm- bait huh? If he had to pick anyone to go first it’d definitely be Aka Manto- however if short sticks had to be pulled and someone else had to take up the roll he certainly didn’t want it to end up being Naoru or Minato. Besides, acting as bait had been a signature tactic for him back in his glory days as a slayer and it might be a nice nostalgia trip for him. Silently his fingers found their way to his blades on the table beside him and he lifted them both, stowing each in one of the sheaths he could affix onto his hips.

By the time he completed this task and was situated there was a lull in the conversation and he happily raised his hand, a grin playing on his lips. “If Aka Manto dies I’ll be bait next! No demon can pass up a meal as easy as a blind guy hobbling through a forest. Besides, I’m pretty sure it’s been proven demons like to eat better looking people, so if Aka here doesn’t get us any bites I’m sure I can.” He gave a thumbs up to the group “Plus this hat is great for helping me find my way but it’s not the best for sneaking around.”

At the same time, the two beside him opened their mouths.

“Absolutely not.” They spoke in unison, earning a small wince from the shorter male as his offer was quickly turned down.

Naoru paused at that. A small giggle left her lips shortly after; how amusing was it they’d had the same thought. Her eyes then made their way to Minato’s, and they softened as their eyes met. There was still something good in Minato. Absolutely. She was happy to see that. Maybe they could get more out of him as time went by. But for now, she wanted to convince Tenome that being used as bait wasn’t something she wanted for him.

“Tenome, darling, I was joking...and even if I wasn’t, we’re supposed to just scout this mission. I would hate for you to become bait in a moment like that, hot or not.” She spoke soothingly. “Are you used to doing that, though?”

Minato remained silent, slightly embarrassed by the action he shared with the woman. He gave a small smile instead. Noticing how Naoru was looking, he cocked his head to the side with a wondering look. Then he felt a chill up his spine, words a silent whisper near his ears. "Avenge us." The voice was haunting, it was a mix of both his father's and his sister's. He tried his best not to turn his neck or shake his head. He could feel himself sweat, fingers cold, he peeked through the corners of his eyes but there was nothing.

He breathed. Relief washes over him knowing that the images of his family aren't invading reality for once. Once again, after hearing the last two statements from Naoru, he nodded and said, "It's a good thing that we only have a scouting mission. I would also hate to see you become bait, Tenome."

The green haired slayer merely shrugged, looking less than concerned despite his bold offer. “I’m used to it, it’s the easiest way to hunt after all. Tons of animals do it- feign as a meal then turn the tables. Don’t worry too much- trust me I’m not planning on dying so soon.”

 

[simj26]

Yokai 1
Aka MantoThe small team finally arrived within the walls of the small village, and the sun was still in the midst of falling over the horizon. Corporal Takashima Mori glanced around the village, and motioned to the Slayers to stop. The journey hadn’t been arduous, but sticking around with a bunch of murderers and political dissenters was not his idea of enjoying his job. He may have volunteered, but it was only because Captain Kisaragi needed volunteers. There was no way he was going to pass up a chance to help out the Captain, but that was before he realised the situation that he was going to be thrust into. He brushed his hair back onto his scalp and glowered at the village just ahead of him. It had taken no more than three days, but it felt as if two months had passed between their journey from Kageyama to Okudo. The Jinsei forest spanned towards the south of the village, and was a wide expanse of green, its canopy almost thick enough to obscure any light coming from even the sun. At night, it would be even more difficult to see anything in front of them. Mori turned to look at the Slayers, and wondered if they could manage. He clicked his tongue in annoyance. Nevermind. Even if they all fell, it wasn’t his problem. Their job here was to act as living, breathing alarm systems, that was all. Whether they died or not, it wasn’t an issue.

That was what Aka Manto surmised anyway. Ugh, wrong time, wrong place, that was his life in general. By the eight million kami, he didn’t deserve this name or this imprisonment! What kinda hot-blooded man didn’t ogle at succulent thighs or a pair of voluptuous breasts? A eunuch, that’s what! He didn’t deserve this. Put into this trash heap just because some rich bitch didn’t like how he was looking at her, and then made lies of, and then proceeded to be ridiculed for those lies? He rubbed his temples, and ran his hand over his smooth head.

