Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.
"So this is Taka Pass."
(I miss Tetsu.)
"So do I, but Rika might not have quite as many engagements. If she does, there might always be someone after her."
(Eh, you're the Poncle.)
The two made it to Kusa Village, where Rika made her home. The first thing they noticed was the muggy fog. Keiko howled. All of her ink was sapped by the mug, which meant she had no brush techniques or Divine Instruments. Even the markings were gone.
"How exactly did Tetsu say she'd alert Rika?"
(Wasn't it… a white wolf… with Divine… markings…)
"…"
Keiko and Miya navigated the village with difficulty. They combed the streets looking for the girl that matched Tetsu's description. They found her being attacked by demons. Keiko used her battle talent to the best of her ability, but she had lost her skill without her Divine powers. Miya did most of the damage, not needing ink to use Power Slash.
"Hello, white wolf. If you are looking for food, then I'm sorry. We don't have food to spare."
"Keiko isn't a beggar. She's the most powerful Oina warrior I have ever seen in my life! She has powerful Brush Skills! Tetsu said she'd send a message stating who she was."
"Ink hasn't worked in this city for a while now. Letters are very garbled. And leaving the village doesn't really help either."
"Well…" But Keiko never bothered with explanations. She took Rika by the skirts and pulled her onto her back.
"Oina warrior? What are you doing?"
(Explanations are for time-wasters. We need to get to the root of this ink-remover.)
"Well… the Gale Shrine has become inhabited by a monstrous foe. Perhaps he's causing the mug?"
(It's him. How do we get to the Gale Shrine?)
"We need the power of the Canine Warriors. Five were in this village, I believe."
(Canine Warriors. It's always something keeping me in wolf form.)
"Nothing's stopping you being a human."
(I can't fight as a human. I can't go super-fast as a human. I can't…)
"Yes, I get it, being a human sucks. Now can we move?"
The first four Canine Warriors, Shin, Chi, Rei and Ko, were not difficult to find. Once they found them, it was simply a matter of feeding them and getting them to give their power. The real challenge was Tei. He wasn't hungry for meat. He was hungry for blood. And he had an arrogance streak to mark him a worthy rival to Keiko's own temper.
The fight began by the canines circling, looking for a weak point. Keiko lunged first, beginning an Oina combo to be finished by Rika's Satomi attack. Tei… was barely fazed.
(This'd be so much easier if I had my skills.)
…Yes, Keiko did win the fight.
"You… are impressive, young maiden. Perhaps you may be the one to finally reunite the Satomi Warriors after all of these years."
"Tei, have you been fighting?" It was Fusehime, Rika's mother.
"I didn't mind him, mother."
"Rika? You fought Tei? Are you hurt?"
"No, mother, I'm fine. You don't to fuss over me. I have Keiko here. She's a legendary Oina warrior."
(You hear that? A legendary Oina.)
"You beat Orochi. The concept of ink may have become foreign here, but they must have heard of it."
"Oh, Keiko? She looks so much like Amaterasu."
(I'd be insulted if that wasn't true.)
"You're… learning!"
(She's not a foe. That other guy was.)
"…Still, learning!"
"Little butterfly, this is not the time to discuss it. Keiko, my young Oina girl, could you accompany Rika on her quest to find the other three Canine Warriors and ask for their Satomi Power Orbs? Only with those items can you enter the Gale Shrine and remove the curse upon Kusa Village."
(Sure thing, Fusehime.)
After leaving Kusa Village, Keiko tried an attack. Yet, the glaive still refused to present itself.
"See? Leaving the village doesn't help."
(So… I have to get the three Satomi Power Orbs from Canine Warriors without my Divine Instrument? I can only hope they give the orbs to me peaceably.)
"Keiko?"
(I understand the concept of 'hopeless fight', Miya.)
"…"
"You two bicker too much. The closest Canine Warrior is Gi, who has taken residence in Sasa Sanctuary."
"Noted. Now, how do we get to this Sasa Sanctuary?"
(Sparrow scent.) Keiko had already made it.
"I will never understand how you pull that off."
(I don't bother with discussion.)
Keiko wandered through Sasa Sanctuary at a very fast pace.
"Wait, why the rush?"
(I can smell that dog.) Keiko was undoubtedly more animal. She tracked the dog through a side path of Sasa Sanctuary, eventually finding Gi sleeping in a crop circle.
(Morning, Gi.) Gi stirred, noticed Keiko, and arched his back.
(Who are you? What do you want.)
(Nothing more than the Satomi Power Orb you bear.)
(You want the Orb? Why should I give it to you?)
(Because this little girl is Fusehime's daughter.)
(…Your point is as fair as you are. Very well… I shall give you the Orb.) The Orb flew from his collar, and onto the hem of Rika's kimono.
(This easy? This'll be done in record time.)
A consequence of it being done with no hitch, is that there's no point in actually providing details. Jin was located in Agata Forest, Chu in Kamiki. And oddly, Tetsu did not notice or acknowledge Keiko.
Keiko ran to the door blocking the way to the Gale Shrine. The Satomi Orbs left Rika's kimono, and flew into the eight locks. The door slowly opened, and Keiko wandered inside.
(Wolf.)
(Yes?)
(This is Yatsu. I was Fusehime's husband, and by extension Rika's father. I just wish you to take note that you don't have to do this alone. Satomi House stands behind you.)
(Satomi House stands on me. Does this have any practical tips?)
(…Not off the top of my head. I was hoping I could remember them during my long rant. Funny how my mind works, isn't it?) Keiko had wandered off at 'long'. (Hot-headed, isn't she?)
Keiko wasn't the only hot-headed one. The deepest room of the Gale Shrine was empty… until the candles became lit. The flames swooped into the centre of the room, where they formed Orochi Jr.… Crimson Helm.
He didn't utter a word. He left the communication to his two long katana. Keiko was perfectly willing to do the same. Blessed with the power of the Satomi House, as had been created when the Satomi Orbs were linked, her skill somewhat resembled her skill with ink at her disposal. It was barely enough to push the Crimson Helm into his final attack.
"Oh, please. I can do simply…" Rika spun the Satomi Orbs around, flinging them through the air. Miya formed Power Slashes to counter the Crimson Helm's attack. The Crimson Helm burst into cattle bones, laying on the ground. Keiko felt the relief of her brush skills returning.
"I'm sorry, Keiko, but I may not accompany you." Rika was outright refusing the request of Tetsu.
(Then who can we bring?)
"Your next objective is Sei'an City. There has to be someone there who'll help an Oina crossed goddess. Or two. Or ten. Or…"
(We get it. Goodbye, Rika.)
Long, tedious and pointless? Check. Did I hate it? Check. Was it single-handedly responsible for me releasing my other two ideas early? Check. Do we utterly despise this chapter? ...Maybe.
This has also made Rika my least favourite character... ironically, I have art of the characters, and most people who see it gravitate to Rika's artwork. This chapter's only here because Rika was concieved early (planning failure right here), and only useless because I needed Crescent and Galestorm for Orochi.
Ah well, the next partner's one I'm looking forward to. And... something else that may make writing a little easier.
Leap before you think!
