Hello everyone! Thank you for the sweet support! I'm glad you guys love this anime~~~ It is sorely underrated and I hope it'll go on to a 3rd season!
Episode 1: Making or Breaking Hell
"Kagome-sama!"
Said woman paused to glance over her shoulder, spotting a familiar tuft of silver hair bobbing towards her at an alarming speed.
"Ah, Nasubi-chan," She greeted with smile, "How can I help you?"
The young demon skidded to stop next to the Miko, flashing a giant smile.
"I didn't know you'd be doing inspections right now!" He chirped, wriggling in happiness as the woman giggled in response.
"I'm actually on orders to bring Hoozuki-sama back to the main hall," She stated, slowing her pace to fall in line with the smaller demon.
"Ah! I need Hoozuki-sama too!"
"It seems everyone does."
"Hehe, well there's actually-AH There he is!"
Kagome continued on at a leisurely pace even as Nasubi suddenly broke into another mad dash, this time towards a familiar figure in the distance.
"Hooozukiii-samaaaa!"
Another giggle escaped her as a blank, yet exasperated look turned towards their direction.
"Yes, Nasubi-san," Hoozuki addressed flatly, turning to nod towards his assistant as well, "Kagome-san."
"Kagome-sama!" The two accompanying ogres greeted with low bows from beside the stoic Chief of Staff.
Kagome bowed her head in return and smiled at the three males, choosing to wait as Nasubi struggled to catch his breath.
"Someone named Momotaro (Peach Boy) is here!" He gasped out.
Kagome quirked a brow at the name. Momotaro? Why did that sound familiar?
Hoozuki's own brows furrowed, "A boy is here with peaches?"
A visual of pristine pink peaches cradled in a cardboard box filled everyone's thoughts. Confusion contorted everyone's expression.
"Send him away."
"Um...He isn't here with gifts for the Bon Festival Hoozuki-sama..."
A feminine chortle cut through Nasubi's drawl.
Kagome covered her mouth as she couldn't help but laugh. Peaches? In hell?
"Just, please come with me!" Nasubi lurched forward to grab a hold of the taller Ogre's black sleeve.
"Ah! You too Kagome-sama!" With his free hand, Nasubi reached and grabbed the woman's hand as he passed her.
Immediately the other two demons protested.
"Hey, wait! That's not fair Nasubi!"
"But I was first!"
Karauri and the other horned demon shared a sigh and look before following behind the three.
Karauri couldn't help but compare the visual the three ahead made to a kindergartner dragging his parents along to a show and tell.
Except instead of a school room, they were trekking through Animal Torture Hell.
"Momotaro...do you mean the famed Momotaro?" Kagome questioned, finally recognizing the distinct name from one of the tales shared in History class back in her human teenage years.
"Ah...that Momotaro," Hoozuki nodded in understanding as they casually passed a pile of growling hounds atop a screaming soul.
"Yessum!" Nasubi confirmed, swinging the arm that held Kagome's hand. He had long since let go of Hoozuki's sleeve once the demon fell into a casual walk.
"Hmm?" Hoozuki halted, bringing the others to a stop as well, "When did we get an Iron Maiden? Where did you get the budget?"
The metal chamber rattled before them, blood leaking from the seams as muffled screams echoed.
"What? But Enma-sama said it was okay," Nasubi answered.
Kagome watched as a dark look passed over her supervisor's face.
"Kagome-san?"
"He did. I remember filing the approval," She confirmed unflinchingly with a calm smile as flames appeared in the Ogre's onyx eyes.
She sent a faint prayer towards the god, he would need it.
"Hozuki-sama! Kagome-sama!"
Thankfully, Hoozuki's dark thoughts were interrupted as another minion made a quick appearance.
"Mind what you say!" The newcomer hissed, slapping the carefree boy on the head, "I'm sorry to call you both out here when we're so busy, but..."
"AHA!"
The employees all turned towards the second interruption.
"Oh my," Kagome whispered.