“Yokai 1,” Mori finally addressed the team, taking the bald Slayer out of his reminiscing, “your orders are to sweep the forest of any demon threat, then return back here to the rendezvous point with your reports. Do not, I repeat, do NOT engage any demons you encounter out there. That is a direct order, and anyone who disobeys will be punished accordingly.”

Aka Manto just couldn't control himself from retorting. “Geez, then what kinda Slayers are we, then, Mori? We’re just dogs with their teeth filed down.”

“That’s one day in the solitary, on top of your three. There'll be enough time for you to bark in there,” Mori snapped without even glancing his way.

Ugh, solitary, solitary, solitary. That was all Miyamoto’s dogs knew how to bark. Who cares any more? “Gah, fine!” He waved in exasperation, and tucked his hands into his pockets. “So? You lot wanna hang around here with Mr. Grouch here and join me in the solitary, or do you wanna go play hide-and-seek with some demons?” He wouldn’t mind having one of the girls join him, honestly. That Kitsune chick was kinda cute. Not his kinda girl, but eh. She was cute enough. He blinked, then touched the hilt of his katana by his side. He shouldn't think too much about that just now. He had demons to look for. A smile slowly crept across his face as he started towards the edge of the village. Fuck Miyamoto's orders, man. He was gonna kill those demons and take the glory. He could appeal to Lord Ubayashiki's good graces if he managed to show him how strong he actually was. He laughed inwardly. Nothing like a good hunt for a warm up. He turned towards the group. "Oi! You coming?!"

cinnabuns Reinhardt Colorless Spectrum soggyparadise AtlannianSpy

 

[simj26]

Yokai 2
Shikigami
Though it had been no more than a few days of travel, it felt as if two months had passed between their departure from Kageyama. Shikigami bit into another bland rice cracker as he trudged along the footpath. Their escort had been quiet for most of the journey, but every time he glanced at her, she looked as if she was on the verge of spilling words all over herself. He wasn’t qualified to say much about a person’s personality, but she looked like, to him, the kind to talk a lot. The orders to keep her mouth shut were not doing any wonders for her patience, and she was on the edge of bursting into conversation. Her cheeks were puffed up like a chipmunk’s and she was turning red in the face, and she looked almost like a comical painted balloon.

It was the sight of the town walls that finally made her burst. “We’vefinallymadeittoYamashiki, guys! Itsuretookusalongtimebut that’sallrightandwhatmattersisthatwe’reallfine!”

Shikigami finished his rice cracker, and translated her words to the rest that weren’t too quick on the draw. “We’ve reached Yamashiki.” That was all they needed to know from her stream of words. At least she looked much more relaxed now, after having held it in for what he supposed was two days and a half. Private Minazuki breathed a sigh of relief, and set her bag down outside of the gate, ignoring the protests of the nearest town militia. Shikigami quickly noted that there were two watchmen positioned at the gate, before turning his attention to the medic.

“Alright! If you’ve all forgotten, there’s been a sighting of a demon in Yamashiki. According to the reports, people ranging from children to adults, sometimes even whole families, have gone missing, or have turned up dead in their houses.” Minazuki looked like she was about to add something else to the details, but refrained from doing so. She coughed instead to change the subject. “In any case, the people are starting to panic, and Slayer assistance is still on the way. Whoever they are, they’ll be arriving soon...ish, but!” She balled her hands into fists and faced Yokai 2 with a look of conviction in her eyes, “There's no time to wait for them! We-- no, YOU need to stop these killings and kidnappings tonight! You can’t let another life be lost!” She relaxed and straightened up. “But uh,” she sheepishly added, wringing her hands together, “you can’t kill the demon...or so command says. I’m, uh, not really too sure why, but if command says so, then I suppose you shouldn't do that but I think…” she trailed off into incoherent mumbling.

Shikigami sighed. There was no point talking with her about this. He looked at the other members of Yokai 2. “What do you propose we do?” he asked no one in particular. Wanyudo shifted uncomfortably in his place, and grunted, obviously unhappy with the circumstances, but said nothing, waiting for the others to chime in first.

