MARBLE SODA ♦ job

The autumn brought about a refreshingly cool weather with clear skies above. The sun was colder as the earth began to prepare for winter, and the warm ball of energy above drew further and further away from the world. There were no clouds above, and no sign of promised rain, nor the first snow that would eventually befall the land with the seasons growing ever colder. The leaves in the trees were drying out, which slowly switched their pigment from a deep rich green to shades of yellow, gold, orange, red, and finally, a shriveled brown color that would signal that the leaves were ready to fall. Hence the name of the season. The small village was a beautiful place to go. There were only a few eastern style buildings and houses in the village, and mostly only vast gardens and fields to grow crop. There was a free flowing stream that went through the middle of the village that was fairly deep, with enough water to support a safe dive and require a sturdy, large, and strong bridge to safely cross from one side of the small river to the other. The grass was dry, but still green overall, contrasting to the trees in the the vicinity. Overall with the cloudless and brilliant blue sky, the painted trees, and the vivid green of the grass, plus the lovely shaped wood of the houses, it was a peaceful scene. One would never suspect that anything bad could possibly have happened here. Or would happen.

Really, even Izayuki was confused as she arrived at the place, job paper in hand. The flier had spoken of mischief during the day, but mostly at night. The villagers could hardly give anything but vague details, however. It did make it harder for the Black Rose guild master, but then again, who did not love a bit of a puzzle for once when it came to a simple job? Things always got boring rather fast, including the fights and battles she often encountered in jobs like this. If their target was hiding, the Ayakashi Alliance would surely sniff them out. A weasel and a raccoon dog duo this time, in a place full of mystery hiding under a peaceful surface. What was not to love with this picture for the yokai?

Itazura ♠ Black Rose ♠ C-Rank ♠ Aruzati
S o   I v e   l i e d   a n d   I v e   b e e n   t r i c k i n g   e v e r   s i n c e

Though the young itachi wasn’t typically the type to stop and smell the roses, he was probably just as awestruck as the tanuki who brought him on this job. Watching as the leaves that were the different assortment of reds, oranges, yellows and occasionally browns, fell to the ground. His softly colored hazel eyes glued to one as it gracefully swayed to the grass beneath him, resisting the urge to dart around and grab all of these said leaves. Pulling his gaze away from the leaves to look forward, ahead of him walking at a slightly slower pace than himself, due to him being slightly taller and just naturally having a large stride, was the young and beautiful guildmaster of Black Rose. Being at a age more comparable to that of humans, unlike himself, who was over one hundred years old. Though even that was considered young to the likes of yokai, who had rather large life spans, especially compared to that of humans.
The kamaitachi studied her, though younger than himself, she was more mature than him. Though she was of course childish and playful at times, well at least that is was Itazura had noticed. He actually hasn’t been acquainted with the young woman for that long, yet he was in a team with her, and a bakeneko of which he was also not that well acquainted with. This was probably the first time he was actually alone and able to talk with her, without their guildmates flooding around them. Not being the type to typically like crowds all that much, which was common for a weasel such as himself, so he usually didn’t talk when in one.  Maybe in this job they would get to know each other better, though he hoped it would be one-sided, and that she would learn nothing of him. Though she was probably just as curious of him as he was of her. I mean, here comes walking in a kamaitachi into her guildhall, who claims to be old friends with her companion, Seika. Which Seika harshly denied ever knowing him, and attempted to ignore him, that was the truth. She just didn’t remember. Which, though he of course didn’t really show, very much upset the time and space wizard. Pushing those depressing thoughts of his aside, he walked over beside her and matched her strides.

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Seika had chosen not to go along on the current mission Izayuki was on with her newer teammate, Itazura. For obvious reasons, as well. The Bakedanuki had noted the small hybrid yokai's irritation with the kamaitachi, and for once decided against forcing the smaller ayakashi to go, even though Seika's logical thinking and practical knowledge would likely be a lot of help. In the job, Izayuki connected the signs described in the paper to the idea that there were yokai around the village. It was not too unlike the time that the tanuki had discovered Seika terrorizing Beanstalk Village, and had been forced to appease her alongside Kite Wilheim. Thankfully for the two slayers, beating the mimicry-user had been rather easy for obvious reasons. The only elements that the hybrid could have used were fire and ice, and both of those easily fed and empowered the god slayer and demon slayer whom she had been fighting. Nevertheless, it was no easy battle, though Seika had soon found her way out of her yokai rage, and Izayuki eagerly took the small amnesiac in.

