Red Warrior, Quiet Hunter

Chapter 6: Misleading Feelings

戦士

Akai was filled with relief at the fact that Shizukana was able to master Water Arrows so quickly. Now, she only had to research... a lot. "Never mind that... It's not an 'only,' " she sighed with a frown. She asked Shizukana to help with research, and he said it was one of the things he liked at school. They spent the next few hours poring over huge volumes and ancient scrolls, until Shizukana exclaimed, "I think I got something! I actually think that the air elemental is our village elder, Kiiro Yari!" Akai looked at the page and tried to remember him, and she said that it would make perfect sense. "Oh SHOOT! If he is the air elemental the oni actually have him captured! Do you think they did it to throw the village into turmoil or because they know?" shouted Akai. Shizukana had just interpreted the graveness of the situation, and his face turned pale. Akai said that they had to do something. She already knew that one of the oni bases was at the foot of mount Yari.

猟師

Shizukana barely heard Akai saying that he had to actually fight. He was terrified of what would happen if he got captured, or worse killed. What if he couldn't even make the journey? He was jolted back to reality by Akai asking him if there was anything else he wanted to bring. She had already packed clothes, food and water in a knapsack, and she had her battle armor on with her red katana hanging from her hip. Shizukana realized he might need some, and Akai told him that she had an extra armor set, and it was blue. He quickly put it on, and it fit well. He felt like having it had raised his confidence a little bit, but he needed something else... He remembered and asked Akai where his bow and arrows were. SHe went inside and got them, and they were finally ready. Shizukana felt like he would actually be useful, and he was unusually optimistic about the journey. They started walking into the forest. Akai told Shizukana to be on watch for oni attacks.