Third Entry
It is very tense around the Main House today. Hihi-Sama and his group were killed; everyone is walking with stunned dread. I can't quite believe it myself, but it is true. Hihi-Sama was so strong, yet they overpowered him. They are putting extra guards on the executives. I am glad I am not of such a high rank that someone would attack me! Then Supreme Commander Nurarihyon asked me to help him with his rounds about town today. It was a great excuse to get away from the anxiety of the Main House. I love helping the Commander, we always get great things to eat. Only, he does stop at Usamibaasan's candy store, hopeful each time of an improvement. No luck. We both agreed the candies were awful. However, my bad luck only began there.
Who should we run into in the middle of our rounds but the Onmyouji girl! And what does the Commander do, walk right up to her and give her a pep talk. I hid in the grocery bag. The Commander is very brave, or perhaps the girl is very stupid. She does not see him as Youkai at all. Yes, that is General Commander Nurarihyon's fear for you. Then my day got even worse! The miscreants who killed Hihi-Sama came after the Commander! I almost died of fright trying to think how to defend him, but I was saved from the task by the Onmyouji girl. This would be mortifying if I had not been so scared. I wonder if the Commander felt as embarrassed as I did? He just stood there and let her fight. She is super strong! We were right to fear her. She did a very curious thing then, she not only defended the Commander, but she sent one of her Shikigami to swoop him up to the roof of the building to keep him out of danger. It was a relief that the Commander was safe.
However, that left me on the ground with only a thin plastic bag as a shield from the awful wind slices. I have never pretended so hard that I was a piece of Nattou in my life. It was terrifying. I don't know who scared me more, the attackers or the Onmyouji girl. Then suddenly it was all over. I don't care how tense it is at the Main House. When I get home I am never leaving it again. … I wonder where the Commander went, the fighting on the roof stopped a while ago. … Oh no! Karasu Tengu will be furious that I did not protect the commander. Supreme Commander where are you?
Fourth Entry
I am on a grand adventure! Just as I was about to happily return to the Main House, Supreme Commander Nurarihyon invited me to travel with him. Invited me! Me! To travel with him. He wasn't even joking! He really let me travel with him. We are headed for Shikoku. I am always ready for adventure, but why go there? I don't know what has got into the Supreme Commanders head. Only I am a little worried. Karasu Tengu will be irritated if I don't come home. But how bad will it be if the Supreme Commander does not return? I spent much of my time walking worrying over this. Karasu Tengu should know after all these years that the Supreme Commander does as he pleases. Only I can see how he is going to scold me about it, he is such a worrywart. That is not my only concern right now! It is so hot hiking in the mountains. Up steps, and more steps, and then winding along paths and crossing rivers. If we don't stop soon I am going to ferment!
Fifth Entry
Tanuki are so annoying. We ran into a cheeky blighter while climbing and the Supreme Commander set him to rights with a hefty swing of his stick. He said we stank of Nattou! I ask you, what else am I to stink of? He ran off and we sped after him, and came out into a hall of stone statues. It was here we met up with Lord Inugami Gyobu Tanuki. I thought he too was a statue, until he moved and told me I was standing on his balls. Eeeeh! It was so awkward I had to get away! I went to explore the Reijin Hall while he and the Supreme Commander talked. I had a good time chasing that annoying tanuki who clearly does not appreciate the pungent subtleties of the Nattou fragrance. He whined so much they hit him with the leaves of tamazusa to silence him. I decided to behave myself after that.
We headed back down the mountain soon after, only instead of walking back to Ukiyoe Town we took the Sunrise Seto. This was my very first time on an overnight train, it was fantastic. The sake was also excellent. We arrived just in time to save Tamazuki. It was so confusing. Tamazuki was the one wrecking our turf, and … well, that's Supreme Commander Nurarihyon for you. That way he has of seeing the potential in people. He left it up to Master Rikuo to decide though, but the young master has the same heart as his grandfather. He also has the same feisty spirit. Things should become very interesting from now on.