Hanyo of Snow

Ch53 Yotsume

(Inuko POV - Not that far from Kaede's village - An hour later)

"Come we are almost there." I said, bounding through the trees as I followed the scents with Shippō clinging to my back.

Kaede riding on the horse as she chased after me.

"What's going on?" The kit asked as I jumped through the treetops.

"Dropping off Kaede." I said we were getting closer.

"Aren't we still a bit far from the village?" Shippō asked before he began to smell the air as well. "Wait, isn't that..."

"Figured that you would get it." I said with a smirk.

It was just awhile ago when I caught up to a few familiar scents further from the village than I expected. Still at the very least I know Kaede will be able to make it to the village from here safely.

Finally I came to a stop at a treetop when I saw who I was tracking.

A surprised looking Rikichi and Nazuna, treating a villager who was covered in bandages that I could barely make out his face and his bow scratched up.

"Lady Kaede, are you alright?" Rikichi asked as she got her horse to a stop.

Jumping down from the tree and assisted her down as she clutched her hand.

"A little sore but fine." Kaede said as she got off the horse and walked over to inspect the bandit villager. "What happened here?"

"Lady Kaede I was assisting Nazuna with gathering herbs when we found him covered in gashes and scratches, he was hunting with a few others earlier.

Saying he got separated from the group and was attacked by the something he was hunting.

" Rikichi said as Kaede got a closer look at him with her eye narrowed.

"You were trying to hunt a pheasant again, didn't you?" Kaede said, getting Shippō to giggle while I smirked.

Judging by him looking away and her wording, she had guessed correctly.

Still a pheasant of all things, a yokai one I could understand. A regular one outside of nesting season, not so much.

Kaede looked over her some more and inspected the bandages.

"Nazuna did you have these on hand, and the salve?" She asked, getting the girl to nod.

"I used some of the herbs we gathered to help with the wounds, it should have prevented the risk of infection until we got back to the village...I had the bandages incase you all got back." Nazuna said, looking at me as I jumped back into the tree tops.

That was definitely a good call on her part.

"Well you certainly did well enough with what you had on hand and prepared. It should be enough til we can fully treat him." Kaede said, getting Nazuna to nod.

"And Lady Kikyō's remains? Lady Kaede did you recover them?" Rikichi said as Kaede sighed.

"Where is everyone else too?" Nazuna asked, getting me to shake my head.

I figured that they would have asked that.

"They're out to get another shard, we're about to head back Nazuna." Shippō said before I could speak.

"What the kit said, honestly we should be back in a few days. If we leave now we should be there by nightfall." I said with a shrug.

Honestly going at full speed I could probably get there by then.

"As for my sister's remains...that accursed onibaba's soul is in Yomi now. But we were not able to secure them...I'll explain everything to everyone. It is better to explain everything at once." Kaede said, getting Rikichi to nod grimly before she turned to the bandaged villager. "Can you walk?"

He gave a shaky nod as I turned to leave.

"We'd better get going, take care Kaede." I said.

"You too Inuko." Kaede said with a nod before Rikichi began to help her back up on the horse.

"Wait!" Nazuna said, getting me to pause before I could leave. "Please be careful, and-"

"I've give them your regards." I said with a small smile as I figured her intent. "We should be back soon."

Nazuna nodded as Shippō waved at them.

"Bye." He called out before holding on as I jumped from the tree branch.

My ears twitching from his shouting and the branch snapping as I cleared well past the canopy and treetops, gliding over a portion of the forest before landing on another treetop. Springing off it with enough strength to break the branches before I repeated the process.

"Slow down!" Shippō called out as I continued to jump forward.

"Not for a while kit, as I said we'll get there by nightfall." I said with a smirk, ignoring his protests as I adjusted my course from where we had come from with Kaede.

Haven't gone this fast in a while, probably going to take a breather or before catching up to the others.

While I'm sure Y/N and Kagome could handle themselves especially with Yura...I'm not going to take any chances...

(Kagome POV - Just outside Tatsu's village - Half an hour later)

Come on don't fail me now...

I waited for a moment, trying to gather some reiryoku into the notched arrow. Wasn't much but it will do.

Taking a breath I let my arrow loose, alongside the few other villagers with me.

Yet once again the pest that held the Shikon Jewel shard let out a buzz and vanished once again! The arrows striking the tree behind it, the one I had launched splintering the bark upon impact.

It had gotten away once again, this was the fourth time now!

And from what I could tell it flew halfway across the village's length into the forest!

"Don't worry we all feel your pain." Mitsusaki said as he and the other villagers went to retrieve their arrows. "We've been after that thing for days now, at least you can tell we're that damned pest is."

"It fled into the forest, plus if what you and your father said is true that thing will be back. Not risking going in there if Mittsume Jōrō decides to pop up from underneath." I said while shaking my head.

Considering her grudge against pretty much everyone here, wouldn't be surprised if she decided to attack us early.

With the Midori Pearl embedded in her eye I could sense her, vaguely. Whatever the heck composes it besides energy from the Shikon Jewel made it kind of blurry to me.

And I wasn't going to risk all the villagers her for-

There it is!

I quickly notched an arrow and fired it to my left, getting one of the villagers to back off as it flew by him.

Missing the pest, a beetle about the size of my hand and the jewel shard embedded in it's back by a bit before it vanished with a buzz.

Honestly I was just firing at it out of frustration, but it flew away further than what I had previously sensed earlier.

Apparently from what we could gather the shard was knocked from it's hiding place from the omukade attack and when someone tried to pick it up, only to squash said beetle that was chewing at their crops before giving it to the village chief.

