Ben 10 and MGE belong to their rightful owners.

XXX

It was their third day since they had departed the town, the weather was always the same, almost, and although the sky was often moody sometimes as the lower clouds tend to block the sun for a long span of hours or sometimes almost half a day. If they could be honest, the moody weather was preferable since travelling under the direct heat of the sun was proven bothersome, especially during the noon where the sun was directly high above them. Bothersome because many of them will quite quickly get exhausted, not to mention the still lingering hostility between the two groups that never seemed to completely subside.

Kohana felt the pressure they were exuding even though none of their actions would suggest that they were about to murder each other. The sensation was similar that of a toxic fume, it was nauseating, suffocating and harmful not only to their body but also to their psyche which could possibly hurt a mind of weak individual, causing fear and trauma. Fortunately, most of them were far beyond that point, they had molded and steeled their mind, one of the basic requirements in becoming a warrior. Their coping mechanism also helped too despite it varied differently from one another. Akko and her drinking was an example of this.

And despite the Red Oni's carefree attitude, Kohana cannot deny that Akko had some valuable traits she kept in herself that would only show when the situation will become arduous and dire. The Kunoichi was also surprised that the simple suggestion of her Red Oni friend would work. Akko had suggested to them to keep a distance while also, if possible, shutting their mouth, only in sensitive matters like the case of the boy. Plain and simple, but was effective. It was indeed helpful that the drowning pressure of negativity around them had decreased at least a little bit.

While Kohana was still on guard, glancing at the two group every given chance she had, Onashi, on the other hand was wondering why I warrior like Kohana would trust a stranger, let alone a group of monsters that could easily wreak chaos in their wake, should they wished to do it anytime. But all Onashi could see was a civilized creature, seeking acknowledgement, connection and knowledge, the purpose was still not clarified and definite. She wondered why they wanted those in the first place when they could just force them to do their biddings and whims for she had witnessed the display of wide ability they had already. Maybe they wanted peace and acknowledgement of their existence, a faction of heretical monsters she considered, a group of mamono who had resisted the influence of current Demon Lord. That and there was still a doubt, the fear of any ulterior motive they still might had. It was a possibility that was highly likely true. They might also stab their back anytime soon. And even all of this trepidation, her friend, Kohana, still had chosen to side with them, an action that shocked her to the core in spite of her cold unmoving facade. Many questions were running in her mind and those words the Kunoichi let out did not help much. It sounds so simple yet Onashi knew it was far more complicated than it was. Had she been blackmailed? Deceived? Influenced or manipulated in some way? Promised by power? She do not know which one was the reason driving Kohana to do this kind of risky gamble the Kunoichi got herself into as she had known the Kunoichi for far too long and she knew she would never do such thing… unless there was a truly deeper reason behind all of these farces.

'Just what are you playing, Kohana?' She whispered inwardly before shifting her attention towards the other group that was currently talking to themselves, including the Red Oni.

Akko was currently poking on the mollusk creature named Water Hazard, according to her, a very odd name to be honest, but one that was actually useful in determining the ability of the creature. In addition, the creature was also a male, according to Akko again. As expected of the monsters who had withstood the influence, they were a living mystery that everyone should be wary of. And as its name suggested, it had something to do with water. Perhaps it was the reason why it possessed certain magical property in its body, somehow since none of them was sure if that was really the case, even Suzako was in doubt of its existence despite saying that it kind of had. However, back to the current topic, at to what extent can this creature manipulate water?

Although water was not as dangerous as fire, as fire tends to hurt everything it hit, even from the lick of its flame can cause severe burns that would take a long time to heal. Water may be more preferable as it was known as a pillar of life as most living beings, from trees, to humans and even to most mamanos were dependent on it, but it still had its own deadly capability that fire cannot imitate.

Onashi stopped from her mulling when Akko suddenly let a whistle, returning to her stupor.

"This shell-armor is really amazing you know." Akko praised then knocked the hood of Water Hazard who recoiled after doing that. "It's very hard and sturdy, probably harder than metal?"

"I know, but please can you refrain from knocking the hood? I don't like it." Water Hazard told the Red Oni who merely shrug.

"'Kay… but seriously, are all mamonos from the ocean who had shells are these hard as yours? Although I met a Kappa, it was still a different story since they only live by the river or lake. Never really seen them swimming at the sea." Akko explained while still tapping onto Water Hazard's shell. "And you don't look very much like them. You are more like a humanoid monster."

"Oh so you noticed, eh? I don't really have some answer as to why I look like this." Water Hazard explained.

"Ah, I see. What about your strength though? Is this the result living under the ocean with its constant heavy pressure?"

"It is the reason, right?" Kohana suddenly entered in during their conversation, the rest of the warriors were starting to eavesdrop extensively, or more like listening closely as they don't need to hide themselves.

