The rat blinked as incoming arrow and knife made their way toward it and it hissed, its two very large dual blades swinging and lashing the knife away while dodging the arrow. At the insults, ifs eyes narrowed before making a squeak sound to the Ox before its small form dashed to Ageha with much agility despite carrying giant blades.

The Ox turned its attention away from the Priestess and back to the Princess wjo panted a little as she stood up quickly. The Ox snorted, cold icy air appearing in crystals out of its nostrils before rearing up and charging. Its horns forming a large wall of ice with spikes in the front.

Mizuki's eyes widened before quickly leaping over the Ox. Just when she was above her though, the ox through its head up, the ice wall slamming upward into shards of ice spikes. It took all her focus for Mizuki to spiin and dodge most of them. But even then she hissed as one cut her shoulder.

Growling, the half demon landed before charging, her hands grabbing the Ox by the horns before using all her strength to throw it to the ground in a large crash. Reaching for the beads again, she tried avoiding the thrashing ox's horns.

Hanami looked to the small warrior that landed in front of her. She was requesting she use some of her spiritual energy to charge her weapon; which greatly confused her. From what Kouko was asking, it sounded entirely different than weapon blessings which was to be done in a safe and clean environment - the complete opposite of this. "Hmm. " She said somewhat deep in thought as she questioned the exact mechanics of how she transferred her spiritual energy to her bow and arrows. The Priestess never considered it, and... She had only really used weapons that were projectiles of some sort. If her energy did not have a destination such as during her healing sessions, it would eventually fade. That was why using your life force was so deadly for those without a large enough spirit pool, it could eventually drain you dry and have fatal consequences. She owed many thanks to the Kami for blessing her with her holy talents.

"Okay." She said finally, albeit a bit uncertain. Instead of taking Kouko's arm, Hanami touched the hilt of the little warrior's sword and transferred her energy into it. Already she could see the lavender aura around the sword waning with each second that passed. "Hurry Kouko-san. It won't last very long." She frowned and turned her attention to the Ox which had found itself a new target. Her eyes widened to see that Ageha had made her way over to them as well and Mizuki was engaging the angry animal.

Fighting through the annoying pain in her arm, she drew another arrow and fired it at the ox. Once that one left her bow, she drew another and shot several more, either aimed at the Rat's tail or the Ox's beads. If they would just stand still, then she could hit the beads...

Ageha smiled devilishly as the rat finally charged at her. Good, it worked. Though, she wasn't very pleased by the Princess' actions afterwards. She was trying to help, not let her take on the bigger, debatably angier beast. Though she didn't have much time to dwell on the fact, a rather angry... strange rodent was charging after her with a speed she wouldn't have seen in it with what it was carrying. The rat leaped up at her, swinging the blades down hard at her. A rather confused, though excited, Ageha pulled up her Sai to parry and was pushed down by the strength of the beast. "What the..." She stammered, a bit taken aback. Why was this thing so strong?

Ageha huffed and reached for her other blade while attempting to keep the rat at bay with her other arm, a task not as easy as she made it seem. The rat was beginning to push her back, her feet sliding over the dirt road. As she pulled out her second blade, the rat swung it's tail around, whipping Ageha's hand, causing her to drop her second Sai. Her eyes grew large and then narrowed, already trying to formulate a plan. She pushed the rat off of her with all of her strength. It went flying, though soon recovered and was already making another charge. With what little time she had left, Ageha dove for her blade and spun just in time to stop the creature once again with a blade. Smiling now, she took her second blade and rammed it up the rat's stomach, hoping for the best.