Bad idea in itself, now it constantly made a menace by feasting on their roofs and crops daily. Trying to shoot it down only made it fly away in a burst of speed.

I swear those things couldn't have been more annoying since they decided to make themselves a problem to the rest of the world in our time, but here was one.

"Okay now it is gone deeper into the forest." I sighed out in frustration as I went to pick up the arrow off the ground.

"Unless you can sense it coming close again we should head back. Help in evacuating the rest of the village." Mitsusaki said, getting me to nod.

"I'll let everyone know if that thing comes back." I sighed out as we made our way back to the village.

Currently Y/N and Yura should be finishing up the plans to evacuate everyone that could not fight as soon as possible. With what we saw at near the entrance, Mittsume Jōrō was not going to hold back and probably come at everyone with whatever she had been preparing.

(Near village entrance - 58 minutes ago)

It had been a relatively silent walk to the village, eerily so. Some of the villagers including Sōkyu were giving us distrusting looks which I can't blame them for.

Yet it seemed helping Tatsu and Mitsusaki's backing helped ease tensions, that and most of the glaring was directed and the bandits we captured.

What little Y/N or I could gleam is that they'll suffer for their fate if the village was still standing tomorrow. But I had a pretty good idea of what it was.

There was very little talk on the route to the village, with Mitsusaki spending most of the time comforting his nephew.

Soon the was a bit of a clearing up ahead, to which he turned back to us and sighed.

"We're here, our home should be within sight...just if you aren't prepared, brace yourself. It isn't a pretty sight up ahead." He said, getting me to ponder what he could mean by that.

Didn't take more than two steps to see what it was, getting me and Y/N to stiffen in shock.

For on the path further down what looked like a makeshift wooden wall around the village and a small shrine just without, but the most striking land mark was just outside the forest. Amongst a small area of stumps was a lone tree, leaves on one side.

On the other was a long dead omukade impaled on the branches, her face twisted in agony and her corpse paled and weathered from days of exposure to the elements.

Her body was marked with faded burn and claw scars, with parts of the corpse looked like have been chipped away with axes and other tools judging by some clattered about the ground.

I've seen some gruesome sights since I was first dragged into the Sengoku Jidai, and this make it way up the list from just seeing it alone.

"She did this to a member of her own brood..." I said in shock.

It was easy to figure out what had happened, I knew that she was vicious. But something like this.

"It was two days after the attack when she returned, carrying that one before impaling her one the tree and threatening to destroy the village.

Only showing her face once the hanyo left us, still quite a threatening sight to wake up to.

" Sōkyu said with a shudder. "Only three omukade survived the fight besides the one called Mittsume Jōrō, a sister of hers and one who promptly fled for her life. "

"Only for Mittsume Jōrō to kill and use her body as a warning for running away." Y/N said while shaking his head. "Any word on the sister?"

"She practically shouted among her threats besides those of her sisters that were killed was that the surviving one had been blinded in the attack. Not sure if that one is still alive or not, but if she is dead then so be it." Sōkyu said while shaking his head.

"Yet Mittsume Jōrō while terrorizing the forest had been quiet to us until now. And now she has threatened us..." Mitsusaki said, shaking his head and Tatsu tugging on pants looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there.

Not that I blame him, I wanted to get away from it too.

That omukade was long dead but I would prefer to be away from it, and it seemed like Yura and Y/N caught on to that.

"Perhaps we can discuss everything in the village?" Y/N suggest, getting Mitsusaki to nod.

"And burn that thing down, seems like you were trying already to move it." Yura said.

"Feel free to do so. But perhaps we should talk to my father first and warn the rest of the village." Mitsusaki said, getting us to nod before he turned away.

The villagers and Sōkyu followed suit, some even muttering in agreement with Yura.

And seeing Y/N looking over the corpse.

"I take it that you have an idea in mind?" I asked, believing that he was thinking of something.

"Perhaps not something I would usually prefer to do, but we will need to check on something before burning it down. As much as I assume you both are looking forward to it." He said while shaking his head.

Can't really deny that and Yura wasn't even bothering to hide it.

"So what do you have in mind master?" She asked gleefully as he smiled with a sigh.

"Going to need a few buckets of water to work,but it might give us an edge." He said before explaining it.

(Flashback end)

He was right about that if it worked, but we had a few plans in mind anyway.

And I did take some satisfaction in seeing the omukade corpse burn down. Though I think I'll take even more in seeing Mittsume Jōrō's own corpse being destroyed...

I starting to that I enjoy being in this era a little too much or just hanging around Yura and Inuko...

Considering she's Mukade Jōrō's granddaughter, I'll make an exception to those worries.

Anyway after making it to the village we basically got the full story of what happened.

When I shattered the Shikon no Tama the shard that fell here landed in the village. Everyone could see the shards flying in the air like shooting stars.

One was spotted falling somewhere in the village by a group of merchants passing through the village. With the village leading among two paths to the nearest town and from there the residence of this area's local daimyō in Masuko, a large town up ahead.

From little they could gather the daimyō hadn't been much of a help for a few weeks.

Having to fend themselves off from bandits for weeks, just managing to get by.

Until Mittsume Jōrō and her brood came down from the mountains looking for the shard. Not that long ago.

There was still plenty of signs that the village was still recovering, seeing that around a fifth of it was still trampled houses. A lot of people had been killed in the attack.

If it wasn't for a passing yaksha hanyo the whole village, nearly being killed after wiping out most of the brood and injuring the survivors.

Considering his heritage they were weary of him, but helped him heal up.

