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>>2315235
Hinata-hakase holds up the mask in the corner of the room, with candles, holy salt, and dozens of talismans and ofuda surrounding her. She has been watched at every step of the ceremony by people who know her well and understand the rituals involved, one of whom even trained with her. If she did anything wrong, they haven't mentioned it, and you trust them with your own life, many times over. The places her fingers against the glowing matagama gem on her prayer beads, and it shines, while every light in the household dims.

Her soft, sonorous chant is hypnotic, but your people are ready for it; Shoko does have to swat Rishi-san on the back of the head but only once. Any animosity is quickly defused when Fuuta-chan smiles at Rishi, who just looks embarrassed and annoyed instead of becoming obnoxious about it. You make a point of remembering that.

The eyes, merely pained gold on the oni-hannya mask rolls and shift and dark shadows erupt from the curve beyond the forehead like hair, swirling into the darkness of the corner. The lights go out; all that remains are candlelight....

….and the terrifying blue-green flames of Yuuhi's Ghost Fire, illuminating her suddenly drawn nodachi.

Hinata-hakase's eyes open and she looks at you, and nods once as the floating, living mask looks about the living room of your home, taking in the many presences. You step forward and the mask and it's golden eyes immediately fix upon you.

[] You wished to speak with me, youkai. So, speak.
[] Your son asked that I remember him to you....
[] Wait for it to address you; if it can.
[] Welcome its only visiting spirit to your home, and give it permission to speak before you.
[] Call to mind the teachings of the Five Brothers Tengu, and take out your aikuchi tanto.

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Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

AskFM: https://ask.fm/XSQuestmistress - For any and all quest or story related questions.

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2292995/

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/#!d2xySaAJ!jUydCgDx6Q68PH6u4L_qFR03IhSGrAxak_m0PBorN5o

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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Short session today due to dentistry. Apologies. Next week will be more timely.

>>2315247
Ryukusa time!
>[x] Welcome its only visiting spirit to your home, and give it permission to speak before you.
>[x] Call to mind the teachings of the Five Brothers Tengu, and take out your aikuchi tanto.
This seems like a Tengu kind of time.

>>2315247
>[] Welcome its only visiting spirit to your home, and give it permission to speak before you.
>[] Call to mind the teachings of the Five Brothers Tengu, and take out your aikuchi tanto.

>>2315247
>[] Call to mind the teachings of the Five Brothers Tengu, and take out your aikuchi tanto.
[] Welcome its only visiting spirit to your home, and give it permission to speak before you.

>>2315247
>[] Welcome its only visiting spirit to your home, and give it permission to speak before you.
>[] Your son asked that I remember him to you....

>>2315247
>[] Your son asked that I remember him to you....
>[] Call to mind the teachings of the Five Brothers Tengu, and take out your aikuchi tanto.

>>2315247
>[X] Welcome its only visiting spirit to your home, and give it permission to speak before you.
>[X] Call to mind the teachings of the Five Brothers Tengu, and take out your aikuchi tanto.

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>>2315253
Thanks for running even if its short.

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[XXX] Welcome its only visiting spirit to your home, and give it permission to speak before you.
[XX] Call to mind the teachings of the Five Brothers Tengu, and take out your aikuchi tanto.
[X] Your son asked that I remember him to you....

You take Yuuhi's unspoken advice and places your hands in your sleeves, which allows you to slip your dagger out of Nowhere and into your hand without being noticed. You recall the teachings of the five Brothers, how to slay demons and devils, maybe even gods. An act of will, more than a choice of weapon or an affectation of style. Not fighting them, but destroying them.

“Greetings, spirit of the Father of Natto, to this place for a short time, as my guest. You have requested that you be allowed to speak to Ryuu Ryukusa, and I am she.” You pause, but the spirit, whose eyes wander your body up and down, doesn't deign to speak at first. “The child whom you are responsible for giving life made a request of me. He told me to remember him to you. I can say that he died protecting his own son.” No need to tell him that you killed his grandson, really. That might be....calamitous, calamitous is a good word.

