A Stray Dog Meets the Devil

[Umbraflamma]

The blade cut through the barrel with shocking ease, causing Ryo's eyes to grow wide, a pair of crashing and splitting noises erupted behind him as a pair of trees split and fell over,had Ryo not blocked the attack with the metal drum he would have been torn in half. however because the attack cut so quick and cleanly through the drum, Ryos forward momentum was undisturbed. Ryo tossed both halves aside as his grin grew larger. Now was his opportunity to really turn this fight. Ryos left hand closed around Naoyoshi's outstretched wrist, now controlling the hand that bore the uchigatana. Ryo pivoted his body, placing his shoulder against Naoyoshi's chest as he continued his momentum, almost three hundred pounds of muscle moving at top speed took Naoyoshi straight off his feet as Ryo lifted his shoulder like a professional athlete.

What happened next was violent, brutal and fast, giving Naoyoshi little time to react as Ryo slammmed him into a tree hard enough that the bark on the other side exploded off, sap flowing from cracks as Ryo did not relent. As Naoyoshi was forced to drop his katana from the sheer shockwave of force that traveled through his muscles. Grabbing naoyoshi by the legs Ryo swung him into a second tree, stripping the bark from the force of impact as his back slammed into the vegetation. Before gravity began to bring Naoyoshi to the ground, Ryo grabbed him and swumg him towards a third tree, ryo's left arm grabbing Nayoshi near the nave, Ryo's right arm crossing his neck and grabbing him near the collar as he hurtled Naoyoshi towards a third a final tree.

However instead of the massive impact, Ryo suddenly froze millimeters from slamming Naoyoshi in the tree and crushing Naoyoshi's trachea with his forearm. The reason why he suddenly stopped wasn't immediately clear, at least until one took a closer look...

[Sengoku]

A lesser man would have had his back broken by the first impact against the tree. The second impact was enough to kill a man twice over, shredding scraps of Naoyoshi's jacket - the fact that is was still in one piece was a testament to its quality. The fact that Ryosuke could even pick up and throw Naoyoshi like this was no easy feat. Both men were within a similar height range, though Ryosuke was notably heavier. Even so, this only reinforced the fact that this was no ordinary foe for the crimson-clad samurai. This man was more beast than he was man.

Yet for all the damage he sustained, for all the pain that was shooting throughout his body, Naoyoshi did not lose his composure. Most would be too focused on their nerves screaming at them or they would be too shocked at what was happening to react. Ryosuke did everything right, taking out Naoyoshi's dominant hand wielding the uchigatana and then grappling him. There was only one mistake: he did not secure Naoyoshi's other arm. Within the few seconds in before impacting the final tree with Ryosuke's forearm against his neck, Naoyoshi's left hand unsheathed the wakizashi still on his hip. Proof of a samurai's status is the fact that they carry daishō. A samurai's katana is always accompanied by their wakizashi.

Though Ryosuke held the advantage up until this point, it took Naoyoshi only seconds to ensure that this fight was a near-fatal draw. He could feel Ryosuke's movements halt in an abrupt manner - no doubt he already felt the sharpened tip of the wakizashi digging into the bottom of his jaw, just behind his chin. Just as Naoyoshi was held in a deadlock where Ryosuke was on the verge of shattering Naoyoshi's neck like a toothpick, Ryosuke's skull was almost turned into a new sheathe for Naoyoshi's short blade. A single drop of blood slid down the edge of the sword as Naoyoshi also halted when he felt Ryosuke relent. Had the brawler not stopped, both he and the samurai would have killed each other.

Did Naoyoshi feel fear? Of course. It was only natural to. Emotions were proof he was still human. The difference between him and the average fighter was that he could control it, suppress it, and replace it with cold, focused fury. The intensity in his eyes, now shifted from yellow to red, said it all: he was fully prepared to die if it meant bringing down Ryosuke as well.

A stalemate was reached, moments before a mutual, double homicide.

[Umbraflamma]

The fact that naoyoshi was still conscious was impressive, more impressive was that he had the control while being thrown about to draw his short blade, hold onto it, and place it where it needed to be, pointing up ryo's chin, both of their lives saved by his absurdly attuned danger sense. The amount of control Ryo showed to stop short with all that momentum was a testament to both his strength and his skill. Both of them were in a stalemate, if naoyoshi sunk his blade home ryo's body would spasm and crush his throat. If Ryo pushed in even a millimeter more Naoyoshi's blade would slam home most likely killing him.

They were evenly matched, and few had faced their equal before. Ryo grinned, a look of respect in his eyes. He didn't speak instead he laughed. In their shadows on the ground their pose was replicated, with a skeleton and an oni in their respective positions and poses. A voice came but not from ryo. "Well met, demon of passion. It appears this round has ended in a draw." the skeleton spoke from the shadow as it's jaw moved independently of ryo.

He finished laughing, seeing naoyoshi still glaring at him. "That was the best fight i've ever had." he said before calming down, "So How about i set you down and you put that blade away. I've definitely learned a lesson here."

[Sengoku]

The samurai remained silent, his eyes still glaring at Ryo's with the intent to kill, even if it costed him his own life. Yet an uproarious laughter echoed from Naoyoshi, though it did not originate from his mouth. Akamaru manifested like from before, sharing Naoyoshi's cuts and bruises. It was he who was bellowing with laughter.

