(三) Chapter-Three; Wife of Lord Owatatsumi

As Hinatsu, Tetsuya, and Akamaru journeyed towards the southern capital. The young female's health gradually deteriorated. It started when she began coughing and sneezing violently. However, it further escalated to an increase in body temperature and immense fatigue, yet she continued to push herself to her very limit even when she had grown so weak she could barely hold a pair of chopsticks. Eventually, she collapsed onto the ground after three days of declining health. Akamaru gasped as he swiftly lifted the human into his arm before shaking her out of anxiety.

"It's no use, her body is failing to adapt to the change in temperature, and her immune system is struggling to fight off these foreign germs." Tetsuya uttered as Akamaru grew frustrated.

"You're not helping! I thought you cared about Hinatsu!" The oni exclaimed, to which the kitsune sighed.

"I care about her more than anything else. I'm simply thinking and acting rationally. Now lay her down, hunt a beast, then drape its hide over her body. I will gather medicinal herbs and flowers before preparing her some soup." Tetsuya commanded.

"Why can't we just look for someone to help?" Akamaru argued.

"Unlike Hinatsu, we youkai have no place in the human world! Why should we trust them when they can't typically bring themselves to trust us?" Tetsuya rebutted. However, this only irritated the oni.

"Aren't you able to shapeshift into a human? What about casting an illusion to make me appear human?" Akamaru countered. The two youkai continued to argue until they finally agreed that they would leave Hinatsu somewhere safe. At the same time, Tetsuya searches for herbs and flowers, and Akamaru searches for a human settlement. If the red oni can also find a human skull and bone before Tetsuya returns to Hinatsu's side. Then they will find someone to help her, but if they are to be discovered as youkai. Then they must flee with the human girl.

Eventually, the red oni stumbled upon a tiny stone lying in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. Out of curiosity, Akamaru dug around the rock only to be met with a bit of bone. Akamaru grew excited as he continued to dig through the dirt with his clawed hands. He quickly found a tiny human skull. Now that the red oni had his head and bone, he needed to find a human settlement. Coincidentally, he spotted rice paddies in the far distance; those who harvested the grain seemed the size of rabbits. Upon his discovery, Akamaru swiftly rushed back to where Hinatsu lay motionless. He immediately passed Tetsuya the skull and bone before informing him of his findings. The kitsune chomped on the small bone and wore the crown like a hat. His body swiftly reshaped itself into that of a human. Tetsuya then cast a spell on Akamaru to make him appear, human, causing a few years to be drained from the life expectancy of a nearby tree.

"We better leave within three days, for it is the longest spell can last. Also, you may do whatever you desire, just as long as you do not let yourself be caught touching a human or animal. Unless it is by Hinatsu's eyes. For it would reveal your true form." He warned while Akamaru lifted Hinatsu into his arms to carry her to the village.

From there, the trio made their way toward the settlement. Once they arrived at the front gate, the trio was confronted by a duo of village guards, who demanded they reveal their names, business, and traveler's passes. Akamaru was ready to speak up until Tetsuya beat him to it.

"My name is Hayagawa Tetsuya; my brother, Akamaru, and this is our sister, Saiko," Tetsuya uttered while pointing to the unconscious girl in the tall male's arms. Luckily, the kitsune had prepared three fake traveler's passes, so the three were allowed to enter the village.

As the party wandered throughout the settlement, tiny houses and small businesses aligned the streets, oxen pulled carts carrying supplies, and laborers went about their job. Appearing as nothing more than a gigantic human felt bizarre for Akamaru. He could vaguely recall his mere sight, scaring children out of their minds and people throwing soybeans at him while repeatedly chanting, "Fortune in, oni out!". The mere thought of it sent shivers down his spine. Unfortunately, he only had around three days to enjoy not being feared, at least in the sense of being an oni.

"You there? Is something the matter?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

...

Hinatsu slowly regained consciousness and felt something wet yet warm against her forehead. As her eyes gradually opened, she found herself inside an unknown room with her body tucked inside a cozy futon bed and a hot cloth on her forehead. The sun shone through the paper walls, indicating it was still bright outside. Hinatsu would get up and explore her surroundings if carrying her weight did not feel like she was taking a bull.