ReaptheMusic said
"It's been but less than a day Starlight." Ariiko jumped down from her spot on the roof, landing on the ground nimbly and with her armor in hand. She walked to the light haired warrior with ease and stopped beside her. "What were you reading?"[moar filler]

It had been less than a day, but in Noriaki's mind, or rather in her eyes, it had been much, much longer. For every moment apart from her muse was as if a week had gone by. Perhaps even a month. Noriaki did not say as much outloud, merely letting it stay in her thoughts, but as her eyes settled on the woman, a smile made its way across her lips, a smile so wide and full of joy that it almost looked sinister. Noriaki continued to smile while she placed a hand onto Ariiko's shoulders, letting her palm linger there in a sign of affection.

"Just old letters, my muse, old letters from an old friend. An old friend who was the first to read my poetry, my written tales. Perhaps one day, when we are on our journey together, I will tell you of the author of these letters. And soon, I shall be entrusting you with the privilege to be the first to read my newly crafted poems, for I do believe you will find the subject matter pleasing, as they will certainly revolve around you, my muse."

Noriaki would then slip her hand to Ariiko's other shoulder and press her closer together, embracing her into a side-long hug. Or so she had intended, before the sounds of shouts, of heavy footsteps charging through, of the unmistakable sounds of combat. Which meant that the Princess was likely in trouble. Which meant that Noriaki was on the clock, so to speak.

"Odd..." she said softly, her ears pricking up at the sounds of the rampaging spirits elsewhere in the village. "Ah, well, sounds like the drunks are being rowdy tonight." Noriaki let out a chuckle, but even she didn't sound sincere in her voice. If she could understand what that noise meant, could her muse? And would her muse drag her along to the encounter? "Anyway, what say we enjoy a cup of hot tea and the pleasure of each other's conversation and company? Talking the day away and resting together until dawn?"

The next few moments were crucial. Noriaki wasn't yet sweating, but her lips were quivering slightly. Excitement? Or was it nerves?

"Well then see for yourself." Akane said to Nagiha before chasing after Ageha and following her to the battle. There were more of the group there battling the beast, but for now they did seem effecitve so far. At the moment it looked like Ageha was attempting to finish off the giant rat riding the ox. Then there was Mizuki and Hanami dealing with the ox. "Looks like the Princess is having fun." she mumbled while looking at the situation and seeing which would need the most attention.

"Hello there!" Akane ran over to Mizuki as the creature thrashed about. She was trying to keep upright for this blow, but felt the sake making this struggle interesting. As it moved about erratically Akane saw her chance through its random movements. Only a a dozen feet away Akane jumped into the air and aimed her Naginata downward into one of its eyes hoping to hamper its vision.

Nagiha stared at the beastly show that was playing out in front of her. "What in the name of Buddha is that thing?!", she exclaimed in horror, pointing at that giant rat...thing riding the ox. A shower of disgust ran down her back. In protection she raised her yari, but then she thought of something else. Why not help them? They did seem to struggle to kill this thing, so it seemed only reasonable to assist.

With her battlecry echoing through the village she charged the ox, her yari-spear pointed right at it and then she rammed the ox piercing right into him, however, out of some miracle, at least it seemed to her, the spear didn't penetrate the skin of the ox and bounced off. Surprised by this, Nagiha stumbled back before being run over by its massive hooves.

Just like that, that's right... she could feel it. The sacred power that had been charged in to her sword. With no will to hold it in place, it was quickly escaping. If that's the problem, then she should try something. She closes her eyes and focuses deeply, drawing out her own Ki and carefully, carefully wrapping it around the sacred power Hanami had focused into her sword. That should be enough to wrap the sacred power into the blade.

"Thank you very much for your gift, Miko-san." With that, she makes a charge. She rushes to the ox, and Mizuki's side. She'd managed to topple the creature, but struggled to grasp the beads. "Hime-sama, allow me. Please keep the creature still." She attempts to aling the tip of her sword with one of the beads. Perhaps she could use the Priestess's sacred power and her sword to purify the beads.

As the rat was stabbed, the weapon only went through its stomach, sparkles surrounding a greenish vortex around the blade. It looked down before looking up at its opponent with a unamused expression before thrusting its two blades in the girl' shoulders. Quickly lifting her up and tossing her back in a surprisingly strong throw.