As far as Izayuki's knowledge on Itazura went, she knew that he preferred to be called Aruzati by the majority of the guild. Naturally, she knew his real name thanks to Seika and the records that the Black Rose guild held onto. As for why he used the alias, the Bakedanuki could only connect it to instinct and a feeling of security for the weasel, or perhaps because he wanted to hide or keep his privacy. Whatever the reason, the former bounty hunter guild was in no hurry to disclose the information and secrets of one of their own, no matter how simple, such as a name. It still struck her as a bit odd, but Izayuki's curiosity quickly died down as they inched closer to the village. Along with the itachi and the half-Bakeneko, Neyvahn, Izayuki had attempted to form a team just for them. The purpose behind why the guild master had done it was rather simple. Neyvahn was new to being a yokai, having lived his entire life as a human. While she now suspected he had yokai blood in him somehow, which she had awakened during their ordeal, he had no clue how to use his yokai traits or abilities, and no knowledge on the world and instinct of his kind. Being a yokai was a hard situation for anyone, even her. It would be so much simpler to just be a human...

When it came to Itazura's case, however, the guild master had chosen him for her team to teach him more about the human world and society, along with Seika's unwilling help. All the weasel had known was the yokai world and their normal nature of teasing, pranking, and stealing things for humans. Yokai were general mischief makers, and the Kamaitachi was no different. He was illiterate, and barely knew much when it came to the world of humans and civilization. Thankfully, the Bakedanuki had almost seen all of the best and the worst of both worlds. Hopefully, she could somewhat guide them and teach them whatever they needed. For that purpose, the Ayakashi Alliance was formed between the three, er, four, if one included Seika. A team of misfits within the guild of misfits... how fitting.

The village was already in full view; they were surrounded by the few primitive buildings in the vicinity. Their next goal was to find the source of what was causing the village so much trouble. Between keen senses and intuitive minds that understood the practices and behaviors of others of their kind, this would be a breeze for the weasel and the tanuki.

Itazura ♠ Black Rose ♠ C-Rank ♠ Aruzati
S o   I v e   l i e d   a n d   I v e   b e e n   t r i c k i n g   e v e r   s i n c e

The kamaitachi remained unfocused, glancing at his surroundings, his hazel eyes never staying on one thing for more then a few seconds. He had been told by the guildmaster of which he walked beside, that there had been some mischief caused by an unknown something or someone. Her suspicions being that it was possibly a yokai, this being rather common behavior for their species. So her assumptions were probably correct, but no matter, they still needed to confirm it. And deal with it in whatever way she commands. Though he wasn't much for obeying orders or listening to suggestions of wisdom given to him, but he had a feeling she had quite the arsenal behind her and that he shouldn't try and pick a fight with her. Even if that was in his nature and a itachi and just a yokai in general, though unlike other yokai who might just like to pick fights for fun or for the sweet taste of blood. Itazura often has other intentions, if you ignore his yokai blood, he is basically just a weasel. Having all the common behaviors and abilities that this species within the mustelid familia has, this includes the extensive appetite that they have. No matter how much he eats, he is always, always, hungry.
Hungry, food, he hadn't realized how hungry he was, it had probably been what, an hour since he last ate? He wasn't sure, even though he gained these time manipulation powers, he still wasn't one for keeping track of the time. All he knew right now is that he was hungry, though he has tried to keep his diet mostly consisting of things provided to him by the guild or other restaurants, it didn't change his main diet, humans. Though you could also include yokais in his main diet, he wasn't bothered at all by the cannibalism. They tasted so good, their sweet tasting blood that isn't like that of other mammals, the taste of the fresh flesh that was just on their body. Then yokais, don't even get him started on them, the taste was that of an animal, but more vibrant and unique with every different species. Even within that certain species, each single yokai has a separately delicious and unique flavor that had always piqued the kamaitachi's interests.
His stomach grumbled, not really an obvious sound, being rather quiet, but the feeling sure was strong. Glancing over to his left, without turning his head he examined the tanuki beside him. Though not with the same interest that he had not so long ago, not information gathering or whatever it was he was interested in her earlier. The smell, mostly the scent of a normal tanuki with a her own unique scent mixed in, though there was something else. Not that of a bakedanuki, or even a human, it was......something else that he couldn't place a finger on. All that he knew, was that, it smelled so good. If he could just have a taste, he would be delighted. Even without the scent of fresh blood his eyes started to flicker between it's normal hazel color to crimson. Licking his soft lips, he yanked his color changing gaze away from the raccoon dog, and he stared at the ground ahead of him. Self control was something he didn't have much of, but he used the little that he had to try and not go and attack his guildmaster to ease his hunger. Pulling his mind away from going all feral animal, he tried to concentrate on something else, different smells. Maybe he could eat something or somebody else to appease his appetite, or at least hold him off until he was alone and could hunt something other then Izayuki.
That's when he smelled a different yokai, it was hard to sniff past the intoxicating and complicated scent that the tanuki had, but he could still smell it. Water, didn't have an obvious scent of course, I mean it's just water. But it was different, a yokai, something that isn't often on his menu. It wasn't often that he came across these things, he just didn't have much taste for them so he usually just ignored them. Straying away from the side of the young woman, he followed the scent of this yokai. Down by the side of the river, he followed it a little ways, that's when he saw it. It wasn't all that obvious, just floating calmly and quietly, eyes closed it seemed to be asleep. What you may ask? Well a Kappa of course, what else would it be? The water child's webbed hands where resting on the edge of the river, on the grass. His head resting on the grass, black hair and closed eyes could just barely be made out from beneath the egg like helmet thing that it wore atop it's head. His legs sprawled out in the water, just barely breaking past the surface of the clear river waters.
When the young yokai caught up with him, he said simply, not with any facial expression or emotion, he was to busy concentrating on not eating her. Or at least attempting to do so. "I think we found our problem"

