I Got Reincarnated! - Kitsune Chronicles
~Chapter 8~ Home, Sweet Home
"Alright! Let's get cooking!" Kayo shouted excitedly as she pulled out the knife Kaijin had crafter for her, just for the sole purpose of cutting the skin, scales, and fur off of any monsters she kills. Several goblins around her stared in aww at the 6 massive creatures she had brought them for the feast. They helped her prepare them as she gave orders and provided some herbs and spices as she helped stoke the fires.
"Lord Kayo? May I be of some assistance?" The pink oni asked as she came up to the blood and soot covered fox who looked at her with a smile. "You can just relax. You're a guest in our village after all, leave the hard work to us." She reasoned and gently took the pink Oni's hands into Her's, and it happened again...
The smell of something yummy being made, spices being added, vegetables being chopped and meat cooked... all by the same small hands that Kayo was holding.
"You know what. It would be a pleasure to have your assistance, princess." Kayo called her and the little oni seemed to brighten up as she helped Kayo and the other goblins prepare food, leaving Kayo time to try out a side project she had been working on... pulling out several large barrels full of her special brew.
"Hey what's a feast without some booze?" She reasoned as the goblins looked at her in amazement as she pulled them out of her tails and several very beefy Goblins happily set up her barrels that had her special seal on it... one of a curled up cartoonish fox but... its face looked roundish, almost like the shape of a certain slime.
"Wow! Bringing out the good stuff. Huh, Lord Kayo?" Kaijin asked as he saw the barrels being tapped and wooden mugs being brought over to them to try Kayo's pet project.
"Of course. The 27th batch is my personal best yet!" Kayo grinned, as she was proud of herself for brewing moonshine, she was slowly but surely, making her own. "I will be the judge of that." He mussed and got a mug and was the first to pour what Kayo had made, the goblins watched and waited for the Dwarf to fill his mug, a brownish liquid coming out with fizzy bubbles. Once filled to the brim, the master black smith took a sip... everyone watching him with bated breath before they noticed him gulping down the whole mug.
"Ahhhh~! Not the best I've ever had, but it's good. Keep at it and your gonna put some brewers out of business!" He praised her and the goblins cheered as Kayo looked unsure. "Really? You're not just saying that to spare my feelings, are you?" she asked him as other goblins got some of her brew to try as well and they seemed to approve of it as well.
"No. No. Of course not. You worked hard to make this, and even asked for our help when making it. Sure, you had some duds but you're learning fast. And getting danm good at it! Next time... try and make it a bit stronger." He advised Kayo who nodded, happy that everyone was enjoying themselves. Even Rimuru who had his first bite of real food in his new life. 'Great work, Gob'ichi.' Kayo praised the Chief goblin as she knew he was the main one responsible for most of the cooking. Kayo and the pink oni only provided instructions and ingredients.
"Agh. I'm a mess, maybe I should wash up before joining the fun?" Kayo groaned as she noticed she was covered in blood, soot, and dirt. "I can't let him see me like this. Not after inviting them to the feast." she muttered, blushing as she saw the red Oni talking with Kaijin. Only for him to look in her direction but Kayo quickly hid inside a goblin's shadow, something she learned from Ranga and the other tempest wolves.
'Better make it quick. At least we have hot water now.' She thought as she moved in shadows towards the secret hot springs she had been working on with the dwarves as a surprise for Rimuru.
~Secret Hot Springs~
"Oh God~ this feels great~!" Kayo sighed happily as she was undressed, having taken off her dirty and bloody clothes and set them aside for washing later. She ran some hot water over her body to get off the dirt and grime before she could slip into the barely finished bath. Then again all it needed was some more decor and a wall to separate it from the male bath nearby.
"Oh! They even got lavender soap made. Sweet!" Kayo smiled as she noticed the roughly made soaps in the bath. She took one and a hand towel to help clean her body but looking down, Kayo couldn't help but be a little sad at her now flat chest.
"When am I gonna get my boobs back? Then again, I don't miss the back pain... maybe I should think about designing a bra... that purple Oni has some big ones too." she questioned as she cleaned her body well and then tired up her much longer black hair up so that it didn't touch the water. She looked back at her 3 tails and thought for a bit and her form changed slightly. So she looked like a human child now with her ears and tails now gone.
"Perfect! Now to try out those hot springs." She ginned happily and carefully slipped into the water until she was up to her neck in the hot spring water.