It squeaked, before charging once more, its swift movemenr swinging its dual blades expertly, the beads around its neck glowing darkly and its eyes glowing a black color. Its tail whipped the air, lashing as well as its swords.

Mizuki was trying to hold down the ox, though tensed as someone charged in and tried attacking the spirit,, though luckily her blade bounced off. However when Akane was lunging for the eyes, Mizuki somehow knew that blow would be fatal. Seeing as how the dark beads seemed to weaken the creature's around the throat. Quickly, the half demon rashly got in front of the ox's head, and in Akane's line of attack.

The Ox snorted and snarled as it reared its horns, ice encasing them as they shot out shards of ice in random directions. Attempting to get a blow on anyone around and especially get Mizuki off. It managed to dodge the area, barely, but when Kouko came down on the beads with a holy blade. It landed squarely on them, the beads shrieking in response as darkness seemed to seep out.

Half of the blackness seemed to remain from the holy blow, and even though the ox was under control still, it's movements slowed at it's ice attacks were less accurate. As if attempting to stop its attacks.

Ageha's eyes grew wide at the scene before her. Her blade had no affect on it? And what was that look it gave her? She couldn't shake this feeling that it was smirking at her. Her brows furrowed but she felt her world begin to spin as two blades pierced her shoulders. She yelped out in pain as the rat threw her back with it's immense strength. She closed her eyes as she hit the ground with a loud thump. She was lucky to not land on her tail bone. She landed side ways, her already injured shoulder taking most of the hit. The force of the impact cause her to let go of her swords and they flew a ways away from her. Again, she let out a shrieking yelp of pain, the pain coursing through her side. She curled up into a ball, letting out a series of murmured groans.

She didn't even see the Rat begin it's charge. It ran over, it's tail swishing along with it's dual blades. It smiled devilishly and stabbed Ageha in the leg. She let out another loud yelp and swung at the rat, smacking it. It did nothing to stop the rat, it kept slashing at her leg, narrowly missing, as if messing with her. "STOP!" She yelled out, her shoulders and leg burning with pain. She tried her best to crawl away, towards her blades, but the rat kept slashing at her, stopping her. She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, she was glaring at the rat, her eyes hard and cold. "I haven't come this far to be killed by the likes of you!" She yelled before pushing herself up quickly, running towards her swords, the pain almost overwhelming. She grabbed the closest weapon she could get to and slashed at the beast, trying to just keep it away from her. How the hell was she supposed to battle this thing if she couldn't kill it?

Fabricant451 said
It had been less than a day, but in Noriaki's mind, or rather in her eyes, it had been much, much longer. For every moment apart from her muse was as if a week had gone by. Perhaps even a month. Noriaki did not say as much outloud, merely letting it stay in her thoughts, but as her eyes settled on the woman, a smile made its way across her lips, a smile so wide and full of joy that it almost looked sinister. Noriaki continued to smile while she placed a hand onto Ariiko's shoulders, letting her palm linger there in a sign of affection."Just old letters, my muse, old letters from an old friend. An old friend who was the first to read my poetry, my written tales. Perhaps one day, when we are on our journey together, I will tell you of the author of these letters. And soon, I shall be entrusting you with the privilege to be the first to read my newly crafted poems, for I do believe you will find the subject matter pleasing, as they will certainly revolve around you, my muse."Noriaki would then slip her hand to Ariiko's other shoulder and press her closer together, embracing her into a side-long hug. Or so she had intended, before the sounds of shouts, of heavy footsteps charging through, of the unmistakable sounds of combat. Which meant that the Princess was likely in trouble. Which meant that Noriaki was on the clock, so to speak. "Odd..." she said softly, her ears pricking up at the sounds of the rampaging spirits elsewhere in the village. "Ah, well, sounds like the drunks are being rowdy tonight." Noriaki let out a chuckle, but even she didn't sound sincere in her voice. If she could understand what that noise meant, could her muse? And would her muse drag her along to the encounter? "Anyway, what say we enjoy a cup of hot tea and the pleasure of each other's conversation and company? Talking the day away and resting together until dawn?" The next few moments were crucial. Noriaki wasn't yet sweating, but her lips were quivering slightly. Excitement? Or was it nerves?

