Kei: She said she's going to the bath.
Kei: Hmm, when she came back this afternoon, she bought some sake as "her own
souvenir." Just before, she was saying "isn't that a splendid moon?" or something......
Uzuki: ......Moon-gazing and sake, huh? Even though this is their time... she certainly is carefree.
Kei: That just means she trusts you, Uzuki-san. She thinks it's okay to leave me with you.
Uzuki: Is that so...
Shortly after that, some sounds outside the door.
Without a knock or a call, the doorknob begins to turn.
As I move to rise, she holds me back with one hand while the other reaches to her gold-plated sheath.
Uzuki: Because of the barrier effect, I can't judge by presence, but from the sounds, there are several people.
Kei: Eh?
As Uzuki-san rises to her feet with Ito no Tachi in hand, the door opens.
Man in suit: Fooaauughhh......
Several men in suits jump into the room, bellowing like animals.
For them to enter the barrier with no resistance... must mean their existence isn't spirit-like in nature.
Kei: Could it be... are they all oni!?
Uzuki: No---
She marks their movements with her shining blue right eye.
One of the group advances in my direction, with robotic, stiff-jointed movements.
Kei: Agh!
Uzuki-san pulls my arm, using the center of gravity to swing at the flailing man's direction as we exchange facing.
The white sleeves of her kariginu flutter behind me as her body accelerates forward.
Uzuki: Ha!
*tan!*
As our positions change, Uzuki-san takes a step into his stance and strikes his chest with her back shoulder.
The heavy sound of flesh colliding with flesh.
The sleeve of her kariginu hangs heavily as she pulls it back.
Uzuki-san's standing position returns to the state before her stepping blow.
The victor of the collision is Uzuki-san, and...
The opponent stumbles back... no, it's nothing like that. At a weight maybe forty or fifty percent greater than Uzuki-san, the body strike sends him flying.
He collides with the wall of the entrance doorway and crumples to the floor.
Kei: Wah......Amazing......
Uzuki: Not only Senba Myouken-ryuu, but almost all koryuu include basic martial arts. However, this much force is only enough to bruise him. (TN: Koryuu - while martial arts like kendou and karate are taught far and wide, the more impressive styles, called "koryuu" or "ancient styles," are taught in closed circles to keep their techniques secret.)
I think it's still quite amazing, but against an oni, that much power probably isn't enough in the least.
Kei: But, the reason you didn't draw Ito was---
Surely it wasn't because the draw wouldn't make it in time...
Uzuki: That's because they're all human.
The blue shine of Uzuki-san's right eye is called reishi or kenki. It is proof of her ability to see phenomena not naturally seen.
Yet, a mere human, even if uninjured, should have had the wind knocked out or their lungs and shouldn't be able to stand right away.
Man in suit: Ngh...... glllulooughflaugh......
Yet the man rises to his feet, as if nothing happened...
While shining a memorable red light from the eye sockets behind his disordered hair.
Kei: But these people... really are oni......
Uzuki: No... regardless of any change you see, as of now, they are mere humans. Apparently, something has turned them into kugutsu.
Kei: Kugutsu...... like a marionnette?
Uzuki: If I could just cut their strings, their movements would likely stop, but the opposite also holds true.
Kei: If you can't cut them......
Uzuki: Unable to feel pain or suffer, they would continue to attack until they're physically incapable of movement.
Pressing me toward the back wall, Uzuki-san releases her steel sword from the golden sheath.
Kei: Uzuki-san......
Uzuki: You needn't worry. Ito is swung to slay oni alone. I'm able to see the strings.
With the moonlight shining through the window, the blade is wet with a serene shine.
Uzuki: How careless... The typical practice of a user of kugutsu is to pull their strings from far away, so their presence can remain unnoticed---
The one caught in Uzuki-san's glare is the lone man who isn't empty-handed.
Uzuki: Having your strings cut in that situation would be like a lizard losing its tail, but if you show yourself clearly like you are now, it won't end so easily.