To their surprise he recovered, albeit injured pretty quickly and helped out the day after.

Taking off in the night without telling anything about him at all.

Just leaving a scroll thanking them and that he had other places to help with the chaos on Honshū.

At least there was at least someone other than us helping out in the wake of the Shikon Jewel's shattering.

Besides the rather gruesome warning Mittsume Jōrō left the daimyō finally took some action, but that came to a stop quickly.

She had left the village alone, but bandits and herself had been pretty active in the forest. The only other path to the closest town was through mountains and made it difficult to move a whole lot of the necessary supplies through.

Having to make do with what they could and giving any more attacks that came there way no quarter.

They made it this long by themselves was actually pretty impressive. But whatever Mittsume Jōrō and whoever was behind her would wipe it out without us.

Took a while to be able to convince them we were here to help and what was going to happen, but by the time I sensed the beetle approaching the village things had started in.

Either we get as many people out as we can before Mittsume Jōrō attack.

Plus getting this jewel shard before her or anyone else did so we were all busy. Last I knew Y/N was still helping with the evacuation plans, Yura scouting around the village, and Myōga was just looking around in general.

The two of them will keeping an eye on what is truly going on the village.

Just hopefully they could find what was going on or that we can get most of the village away before the time comes, they have been through enough.

One way or another, we're settling their troubles over the weeks tonight.

(Y/N POV - In the village - 5 minutes later)

"So are you sure they will be willing to do this?" I ask, looking over the drawn map of the village and the surrounding lands. Pointing at a few houses grouped together around the entrance wear Mittsume Jōrō had impaled and staked one of her former brood.

That and giving me Final Fantasy VII flashbacks from the sight.

"If it meant ending this nightmare we would be willing to level half the village just to kill her. We can rebuild the houses and replace some of what would be lost, not the lives that had been lost." Tatsu's grandfather the village chief said.

A man probably only slightly younger than Kaede or grandpa and built like an ox, only with the occasional grip about back pain.

Once he heard everything out he quickly mobilized the village to action, no doubt having plenty of experience already...

"All to true, just making sure. So do you have anything else to add?" I asked, getting him to shake his head.

"No, I believe we've covered everything. Just are you sure that you only need so few of us back here?" He asked to which I sighed.

The plan I helped a bit besides laying some ideas for traps was to evacuate most of the villagers to the hot springs that was located near the mountain path between here and the closest town.

Less likely Mittsume Jōrō would be willing to burrow to them if it meant getting scolded by the water temperature. No matter how durable or healing the Midori Pearl grants her, it was going to hurt.

Definitely was going to be the safest place for them tonight, the villagers not participating would gather everything of value and settle for the night there. With a majority of those capable of fighting staying there incase anything happens.

No doubt me, Kagome, and Yura would be the main focus. Yet I couldn't rule out not sending at least something after the other villagers.

I was assured by the village chief that he already told some of the men to escortthe first wave of evacuees had something in mind.

So that was covered at least.

But despite that he kept insisting to check if we could handle things with which of the villagers that had volunteered to stay back, most of them would be going with the others just incase.

"The less people we have here the safer everyone else will be. Mittsume Jōrō's focus will be on us, I believe she hates us more than the village." I said, getting the chief to nod.

"That I can believe, just let me know if that need changed later. You or the girl." He said before looking around. "And where is the kurokamakiri?"

"Yura should still be checking the village from what I last glimpsed. Don't worry about her, she won't harm anyone." I said hoping to reassure his fears.

At Yura's suggestion the village didn't know her as a tsukumogami instead as a kurokamakiri. Most of the older villagers distrusted her for that reason.

Apparently even out here in the country they had heard of the kamakiri that have plagued the nights of cities like Kyōto. Kurokamakiri it seems no matter the era are the most feared.

Heck her actions in our era have started to spread into rumors of a kurokamakiri that targets the unfaithful, leaving them bald in shame.

With the village correctly guessing that he human form wasn't her true form, a few similar to note was from a twisted mix of different body parts to just a black bear. I mean there had been depictions of kurokamakiri as bear like and I don't know why.

Kind of humorous though, and she was taking some enjoyment in keeping them guessing.

She was the lynchpin for most of our defenses and right now can't really take stock of anything undying going on the village all that much in the scramble to get everything ready.

At least we had Myōga to help with that regard...

"I'll have to take your word for it, that girl has made clear you hold her reigns." The village chief said while shaking his head before seeing Sōkyu walking towards us with a pair of villagers. "Why don't you take a breather kid."

"You sure?" I asked, getting him to point in the distance.

"You and the girl had been more help to us in one day than the daimyō in weeks, but me and Sōkyu will handle everything here.

If anything of issue arrises you'll hear about it.

Just spend as much time as you can with her.

" He said, pointing at Kagome as she and the others that went out to catch the beetle returned.

"Take it from me, you'll want to spend every moment you can in the early days unwinding from stressful situations. "

"I'll keep it in mind and thanks." I said, trying to ignore his grin as I walked over to the group.

Waving at Kagome as she sighed before smiling, walking past the others.

I take it that the hunt didn't go well...

"So how was everything back here?" Kagome asked as she rested her hama-ya over her shoulder.

"Alright, but with some slight trouble. Same with you I guess?" I inquired as we began to walk through the village.

"Definitely, that pest was as infuriating as they made it out to be. Aside from the size the jewel shard grants it some kind of super speed in bursts. There one second and halfway across the forest the next." Kagome said with a hint of irritation in her tone.

"Want me to try and help out next time it gets vlose?" I asked.

