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『Kodoku no Saibou』(1×1 w/ Jikkah)

She made a noise and pulled an amethyst whistle from her sleeve.
"Ah, but I've put us both out just a little so I wouldn't scare the city folk." She said and blew into the whistle. In the distance, a distorted whinny of horses sounded in response, and before long a carriage pulled by two bakotsu stopped in front of them. The flaming skeletal horses knickered at Akihime and she picked up her luggage.
"Shall we?"
 
It had been quite some time since Yukimura had seen such a beast, staring for a moment in awe before nodding and quickly moving after Akihime. “Of course!”
 
Yukimura bowed his head to her before entering and setting his luggage aside and taking a seat. “I’ve never ridden in a bakotsu before.” He admitted.
 
"The two bakotsu owe me for finding the man who burned their stable with them inside." Akihime said as she sat across from him, "They were farm horses; strong stallions from what I remember the farmer telling me. He lost everything - every acre scorched to leas than nothing. The farmer was badly burned." She hit the roof of the carriage and it began to move.
"To repay me for helping their master and bringing justice to their needless death, they cart me around when I really need it."
 
Yukimura listened to the story with a soft frown, brows furrowed slightly in thought as he processed her words. ”Had the fire been an arson?” He asked. “Who would do such a horrible act?”
 
She exhaled gently, "If I recall, he refused to sell his land. And the noble who wanted the land was so bitter that he ordered his servants to burn it all down.." she replied, "so, to seek revenge, the bakotsu would rampage through the fields, burning innocent farmland until the culprit was brought forward."
 
“How horrible.” Yukimura clenched his fists, brows furrowed. “To do such an awful act, and in an attempt to steal no less.” He shook his head. “And how did you find the noble who did it?”
 
"He didn't live far from the farm village. Owned a summer home in the country side, actually. The field foxes and even some tengu pointed me the right way." She said, "I may have told the bakotsu that they could trounce about the home unhindered so long as they didn't immediately kill the noble inside."
 
“I’m just glad you brought justice to that man. You avenged that man and his horses, they must’ve been grateful.” He said with a gentle expression.

Nana was grateful Motochika was lenient in his desires for her, allowing her complete freedom to come and go as she pleased. Both her own attendants and ones gifted to her by Motochika accompanied her down to the sea, setting up on the beach while she swam.
 
"Oh, they're quite grateful indeed," she smiled, patting the seat of the carriage, "they wanted to repay me, and repay me they shall. I'm told they were quite the loving animals in life, I'm glad to confirm such things. They're good beasts."

Motochika wasn't far; in fact he was setting up his ship to do some shark hunting. It was a pass time he enjoyed, and he made sure the animals never went to waste.
 
He gave a soft smile, nodding in agreement. “They are.” Yukimura was in awe of Akihime, the way she wielded a kind of divine wrath.

Nana zipped through the water easily with her powerful tail, scales a bright silver.
She surfaced and watched Motochika prepare his ship, the humans having a similar style vessel.
 
She smiled softly, "What's that look for?" She asked.

Motochika caught her staring and grinned down at her, "Yes, Nana? Everything alright down there?"
 
His cheeks flushed pink and he glanced away. “You’re an amazing person, lady Akihime.” He said softly.

She gave a nod. “Plenty of fish out today.” She swam around the dock, inspecting the ship. “Did you build this yourself?”
 
She gave a soft laugh, "Hardly. I just do the right thing, as any sensible person would."

Motochika grinned, flashing his tusks, "Aye. With my own hands. Her name's Fugaku, and she's my pride and joy; second to you, of course."
 
“You’re too humble, lady Akihime, truly.” She was almost like a god, harnessing a fine balance between mercy and wrath.

She blushed softly at the compliment, stopping alongside the ship and placing her hand against the side. “You flatter me… and the ship is lovely.”
 
"So I'm told." She said with a smile, "If I'm honest, sometimes I feel like I'm hiding behind humility..." She glanced out the window, watching the trees and the fields pass by.
"People are frightened of me...of what I am...but I'm all they have when they need help. I could be spiteful...and cruel...and I could very well let them all be consumed by the spirits and demons who bother the living. But that would just prove everyone's fears, wouldn't it? So, I try and prove them wrong through great effort...to overcome the evil nature I'm believed to have...but I'm angry, Yukimura...humans make me so...so angry..."

"Thank you. She is lovely. Perhaps I'll rechristen her as Nanahime." He grinned more, "Fortune would favor me further, I feel!"
 
Yukimura listened with a soft frown; humans were fickle and easily scared by things they didn’t understand, reacting more commonly with violence than curiousity. “I’ve seen no evil in you, my lady- if I may say such a thing..” He responded softly, eyes on her. “I’ve only seen a vast wealth of kindness.”

“Smoothtalker.” Nana had to turn away to hide how red her face was becoming. “But it would be a shame to lose such a wonderful name- The Fugaku suits her well.”
 
"Your words flatter me, Yukimura..." She said gently, "I do what I feel is the right thing...it's what my master taught me during my training, so it's about all I know..."

He chuckled and nodded, "If that's how you feel, then I won't argue. Would you care to join in my hunt? Or would you be left to your own devices?"
 
“You must’ve had a talented master.” Yukimura said with a nod.

The offer seemed to perk her interest. “A hunt? What are you hunting?” She asked, swimming over to him.
 
She nodded, "Sen no Wabisuke-sensei was a kind man. A pacifist by nature...he could see into the hearts of people - read their character as easily as the stars. Mitsunari and I looked up to him very much. Ah," she smiled softly, "you might not know who Mitsunari is, do you?"

"Sharks." He grinned, "They're meaty and the little oni sell their bones for jewelry. Our food stores are low, and as the strongest son, it's my duty to refill them."
 
“Forgive me.” He shook his head. “I don’t, was he your fellow disciple?”

“It would be an honor to hunt sharks at your side, I’ll have my spear sent for.” Nana said- it had been quite a while since she had gone on such a hunt.
 
"He was. He and I studied closely together, he and I being to most promising of sensei's students. We had a bit of a rivalry, but I believe all students do in their lives." She replied.

He nodded and hollered for the men to keep getting the Fugaku ready.
 
He couldn’t help but smile as he remembered the rivalry he had with his brother. “I find that to be true as well!”

Nana left briefly to retrieve her weapon before she returned with her spear, equipped with gauntlets and a chest plate. “I’ll follow your lead, husband.” She swore.
 
"Oh? You have siblings?" She asked fondly, shifting to give him her full attention.

Motochika nodded and barked at the demons to set sail, moving to the bow to keep an eye on the water.
 
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