Suddenly, the sliding door to the room opened, revealing a young woman around the same age as Hinatsu. She had soft, clean skin, eyes that shine like stars despite being the darkest colors, and hair like a dark waterfall. She wore a red hakama; divided pants, a white kosode, wooden sandals, white socks, and white hair ribbons that held her hair in a low ponytail. She carried a tray with a cup of green tea along with a bowl of rice porridge; on the other hand, she held a gohei or wooden wand.

"Who are you?" Hinatsu asked weakly as the stranger laid the tray down beside the futon.

"There is no need to worry. This is my family's home. Your brothers brought you here at Ryujinsato." She uttered softly, to Hinatsu's confusion.

"My brothers?" It seemed like an incredibly odd thing to hear. Because, from her knowledge, she had no surviving biological family members. However, with enough thought, she figured out that she was probably referring to Tetsuya and Akamaru.

"Tetsuya and Akamaru?" Hinatsu uttered, to which the stranger nodded her head.

"Indeed, now please take it easy. You need your rest. I have prepared some tea and rice porridge with a pickled plum when you want it. By the way, my name is Himoame Sakura. Family name spelled with the characters for divine and rain. Given-name spelled with the character for cherry blossom. I work at the local shrine." Sakura said with a forty-five-degree bow and gentle smile. Hinatsu then hesitantly spoke once more.

"I am Hayagawa Saiko. Family name spelled with the characters for early and river. Given name spelled with the characters for talented and child." Hinatsu greeted as Sakura stood in front of the other female. She then shut her eyes tightly while holding her gohei in both hands. She then recited a series of words in a language Hinatsu could not grasp. A miniature ball of water then appeared from the tip of the gohei. It bounced all the way to Hinatsu's forehead before vanishing without a trace to be found.

"How do you feel?" Sakura asked.

"Right now, I feel very little pain for a reason I cannot understand," Hinatsu answered, which clearly pleased the other female.

"Excellent! I cast a spell on you to relieve your fever. Although, I would strongly advise you to take it easy and slow for a few days. Now let me inform your brothers of your current condition. "Sakura said, earning herself a perplexed gaze from the other female.

"What do you mean by 'spell'?" She wondered.

"Allow me to elaborate; I wielded what we call 'Earthly Magic,' which relies on rituals, chants, prayers, and even artifacts to perform various things. However, failure to perform such spells may lead to dire consequences. It is also used primarily by priests and shamans such as myself." Sakura explained while leaving the room with her gohei in hand. Hinatsu then stared at the ceiling; her eyes gradually grew heavy, and she fell out of consciousness within the following minutes.

Eventually, Akamaru came to the room where Hinatsu was resting with a bucket of hot water. He placed it on the tatami floor beside the futon bed. Then he lifted the cloth from her forehead before soaking it in the liquid. This caused Hinatsu to awake from her slumber. The moment her eyes landed on the man before her. He appeared gigantic in height and around his late twenties to early thirties. And he had rugged and severe facial figures, black hair in a mid ponytail, and dark eyes. As for clothing, the man wore a white yukata and a black cotton belt. He did not seem familiar in any way, shape, or form. In fact, she thought he was a relative of Sakura.

"Hinatsu..." Akamaru uttered, relieved to see his friend awake.

"Who are you?" She questioned, as the oni felt a tug at his heart.

"Are you joking? I am Akamaru! Who else would I be?" He said, which left Hinatsu utterly confused.

"How could that be? Akamaru is an... ...actually, you know what? Forget it!" She spoke as if stopping herself from ushering the wrong words.

"Touch me for a moment, and you will understand," Akamaru uttered while reaching out his large hand to his friend. Hinatsu stared at him for a brief moment before hesitantly grabbing it with her gloved hand. Her eyes dilated when she saw rough red skin before her, then her eyes met those of the oni.

"Akamaru! It's an illusion!" She exclaimed.

"Tetsuya cast a spell on me to make myself appear human." He explained, to which Hinatsu nodded her head in understanding.

"Speaking of Tetsuya, where is he?" Hinatsu asked.