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The eyes tracking her were not of any concern to the Bakedanuki. Izayuki walked comfortably through the village, watching as a few people went about their daily business. It was no surprise that the River Village was not bustling like it usually was. Typically, the streets were a bit more crowded, with more than just daily business being displayed. Children would run up and down the cobblestone paved paths, chasing each other and playing their imaginative games of make believe; while their mothers and female kin would be gracing the streets with elegant presences, making their ways from shop to shop within the tiny market. It was a beautiful place, after all, entirely peaceful and happy. However, today it was only the men out and about doing their business, which for a village like the one near the river, it was fishing. The small village was filled with fisherman, both experienced and apprentices, as well as fish merchants, butchers, dock masters, various sailors and traders, basket weavers, alongside plenty of other humble occupations. Only most of them were outside in the autumn sun. A few of those who were not as brave kept inside of their dwellings with their families. Who knew what odd and bizarre event would occur next? What would it be, and when would it happen?

Eventually the yokai duo found their way to the water's edge, near a semi-steep drop off at the rim of the river. Both the weasel and the tanuki could easily use their senses of smell to locate their quarry. He was not too difficult to find, resting up against the side of the shore with his webbed, flipper-like hands and his broad arms flat against the yellow-green autumn grass. His head almost appeared to be a rock, but too strange a one at that, with cracked, spiky edges that could only remind someone of a broken eggshell. His actual hair was black, and for one reason or another, he looked like a young child wearing a strange helmet and odd gloves- nothing too inconspicuous, or maybe that was just the Bakedanuki’s thought process. His garments were green in color, yet did not appear to react like normal clothing when in contact with water. The clothes did not appear heavy or stuck against his skin, nor did they flow too strongly with the current. It was odd, but for a yokai, could one truly predict anything?

“It’s a Kappa,” Izayuki identified, having read enough books about her own kind and listened to enough of Seika’s stories to know very basic things about some common yokai. She understood that this kind of yokai, known as a river child in literal terms, according to the eastern writing and characters, preferring to lounge about in the water. Seika’s knowledge she had bestowed upon the mischievous and nonchalant tanuki definitely would come in handy. Rumor had it that these kinds of ayakashi were generally peaceful, and likely not to raise a big fuss. This one seemed hardly able to cause too much trouble for humans, except maybe getting in the way of boats or fishing lines or nets, but that did not explain the strange events that had been described in the job papers.

The water mononoke suddenly reached his flipperlike webbed hand to his face to scratch it slightly, making an adorable motion as he seemed to calm down after appeasing an itch. Not once did he open his eyes, or even appear to notice the Ayakashi Alliance standing above him. Did he really not notice, or was he too lazy to care? Had he not felt their presences, auras, or noticed their scents, or heard their voices? What a strange little child of the river...

Itazura ♠ Black Rose ♠ C-Rank ♠ Aruzati
S o   I v e   l i e d   a n d   I v e   b e e n   t r i c k i n g   e v e r   s i n c e