As always, regardless if simple or little the information was it was still information that could be useful in the future if all things suddenly turned into a direction that would threaten their lives. The creature whose existence was still unclear even its origin had been opened since the start of their journey, talking to them like a normal person, though the thought was funny but it cannot be helped to assume such thing, they were monsters after all, heretical monsters. Yet, despite its openness, matters that the creature considered sensitive and such still had the tendency to avoid talking about those kinds of subjects. As it seemed, these creatures were very secretive as they expected no less.

"Uh, we don't live in the ocean; we live in the surface actually." Water Hazard answered, gaze still fixed on the dirt path that they were currently following in.

It was a path that would lead them into the river where they will cross and head straight up to the mountainous valley, a thorny and dangerous path to walk through unless if you were a mamono as isolated places that were far from human settlements as places like this were filled with treachery, the kind of treachery that will either bring you to your death or to your joy, forever in the hands of desperate mamonos whose lust cannot be compared to those who were living in or near the humans. And most of these lustful mamonos were quite powerful on their own, a risk that everyone should consider except if you were a mamono of course.

But to a monster like the one walking beside them, it would be a mere cakewalk unless a mamono was wary enough to know that she was not looking at a normal monster at all. However, regardless of the danger that would befall to this creature, they were confident that it can withstand it, nonetheless. The vampire was an example of this. By defeating the Ushi-Oni in a single match, it had proven that their strength were strong enough to defeat such mamono.

"You don't live in the ocean? That was… unexpected." Akko muttered, she had really thought that Water Hazard lived in the ocean; at least it was what his look implied.

"True." Even Kohana and the rest of the warriors were slightly surprised at this.

O how many norms had these creatures had broken already. A mollusk creature like him that lives in the land was truly unexpected.

"I'm not really into our origins, and since my species came from the Andromeda originally, there is not much as I could tell. Plus, it's not like I am that curious nor interested in the first place." Water Hazard never knew that a single line had caused to arouse their suspicion.

"Eh? But I think you should since it was the origin of your species! Don't you want to remember where you came from or at least take visit?" Akko replied, seemingly unaware.

"Like a pilgrimage of sort? Well, like I said, I'm not really into it."

"As interesting as it seems for a creature like you to not really care much of your species' origin, I am quite curious." Kohana spoke, not looking back the creature as she slowed down a bit to get a little closer to the creature who was still behind the Ushi-Oni and causing her to raise a brow at this action of the Kunoichi. "Where is this Andromeda you were talking about?"

Water Hazard lighty coughed at the name he spoke out recently, never realizing his mistake until it was too late.

"A place very, very far from here." He said straightly without stuttering, excusing himself.

She let a silent snort out of disappointment. Kohana knew going further would yield nothing as creature would possibly intend to talk in circle if she would to continue to ask him.

XXX

(Dusk…)

The group was still following the dirt path heading straight to the river where a village can be also located nearby. Currently, the group was quiet at the moment with only the sources of their sound were their footsteps, grass and leaves' rustling. There were also odd noises coming from the woods to their sides which they had ignored, simply assuming that those noises came from the animals nearby.

While everyone seemed to be in daze, Onashi had been observing the creature and its assumed water abilities. After learning this information from Akko, she wondered how strong the power of this creature had. Certain factors and variables may play in the role to force the mollusk creature in utilizing its ability, but it will be those things that would measure the creature's capability. Probably, a group roving bandits of their lands would suffice, a common threat all across the world that seemed everyone had hard trouble finding a solution to completely eradicate. Although their land was more peaceful compare to the west, bandits were not that unheard of. Just like the small faction of the Order in this land, bandits were a minor threat, but a threat was still a threat nonetheless. Yes, it could be possible, should they encounter a group of bandits that was.

"Uh, what is this?" A voice in the front asked as they all stopped.

Everyone began to gather to take a closer look. There was a… no there were footprints and tracks leading to the river. Kohana leaned down a bit to take a clear visual while Akko kneeled down.

"So many holes…" The Red Oni muttered.

"And human footprints." Kohana added.

The dirt path they were currently traversing heading to river had seemed to lay for them to see. There were two of them, the other one seemed to be footprints of a footwear, whether it belonged to a human or to a certain mamono, it cannot be determined as of yet. The other track was peculiar in nature. Not only that it was consisted of countless tiny holes, the track itself looked like in a wavy form or zigzag pattern to be precise, a weird sight to see if they were to given a chance to describe what they were looking at.

"So many of them…" Akko then inserted a finger in to measure the depth of one of the holes. "Ain't so deep…"

"The way the other tracks look seems different." Suzako muttered. "It's almost similar to one of our companions."

"Yeah, not only that, there's a lot of them too. Probably a group was travelling here earlier."

"That doesn't explain the odd tracks, except for the human-like footprints."

"Probably a group was walking in column?"

"Possible, but why would they walk in such strange manner." Suzako pointed at the wave-like shape of the track.

"Okay, I give up." Akko ran out of ideas.

"It certainly looks like Seijun's and Aisa's track." Water Hazard spoke as he walked over them. He kneeled and inserted a finger to one of the holes just like what Akko did. "The creature appears to have numerous short spindly sharp legs, obviously."