"To be honest, I don't know. Although Tetsuya will turn up eventually. You should probably consume some tea and rice porridge Mrs. Himoame provided you." Akamaru said before Hinatsu grabbed the bowl of liquid rice plus a spoon. She mixed the pickled plum into it thoroughly. Then she swallowed a spoonful. It was unironically cold and the same certainly applied to the tea. However, that ultimately did not matter, for it would aid in her recovery.

As the sun set and the moon fell upon the town, its residents were retiring for the night. Hinatsu awoke inside the darkened room. When she turned left, she noticed Akamaru lying in a futon bed, barely able to cover himself. However, upon further examination, she could not find Tetsuya, which felt odd. Especially when he usually does not stay out and awake long after dark. Being left without much of another choice, she got up and searched throughout the home. The Himoame residence turned out to be much bigger than Hinatsu ever thought was possible. It had two bedrooms, one for the family and another for guests. The rooms where people cooked and dined were separate. It even had an indoor toilet along with a wooden bathtub. Luckily, she found him at the front of the door, standing on the engawa veranda, disguised as a human.

"Tetsuya, what are you doing here at such a late hour?" Hinatsu questioned as the kitsune turned to look at her.

"Hinatsu, you should be asleep by now or at least resting. Your condition will not improve if you continue to push yourself." He uttered.

"Yes, I know. Although, I was simply curious about where you were and what you could be doing." She replied as Tetsuya sighed.

"I was merely lost in thought. Honestly, it feels utterly baffling how much the times have changed. To be fair, I have not paid much attention to you humans and your social, cultural, technological, political, and economic affairs in over a century." The kitsune explained.

"Is that so... ...well, that's surprising, especially coming from someone I once thought knew everything. However, this is a new experience for both of us." Hinatsu spoke, the kitsune nodding his head in agreement.

"You know, one could live forever and become the wisest, most knowledgeable being to ever live, yet there would always be countless things he or she doesn't know." Tetsuya said.

"I have no doubt that's true. Anyways, we should get some sleep." Hinatsu uttered as the fox spirit followed her to the room reserved for guests of the Himoame family.

...

As the sun shone through the thin paper walls, the town's residents were beginning their day. Hinatsu slowly awoke to the sun's rays shining through the paper walls. The kitsune and the oni were absent from the guest bedroom where Hinatsu lay. Although, she simply thought that they were somewhere else inside the house.

The youthful Nagayori swiftly got up, dressed appropriately, and searched for Tetsuya plus Akamaru. She then found them gathered in the dining room along with three other strangers who were presumably Sakura's family, plus that said female. Among them was a boy who appeared to be around six or seven years old, wearing a dark blue yukata and short hair. The second person was a woman in her mid to late thirties, who wore a pink leaf-patterned kimono, and had a soft face similar to Sakura. The third and final stranger was a man in his late thirties to early forties. His look was clean of any facial hair, he wore a brown yukata, and he had a slightly muscular build.

"Good morning, Hayagawa Saiko! How are you feeling?" Sakura greeted me with a warm smile.

"I'm far better than yesterday. Anyways, I was just looking for my brothers." Hinatsu uttered before sitting beside her two companions.

"Hayagawa Saiko, this is my father; Itachi, mother; Touka and younger brother; Himoame Sousuke. Father, Mother, and Younger Brother, this is Hayagawa Saiko; Tetsuya and Akamaru's little sister." Sakura introduced, while the four gave a forty-five-degree bow out of respect.

"It's nice to meet you. I am the family patriarch, as well as the village chief." Itachi uttered.

"Allow me to ask, how long do you and your siblings intend to stay here?" Touka asked. Hinatsu did not know what to say. Although, she certainly could not remain silent, for they may gain the wrong idea of her plus the two youkai. Luckily, Tetsuya swiftly took notice of this uncertainty, pulled her by the ear, and whispered.

"No more than two additional days," Hinatsu replied before letting out a faint sigh of relief.

"Reasonable; you need your time to recover. Also, maybe I could show you and your brothers around town even if just a little bit. We do not get many visitors." Sakura suggested, the last sentence coming out as a mere whisper.

"That would be great! Although, why don't you get many visitors?" Hinatsu uttered.

"It's because this is a tiny, rural town. Not to mention the fact that travelers have become a rarity." Itachi commented with a hint of bitterness.

