Playing with Fire

Prologue: Thunderstruck (3/3)

Riko slid to a stop, her beat up sneakers skimming the dirt road. She was panting as she looked around her surroundings, feeling that she was a safe distance away. The trees towered above her, the branches and the leaves served as a canopy to hide most of the starlit sky. Riko adjusted the guitar case on her back, surprised that nothing valuable broke inside since her mishap.

"This is the biggest mistake I've made in my entire life, huh..." Riko sighed as she walked down the path further into the forest. She recalled her Sengoku history, noting that Mitsuhide would take over Azuchi for a few days before Hideyoshi came after him. The knowledge that she had created a chronological shift made her feel like she had committed a sin far greater than anything else in the world.

Her hands trembled as she went deeper into thought, looking down at her feet. Riko hasn't felt this kind of fear, what can she do about it? She shook her head, craving for a drink – something strong to keep her from growing mad.

"Young lady, why are you in the woods late at night?" A voice interrupted her thoughts, and she turned around to see another man. Damn, how many boys does she have to see in one night? Riko stopped in her tracks, noticing that he wasn't armored, but he held a staff in his hands. Was he a monk?

"I am Kennyo, and I am a travelling monk," he introduced himself, giving a grim smile as he gave a small bow. "Perhaps I can be of service for you?"

"No, but thank you." Riko replied – at least he was courteous like Mitsunari, but he gave off some negative energy that made her feel uncomfortable. Kennyo nodded, then walking over to her side.

"I suggest you hurry home, miss," His voice made her jolt. "Demons lurk in the woods at night."

Riko gulped, he wasn't wrong. "... That makes sense, I guess."

Riko was internally panicking again, wondering if she had gone into an alternate universe that not only sent her back in time, but also held some sort of spirit realm physics. Uncomfortable, she quickly paced down the pathway and away from Kennyo – if anyone else were to give her lip, she won't hold back on exploding. Riko really needed to vent before she tried anything crazy.

Everything was dark, and the smallest sounds of the forest increased her anxiety. It was long until she broke into another sprint, as she sought for light.

"Hey you, watch where you're going!" Someone called to her. Riko halted, bending down as she slid across the dirt once more, trying to figure out who was yelling at her—

"Argh!"

Riko had accidentally tackled someone down, landing on something soft yet, sturdy. Opening her eyes, she saw... another man.

When will this stop, honestly? Not that she was complaining that much, but are women here placed curfew or something? Riko gritted her teeth as she had fallen deeper into her journey of consecutive embarrassment.

"Ack!" The man was starting to flail. "Geez, lady your hair is long! It got in my mouth!"

"Oh shit," Riko immediately got up, brushing down her hair, and then stepping back. "Sorry--"

"Idiot – wait!" He jumped up and latched onto her again.

"Let me go!" Riko struggled, trying to pry herself off. "I thought you wanted some space!"

"There's a cliff steps away, so watch where you're going!" He pointed at the step fall just right behind her, and she tensed up. Riko looked behind her, gulping. Well, which was better, to end the night with a bang, or to trudge onto Sengoku hell? Riko frowned at the thought, looking back at her "savior." He had light brunette hair with brown eyes. Along with his pale skin, a blush stretched across as his face as he was having difficulty looking at her.