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Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/1913683/

Interlude: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/37879167/

Kissing! http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/574453/

Threads in Chronological Order, including writeups by XS : http://pastebin.com/Z53TyK0N
or search for tag: Ryukuza on Suptg

Megaupload of the RTF document of Ryukusa Quest (links to archive included): https://mega.nz/#!Biwj0bIb!r0TxRfhDf6PeTXNE9N1EQFF6mmGzFho3u_IcQvC7Ga8

Barrier Combat Guide: http://pastebin.com/rZLwzvGx

>Ryukusa's Treasures

Her name: Ryuu Yorihokura

Rie, the God's Eye Nekomata that protects your Family.

Matagama-no-Shitoki, a necklace kami in its own right that protects Ryukusa from inimical magic.

Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume – Ryukusa's mukade possessed wakizashi; a kami. “Daughter of my Centipede of Rain.”

Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki - Invincible Weapon of the Present Age, a secret kami-blade given to Ryukusa by Wakaba that appears to be made of some alloy of titanium.

Seido-no-Shinpi-Tekina-Ken – a mysterious bronze sword given to Ryukusa by the mermaids of Japan; actually found to be the legendary blade Ame-no-Ohabari.

Go-Yurei-no-Rensa, the Five-Ghost-Chain, used to summon or send messages to your (actual) older sister Ryuu Nabiki.

Her Penthouse in the Secret Apartments of Tsathoggua in Shikoku prefecture, Tokyo.

Shikoku Naya, her fashion teacher and seamstress.

Hisaka Subaru, her weaver and dressmaking teacher.

Ryukusa's Family.

>Talismans:
Akari – Black Jade Centipede (Mukade)
Er Yin – Black Jade Scorpion (Sasori)
Kiki – Black Jade Toad (Hikigaeru)
Kiku – Black Jade Lizard (Tokage)
Yui – Black Jade Snake (Hebi)
Inau – Black Coral Ear Cuff (Amatsukami)

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Ryuu Ryukusa is tall at 5' 8"; 6' in her true form. She is fully grown. Lesbian top.
Matagama Kiku is 4' 1” for ever and ever. Lesbian submissive.
Ryuu Akari is 5' 3" and has another few inches to grow. Sexuality is weird, switch, cosplayer.
Ryuu Yui is 6' 3” and will only grow due to circumstances beyond her control. Dyke, switch.
Ryuu Kiki is 5' 6" and is at full growth. Bisexual bottom.
Er Yin Long is the tall at 5' 10" and is fully grown. Lesbian dominant.
Ryuu Jinyuu is 5' 7" but persistently hovers an extra three inches. Straight.
Hinata-hakase is 6' 3". Sexuality is terrifying.
Hidesato is 5' 5". Straight.
Kushinada is 5' 8". Straighter.
Taisho Ryoga is 5' 9". Who knows.
Hyun Chisato is 5' 4” and is fully grown. Lolicon with plausible deniability.
Rie, just Rie, is 8” tall or 5' 5” and is fully cat. Her sexuality is cat.
Hagyu Genso is 12' 5” standing upright. He is by and large gay.
Mizumi Shoko is 7' 2” is fully grown. Bisexual top.
Yuuhi is 4'11” and is fully grown. Yuuhi a cute.
Tokei Isusangi, Inau-kun is 5' 3” and is much less confused.
Reiha is 5' 5 1/2” and is milfy.
Peta is 3' 2” Peta is \>.</ aka Her Most Imperial Highness Patanjali Piri Yokuhime Kuronogitsune Pa
Detective-san aka Mugon Chujo is fully grown at 5'11” and straight.
Kenji Soomi is 5' 4” and gothic lolita.
Musumi Kanako is 5' 6.5” and is pretty straight.
Hebiki Naoto is 5' 9” and belligerently omnivorous, sexually. You hope only sexually.
Kodachi Umetsume is 5' 4” and fully grown. Practicing asexual.
Melinda Blitzenberg is scattered to the winds and blessed in death.
Toshida Ginka is 5” 3” and fully grown. Turtles have a reputation.
Ryuu Wakaba is a head shorter and also deceased.
Margaret Steinhausen is gratefully dead.
Ryuu Sakumo is dead and spread far and wide.
Ryuu Nabiki is 5' 3” and fully transformed. Embarrassingly straight.
Ryuu Shinju is 4' 11” and fully grown. She is coy, maybe a dodomeki-child.
Ryuu Himeyuri is 5' 5” and is supposedly straight.
Ryuu Fuuta is 5' 6” and slightly less soft.
Kaga Kei is 5' 4” and fully grown. Might be experimental.
Kyubi-san is 6' 3” and fully grown. Hard to say.
Hisaka Subaru is 5' tall and 9' tall, and peculiar as all get out.
Shikoku Naya is 5' 4" (not including heels) and is fully grown. Entirely flexible.
Shinkai Yamada is 5' 7” and is straight.
Shinkai Mikurabe is 5' 2” (without heels) and is probably less straight than you thought.
"Shinkai" Hiei is 5' 10 and is a straight sadist.
"Shinkai" Serious Onii-san is 5' 6" and is asexual.
"Shinkai" Yoshihano is 6' 1" and may be a little gay.
Tachibana is 5” 7” and mostly asexual.
Natto is 7' tall fully grown, and is a monster to end all monsters.

>>1935907
Whoah, surprise timing indeed. I am still eating dinner!
>[x] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.

>>1935907
>[x] Reassure your huntress that your fine.
>[x] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.

>>1935907
>[] Reassure your huntress that your fine.
>[] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.

>>1935907
>[x] Reassure your huntress that your fine.
>[x] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.

>>1935907
>[] Reassure your huntress that your fine.
>[] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.
Morning XS

>>1935907
>[] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.

>>1935907
>[X] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.
>[X] See what those two cuties learned after you left – business has to take precedence.

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[X] Reassure your huntress that your fine.
[XX] Kisses and caresses, but you have to go see Yamada-sama.