"Oh God~! This feels amazing~. The Japanese really had something with hot springs. I hope Rimuru will like this, if not I'm calling dibs." Kayo mussed as her thoughts of the feast and the oni disappeared from her mind as she relaxed and enjoy the hot water around her small body... she could almost fall asleep with how peaceful it was. Crickets chirping and the moon and stars high in the sky, distance sounds of the feast reaching her human ears as she relaxed, closing her eyes...
"Lord Kayo?"
Kayo's eyes opened, a frown on her face as it seemed like just a second passed from when she closed her eyes. "L-lord Kayo?" came that same voice that woke her as she yawned and looked around. Only to see a blushing, pink oni standing awkwardly a few feet from her.
"Oh? It's you. Care to join me for a soak. The water is heavenly~." Kayo told her with a blissful smile, not even thinking about how it looked to the young female oni. "I... I was worried when I didn't see you at the feast... a goblina told me you were headed over here. I-I'm sorry for intruding on you." she said and tried to moved away but Kayo got out of the water, making the pink oger give out a small scream as she closed her eyes.
"Hey? It's okay, you don't have to if you don't want to join me. Your robes are a bit dirty." Kayo pointed out but she just back way from her, looking scared when it dawned on her. "Oh! Don't worry hun. I'm female too. Sorry for scaring you." Kayo told her and the pink oni took a peek with one eye and then relaxed as she opened both to look at a naked Kayo.
"Y-you're a girl? But the Goblins all call you Lord." She explained, looking adorably confused. "Yeah, it's so no outsiders get any funny ideas. Cute girls like us can go for a lot of money on the black market. Better safe than sorry." Kayo reasoned, as that was part of the reason, but she also didn't want to be considered less than her brother, even if she was weaker then him.
"S-should I also?" she was asking as she looked at her kimono sadly.
"No. There is no need for you pretend to be a boy. You're safe in our village and your brother is pretty strong to. Mine is just way stronger." Kayo assured her as the pink oni looked at her pleadingly. "Stop worrying. How about we get you cleaned up? I'm sure you will feel a lot better, and I have some extra clothes you can wear in the mean while." Kayo offered her with a soft smile and the pink oni thought for a moment before nodding.
Kayo smiled once she consented and helped her put her clothes away and clean up before they could both soak in the hot springs. Talking about food and clothing, Kayo was very interested to hear about hell mouth silk and she was happy to teach Kayo all she knew, including some magic.
~Back to the Village~
"Sounds like the party is over. Danm I should have nabbed me some of that meat. Gob'itchi is one of the best cooks in the village." Kayo whined as she and the pink oni walked back to the village after their hot spring bath. Kayo dressed in clothes like Rimuru, only with a black shirt under it, and the pink oni was in a long black shirt with wide sleaves that hid her hands, a blue belt with a sliver fox charm dangling from it, dark gray leggings with black kitten heeled boots on her feet as they two walked back to where everyone was at the tail end of the part.
"Sorry to make you miss this." Kayo apologized to the oni who only smiled. "No need. I enjoyed talking with you Lord Kayo. Your kindness has been the best thing that has happened to us." she praised, and Kayo gave a sad smile. "You could all stay with us. We can guarantee your group a home, clothes, and food. Getting stronger would still depend on you lot." she offered and the pink oni's eyes widen with hope.
"Can we? But... my brother... he has the finally say if we leave." she mentioned and looked away sadly. "Hey, give yourself more credit. We little sisters have our own charm. I'm sure your brother will listen to what you have to say if he really cares about you." she reasoned and the pink oni seemed confident now.
"Thank you, Lord Kayo. I will speak with my brother about staying here in your village." she declared and both girls smiled happily. "That's great, now if you don't mind, I'm going go get me some chow. See ya later~." Kayo chirped and went off to secure some of the meat that was still left or what was set aside for her as she did bring in most of the meat.
Once Kayo's left the pink oni, she searched for her bother but found him easily as he had been looking for her. "Where were you? I was worried when no one had seen you for quite some time." he asked her sternly, a frown on his face as he looked at what his sister was wearing. "What happened to your clothes?" he asked, confused and he smelled the lavender coming off of his little sister.
"Did you have a bath?" he asked her, a little disappointed but then she spoke to him.