That lone kugutsu carries a round metallic disk in his arms.
Uzuki: They say an object that remains for a hundred years gains a soul and becomes a
tsukumogami... however...
Uzuki: Desiring eternal life, you are an oni who picked a
vessel knowing nothing of the
four burdens. (TN: Shiku - four burdens - life, age, sickness, death.)
Not a hundred years. That item was made in a time so ancient, even tenfold wouldn't suffice.
Uzuki: The twin oni bearing a mirror reflection of your forms, Nozomi and Mikage, was it? Having forgotten the passion of your once-lives, are you making light of me?
The polished surface reflects the blue light of her eye straight back, as if in refusal.
Perhaps in response to Uzuki-san's interrogation, I feel I hear the ring of a bell.
The mirror surface quivers with a rattle. Did the sound come from there?
Uzuki: If you are underestimating me, then I give you my thanks. If your vessel is here, I can deal with you without even using the ougi.
Nozomi: Ufufu... it's not because we're making light of you.
The mirror surface blinks red... what did it reflect?
Nozomi: If so, we wouldn't have brought so many kugutsu with us.
Mikage: There was reason enough to take this step.
Nozomi: If we're to take Kei's blood, the kekkai is in the way, is it not?
Mikage: But, kugutsu alone are not enough.
Nozomi: That's why we decided to to this.
This time, clearly, the ring of a bell.
With the ring of a bell, bare feet step upon the floor.
When the burning red light fades, the twin oni are in the room.
Nozomi: If there's a barrier repelling those noncorporeal---
Mikage: You need only take form upon reaching the other side---
She then inclines her head sweetly to the side.
Nozomi: Although, if you go outside, we either need to return inside Ryougetsu or rip off the talismans.
She breathes an exasperated sigh.
Nozomi: Mikage, make the kugutsu remove the talismans.
Nozomi: That's right. If only we did that first, we wouldn't have had to bring Ryougetsu inside.
Mikage: However, Nee-sama---
Nozomi: To think your plans are so thoughtless, you truly are a failure of a child.
Mikage: Nee-sama, leave the talismans as they are. If we are inside the barrier, the successor to the
hashira also...
Nozomi: Oh dear, that's right. If we cannot enter the kekkai, then there's no way she can enter, is there?
Kei: Ah...... Yumei-san......
Mikage: I will fortify our kugutsu here, so they cannot escape.
Mikage: Now, Nee-sama---
Nozomi: Yes, let us begin.
Uzuki: Kei-san, behind me!
Pressing me to the wall behind, Uzuki-san readies the Ito no Tachi.
First comes the feint, with two kugutsu pressing the attack. Among them is the one thrown back before.
Kugutsu: Guaooouughhh!
In a conditioned response, Uzuki-san readies Ito above her head---
Kei: Uzuki-san!
At my shout, not to kill, she stops the lowering blade above her head--->
---changes the step of her feet, and kicks the opponent in his pivoting leg.
Gravity centered at his stomach, the kugutsu pitches forward in a quarter turn. His feet leave the floor as he hovers, floating stomach down in the air for a split second---
Into his open back, Uduzki-san lets fall the pommel of her sword.
This was all done within the blink of an eye.
Yet time continues to proceed in that moment, and before I know it, the other kugutsu makes to grab my arm.
Uzuki: Haa!
A shout and a flash, as the lowered blade of Ito jumps obliquely from beneath.
No turn of the wrist, but merely lifting her arms---
Regardless of the weak starting point of its movement, the ridge of Ito runs cleanly through the air, striking the kugutsu soundly under the arms to force him into a banzai pose.
His torso is left unguarded.
Uzuki: Hyua---
In Kendou, you would hit the torso for a point here, but with a real sword like Ito, that would render the enemy in two.
With her arms raised in
jyoudan kamae, she enters his stance with a step, while releasing her left hand from the hilt and dropping her palm in a blow.