Calmer than you were during the play – you're not used to this fear thing, but your acclimating to it somewhat at least - you take Inau-kun's hand and kiss it. It doesn't cause her to pass out, but you're trying to avoid that this time. She blushes a little and then touches your cheek with her other hand, almost a light stroke of her fingertips, getting some odd looks. It occurs to you that this isn't an unusual thing in her culture, as opposed to the stricter Japanese mores. “I'm fine, Inau-kun. The real thing, it stays with you, you know?”

She nods. “Greater Kami are like that, except for our mothers and fathers,” the Ainu agrees, looking sympathetic.

With a smile you lean over and kiss her cheek, and whisper in her ear. “If this were not in public, I would kiss your mouth, Inau-kun.” Her blush intensifies, and she swoons heavily in her seat as you stand up, the appearance of little more than a whispered conversation having taken place as far as anyone nearby can tell. You slip past Inau-kun and lean close, kissing Kiku-chan on the bridge of her nose with makes her look incredibly startled, and with those huge golden eyes it is adorable. Taking a mental snapshot of the lovely view, you twine your tail with Er Yin's, unwilling to suggest anything more in the presence of any of Yamada's men, particularly Hei, who is already making his way towards you.

Nogitsune-children might not be dragonettes, but that doesn't make them incapable or inept, and usually it's quite the opposite in the name of survival. That Hiei is human and has killed some means that he's got an uncanny knack of some sort, and as curious as you might be about it, you don't need him trying them on Er Yin or Kiku-chan. Well, maybe Kiku-chan, just to get rid of him. Only maybe.

Hiei makes a come hither gesture, with a smirk, in the manner of one calling a child to them, deliberately making the gesture slightly more childish by bending at the waist and exaggerating the finger bending movements of the gesture. You smile brightly and flounce over quite prettily, and look up at him. “Is Yamada-sama already ready for me, ojii-san?” you ask brightly and not a little loudly, getting snickers and covered smiles and laughter from the young men and women around you.

“I am not your grandfather!” he growls loudly, the vein in his forehead throbbing, and the tendons in his neck standing out. They creak, and his hands stiffen, his fingers claw-like.

[] Step close, see if you can catch the scent of what that is.
[] Fire Eyes, quick, while it's still showing.
[] Wind him up just a little more, but only a little.
[] Relax, you'll have time to play with him later.
[] Give him a disingenuous look and let him know he started it, in not so many words.

>>1936042
>[x] Step close, see if you can catch the scent of what that is.
>[x] Fire Eyes, quick, while it's still showing.
>[x] Relax, you'll have time to play with him later.

>>1936042
>[] Fire Eyes, quick, while it's still showing.
>[] Relax, you'll have time to play with him later.

>>1936042
>[] Step close, see if you can catch the scent of what that is.
>[] Relax, you'll have time to play with him later.

>>1936042
>[] Step close, see if you can catch the scent of what that is.

>>1936042
>[x] Give him a disingenuous look and let him know he started it, in not so many words.
>[x] Fire Eyes, quick, while it's still showing.
These guys are surprisingly easy to annoy.

>>1936042
>[x] Give him a disingenuous look and let him know he started it, in not so many words.
>[x] Fire Eyes, quick, while it's still showing.

>>1936083
They're used to being in control, or killing what isn't. We trigger them something fierce.

>>1936105
They probably have some inferiority issues regarding all the bigger badder yakuza bodyguards out there anyway (like Natto).

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[XX] Fire Eyes, quick, while it's still showing.
[X] Relax, you'll have time to play with him later.
[x] Give him a disingenuous look and let him know he started it, in not so many words.

You don't let your expression change as you open your Fire Eyes, which doesn't actually require you to blink or open your eyes wider, despite your terrible habit of doing so. This guy though, he's

WHOAH!!!

>>1936184
That looks worrisome!

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It takes all of your intense training not to either leap back or outright kill Yamada Hiei.

This is because someone has been infusing the bodyguard with some kind of dragonette blood based material that also includes wani material and youkai material. 'Material' because you don't think it's merely blood, it's definitely something more, or less, than just blood. But the surge of it is gone now, and all you see is pure, unadulterated human.

You smile up at him and shrug mildly, and he mutters something insulting under his breath, which you politely and undoubtedly wisely ignore. He leads you, this time towards the side exist into the hallways that would lead either to the elevators or to the lobby. “Oh, do we get a private venue again? Because you guys are pretty uptight, you know?”

“Hugh strung baby, that's me,” he says with a glance back at you and a smirk. You see the sociopath-in-training Serious Onii-san, waiting at the elevator and charming a few young women into not using it with his suave and debonair style, while Yoshihano steps out of the elevator looking a little perturbed. Only a little, however and he straightens his tie to recover his stoic demeanor. He hides it even better when he sees you, and that, more than even Hiei being sent to fetch you, tells you that there is something up.

As if there wouldn't be.

“Ah, Ryukusa-sama. I'll take it from here Hiei.”

“Nah.” You glance at Hiei, eyebrows raised. Yoshihano doesn't like that at all.

“Excuse me?” He murmurs, clenching his hand as Hiei tucks his long arms behind his head, looking smugger than anyone you've ever seen. Probably the dragonette influence.

Hiei grins. “Sure, you're excused. I gotta take her up to Yamada. Oh, and grab me some wasabi peas, would you? Thanks.” He steps into the elevator as Serious Onii-san bows to the girls, getting a chorus of giggles and titters, and blushes all around. You very much don't acknowledge the nogitsune-child who was using the microphone, who tucks a note into her shirt pocket, which somehow ends up being your pants' pocket.

Yoshihano grits his teeth hard, and watches the elevator doors close helplessly, fury in his dark eyes. “Man, I've been wanting to do that for days,” Hiei comments idly, not really talking to you.

[] Take him out quietly and quickly, before he – or anyone else – notices.
[] Ask him how he plans on killing you when the time comes.
[] Idle chitchat is fine, as long as you get more information.
[] Doesn't get along with his fellow bodyguards that well, does he?
[] ….play the ignorant babe in the woods card, he needs to underestimate you even more.