"Brother, I want to stay in this village. Lord Kayo has assured me we would all be safe here. That we would have a home, clothes, and food. We wouldn't have to keep moving and worry about the Orc's coming after us in the dead of night. Please. Listen to me." she pleased and the red oni was conflicted with his pride and what he wanted to give his little sister. He looked at the back of the Fox who was happily dancing with the purple oni and having a good time with the goblins, he thought about the slime's offer that was near identical to Kayo's offer to his sibling.
Then something clicked in his mind as he watched Kayo drinking and laughing with some goblins who teased them about smelling like Lavander... his sister also smelled like Lavander... she was wearing strange clothes and had a sliver fox charm on her person... Kayo was also in different clothes...
"Brother?" the pink oni called him worriedly as she saw his fists and jaw clenched tightly as he glared daggers at the oblivious fox, enraged that Kayo would take advantage of his sweet and once innocent sister. "That. Danmed. Fox." the red Oni spat out with furry, worrying his little sister who was confused why her brother was suddenly so hostile towards Kayo.
~Next Day~
"Ahh~ that was the best sleep of my life~." Kayo stretched as she finally decided to get up, still in her human from as she was in some soft light blue pajamas. Rimuru was 'sleeping' next to her on their bed, not having minded Kayo coming in smelling like her home brew late in the night. "Should you really be drinking? Your body is underaged." he pointed out as he hopped off so Kayo could make the bed. "Nah~ it's fine. It wasn't that strong since I was focused more on flavor rather than how fast I can get wasted off of it." She explained and fixed the pillow before the bed was done.
"Right, this from someone who has to sleep with their big brother to keep the nightmares away." Rimuru teased, like they usually did in the morning. "Actually, I've been working with Myrd on a little place for myself. So you will get to have this place all to yourself slime ball." Kayo told him as he was on the towel ready to be shined so she picked up the two ends of it and quickly rolled him around in it to help the slime become nice and clean.
"What!? I-I mean. That's good! I could finally have some privacy in here." he said, trying not to sound sad she would no longer be around him as much, once Kayo stopped, smiling as she set him back down.
"There! All shiny and clean." she gave him a grin and a thumbs up as he sparked in the sun light.
"Thanks, you should get dressed. I offered the Ogers to join us, and I have a strong feeling they are going to accept." He told her as he saw her go to the small chest of clothes Kayo was happy to receive. Looking away to give his sister privacy, but it was good to know she trusted him with not looking... not that there was much to see anyway.
"That's good. If the red Oni is a competent leader, he will understand the difference between being brave and being foolish. Kaijin told me these Orcs aren't even smart enough to get the ores to make armor, let alone make sets for the whole lot of em." Kayo voiced as she slipped on some blue pants with a black belt that had her sliver fox charm on it, a personal touch of Her's she liked, after working with Dord for several nights to help her make something that finally looked good. Then again, she insisted that she be the one to make it herself and not the master craftsmen.
"Hmm which shirt should I wear?" Kayo asked as she took out her 4 options... all were shirts, just in different colors. "Agh. Just pick one. Don't over think it and make it fast." he warned her as she was still topless, he was sensing the red Oni right outside their tent for a while now.
"Lord Rimuru, May I enter?" Came the red Oni's voice that startled Kayo as she blushed bright red.
'Wait! Don't let him in!' she begged but Rimuru didn't care.
"Come in~." he called out and could hear Kayo think all the curses at him as the red Oni entered the tent as she slipped on a gray shirt. Only her frantic movements caught his eyes as he only saw her tan back before it was hidden by the gray material. Kayo turned around, her heart pounding and face red, worried that the handsome red Oni had overheard her earlier comment.
Relationship compatibility between Red Oni and Kayo Tempest is... -8%
'The Fuck! How did it get into the negatives!? The purple Oni's went up to 15% after last night.' Kayo nearly cried in her confusion as Rimuru spoke to the Oni leader, ignoring his sister for the moment.
"Have you decided?"
"The Orger's are a warring clan. We aren't against taking the battlefield in service to another. If our master is strong, we are all the more pleased to serve them." The oni stated to the Slime, Kayo was curious if this was something that was drilled into him since he was a child as it felt like he was repeating the words of someone else. "Can our contract last only until we take out the Orc's Leader?" The red Oni asked and Kayo, looked to her brother.
'Can we make them stay? You are a powerful master after all.' she reasoned but she was mostly ignored.
"You can do whatever you want after that. You can stay and help us build a nation or go your own way." Rimuru told him ignoring Kayo who was quiet but sending her thoughts about how the Oni should stay with them, as they didn't really have any place to go that wouldn't be a hunting reminder of what caused them to lose their home.
