A/N: This chapter is short, and is mostly setup. Sanzo and company will return in Chapter 3, which will, hopefully, be out sometime next week.
"The traps are set, sir!" The young soldier snapped to attention smartly, and bowed, waiting for further orders. It had been three weeks since they'd been sent to this god-forsaken border outpost, and the men were moody. Protecting a mining town, regardless of its military value, seemed more like exile than a promotion for the empire's elite troops. However, raids on the borders were becoming more and more frequent, so it was crucial that the empire's supply of high-quality iron ore, used to manufacture the guns and ammunition needed to beat back the demonic attacks, not be interrupted.
It felt ironic, somehow, that, until very recently, youkai had seemed more creatures of myth and fantasy than anything else, the product of the superstitious mumblings of natives who lived beyond the borders of the emperor's enlightened domain. The empire was based on the pillars of science and common sense, but here, on the edge of nowhere, magic seemed terrifyingly real and inexplicable. It was unnerving, to say the least.
"Very well, Lieutenant Li. Any sign of the enemy?" Captain Tenjo's eyes flashed with fierce determination. They'd already lost ten of their soldiers to these beasts, and he was determined that they would lose no more. It was clear that they could not afford to underestimate these "youkai."
"No, sir." Li's fists clenched, and her red hair caught stray flickers of light from the makeshift torches in the dull green, military-issue tent. She'd almost hoped to run into them, too, especially after examining Honshu's remains the night before. Whatever poison the bastards had used had left very little behind for the official burial ceremony.
"Very well. Lead squadron number three to the mouth of the cave and set up your defenses there. Standard equipment will be issued at the armory at 1900 hours." It really was frustrating how little of their precious technology seemed to work here in the barbaric backwoods of this hell-hole, but a good soldier adapted. Batteries and generators were among the first of their supplies that were discovered to be useless. It seemed that anything that was strictly mechanical or explosive in nature still worked in a reassuringly reliable way. Tenjo's elbow pressed subconsciously against the cool butt of his sidearm, strapped into his utility belt. Medications also appeared to be effective, but the medics complained that lack of refrigeration and appropriate lighting made improvisation difficult.
"Understood!" Li saluted sharply and ducked out of the flap of the tent. Tenjo collapsed back into his folding camp chair and stared at the stone-cold mass of congealing, slightly burnt baked beans. Dinner. Shu had been a damned good chef, and resourceful. He'd be missed. Firm, rock-steady fingers grasped the spoon with determination and shoved a mouthful of mush into his mouth. He chewed determinedly. It was like the beasts were testing them, playing a vicious game of cat-and-mouse. "I'm not a mouse, and neither are my men," Tenjo thought fiercely, jabbing at the tin plate again and scooping up more of the beige mess. "We're rats. With teeth." He bared his teeth in a grim smile.