The exceedingly active mask looks at you with greater interest, and tries to move closer, but the candle-flames rise, and the darkness becomes more intense behind it. You can almost see the invisible chains biding it to that darkness, drawing it back. Faint, very faint, almost a displacement of the dark, though that's impossible. Hinata-hakase frowns and her fingers shift on the matagama, and the mask eases, relaxing back into the chains. Reluctantly.

So it is you I have to consider for having slain the blood I gave life to. Like most such creatures, the Void is the only voice it has; the mask's mouth does not move, and the voice seems to come from everywhere within the room, rather than the mask or the shadows behind it. Yours was not the blow that struck but the voice that commands. You are a strange thing and untrustworthy.

“The closest thing that a youkai has to saying it's afraid, and that it doesn't understand.” murmurs Kiku-chan softly.

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>>2315395
It does not react to her voice – fortunately, as far as you are concerned – but the roving eyes move from you to Kiki-hime. It looks at her only briefly, before it's eyes flick to Akari, then Yui. They move over to Kiku-chan finally, but then up to Er Yin. The mask shifts slightly, the shadows growing darker in parts of it while it tilts towards the candles as if lowering it's head. The light does not do what the movement suggests it should, however, and the tension in the room rises quite a bit.

The golden eyes roll, then fixate on your face. So, you are the Demon from the Ocean, seeking marriage to the Goddess of the Rice. You hide your surprise well, but the shadows shift, making the oni mask seems to grin without it moving at all. You are a true monster. They should fear you more than they fear me.

[] I didn't think your kind understood what fear was.
[] They have nothing to fear from me – I am their protector.
[] Why should they fear me at all, Father of Natto?
[] You have something to say to me. Say it or be gone.
[] This is over, Hinata, take it home.

>>2315399
>[x] Why should they fear me at all, Father of Natto?
Big words!

>>2315399
>[X] Why should they fear me at all, Father of Natto?
We are water his words should ring empty.

>>2315399
>[] I didn't think your kind understood what fear was.
>[] You have something to say to me. Say it or be gone.
Ryukusa is quite scary. But there's a good reason the family aren't scared.

>>2315399

>[] You have something to say to me. Say it or be gone.

>>2315404
>>2315418

Let's not get tricked into a debate by this nue. They can do nasty things with misleading powers.

>>2315404
>>2315479
Fair enough, I can switch to the other one.
>[x] You have something to say to me. Say it or be gone.

>>2315399
>[] You have something to say to me. Say it or be gone.

>>2315399
>[x] You have something to say to me. Say it or be gone.

I do have confidence even a Nue would probably fail to sow dissent in our ranks, especially at home turf and being ready for it.

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[X] You have something to say to me. Say it or be gone.

Narrowing your eyes you pull your hand from your sleeve and lift to up, raising your palm in a warning. The golden eyes follow your movements, still unaware of the sheathed dagger along your other harm, hidden by the sleeve of your kimono. “You are....” It take a few seconds to rethink what you were going to say. Time has no meaning to the youkai, so they can't very well waste it! “You are going to tell me what you have to say to me, or Hinata-hakase will remove you from this place.”

Hinata-hakase's fingers shift on the shining gem. The mask shivers slightly, and lifts up, looking less spooky. You have slain my child. You must give me something in return.

“I am in no way obligated to you for protecting myself from your child. You have no power over his life and he made a poor decision that cost him his life. If that offends you, perhaps you should have taught him better.” The tension behind you kicks up a notch, but none of the seers or sorceresses say or do anything. You're still good, as near as you can tell.

You must replace that which I lost. That which I gave my child must be returned, or I must be given more to sustain me. The tiny portions the priestess allows me cannot sustain my existence. So, not fear, but hunger. That makes sense, in a way. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about that. You glance at Hinata-hakase, but she is impassive, concentrating on the link to her temple and the spirit she is channeling. I will not be deprived of my existence by a weak and strange creature such as you.

“Kiku.” The lack of honorifics prompts her to pull out half a dozen talismans and place two fingers sideways against her lips. “Can this be managed without allowing the nue a chance to escape or the ability to cause harm to the human world?”