Hoozuki shared her sentiments, the tension between his brows replaced with a grimace.
"I see special treatment! I bet that those two are your superiors!"
Kagome stared with dead fish eyes as she took in the flag, sword, bandanna, and bright clothing.
"Alright, let's do this fair and square!" A katana swung their way in an outdated stance, "Now fight me!"
With pursed lips, Kagome silently pushed the young Nasubi behind her with the same aura of a mother shielding her child from a bad influence.
"You stay away from this one, Nasubi-chant," She hissed.
The swordsman squawked, immediately getting her intention, "Hey!"
The young demon nodded with a sound of agreement.
A bird above screeched.
"Where did this problem come from," Hoozuki whispered, cupping his hand over his mouth towards the blanched employee.
"He's that Momotaro fellow," He whispered back.
"Stop whispering, all of you!" The man in pink shouted, his own cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
"He showed up out of nowhere and started going gangbusters on all of us," The minion continued whispering, ignoring the tempermental soul.
"He didn't hurt anyone, did he?" Kagome joined in, cupping her mouth as well.
"No, no. We all just stay out of reach from him."
"That's odd..." Hoozuki took in the spirit's appearance with a critical eye, "He's a lot more...old-fashioned and refined than I expected."
"What are you trying to say?!" At this point, Momotaro was visibly trembling in anger.
"Having rid of your land of evil ogres in your life time, I can appreciate your pride. But haven't you lost sight of yourself?" Hoozuki questioned the man directly, straightening up to face the troublemaker.
"Nope! I am still working on my cause," Momotaro responded cockily, resting the blade of his sword against his shoulder, "I am who I am because I fight Ogres."
Kagome wrinkled her nose at that statement. He was definitely outdated.
"Isn't that right companions?"
"I'm only in it for the millet dumplings," The small creature beside him peeped.
It was then Kagome noticed the creatures beside him. A squeak of excitement left her lips as she stared at the white dog.
The faintest of snorts reached her ears causing her to glance towards her side. Though he was not facing her way, Kagome knew that her boss had just laughed at her.
Pouting, she pointedly looked away and gazed down at the three animals with adoring eyes.
"But now a days, there are far more delicious things than millet dumplings!" The cutest monkey continued.
"My employment status hasn't changed much since the Muromachi era," The most surprising deep voice came from the richly-colored bird, "So I'm seriously considering a change of profession."
Kagome watched on in amusement as the three spirit guides immediately formed a conference circle.
"You too?" The Inu questioned aloud.
"You'd think that mystical beasts with spiritual powers would be hard to come by," the monkey grumbled.
"He's always ridiculously enthused whether we are or not."
They all stared at the past hero with squinted eyes.
"You're assistants to a hero! What more do you need!"
"In other words..." Hoozuki drawled, "You're that one guy in the company that burns with team spirit."
"Oh!" The Miko pounded a fist into her open palm in realization, "You're the annoying coworker!"
"So bold of you to say," The Ogre glanced at his assistant.
Kagome squinted at him, "What are you trying to say?"
"Don't coldly analyze me, Ogres!" The troublemaker screeched towards the horned men.
"He is an Ogre," Kagome raised her index finger towards the black-haired demon, "So that's not really insulting anyone here."
"Except you," Hoozuki stared at her pointedly before staring down the peach-colored man, "You should be careful when saying such things towards one such as herself. You would be groveling at her feet if you knew who she was."
That sent all eyes towards the sheepish woman.
Suddenly Kagoome found herself surrounded by the three animal companions.
"I can't believe I couldn't smell it before," The white Inu exclaimed, his tail wagging furiously, "You're a Miko-sama!"
"What are you doing here in hell! Do you work here with the Yokai?!"
"You're not being held here captive are you?"
Kagome felt herself sweat under the expectant eyes, their eyes glittering with excitement.
"A Priestess?! I will save you Miko-hime!"
The blood drained from her face as a new resolve burned in the eyes of Momotaro.
Oh no, not again.
The Chief of Staff smirked her way.
Damn you.