"If you're not busy, that is." Kagome said, getting me to nod. "Any trouble with the planning?"

"Not really. Main problem was just on the larger path to the hot springs. Seems like Mukade Jōrō knocked several trees into the way earlier. Kind of helpful to us, but that was not there yesterday. They made the extra paths to the springs..." I trailed off.

"But they're not big or clear enough to evacuate everyone safely." Kagome finished, getting me to nod as she looked at the sky. "We still have some time, but do you know if they could clear everything by whenever turns up."

"Probably, but it could take hours. Yura would be able to speed things along. They don't really trust her not that far from us yet." I said.

"Then if that damned pest doesn't show up we'll take care of that, I'll go with first group." Kagome said with a smile. "With that you two get things cleared up and I'll be able to tell if Mittsume Jōrō tries anything."

Actually that was a good plan.

"Let's try to bring it up with the chief latter, but for now how about we just take a walk or just see if anyone needs a quick helping hand." I suggested with a smile.

Kagome smiled while shaking her head.

"Fine then. We'll probably see Myōga or Yura along the way. Perhaps they found something already but I doubt it." She said, getting me to nod.

"Maybe, only one way to tell." I said as we began to walkthrough the village for a while.

All around there was activity from the villagers as they were preparing to leave.

Some scrambling about any gathering their belongings, some helping others sort everything out, some preparing farming implements or making some spears out of what they could find, and some were just being close to one and another.

We helped about here and there with a few heavy things or elderly needing a breather, but so far no sign of Yura and Myōga.

But all around there was a somewhat grime air with all the activity going on. They knew Mittsume Jōrō was coming and wanted to get as much as they could without the risk of it being destroyed.

Should make things easier to rebuild for them, through it also looks like they're prepared for more. Seeing some supplies gathered including millet and other grains...

Only reason I can think of was they were preparing for the worst, that they could have to leave the village and forest entirely if things go wrong.

I can get behind the thinking of that and this village could be gone in the morning.

Yet we were going to prevent what we can, at least a majority of the village anyway...

"Do you see them anywhere?" Kagome said, breaking me from my musings.

"No, at least we should be able to spot Yura if she is nearby." I said as we continued to walk through the village.

Myōga while being still being the best at gathering info from the village discreetly at the moment. Still he was a flea yokai, being hard to notice given his size unless he bites or talks to you.

Plus I doubt he would run away now.

He knew what Inuko would do.

"Maybe she had found something already." Kagome said as she began to look around. "Only one way to ask."

"If we can find her first or she spots us." I said, getting her to nod.

"True." Kagome said as she began to look over the village and I did the same.

Still continuing our walk, enjoying this brief moment of levity while it lasted.

(Yura POV - Same Time)

Yet some more feathers, yet I can't tell if they were from Yotsume's plumage or a regular owl.

There was quite a bit on the roofs of a few houses, along with a number of feathers from other birds judging by the different colors and some appearing mangled. Possibly him hunting in the village at night or could just be from other birds.

Aside from completing the scouting that master asked for and getting a lay of the village haven't really had much of a chance to truly start looking, the village had their eyes on me.

Had honestly expected it, especially playing the part of a kurokamakiri.

It was amusing to seeing them protecting their hair around me.

It seemed that no matter the era that humans were especially sensitive about their hair, before I met master didn't know how much.

Well and if what I read up in the modern era was true, especially in the next few decades when the shogunate finally changed.

But aside from that I've been unable to find any concrete proof of anything tied to a tatarimokke aside from feathers. Even then there was only one person in the village who could identify them.

Speaking of which.

Twitching my finger, the old flea let out a grunt as he landed on the roof infront of me.

"You've been trailing me for a minute, now talk." I said, getting him to nod shakily.

"I was waiting for all eyes to be off of you, well the ones that matter." Myōga said, getting me to scan around down below from the village.

No use as there was several people looking at me in distrust, but caught on to what he meant. Seeing a few of the villagers including Sōkyu from when they confronted Mittsume Jōrō occupied right now, the latter talking to master and Kagome about something.

Using a hair to grab him and jumping to a nearby roof, seeing no one looking before placing the dazed flea down.

"You suspect one of them to be Yotsume." I said as he regained his barrings.

Their presence was the trigger for the three eyed wrench to bolt when I assume she would have continued fighting until the ends.

"Yes, he can disguise himself as a human but it was imperfect last I knew. At best he would have been in disguise for a few days." Myōga said.

Less said if the original human is alive or not, I doubt it. Still knowing them it lowers the areas I would have to search. Would have to find their residences first.

Looking back down I saw master and Kagome looking around, perhaps to look for me or the old flea.

"Fine we'll keep an eye on them, continue on for now." I said to the old flea before jumping to another roof.

Briefly pausing and sighed as I came to a stop, flexing my fingers.

Catching the boy from tripping down in the street below and wrapping a worn and chipped ewer in my hairs from falling down and shattering.

"I would suggest you slow down a little." I said while jumping down, straightening out the boy and placing the ewer back into his hands.

He looked a little surprised before nodded and clutching it close to his chest.

"Thank you again creepy lady." Tatsu said, getting me to bristle as he walked away.

I swear to Chirizuka Kaiou that name infuriates me to no end!

Hearing some muffled laughter, I turned and glanced at an amused Kagome while master just shook his head.

"Seems like you can't escape that name even away from Shippō." Kagome said as she regained her composure.

"Unfortunately not." I said irritably. "Master I take it you both were trying to find me or the old flea. I'm not sure where he is right now but I have seen him not that long ago."