"Um, anyways, breakfast is ready," Sakura spoke before grabbing the warm food. Seven of them were served a bowl of rice, pickled vegetables, miso soup, and raw egg, and both Itachi and Touka even got a piece of grilled fish. It had been about a few years since Hinatsu got to have a meal like this. After all, neither Jukai nor his grandchildren were particularly wealthy. In fact, what was available seemed to only decrease with the flow of time. She never understood why that would be the case. Although the simple explanation she gave herself was, "life was never easy, and it only got harder". Hinatsu could tell the Himoame family was to some degree wealthy, or at least higher class than any of Jukai's grandchildren. The seven of them then uttered a quick prayer.

After breakfast, Sakura left to carry on her duties, Hinatsu decided to explore the town, and Tetsuya, along with Akamaru, stayed behind.

"What is this thing over here?" Sousuke asked while placing his finger against Akamaru's tetsubou.

"That is a weapon, not a toy," Tetsuya said bluntly.

"Oh, you use it to kill and destroy things?" The boy inquired once more while attempting to lift the club.

"Well... ...yes, you use it to smash people's bones and torture them, to be specific. Also, if you tried to pick it up, you might just kill yourself." The fox spirit spoke ominously, earning himself a paranoid nod from Sousuke.

"I do not think you should tell a child those details," Touka said, clearly irritated.

"Well, how else is he supposed to learn to not do dangerous things?" Itachi replied, before leaving.

...

"High Priest Tanaka, I have an important message for you!" Sakura exclaimed while running towards a man by the name of Tanaka Hideyoshi. The kannushi; high priest of the Ryujinsato shrine. He was dressed in a dark blue and white kariginu, a black eboshi hat, white socks, and wooden sandals. He also appeared to be in his late twenties.

You are reading story Flames of War; Child of the Crimson Lotus at novel35.com

"What is it, Mrs. Himoame?" Hideyoshi questioned.

"General Hashira is on his way. And if we do not manage, at least payoff part of our debt. Then there's no telling what he and his men will do to us! We've already lost close neighbors and allies to the general's forces." Sakura spoke, utterly panicked.

"Within this town's over a thousand years of existence, we've faced many hardships, including one which tore our entire nation apart. And besides, this is ultimately up to your father to resolve. The best you can do right now is pray to the kami, and hope for the best." Hideyoshi replied while placing a hand on his assistant's shoulder.

"I guess you are right. Well, thank you! I will keep that in mind." Sakura uttered while gazing up at the high priest.

Meanwhile, Hinatsu was doing a little bit of exploration around town. It felt incredibly odd to her because when she looked back at her first experience with human civilization, she could see more than a few key differences. Theft appeared non-existent, the sick were more properly handled, workers were not overly exhausted, and children plus adults were thin but not near starvation. Clearly, the people here lived far better, or at least easier, lives than those from the previous village. Hinatsu wondered why.

Eventually, she stumbled upon a shrine marked by a wooden black and orange torii gate. Behind it lay a small stone staircase leading to a sando road. Around the front left side stood the chouzuya, where one would go to wash their hands and mouth. Five tourou lanterns were aligned on each side. Behind the chouzuya lay the Kagura-den. It was where the sacred Kagura dances were performed. To the right stood the Shamusho; the shrine administrative office. Behind the Kagura-den lay the ema, where people would write or draw their prayers on plaques of wood. Three lesser shrines known as sessha stood beside the hall of worship. A pair of Komainu, guardian dogs, stood right in front of the haiden; hall of worship. Behind it lay the honden, the main hall enshrining the kami, surrounded by a tamagaki fence. On the roof of the haiden and the honden were chigi and katsuogi; shrine ornaments. She could even see a network of Miko assisting with the chores and selling fortune slips. Hinatsu was astonished by such a sight, for she had heard oral descriptions of it, yet never seen a shrine in person.

'This must be where Himoame Sakura works!' She said to herself. Unfortunately, it would be best to simply return to the Himoame residence since she is still recovering.

The following night proved unpleasant, especially the first half of it. Because Hinatsu, Akamaru, and Tetsuya were kept awake by the cacophony of human cries and shouts.

"Wife, you know of General Hashira's four-strike rule, don't you? What makes you think it would be wise to allow us to remain in debt for longer than necessary!"