So that's what they were called, he wasn't to knowledgeable on the names of their whole general species. Being over one hundred years old, and traveling constantly, he probably has met a lot of them, though he is unfamiliar with the terms. And really, has never seen it important to know, not the type of person to like to carry around a bunch of information often seen as useless. Watching what Iza called a Kappa whilst standing next to her, it wasn't very interesting. Just lifting his orange colored webbed hand to relieve a pestering itch from his face, but other then that, he continued to sleep. It was rather boring, just standing there, and really the water child just ignored their existence if he noticed it at all. He didn't seem to be causing any trouble, and didn't seem interested in doing so. But through out all of the years that this kamaitachi has been alive, he has learned to know better. Never judge a yokai by there outward appearance, he learned that the hard way. Though it seemed harmless enough, and all the others of his kind that Itazura has ever encountered, has always been the same way. Who knew what was hiding beneath that shell? Figuratively and literally, this water yokai could be very dangerous for all he knew.
Though the itachi wouldn't be included in the cautious kind, you think that he would learn to be cautious when he learned other things, yet that is not true. Walking closer to the Kappa, he resisted the urge to just attack it outright. His stomach growled again, and his hunger was overwhelming, he really wanted to eat. He has held out longer then this, though not in his free will, and has ended up passing out because of the lack of energy. Though most animals and creatures can last days or even a week or more till they need to eat again. But he can barely last more a handful of hours before his next meal, a rather inconvenient thing he has to deal with. But he has lived with it for over a hundred years, and is still living, for the most part. At least none of the times that he died, or at least what humans would consider dead, was caused by starvation.
Back to the itachi not being cautious, he went closer, almost close enough that he was stepping the the supposedly sleeping yokai. He leaned down and bluntly knocked on the eggshell that rested upon the drowsy yokai's skull. "Wakey Wakey~" he said playfully, trying to continue his always happy facade while also trying to keep his hunger under control. Doing this rather rude act caused the Kappa to let out a either pained or irritated moan, before letting himself slip into the river totally. Backing up, smiling a sly and mischievous smile as he watched what the river child would do next. After a few moments under the water, he peeks his finally open eyes over the surface of the water. He said what might be some words in the water, though they were unable to understand due to his mouth being under the water. After lazily trying to glare angrily at the two yokai of which confronted him, he very slowly pushed himself onto a large rock that would allow him to sit out of the river. Though the rock itself didn't even break past the surface, crossing his legs he yawned and stared at them, now to tired to even bother glaring. Looking like he expected an answer to some question, so the itachi just assumed that whatever thing he said under the water was said question. Though the both of them were clearly clueless, he wasn't really planning on repeating his question, if he even realized their confusion in his drowsy state.

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Izayuki did not stop Itazura from approaching the Kappa and poking it, urging it to wake up. If he was not the cause, they still had questions to ask the ayakashi of the river. The River Child suddenly stirred from his sleep and backed up into the water, completely submerging himself before rising back slightly above the surface with his eggshell helmet head and deep green eyes. He appeared to be glaring at the Kamaitachi and the Bakedanuki, but not for too long. Ever so slowly, the Kappa would sit back on an underwater rock, continuing to observe the yokai duo, but less angrily. Did being upset or irritated really take that much effort?

He muttered something while his mouth was underwater, but the sound was blocked and jumbled by the water distorting and almost completely stopping the soundwaves. Izayuki was unable to understand what he had said, but she would try to do her best to communicate with the river yokai. "Hey there, sorry to disturb your sleep. My name is Izayuki, and this is my friend Itazura," the Black Rose Guild Master said, not bothering to use the weasel's preferred alias. When speaking to another yokai and trying to solve a problem or conflict, it worked to better advantages to be completely honest and transparent. Or was that simply a human's method and pattern of thinking that she had picked up? Either way, she was in no hurry to trick or try to fool the tired mononoke; such a thing would be rather rude, really.

"What's your name, and where are you from?" the Bakedanuki asked in a friendly and polite manner, crouching down near the river's edge and sitting on her knees. Her silver fluffy tail flowed back and forth behind her in a relaxed manner. The Kappa tilted his head to the side, appearing to consider the question carefully. In all honesty, he had already forgotten what he had been angry about, and was unable to even remember that it was the tanuki and weasel on the shore who had woken him from his midday slumber in the warm noon sun. "My name is Kawako.... I think. If it isn't that, it's definitely Komahiki... yep, definitely... no, wait... chotto motte, kudasai..." the Kappa said, closing his eyes and resting his light orange flipper-like hand on his chin as he thought. It took a few seconds, which seemed like forever, before he finally scratched his shell-like head, deep in thought. Eventually, he opened his eyes and replied in a calm, but determined and somewhat perky manner. "Kowatarou. My name is definitely Kowatarou, no questions asked. Unless you both have any, of course..."

His behavior was quite confusing to the fast-thinking and movement-oriented tanuki, who already had a rather short attention span. Nevertheless, she forced herself to be patient with the River Child, who might just have been able to help them. The Kappa stared blankly at them, as if he were waiting on a response, and it was then that Izayuki realized that he had forgotten the other question that the guild master had asked. "Ah, it's nice to meet you, Kowatarou-san!" Izayuki replied with a wide smile, folding her clawed hands together and trying to remain at least somewhat formal with the other ayakashi. "Itazura and I are from the Black Rose magical guild in Rose Garden. Where are you from?" she asked politely, deciding to go ahead and break out the fact that the two were wizards from magical guilds of Fiore. Surely that would not mean too much to the Kappa, hopefully, unless he had had bad dealings with mages in the past. With luck, he would not remember any unfortunate incidents, if that was the case, or would simply not care about the subject she had just disclosed. It was no secret, after all, so why hide it?