“Not by any means I know of aniki. Without a child to spread his power and fear of the nue into the world, he must rely on Hinata-hakase's graces and the temple grounds.” You frown, and immediately gesture. Er Yin stands up and places both her palms together at her substantial bosom, her head lowered and her eyes open wide. She can probably see the nue's spirit without Void Eyes. Akari immediately stands and slowly starts to back away, while Yui steps in front of her and Kiki-hime, who is carefully assisted in backing away by Akari. Kiku-chan slowly begins backing away as well; once she reaches her master's side again she and Er Yin begin to back away as well.

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>>2315592
The mask jerkily looks around the room, and you can almost see the panic setting in. Hinata-hakase wraps her hand around the gem and the nue-infested mask shifts, the wood splintering and cracking, the golden eyes rolling and then fixing upon you. She starts chanting softly, but it can't be harmful or a threat – she's still alive after the first few words.

The voice that issues from the air around you is eerily calm, unnaturally so. Do this for me and all other children you have will be protected by me. None will threaten your children, not even the kami of disease or death.

Hinata-hakase is sweating now, and Fuuta-chan speaks softly. “It can do such a thing, Ryukusa-sama. It can protect them even from death.”

[] It is a youkai; it can't be trusted.
[] Not worth it; there's no good way that deal can end. What other way can you offer?
[] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.
[] So if I let you possess one of my children, you will survive and protect all of them? That's your deal?
[] Get rid of it or I'll let my archers lose on it, Hinata!

>>2315594
>[] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.

Will its existence gone, the world doesn't need its foulness.

>>2315594
>[] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.

>>2315594
>[x] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.
It's why we brought it. It's why we GOT it. And I don't see a reasonable way to accommodate these demands.

>>2315594
>[x] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.

>>2315594
>[] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.

>>2315594
>[] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.

>>2315607
>>2315610
>>2315623
>>2315624
>>2315628

It's still a cold-blooded murder when this thing is trying to negotiate, though

>>2315594
>[X] Not worth it; there's no good way that deal can end. What other way can you offer?

>>2315644
It's a monster that wants us to make one of our daughters into a Nue-blooded spirit child to maintain as a vector of its spread of corruption into the real world.

>>2315644
True, but like >>2315649 said he was a Nue effectively threatening our family (these were framed as demands after all, not requests). And I dunno if extending basic courtesy to Nue is even a thing in Japanese mythological matters.

>>2315644
It's not physically present - it's being channeled from elsewhere through the mask. Destroying the mask won't kill it - but may mortally wound it.

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[X] Plant your knife in the mask's forehead and drive the demon away with the Five Brother's technique.

You lower your hand slowly, and look at the shivering, splintering, shadow possessed mask. The others continue their slow, steady retreat, and then mask twists, the tusks and fangs parting as the mouth starts to open. Kiku drops to one knee, taking a deep breath, while Inau-kun and Yuuhi both draw back the few deadly inches that turn a resting position into a killing position. You feel your warriors stir, their movements. Hinata-hakase grimaces, tightening her grip on the matagama gem.

The knife seems to magically appear in the mask's forehead, where the third eye should be, with a soft thunk.

Your left hand rests at shoulder level. The only sound to follow is a sharp, metallic cracking noise, like a bell being broken while muffled. Then your voice, clear as a bell, and a final as the gates of Yomi closing.

“I refuse.”

The youkai shrieks, and you see the shadow and the binding chains shift and move behind it, a massive beast, bound in darkness and unable to escape. It makes a terrible, hideous noise, a screaming roar that echoes through the Void and results in a trio of arrows and a half dozen talismans in four different scripts striking the mask. The lights erupt into near blinding radiance as the shadow dissolves with a hiss that is less sound then sensation.

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>>2315699
You sag, and Yui is there to catch you, holding you gently and carefully. With no shame at all you lean on her, focusing your power as your surging blood tries to soak through the bandages and your kimono. Kiku-chan looks over at you, concerned, but doesn't move from her position nor lower her fingers; you flick your fingers at her and she focuses on Hinata-hakase once more, her gaze molten gold and her hair streaming slowly as the air around her starts to heat up.