The oni let out a sigh before he took a knee before Rimuru.
"I would like to accept the offer you presented last night." He said and bowed his head, almost like he was ashamed to be working under a cute blue slime. "We will hereby serve under you." he said, and Kayo felt a bit of worry for him sprout but she didn't approach him, wanting to avoid the percentage from going down even more.
"Good." Rimuru accepted but saw what Kayo was talking about being a difference between being foolish and brave. 'He's making this decision as a leader who's had to accept his own weakness.'
"Lift your head. You're all accepted. Call the others." He told the Red Oni as he listed his head and saw that the slime had taken his human from to try and ease the feeling of him having to serve a slime.
"Yes, Sir." he agreed and got up only to see Kayo turn to the door as she was about to leave.
"Good to hear. I'll get your sister and-" she was saying before something pulled the back off her shirt and lifted her off the ground. "I will get her myself." the red oni growled at the shocked kitsune, but he set her down, away from the door as he left her and Rimuru to question that odd reaction.
"What was that about?" Rimuru asked her but Kayo shrugged in confusion. "I don't know. I must have done something to make him hate me... he's the first to go into the negatives too." Kayo mentioned and Rimuru was also confused before he came close to her and looked deadly serious.
"Kayo... do you have a crush on him?" he asked and the bright red face of his sister as she looked away any didn't answer him right away confirmed it for him. "N-no! I mean sure he's hot, but he looks so grumpy and serious. He could use someone or something to mello him out. If we hadn't found them, he and the rest of his parity would have been killed by the Orcs trying to get revenge all on their own." Kayo reasoned as her heart wouldn't stop racing as her brother's question, and she dreaded that smile that appeared on his human face.
"Do you want big brother to help you get a date with him? It would be a good way to make them stay and help us after their mission is done~." he tased her and Kayo shook her head. "N-no. I can do this myself, so don't give him or the pink one stupid names, also Sakura is too generic, cross that off your list of names for her." Kayo rebutted as she crossed her arms and looked away from the slime who was enjoying teasing her.
In the meantime, Rimuru tried to come up with names for the 6 Oni, and after a while Kayo offered her suggestions as they went through possible names for them. Kayo even showing him the Data books she was using to keep track of the process of certain individuals, making a new data book for the Orgers, as the goblins and Tempest wolves already took up 9 volumes.
It wasn't much longer that the 6 Oni and Rigurd, as the Goblin King and Ruler of the village, was present for the 'Official' naming of their new Conrads.
"I'll give you names to prove you're my subordinates." Rimuru declared as they all looked shocked at his words. "All of us?" the red oni asked as Kayo smiled. "Yup! Big brother and I were talking about what names to give you. Just calling you guys, Red Oni or Blue oni, is a bit tough. With your own names it's a bit easier and more personal." Kayo reasoned as it seemed they were still shocked and worried.
"P-please wait. Giving a name comes with great risks and to name such superior monsters-" The pink oni tried to object but Rimuru brushed her off. "It's fine, really. Don't worry about it." he assured her, already knowing that naming Monsters used magicules.
'Are you sure Great Sage's calculations are correct?' Kayo questioned, knowing about Rimuru's Unique skill and worrying about him when he would 'go to sleep', right after naming large groups of goblins already. 'Of course, there is only six of them this time. So it will be just fine. You worry too much.' he assured Kayo, even his skill seemed a bit miffed he lied to her about consulting it first. 'Hmmm, if you fall asleep again you have to teach me that Shadow Clone Justu.' Kayo reasoned, as she did want to learn that skill that could be a great help to her and the village.
'Alright, you Otaku.' Rimuru mussed.
"Do you just not want me to name you?" He asked the Oni's and the pink one still looked worried.
"That isn't..." The pink oni tried to warn him.
"We have no complaints." The red oni spoke up, as either they would get names and become stronger... or they would just have names now.
"Brother!" The pink oni scolded her brother who was not as worried as she was for the kind Slime.
"We gratefully accept our names." He said sternly, firming his resolve at being named by a slime... but he at least trusted the fox not to give them silly names as she sat on the bed read to write their official names down, her tails swishing excitedly behind her.
"If this is the young master's will, we accept." The White oni added as it seemed the other's fell in line with his thinking.