"Husband, I share your stress but please calm yourself. We are facing what has proven to be the most difficult time in our long history. However, I believe that easier days are ahead of us. Once we have another reliable source of revenue, then our town will grow. Even if things get out of hand, Lord Owatatsumi will protect us."

...

The following morning, Hinatsu awoke with bags under her eyes, yet feeling better than she had been in nearly a week. In fact, she and the two youkai could leave the town right there and now and then be perfectly okay. However, Hinatsu had alternative plans for the day.

After dressing herself and enjoying a meal with Sakura's family, she swiftly headed out the door.

"Akamaru, Tetsuya, I'm heading to the local shrine. Do you wish to join me?" She asked.

"No thanks, we'll pass," Tetsuya answered, to Hinatsu's disappointment.

"Okay... ...well, suit yourselves." She said, before making her way toward the building. Upon passing through the torii gate, she washed her hands and mouth at the chouzuya. Then she was met by the sight of Sakura offering sashimi with a little bit of sake in the haiden.

"Hello, Mrs. Himoame!" Hinatsu exclaimed.

"Mrs. Hayagawa, what a surprise. Did you come to worship Lord Owatatsumi?" Sakura questioned.

"I think I've heard of this Lord Owatatsumi but don't know much about him. Also, I came here because I've never been to a real shrine." Hinatsu admitted, which piqued the other female's interest.

"Is that so... ...did your town not have a shrine?" Sakura inquired.

"Actually, yes. In fact, I didn't grow up in a town or a city like you. Instead, my brothers and I were raised by our grandfather, who lived in an isolated mountain home." Hinatsu confessed while partially lying.

"To be honest, I envy you. Many of us dream of going to the mountains to become closer to the kami. While some eventually fulfill that dream, others die before they can reach those heights. Also, I have enough time on my hands to show you around for a little bit." The shrine maiden responded while taking the hand of the other female and then leading towards the ema. Where wooden plaques hung.

"Here, you can write your wish on one of these plaques. If you don't know how to write, you can draw a picture of your wish." She explained, to which Hinatsu nodded her head before being passed an ink brush. After a few minutes, Hinatsu inscribed her wish onto the piece of wood, then hung it back up with its back facing the pair.

I wish to go to the southern capital along with my friends.

"What was it that you wished for?" The shrine maiden asked.

"That is something for another day." The other female answered, without giving away too much information.

"Also, could you tell me more about this Lord Owatatsumi? I know that he is the guardian kami of the sea, yet not much else." Hinatsu spoke as Sakura cleared her throat.

"Lord Owatatsumi is not only one of the great-grandparents of our first emperor, Kamutake. But also the one who has brought peace and prosperity to our village for over a millennium." She spoke as Hinatsu's eyes dilated out of shock. She had always known that the first emperor of Nichimoto was of divine descent. However, understanding her noble birth made her wonder, is she really a distant relative to the kami? At that moment, she felt as if she was carrying the weight of not a whole nation but the world itself. Unfortunately, she would have to reserve those thoughts for another day.

"Over one thousand years ago, our town had been hit with intense drought, famine, and death. Our numbers were dwindling rapidly. Then one day, our village chief made the long journey with a close friend to the sea. The two of them begged Lord Owatatsumi to bless our land with rain. Lord Owatatsumi said, 'I shall ensure your land has plentiful rainfall, bountiful harvests, and protection only under two conditions. You shall give me your first daughter's hand in marriage. As for your friend, I wish you to serve as my faithful servant". Our village chief brought his beautiful daughter to the kami, who then married her. While his friend built this shrine and made himself its head priest. Then for the next thousand years, our town was blessed with protection, heavy rainfall, and bountiful harvests. It allowed us to provide for our people even when the rest of the country struggled to survive. To this day, the first daughter of the village chief has married Lord Owatatsumi and become a Miko. While the first son of the Tanaka family has served him. In fact, I was taught everything I know by my late aunt, who came before me." Sakura continued.

"That was a nice story. Thank you for sharing it. Also, you look tired, even more so than myself." Hinatsu uttered.

...