"They kind of…" Akko nodded, agreeing.

"Moreover, the way this creature seemed to move was in rectilinear locomotion, though, kind a more like a lateral undulation in my view. I mean, rectilinear locomotion is only associated in heavily-bodied serpentine creatures." Water Hazard explained, unaware that he said didn't get by the confused warriors as this was their first time hearing those vague terms. "Though one thing is sure, the creature really likes to move from side to side."

"I don't really get the first part, but, I yeah, I agree with you." Akko spoke, nodding despite the lack of understanding of terms Water Hazard had used. "So, it's a snake?"

"Not a snake to be exact. More like a centipede." Water Hazard corrected, though a bit unsure.

"An Oomukade…" Kohana murmured as she identified based from Water Hazard's conclusion, or assumption.

"That is quite perceptive of you…" Onashi complimented, nodding in slight satisfaction which the Water Hazard thought of it in a different way. It was weird for her, who doesn't like monsters, now complimenting one.

"That's sound so strange coming from you." Water Hazard replied wryly, but was ignored by the undead samurai as it walked over them to inspect the tracks.

"It seems that a mamono and a human had been here." Onashi commented, inspecting that traces left by the two.

"Should we bother ourselves by it, Onashi?" Suzako asked.

"No…" Onashi shook her head. "Whoever the human was, they had chosen to be with the side of the mamono. Willing individuals are in out of our hands to be intervened with. They wanted this then let them be. After all, based on the footprints alone that the human left, it's probably an adult already. Let us proceed and pay no mind in these minor matters."

And so they continued...

XXX

Once they had reached the side of the river, the group quickly dislodged their belongings down. They sat on the side of the dirt, the grassy part, and let their bodies to rest for a moment. While most of them were sitting on the grass, Kohana had been observing the tracks that they also followed along the way, reaching to the river. It was a dead end in that part as the tracks heading straight to the river cannot be followed even further, at least for now, ending her little investigation. She assumed that the two went on the forest ahead from the other side of the river, a forest that was eerily silent and gloomy, and a path that they would traverse soon to reach the mountainous valley.

'Hmm, there is probably on the other side.' She thought as she turned around to the group.

A look of disappointment can be seen onto to their expression, especially Akko whose face was distorted in such a scary manner. And she already knew why.

"Great, I thought there is a village here." Akko groaned deeply. "My throat is already itching!"

"Wait, did you drink all of the gourd's content in one night?" Suzako asked.

"Yeah, it wasn't much."

"It wasn't much?! The gourd is almost half the size of your body and you drank all of its content in a single night! And where did you even get that? I did not see you carrying any gourd when we were starting to travel."

"In two actually! And I have my own secret!"

"What are you talking about?"

While the two started a little argument, the rest of the mamonos had begun setting up their camp where they could lie down their body and take a rest for the time being. Like the Red Oni, most of them, too, were disappointed.

"I really do feel Akko-san's deep disappointment." Hino spoke, empathizing with the red brute.

"I do too…" Aisa admitted. "…Except for her certain unnecessary necessities."

"Well, that fact that we are running out of supplies just makes it worse. Though luckily, we are near at the river. That would at least suffice." Akui said before looking at Ochimusha. "Onashi, can we slow down things tomorrow and wind up for a bit? Our companions seem to want to take a long rest even it is only for short a while."

The undead samurai think for a moment as she looked at the state of her companions before nodding in agreement.

"Alright then, let us take a long rest for tonight and tomorrow." She approved then looked at Kohana and Akui, she assigned them a task. "And for the two of you, Kohana and Akui, you both will need to hunt and gather foods for the supplies we need, understood?"

The two Kunoichi bowed their head in acknowledgement to the task that was given to them by the Ochimusha.

The group then readied their food for tonight's meal the same as always and with most of them filling themselves with rice rather than viands which composed of mostly meats than vegetables since energy would be needed importantly by their body, especially when travelling on foot and far. Although not entirely tonight since they were going to sleep, and it was the best for them to save more for tomorrow being that their body would require more during daily activities.

After doing the same phase for the last three days as always, the group then went to sleep with Water Hazard being awake as a watcher and for the first look tomorrow. And as always, the group had wondered how the monster was capable of not sleeping for three consecutive days, a question that doesn't sound much, but regardless quite an odd one. At least with this, they could have peaceful sleep, though not entirely since it was still a monster, and like any normal beings, they would be wary of it.

As the night laid rest and the moon hung above covered by thin clouds, a new day was waiting for them for a new journey tomorrow.

XXX

(The Next Day…)

The group began the same phase which composed of warming up, checking their equipment or cleaning them, and preparing the meals. Since they had been told by Onashi that it was alright to wake up late, half of them did so with the rest still waking up at dawn since it was fully ingrained by their body to wake up that early due to their habits and routines that their minds and bodies were accustomed in doing so, naturally.