Yuuhi is immediately front and center, her nodachi out and poised to strike against Hinata, the ghost flame still burning along Falling Star's length. Hinata-hakase lifts her hand, ichor so dark a green that it almost becomes black oozes from the cuts in her palm, the broken gem in her hand smoking and turning black as the poisons in her blood corrode it. The mask lies on the floor amidst the ritual markings and papers, the candles snuffed by the youkai's agonized scream. Kiki-hime is nearly vibrating, so powerful is her need to get to you, to help you. Akari stands in front of her, eyes gone black and her horns and claws elongated in the strength of her rage; only the need to protect the princess keeps her from killing Hinata.

Your blood slowly seeps back into your body as you pull it from black silk and white gauze alike. You're thankful that no one can see it, though Er Yin and Hinata undoubtedly smell it.

[] Tell Hinata to get the Heaven out.
[] Unleash Akari and Yuuhi on her.
[] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.
[] Inform Hinata you'll kindly wait for an explanation before having her executed.
[] Suggest that Hinata go home for now; you'll deal with her later.

>>2315704
>[x] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.
Mostly because I want to see what Ryukusa can come up with to be honest. Though a rant is probably not ideal for her health.

>>2315704
>[] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.

>>2315649
Oh damn, is this accurate? I couldn't make that leap just seeing what was posted so far. If so yeah fuck that.

>>2315723
By and large, yes, that is 90% accurate.

>>2315704
>[] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.

>>2315704
>[] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.

>>2315704
>[X] Inform Hinata you'll kindly wait for an explanation before having her executed.

>>2315704
>[] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.

>>2315704

[] Inform Hinata you'll kindly wait for an explanation before having her executed.
Don't actually execute her

>>2315694

Isn't mortally wounding a nue but giving it time before its death something that makes you horrifically cursed?

>>2315594

In any case, no matter what Ryukuza does, she won't do it just because it's a youkai.

Ryukuza has no problem with plenty of youkai.

The issue is threatening her family.

>>2315775
If she had actually physcialyl wounded it, perhaps. But it was not actually there and has no actual connection to her.

She's not going to do anything but have Yuuhi-chan destroy the knife, incidentally - just in case.

>>2315786
Definitely a smart move.

>>2315704
>[] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.

>>2315757
>Don't actually execute her
I think we should reconsider our debt as being settled, she probably owes her a lot more after this. But I'm not sure if continuing to cash in on that won't bite us in the ass...

>>2315704
[] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind

I mean, any tongue-lashing is still pretty nice compared to some of these other options.

>>2315867

Anon, Ruykusa's tongue lashing is a legitimate Barrier combat method.

It's only somewhat less potent outside of it.

>>2315899
I have faith someone as crafty as Hinata can handle it!

>>2315946

You can trust a Manticore to have some spine.

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[X] Give Hinata a tongue-lashing that not even an oni's grandmother could manage....and not the nice kind.

Standing up is difficult at best; with your loss of control over the power that was keeping you held together, the muscles in your leg spazzed out so hard you're having issues making the tissues do what you want them to do. Still, regeneration, slowed as it is, is helping. Yui's support helps much more, in addition to allowing you to take all your weight from that leg.

“Hinata, are you possessed?” You soft voice cuts through the silence like a knife.

She closes her hand over the broken gem, and wraps her fisted hand in heavy silk before she answers you. None of her venom spills on the carpet. Which is a good thing because you don't know that the landlady would cover the repair bill no matter how lenient he has been in the past. “No, Ryukusa-sama, I am not.”

in the same mild tone of voice, you ask her, “Does your family line have any history of inborn defect or damaged chromosomes?”

That get you an odd look or three, and not just from Hinata. “....Not that I am aware of?”

You half shake your head, while Yui-niji-chan surreptitiously tries to distance her head from yours. “No incidences of damaged mind or poor cognition? No problems with genetic issues or latent insanity?”

Now she's annoyed. “What are you saying? None of those things occur in my mother's bloodline.” Yuuhi-chan glances back and you; her eyes go wide and her pupils almost as wide before the flames along her sword go out as she dives out of the way.