"Daddy! You're home," exclaimed Tanaka Hideyoshi's toddler daughter as she dashed up to him and hugged his legs. He then knelt down to stroke her head as his wife approached him. Hideyoshi then placed a sweet kiss on her cheek. Meanwhile, Himoame Sakura stayed overtime at the shrine, chanting and praying. Eventually, she was exhausted and fell asleep on the floor. Even though almost everyone else was already wrapping up their day.

...

Sakura found herself standing on the shore of an ocean, the waves soaking her feet. However, the water did not feel wet, as if it were all an illusion. Then came a creature with the horns of a deer, the eyes of a rabbit, the body of a snake, the belly of a frog, the claws of an eagle, white scales, two long whiskers, and a short blue main running from its head to the tip of its back. As the creature flew towards the young shrine maiden, Sakura felt a combination of anxiety and excitement as she stood face-to-face with the kami.

"Lord Owatatsumi..." She uttered as she knelt down and bowed down to him, with her forehead on the sand.

"Himoame Sakura, listen well." He ordered, while Sakura got up from her position, and nodded her head.

"On the fourth hour of the solar cycle, fires will burn as violence, despair, and death run free." Owatatsumi spoke as Sakura gradually returned to consciousness, with the kami's words roaming throughout her head.

Within the next few hours, the band of around seventy-five samurai, all led by a man named Hashira Shou arrived at the gate of Ryujinsato. The general had bright red, slit eyes, and much of his face was covered with a menpou; faceplate. His gaze alone was enough to strike fear in the eyes of even the bravest of individuals. The town's residents then awoke from their cozy futon beds early to find General Hashira and his men at the front gate.

"It's the Eight-Headed Dragon!" Cried one citizen. Meanwhile, Hinatsu is abruptly woken up by Akamaru lightly shaking her.

"Hinatsu, I feel a strange presence. It does not seem exactly human, youkai, or kami. It's as if it's neither one of those, yet all of them simultaneously. Do you have any ideas on what it could be?" The oni questioned, as Hinatsu sighed.

"That's odd. How can something be all of those, yet neither kami, youkai, nor human at the same time? I don't know, but now I'm just as curious about it as you." She spoke, as she threw the thick blanket off of herself and proceeded to shake Tetsuya awake.

"There's something bizarre nearby; I'm going to check it out with Akamaru. I'll be back very soon." Hinatsu informed before the kitsune reached out to grab her hand.

"This is not your concern. Do yourself a favor and stay out of it." He said as she attempted to break free from his grasp. Akamaru on the other hand grabbed his tetsubou and headed outside.

Itachi, approached the front gate, the coward making way for him. Shou sent a menacing gaze toward the village chief.

"General Hashira, I know exactly what you've come for, and I hate to say it, but we can still not pay off our debts. Do as you will to us, for Lord Owatatsumi is on our side." He spoke as Shou mockingly laughed.

"I did not come here for what you expected. No. I came here because Emperor Yonku was feeling generous recently. Allow me to make you a deal. If you hand over all your children, aged four to ten years. Then I will forgive you of all of your debts. However, if you refuse my offer, then my men and I will do what we do best." As he pulled out his katana, the general spoke and held it to Itachi's neck. As if he was warning the village chief of his possible fate. Both Sakura and Akamaru watched this scene play out with a mix of shock and fear.

"How could I ever comply with such a disgraceful agreement!" Itachi exclaimed as Shou slashed through the flesh of his neck, decapitating him. The eyes of everyone watching dilated horror at such a violent act, some were even trying to hold back the urge to vomit. Tears flowed down Sakura's face as she watched her father's head roll on the ground.

"Take what you can use! Capture the children between the ages of four and ten! Kill all who stand in your way! And burn the building!" Shou ordered, as his men stormed the town, killing the men, capturing children, stealing goods, burning buildings, and even molesting women. As soon as the Himoame residence was set ablaze, Tetsuya swiftly evacuated with Hinatsu, then attempted to escape the village with her. However, Hinatsu was much more content with dying while trying to help the residents than surviving without doing anything to help.

Hinatsu quickly found Tanaka Hideyoshi lying beneath the rubble, not far from his with corpse. She pulled him out as soon as she could and grabbed his hand. Hinatsu ran as fast as she could, the head priest following her behind. Unfortunately, a gunshot rammed, startling Hinatsu's ears. A tiny bullet flew into the high priest's back and out of his chest. Hinatsu watched with utter horror as he collapsed to the ground. She tried to shake him awake, but it was no use. Tears filled her eyes, as she was forced to bear that she could not save him, despite not knowing his name. All she could do was watch him perish from an unfamiliar wound.