More than likely off searching elsewhere in the village if he wasn't on one of them.

"Then and I was going to ask for your help with something, but I take it you both found something?" Y/N asked.

"Indeed." I said, looking around real quick and gesturing them to follow me.

Walking into the space between two houses and setting up some hairs just incase anyone tried to walk up on us. This will be just a few moments.

"What did you and Myōga find Yura?" Kagome asked.

"Feathers lining a few rooftops that look like they belong to an owl, possibly from his plumage. But the old flea all but confirmed one of the villagers we first saw while fighting the three eyed wretch." I said, getting them both to mull over my words.

"That would make sense. He's probably hidden himself in the village for a while now." Y/N said after a few moments of thought.

"The old flea believes the same thing, and unsure of if the original human is alive or not." I said with a shrug.

"Mitsusaki did mention Sōkyu and the chief saw Yotsume the other night. So Sōkyu can't possibly be him." Kagome said.

"Unless he was replaced right after, can't really rule that possibility out." Y/N said, getting Kagome to nod.

"According to the old flea the tatarimokke can't fully pass off as human like the kit. Hiding his features." I said.

"We'll have to try and find Yotsume through them, going to be difficult while helping the village prepare. Maybe we should start with one of them at a time before focusing on the rest." Kagome suggested, getting both me and master to nod.

"And keeping an eye out for anything Yotsume could pull. Some of the villagers found that Mittsume Jōrō down some trees on the paths to the hot springs. I was going to ask if you could assist me with helping to clear things up Yura." Y/N said.

"Of course master, and you're thinking the tatarimokke would make himself a nuisance." I said.

"That or keeps up his act, it could be a coin toss at this point." Y/N said while shrugging.

"Either way we find him one way or another." Kagome said.

"And deal with him." I said with a smirk. Find the tatarimokke and see what happens, perhaps who is overlooking this 'test' will make themselves known or just let the tatarimokke die.

No matter what I'm going to make someone suffer today for targeting us.

Both master and Kagome nodded at that as I lowered my hairs and to continue working on preparing for whatever else the tatarimokke has planned.

(Y/N POV - A few hours later)

I know I said that it was a perverbial coin toss earlier, but it seems like...what would the Americans say in this situation?

Right, I called heads.

"I-I don't knew what happened, I was standing here one moment and the next it was all broken!" The villager who had previously been looking over the house with one of the traps for Mittsume Jōrō had been broken.

Just a mess of snapped wooden spikes and a few feathers that had been caught on Yura's hairs. What alerted both me and her that it the trap was tampered with.

It had been a few hours since me and Yura cleared up the trees along the path and began to try and narrow down who could be Yotsume.

We had made excellent progress evacuating the village, most the viallgers had cleared out and last I saw of those around the hot springs were preparing for camp. Otherwise things had been slow going for two reasons.

First the beetle only showed up twice more, once while Kagome was helping to evacuate a round of villagers. She only managed to graze its exoskeleton with an arrow before it took off in a blur.

Only just getting me to to help her as she sensed it not that far from the villages walls.

The second was Yotsume himself.

As time went one we started to notice a few things messed with, but as time went on his actions grew bolder and it seemed to have gotten to the point to put unsuspecting villagers in a daze.

Breaking the handles of weapons, damaging traps, spilling buckets, and one time growing bold enough to start a fire in an isolated house which was put out almost immediately before it could spread.

As the time went on he didn't care if there was traces of his pretense left behind, only that no one saw him.

By now the village now knew there was tatarimokke amongst them and he was getting desperate.

We managed to narrow down who he could be to about three suspects. From both Yura and Myōga searching their residences to them being outside the village well away when incidents of sabotage occurred.

Between that and the sun was going to set in sometime in the next hour, there was a finally mark scramble to evacuate whoever was left.

We were thankful for no sign of Mittsume Jōrō, but that could change at any moment.

"I know, why don't you begin to depart off with the rest in a few minutes?

If not then just take a minute to clear your head.

We are dealing with a tricky yokai, perhaps the tatarimokke would have just slipped past anyone.

" The chief said, getting the villager to nod before turning to Sōkyu. "Have you prepared everything?"

"No I was just finishing up." He said before hurrying along as the crowd began to disperse.

"Mitsusaki-" "He was at the ruins of sister's house, I had Takumi nearby...he just wanted to give one last prayer. I'll go get him father." He said, getting the chief to nod as he took off.

The chief looked at use before looking at Kagome.

"I hope your hunt for the pest goes well this time." He said, getting Kagome to suppress a groan as he began to walk away.

"It won't be escaping me this time." Kagome said irritably before looking up at the setting sun. "Something we don't have much of."

"The tatarimokke is growing desperate, he is going to slip up soon." Yura said before extending her hairs. "But as the girl said we are running out of time. There is no more need to be subtitle."

"For that I agree on, just do whatever you have to do and find Myōga please. Haven't seen him in a while, if he found who Yotsume is please alert us." I said as she jumped onto a rooftop. "And please be careful."

"It will take more than a simple tatarimokke to get the better of me master, but of course." She said with a smile before taking off.

With that me and Kagome began to walk towards the village's entrance.

"Is the beetle still around here?" I asked Kagome.

"That damned pest moved but is a little closer." She said before pointing off past the tree where Mittsume Jōrō had left her warning. "A few minutes walk that way unless that thing decides to bolt again."

"We'll get it this time." I said, generating mist from my fingers and Kagome to grin before dispersing it. "Hey Kagome, do you think we've readied everything here as much as we could?"

