A young master swordsman traveled through Kureha's cavernous den in search of his newest prey. He stepped through the dark abode with his saber firmly in his grip, knowing he was getting closer to his destination as the sound of dripping water gradually became louder. Suddenly, around the next corner of his current path, he saw the profile of a beautiful young woman in bright shrine maiden clothes standing in a praying position. His entrance quickly caught her attention, and he was taken aback by the girl's expression after she slowly turned her head. She had a look of frightened despair, just as a helpless rabbit would have before its inevitable slaughter. After a short gasp, the warrior spoke toward her with sudden uncertainty.

"You... you're the one the stories talk about?"

Kureha nodded frightfully.

"Yes, I'm the priestess of this shrine."

She looked toward his unsheathed sword, causing her frown to sink further.

"Have you come to destroy me?"

The hunter slowly lowered his blade so it was only held by one hand at his side. He then spoke in further confusion.

"I... I don't understand. They said you're supposed to be some kind of monster, that you sell your body to demons and kill travelers for pleasure..."

Kureha now fully turned toward the baffled speaker. Her agile legs began making provocative steps toward him, causing the white fringe of her miniskirt and the tan-colored sash around her waist to both sway slightly. She now spoke seemingly in sadness.

"I don't get it, either. I think the people who say such horrible things are just afraid of things different from them."

She stopped when she was close enough for him to feel her warmth breath traveling through the cool cavern air. Her next words flowed with a feeling of curiosity.

"But you seem... better than that."

She looked into his eyes to see a boyish sincerity hiding underneath his grizzled appearance. Kureha now knew her guest's humanity would be his downfall.

"I... can't kill you..."

The young man announced his decision as he peered back into Kureha's eyes. Her simple brown orbs had a certain bewitching quality, and he found himself slowly letting go of the hilt of his sword and allowing the steel weapon to drop to the rocky ground. He remained peacefully frozen in place when strange woman rested the side of her head against his armored shoulder. His eyes closed slightly as he was intoxicated by the scent of waterlilies flowing from her chocolate-colored hair.

"Then, can you keep me company for a little bit? It's been a while since I've had any visitors."

Kureha spoke as she lifted her hand and ran her fingers through the boy's short dirty blonde scalp, causing her draping sleeve to glide across his face like a veil. He nodded out of sympathy and slowly wrapped his arms around the shivering girl to comfort her. He then replied to her question with a smile.

"Of course."


The young man now sat on a throne-shaped formation of rocks partially submerged by the soothing spring, and his seductress was straddled over his lap as she breathed softly in near-sleep. Her arms were lightly wrapped around his broad shoulders, and her head rested against his toned chest. His armor and her dress were haphazardly sprawled across a dry rock nearby, and the glowing purple water of the hot spring came a few inches above their nude waists.

Kureha smiled contently to herself as the top of her head brushed against the man's chin. Moments earlier, she had secretly conceived a son who would share both her power and the natural strength of the swordsman; an heir carefully bred so he would expand Kureha's influence over the world in due time. The captive warrior's mind was too clouded by the spring water's influence to consider the consequences of what he had just done, however, and he drifted into a light slumber as Kureha continued to sensually embrace him.


A few hours later, the mercenary was fastening the last bit of his gear back into place as a much happier Kureha stood in front of him in her robes. He soon spoke out of concern for the gentle nymph.

"Are you sure you want me to leave already? I don't want you to get lonely..."

Kureha nodded with slight worry.

"Yeah, it's safer this way. If you're not back soon, your friends might come looking for you. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to fight them all myself."

The man sighed, feeling she was right. Her safety was his top concern, but he felt as if his very soul had been bound to her in the brief time they had spent together. This separation was quite painful for him.

"I guess you're right. But how can I convince them I defeated you? They might come here anyway if they think you're still alive."

Kureha thought to herself for a minute. She then summoned one of the dark, demonic bows she could spawn an infinite number of and placed it in his hand. Then a small arrowhead appeared in her fingers as she bunched the long hair hanging from the back of her head with her opposite hand. She used the sharp tool in her hand to cut away the whole knot in a single skillful slice. As she offered him this hair and the arrowhead, her silky light brown locks immediately grew back to their original wavy beauty.

"Will these be enough?"

The young man was briefly amazed by Kureha's regenerative ability. He then nodded in satisfaction, attaching the bow to his sword sheath, placing the arrowhead in his belt, and taking the stalk of hair into his hand.

"That should work. I don't think you'll have to worry about anyone else coming to hurt you."

Kureha's face glowed with delight at this. She then stood on the toes of her white boots so her lips were closer to his. In response, the young man leaned forward and locked his mouth to hers, allowing her tongue to playfully snake around his for a few seconds. After the couple broke their latest embrace and Kureha lowered herself back to her heels, the male adventurer spoke again with a slight frown on his face.

"So, I guess this is goodbye..."

Kureha nodded as she quietly replied.

"I'll never forget you. Farewell."

The swordsman turned away and began his long trek out of the cave with his prizes, leaving Kureha to wave slowly toward him with a shy smile on her face. When he finally faded from her sight, her serene expression twisted into a small diabolical smirk.