>>1936220
Infused huh. That doesn't sound very cool. Not very cool at all. But I'm worried Yamada or Natto might take offense if we just off him...
>[x] Doesn't get along with his fellow bodyguards that well, does he?
>[x] Idle chitchat is fine, as long as you get more information.

>>1936220
>[] Doesn't get along with his fellow bodyguards that well, does he?
>[] ….play the ignorant babe in the woods card, he needs to underestimate you even more.

>>1936220
>[x] Doesn't get along with his fellow bodyguards that well, does he?
>[x] Idle chitchat is fine, as long as you get more information.
I'd sorta want to go the more honest route and ask what he plans to do with us, but we don't need to tip our hand yet and it probably doesn't matter.

>>1936220
>[] Take him out quietly and quickly, before he – or anyone else – notices.
Don't wanna risk leaving this guy around

>>1936220
Wonder who this 'someone' might be.

>>1936220
>[] Ask him how he plans on killing you when the time comes.
I'm a bit unsure of the Yakuza ethics here and how they relate to killing a guy just because we think he's gone rogue, no matter how accurate our thoughts tend to be.

But it should be fine if he makes the first move?

>>1936220
>[x] Idle chitchat is fine, as long as you get more information.
>[x] ….play the ignorant babe in the woods card, he needs to underestimate you even more.

>>1936334
Actually wait, how long do these intermissions last? I'm not sure if we have time to let this guy lure us into a trap

>>1936363
It was long enough for a nice chat last time at least. Apparently they're fairly sizeable.

>>1936383
>>1936363
Half of an hour. Each part of the play is an hour. so the average is 7-71/2 hours. it's not considered rude to move about or get up and come back, as a general rule. It takes a dedicated person to sit through everything.

>>1936393
That's quite the commitment! I'm impressed that all the actors and actresses manage to perform at such marathon lengths.

>>1936393
Okay we probably have time then.

So Serious Onii-san is someone different than Yoshihano right?

>>1936450
Yes. Serious Onii-san is the playful one who is a psychopath or sociopath, while Yoshihano is strictly business and doesn't like Hiei.

>>1936455
Considering Serious Onii-san's reaction to Hiei getting in the elevator, or lack thereof, he's either not high-ranked enough to realize that's a problem, or is in cahoots.

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[XX] Idle chitchat is fine, as long as you get more information.
[XX] Doesn't get along with his fellow bodyguards that well, does he?
[X] ….play the ignorant babe in the woods card, he needs to underestimate you even more.

“One of those coworkers who rubs you the wrong way, huh? I get it, I get it.” A couple of emphatic nods accents your misinterpretation of the situation even more. He gives a faint 'heh' and lowers his arms, jamming his hands deep in his pockets. It's an old habit, clearly, one from the days of a delinquent childhood, and one that you never would emulate unless you were pretending to be a delinquent. “Honestly, that guy is so uptight I wouldn't even know his name if someone else hadn't used it first.” You look up at the ceiling thoughtfully and put your hands in your pockets. “I think he's a virgin too.”

Okay, so you just violated about eight rules of being a combatant, but you're clueless right now, rather than delinquent.

“Ha! You got him pegged for sure!” he agrees. You pull out the strip of paper and look at it. “Whatcha got there?” he asks sincerely.

“Cute girl's phone number, I think,” you comment idly and he raises an eyebrow. It is, at least on one side, but the note on the back is far more informative. Intimidation play. Makes sense; they'll probably pull Natto-san in for it, even though he's probably not going to be of much actual help to them unless you do something stupid, like threaten Shinkai Mikurabe.

“Oh, you play for the other team!?” He asks brightly, lust and curiosity lighting his expression. “Hey, is it true that girl kisses taste sweeter? I mean, if you don't mind....”

You tuck the piece of paper into your pocket, the ink washed out and gone before it gets there and the paper dry when it does. Looking up thoughtfully, you consider. “Not as much sweeter, but softer, really. Unless they've been applying lots of lip gloss and stuff. I prefer natural, but nowadays everyone likes the flavored lip balm.”

He nods sagely and then turns and leans up against the back of the elevator. “That makes sense! Hey, is it difficult to get dates? I mean, I guess it would be easy in school....” For an abomination, he's pretty into the whole girl love thing apparently.

Glance at him you smile, your eyes bright and curious. “Hey, you know it's useless to try and hit on me right? I mean, I'm not offended, but it just doesn't work like that for me!” No hint, no sign of anything inhuman or dangerous there even with Fire Eyes, just a curious man indulging a naughty curiosity he's never really had the chance to indulge before.

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>>1936495
The appalled look on his face is absolutely adorable. Too bad he's a bakemono, he might be redeemable, but for that. And it's worse than that, because he's too close to what those bastards want. He backs up. “No, no! Nothing like that, I mean, no, sorry!” The elevator stops and the door opens, revealing Tachibana, who has an unlit cigarette hanging out from between his lips. Hiei and you look at him, and you smile brightly, while Hiei coughs and straightens his posture looking faintly embarrassed.

Tachibana raises one eyebrow, and makes a soft 'hnf' sound and jerks his head. Hiei smirks and gestures for you to precede him, and you smile, giving him a polite bow while crossing your pointer fingers discreetly for him. The relief in his expression is just as genuine at the knowledge you won't tell.

Tachibana leads you to a different room, this one a fair sized meeting room. Yamada is there, but Mikurabe is nowhere to be seen. Natto-san is there and so is another member of his team, a slender fellow whose immaculately tailored suit, long, straight hair, and designer-frame glasses indicate a level of narcissism that could be dangerous to play with. The other two people in the room are near the door, on either side, and have pistols under their coats, and are much more relaxed and casual – standard issue thugs.

Hiei is all business and threat when he shuts the door, though that peculiar nature of his is hidden still. Tachibana gestures to a seat in the middle of one side of the oval meeting table, while Yamada-san pours you tea. Just the traditional three pours, fortunately. Natto leans back in his chair, making the poor thing creak ominously, while Tachibana moves to stand between where you're supposed to sit and Yamada-sama.