While this is our second time fending off a siege by a yokai and we were actually prepared this time. Even then we were lucky that the Ne no Kubi didn't kill anyone in Kaede's village.

Of course we spent the better part of an afternoon preparing and evacuating.

Yet considering our track record these past few weeks something could go very wrong than when we least expected...

"There is one way to truly tell Y/N." Kagome said shaking her head and smiling. "We've already done as much as we can, I believe we are."

"Just a few annoying pests to catch first." I said with a smile.

Getting Kagome to hold back a grin as we began to hunt for the beetle, hopefully for the last time.

(Yura POV - Same Time)

Didn't take me long to locate the old flea crouching on top of a roof top.

"Perfect you're here, you need to see this." Myōga said, getting me to quirk an eyebrow. Before ducking down on the roof top as I spotted what he saw.

A panicked looking Sōkyu, nervously looking around before disappearing behind the corner of a house. Followed soon by Mitsusaki and another villager.

"You said you and Tatsu saw him asleep in his house, but we was with everyone else but no sign of my nephew with you like father and I asked!" He yelled pointing to where Sōkyu-

No the tatarimokke just was.

"And what made you think that is was a good idea to leave him there to try and wake him up!" Mitsusaki yelled at the admittedly foolish villager who was paling and shaking like a leaf. "Don't say anything, gather more men to help look and pray to Amaterasu my father has mercy on you!"

The villager took off while Mitsusaki pinched his nose. Sharing a look with the old flea as I jumped down infront of him.

"You, I take it that you heard the whole thing." He sighed out irritably, before looking at the old flea on my shoulder. "What's that."

"Explain later, but first we need to get to the boy. He could very well be in danger." I said, getting Mitsusaki to panic before quickly composing himself.

"Fine, come on then." He practically growled out before leading the way.

Considering he could potentially be in the dwelling of which Yotsume had based himself in, going by foot would take too long.

Wrapping my hairs around him, I ignored his protests as I took into the air of the village and towards where 'Sōkyu' lived.

(??? POV - Same Time)

What is taking him so long?

Yotsume should be here by now. Yet he was getting sloppy by leaving behind evidence. Not my problem, when I inform the madame of everything perhaps she'll tell Kyūki.

Could be interesting to witness, but unless the madame orders it I'll be elsewhere.

But right now we have other matters at hand now, I have everything Yotsume needs to complete his initial part to play.

Speaking of which.

"You're late." I said before taking a sip of the tea I had prepared as Yotsume entered the house, panting.

Hmm...this was actually quite a good blend. Perhaps the madame would care for some?

"They're catching on to me. I've been sabotaging their efforts, but it seems like I have been found out." Yotsume said as he looked to the sleeping boy next to the human Sōkyu. The latter still in the trance placed upon him days ago. "You brought him out of hiding?"

"Time has run out, besides the boy found him asleep. He should wake up in a few minutes, whatever you decide to do is up to you Yotsume. But your time has run out, Mittsume Jōrō has worn out my patience." I said honestly getting Yotsume to flinch.

She was very much eager to wipe everyone in this village off the map, had to hold her back several times.

I was tempted to let her loose earlier, but alas the madame have her orders.

Knowing the more riled up Mittsume Jōrō would be, the more determined the omukade will be to kill the hanyo.

However with the time limit for Yotsume's plan drawing to a close, I was growing tempted to let her loose.

Yotsume started to panic before I stood up, putting the tea down and giving him a smile.

"You have 10 minutes to retrieve the shard before I give her the clear to attack the village, with or without your safety in concern from her. I have also provided some assistance and a means to draw the beetle to the village as we speak." I said, gathering the owner's tea supplies in my hands.

With Yotsume nodded as he hurriedly gathered the herbs I had left on the table.

"T-Thank you." He said, getting me to shake my head with a smile.

"Not quite yet, you know what role you must play in the test. From now until its conclusion you are on your own. And if you deviate from that role..." I said, getting Yotsume to gulp.

"L-Lady Kyūki made it very clear what she would finish if you didn't." The tatarimokke said, getting me to nod.

Tapping my earring before being transported to where I could observe this test.

The've had plenty of time to prepare despite Yotsume's setbacks, but will it be enough for these humans and hanyo? Well I'm about to find out, and no matter what I could tell the Madame and Lord Kirinmaru will be eager to hear the results.

If the latter hasn't stirred awake again.

(3rd POV - Same Time)

Yotsume let out a sigh of relief as he approached the sleeping form of Tatsu, a violet mist forming in his hand.

"Should be only back a few minutes." He muttered to himself before blowing the mist at Tatsu, a swirling violet mist forming over the boy's head.

Dream gazing on such a young human was an easy matter, taking only a moment to shift through his memories before finding what he was looking for. Pulling on the a small cloud of mist with his free hand before growing talons, slicing it off and letting the whole mist to disperse.

With that he set the boy down next to the unconscious Sōkyu.

If he played things right than he could slip past the villagers and get the beetle-

"Go to Yomi imposter!" Yotsume heard someone yell out, to his shock turning to see Mitsusaki rushing at him with a tanto slicing his hat off as the tatarimokke stepped back. "And stay away from my nephew!"

Mitsusaki glared as he saw the now revealed hidden pair of eyes glaring at him, before doubling over as Yotsume slugged him in the stomach.

Before slashing at the villager with his talons, creating several gashes on his chest.

"I have no time for this human!" Yotsume growled out, before all four eyes widened as he saw hairs wrapping around his body.

Grunting in pain as they tightened around him, before shifting into his true form and barely slipping by.

Promptly flying past the humans at breakneck speed and out of the house. Wincing as a hair struck him in the back. Not caring about losing some of his plumage again.