While the warriors were doing their own businesses, Seijun had awoken very late despite sleeping early last night, thanks to absence of a certain loud, boisterous mamono, especially when that mamono was drunk, while there was also the fact that she was, pretty much like the rest of them, tired. Speaking of tired however, that feeling cannot be apply to her dear companion somehow, Water Hazard, since the creature was not showing any signs of fatigue or weariness. Hell, he could even stay awake like for the entire day without sleeping. Well, it was a good thing that he doesn't sleep; at least there was a guard and a first watcher for them. Considering the fact that he had chosen this job himself, the ease of sleeping during at night had been very well for her, for the betterment of her health and her body.

"Wakey, wakey, itsy bitsy. We got some a lot of stuffs to do." The creature spoke while setting up the fire spit for their meal today.

"Urhhhgg…" Seijun laid her head back down after peeking through her tent.

"Huh, still sleepy, eh?" Water Hazard muttered as he placed a stick over the two pieces of another stick before placing stones back around the fire. "Hey, gotta leave this for to you for a moment."

Water Hazard then left Seijun in her tent while heading towards the warriors' group.

XXX

(With the Warriors…)

Most of the warriors were now currently maintaining their weapons and equipment, keeping them sharp and in good shape to further increase their liability and longevity not only for saving money, of course it will always be the one of the main issues, but to ensure one selves own safety. A very important factor that can be included while not being limited not just to them, but to the whole populace as a sign of being civilized, disciplined. It was one of the very basics that every warrior must attain to some decree.

Suzako was filling various ingredients and additional flavours for their porridge to make it more tasteful and appeasing, though the amount of various things she could add to their meal to make it tastier was lacking due the scarcity of supplies. Still, she did her best. While cooking for their meal, she glanced at Onashi who was busy sharpening her sword with whetstone.

"Is there something wrong?" Onashi spoke, noticing her gaze without meeting her eyes.

"Nothing. I am just looking, that is all." She said to her.

"Really, Suzako." She irked a brow after hearing that familiar voice.

"I see that you are awake and- Where are your clothes?!" She yelled, causing the Kamaitachi and Jorougumo sitting near the fire jerked in unison from the suddenness.

"What do you mean?" The Red Oni asked innocently, standing almost bare naked at them.

"I know what I mean, Akko!" Suzako rubbed her forehead.

Currently, Akko had removed all of her clothing and barely wearing any, showing her glory.

"I don't know what you really mean… Hey, Aisa, still got some tough silk there? I need it to make a spear." Akko asked.

"They are on my tent, near where I put my equipment. It is wrapped in a rod." Aisa told her.

"Thanks!" Akko then carefully rummaged through the belongings of the Jorougumo to find what she needed.

While the she was looking for materials, Water Hazard had approached the group which most of them quickly noticed his presence due to his mystical nature. The mollusk creature was eyeing at Suzako specifically, causing the Nekomata to raise a brow in wonderment of what this creature needs to her. The creature was carrying a small sack somehow and she could hear pieces of metals jiggling inside of it.

"Morning." He greeted.

"Morning?" She greeted back in unsure tone. "Uhm, what is it? I am currently busy if you do mind."

"Oh, sorry. I just want to know if you still have some of those seal or talisman thingy."

"Ah, I think still got plenty. Why do you ask?"

"I need to buy some, for obvious reason." He gestured at the Ushi-Oni which Suzako easily understood.

"I see, but…" She looked at Onashi who was also looking at them, listening and observing to their conversation, head resting over handle of her sheathed katana.

"It is for the better, so sell some if you want." Onashi answered her,

"Okay… I don't know how it will be much, but do you accept this?" The creature showed a dark cyan crystal to her after pulling it from the sack. "If one is not enough, I can still show you more, but if you only accept gold and silver coins, I have a lot in my sack."

"Wait, where did you even get those?" The Nekomata suddenly asked, attention completely focused on the crystals.

"From a very dangerous place." His answered, briefly as always.

"Vague as always." Onashi interjected. "Though it make sense considering the exorbitant value those crystals would have. It was as hard to get as it was valuable, a fair exchange."

"You totally get it, don't you?" Water Hazard praised before looking back at the Nekomata. "Now let's proceed to business shall we?"

XXX

(With the Kunoichi…)

The two had returned from their venture in the forest after several hours of hunting and gathering whatever fruits they could consider as edible. Although the forest was dense, the pair did not show any signs of difficulty just judging from the looks. They were still as elegant before and after they entered the forest. And once they were out, the two immediately started to segregate the fruits and put to them with same pair. After that, Kohana carried the animals they had hunted while Akui carried the sacks containing fruits.

Kohana, due to the limited strength she had, she only hunted several animals, a boar and a little deer. She was… disappointed to say the least, considering the fact that many of them in the camp considered meat was as important as rice. Fruits and vegetables were good, but they were not as filling as meat and rice as the two make more energy reserves in their body. Yes, nutrients were important indeed, but one must take initiative and think of their circumstances like theirs. They were travelling, not staying.

