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『Kodoku no Saibou』(1×1 w/ Jikkah)

Yukimura came around to Mitsunari’s side, taking the opening Sasuke gave him to attack.
Large spider legs protruded from Amaya’s back, nodding as she back up to give Akihime room to fight. “I’ll do what I can to immobilize him.”
“My husband, please, both Katakura-san and I need you to be our last line of defense, we’re in your care.” Nana urged gently, touching his arm gently.
 
Mitsunari swing his odachi - Sasuke still attached to it - and aimed to deflect Yukimura's spear. The kitsune let go of the blade before he flung into Yukimura himself, landing on all fours before running at Mitsunari once more.
Akihime wrapped a prayer slip around the shaft of her arrow before notching it and aiming at Mitsunari.
Motochika looked to her, and then to Kojurou, before giving a small nod, "Let's give them as much room as we can. I can protect you both better if we aren't in the way."
"Thank you very much, Oni King." Kojurou said gratefully.
 
Yukimura was quick to move with Mitsunari’s own movements, making sure he kept a distance between himself and Sasuke, while not relenting to Mitsunari. Now with Sasuke out of the way, he increased his attacks, peppering him with a barrage of thrusts from his spear.
Nana nodded, glancing to the fight as it only intensified by Akihime joining the fray, Amaya guarding her back while she fired.
 
The arrow flew faster than Kojurou could keep track, only a silver glittering light left in its wake. It took a chunk of Mitsunari's robes as he dodged it and Yukimura, using the blunt end of his blade to bat Sasuke across the face. He looked to his robes and the light attached to them from Akihime's arrow before looking to her.
"They won't work the same as they would with a spirit or demon."
"I just need you to stop moving long enough to flee." Akihime stated.
 
Yukimura was finding Mitsunari was putting up a decent fight, skidding back from the force of Mitsunari’s parry, jumping right back into the fray. He used a talisman to place a protective barrier on Sasuke, making sure he could continue fighting without worry.
 
Sasuke looked to him and nodded gratefully before rushing forward to try and smack his flaming tails against Mitsunari. The onmyoji threw a talisman to deter him before moving to cut Yukimura down. Another arrow flew through the air, forcing Mitsunari to cancel his attack to avoid it. Akihime notched a new arrow before turning her head slightly towards Amaya.
"Guide Chosokabe and the others to safety, we'll catch up with you soon."
 
Yukimura moved to meet Mitsunari’s blade, locking blades and sweeping Mitsunari’s odachi in a circular motion before pinning it with a heavy thunk to the floor. “Now!” He kept his blade firmly pinned, forcing him to abandon his blade, or take Akihime’s arrow.
Amaya nodded firmly. “Understood, good luck my lady.” She said, quickly leading off Kojurou, Motochika and Nana down their new escape route.
 
Mitsunari tried to pick his odachi up, scowling gently at how strong Yukimura was physically. Sasuke moved to bite Mitsunari's wrist to keep his hands from pulling the blade up, only to get Mitsunari's foot in his throat. Sasuke choked as he was sent tumbling backwards, gasping for air. Akihime abandoned her arrow, body hot with anger, and darted toward Mitsunari. Her eyes were wild with rage and she pulled back her fist, her hand engulfed in unnatural purple flame. Mitsunari abandoned the odachi to avoid her strike, her first slamming into the marble floor where he once was and leaving a scorched crater. She didn't let up; she chased after him, throwing fiery punches before throwing open a scroll to send glowing white chains toward him. One caught Mitsunari in the ankle, causing him to stumble before the rest of the chains wrapped around him.
 
Yukimura hadn’t expected Akihime to join the fray so closely, quickly recovering and moving to support her. He flipped his spear and smacked Mitsunari hard with the flat of his blade, knocking him to the ground before pinning him to the spot. He pointed the tip of his spear at the man’s throat, face serious as he steadied his breathing.
 
"You've grown soft picking up so many strays." Mitsunari chastised. Akihime didn't strike him - despite the burning urge - and moved quickly to Sasuke. He was still gasping, forced back into his human form.
"Let me see..." Akihime frowned as she knelt beside him, touching his throat carefully.
"F...Fine...'m fi...ne..." Sasuke choked.
"No, you aren't...he almost crushed your windpipe. If you were human, you'd be dead..." She scolded gently. Sasuke tried to grin.
"G...Good thing...I'm not..." He joked. She clicked her tongue softly in annoyance and helped sit him up.
 
Yukimura made sure Mitsunari didn’t go anywhere while Akihime attended to Sasuke. “What would you have me do with him, Akihime-sama?” He asked, not taking his eyes off the Onmyoji trapped underfoot, his sharp ears listening to Akihime’s movements.
 