[] Oh, this is all scary and stuff. Can we skip to the actual discussion instead?
[] Eh, this is boring, you don't have half the security Hojo-sensei has.
[] Stop at the doorway and just give Yamada The Look.
[] Have a seat, relax, have some tea, this is old hat, right?
[] Skip the pleasantries and start dealing with the only person here whose a real threat – Natto-san.

>>1936503
>[] Have a seat, relax, have some tea, this is old hat, right?

>>1936503
>[] Oh, this is all scary and stuff. Can we skip to the actual discussion instead?

>>1936503
>[x] Have a seat, relax, have some tea, this is old hat, right?
Only a casual business meeting for Ryukusa!

>>1936503
>[] Have a seat, relax, have some tea, this is old hat, right?

>>1936503

>[x] Skip the pleasantries and start dealing with the only person here whose a real threat – Natto-san.

>>1936503
>[] Eh, this is boring, you don't have half the security Hojo-sensei has.
>[] Have a seat, relax, have some tea, this is old hat, right?

>>1936503
>[x] Have a seat, relax, have some tea, this is old hat, right?

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[X] Have a seat, relax, have some tea, this is old hat, right?
[+] Assorted levels of “not really concerned, sorry”.

You sweep in and pull the seat out and sit down; Tachibana goes to push your seat in and you look at Natto-san, who only glances casually at Tachibana. Tachibana helps you with your seat, and then walks over to Yamada-sama, to pick up your tea and bring it to you. There is a soft pop from near the door, as one of the thugs pops the bubblegum he's chewing, a deliberately insulting and distracting thing to do. Hiei pulls out a chair and turns it around to sit backwards in it, typical delinquent stuff despite his age, another holdover from his previous life you suspect. Tachibana remains near your left shoulder, out of Yamada's way and in the corner of your eye.

You sip your tea, just after Yamada does, and enjoy it, just as he does. The door opens, and and the bodyguard you affectionately know as Serious Onii-san steps in....and then locks the door behind him. Awarding him an extra half point for him taking the effort to make it noisy, you turn to Yamada-sama, and leans back in your chair slightly, sipping your tea. You even cross your legs under the table to make them even more at ease as he takes up a position more directly behind you, somewhat between Hiei and Tachibana, entirely obscured from your field of vision.

Fortunately, you don't need a field of vision to determine exactly where everyone is and what they are doing.

“Yamada-sama, I have the very distinct feeling that our talks are rapidly going downhill! Was it something I said perhaps, or something I didn't say? It is flattering that you're concerned enough about me to have all these nice men here to entertain me, but I'm afraid I just don't swing that way, you know?” You turn your attention directly to the nue-born hulk of a man. “Are we going to have a problem?” The question is upbeat and polite, and exactly what you mean to ask.

Yamada-sama sighs softly and looks down at his tea. “I am afraid, Ryukusa-san, that there might be a problem or two. I really wish it didn't have to be this way, but I'm afraid circumstances have changed some. It seems that I underestimated you. It was unexpected.” He sips his tea and the two thugs at the back stand up, and Hiei grins wolfishly, while Tachibana merely pulls a pair of grey leather gloves from his pocket and pulls them on with deliberate slowness.

You, however, keep your eyes on Natto-san. He crosses his arms and looks back with equanimity, his expression as placid as yours.

[] Take him at his lack of words and deal with Yamada-sama directly. Verbally, verbally!
[] Turn to Yamada-sama and ask him what he means by that.
[] Explain that it is fairly common for people to underestimate you, just as he is doing now.
[] Ask him if he's certain he wants to do this now, as opposed to the meeting with the oyabun.
[] Reiterate your question, specifically to Natto-san; you really would like an answer.

>>1936718
>[] Explain that it is fairly common for people to underestimate you, just as he is doing now.
>[] Reiterate your question, specifically to Natto-san; you really would like an answer.

>>1936718
>[x] Explain that it is fairly common for people to underestimate you, just as he is doing now.
>[x] Reiterate your question, specifically to Natto-san; you really would like an answer.

>>1936718
>[x] Take him at his lack of words and deal with Yamada-sama directly. Verbally, verbally!
Oh, that's precious. I mean, if he got Natto to do some of this maybe it would at least be menacing.
Guess we should have offed Hiei in the elevator then. For the pleasure of a simple and clean kill if nothing else.

>>1936718
>[] Explain that it is fairly common for people to underestimate you, just as he is doing now.
>[] Ask him if he's certain he wants to do this now, as opposed to the meeting with the oyabun.

While this is probably a terrible idea and maybe impossible besides, I'd really love to see their reactions if we were to yank everybody into a barrier and show them exactly how outclassed they are. That sort of "Oh, fuck me" moment is crack to me.

>>1936718
>[x] Explain that it is fairly common for people to underestimate you, just as he is doing now.
>Perhaps mention that the play was, in fact, your personal experiences. But it was long ago, and not well reflective of your current abilities.

>>1936718
>[] Ask him if he's certain he wants to do this now, as opposed to the meeting with the oyabun.
If Natto-san didn't bother warning them how pointless intimidation-play would be, he's probably not gonna mind us handling this casually either.

>>1936718
>[] Take him at his lack of words and deal with Yamada-sama directly. Verbally, verbally!

>>1936752
Barriers won't work on ordinary humans. Ryukusa doesn't know if it will work on Hiei or not, but it will definitely work on Natto and Tachibana; so she could have a private conversation with them if she felt the need.

Also, as a side note, this is one of those situations where the use of (limited or strictly controlled) power agaisnt humans would be mostly ignored by the kami, as Ryukusa is severely outnumbered and there are other spirit children involved, as well as her nature being known by several of them.

>>1936785
>Barriers won't work on ordinary humans
I know, hence the "maybe impossible" bit.