Ariiko chuckled, closing her eyes and taking Noriakis hand into hers. She gingerly pushed the womans pale hair behind her ear, all the while cupping her cheek in her hand. "Yes... Let us turn in for the night."
She knew for a fact that the rambunctious noises of the night did not belong to drunken patrons, but indeed to spirits. The dis-ease of Ida made it clear what was happening, but she wanted nothing more than to focus on Noriaki at the moment.

Hanami's eyes darted to where Ageha was entertaining the rat once she'd heard her cry of pain. The girl looked to be in need of assistance, and since everyone was on the ox she decided to lend a hand. The Priestess aimed at the rat, her eyes full of determination as her arrow began to glow with each passing second. She knew that she had to be careful of hitting the rat again, but with the increasing pain in her arm concentration proved difficult. Exhaling slowly, the sacred arrow flew from her bow and connected with one of the beads around the rat's tail.

Purple orbs seeped out of the beads as the dark energy was hit by the purifying arrow, and the rat seemed to be coming to it's senses. He lowered his swords slightly, looking at both Ageha and Hanami as if he was making an important decision, having an internal battle. Hanami lowered her bow as well and attempted to reach out to the rat with her link to the spiritual world, urging it to fight against the darkness that had surrounded him. It seemed to be working...

"Ageha, try to remove the beads!" She yelled, raising her bow slightly and preparing another arrow.

She blinked, watching an arrow come out of no where and hit the beads around the rat's tail. She looked to see Hanami-san lowering her arms after hitting the creature. Her eyes glanced down at the creature who was now looking around at both her and Hanami-san as if trying to think of something important, it's weapons now lowered. She glanced back up at Hanami-san after hearing her words. "Grab the beads?" She mumbled, looking down at the rat. A smile grew on her face and she nodded at Hanami-san. She dove for the base of the rat's tail, sliding her hands up it's tail in an attempt to dislodge the beads from the rat's tail.

Akane could see the Princess dash in front of the ox, but could barely stop the blade just short of the Princess. She stepped back wobbling a bit to make sure she wasn't going to skewer the Princess. "What's a princess doing in my way?" It was her way of asking 'why did she stop her?'. After Kouko's strike it was obvious why. The princess seemed to want to free the spirit, but Akane personally didn't care about keeping it alive. When the ice shards began firing everywhere at random Akane started to drunkenly evade and even deflect some hits by spinning her Naginata around. Her senses were impaired, but dumb luck and inhuman reflexes saved her.

"This isn't 'hiccup' the place for a princess! Get away from it!" The ice shards weren't really directed at one specific point. Right now was their best chance to get out of the way as it came back to its senses. Even drunk she gritted her teeth nervous about what might happen to Mizuki.

"This is no place for a drunken warrior. Im not letting you kill a innocent spirit." Mizuki countered firmly to the demon slayer, her hands firmly gripped on the Ox's horns to keep it steady. Though her hands were being encased in ice, she ripped one free to grab the beads, quickly ripping them off. The last remaining darkness leaving the evil ornaments.

As the oddly white red tattoo Ox suddenly halted in its struggles, Mizuki let go letting out a sigh of relief. The large spirit looking around curiously before looking at them in a more calm state. Its eyes now a ice blue instead of pitch black.

The Rat easily countered Ageha's moves, smoothly blocking the desperate slashes. Though it squealed out as another arrow shot forth, hitting squarely on its beads. The dark accessory weakening and their control diminished and the rat trying to control itself, lowered its weapons.

