Long ago the people of Japan lived in harmony with the Kami and the Oni, spirits who ruled over the earth. Each spiritual race contributed to Japanese society, just as the Japanese paid tribute to the spirits. Some of the Oni resented the humans, however, for Earth was a much better place than the spiritual world inhabited by the Oni. For many long years the Oni plotted their revenge, a great war to wipe out the humans and gain control of both the spirit world and Earth. The leader of the Oni army invited the Kami, but the Kami refused, knowing that the cycle of death and rebirth depended on both the spirits and humans. However the Kami leader promised the Oni that he would not interfere in the war. Many Kami disagreed with the leader, including a group of famous warriors. These six warriors left the spirit realm of the Kami to help defend the humans. Their names were; Mizuho, Shinai, Kageki, Kizan, Enishi, and Shi En.

The clearing rested in the middle of a vast forest, far from any civilization. The bright sun shown on the long grass and ferns, clipped short by roaming herds of deer, and the occasional rabbit. Birdsong hung gently in the air, soft melodies mingling into one overriding harmony. Suddenly the birds stopped chirping. For an instant time stood still then six figures seemingly stepped out of the air and materialized in the center of the clearing.

Once more nothing moved. No sound disturbed the silence. Only the moving clouds marked times passage. Then on clear note rang out across the clearing. Then another. Soon all of the birds were singing, and the figures that had so suddenly appeared slowly began to explore their surroundings, as if they had never before seen a tree, or the sun. Indeed all six looked totally foreign, in heavy armor, and bearing strange weapons.

"This place truly is beautiful." One of the figures said.

"Yes. Yes it is." Another responded.

"It's our job to protect it," said the tallest, who had moved away from the group, "Lets go."

He turned and disappeared into the forest. The others hurried to follow him, using the dull glow of their brightly colored armor to keep track of each other.

The six walked all day, treading softly on previously untouched ground. As the sun began to set on of the Kami spoke.

"Do you plan to walk all night, Shi En?"

The lead samurai turned, his maroon armor glinting in the setting sun. "We have no time to waste."

The Kami complained again, "But humans don't walk for three days without stopping and—"

"Shinai!" Shi En barely whispered the word, but it reverberated throughout the forest. "We are not human."

For an instant it seemed that Shinai would continue. A third Kami stepped forward.

"Shinai, Shi En is our commander. You must listen to him."

Shinai visibly relaxed, "I know, Kizan." He turned to Shi En and bowed. "Sorry, sir. It won't happen again."

Shi En said nothing, only turned and continued to walk, his left hand resting lightly on the hilt of his long katana.

The overgrown forest made traveling difficult. Roots hidden by long weeds and thick ferns grabbed at the Kami's feet, constantly threatening to trip them. The vegetation was too low to cut with their swords, so the group doggedly pushed through, continuing throughout the night and into the next day. As the sun rose Shi En stopped walking and stared deeper into the forest.

"We'll rest here." He said and sat down. As he did his armor grew dimmer, and eventually disappeared. The others did the same, their armor also fading from sight, leaving each clad in a plain kimono, their swords stuck through the sashes across their wastes. Except for Shinai and Mizuho. Mizuho had two large sickle like weapons strapped to her back, and Shinai let his two war clubs, called tetsubo, on the ground next to him. No one spoke. None of them slept. They merely waited.

The midday sun was high in the sky, and Shi En still had not moved. Occasionally his companions got up and disappeared into the forest, only to reappear several minutes later.

Suddenly Shi En opened his eyes and stood, his right hand gripping the hilt of his sword. He began walking to the south, his armor materializing around him as he moved. Mizuho was the first to follow him, and then the others noticed and fanned out through the forest, moving parallel to Shi En. Kizan led Shinai on Shi En's left, and Enishi went with Kageki on the right. The forest quickly began to thin, until the trees stopped all at once. The six stopped just inside the shadows and looked out curiously. Across a brief open space a group of farmers tended to a small orchard of cherry blossom trees, meticulously trimming dead limbs and raking up the fallen blossoms. They did not talk while they worked, but showed obvious joy in what they were doing. Behind them, across the orchard from the six Kami, a large, well kept path led farther south. Above the trees around the path the roof of a large building was visible.

Shi En nodded. He had come to the right place.

Just as he was about to enter the orchard and introduce himself to the workers several large birds appeared above the clearing, circling high above. Shi En tensed, frozen in a half crouch, waiting to see what would happen.

Several minutes passed and nothing happened. Warily Shi En stood. As he did the birds dove from the sky, becoming impossibly large. As they neared, Shi En and the others could see their form clearly. They were Oni, humanoid figures with grey, leathery skin and wings. None carried swords, but each had vicious looking claws that grew from their fingers, and sharp teeth.

Shi En swore, "Oni, protect the workers."

Shi En started running towards the gathered men. He looked up, gauging his speed against the Oni. He wasn't going to make it in time.

A slight breeze blew against Shi En's back.

In a flash of perceived motion Kizan appeared among the terrified gardeners. He drew his sword and leapt impossibly high, moving so fast that Shi En lost sight of him. Kizan ripped through the Oni, using his ability to channel and control natural energy, qi, to stand in midair. Still several Oni got past Kizan, quickly descending on the men circled below. Shi En still wasn't close enough.

"Kageki, NOW!" Shi En yelled.

Space seemed to warp around the huddled workers. They began to panic, thinking that a new enemy was upon them. Then a figure appeared in the strange world that was just visible in the bending fabric of the human world. Enishi jumped from the portal, and joined Kageki—who had removed his armor to sneak into the group of workers—to defend against the attacking Oni.

The Oni flashed down upon the two Kami, their claws glinting in the sunlight. Enishi and Kageki gripped the hilts of their katana, looking up at the oncoming enemy. A bright flash illuminated the space around Kageki and Enishi, temporarily blinding the Oni, workers, and Shi En.

Shi En blinked the stars from his vision and looked back towards his companions. Two Oni lay on the ground, each nearly cleaved in half. Enishi and Kageki themselves stood, their swords above their heads, supporting the full weight of an Oni, both of whom pressed down with their sharp talons. Enishi swung his sword to the side, the cross guard hooking the Oni's hand. The motion slammed the Oni into the ground, and Enishi quickly moved to finish it off.

Kageki simply drew a second katana and stabbed the Oni through the chest, killing it instantly.