Masashi Yoshie, a mysterious, wandering samurai, traveled through valleys and up mountains trying to seek the ravaging white haired, red faced demon whom she suspects is the cause of the terror in the Land of the Rising Sun. Along her journey, she s...
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Behind her, no doubt a caravan had formed. Four teams of ninja, each consisting of four members. One captain each, three other members. Then four samurai, including Yoshie herself. Then a lone wolf. The numbers only brought a scowl on the peach-haired girl's face. Disappointment or disgust, the group wasn't sure how they should make up with the expression she had on her face.
But her words sent their hearts racing when they realized the eerie silence that lingered in the air. They could hear the screeches of metal and the hum of the wind, but that all unhumanly sound was unsettling. Without another word, the little maid flashed a fan at them before settling it in front of her demeaning face.
"If you're worried about the villagers, I've sent them all on their way. This village was marked to be attacked, and it sure was except only I was left here," the girl continued. "Anyway, samurai-san! Why do you have a lot of people with you?! I only prepared a bit of food!"
No one knew what had just occurred; even Yoshie was speechless until Kiyo had to make a small whine for the troupe to follow the girl into the village.
The strange girl was true to her word. There was no sign of life in the village. It had turned into a deserted community like a haunted establishment. There was nothing that stood out, except for the ashes that flooded the village. But the houses were clean and left untouched, so it puzzled the samurais and the ninjas.
Then it occurred to them. They realized who owned the ashes, and the troupe sees the glint of menacing power from the little maiden's eyes. She simply smiled and led them to her home: the temple there. It was a small establishment that looked exactly like any temple. Like the rest of the village, there was no hint of life left there except their own and the maiden's.
"What are you doing here all by yourself?" Hanzo asked sternly.
"I was waiting for Yoshie," the girl replied. "And I'm Shiki. I'm the head priestess here."
"How can a fourteen-year-old like you be the priestess of this village?" He pointed out.
"Are you judging me for my age? I can't take your word as a compliment even if you're fairly good-looking.