>>1936785
That's very useful to know depending on how Yamada and Natto decide to handle this. I do hope they won't mind if some of these bodyguards end up not leaving the room.

>>1936805
Actually, that raises a question. How to humans in the vicinity perceive people getting pulled into barriers? Do they just obviously *poof* out of sight, or it more like pulling something from Nowhere in that they'd think the missing person simply stepped out while they weren't looking? How spooked would they be if the supernatural bodyguards simply vanished for a split second and reappeared beat completely to shit?

>>1936828
Maybe we'll find out before thread end

>>1936828
Time doesn't pass normally outside a barrier - they would only notice if Natto, Ryukusa, and Tachibana changed positions radically. If one of them was stuck in a barrier, the kami would gently erase those memories of the humans concerning that individual - he left, was never there, or the like, which would only lead to an odd revelation if they carefully compared memories....which they usually have no reason to, because altered memories.

Mind you, this is not necessarily consistent - some humans are psychically sensitive enough to notice such things in subtle ways. Hiei might, if he isn't included in it, for example.

>>1936718
>[x] Explain that it is fairly common for people to underestimate you, just as he is doing now.

>>1936895
>Time doesn't pass normally outside a barrier
But it's not a total time stop relative to the outside, is it? If that were the case scenes involving people sensing the existence of a barrier or breaking into one would make no sense, since they'd only exist for an instant. I was under the impression that time flowed immensely faster within the barrier than without, but time still passed for both.

>>1936935
It's not that predictable, unfortunately - the kami have a very vague awareness of time; like ghosts time isn't a static or even a constant thing, and sometimes it isn't even a variable in how they view the universe.

>>1936949
Ah. I think I'm beginning to see why people are so prone to throw up their hands and say "kami-stuff".

So, the yakusa learned nothing from our last encounter?

Too bad.

I suppose we will have to show the oyabun
how his junior betrayed him.

Though we can still give him a chance or two

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[x] Take him at his lack of words and deal with Yamada-sama directly. Verbally, verbally!
[x] Reiterate your question, specifically to Natto-san; you really would like an answer.
[X] Ask him if he's certain he wants to do this now, as opposed to the meeting with the oyabun.
[XX] Explain that it is fairly common for people to underestimate you, just as he is doing now.
[+] About that play, you see....

You look down, and then look at Natto-san. Slowly you place your cup on the saucer, using your left hand. His eyes flick to it, and you hold the plate down with your fingers and gently push the cup a single centimeter with your thumb. It makes the faintest click, which makes the nue-child frown faintly, as she studies it. You shift the saucer ever so slightly, turning it out, clockwise, and his eyes suddenly widen as he realizes what you are doing.

The big man slowly uncrosses his arms and laces his fingers as he leans forward, placing his elbows on the table quite deliberately. He lowers his head slightly as he looks at you, and you smile warmly, recognizing the pose instantly – as well as the patient apathy it suggests.

Tachibana's nerve are clearly on edge now, as a result, while Hiei is looking bemused at your actions, while the Sharp Dressed Man and Serious Onii-san are just confused. The thugs are utterly lost, of course, while Yamada-sama is looking between you and Natto-san, aware something has drastically changed, but not quite sure where it leaves him.

With a forlorn sigh that the game is over, you turn sideways in your chair, half curling in it and resting your chin on your hand as you place your elbow on the arm of your chair. Reaching over, you rub your fingertip on the edge of your teacup idly, heating the tea to near boiling. Most of the bodyguards immediately notice the fresh steam rising from your cup. Hiei sits up, his expression suddenly attentive, while Tachibana looks to Natto, who only has to tilt his head ever so slightly to warn him not to do anything stupid.

“Well, if you're absolutely certain you want to do this now instead of at the meeting with the oyabun, Yamada-sama, I can certainly oblige. Mind you, it's not going to go the way you had hoped, and I was rather hoping you'd be smarter than the last few who have stood against me.” That brings the thugs up and to attention, and they casually reach into their coats and pull out their guns, though only one pulls the slide back and lets it load the bullet with a loud chocking noise. “But, if you're sure, you're sure.” The bullets are now useless, and Natto glances at the thugs, his eyebrows shooting up.

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>>1937045
He's surprisingly sensitive. You'll have to bear that in mind.

Yamada sets his tea down and pushes the service away from him slowly with both hands. “That really is too bad, Ryukusa-san.” He gestures and you feel Serious Onii-san move up behind you with something in his hands, most likely a leather strap or a back of some sort – something to hold you in place while Tachibana moves to take your hand and Hiei starts getting out of his chair, cracking his shoulders and neck in preparation for a bit of torture.

Oh yeah, this just went to heaven in a hand basket.

[] Tea in Hiei's face, cut the whatever it is to pieces and let Tachibana grab your left arm if he wants to.
[] Stand up and use an air cushion to clear the people around you, while you finish talking to Yamada.
[] Take Serious-san out with your tail, bury the saucer in the back of the chair at a very particular height for Hiei, and get your claws under Tachi-chan's chin.
[] Pull Buki-sama and kill the table, Hiei's chair, whatever Serious-san is holding, and Tachibana's gloves, while saving the tea service, and your cup. Eh, kill the saucer too.
[] See what happens next, just for fun. It's not a great idea, but you know, this is something new for you. It's not like they can kill you, really.

>>1937053
>[x] Pull Buki-sama and kill the table, Hiei's chair, whatever Serious-san is holding, and Tachibana's gloves, while saving the tea service, and your cup. Eh, kill the saucer too.
Full style!

>>1937053
>[x] Pull Buki-sama and kill the table, Hiei's chair, whatever Serious-san is holding, and Tachibana's gloves, while saving the tea service, and your cup. Eh, kill the saucer too.

>>1937053
>[] Take Serious-san out with your tail, bury the saucer in the back of the chair at a very particular height for Hiei, and get your claws under Tachi-chan's chin.

>>1937053
>[] Pull Buki-sama and kill the table, Hiei's chair, whatever Serious-san is holding, and Tachibana's gloves, while saving the tea service, and your cup. Eh, kill the saucer too.