"Okay, let's get started!" Rimuru chipped excitedly as he came up to the red oni with his name already in mind.
"You are, Benimaru!" Rimuru declared, and as soon as the name passed his lips the newly named Benimaru gasped at the strange feeling flowing threw him, Kayo could also smell the change in him. It was a little different then the goblins or wolves, but it was no doubt this Oni evolving into something else as Rimuru smiled at the pink oni next.
"Your name will be, Shuna." He told the girl who gasped when she felt the evolution going through her body after being named. "Shuna... that's my name?" she asked as she tried out her new name and Kayo wrote it down in her data book once it was confirmed.
Rimuru stood before the busty Purple oni and tried not to blush as her breasts bounced and she gave him and excited smile.
"Shion is your name." he told her and she gasped as she felt her evolution starting. "Ahh~ thank you Lord Rimuru. I will treasure this name~." she moaned softly, and the Slime went onto the blue oni.
"Your name is Souei." he told him and Souei bowed his head to the slime as he could feel his body changing. "Thank you, Lord Rimaru." he said as Rimuru was feeling a little lightheaded, Kayo noticed but didn't say anything as he came up to the white Oni and it took him a few seconds to remember the name. "Hakurou." He pointed to the white oni, slurring a little as he approached the final Oni. "And your Kurobe!" he shouted before he tilted backwards and went splat on the floor into a light blue mess.
"LORD RIMURU!" Shion and Shuna screamed as they looked terrified that their new master had just died before them. "Agh~ I knew it." Kayo rolled her eyes as she was the first to act, sweeping up the slime into her tails to keep him from going everywhere as the other's looked on, shocked that she was so calm. "Shall I inform the village of another 'Blue Out', Lord Kayo?" Rigur asked as Kayo nodded when she had the slime safely nestled in her tails. "Please do, but I think he might be out for longer this time, A week or so is my guess. Agh, stupid brother, leaving me to do the clean-up." Kayo grumbled as she finished writing the new names in her data book.
"Glad to have you guys officially with us. My brother is going to be out for a while so I will be taking care of your arrangements and giving you roles that can help the village." Kayo told then with a beaming smile.
"L-lord Kayo... is Lord Rimuru going to be alright?" Shuna asked her as Kayo nodded. "Of course. This isn't the first time it's happened and probably not the last. Don't worry you're in capable hands. I may be tiny but I have skills that make up for my lack of strength. Now, let's talk about what roles you guys will be given, should you choose to accept them." she chirped but picked up on the scoff Benimaru gave her.
"You? In change of us? We have a contract with Lord Rimuru, not some trickster fox." he told it to her face, but Kayo only giggled and paused the protective Rigurd and angered Ranaga from coming to 'teach' the young oni some manners, even Hakuro seemed disappointed in him.
"No Tricks here. When it comes to my home's safety and wellbeing I never joke. Never mind about my brother's wellbeing. I'm sure you and Shuna will understand how strong a sibling bond can be." Kayo pointed out as Benimaru only seemed to get angrier and even reached for his sword if Shuna hadn't stepped in front of him, giving him a stern look.
"Brother Benimaru, don't you dare try and hurt Lord Kayo! Or I will never forgive you!" she told him and that got the angry oni to let go of his sword. "Fine... what will you have us do, Lord Kayo?" he asked threw gritted teeth as Kayo was so confused by his anger.
"All right then. Souei with your skills in stealthy observations, I would like you to look for any danger along the village boarders. Teach some of what you know to some of our security forces. Be sure to rest, at least during the day." Kayo reasoned as she had seen him keep watch over everyone at night. She felt him on her back but only her keen ears could hear him give soft snores as he slept lightly for a few minutes at a time.
"As you wish, Lord Kayo." Souei bowed in understanding, but also gave a soft smile as she seemed to care about them.
"Kurobe, Will you be okay working with Kaijin and the others in the forge? Myrd could use some help with construction too." Kayo asked as Kurobe gave her a kind smile that would have looked scarry to anyone else. "Of course, Lord Kayo. It would be an honor to work with the Master Dwarves." he seemed to be really excited to work with Kaijin.
"Good to hear. Now Mr. Hakuro, If I may ask. Could you perhaps take on a few goblins as your students? I will understand if you decline." Kayo asked as the white oni thought about her words. "Are they worth my time?" he asked her, and Kayo had to think for a bit. "Only you can decide that really, but they all show great promise in being some of the most skilled fighters we have." She responded as the old man seemed amused by it.