Itazura ♠ Black Rose ♠ C-Rank ♠ Aruzati
S o   I v e   l i e d   a n d   I v e   b e e n   t r i c k i n g   e v e r   s i n c e

Expecting to hear he his alias when she introduced him, he was slightly surprised when she introduced him with his real name. Which wasn't something he appreciated that much, fending from the urge to shoot a fierce glare at the glacier god slayer. Now really liking her giving up his personal information without his permission, no matter her reasons. These reasons, he thought, probably where thought more from the point of a view of a human then a yokai. Since when did yokais even think that they should lay bare, be honest with one another? Especially itachis, being one of the most secretive, if not the most, among the henge yokai. Though he acted as if nothing affected him, as of the norm, his hand resting comfortably on his hip along with a mischievous smile spread across his fair skinned complexion. Staying quiet and letting the two yokais converse, listening attentively.
The Kappa talked slowly and lazily with the tanuki, struggling to remember even his own name. I don't know how Izayuki expected him to remember his place of origin. Hearing the fact that they were both wizards from the legal guild, Black Rose, didn't seem to interest him that much. Not particularly caring at all about what she was saying, not in the slightest, Kowatarou just seemed like he wanted to go back to sleep. Well at least now both of the ayakashi were trying to keep something under control, and it's not just the weasel who had to hold something under wraps. Though his being on a slightly higher scale of danger then some simple hyperactive actions and fast-talking from the slayer.
The River Child pondered this question, probably a lot longer then one should, but this was a Kappa we're talking about. You should expect this much from one of their kind. Never bothered to remember anything that others would categorize under importance, their name or where they're from. They would just prefer to sleep their long, long yokai lives away. In a way, the kamaitachi was jealous of their apathetic nature. They struggled to remember the simplest thing even a child could remember, even if it was barely five minutes ago. Unlike Itazura who struggled to forget the first memory that he ever had, all these memories, and just his own thoughts, put him in an eternal depressive state. A state in which he would rather act like a Kappa, lazing around all the time until he died, then do all of the things he does currently. Sometimes he thinks that it would be nice to be like Seika, he would have a less depressive life being an amnesiac, or at least that is what he thinks. Yet he doesn't want to forget said amnesiac, it's all that he has ever lived for, so he isn't sure what he would do if she was gone. Which would explain why he is currently confused, he joined Black Rose for Seika, to try and help her remember him even if this was something she really didn't want. But what would happen if she remembered, and her feelings didn't change? He tried to have faith that whenever she remembered their history together, if she did, that all those years that they where close friends would override her current feelings of.....Hate? Loathing? He couldn't quite place a finger on how she felt about him currently, but it was somewhere in that area. Guess then he would try and figure out how to erase all of his memories, or even worse, how to permanently kill himself. Being a yokai, it was very, very hard to kill him.

Back on topic of Kowatarou, it had probably been a minute or two before he finally responded with this lame reply to the bakedanuki's question. "I.... can't.. remember" this answer almost made the itachi burst into laughter, he wasn't to easily irritated, unlike other people who might be annoyed in this situation. Answering this question, after all that hard thinking and trying to remember, he flopped backwards. Letting gravity submerge him temporarily in the water before being pushed back up to rest atop the surface of the clear waters. Made him think some more, where did he come from, one thing the river child was curious about and bothered pondering. Maybe he was just from this river, I mean he couldn't really remember past him falling asleep, he couldn't be bothered. But maybe he was from somewhere cooler, like a tropical island, a nice warm island that always supplied him with food for whenever he was hungry, and didn't wake him up when  he didn't want to awaken. Sort of like what happened here. Yeah that sounds right, but no it doesn't, what was he thinking, that's just stupid. What seems more realistic is a snowy tundra, high up in a cave on impossible to climb mountain, far away from any other signs from life. Yes defiantly it, no wait..... That doesn't make any sense, he is a river creature, there is no way he could survive there. Now he was just confused, what other places could he come from, this confusion showing itself ever so slightly on his complexion. Not that it could be well seen under his shaggy hair and cracked eggshell helmet.

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The Kappa did take a long time to reply, but the Bakedanuki attempted to be patient as she awaited his response. Finally it came, with an a rather neutral answer that she had not wanted to hear, nor did she expect. He could not remember? How could anyone forget something as simple as where they were from? At the very least, Kowatarou did not seem different to the fact that they were wizards from the Black Rose guild. Still, this was definitely going to be one heck of a long job. With the slow witted responses, getting any kind of information out of the water youkai was going to be a challenge. Unfortunately, he was their only lead to any type of intelligence that they wanted for this job. What was causing the strange incidents day and mostly night?

"Er... that's okay," Izayuki replied with a chipper, warm, and patient smile which seemed to somehow relax the Kappa, who might or might not have felt bad for not being able to correctly give an answer to their question. "This River Village has been complaining of strange incidents. My friend here and I think that the cause might be other Ayakashi. Have you seen any around, Kowatarou-san?" she continued on with another question, hoping that the Kappa might be able to answer it truthfully, assuming he had seen something and had not been asleep for twenty four hours constantly.