”THEN I CAN SAFELY SAY YOUR MORONIC AND INSANELY ILL-THOUGHT OUT ACTIONS HERE ARE SOLELY THE RESULT OF YOUR OWN KAMIDAMANED STUPIDITY AND THE MOST ACCURATE EXAMPLE OF THE HEIGHTS THAT SAID STUPIDITY CAN POSSIBLY REACH THAT I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY THREE YEARS OF LIFE I HAVE MANAGED TO SURVIVE, WHICH VRY NEARLY CAME TO AN ABRUPT END WHEN I REALIZED HOW UTTERLY WITHOUT THOUGHT OR CONSIDERATION YOU MUST BE TO BRING A DERANGED AND IDIOTIC MONSTER LIKE THAT INTO A HOME WITH NO LESS THAT FIVE UNBORN CHILDREN AND A PACK OF HOMOCIDAL MANIACS WHO WOULD NOT HESITATE TO TRY AND KILL GODS TO PROTECT THOSE CHILDREN....

IN.

THE.

SAME .

FUCKING.

ROOM.”

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>>2316004
The windstorm your voice conjures out of nothing rips through the room and causes a number of shocked cries and terrified squeaks; Hinata herself is blasted backwards several steps, and she puts up an arm to shield her face.

When the roaring winds die out, you are panting rather heavily, and you studiously ignore the blood seeping through your bandages. It's only seeping, you can tolerate that. “Merciful kami, how stupid do you have to be not to realize what the damned thing would want after it's only child was killed, woman?! I've never dealt with such things but it's your kamidamned JOB to know that shit! You're lucky I don't have you executed on the spot for putting my family in such danger! I've personally killed people for less!”

Yui-niji-chan is trembling, and Akari looks completely normal, if slightly awestruck but your outburst. She's never seen you lose your temper before.

Actually, given that everyone except Er Yin is staring at you, it occurs to you that no one in the physical world has ever seen you lose your temper before.

Hinata-hakase has fallen to one knee, and is cradling her injured hand, smoke rising from the silken bandages. Her blood hasn't seeped through though. She bows her head low. “Please forgive this foolish cat, Ryukusa-ue.” You stare at her; the ultra-formal designation that literally places you 'above' her, combined with the fact that she's actually shaking, is kind of shocking from someone as powerful and respected as she is. Well, feared more than respected, but still! “How may....how may I....” She swallows, and grits row upon row of teeth. She has to force the words out. “How may I make....reparations....to you and your family?”

[] ….the tip of your left little finger is mine. I won't take it, but it belongs to me now.
[] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
[] Kiki-hime. What do you think?
[] Akari, Inau. Take the first joint of her little finger.
[] ….I can't look at your face any more right now. Just leave.

>>2316007
>[] Kiki-hime. What do you think?

>>2316007

>[] ….the tip of your left little finger is mine. I won't take it, but it belongs to me now.

>>2316007
>[] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?

>>2316007
>[X] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
Was worth it.

>>2316007
>[] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
>[] Kiki-hime. What do you think?

>>2316007
>[] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?

>>2316007
Well, I think that certainly made an impact.
>[x] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
I get the symbolic value but taking a finger doesn't seem very practical. Would it have an actual use?

>>2316042
It's physical flesh and blood in the hands of three sorcerers, two seers, and it would suggest that Hinata is literally owned by Clan Ryuu.

>>2316007
>[x] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
>[x] Kiki-hime. What do you think?

>>2316007

Adding to my vote here:

>>2316041

>Given a questioning look to the mothers of the unborn children and their partners. You want their input, given who Hinata's stupidity endangered

>>2316055
Sounds like a pretty good haul. Although if we went with the first option I'd imagine the latter wouldn't be particularly obvious unless we advertised it somehow.

>>2316079

putting people into a life debt slavery isn't a "good haul", IMO

>>2316079
Considering Hinata's psychological quirk for wanting and holding power over others, it would be a monstrously powerful blow to her psyche.

>>2316007
>[X] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
>[X] Kiki-hime. What do you think?

>>2316007
>[] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
>[] Kiki-hime. What do you think?

>>2316083

Even submitting like that is already damaging for her, right?