>>1937060
>>1937077
>>1937138

Why kill all those innocent items?

>>1937175
Well, they're not OUR items!

>>1937175
To show that we can.

I forget, is Buki-sama the same one that so desires blood? Maybe we shouldn't tease her until we're quite set to do so.

>>1937053

QM, what kind of lights are there?

I mean, is it electrical lamps only, or is there candles, too?

Because we could make the room completely dark.

>>1937192

Buki-sama wanted us to kill things and people.

I hope she and Ame-no-Omukade-no-Musume get together.

>>1937060
>>1937077
>>1937119
>>1937138
>When you pull a enormous sword out of thin air just to murder fine china in the middle of a group of yakuza.

>>1937198
Only standard fluorescent lighting in the ceiling.

>>1937204
I mean I don't disagree but how do two weapons date
Would we have to like unsheath them and put them next to each other with some plates of spaghetti and natural lighting

>>1937053
>[] Take Serious-san out with your tail, bury the saucer in the back of the chair at a very particular height for Hiei, and get your claws under Tachi-chan's chin.

>Keep an eye out for Natto and the potential illusions that he could conjure and might already have

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>>1937207
I believe you dropped this.

>>1937204
So she probably wouldn't be satisfied with this much, but more disappointed if we drew another? I retract my concerns.

>>1937224

They're Kami, anon.

>>1937207

Buki-sama's not enormous.

>>1937235
I'm sure we could win Kiku over to this course of action!

>>1937224
>Would we have to like unsheath them and put them next to each other with some plates of spaghetti and natural lighting
I need a drawfag immediately.

>>1937242
That doesn't mean they can't want a nice date

So, you think the Kaga fiancee actually learned something?

>>1937238

Buki-sama was satisfied, last time we wielded her.

>>1937225
>the potential illusions that he could conjure and might already have
Wouldn't hold up to fire eyes I'm sure, but seems unwise to let it distract us so.

>>1937259
She's not here, that means she's the smartest cookie in this particular jar.

>>1937254

Well sure, but they're still not only blades.

Though a day at the Blacksmith's might be like a spa for them.

>>1937272
A spa...or a very thorough, very painful physical therapist session. Some real deep tissue massage.

>>1937263

I'm not saying "use fire eyes", more "don't let illusions distract you when you find them"

Though I'm not quite sure how a Nue's illusions would face against Fire Eyes.

>>1937053
>[] Take Serious-san out with your tail, bury the saucer in the back of the chair at a very particular height for Hiei, and get your claws under Tachi-chan's chin.

>>1937053
Begin teir 1 of barrier combat

>>1937360
We aren't in a barrier, m8.

>>1937053
>[x] Pull Buki-sama and kill the table, Hiei's chair, whatever Serious-san is holding, and Tachibana's gloves, while saving the tea service, and your cup. Eh, kill the saucer too.

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[XX] Pull Buki-sama and kill the table, Hiei's chair, whatever Serious-san is holding, and Tachibana's gloves, while saving the tea service, and your cup. Eh, kill the saucer too.
[X] Take Serious-san out with your tail, bury the saucer in the back of the chair at a very particular height for Hiei, and get your claws under Tachi-chan's chin.

You startle everyone in the room but Natto-san by standing up and flinging your chair out of your way....and pulling a six foot long blade out of Nowhere and slicing your chair in half with a seven-to-one slash which loops up and around the slice the table in two, forcing Natto-san to calmly lift his hands up in what others might think was a gesture of surrender (but is really just a case of him not having a table to rest his elbows on and not wanting to get in your way). You step to the side and snatch the saucer from the air, planting it in the back of Hiei's chair as he's standing up, at crotch level; you sweep the sword back and then up, carefully moving it around the hands of the white haired man, slicing the back into a very pretty set of plasticine ribbons as well as parting him from his gloves. Smart man didn't try to move when you were working.

The hard part is the tea service of course; you whip Gendai-no-Muteki-no-Buki around and flick the tray up, a little, allowing you to slide one foot forward and catch it against your ankle. Your teacup gets a gentle toss via tail and you catch both on the flat of the blade, turning it perfectly in time, while you bump the tray up and into the pot. Catch tray in fingers, teapot on pinky back of hand style. Kick up the saucer before dragon-sliding from one leg to the other, and flip tray upright, swirl, put pot on tray, catch saucer. Cups slide down raising blade, to be tilted, upended and set upside down on tray, but not on saucer – you're not that good with a nodachi. Buki-sama comes up and you rise to your full height withins striking distance of both Tachibana, Natto-san, Serious Onii-san, and Yamada-sama.

Dead silence fills the room. Also, the scent of evaporated oolong tea, giving the place a nice tang of peaches and black tea.

“It just so happens that most people suffer from a case of underestimation of Ryuu clan members, myself most of all. Usually this results in a tragic series of deaths, maiming, and long periods of regret.” Tachibana tenses, blood flowing to his legs and arms in specific ways, but a sharp glare from Natto-san freezes him in place. Serious Onii-san is not so bright and you extend your arm and raise your hand, placing Buki-sama at his throat while you bring the loaded tray to your solar plexus. Hiei is staring at you, and Natto-san's unnamed companion is slowly rising to his feet, pushing his glasses up his nose. The two thugs are struggling with their guns, the bullets having jammed upon their misfires.

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>>1937492
“It may also be of interest to know that the play being performed is a play I had commissioned for the specific reason of shaming a particular clan who foolishly decided that someone I liked was worthy of trying to start a war over. Obviously, since I am here, and they are not, it would behoove you to take a note of their example, and very carefully reconsider targeting people I personally like for retaliation or as hostages.” A demigod, a priestess and a sorceress would make very poor hostages indeed, in your opinion, but what do humans really know?

“As I was saying, before people made an concerted effort to get themselves killed,” you murmur, very gently letting Buki-sama draw a tiny cut along Serious Onii-chan's jawline and the merest taste of blood, “are you absolutely certain, Shinkai Yamada, that you want to have this discussion right now?”