"Interesting. I will meet them and judge them for myself." he told her, and Kayo was fine with that response as she looked to Shuna who looked a little disappointed, not wanting to go back to being a princess when she was so helpful to the goblins so far.
"Shuna." Kayo called her name softly and she looked at her with sad eyes that made Kayo want to give her a big hug, but her brother's glare made her rethink that as she just held the girl's hands, Kayo's hands being rough on her soft hands. "Would you be willing to help the Goblina's with clothing? They were really excited by all your ideas, or if you would like, teach Gob'itchi some tricks to cooking. He's eager to learn and a fast student." Kayo offered her two options that seemed to excite the pink oni as a bright smile appeared on her face.
It devastated Benimaru to see his sister so happy.
"Now for you, Benimaru." Kayo came to him, fighting down a blush as she said his name out loud for the first time. He looked down at her stiffly, unsure of what she would have him do or how far she would send him... to his shock she pulled out a red book and handed it to him.
"You have much to learn. I assume you can read right? This is a valuable tome with knowledge that may help you in future endeavors. Take some time to read it, learn from it, and chill out. I'm not here to hurt or trick you and your family. If you have any questions, you can ask me, I will be around the village keeping things in order." She told him and then she turned to Shion who looked excited to be given an assignment.
"Shion, you will be tasked with...hmm" Kayo had to think a bit more before she got an idea that wouldn't insult the busty oni. "Taking care of my brother. I trust you with this important task of keeping my bother company while he rests okay." Kayo told her, and the woman seemed very excited by her task as Kayo handed over the gooey slime ball to her. Her tails brushing against her purple tinted hands.
"Yes, Lord Kayo! I'm honored you have given me this task!" she beamed, excited to have been able to touch a Kitsune's tail... even if Kayo didn't see it as very important. It was to Shion, and the other oni's who knew that touching a kitsune's tail without consent would bring a curse upon who ever dared to touch them. Benimaru took this time to look at the book and read the title that was on its bright crimson cover. "The Art of War?" he questioned as he read the book's title and flipped through some pages, getting very interested in learning its wisdom.
~One Week Later~
"Ahh... this isn't good." Kayo sighed as she sniffed the air, smelling for trouble as she did notice that the scent of the forest had shifted. High up above the trees she could get a good whiff of the forest's current state. It's lush, grassy and flowery smell was fading into one of ash and blood. "Could it be those Orc's?" Kayo asked herself mostly, as she had slowly organized her mental space and gotten her otherselves to make a kind of council to help her fight better as her Magicules where still very low even compared to the named goblins.
"I believe so Lord Kayo." Souei spoke from behind the fox.
"Agh! Souei! Don't scare me like that!" Kayo yelled as she slipped off her branch and was just holding onto it with her 3 tails as she was upside down.
"Apologies, Lord Kayo. You requested I seek you out and remind you that Lord Rimuru is due to awaken any moment now." he told her as she tried to calm her heart. "Alright, Thank you. I'll meet you back in the village." She told him and he left her, slipping into the shadows like the tempest wolves did.
Kayo sighed as she felt he had left and sat on the branch only to hop down. To lower branches before she reached the ground with a soft thud. The 3 tailed Kitsune looked between the trees to see her village, her home just beyond them.
"Will we be ready for an orc attack?" Kayo asked, looking at the trunk of the tree she had climbed, etched deep into its bark was a glowing golden rune she had placed there, in case the orcs came close to the village before they were ready. The glowing rune was to send an alarm to several key Goblins she chose to be part of the Not Combatants Evacuation Plan. There was one every quarter mile around the village boundaries but there was also another rune on the bark of the trees.
It wasn't active and they were carved on nearly every tree within the boundry.
"I should move it, but do I want to risk having it down for a moment?" Kayo asked as her hand ran over the ruins and made them glow white... the tree itself disappearing as it was meant to work with the others to conceal the entire village in a massive illusion that concealed both sight and scent of it. The only weak points were the dirt roads that lead out of the village and deeper into the forests. To have a well-worn dirt path suddenly stop would have been obvious to the dullest of creatures.
"My head is starting to hurt, maybe I should go grab a snack before checking on the slime ball. Shuna and Shion are both watching him now." She pondered and went to where she could smell food being cooked, of course she didn't have to steal anything as the goblins happily offered her a meal as she checked on them. After 'sampling' tonight's dinner she went to the tent she shared with her brother... or did as she had unofficially moved out.