The River Child once again sat back on his underwater rock and thought to himself, closing his eyes for about half a minute, which seemed like forever, before reopening the green orbs to gaze directly at the two other mononoke and answer. "Do you mean my friends? They come here sometimes... there are a few Yuurei, some Henge.... and maybe one or two Kaiju," Kowatarou answered, attempting to be honest, even if the types of Youkai that he named and listed were incredibly vague classifications. It still gave enough information that Izayuki wanted to hear for the sake of the job. "Your friends? So I assume they haunt the village. Do they mostly come at night?" the Bakedanuki continued politely, still sitting formally on the grass, gracing the water where the creature of the river lingered.

"Yeah, my friends.... they like nighttime the best, but some still visit me during the day, like you two..." Kowatarou said lazily, already beginning to appear tired again. From what Izayuki could perceive, he often fell asleep when he got together with his 'friends', or basically, any Ayakashi who dared to visit him. So the Youkai eventually got bored and went about to do something nearby, which typically included haunting the local villagers. "Do they come just to visit you? Were there any here before you arrived at the village?"

The Kappa already seemed tired of the drilling, and simply released a yawn before he finally tried to answer the raccoon dog. "No, it was just me. About a month after I arrive things got really noisy and busy. I don't know why... it is kind of annoying... oh well..."

Itazura ♠ Black Rose ♠ C-Rank ♠ Aruzati
S o   I v e   l i e d   a n d   I v e   b e e n   t r i c k i n g   e v e r   s i n c e

Keeping up his mask which showed him being rather normal, a mischievous gleam in his hazel eyes and a smile to match that look. Though beneath that he clutched his fists within his pockets, and locked his teeth together. Trying to not lash out, and ignore the nauseous feeling that he had in his throat. The kind of feeling you have when you have nothing in your stomach. And his stomach was currently trying to eat itself due to being completely empty. He tried to listen to the conversation, but the scent of the tanuki was rather intoxicating now that he was hungry. If he could just have a taste, no, he shouldn't. He believed that if he tried to hurt his guildmaster, he would then be kicked out of the guild by said guildmaster.
He didn't want that, this is where Seika was, he had to be around her, it was the only reason he tried to live. Though he was debating whether or not he should live anyways, it's not like the old times where the only things they had were each other. And where they would both enjoy themselves by pranking and stealing from the likes of humanity, but now. Now, he was all alone, she has forgotten him and he feels no hope in making her remember. Or at least becoming her friend again, considering she was very untrusting of itachis (which is actually very smart of her). But he completely muffed it when he tried to use her as a meal, something to ease his hunger. It's a wonder she hasn't talked with Izayuki yet, to get him kicked out. He could only wonder why. Considering she was avoiding him now because of that situation that happened between the two of them.
The young kamaitachi cursed himself in his thoughts, not only was he being tortured because he starving. But now he was torturing himself by thinking about Seika, precious Seika, somebody he believed he could never have. The thoughts within his brain totally drowned out the talking of the kappa and the tanuki. Thinking these thoughts while also trying not to let his depressing and sorrow filled aura slip from his person. He can't show weakness, he would just have to wait it out, wait until he was finished with this job. Then, then he could let it out, and get a couple of meals while he was at it. Humans would suffice, he would just not have to get caught, then doing that would get him kicked out. And like I said before, he didn't really want that.
But he was starving, his hazel eyes flicked to blood red as his gaze drifted over to Izayuki. Even without the scent of blood, which is when his iris' usually change color, they started to change. Each time they flickered, the red started to stay longer, and the hazel shorter. Clutching his fists so hard within his pant's pockets, he drew blood, blood. Not even concerned about showing his hunger anymore, he brought out one of his hands. Though he never really liked the taste of his own blood, he sucked on the wounds that he made on his palm. Trying to ease it, but his little amount of self-control wasn't really there anymore. He just needed to eat, so hungry.

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Prowling in the nearby bushes by the banks, lurking, were narrowed amber eyes. Tiny, soft paws tread along the autumn grass and dry fallen leaves, inching closer towards their quarry. There were two, and they were talking to her best friend. How dare they! Only she was allowed to talk to him at this time of day, even if he never did remember her name or the appointment. Why did these two have to interrupt at such an important time? It was Kawatarou's job to keep her company at this hour! A growl rising in the back of the feline's throat, she continued to press forward, body lowered towards the ground.
The tiger cub was certain that she could take on these two weird beings. They were not human, from the looks of them, but Youkai, like her, judging by the animalian features they displayed. However, she made no discrimination. Even if they were like her, they were stealing away the time that she was supposed to have with the special Kappa, her best friend. Thus, the Byakko child would get them out of the way, even if it meant taking their lives.

Izayuki, in the meantime, noticed some tension from the nearby Kamaitachi. Was he anxious about something? Or was he simply getting annoyed by the Kappa's slow wit, processing, and actions? It was easy to succumb to the impatience, but the Black Rose guild master forced herself to remain calm in the presence of Kawatarou. She was about to reply to him, finding it intriguing that so many Youkai would flock to the area simply because he was there. Her only suspicion as to why was because Kappa typically preferred calm environments, and where it was peaceful, they could be found. Other Youkai would pick up on that serenity, and follow to the area to find a tranquil place to live. Now it was beginning to make sense.