As they reach the camp, the two saw Suzako talking with Water Hazard and was giving him pieces of paper in which she had assumed were the talisman she had. After a short interaction with one another, they went back onto their usual affair.

"Welcome back, Akui-san, Kohana-san!" The three Kamaitachi greeted simultaneously.

"I see that you two had returned." Onashi said. "How was it?"

"It was not much. The forest may be dense true, but it was really not much of a difficulty to us." Kohana answered, dropping her hunts before looking at the porridge Suzako was currently cooking. "Hmm, porridge as usual."

"It cannot be helped. It was what we only have. We are also scarce in meat. But since I see that you caught two, I can make of something else." The Nekomata offered. "Can you prepare the boar and deer for me Kohana while I am still cooking? Aisa please, if you may?"

The Jorougumo nodded helped the Kunoichi carry the animals near to the riverside where they could skin and clean them to prepare them for cooking and consumption.

XXX

(Back with the Ushi-Oni…)

Seijun was currently in the middle of tying her hair in bun to ready herself in taking a bath to the river after she had skewered the meat over the fire spit, at least she was supposed to. But she decided to eat first before taking a bath, so that she doesn't need to clean again after eating. Then looking at the sack containing talismans near their belongings where Water Hazard put them, she wondered why he bought her a lot considering that he had done so much for her, adding up to the guilt within her.

"You shouldn't think about it, the talismans didn't cost that much though." Water Hazard reassured as if sensing her problem.

"How is that not a problem? You bought a lot!" She countered.

"Not a lot though. I just bough three-quarter of what she had." He countered.

"That is not even fixing the issue!" Seijun rubbed her forehead. "Seriously, I am starting to wonder how you get plenty of stuffs. And how did you even gather so much without getting any suspicious stares and glares? Heck, I could not even buy a single thing in a town without getting threatened by blades and stakes from the inhabitants let alone you monsters."

"Big Chill has his own ways." He shrugged, causing the Ushi-Oni to groan. "Hey, look at our stuffs for a while. I need go hunting because we're running out of food."

"Whatever." It was her only reply.

Seijun folded her arms and began spinning the stick in a slow pace, waiting for the food to be cooked, while, presently her other companion was busy readying his stuffs for hunting. And from the looks of it, her companion was probably going fishing after she saw him pulled some empty container that was made out of bamboo weaved into the shape of a basket before seeing him heading to the river.

Shifting her eyes away from the fire, she turned and saw a familiar red face, grinning at her from close distance.

Slightly raising an eyebrow, she stared at the near naked Red Oni in front of her. The Red Oni was only wearing a bandage wrapped around her bountiful chest and a fundoshi around her hips that was tied in a not-so-typical manner to cover her groin region. Instead of wearing it as an apron type, the Oni wore it in a thong style. Though wearing it in a thong style was not unheard of since during festivities, most men would wore it in that style, combined with a hanten or happi sometimes for processions, and known to be also used by drumming groups, but seeing her wore like that was quite odd. True but at the same time, enticing as it show her glory that all mamonos were proud of.

Seijun knew that Akko will be ripped in muscle somehow as most of the Oni of their land was used in harsh labors, carrying stuffs that were impossible for humans to carry on their lonesome, but not the kind of rip that she was seeing right now. Now that she removed her armor, she could see them very well. From her pectorals, biceps, through her abs and down to the soleus, they were firm so well.

Simply looking at her made Seijun felt a bit jealous. Sure she had her own assets of proportions of her own, but seeing the Oni's body well made her self-conscious of the current state of her body. It was quite flabby despite its shape compare to the Red Oni's.

'Ugh, that damned body.' She swore mentally in jealousy before proceeding to ask what she wanted.

"No!" Seijun denied even though Akko wasn't saying anything, causing her to flinch in surprise and sad.

"Come on, just a little bit? You still have some I can see!" Akko tried to reason.

"No means no. And stop leeching! Go eat with your subordinates." Seijun snorted.

"But Suzako's cooking doesn't taste good compare to your friend's!" After Akko said that, suddenly a sneeze from the warriors' camp can be heard echoing. "It really tastes good!"

"Still, it's a no." Seijun still denied her.

"Just a-"

"No."

"Even-"

"No! You have been partaking with our supplies since the beginning of this trip. If not thanks to Water Hazard's generosity, I wouldn't allow you. Furthermore we are already running out of supplies too, so stop already." Seijun told her, causing Akko to slump over as she walked back to their camp.

After dealing with the Red Oni, Seijun began to eat after her food was cooked before proceeding to her next task and that was taking a bath in the river. She then started to remove her clothing, or whatever piece of clothing she had since she was only wearing a demonic-like skull on hips that was covering her private part, and began sinking lower half of her body before soaking her upper part by pouring or splashing it, despite still wearing the talisman over her head.

She didn't care much as she knew that the talisman wasn't made out of simple paper fortunately, an Ofuda. Though if she would have the chance to choose for a material, she would preferred the wooden one, a Kifuda, since it was more durable compare to a piece of cloth or paper. Metal would be also a good choice too.

