Oni Hunting

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"Kan-chan, are you sure you want to go?" Yoko moaned as she helped him stuff his bag full of ofuda.

"Yoko-chan! Did you hear how much the client is going to pay me?" Kantaro grinned as he hoisted the bag onto his back.

"But Haruka isn't himself lately," Yoko glanced over her shoulder.

"Don't worry. He'll be fine." Kantaro grinned like a bumbling idiot before yelling, "Haruka! Are you ready?"

"Kantaro, one of these days, I am going to hurt you," Haruka muttered as he appeared in the doorway. "What is it this time?" He grumbled.

"Some rich man came by saying that he has an oni problem in his mansion and wanted me to take care of it! He'll pay double the normal rate! Money!" Kantaro giggled as he danced around, holding an ofuda aloft.

"Why must I put up with this? I'm the oni eating tengu," Haruka sighed, bringing his hand to his face in annoyance.

"Good luck!" Yoko cried, pushing Kantaro to the door. "Be safe! Make money!"

"I will, Yoko-chan!" Kantaro giggled. "Come, Haruka! We must save the poor people from the oni!"

"We'll have to save them from the money loaners after you are done with them." Haruka grumbled as he followed Kantaro out the door and down the street. "Kantaro, have you ever considered not taking so much money from people?"

"Why would I do that?!" He muttered as he strolled up to a house and knocked on the door. "That's just silly." He grinned as a beautiful young woman opened the door.

"Ichinomiya-san, my husband told me that you would be over. Please, come in." She beckoned them inside. "That horrible oni has taken residence in the attic and screeches something fierce at night. We cannot sleep. My husband is a banker and has to get up early in the morning so it is imperative that you deal with it once and for all."

"Don't worry, ma'am! I take care of it!" Kantaro gave her his best grin before grabbing Haruka's arm and pulling him up the stairs. "We must deal with the oni quickly!"

"Why? So you can try to seduce the wife of the man who is paying you?" Haruka looked away in disappointment.

"Haruka," Kantaro moaned as he pulled himself up the stairs. "I don't do that."

"Sure," the black-winged tengu muttered as they made it to the attic and opened the door. Kantaro grabbed ofuda from his bag and yelled,

"Haruka, now!"

Silence met his statement as Haruka was standing in the doorway, staring at the side wall that was covered with sparkling glass.

"Haruka!" Kantaro moaned when the oni appeared and started chasing him. "Help!"

Twenty minutes later Kantaro was lying on the floor, doing his best imitation of a pile of putty while Haruka was still staring at the wall in awe.

"You like my wall," the oni asked, swooping down on Haruka.

"It is very pretty," Haruka replied absentmindedly, slashing his claws over the oni's chest. "I think I'll make it mine."

"Thanks, Haruka." Kantaro moaned as he sat up. "Time to go get money!"

"Kantaro," Haruka said, leaning over his master with a crazed look in his eye. "Get me sparkly things…"

"Okay! Okay! I'll ask the lady if you can have them! Just don't eat me." Kantaro yelled as he jumped to his feet and ran out the door.

"Sparkly," Haruka said.