Meanwhile, a band of five samurai began to assault Sakura. They pulled at her clothes, and one then pinned her to the ground. Akamaru watched, his blood boiling with rage. He then dashed towards the samurai, holding his tetsubou high in the air. He swung it at the man on top of Sakura, beheading him. Blood splattered onto Akamaru's hands and torso, revealing the hideous oni behind the illusion of a human. The remaining four men then took out their swords and bows. Akamaru, consumed with fury, lifted one by the head and dug his claws into the samurai's flesh, causing blood to gush out of his face. The oni threw him to the ground, and one archer fired an arrow into his chest, which Akamaru pulled out, before hitting him over the head with his tetsubou. The remaining two soldiers drove their blades into his back, before the oni turned around, slamming one body into the other. Akamaru then pounded the two into the ground, scattering their brain tissue and even cracking their skulls open. Sakura could hardly believe her eyes; human blood, organs, and bones surrounded her, and a barbaric oni was standing amidst it all.

Once Hinatsu spotted Akamaru in the distance, she ran toward him and wrapped her arms around his back as if trying to calm him down.

"Akamaru, this isn't like you!" She exclaimed, which caught the oni's attention. He gazed upon the mess he made with regret. Sakura was even more shocked when tears formed in Akamaru's eyes. She, like many others, had always thought that oni lacked any sort of humanity. Yet she was, watching one feel things she never thought were possible. It made no sense, and she wanted answers.

Once Akamaru calmed down, an agonizing pain spread throughout his body. Being left without any choice, Hinatsu ripped off a piece of her yukata, revealing her right shoulder and the top of her back. She then pulled out her hair tie, discarding her hairpins letting it fall. Hinatsu proceeded to wrap the cloth around Akamaru's most serious wound.

The three managed to evacuate the village, meeting up with Tetsuya. Sakura was overcome with emotions as she witnessed the town she had spent her whole life burn to the ground. She prayed to the kami above as tears filled her eyes. Hinatsu did not know how to respond, despite wishing nothing more than to ease her sorrows.

"I know what it is like to lose everything." The young Nagayori uttered while placing a hand on Sakura's back.

"I appreciate your condolences, but I have not yet lost everything. My brother still breathes, and I wish to know where he is, even if I don't find him alive." She said, and just like that, Sakura joined the three in their travels.

...

Twenty children between the ages of four and ten entered a cold, dark room with their hands chained. There lay a black and red mouryou with red eyes, long ears, silky hair, and only the size of a three-year-old child; it was held in chains and carried many scars. Blood was drawn from the mouryou and spilled into a tiny bowl. The daughter of the late kannushi was then forced to drink the blood. As she chugged the foul liquid, her body began to change shape while blood spewed from her mouth, ears, nose, and eyes. She was dead within a matter of minutes.

After that incident, the remaining nineteen children followed suit, almost all suffering similar fates. However, when it came time for Sousuke to drink the blood. His eyes turned red, his ears grew out, and blood poured out of his mouth. However, he was still alive and breathing within the next few hours. Sousuke was presented with a mirror, causing him to look upon his reflection with sorrow and horror. He did not know what he was anymore, but whatever Sousuke was, he was no longer human.

...

Once news about a girl with a lotus-shaped burn mark was shared among the army, General Hashira wrote to Emperor Yonku about this. The message was carried by the talons of a crow, who sent it to the tyrant's castle within a few days.

My Lord,

I come bearing information I think would interest you. One of my men claims to spot a girl with a burn mark in the shape of a lotus. I am not entirely sure about the credibility of such claims. However, I trust your knowledge and wisdom, and I will be awaiting your next orders

~Your faithful servant, Hashira Shou

After Yonku thoroughly read the manuscript, he pulled out a scroll and examined it with much care. There he found Hinatsu's name written in red calligraphy ink. Beside hers lay many other words, all written in red ink but now possessing an enormous black ex. Each of them bore the same family name as Hinatsu.

"Find her alive, and I shall kill her."

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