Seijun then shifted her eyes to the other group who was also taking bath at the same time with her. Except for the Red Oni, most of them were wearing pieces of loincloths that were properly covering their private parts. Though luckily this time, the warriors were busy indulging themselves from the cold touch of the water, much to her delight and peace, an easement, as she could now at least enjoy herself without a fearing an attack at any moment. The short peaceful moment though didn't last long as she heard a shriek coming from the river.

There she saw a young mamono, probably in her early teens or pre-teenage year, emerging and running out of the water. The mamono had a green skin and carried a round-dish like object on top of her head. She also had a shell and webbed feet and hand. A Kappa as she identified what the mamono was.

"Help!" She screamed hysterically while scurrying away and into the direction of the warriors.

Fortunately for the young Kappa, the warriors reacted quickly, grabbing there weapons near where they placed their clothes were. Onashi immediately helped the frantic girl; her blade was now in her hand.

"What is it?" She asked the young Kappa.

"I s-saw a monster, an ugly monster!" Instead of feeling dread, Onashi instead raised a brow at her.

"A monster, huh?" Akko repeated. "I think I know who she means."

"Oh, we already know who." Suzako rolled her eyes.

From the river, a head of the mollusk creature emerged on the surface of the water, looking directly a girl. And yes, their hunch were right, it was Water Hazard.

"Uh, I think I scared the little girl." After he had said that did he only realized that he was now staring at the, almost, naked forms of the warriors. Though they may not be humans at all, the complete allure and beauty can still be felt and seen, which caused him to submerge back into the water.

"That was weird." Aisa commented flatly.

"So, it was 'her' that you saw." Kohana said after placing her weapon back to its sheath.

"Worry not, little one for the creature was one of us, so you can rest assured that it will not hurt you." Onashi reassured to the girl.

"A-are you sure?" The girl stuttered.

"Yes, I am." Onashi replied. "How did you end up here anyway?"

"I was just wandering around; I didn't know I have gone that far." This caused Onashi to frown.

"You should know that wandering alone in a young age is dangerous, little one." She told the girl firmly. "Do not do it again, understood?"

"Uhmnn!" The Girl nodded. "Um, can I go back to my village now?"

"Village you say?" Onashi leaned a little bit. "So, there was a village here after all."

"Yes! If you want to get there, you can just follow the reverse flow of the river and you'll find the village." The young Kappa informed them. "May I head back now?"

"You can." Onashi answered.

The Kappa then swam back and headed to the aforementioned village.

"So there is a village situated by the riverside." She heard the Kunoichi, Kohana, spoke.

"We took a wrong path, or rather, we took an early turn." Suzako said while brushing her hair. "Well, on the bright side, we now know where to go next."

"Indeed." Onashi agreed. "Once we are done here, we will head there to resupply."

"Yes! And we can also get some booze! Hey, Kohana, wanna join me?" Akko invited the Kunoichi.

"I refuse to join this farce of yours." Kohana denied her invitation.

"Just enjoy yourself and do not attempt in inviting us in this foolery of yours, Akko. And moreover, what are you even planning with that spear, may I ask?" Suzako questioned her.

"This?" Akko pointed at the spear. "Fishing of course! You want to join?"

"I would rather have a fishing rod than spear thank you."

"You are boring." Akko then looked the group and found that none seemed to be interested in spear fishing except her. "At least, a single challenger can turn up the heat."

Akko then saw the water erupted and formed numerous pillar-like geysers; her companions also saw the bizarre phenomenon unfolding. Next after that, fishes can be seen falling from sky and onto a specific area. They all turned their eyes and saw that the fishes were falling near other the camp.

"Hoh, I see a potential challenger." Akko grinned.

"Are you serious in challenging Water Hazard?" Suzako asked incredulously, there were no further explanations or evidences needed to know who was causing the bizarre event.

"I'm bored, what do you expect?" Suzako could only do was to sigh at her companion.

XXX

(With Water Hazard…)

He was currently now picking the fishes on the grass to put them in the bamboo container that he had brought along during their trip. With his firm grip, he held their slippery scales carefully near the tail to avoid dropping them by accident. When all was done, he covered the container and prepared a bigger one since the fishes that he caught was larger than he anticipated.

"That's a lot fish you got there." A voice rang behind him.

He turned and almost stumble from the mere sight, heavenly- no… Water Hazard shook his head from the sight and resolved himself.

"Oh it's you. Why are you here, anyway? I don't have enough stocks of marinated meat."

"Why do you two treat me like this?! I'm not some easy-"

"I'm planning to make a lot once we got some stocks again, would like one?"

"All conflicts has been uplifted, we can turn to address serious matters." Akko said instantly in the most formal way possible after hearing what Water Hazard had just said.

"Uh, huh." Water Hazard uttered. "Back to current question, why are you here, by the way, Akko?"

"Well, if you don't mind, want some challenge?"

"Meh, I don't know really. I'm not sure."