She now had her own little 'Burrow' outside the village, hidden along some small hills that had been created from their many digging projects, and made into a little dirt home that was nestled under a tree whose roots hid the entrance and chimney very well, then again, she had placed an illusion on it to make it truly a place no one could find her, except for Souei, Myrd and a few goblins she trusted to keep her secret... unlike Gobta who almost let it slip that Kayo had a crush on Benimaru.
Kayo came into the tent, her old collar on her left wrist made a soft giggle noise as she entered and noticed that Rimuru seemed to be up and talking with the gathered Oni.
"Good morning slime ball. Have a nice nap?" Kayo asked as she came closer to her brother and sat down besides Shion as Rimuru looked at her. "You haven't changed much... did you get shorter?" He asked, but to complete his morning routine of teasing her. "Ha! Good one, but didn't you mention that making them wouldn't cause you to go to sleep? You were out for a week. You better keep your ended of the Bargen." She poked him with her left hand, making the bell giggle, catching the slime's attention for a moment.
"Of course. I'm sorry for worrying you again. It looks like you took care of things though." he mentioned chipperly as he moved from Shion's lap to Kayo's. Having missed her warmth that reached beyond his slime body. "Of course, I did. This is my home too and now you have the tent all to yourself. So hopefully you can lose your sister complex." she whispered the last part to him as he gasped more for the news that she had moved out, and her small chest of clothes being gone was evidence of that.
After some reintroductions to the now Kijin allies, Rimuru, Ranga, Benimaru and Kayo went out and observed Hakuro training the Goblins Kayo had recommended the old man give some training. The 4 leaders watched form on top a hill to the 'training' happing below them as 5 goblins ran and tried to attack the experienced old swordsman... only to fail and find themselves on the ground and effectively disarmed of their wooden practice swords.
"Your recommended Hakuro train them Kayo?" Rimuru asked as Kayo was feeling sorry for the goblins now, but the old man seemed to be enjoying himself. "Yeah, he could have declined but he's been training them for the past week... at least he didn't send them flying this time." Kayo mentioned as she sighed worriedly standing beside Benimaru who didn't seem to hate the little fox anymore.
"I thought Gobta was your friend." He asked as he noticed the big nosed goblin was also training with them. "He is, but he opened his big mouth and said he wanted to learn sword fighting. To be fair, he and the others have improved a lot." Kayo tried to find the bright side to the harsh training. "I don't think they will be ready when it comes time to face the Orc Lord and his army." Benimaru interjected. "Orc Lord? What is that?" The blue slime asked, he didn't really feel the Tempest wolf licking him as his attention was with watching the goblins getting back up to keep training.
"Well, simply put... It's a beast. It's said that one is born to the Orc's every few centuries. It's a unique monster." He told the slime as Kayo had already informed of it. "Aren't we the lucky ones? It's not something that can be delt with easily." Kayo muttered, crossing her arms in thought. Having run this by Knowledge who came up with not so very positive answers to their current situation.
"it's said that it devours even its own allies' fear and terror. Which makes him an unnaturally effective leader." Benimaru added and Rimuru now understood why Kayo appeared to be a bit more tired, having noticed the dark bags forming under her dark lashes that almost looked like she was wearing makeup.
"The Orcs that attacked our village where unfazed by the deaths of their own, so I thought that might maybe the case. Of course, the possibility of it is quite low." Benimaru explained as he watched as the goblins ran from Hakuro in fear, but the old man easily caught up to his 'students'.
"Any other idea why they might have attacked your village?" Rimuru asked, no longer watching the goblins get tossed around by the old man. "Well... I'm not sure if there's any connection, but shortly before the attack... a Majin visited our village. He said that he would name us, but he sounded too untrustworthy. So I turned him away and he cursed me as he left." The handsome red head explained and Kayo, grabbed his hand and smiled up at him, even if he was a little smaller than before, Kayo was still small, a full head shorter than Kaijin.
"Well at least you lucked out and found our village and received a name from big brother. I think that's a nice silver lining." She mentioned but was a little disappointed that weird ability to see someone's memory didn't happen. She wanted to know who cursed at Benimaru and destroyed Shuna's home, to both thank and then destroy them.