Before she could respond, however, the Bakedanuki began to pick up on a nearby scent- the smell of obvious feline. Just as she sensed it, however, something bright orange-yellow leaped from the bushes, it's striped black and golden fur shimmering in the sun with a well groomed pelt. Reaching both of her clawed hands up, Izayuki caught the flailing tiger cub who had launched itself in midair, and was swiping furiously with its claws, but to no avail. "Hello?" the tanuki girl asked, her head tilted curiously, but the tiger cub only snarled in frustration.

Before anymore questions could be asked, the tigress would shapeshift into a small girl with brown hair, a long braid, golden-furred tiger ears, a long and slender tail... a kemonomimi human form, only, her arms remained tiger-like with giant paws and fierce claws. The girl wore a yellow hoodie with black stripes, denim shorts, and red and white tennis shoes. Her red eyes narrowed at the two stranger Youkai in anger, before another snarl ripped from her mouth as she broke away from Izayuki. She did not stop and run, however. Instead, she turned towards the Itachi and aimed her large set of claws at him, releasing an unhappy growl as she attempted to take out her other target.

Itazura ♠ Black Rose ♠ C-Rank ♠ Aruzati
S o   I v e   l i e d   a n d   I v e   b e e n   t r i c k i n g   e v e r   s i n c e

So hungry, why couldn't they just leave already, or just get a quick meal then deal with this job. Whatever this job was, he couldn't even remember, he was so hungry. The pain in his stomach from it begging for food, and him trying to prevent himself from eating. Considering that the only things around that would be a suitable meal for the kamaitachi was Izayuki, Kawatarou and.....what was that. A scent of something, again hard to pin-point anything in the state he was in. Dropping his hand to his side, his own blood covering his lips due to him trying to ease his hunger by drinking his own blood. Which didn't really work if you were wondering, it never has, any time he has tried to feast on himself. It never truly satisfied his hunger and thirst, like it should've. Back to the myserious scent, which revealed itself as a young tigress, a Byakko. She attempted to attack the young guildmaster, but failed miserably, so she decided to make him a target. Which in some ways he was very happy about, great, his meal was coming right for him. The other half he was very upset, she shouldn't come towards him, he wasn't sure if he could control himself. He didn't want to be kicked from the guild due to killing somebody, because that was apparently illegal according to humans, not yet.
At first, his self control worked, and he simply dodged the young girl. But she was persistent with him, growling in frustration as she quickly turned back around with her feline reflexes. Attempting to claw and tackle him again, this time, he had no control. His reflexes kicked in, which was probably the first time that he hated his natural reflexes. Though she was quick, she was young, especially compared to the kamaitachi who was over hundred years old, yet still young for their general species. His face blank, he dodged, but grabbed her wrist. And with no effort, flipped her, her back hit the ground harshly. Knocking the wind out of her temporarily. Unsheathing his claws he went to stab her, holding her down with one hand. But he stopped, just realizing what he had done. Great.

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The events to unfold before the Bakedanuki's eyes were fast and chaotic, and even Kawatarou stared with a bit more shock and surprise in his eyes than before. The tigress cub no longer focused on Izayuki as a target, but instead shapeshifted into a small brunette girl with her Byakko animalian features, and razor sharp claws, and averted her aims towards the Kamaitachi. She was quickly thwarted, however, by her second attack as the weasel grabbed onto her furry wrist and flung her down. Izayuki continued to watch, not reacting much at first. Honestly, it would be good to see the child taught a lesson, though in a human village? They had the morals of mankind to uphold, unfortunately, and though the girl was a Youkai, they would still only see it as cruelty if they actually did hurt her and were found. The Black Rose Guild Master prepared to speak up and say something, and upon doing so, she realized that Itazura managed to stop himself. That was good- despite being new to human society, he at least could keep himself somewhat in check.

Breathing out a sigh, the tanuki girl prepared to speak anyways in regards to the young Byakko. However, she was stopped as she heard sudden swishes and movements in the water behind her. Turning her pink-haired head, silver ears shot up in surprise as she noticed the River Child getting up out of the water and waddling cautiously over to the child. Did he recognize her? “Hey… are you okay?” the Kappa asked, blinking his curious green eyes. He did not seem to be one for violence, but somehow recognized the little girl, despite not being able to recall her name. Reaching down an orange webbed flipper hand, Kawatarou would try to help the girl up, before slowly asking a question in his usual lame manner. “What are you doing here at this hour?”