Yamada-sama is looking at you like you've grown a second head, turned blue, and grown sets of horns. Not that you blame him, but you kind of need his attention.

Hiei is cracking his knuckles, and Natto-san quickly gestures to Tachibana, a movement that clearly warns him to get out of the way; You can feel through Buki-chan that Serious Onii-san is tensing and going to leap away from you, clearly afraid of whatever Hiei plans to do. Yamada's eyes grow hard and he smirks, lowering his head to look at you over his own glasses.

You sweep Serious Onii-san's legs out from under him as you turn and thereby avoiding beheading him pr slicing his face off, while thrusting the tea service into Tachibana's shocked but accepting hands as you bring both hands to bear on your Invincible Weapon. Hiei's eyes are black, polished orbs of mindless fury, and his muscles bulge and strain against his usually loose suit. He nails are thick and hard, lengths more suitable for oni. His jaw cracks and grinds as he snarls at you, the wani blood burning in his veins driving him mad with pain and hate.

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>>1937513
You thought Colonel Blitzenberg's troops were abominations. You were apparently incorrect; they might have been warped and twisted spirit children, but they were, basically, still spirit children. Hiei, Hiei is an abomination, something that should never have existed, a monster within the shell of a human being. An unholy amalgam of dragon, wani, and oni wearing a human body. Apparently whatever he is is clearly visible to the humans, who immediately panic and try to escape.

Through the locked door.

[] Blast the door open and get Tachibana behind you.
[] He's not attacking yet, but he will; ask Yamada where he got this thing from.
[] Ask Natto-san if he is witnessing this, because you're about to kill Yamada for consorting with the enemy.
[] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.
[] Initiate Barrier Combat – Hiei sure as heaven isn't human anymore!

>>1937519
>[x] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.
I feel like initiating barrier combat isn't entirely safe if humans can still see this thing.
Also damn, I hadn't expected Yamada to be in on whatever this guy is. He seemed much too reasonable last time, and some light intimidation is also par for the course (if underestimating Ryukusa a bit too hard).

>>1937519
>[x] He's not attacking yet, but he will; ask Yamada where he got this thing from.
>[x] Ask Natto-san if he is witnessing this, because you're about to kill Yamada for consorting with the enemy.
>[x] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.

>>1937519
>[] Ask Natto-san if he is witnessing this, because you're about to kill Yamada for consorting with the enemy.
>[] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.

>>1937519
>[] Blast the door open and get Tachibana behind you.
>[] Ask Natto-san if he is witnessing this, because you're about to kill Yamada for consorting with the enemy.
This went south in a hurry

>>1937519
>[x] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.
>[x] Initiate Barrier Combat – Hiei sure as heaven isn't human anymore!
We'll all chat later, I think.

>>1937513
>Yamada-sama is looking at you like you've grown a second head, turned blue, and grown sets of horns.
I mean, two of those could totally happen.

>>1937629
I dunno what kinda magic we'll be able to perform once Ryukusa has to perform her divine role but perhaps we can even hit 3/3.

>>1937519

>"Bringing an abominaiton like that to a Noh play? Is there no limit to foolishness?"

>"Do you really think the oyabun, or anyone, would tolerate you after such a stun, Shinkai Yamada?"

Should we use Water Eyes?

>>1937629
As long as the second head is not coming out of her crotch I guess it would be okay.

>>1937519

>[] Ask Natto-san if he is witnessing this, because you're about to kill Yamada for consorting with the enemy.
>[] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.

>>1937534
>>1937540
>>1937551

Killing the yakuza ourself will only cause more troubles, though

>>1937519
Adding to my vote here >>1937654

>Open the door, those thugs don't deserve such a grim fate. At least not yet.

>Contact your people through the Void, ask if they can find Mikurabe.

> You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.

>>1937534
>>1937549
>>1937670

Seriously, guys, while we'd be justified killing him, it's the oyabun who has to order it.

If we kill him, our relationship with the Yakuza will collapse significantly.

So let's not kill him just yet.

>>1937519
>[x] Ask Natto-san if he is witnessing this, because you're about to kill Yamada for consorting with the enemy.
>[x] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.
>[x] Initiate Barrier Combat – Hiei sure as heaven isn't human anymore!

>>1937699

I'm sorry to insist, but we really have to keep this in mind. Killing him like that would be seen as an insult to the whole organization

>>1937708
Well that depends. For one we might be able to explain to the oyabun for another Natto might back us up too

Plus, we aren't saying when we have to kill him

>>1937730

>you're about to kill Yamada

Also, QM confirmed in a previous thread that even showing the guy betrayed the yakuza wouldn't repair the damage

>>1937519

Well, adding to my votes here >>1937686
>>1937654

>Don't kill Yamade -yet-. Even if he might as well be already dead.

Eh I don't mind if we can't kill him now although if he's dumb enough to try attacking himself we should, but we gotta do it eventually
I'm >>1937549

>>1937519
>[] Initiate Barrier Combat – Hiei sure as heaven isn't human anymore!

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[XXX] You have to focus on Hiei; time to see how good you are against an unknown quantity.
[XX] Ask Natto-san if he is witnessing this, because you're about to kill Yamada for consorting with the enemy.
[+] No killing yet, but check anyways.
[+] Don't let Hiei eat anyone – no one deserves that kind of death.


You move into a modified te ura gasumi stance, with Buki-sama's tip pointed down and at an angle far off center from your target, largely because you're also protecting Tachibana and Serious Onii-san as well as yourself. The slavering, unholy abomination that was Shinkai Hiei swats the chair aside, splintering it against the wall as Natto-san rises.

“I sincerely hope you are willing to act as my witness, because this thing is Yamada's fault, Natto-san. He's working with people who have harmed my ward. Not to mention put everyone in the theater at risk, but then, he's an ambitious, shortsighted twit.”