"You think he might have a grudge against you, just for that?" Rimuru asked him as Benimaru pet Kayo's head, her fluffy ears and soft hair feeling nice against the Kijin's rough hands, and he even make Kayo mew as he touched her ears, much to Ranga's annoyance as he heard Kayo start to purr. "I had no other choice. I want no such gift from an unsuitable Master. I wouldn't accept a name from just anyone, after all." Benimaru praised the slime as he kept petting Kayo who was loving the pets, he was slowly stroking her ears gently with his warm fingers.
'Hmm~ I will be your master, Benimaru~.' Kayo thought in amusement before she suddenly yelped and hid behind him... just before a wooden sword flew past where her head had been.
"What was that!?" Kayo asked as she was a bit pissed that she was torn out of her delightful daze so suddenly.
"Lord Kayo. You have been slacking off in your training." Hakuro spoke as he looked up at her, peeking out from behind Benimaru who was confused why she had dunked behind him.
"Hm? Have you been training with Hakuro too?" Rimuru asked, sounding surprised.
"Kinda, I've been a bit busy with the village that I've kinda skipped training." Kayo admitted as she went and fetched the wooden sword. "Well now you can train more, since I'm awake. Don't push yourself, you don't have to do this. You can just let me and the others protect you." Rimuru offered but Kayo looked... sad? And Benimaru seemed to realize something he had in common with the blue slime... they were both overprotective older siblings.
"I want to do this. I want to become stronger... and even if I can't." Kayo gave the slime a firm and determined look. "I have skills that more than make up for my lack of strength. I don't want to be protected like a decorative doll. I want to be able to fight alongside you and hold my own... that's why..." Kayo grits her teeth and her eyes glowed, her grip on the wooden sword tight as something sparked around her fist.
"Yeah! Lord Kayo! Show the old man who's in charge!" Gobta cheered with the other goblins for good reason. Because even when Hakuro turned to glare at the disrespectful goblin, he and to quickly block an attack form Kayo, who used her weight and elevation to her advantage. And the old man found himself in a shallow crater form the impact. "WOOOO~ Kayo! Be careful!" Rimuru looked on in shock as Kayo took on the skilled swordsmen, seeing her move stiffly and evade the old man's attacks, and counter them with her own. Kayo was almost matching the old man's speed!
"Don't underestimate him, Lord Rimuru. Lord Kayo is very skilled and cunning. He doesn't need strength to win his battles. At least not alone." Benimaru mussed as he remembered a chapter in 'The Art of War' that talked about fixability, in not only body, but in methods as well.
Hakuro was having a hard time blocking Kayo's attacks, not only was she using the wooden sword, but also her legs and fists. He saw the way she twisted and avoided his attacks, like she was made of water or air. It didn't help she was using some strange technique with her fists. She wasn't even touching him, but he could still feel the blows.
Then he decided to stop fighting like a swordsman.
When Kayo came close, with her sword in her weak left hand, he let go of his own practice sword and narrowly avoided her punch to his jaw... only to punch her in the gut and send her flying into a tree. Effectively ending their little training session.
Hakuro was panting and sweating a little as he bit back a cough, the taste of iron spilled over his tongue. "Ah... seems like she did get a bit stronger." he voiced, watching the 5 goblins rush to help their fallen 'Lord', who was getting up and looked ready for another round, picking up her sword, undeterred by the blow thanks to her dense body.
"Hm, I'm getting a bit nostalgic." he mused with a soft smile, remembering a young lad he had trained centuries ago, who had that same determination in his eyes.
"Pardon the interruption." Souei voiced as he appeared before Kayo who looked confused then worried. "Do you have something to report?" she asked him seriously and handed the wooded sword over to Gobta who touched it and watch it break in half in his hands, much to his and the other goblins shock.
"Yes. I've witnessed a large group of lizard men, traveling to the nearby goblin villages. Possibly attempting some sort of negotiations. I have already informed Lord Rimuru and Young Master Benimaru of this. I thought you would like to be informed as well." he said as he was used to reporting to her by now, after a week of being the 'Twilight Shadow' of the village as Kayo called him.
"Hmm, they are far pretty from the Marshlands... Could they be trying to recruit Goblins to fight for them?" Kayo questioned as she didn't like the sound of some poor goblins being orc fodder for these strange creatures. "It's possible, they should be arriving very soon." He reasoned and Kayo nodded. "Good, maybe we can get more information out of them. Depending on their stubbornness, we might even have new allies soon." she reasoned with a smirk, that was very different from her normal smile as her golden eyes seemed to glow strangely.