It squeaked out in protest as Ageha launched to it, making a grab at the beads. The rodent attempted to whip its tail at her, but once the beads were ripped off, the rat fully lowered the weapons and its black eyes turned into silver like a steel blade. It looked around before looking up at the humans, looking quite innocent and cute compared to its former violent behavior.

The two spirits then moved more closely together seeming to tilt their head at one another questionably before they both looke....
The rat bounced up in front of Mizuki before giving a squeak of glee. "We are free from the clutches of the Dark Lord! We thank you all for your benevolent nature and your will of mercy! I am Tachigami, guardian of the sword." the mouse squeaked happily.

"And I am Ikegami, Guardian of Blizzards and snow. We thank you for your assistance." The Ox spoke, less excited compared to the rat but still held a kindness to his deep chilling voice. "We apologize for the damage done in our state of madness. We do hope your injuries will heal and your spirit prosper."

Mizuki stood up straight and bowed a little. "Thank you.. im just glad you are back to normal. she spoke though paused a little. Weren't those the names of Gods? They sounded familiar...

Kouko sheathed her sword as she saw their combat come to an end. The beads were the answer, as her first instinct had told her. She'd have to keep that in mind, when next they found themselves faced with such entities. That would prove to be valuable information. She watches as the two creatures gather themselves, moving to stand by Mizuki's side. "Princess, are you unharmed?" It didn't seem like she'd been seriously injured this time, either, which was fortunate... Though, another of them seemed to have sustained some injuries. Hanami, as well. The priestess's injury made her the most nervous, but she could probably heal herself... right?

The Gods introduced themselves before them, and Kouko's attention was caught. Sword god? She steps before the guardian and kneels, taking her sword from her waist and laying on the ground in front of her. "Tachigami-sama. I wonder if you might know the location of this sword's sheath. No other sheath will fit it." If she could find an answer or a lead here, it might fall along the path of their collective quest.

Mi....Miko-dono....? Hime-dono? Where is everyone? Where.....where am I?

For so long her bewildered mind was adrift in the shadows of uncertainty and of unconsciousness. The Ronin, she could not fathom whether it were day or night, whether the sun was casting its warm rays ever so gently upon her seemingly lifeless body or if it were the moon instead bathing her pale skin riddled with cuts and scars of every severity in its cream colored, mysterious glow. What had happened to her? Was she....dead? No...this wasn't like before when she was close to making the cross between the planes of existence, passing over reluctantly from the realm of the living and into the abandon hallows of the dead. There were no restless spirits lingering forth to carry her broken soul away deeper into the shadows. There was no ill stench of carrion rotting and festering amidst the lifeless, choking air that burned her lungs ever so with Hell's limitless and horrible fury. There was only....darkness, a deep and black chasm of nothing that she forever wandered through in her mental state, the darkness having consumed her just like that. She could remember she was standing beside Hanami, the beautiful and kind priestess, when suddenly everything around her, everyone, they dissolved into these very shadows that became her prison, but there was something before it, yes...a peculiar and rancorous sound, a sound Asuka had never heard the likes of, was it....a demon? Another monstrosity come to claim the life of their fair Hime-dono? Then...she was dead!! Damn! The beast! It had slain her before she could even draw her blade! No....NO! I...I can't be-! I just-!

It was a horror she could not deny.... Hime-dono.....Miko-dono......I....I failed you.....I'm sorry....I'm...so...sorry.... Her journey...it had come to an end, and ever so abruptly did such a vile conclusion to her eventful life come. At least....she didn't endure the pain of having the beast's horn impale her already battered and mangled form, or have to witness...as she pictured....Hanami's terrified eyes brimming with such tears of melancholy, the image that would've stayed regretfully with Asuka forever as she made...this final journey of hers to the dwellings of the lost souls. Miko-dono......Hanami.....I..... But suddenly through the darkness, there shined this light. A-again? The light...she remembered it before as she tarried in this lonesome chasm of misery, twas the same feeling as well, a light, brighter than the sun, the stars, and the moon in the heavens above, so...welcoming to the fallen ronin, as if the light embraced her in warmth. And as before, she slowly made her way towards it, her body becoming warmer and even lighter by the second. Just as before, she had awaken, but....where was she? This place....it was not the village from before. "H...huh?" It was too beautiful, even for words to describe as Asuka's tired, heavy eyes slowly hinged open to take in such lovely colors. The sakura petals fell softly upon her cheeks, little wisps of light pinks fluttering past her eyes almost every minute.