"To Yomi with this!"Yotsume said as he took off high above the village.

(Yura POV)

"You warned him." Myōga said from my shoulder as I jumped down from the roof tops.

"I did." I said irritably as I watched the damned owl taking off into the air.

He could see my hairs, at least to some degree. Would explain how that damned owl managed to slip by the one's laid out to catch him. That could be an issue, otherwise like the old flea said he seems like a coward.

Doubt he will be coming down soon, need to check on the foolish villager. Make sure he was alive at least.

I warned him about running in, but as soon as he saw the boy under the dream gaze he rushed in without think. He'll be lucky enough to get out of this without scarring.

"Uncle!" Tatsu cried out as I entered to see the foolish villager leaning against a wall, half hugging his nephew and half trying to stand up.

"I'm fine, hurts a lot less than the omukade." He said with a wince. Before his eye widening as his sleeve was cut off and wrapped to his chest by my hairs. "What the-"

"It should slow the bleeding and I suggest asking master to seal the wound if you wish to fight." I said while shaking my head before facing the boy who flicked as he hid behind the foolish villager. "What do you remember?"

"I-I don't know, all I saw was Sōkyu asleep and trying to wake him and the next..." Tatsu said before looking at his uncle.

"Dreams and memories are a murky territory at times, the more recent they are before sleep the lines could sometimes become blurred if he was placed under a trance immediately." Myōga said as he jumped onto the table.

"Then the boy discovered Yotsume and he is done hiding." I said irritably before noticing something on the table.

Pulling it closer revealed to be a half crumbled herb with lightish blue leaves, it looked familiar...wait a moment that smell.

"Evacuate everyone remaining, the three eyed wretch will be here soon along with master and the girl." I said to Mitsusaki as I heard footsteps approaching the home, wrapping a hair around the old flea before pulling myself out of the window.

Ignoring the old flea's startled gasp as I jumped onto the rooftops, seeing the damned owl taking off from a rooftop.

"You recognize the herb too?" Myōga said as I began to extend hairs throughout the village and towards where that damned owl was flying too.

"There were some growing around my nest years ago." I said, drawing Benigasumi and with a flick of a finger sent it flying at the damned owl.

Whoever truly was behind this had gaven the damned owl a type of rare herb used as a pest control by yokai. Poisonous for non yokai to consume without proper treatment and releases a scent that acts as a lure for pests. Where feeding on it would kill them and add nutrients to the soil.

Outside of Kyōto or cultivated, it is almost impossible to acquire in the wild of Honshū.

Perhaps the boy had stumbled across something more than just the damned owl, but I could care less at the moment.

Yotsume barely banked away from Benigasumi as I drew it back, flying away and looks like dropping some herbs as the villagers began to fire at him.

What mattered was to kill the damned owl.

(Kagome POV - Outside of Tatsu's Village - Two Minutes Later)

"Damn it!" I cursed out as my arrow missed the pest again and embedded in a tree. The beetle zipping away again. "Y/N are you ready?"

"Give me a moment Kagome." He called out as he rushed pass me into the brush.

Took us a few minutes to get close enough to the beetle before it seemed to decide to fly towards the village. Making it easier for us to deal with the beetle, yet it still proved to be quite the nuisance.

And I don't know if the jewel shard had enhanced its intelligence or not, but the amount of close calls we had done to catch it I considered was borderline taunting us!

So many close calls and with the sun setting soon we needed to get to it now.

Notching an arrow I saw the beetle landing on a nearby tree, its compound eyes seeming to gleam in the sun light.

Not this time...

Releasing my arrow it flew past the tree and the beetle tried to fly off.

Finding one of its leg stuck to the trunk by a layer of frost.

Yes!

It worked, finally!

I notched another arrow and began channeling reiryoku into the arrow while Y/N swung at it with Shusūi.

A loud buzzing noise and the beetle vanished, Y/N only cutt8ng through a discarded leg and frost.

Tsukiyomi damn it!

We were so close that time.

Bitting back a growl I placed the arrow back in the quiver and Y/N dispelled the frost before we gave chase after the beetle yet again.

"Is it still heading towards the village?" Y/N said as we could see the forest clearing up ahead.

"Seems like it, I believe it might even be in there. No way it could escape us now!" I said with a grin as we burst from the forest.

Which promptly faded as we heard the village in an uproar, seeing arrows being fired in the air and Yura's hairs whipping about. All after something in the air.

Yotsume had revealed himself.

Meaning Mittsume Jōrō wouldn't be that far behind him...

"Y/N the beetle should be right at the entrance inside." I said, while notching an arrow as we hurried to the village.

"And it is only a matter of moments before Yotsume or Yura notices it. Let's hope Yura does first." Y/N said, getting me to nod as we ran into the village.

Finding the beetle immediately, feasting on some kind of plant on a rooftop.

Half eating it before noticing us and began to fly off, yet it seemed to be slower than usual.

Not wasting this opportunity, I shot the arrow. Grinning as I finally managed to clip its wings.

The beetle crashed to the ground, struggling to move.

Finally!

You're not escaping me this time!

"Kagome duck!" Y/N called out, breaking me from my thoughts as I took a step back and ducked. To see a black blur zoom past my head.

And for Y/N to cut into it with Shusūi.

"Thank you."I said while notching an arrow and seeing what hit the ground followed by cawing as more blurs coming down from the forest.

Recognizing them as Shibugarasu, I only saw the one when it took the Shikon Jewel and now there was a small flock of them!

Well it will not end the same this time!

