Like a shadow, she landed, camouflaged, on the thatched roof. The night concealed her, protected her, encouraged her. It meant that the night approved of her revenge, and wished to aid her in her quest. She sniffed; the raw yokai aura was overpowering. The house may be a mansion, but how many yokai could seriously live there? She had already accepted that she wouldn't escape alive. There was no way that this clan of murderers would let her leave in one piece- or ever. She twirled a lock of her hair in nervousness, tangling black with orange streaks. Tucking it back into her headscarf, she adjusted the loose ninja-like outfit to conceal as much of her pale skin as possible. She couldn't do this. But she had to. Was she even capable? She shook her head, hardening herself to the angst, and fell forward.

She flitted down in front of the Nura Clan emblem carved into the wall. If her information was right, then their leader would appear any second. She tensed; some kind of huge, menacing form passed within inches of her face. Her tail tip twitched, but the shadow didn't notice. She suddenly realised that he was drunk, the smell of sake rolling off of him like fog.

What a joke. She couldn't believe that the Nura Clan- the leaders of the yokai world- would allow their guards to get drunk while on duty. She nearly gagged at the thought of what the leader of such an organization must be like. Father had shown her paintings, photos, and even a stray playing card blown away from some loud human kid and his loser buddies. None of the pictures of Nurarihyon matched up with his description of the Supreme Commander and Lord of Pandemonium. She assumed that his form was a guise, that there was some amazing, scary yokai beneath that wrinkled exterior. Of course, it would be easier for her if he was just an old man. Should she be glad or disappointed?

I shouldn't feel anything. That man- Her thoughts broke off as she heard a call from inside the parlor. The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons burst out of the doors, and at their centre was a long-haired figure. His white hair stuck straight out the back, and he donned a navy blue haori with the Nura Clan's emblem embroidered in white on the back. That was him! She flitted back to the roof, and waited for an opening. Just then, a small black crow wearing a hat dove in front of Nurarihyon, and began beating his wings excitedly while chattering about something that was apparently happening inside. The long-haired yokai stopped, and turned as if to re-enter the house.

Seizing the opportunity, she lunged at his exposed back. She unsheathed her claws and flipped up her silver arm blades. The crowd below shouted in surprise and anger, but all she heard was the roaring in her ears. The murderer looked up-

Suddenly, she was yanked to a stop. Some sort of fabric- were they strings?- bound her entire body. All her limbs were stretched out in different directions as if she was some sort of human compass. The strands held her tight, so tight that it was painful, so tight that she could barely breathe. She cried out, not from pain, but from desperation. So close, her mind screamed. So close!

A large hand grabbed her shirt without warning, and she yelped as she was pulled downwards while still bound. Her limbs straining, she turned away from the huge face with it's blank, white eyes. His hair was in what looked like dreadlocks, but grey and standing up almost straight. Her research told her that it was the yokai Aotabo, Strike Team Leader. She had researched him, so she knew that there was no way that she could fight her way out of his grip.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?" Aotabo screamed at her, "and WHY would you TRY TO KILL MASTER?"

She could sense that everyone was waiting for her response. She shifted her weight to look around; there were many angry glares, a couple murderous stares, and one totally placid expression from Nurarihyon. How the hell could he just stare at her like that? When she had just tried to kill him, for crying out loud! He held her gaze and, almost like he could read her mind, he smirked at her.

That was the last straw. Her anger exploded, and she yelled straight at his face,

" My name is Chihiro Tora- and Nurarihyon killed my father!"