Itazura ♠ Black Rose ♠ C-Rank ♠ Aruzati
S o   I v e   l i e d   a n d   I v e   b e e n   t r i c k i n g   e v e r   s i n c e


This was rather odd, usually at this point in his hungry state, that he was uncontrolled, and tried to kill and everything around him. Yet, oddly this time, he had managed to stop from stabbing the tigress child in the throat. He managed to wonder why, but he let his muscles relax. He listened as the water child spoke, and waded out of the river. But his eyes stayed on the Byakko, even then he wasn't really even looking that the child. His eyes stared farther out, into space as some people would say. When Kawatarou climbed onto land and helped up her up, Itazura just let himself fall backwards. Forcing himself to retract his six inch claws.
In response to the Kappa helping her up, she run behind him, using him as cover from the kamaitachi to had almost killed her in a matter of seconds. Gripping the green clothes of the water child, with her tiger claws, ripping the soaked clothes slightly. Though the dazed yokai didn't really react, besides looking behind him at the girl. Her brown hair was fluffy, trying to make herself look bigger, and her pink colored eyes were glaring intensely at the wind mage. Her tiger ears laid flat against her hair, and from her throat she released a mixture of a growl and a hiss. Her striped tail whipped back and forth.
His eyes slowly faded back into it's usual hazel color, he gripped the dirt and grass, some sliding underneath his fingernails. Letting out a sigh he let out a nervous laughter, lifting his hand which was dirtied with soil and blood, and scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry 'bout that" he said with more embarrassed laughter afterwards. He pushed himself up off of the ground, his bare feet once again standing on the grass. As he stood to his feet, the Henge child hissed and growled louder. And actually spat a couple times at him, but it didn't really get close to hitting him. It all either got on her friend's face or on the grass. Though he smiled, acting as if the situation didn't really faze him, he grabbed at his arm in a nervous manner. As if trying to cover himself, and his eyes clearly showed his shame. After one hundred years and he still doesn't have full control of himself and his hunger. It angered the yokai, and now his guildmaster knew, he just hoped she wasn't the type to overreact about situations like this. Hoping that she would at least understand a little bit, I mean she was a yokai also. So she probably experience things like he did, maybe not excessive hunger. But perhaps a thirst for blood?
He shook away the thoughts, casually stepping backwards away from the two yokai friends and the tanuki. The boy was tempted to run off, get a meal so he was no longer starving, and so he wouldn't eat any of the yokai around him. He bit his lip, his eyes flickering between hazel and blood red again. He glanced around, then he stopped walking backwards when he was a safe distance away from the three of them. Itazura actually feeling shame for once, didn't want to lose control again. Probably feeling shame about this because it connected to something that happened to him a while ago. Trying to eat his own friend, Seika, well not that she even considered a horrible itachi such as himself, as her friend. She was right who would want to be friends with him? He was the stereotypical itachi, a thief, uncontrolled cannibal, antisocial and sociopathic. Are any of those good qualities? He thought not.
"Leave Kawatarou and Tora alone!" the tiger girl finally spoke, her tone harsh and slightly frightened. Then again I don't blame her, who wouldn't be frightened after almost getting killed a a yokai stronger than herself. Itazura guess that she spoke in third person, this Tora, being herself. And at the mention of the name, the kappa appeared to remember something. A thoughtful look on his pale and drowsy expression "Tora" he muttered under his breath. Then a slight 'oh' escaped his lips, actually remembering something for once in his forgetful brain. The weasel put the pieces together, guessing this is one of his friends, and by how she acted, she was a very hyperactive child. So if Kawatarou fell asleep, or was daydreaming, she probably ran off to mess with people. Then again what does he know, it was just an accusation of course.
Slowly the kappa spoke to the tiger child "Hey, Tora, wanna go play....... or something...... I don't know" waiting for the water child to finish before dropping her previously furious attitude and fear. Her tail stopped whipping around, and swayed happily. Her ears perked back up and her hair settled down "You remember me?!" she said excitedly, not a typical thing you say to your friends, then again, he shouldn't say anything considering he doesn't really have friends. Plus he could've just been pretending to remember her, that's what he would do if he forgot somebody, but then again this was a kappa. Doesn't have to much energy to do anything, so probably doesn't think about lying. He pondered her question slowly and nodded in reply. She then laughed giddily and skipped around him before grabbing his hands and yanking him along. "Hey! Let's go over there!" she shouted, making his eggshell rattle slightly. Though he didn't get to reply before he was dragged into the forest.
Watching with color changing eyes, as they ran off, more like Tora was dragging him along. Then his gaze shifted to the tanuki, standing a few yards away from himself, just left to watch the scenes roll out before her as he just did. Making eye contact with her for only a moment before ripping his gaze away, not wanting her to see his thoughts through his hazel optics. Placing his hands on the back of his head, leaning his head into them he turned around. Looking at the scenery and facing away from Izayuki he spoke "Sooo, time to go back home now~?" he asked with a slight chuckle, dropping his hands back to his sides and pushing them into his pant's pockets.

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