Twas then Asuka felt something else touch her cheek, a hand of someone's, gracing her skin ever so gently, ever so tenderly that it sent a few pleasant chills through the ronin's nerves and etched the most sincere and peaceful of smiles across her pale lips. For a few moments, she closed her eyes and continued to feel the soft touch of a woman's hand, but whose? Her eyes opened again, this time craning her head slightly upwards to catch glance of the welcoming and calming presence above her. Asuka soon came to realize her head was resting in the woman's lap, and that woman was......."Miko-dono?" Hanami.....she was resting in Hanami's lap, letting the young maiden comfort her. Upon seeing those familiar blue eyes again, she smiled all the more, her eyes becoming damp with what seemed to be tears of joy. "I....I missed you....Hanami. But....wait..." Hanami was here, but where were the others? There was no sight of them, no Hime-dono, no Noriaki-dono, not even Kaede-dono. "Why...why am I here?" She asked the Priestess with a hoarse and concerned edge to her voice. There was no voiceful reply from the beautiful maiden, but a smile and a hand slowly rising to point to something. Asuka then rose her head to see what Hanami pointed at, or rather who. "What....?"

Her eyes beheld the mysterious sight, a woman, maybe younger than her, but her...appearance, it was rather peculiar to the ronin. She was about the same height as Asuka, but her hair, it was short, almost cut like a young boy's, and not to mention it was....blue? And the way this girl was dressed, it was also quite strange to the woman. It was as if she were clad in shadows, everything on her, black. She carried something over her shoulder as well, a large...oblong shaped bag of sorts...like it contained some sort of instrument inside it. The strange girl soon made eye contact with the woman, and in that very second, Asuka....could see herself in the girl's eyes. "Is she....?"

And just like that, the girl smiled brightly and waved to the ronin, before turning heel and running away, her voice trailing off into the distance as the light around Asuka grew brighter,

"Hey, Mira-chan! Wait up!"

---

"Hey! Kushiami-san! Wake up! Don't make me pour this sake all over you, idiot! Get your lazy bones to moving! You ain't dead....at least not yet!"

"Oro?!" Quickly darted up the woman from a shabby bedroll after hearing that ever so rude awakening, again from a voice she recognized no less. "Na....Natsume-sensei?" She managed to utter, her body still woozy from what might have been a very long sleep, foggy, hazed eyes glancing over to the muscular woman leaning in the doorway, infamous, disapproving scowl ever present. "It's about time you woke up, my idiot apprentice." Natsume grumbled crossing her bare arms with a huff. "You're lucky I decided to come around and save you from that damn ox before it got to know you religiously. Now hurry up and get dressed, numbskull! You've got work to do."

"Dressed? What do you....ORO?!!!" And it was just then Asuka realized....she was naked!! "AAAAHH!!!!" Hastily she grabbed the cover of the bedroll and threw it over herself, her cheeks immediately blazing every hue of red in the spectrum and hot as ever. "Natsume-sensei?!!! You...you removed my clothes?!!" Natsume heartily chuckled slapping her knee as she glared down at the flustered ronin, now wrapped in the covers as if a cocoon, "Well of course I did, you idiot! They were soaked with blood, and it's not like I felt you up, Kushiami-san. Sheesh, you're like a daughter to me for Buddha's sake! Now hurry up and get your clothes on. We have alot we need to....discuss...oh and bring that stupid sakabato of yours as well."