"Oh, so you're backing out, such shame. I bet you just don't want to lose." Akko's teasing caused Water Hazard to perk up for the challenge, a provocation that she wanted to work.

"Who said I don't want to lose?" Water Hazard countered. "I'm just busy at the moment."

"I had already heard such lame excuses like that before." Akko shrugged. "I guess you're just afraid that you might lose to me."

"Want a challenge? Fine!" Akko then gripped her spear tightly and she grinned at him.

"Great!" She then looked to Seijun who was now currently drying herself. "Hey, Seijun, can you count up to three for us?"

Seijun raised an eyebrow then simply shrugged as two of them prepared themselves to dive in the river.

"Three…" She counted nonchalantly, causing the Red Oni to run straight to the river, leaving Water Hazard behind.

"That wasn't even a count." She shrugged again and saw Water Hazard followed the Red Oni afterwards.

The two groups then spent the day with the usual phase.

XXX

(Later…)

The sun can be seen setting from thehorizon between the mountains from a great distance, casting shadows and darkness everywhere as it did. The groups had arrived in the aforementioned village later than they had expected after packing up their stuffs from their previous camp to resupply their rations for their next destination. The group looked up at the signage post to the right indicating the name of the village. The name of the village was 'Kawaishi Village'. A name true to its appearance as the riverside was surrounded by rocks and pebbles that were as a large as their hands where the village stood. Surrounding the village were wooden fences to, probably, fend any wild animals or worse, bandits. Though it wouldn't do much to the latter, but at least it will do its job a bit. Moreover, the village was lighted by lanterns that were either hanging to a post or completely connected to it. There were also some lanterns that were made out of stones in some houses, a Tōrō. The idea of stone lanterns be dated back way before the current era they were in.

They proceeded along and through the crowds which were either buying some stuffs or having a night walk. Many of the inhabitants of the village were wearing the same Zipangu attires. It doesn't matter much to the group except for the one person among them, Water Hazard, who was now wearing a robe to conceal his self, though not exactly about the attire, but those who were wearing them instead, the mamonos.

There he saw a mamono that was similar to what he saw earlier carrying fruits and vegetable all contained in paper bags of sort. The said woman had roundish on her head and turtle shell, it was definitely, one of the famous mythological creatures back where he came from, a Kappa.

Looking and turning slightly to the left of the girl, there was woman whose body was similar to that of a Lamia which reminded him of Yusa's friend. However, the woman doesn't have any reptilian skin; rather she had a long dorsal fin, a very short anal fin and caudal fin. The appearance reminded him of an actual Eel.

Then looking a bit to the right this time, a familiar mamono met his gaze. The mamono had a fox ears and nine fluffy tails, similar to the one he saw in the sailor's ship.

To side of the woman was also similar to the one he saw back in the same ship, in one of its cabin when he was treating the Blue Oni, Yusa, who he had knocked after her rampage or more like anger to him because of his supposed kind? Water Hazard still doesn't know the root of it yet, so he reminded himself to learn about them. Back the current topic; the said woman had a raccoon-like ears and tail… and a pair of rather fluffy legs, way fluffier than her tail was. She also seemed to be carrying a lot of stuffs on her bag, Water Hazard noted, giving her a vibe similar to that of a merchant, though for him, she also seemed cheerful and amicable. Her Geta (Footwear) however, were way too high for him.

And lastly, one of probably the most ridiculous things he had seen so far in this world was a mamono that had an umbrella on her head with an eye and a long tongue. She was currently being carried by a man around his shoulder. If an umbrella were to be given a form, this would likely their appearance would be.

"Ah great, it's starting to rain." Akko whined as she held up her right hand and felt drizzle.

"Then we should find a yado here." Kohana suggested. "There should be at least one to accommodate all of us."

The drizzle indeed was probably an indication that would possible rain so finding a Yado (Inn) where they could also dislodge their belongings was the priority right now. There was also the fact that the fog was starting to accumulate around the area little by little.

Water Hazard didn't mind this as he was still on his own deep thought.

'Just what the heck is this world?' He groaned inwardly.

He looked to the right and saw someone selling souvenirs in a form of charms and talisman. Water Hazard doesn't know why but he felt his gut wrench after seeing them.

"Looking at the omamori?" A voice spoke to his side.

"Omo-what?" Seijun rolled an eye.

"O-ma-mo-ri" She repeated slowly. "But you know I feel like you will need one in our journey. Similar to my shinsatsu that were often times placed in altars as veneration, Omamori, which are dedicated to particular gods, also serves as protection from any different kind or form of harm whether it's physical or supernatural."

"That sounds interesting…" That actually reminded Water Hazard of the runes, objects that could grant them power in every possible way like the charm rune which caused him misfortune before, however. "Wait, so if these were dedicated to particular gods, then how come I don't see any shrine here?"

"Beats me." Seijun shrugged.