Rather than a sword battle from a period drama, it is a movement you would see in a Kung Fu movie.
Uzuki: Sei!
Her palm - in a Kung Fu movie, I guess you would call it a palm strike - strikes squarely in the lower abdominal region.
Making a noise like a dried futon when you hit it with all your might, the kugutsu flies back with incredible momentum.
Nozomi: Heh...... you're pretty good......
Uzuki-san truly is strong.
Maybe you could say she's releasing a strength born of crisis or something similar, though she's strong enough for a mere human kugutsu not to even compare, to begin with.
Nozomi: But, how will you deal with this?
Yet more kugutsu enter the engagement.
The kugutsu she toppled first is already attempting to stand.
This is what you call superior numbers.
Even if the kugutsu you knock down rise time after time, if you bind them with a sheet or a belt, it should render them powerless, but there's absolutely no time for that.
Uzuki-san continues to beat them away, right to left, left to right, with more dizzying speed than a whack-a-mole game, all the while protecting me as I'm pressed to the wall.
As of now, we're still okay. We're enduring more than well enough. Uzuki-san's breath is still calm, and she hasn't yet taken a single scratch. However---
At this rate, there is no progress.
Nozomi: What's the matter, Onikiri-Yaku?
Mikage: If you sever their limbs or head, the kugutsu will stop moving.
Nozomi: Never mind oni. If you can't even cut people, then is that enchanted blade in your hands such a dull thing?
Uzuki: Tch! If only I could destroy that mirror---
If she switches from defensive to offensive, she could turn the tide.
But, if she's protecting me, it's doubtful she could approach to where her blade can reach.
Uzuki: At least... if Sakuya-san was here---
If we had someone to protect me, or if only I had power to protect myself, we could slowly gain the advantage and wipe them clean.
I'm being a burden...
Kei: Hey, Uzuki-san.
Uzuki: What is it?
Kei: I'll... try to hold my own, so take that time to finish them off.
Uzuki: ......Kei-san?
Kei: These people don't have weapons or anything... I'll probably get hit, but if it's just a little while, I think it'll work out.
Uzuki: But......
Kei: I
do have some kind of plan. If I wedge into the right or left, and peel off the charms, maybe Yumei-san will come help us, or something.
Uzuki: But still......
Kei: But, if things go on like this......
Thinking to take the initiative, I aim for a charm and am about to dash---
---At that moment...
Nozomi: Oh?
Light footfalls running down the hall.
They're coming closer.
Closer.
If it's someone unrelated, offended by the noise and coming to shout, that will be trouble.
Sakuya-san wouldn't have left the bath and come to help us, would she?
The closing footsteps---
---stop before the door.
Nozomi: Mikage, the aura of this soul... it can't be---
Mikage: It is, Nee-sama. This is... Nushi-sama's vessel.
Uzuki: Nushi!?
The Master---
The "Nushi" said to be sealed by Yumei-san's power.
The "Nushi" Nozomi-chan and Mikage-chan are trying to release.
And now, the one standing there is---
(Kei): Yaa, so we meet again.
The one with the same name as me, the oni being pursued by Uzuki-san.
Uzuki: You're......
Kei: Kei-kun...... Why......
Looking about the room, his eyes rest on the kugutsu holding the mirror.
(Kei): Pursuing that mirror's whereabouts, I came here.
Nozomi: Nushi-sama... you were looking for us......
(Kei): I've come---
(Kei): ---to destroy it.
Facing the mirror's holder, Kei-kun proceeds forward without hesitation.
(Kei): Kugutsu---
By Mikage-chan's manipulation, a single kugutsu moves to block the path.
(Kei): You're in the way---
Swirling his arm in a move to deflect, he grabs the kugutsu's arm and twists his body.
(Kei): Da!
I don't know what physics apply, but the kugutsu just made a full turn and landed on the floor with its back down.