She had been walking a terribly long time. Two days to be exactly. She would have gotten if she had not been distracted so often with all the spectacular things in all the villages she passed by. She cursed herself under her breath at her over powering curiosity. 'If only they taught me more before sending me here... Maybe this stuff wouldn't look so strange...' she grumbled to herself in a pout as she folded her arms over her chest. As if karma were to slap her for complaining she noticed something fluttering in the distance and it disappeared behind a tree. Perking up like a curious puppy she immediately diverts her trajectory and begins to chase down the fluttering creature. With a hurry in her steps she came upon the small creature. She gasped a little loudly from the beautiful of the little critter. It was a beautiful mixture of orange and black with intricate lines of white, a small butterfly. Far more beautiful than she could have ever imagined when told of the insect.

Her spirit giving off her true and kind nature as she held out her palm to the butterfly it did not feel threatened and easily landed on the tip of her middle finger. She smiled brightly, her freckled nose faintly crinkling cutely with the gesture. She brought it closer to get a better look. She was mystified with the beauty of something so small and delicate. Suddenly the realization that she had gotten distracted for the one millionth time dawned on her. She sighed in defeat, this was hopeless. She let the butterfly flutter away.

"Damn my distractions..." She complained once more as she began her march towards her direction.

In all honesty Akiko had no real direction nor destination. She simply had this sort of pull on her, metaphorically of course. It was her instincts that she was created with. It was a sort of GPS to lead her towards the girl she was created to protect so she would never lose the girl.

Several hours had passed before she entered a village that was eerily absent of villagers, as if they were hiding from something. The further she went the stronger she felt the pull on her spirit to the girl. She looked around and began to notice more and more debris and destruction. There had been a battle here recently. Then her heart sank, what if the girl was hurt. Akiko started into a powerful sprint through the streets and around corners as she followed her instincts towards the girl. As she rounded the last corner her eyes fell upon the girl. She had never seen the girl, she didn't even know her name. Yet she knew it was her, something in the very fiber of her creation told her so. And she was standing in the company of good friends she knew well back in the spirit world.

She smiled brightly as she saw her two friends Tachigami and Ikegami. She ran too the two nearly at full speed, she moved at an incredible pace that she were nearly a blur before slamming into the Ox's strong neck and hugging his large form as tight as she could. "Ikegami! It's me! Though I have been named Daiki, Akiko in this world!" She chimed sweetly in a muffled voice against his form. She released the Ox only to grasp and hold tight onto the Rat spirit for a few moments.

The large Ox laughed low and deep, a warm and kind sound. "What are you doing here? Why have you been sent?"

"I was summoned here to protect that girl." She stated rather matter of factly as she pointed towards Mizuki as if it were common knowledge.

"Ah, I see. I also see you were blessed with one of the eight Kagu-tsuchi pieces. A mighty gift young spirit."

She smiled proudly as if given a great compliment. "So, what happened here Ikegami?"

The great Ox sighed, a touch of disappointment to the sound. "It is a long story Young one. But everything in fine here thanks to this group of warriors." With that Akiko looked around at all in attendance and their wounds. She frowned visibly, She was saddened that she had not arrived sooner and maybe have prevented most of these injuries. She turned around to face the group of female warriors and bowed her upper torso low in respect. "Thank you for protecting my friends."

Seeing that the battle had ended without the loss of any lives, be it spirit or human, Hanami joined Mizuki at her side to meet up with the Rat and Ox. Truthfully, the rat was quite cute under normal circumstances. It brought a little smile to her lips to see that spirit had been purified by her arrow, and that the others succeeded in stopping the Ox. "Ikegami-san, Tachigami-san, we are glad to see you've returned to normal... " The Priestess spoke amicably and bowed deeply to both spirits before rising again. "If I may ask, why-" Hanami paused as another spirit entered the scene, a girl with brown hair and a freckled nose who seemed to be quite friendly with Tachigami and Ikegami.