The One Eyed Bandit Lucem AllHailDago Rantos Hanarei

 

[AtlannianSpy]

Inugami

Inuko Sato
​

"Surely if you were put in solitary confinement other people would not be permitted to join you," Inuko said blankly her voice soft and slighly raspy from disuse still and a very slight expression of confusion visible on her features. "Even if others were given the same punishment they would be placed in separate cells otherwise it would not be solitary confi- oh you're already leaving," . Ultimately Inuko supposed it was true the exact nature of any threatened punishment was ultimately a diversion from their actual objective but Inuko found it puzzling that the one called Aka Manto was unfamiliar with the nature of solitary confinement when he was so frequently subjected to it though.

The mission briefing itself was a bit vague for Inuko's taste. The area encompassing "The forest" was fairly broad and the terrain rough: any comprehensive sweep of it could take days, especially considering nobody seemed inclined to implement any kind of search grid and they seemed to be planning not to stick together. Inuko wondered if any right thinking demon would even allow itself to be flushed out by such an operation. Admittedly she had less experience with demons then most of the other prisoners but the ones she had killed on behalf of the Sato clan had mostly been opportunistic predators who preyed on the weak. A group of rough looking individuals armed with swords would probably be enough to convince any demons like that to keep their heads down and the forest would provided them plenty of cover to hide within.

"Oh! should we set some fires?" Inuko asked with the same tone some people might use to ask if you wanted them to pick up bread and milk on the way home. Her had thoughts suddenly concluded and it seemed efficient to Inuko at this point to transition to open speech.

simj26 cinnabuns Reinhardt Colorless Spectrum soggyparadise

 

[The One Eyed Bandit]

Buffoonery. Throughout the debriefing, Joumei remained disaffected by the other Hunters' squabbling. Whilst she'd hardly been familiar with the lot for long, she could hardly say her opinion of them was sunny. They were, she supposed, locked up for a reason. Just as she was.

On a reflex, an eyebrow peaked as their would-be keeper seemed to tangle herself in her own words. Her heart felt for the poor thing. She'd clearly, to some degree or another, been thrust into a position she was ill-prepared for. While Joumei's own life was of little value, the young-private was someone that still had their life ahead of them. If nothing else, that was something worth protecting.

"I think it'd be best to avoid that sort of dramaticism." As it was within the courtyard, Joumei's voice was one that carried with it airs of clarity and practice. "We'd not want to scare our quarry off, no? If there's anything I learned during my time in the field, it's that these Demons tend to be... Cowards, more or less. Give them enough of a reason to run and they'll do so without a second thought. Though, that said, I've hardly much of a clue as to a course of action myself. My apologies."

 

[AllHailDago]

Gen Ota
Yūrei​

Gen stuffed what would to others be a day's worth of crackers into his mouth all at once. Clearly unbothered by the bland flavor or the dryness, he smiled softly as he ate. Periodically dusting crumbs out of his beard and into his other hand, only to eat those as well. He looked down at the myriad other players who walked ahead of him, as he had been rearguard. In the few days they had been traveling many seemed to have lost their wariness of him, at least openly, and it made him want to let out a deal of boisterous laughter. Though he restrained himself as he was sure that wouldn't help keep things as they were...

It was so wonderful to be traveling again, stretching his legs and getting plenty of fresh air. The smell of the trees, grass, and various animals graced his nose like an old friend. He let slip a slight growl of appreciation before stopping himself, glancing about to see if anyone heard. It didn't appear so. Just as well, as they were finally approaching the town of Yamashiki, and they didn't need anyone being wary of him when demons were present.

They drew to a stop at the edge of town, and the nice lady who was their guide addressed them. Gen had almost forgotten the details of the demon they were to search for. As she reminded him his grin turned sour and his thick brow furrowed deeply. He wasn't overly fond of most demons to begin with, but those that attacked children.... A wholly different growl threatened to slip from him thinking on it.

He eyed Shikigami as he asked what anyone thought they should do. Gen was unhappy to admit it to himself, but he didn't know. He wasn't very errr strategically inclined. He couldn't offer a plan that didn't involve waiting until the demon showed up and pummeling them. So for now he looked at the others, his arms crossed as he drummed his fingers in his biceps.

simj26 The One Eyed Bandit Lucem Hanarei Rantos

​