It was a magnificent throw. In a Juudo match, the flags would probably raise with a unanimous "one point."
(Kei): I would've liked you to clean up the kugutsu beforehand. Thanks to this, I've lost the initiative.
Kei: Lost the initiative......?
The kugutsu holding the mirror is already removed far from him.
Confirming that, Kei-kun turns a slightly strict stare on Uzuki-san.
(Kei): Even if you're on the defensive, for the Senba Onikiri-Yaku to have trouble with opponents like these... you can't look Akira-san in the eyes, you know.
Uzuki: Kh......
(Kei): Of course, you can't chop off their limbs like this, but---
The kugutsu thrown by Kei-kun pushes his hand to the tatami to stand---
Unable to support his weight, he collapses again.
(Kei): If you just dislocate their shoulders... it's self defense, so it should be alright, right?
Apparently, Kei-kun directed his words not at Uzuki-san, but me.
Nozomi: Nushi-sama, have you not teased us long enough?
(Kei): Unfortunately, I am not your master. Rather, I'm standing on the side of this Onikiri-Yaku at the moment.
Nozomi: ......Even though you are an oni?
(Kei): Even though I'm an oni.
(Kei): That aside, to think the mirror would be stolen from the history museum just as I found its whereabouts.
Nozomi: That is because you wouldn't come to greet us, Nushi-sama. Even though it had been so long since we released part of your soul---
Nozomi: Even though it's been so long since our death by that onikiri---
Mikage: When we awoke, we were inside a glass box.
Nozomi: Incidentally, there was a gentleman who researched us with great enthusiasm. He came to see us with such regularity---
Mikage: Turning a thread of relation to a puppet string...
Nozomi: We used his help to escape. And as we found the next kugutsu, we partook of him as our meal.
Her narrowed eyes distractedly swim my way, as she licks her lips with her pink tongue.
Nozomi: Though it could hardly match the Nie no Chi---
Mikage: ---it was the first blood in a long time.
Nozomi: Certainly you understand. That last drop, before they run dry, surpasses all else.
(Kei): ......I don't want to understand. I should have come at the first opportunity, several days before, to smash that mirror.
Nozomi: Oh my... you say such scary things, Nushi-sama.
(Kei): I told you already, I'm not your master.
Nozomi: Then, who are you? What is your name?
Mikage: What is your
true name? Your kotodama?
(Kei): I am---
Nozomi: You are?
(Kei): I am Kei!
After a moment's silence, the words that come to his mouth are strong and clear, accompanied by an unwavering gaze.
(Kei): This is the kotodama I made for myself. And as long as I am Kei, your master remains smothered.
Nozomi: ......Is that so... how boring.
Mikage: Indeed.
Nozomi: That's right, Mikage. If we break this
vessel, will he move to another
vessel for us?
Mikage: Nee-sama, I believe that is impossible.
(Kei): Right. A normal human body can't accept a
wakemitama from him. If you continue filling a small balloon with water, it'll burst when it passes its limit. (TN: Wakemitama - literally, "divided spirit.")
(Kei): And water always submits to its
vessel. Though, just like possession, water is capable of changing the container's shape...
(Kei): Even if it is Nushi, a wakemitama probably won't last long.
Nozomi: So, in the end---
Mikage: ---we will give up on the wakemitama---
Nozomi: ---and save Nushi-sama himself from under that tree.
(Kei): I can't let you do that.
Ah......
What is it... this sensation...
(Kei): Uzuki-san, I know you want to kill me, but---
Uzuki: Enemy of my enemy... is that it?
(Kei): Although it's not like I hate you, or see you as an enemy, you know.
Uzuki: ............
Without a word, Uzuki-san leaves me behind and heads forward.
I suppose the roles have changed, with her using the sword to attack, while the bare-handed Kei-kun remains as defense.
Stepping forward until I can no longer see her face...
Uzuki: ......Take care of Kei-san.
I hear her voice leave me behind.
Continue...