Hanami was pleasantly surprised to find that another Guardian would be joining them. A spirit on their journey could definitely come in handy.

"The pleasure is ours," She said to the fire spirit.

Finally, the short samurai returned to the world of the conscious. She stood up and looked around. Apparently the giant ox and the rat were good guys now. Nagiha totally didn't get anything of it. It didn't matter, the princess was alive. Yes, that girl over there must be the princess. Nagiha felt the aura around her being all kinds of different than the others. Slowly she inspected herself and made sure everything on her armour was in the right place and looked good enough. Then she put up the Oda flag on her back, the sashimono for which the samurai of this period are famous for. Then she marched, with her yari in hand and her katana neatly sheathed on her left side towards the royal girl.

Standing in front of her, she ignored everyone else and placed her yari in front of her as well as her katana, then she knelt in front of her almost burying her face in the ground.
"不肖は死まで忠実です、姫様。不肖の刀は姫様のです。{Fushou wa shi made chuujitsudesu, Hime-sama. Fushou no katana wa Hime-sama nodesu. [~Your faithful servant is loyal to you until death, my princess. My (Your humble servant's) sword is yours.]}"

So there she laid with her face in the dirt in front of her princess, a girl she hadn't met ever before, but she still had pledged her eternal allegiance to her with her last sentence.

Quite a few things were happening at this moment. Before the others came to her side, rhe princess looked around, a soft frown on her face as she saw Asuka missing. Though remembered the Ox barrelinh into her with his powerful horns. Her sensei came and took her, but half demon still worried for the Ronin warrior. When Kouko asked if she was alright, Mizuki smiled at her and nodded before curiously seeing a red haired woman charge the spirit's and glomp them. By the smell, the stranger was a fire spirit. Blinking a little as this Akiko stated she was to protect the princess, the silver haired girl pointed at herself in mild confusion.

Why would spirit's want to protect her? She hadn't really done much. Still she smiled at a possible new companion, though she was blowing on her ice cold hands. Frost and ice covering them and sending chills in her blood. If she was a full demon or if her body was more sturdy, this probably wouldn't have bothered her.

It was then another woman came forth before bowing so low her face was in the dirt. It was the expected action from anyone below her rank, but Mizuki wasn't really used to it. After all, none of her Guardian's here had done so when they first met. And they were the first people she had seen.

"Umm okay its nice to meet you Miss... you can stand up. Im glad to have another companion on our journey."" The Princess smiled softly before looking at the spirits thoughtfully.

"If I may ask.... do you know why I must go to Mount Fuji or what will happen when I am there?" Mizuki asked, her golden eyes curiously watching them.

Tachigami looked to the bowing Kouko first and examined the blade before nodding. "This is a strong yet strange weapon. For it's true sheathe remains hidden from the owner of the sword until they prove themself. There is a cave to the east by the sea that contains this sheathe. It has trials for the sword bearer that will test your worth. Once completed, the blade will reach its full capability." the rat explained before squeaking happily as he was glomped by the familiar fire spirit.

At Mizuki's question, the Ox and Rat looked at one another then at the half demon. They seemed to know something but seemed hesitant to answer.

"You will know when you arrive, though in the end it is your decision that will decide the world's fate. We can only hope for your correct choice. I feared from the start, but I feel at ease by your show of kindness. And for your kindness, we are willing to lend our aid." The Ox murmured before him and Tachigami glowed a brilliant white.

Two white starlight filled looking orbs glittered from their bodies before they entered the Princess with a crash. Mizuki blinked at the warm feeling, her golden eyes widening as the tips of her hair turned a similar crimson to the God's odd tatoo's as well feeling extra tails apearing beside her regular one. One tail appeared on each side of the original, the tips being a crimson color. One tail had a ice blue kanji just above the red stain with the meaning 'Blizzard' on it. While the other was a silver steel kanji meaning Sword.