Shooting the arrow I struck one in its wing and it fell down. The rest quickly surrounded us.

But they weren't even fighting, crowding over the other and uncaring of myself or Y/N managed to cut or shoot down.

Until they backed off as a pair of them began to take off clutching the beetle in their talons and took off in the air!

Notching an arrow I aimed it upwards and let loose, but it only collided with a Shibugarasu as the remaining flock retreated up as a large brown owl with four red eyes snatched the beetle from them.

"You have a few minutes, either come after me or wait here. One way or another Mittsume Jōrō will soon be here to kill everyone here. The choice is only when." Yotsume threatened before gaining a panicked look. "Scatter!"

He took off faster than most of Shibugarasu as some cawed at him, before one was stabbed through the back by Benigasumi.

Followed by a few arrows that struck some stragglers along with those wrapped up in Yura's hairs, but most of the small flock dispersed back into the forest.

Sensing that Yotsume was carrying the beetle well across the forest by now.

Even if his words were a threat or bluff, she was going to attack anyways.

"So you're both alright, glad the pest is gone. Least of our worries." Mitsusaki said, getting both me and Y/N to turn around to see him clutching his chest. "Tatsu found him out, the real Sōkyu was hidden in his house."

"And the foolish human ran after him when I warned him not too, the damned owl seemingly trying a desperate measure to keeping himself hidden." Yura said, sheathing Benigasumi while sighing. "At least we know what the three eyed wretch was doing with the bodies. Should be easier than we expected."

I shuddered at Yura's words, the Shibugarsu that came after the Shikon Jewel was bad enough. Granted it was just entered the Sengoku Jidai.

Still with quite a few littering the ground they didn't seem all that concerned with numbers...meaning there was a lot more Shibugarsu were they came from.

"We have a few minutes, so we have some time to adjust. Is everyone else evacuated from the village?" Y/N said, getting Mitsusaki to nod.

"Father had to wrangle Tatsu onto the cart and be held back from avenging both him and Sōkyu...they should have just left as he threw a bucket as the yokai attacked." Mitsusaki said while looking at the ground.

"They are easy on their own, but can burry into and control a human's corpse. Seen the results of one doing that." I said, getting some of the villagers to wince. "So if you see any humans aim for the stomach or chest."

Considering that one, it seemed to be the right course of action. Helped by Y/N and Yura nodding at that.

Now that I think about it, probably best that we cremated that omukade's corpse...

Still the main issue would be Mittsume Jōrō and Yotsume, we can handle them. And we had a few minutes to prepare and rearrange things before they arrive. With a large lock of Shibugarsu behind them.

We had a fell minutes until the full force of them is on us...and I kind of used most of my arrows trying to shot down the beetle...

By the time they all arrive, we'll be more than ready to end this all.

(3rd POV - In the forest - Same Time)

Yotsume continued to fly away before suddenly finding himself coiled up.

"Wait! I got the shard!" He cried out as Mittsume Jōrō squished him, one of legs positioned beneath his neck. Twitching as if to impale him.

Only for her to snatch the beetle from her grip and rip the shard from its body. Chomping on it as she messed with the shard in her hands.

"And it is the only reason I haven't killed you yet, Lady Zero's retainer order be damned! You both kept me waiting long enough and this appetizer is pathetic." Mittsume Jōrō snarled out before she smirked while looking at the jewel shard. "But with this it will all be worth it."

Letting go of Yotsume as he fluttered and wheezed as Shibugarasu landed in the trees as Mittsume Jōrō slammed her hand with the shard onto her forehead.

Groaning as her skin seemed to bubble and her sclera turned red, before laughing as she skin burst and her carapace shedded. Both now a deep maroon in coloration.

"Finally so this is what my grandmother felt!" She shouted out with a grin before peering down at her body "They're all healed now! Not a single-"

Her words died in her throat, replaced by a snarl as she slammed her lower body into a tree. Uncaring for squashing some of the Shibugarasu with it.

A few small scars lined her lower body alongside a small split in her armor.

"Of course, you only have a fifth of the power of what Mukade Jōrō had. Kill everyone in the village and you will have around a third of it from their shards." Yotsume said nervously, which increased as Mittsume Jōrō turned towards him with a mad gleam in her eyes.

Before laughing with a maniacal grin.

"All the more reason to kill them! And then I'll gut the halfbreed bitch for killing my grandmother in the first place!" She yelled out, turning away from the tatarimokke.

Letting out a sigh of relief as turned her attention to the flocking Shibugarasu.

"We move in a minute! Any stragglers will be left to fend for themselves or go after the other humans. Just save me some of the fatter ones to devour, you can have the rest!" Mittsume Jōrō said, gett8ng a resounding cawing and series of groans from them.

Yotsume just shook his head at them.

Honestly it was easy to convince several flocks of them to alley with Mittsume Jōrō, she just wanted the extra numbers and to be extra spiteful by the villagers she wouldn't eat will have their bodies desecrated.

In exchange for their assistance and her devouring a quarter of the corpses, the village would be whoever survives nesting grounds.

If only the humans knew the true state of this area.

A village like this being lost to a yokai infestation would be a tragedy, but finding it only inhabited by Shibugarasu would be of no loss to the yokai who claims this territory now.

Aside from relief that the only yokai to rival her in the area would soon be leaving to better things.

If she survived the test for the yuki-onna hanyo.

If not...while Yotsume knew his orders, he would hate to act out on them...

Either way, he hoped that Mittsume Jōrō to succeed...otherwise he probably wouldn't survive to see tomorrow...

(Chapter 53 end)