"Those chains will keep him long enough for us to escape. Leave him. It's a whole other issue if we harm him." She replied, helping Sasuke breathe before helping him to his feet. Mitsunari looked to Yukimura, eyes indifferent.
"You fought well, despite it all." He said.
 
He nodded and moved his spear away from Mitsunari’s throat, pausing at his words. “Thank you, you as well, Mitsunari-dono.” He said with a nod.
 
"Let's go, Yukimura." Akihime said before glancing briefly at Mitsunari, "It was good to see you, ani..."
"And you, as well, imou..." Mitsunari replied, "You best get going."
"Hai." Akihime nodded and left quickly with her shiki.
"Ani? Imou?" Sasuke asked. Akihime frowned softly.
"I don't want to talk about it..."
 
Yukimura had noticed the names as well, but Akihime had made up her mind on the topic before he could even open his mouth. He nodded and hurried after her, making sure her back was protected as the followed the web path left by Amaya.
 
When they left the palace through the servants area, Kojurou was the first to help Akihime with Sasuke.
"Thank the Gods. We were worried about you three." He said. Akihime ahook her head.
"The Gods had nothing to do with it. How is everyone?" She asked. Motochika was anxious, forced to stay and wait for Akihime despite wanting to get Nana back to sea.
"As well as can be expected, thanks to your exceptional jorogumo." He said.
 
Amaya moved over to Sasuke, frowning softly. “You’re hurt..” She said softly.
Nana looked weak and tired, but she was still awake, sitting up when Akihime arrived. “You’ve arrived, I am glad to see you safe.”
 
"I'll be ok.." Sasuke replied, "Good job getting everyone to safety.."
Akihime moved to Nana and Motochika, bowing her head gently.
"Not as glad as I am to see you both unharmed." She replied.
"Would you let us leave now, Akihime?" Motochika asked. Akihime nodded.
"Please have a safe journey back to your people. And I wish you a speedy recovery, your Highness." She said.
 
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She frowned more. “I’ll prepare medicine for your throat once we finish here..” She offered, expression softening a bit. “Thank you.. Good job protecting Lady Akihime.”
Nana placed her hand on Motochika’s arm, bowing to Akihime. “You have my gratitude, Onmyoji. I fear where this may have gone had you not shown up..” She squeezed Motochika’s arm gently. “I’m glad I didn’t have to see it..”
 
"Really, Amaya, I'll be ok." Sasuke said, giving a sheepish grin, "Don't worry so much."
"I wouldn't have died, Nana." Motochika assured her gently before turning to leave, "Come. Everyone has been extremely worried.."
"Oni King," Motochika glanced to Akihime when she spoke, "please reconsider any rash decisions once you've made it home. As formidable as you are, should we meet again on a battlefield, I will not show mercy."
"Nor I," Motochika replied, "but we will consider your warning."
 
Amaya made a noise, mind already made up on the medicine. “You don’t worry enough..” She said softly. “Come, Lady Akihime is waiting.”
Yukimura stood a few paces behind Akihime, spear still in hand since they weren’t out of danger yet. Even with Motochika remaining peaceful, they still had the humans to answer to. “Shall we return to the Emperor, Akihime-sama?”
“Even the Oni Kings wounds must be treated as grievously as they appear.” Nana said, glad to be free from captivity, doing the best she could to hide how tired and ill she felt.
 
Sasuke nodded and moved with Amaya to stand by Akihime, who watched Motochika leave with his wife.
"No," Akihime answered, "Let's just go home. Mitsunari will debrief him, I'm sure."
"I can't thank you enough for coming to her aid, Akihime." Kojurou said gratefully. Akihime turned and smiled softly.
"I was happy to do it, Katakura. I'm glad I was able to make it in time." She said. He smiled and bowed gently.
"Please, have a safe journey home. Hopefully, I won't have to call upon you again."
"Hopefully." Akihime teased.
 
Yukimura nodded at Akihime’s decision, bowing to Kojurou as well in thanks along with his master.
“We should make haste, my lady, it won’t be long before we’re found by the Emperor’s men- they aren’t far behind us now.” Amaya reported, able to see the movements of the people inside the castle through her spiders.
 
"You know the way, Amaya." Akihime said gently, moving to follow her. Kojurou made a noise as he glanced around.
"I'll deter them if I can."
"Thank you, Katakura. Take care." Akihime said.
 
Yukimura bid his thanks and farewell to Kojurou before hurrying after Akihime.
Amaya led the group back to the carriage that had brought them there, glad to see they still had their way home.
 
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