>>2316007
>[] ….I can't look at your face any more right now. Just leave.
Didn't think you'd run Ryukusa quest after the witch one so I slept in a lot. Looks like everything went well though, so good job other players

>>2316147
Apparently.

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[XX] I don't know – how can you make reparations to my clan?
[X] Kiki-hime. What do you think?
[+] There's also the mothers of the unborn you threatened....

You lean on Yui a little more, and she does her best to support you without actually holding you up or literally lifting you into a standing position. As carefully and cautiously as you can you gently push and pull her into place, standing slightly behind you and leaning forward, your tail curled around her calves and to her ankle, while you straighten and lean back slightly. It makes you look as though you're standing unassisted, except that her hand is against your lower back, lending you further support. It's close to the injuries, but not too close, and more importantly it lets you relax a number of muscles that need to be relaxed really badly right now.

“Hinata-hakase,” you say in a soft, disappointed tone, “what can you possibly do to make this right to my clan – to the mothers of my children?” Akari catches the hint immediately, and takes Hime-chan's wrist, lifting it to her lips and kissing it softly – and whispering words to her in secret.

Kiku-chan realizes what you are doing as well, and adds her own cruelty to the demand. “There is nothing she can do for me or my child, Ryukusa-dono,” she murmurs, her tone scathing. “I will have nothing from her, even should she offer it. I am ashamed to have served in the Temple of Forgotten Stones and Flowers. Please forgive me, Ryukusa-dono, for having allowed this....this fool to enter our home.”

Hinata-hakase jerks as though the word were a physical blow, and she lowers her head even further, her left hand clenched around the silks that bind her wound.

“A child.”

Almost everyone turns to Er Yin save you, Yuuhi (who is now making her way across the room with her tail still bristled out like she's bitten an electrical outlet), and Yui. Even Hinata raises her head, confused.

“For placing my children and my Hougyoku-chan's child, to say nothing of those carried by the First Wife and her lover, Hinata-hakase will give our family a child.” Hinata starts to open her mouth but Yuuhi click the sheath of her nodachi open ever so slightly. Hinata shuts the heaven up. “Since she cannot carry a child to term herself, she will grant one of our family the ability to do so.”

You catch on before anyone else can, and you have to admit....it's a powerful lure.

[] Hinata – can you do this thing, make Yui fertile with one of my family?
[] What promise would we have that she would not turn such a child against our family, Er Yin?
[] Akari and her beloved would have to agree with this.
[] ….Fuuta-chan. Is this true? Can this be done safely and well?
[] I would not deign to let this creature lay hands on my family without a binding promise to me personally or a binding that the kami themselves oversee.

>>2316318
Last vote.

>>2316318
>[] I would not deign to let this creature lay hands on my family without a binding promise to me personally or a binding that the kami themselves oversee.
>[] Akari and her beloved would have to agree with this.

>>2316318
>[] ….Fuuta-chan. Is this true? Can this be done safely and well?
>[] I would not deign to let this creature lay hands on my family without a binding promise to me personally or a binding that the kami themselves oversee.
Now that's a juicy carrot

>>2316318
>[] Akari and her beloved would have to agree with this.
>[] ….Fuuta-chan. Is this true? Can this be done safely and well?

>>2316318
>[x] Akari and her beloved would have to agree with this.
>[x] What promise would we have that she would not turn such a child against our family, Er Yin?
Gotta be careful too. It certainly has the potential to be fair reparations though.

>>2316318
>[] ….Fuuta-chan. Is this true? Can this be done safely and well?
>[] What promise would we have that she would not turn such a child against our family, Er Yin?
>[] I would not deign to let this creature lay hands on my family without a binding promise to me personally or a binding that the kami themselves oversee.

>>2316318
>[x] Akari and her beloved would have to agree with this.
>[x] ….Fuuta-chan. Is this true? Can this be done safely and well?

>>2316318


>[] ….Fuuta-chan. Is this true? Can this be done safely and well?

>[] What promise would we have that she would not turn such a child against our family, Er Yin?
>[] Akari and her beloved would have to agree with this.