Water Hazard then turned forward. And looking along at the path, through the crowds, he saw a mix of wood and stone bridge with red hand rails that also had lamps in the river. Across to the other end of the bridge, a large arch can be seen before the gloomy forest. These arches were commonly found in shrines dedicated for the veneration of specific gods. Furthermore, it had been a well-known structure across the land, these pieces of architecture holds history that can date back up to a thousand year in the past, a structure that symbolically mark the transition from mundane to the sacred. A torii, a gate that held special meaning and this one was painted in red, a sign of vitality and protection.

It supposed to give solace for what it symbolizes, however, for the certain Nekomata it was the opposite. An impending omen had washed Suzako's face after seeing it. Then suddenly taking a glance at the mollusk creature, she shuddered unwittingly. She shook her head as she tried to pry away those despicable thoughts.

The groups then finally found what they were looking for, an inn that was fairly lighted as than it should be with a matching silence in contrast to the usual boisterous one they had grown accustomed with. Like taverns, inns were sometimes filled with many people that were either looking for a temporary shelter or foods and drinks or all of the above. The said inn was instead filled with silence. It had two stories and was wide enough to probably have rooms to accommodate many visitors and travellers alike.

"Haiiro…" Suzako spoke the name of the inn written to a signage.

"Being literal, huh." Akko joked.

The groups then head inside and were met by a mamono standing behind the counter, wearing an obi painted in yellow with flowery and wavy design. Like the usual, they did not mind the appearance of the mamono, but to Water Hazard, it was always the opposite. The mamono had a pair of horns in her head and bat-like wings on her rear while also having a tail with the end shaped like an arrow or that of a heart. From the features the woman had, Water Hazard had concluded that she was a Succubus.

"Good evening, I am Miura Rhena and welcome to Haiiro inn!" The mamono greeted with great hospitality. "Due to the current season right now, you are in luck! We have enough rooms to accommodate at least most of you. And for that we are really sorry since we cannot provide individual rooms for every one of you."

"A small problem I see. Worry not, we will share." Onashi told the Succubus, causing the succubus to beam in delight after hearing that. "How much for a room?"

"It only cost 2 silver coins."

"That was rather cheap." Aisa noted.

"Well, since we do not have that much customer, we had decreased the price." Rhena explained shortly while the two groups were gathering the coin.

"Here." Onashi passed coins that were strung in single bundle.

"Thank you! Let us help you settle in then! Dear!" The Succubus called out to her husband.

They then heard footsteps coming from the hallway of inn and a man in his middle 20s. The aforementioned man was simple, wearing the usual Zipangu attire combined with pants. His hair was fairly long, covering his upper eyelids. He was also a bit muscular, judging by the shape of his body. Nothing was really special to him other than his warm welcoming smile that promised comfort and safeness.

"Good evening, ladies. I am Miura Hiroko, husband of my dear Rhena." The man greeted as he bowed.

Akko grinned at the sight of the man.

"Do you sell some booze here?" She asked, eyes fixed on the man.

"Uh, yes. We sell some ale. There is still a gallon left in us."

"That's fine. Hey, hot stuff, want to join~." The smile from the succubus suddenly widened and turned into a malicious one while veins popping to the side of her head.

"I'm very sorry, miss. My husband is busy at the moment, right, dear~?" The man sweated as he knew behind that smile of hers, she was silently seething.

"Of course, let me help with your stuffs then." The man replied and offered.

XXX

(With Seijun and Water Hazard…)

The two had placed down their stuffs after heaving them up and into their designated room. The inn had seven rooms, not enough for them to have an individual room for themselves for privacy. Fortunately, most of the room had two beds, but Water Hazard and Seijun chose the one with a single bed since Water Hazard would not another as he chose stay awake all night. So, he instead let the Ushi-Oni occupy the bed since she will need it more than to him.

Seijun had laid to the bed provided by the inn with only her upper half resting over it and while the other half was comically almost touching the floor. Water Hazard walked over and to the table and chair that were currently resting at the side of the bed. He pulled them and placed them where the window was.

"Finally, a soft bed!" Seijun said, lying on her stomach while cuddling the small bed.

She looked at Water Hazard who chose to sit near by the window facing the gloomy forest ahead, a place where they will go next, arms folded and resting on the table he had dragged along the chair.

"I think you should really sleep." She suggested to him.

"Nah, I rather not to." He refused. "You should be more worry about yourself, I'll be fine. In addition, have you taken a bath before lying down in that bed?"

"Eh? Maybe, later. Besides, I do not feel sweaty, and even if I did, I already rubbed myself with a cloth." Water Hazard then went back looking through the window.

"Take your time and rest." It was his brief replied to her.

At the meantime, he was looking at the person standing on the bridge, looking at the inn, at one of its window, their window specifically. He wouldn't mind supposedly since the person, a woman to be exact, doesn't seem so conspicuous at all, supposedly, but what bothered him was the length of her black hair and her appearance that he could describe as a ghost lady straight-out from a horror film.

He simply shrugged and thought that it was probably just a coincidence that she was looking at their window as he looked at the reflection of the pale moon above, a past time he gained during their trip.

XXX

To be continued…