“He still drank sake with the oyabun, Ryukusa. You can't kill him for something you haven't proved.” Shit. Shit shit shit. You fling your hand towards the door, and a high pressure burst of hair combined with a water-filled lock that works the correct tumblers tears the door off it's hinges and blows it open, which incidentally tumbles the thugs and Yoshihano out into the hall.

“Then get out and take them and Yamada with you. Hiei's not leaving this room.” Yamada stands and opens his mouth, forcing you to swat half of your chair at him with your tail, crashing it into him and keeping him from saying anything. You don't know if the thing that was Hiei is trained, but better not to find out. Natto tosses his head at the collapsed and screaming idiot, which prompts the Sharp Dressed Man to swiftly leap into action and grab him in a fireman's carry, despite the protests of his limbs being broken and his lungs punctured and all sorts of things that you are pretty sure you didn't do to him.

Hiei leaps for Sharp Dressed Man, but you are there, whipping Buki-sama in tight moves around and in front of him, leaving shallow but numerous gashes that spray black smoke into the air. You look at Natto, who grimly watches Hiei, protecting the Sharp Dressed Man and Yamada.

“You kami-damned bastard child of the youkai, what did you do?!”

The cursed black smoke of the nue wafts from the open wounds of the abomination that was once Shinkai Hiei....

>To Be Continued....

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Thank you for reading and playing; I hope that it was interesting.

And mildly suspenseful.

I'll stay a short while for questions, comments, or insults.

>>1937845
Thanks for running! Definitely suspenseful, although next time might be even more so.

>>1937845

Thanks for running!

It was amazing like always.

I just have one question: did Natto attack the abomination?

>>1937845
Thanks for running XS

>>1937825
>high pressure burst of hair
Air?

Thanks for writing, really looking forward to next thread

>>1937862
Not yet....

>>1937862
It just might be some kind of nue and wani based abomination, a fake spirit-child, and it looks like we are the only ones who have attacked it at this time.

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>>1937870
....I am a terrible typist and a worse proofreader.

>>1937885
To be fair, for once high pressure bursts of hair would kind of make sense depending on the specifics of this abomination! You could have bluffed it!

>>1937885
This is why you use only a single finger to type and look at the keyboard the entire time you are writing, only looking up at what you have written when you have trouble remembering how to spell certain words.

>>1937825
Thanks for running, it was a bit suspenseful to see the calibur of the opposion brought before us.

This is unrelated but whatever happened to Izanagi? Like is he still de facto ruler of the pantheon, or did he pass all duties to Amaterasu?

>>1937885
What's your wpm XS?

I manage a 90 in tests which I'm satisfied with but I cant type for shit in practice because I get caught up in spending ages deciding on phrasing and rewording my sentences

>>1937900
....that's how I have to type anon. I can't memorize the keyboard in order to type properly. I read so fast my eyes skip over niggling little details.

Remember kids, brain damage at a young age might be able to be worked around as the brain continues to grow and wire up, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have an impact.

>>1937907
Passed it on to Amaterasu-Omikami. He's still the father of all the kami and one of the two creators of Japan, but he no longer rules after his wife died and he couldn't return her to life and after he butchered one of his own children.

That last was done with Ame-no-Ohabari.

>>1937918
Last test was 120, but that was along time ago. I type decently fast, but I spend a lot of time attempting to proofread. Almost every post you read is made up whole cloth, with little to no rewriting. It takes me about ten to twenty minutes to form the image in my head of what is/does/will happen.

>>1937934
So does he just kind of grieve somewhere in heaven? I can't really imagine anyone prays to him for much.

>>1937957
Part of the Emperor's job is to pray and make offerings to both Izanagi and Izanami (and this is true in current Shinto practice, by the by), so that he is remembered and appreciated. The Emperor's personal priests guide him through these things and teaches him.

>>1937949
You must have a much better sense of what exactly you want to write than I do thrn, and a greater grasp on flowing prose as well. Word choices take up most of my time when writing stories to be honest. Gotta make sure it's not repetitive, gotta make sure I pick the nicest sounding synonym, and also gotta make sure it doesn't look like my sentences went through a find/replace with the most complicated words in the dictionary...maybe it's the struggle of ESL, but I don't think I'd do any better in my native language

>>1937980
That's neat and nice that Izanami is still remembered as well.

>>1937990
I have a difficult time with repetition, and I di have a thesuarus and dictionary on hand at all times, but part of my talent stems from the fact that while I do not remember words clearly, I can retain concepts and images very well. So the act of puttign image to words has the shortcut of me being able to concentrat ont he concept i wish to convery, rather than trying to figure out out the exactitude of concept. So instead of idea=>concept=>image=>diction=>typing, I gloss over idea and diction since my mind pretty much only thinks in terms of image and concept. the downside, of course, being that I can't remember names, dates, or numbers.

Yeah, that sexuality list? That actually started off as my name reminder list.

>>1938057
Haha, to be honest names is where my memory is weakest too

My issues are mostly twofold when writing serious stuff, for stories or otherwise. The first is as mentioned that I fuss over word choices a lot. Often I'll have a specific word in mind but I just can't recall it no matter what I try and I can't manage to just skip it and move on to fill it in later, or pick a slightly less suitable replacement

My other issue is a tendency to have a very clear idea of what I want to put to page, but then I get caught up double-checking that it makes sense and oh hey I should elaborate on this and hmm I really want to write about this too, but now it won't flow unless I swap these sentences but then I might as well separate it into another paragraph, but did I really think this through properly, what if...

And now I've spend four times as long editing and writing extra shit, have written more about this extraneous stuff than I did about what I actually wanted to say, and also I broke two of my sentences entirely in the process and it escaped my notice

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>>1938057
....clearly my time to be awake is long past over. Good night, and we will see you next week.

Or in the middle of the night on Sunday for githyanki fun times.

>>1938118
Night, see you Sunday then!

>>1938109
Participate in NaNoWiMo. The only way to get past that barrier is to ignore it and see what happens.

>>1938130
Probably the best advice, I'm an eternal procrastinator unfortunately but I gotta break out of it sometime