>"We would need a detailed explanation of what it'd imply and how it'd work, before anyone consider it. As well as binding promises to make sure there is no foul play."

>"It would need to be clear Hinata has no right or power on this child, even if she grants fertility to the mother. But if it requires to take someone's else child... I won't agree to it."

>>2316369

I don't think even this would be enough reparation, tbf.

>>2316420
I think it's more like "this is worth not killing you" and "we don't want anything else to do with you".

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[XX] ….Fuuta-chan. Is this true? Can this be done safely and well?
[X] I would not deign to let this creature lay hands on my family without a binding promise to me personally or a binding that the kami themselves oversee.
[XX] Akari and her beloved would have to agree with this.
[x] What promise would we have that she would not turn such a child against our family, Er Yin?
[+] Those bindings and promises had better be tight, and it has to be our child, no one elses.

You stare at Hinata-hakase with the same expression you would look at an immature mukade youkai that found it's way into your rose garden and was trying to attack the gardener who was wearing thick canvas gloves made of ofuda. If anyone but Er Yin had suggested it, you wouldn't have dared speculate on the possibility. But she is your seer, even before she is your sorceress, and this is just one more battle.

And you have been told quite well that you need to rely upon the others. So you will.

“Fuuta.”

Her timid, delicate voice wafts through the room. “Yes, Ryukusa-sama?” Rishi growls at you, and then there is a loud slap as she covers her mouth with both hands – much to the amusement of Akari and Kiki-hime, as well as Kaga Kei (maybe not so stupid after all).

You ignore the incredibly cute protectiveness your newest warrior demonstrates for the fragile seeming oni-child (and not without some effort either!) and ask your question. It's a dangerous question, a question you shouldn't ask of a seer under ordinary circumstances....but these aren't ordinary circumstances, and Fuuta-chan isn't an ordinary seer. “Can we manage this without trouble?”

That's not what you're really asking of course, and very few here would understand the real question, or why you're asking Fuuta-chan instead of the more famous fortune teller to the Diet known as Jinyuu, or Er Yin. What you're asking is 'did we do this without trouble'. And Fuuta-chan knows the answer because she dreams the future. Specifically, your future.

She doesn't answer immediately, and you wait, your tail sliding up and down the tense, muscular calf of your oni-chick. “Yes, Ryukusa-sama.”

That merits a deep breath. So, you successfully did it. The question is now how you did it. Because the future, even Fuuta's futures, aren't set in stone. But if you know it can be done, then you have managed, just as you are now, in this situation, you have managed to figure out the how before. After?

….you'll get back to that.

“I would sooner turn my princess over to her fiancées father with her hands and feet bound, whipped, blinded, shaved bare, and still pregnant than let Hinata-hakase lay one finger within ten feet of the ground my princess is not even standing on.”

“RYU-CHAN!!” Kiki-hime's shocked outrage is colored by her amused disbelief and the giggles and gasps behind you both tell you that your warriors are starting to relax and calm down.

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>>2316559
“That said,” you continue, ignoring them all in favor of a soul-burning gaze that never leaves the back of Hinata's head, “if Akari-niji-chan and Yui-niji-chan agree, and if Er Yin-sensei and Kiku-jinshu-chan believe that it is valid and safe....I will allow Hinata-hakase to live in return for granting Yui-niji-chan the ability to have a child with her lover.”

“It cannot be done....not by any of them.” Hinata's strained, unhappy voice is loud enough to carry, and Yuuhi slides her blade free of the sheath once more, dropping the wooden case to the floor. The shamed priestess looks up at you. “They do not possess the Jing to manage such a feat. Only a youkai....or a demon...or one other could manage this task, even once she is prepared.”

You snort softly. The closest members of your family know what that means. It occurs to you that you're going to need to put the other warriors on birth control if they start seeing any boys or men.

“I agree.” No hesitation, no doubt. Only pure, calm confidence and trust. Yui shivers against you and you suppress the smile that tries to cross your lips. Akari's declaration is not just a declaration of solidarity but an announcement of her love for Yui.

Yui's nails dig into your back. You hand, hidden by your sleeve, traces a tiny heart shape along her thigh. Hinata-hakase, utterly focused upon your blazing, angry eyes, doesn't notice. Or seems not to. Yui shivers and lowers her head. “I agree.” Her voice is choked with emotion.

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“Er Yin-sensei, Kiku-jinshu-chan, Fuuta-chan. See it done. If you have the slightest doubt, then it won't happen at all, with anyone, ever. Jinyuu-onee-sama, Kiki-hime, come with me. I don't want to see this thing's face any longer.” You look directly at Yuuhi-chan. “If she balks, or the others hint that something is wrong, or they say there is no way this can be done safely....feed what's left of her ghost to Izanami as a sacrifice in my name, after you cook her in Ghost Flame.” That causes everyone in the room to fall into a fearful silence. “Shoko, Inau-kun. Get the young warriors out of here.” Rishi looks pained.

You look at her seriously. “In fact, I want them drilled. I want them drilled and trained until they drop. I want them as skilled and ready as my family is, so that they can protect hime-chan as well as the others do.” Rishi starts to protest, and then watches you wink, slowly, without changing your expression otherwise. Just for her to know that this isn't about your Hime-chan, but hers.

She bows her head respectfully, her tail lashing in embarrassment.

You turn on your heel and walk towards the shrine. Kiki-hime takes your hand, and Jinyuu-onee-sama follows the two of you demurely. You open the door, bowing and clapping respectfully, and make it all of six steps in before you collapse into Kiki-hime's waiting arms. You vaguely hear her telling Jinyuu-onee-sama to help her; she wasn't surprised at all of course, she's been through this with you before. A couple of times, as a matter of fact.

You feel wetness spreading around you, and hear Jinyuu-onee-sama's soft, potent voice commanding you to sleep.

The dark is warm and comforting this time.

>To Be Continued....

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Thank you for reading and playing. Thank you for enjoying it despite the late start and late finish. I'll answer any questions or concerns when I get to work.

>>2316581
That went fairly well!
Thanks for running.

>>2316588
Thanks for running XS. Was great as always

>>2316581
Thanks for running, I really liked Ryukusa cursing Hinata out and as far as reparations go, this one seems to be pretty good.

Is it possible/advisable for Ryukusa to have sex in a barrier, and would there be any functional differance than not being in one? Like I know she can draw out more power and physically transforms, but I'm not sure what that means outside of combat.

If I read all that right, Ryukusa is the only one present who can "father" Yui's child?

>>2316598
Yes, but other than transformation,there's no functional difference. Well, aside from the Kami being in the next room over, listening through the paper thin walls.

>>2316618
That is indeed correct.

Thanks for running, it was a lot of fun

>>2316621
Ah wasn't sure if that form acted as kind of a force multiplier for her jing/shen/I forget what the third one is (chi?) or something like that. And while that's an entertaining mental image with the Kami, that doesn't really seem desirable.

>>2316588
If ryukuza were to kick the bucket, what happens to her weird hands?

Do they become artifacts hand of vegan style?

>>2316974
Hand of vecna*

>>2316974
that's a difficult question, as killing Ryukusa take a lot of effort now and the manner of edeath might matter quite a bit. suffice it to say mortal methods would not result in death without extraordinary circumstances, and most of those would result in her left arm being all that remains.

>>2317700
Also, even if her corpse is defiled she won't STAY dead, and the defiler probably won't get the chance to take advantage of any benefits the hand might offer.

>>2317824
Burning the body entirely or total decapitation will kill her very dead beyond recovery anon.

>>2318384
Ah OK. Didn't realize that you were that poster, at first. Would a fully dead Ryukusa at least be able to lay down a curse or something?

>>2318451
No, as about the only possible reasons it could happen were she was rendered unconscious in the first place, or it happened too quickly for her to effectively escape the situation. That doesn't mean the manner of her dying won't turn her into a ghost or a curse, however, which is not quite the same thing.

In the unlikely event she was not quite unconscious but expected to die, she would more than likely lay down a lot more than a mere curse.

>>2316974
>Vegan style

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>>2325012
No vegans in my quests.

Unless they're from Vega. That's okay.