"BRILLIANT! A glorious fight! Heavens slay me, I feel like I'm 250 years old again!" he proclaimed with gusto. "I knew you were hiding, gashadokuro! You made an excellent choice!" The oni grinned as his red eyes met with Ryosuke's. "You are an excellent vessel, ronin! Gave me and the boy a good show you did! Got the blood pumping!"

Naoyoshi replied only to Akamaru, "We do not converse with the enemy." Yet the oni roared with laughter again.

"You're in no position to speak, runt! The two of you are at a deadlock - 'sides, I want to savor our next clash with these two." Another fanged grin, comparable to a tiger baring its fangs. "This one's too stubborn to admit he's been beat, not like us, eh old-timer? Ronin, ease up on him and he'll do the same. I know how this one operates." Naoyoshi shot a look of annoyance at Akamaru afterwards, though he was met with the oni snarling back at him, "You oughta' be grateful I can actually talk for you, brat."

[Umbraflamma]

"Ah yes, a warrior of passion. It was a good clash, and I am satisfied for the time being." the shadow spoke, not taking on a form like akamaru did but rather speaking as ryo's shadow. "I felt you there as well, though this warrior could do with learning to enjoy himself, if he isnt careful he will die with nothing but regret and grudges." it spoke out of both a strange concern and experience.

Ryo nodded, "I haven't had much of a chance to test out these powers. As for an enemy well..." he grinned, "I've made few friends I haven't traded blows with first, after all a person is most honest about themselves in the way they fight." he laughed as the tension from seconds before seemed to vanish like the morning mist before the sun. "You have my word, proud warrior of the Ii, lower your blade and I'll set you down. You've earned my respect."

The shadow spoke again, "Truthfully i don't think either of us could be considered the victor or the loser. In a way we are both undefeated."

And at the last ryo spoke up, "Also i am no ronin, not a samurai and no lord failed. Just a free spirit looking for a purpose."

[Sengoku]

Naoyoshi's eyes narrowed, still unwilling to trust Ryosuke, though he would ease up on the wakizashi pressed against the larger man's throat. Steadily, the pressure eases up, though the blade still hovers near Ryosuke's neck until the tree trunk of an arm against Naoyoshi's neck is released as well. Once both men relax each other from their lethal deadlock, he circles around Ryosuke, wakizashi still in hand but no longer pointed towards Ryosuke. Still on guard even as he walks over to retrieve his uchigatana.

"Well?" Akamaru barks at Naoyoshi as the samurai picks up his sword. "You gonna stand there like a brick wall or talk like an actual human?"

"You expect me to treat him like an old friend after we tried to kill each other?" Naoyoshi replies in a stern, even tone.

"He's doing it. Why aren't you?"

"I'm not about to drop my guard in front of someone who knows to fight." Akamaru once again bellows with laughter.

"HAHAHA! Consider that a compliment from the boy! He's acknowledged you as a proper threat! That's about as close you're getting him to speak on friendly terms!" At this point, Naoyoshi still held both his katana and wakizashi in his hands, his back straightened though maintained in a relaxed stance with both swords by his side.  His left eye was steadily opening again, though there was still blood splatters over it.

"Your name," Naoyoshi demanded.

[Umbraflamma]

Ryo laughed as the contrast between the oni and the no-nonsense samurai was apparent. "well, as far as I'm concerned our beef was decided." he said as he lowered naoyoshi back to the ground steadying him before naoyoshi broke away and started circling him. Ryo put his hand in his pockets to show that he was no longer in the mood to continue their fight. "Takuma Ryosuke, I'm in the university as a special case student." he said, which translated to someone who awakened to powers late and went undetected in early life, and had significant magical potential. "Haven't decided what way I'm going yet, the Shinsengumi have been trying to recruit me pretty aggressively though." he gave a polite bow before he leaned against the tree he was going to crush naoyoshi against and lit a cigarette. "pleased to meet you Ii-sama." he said using the respectful honorific. It was whiplash-inducing and he went from almost oni-like to downright polite.

"how about I buy you drink or a few, as an apology for the disrespect." he offered, it was an age old manner of softening insults. And one that was quite customary for entreating with any oni. "Not the cheap stuff either, let me start us over on a different foot." he offered as he took a drag from his cigarette. "Thanks for the fight, As i said this was my first chance to test out my new powers."

He grinned as he blew another cloud of smoke, the kanji for dread written on the cigarette in thick bold caligraphy. "Up to you, but i owe you some recompense from my words earlier, and well you probably know as well as anyone among the clans. Today's enemy can become tomorrows needed ally. Honestly i think we could make a decent team if we needed to."

[Sengoku]

Ryosuke's usage of the respectful honorific sparked the slightest reaction from Naoyoshi as his eyes widened just a bit for a moment before returning to his usual glare, though with less intensity now that the gruffer man put his hands in his pockets. In respones, he sheathed his wakizashi with one hand, spinning it into a reverse grip as he slid the blade into its sheathe. The uchigatana was next, as Naoyoshi performed it properly this time: pulling the blade to the mouth of the scabbard and sliding it before inserting it in the sheath's opening. Fluid motions that have been practiced time and time again, showing a respect for the blade as if it were a living being itself.

"So you're at Abe as well," Naoyoshi notes. He paused as pain shot up throughout his body. Being slammed through two trees would have broken a weaker man's back twice over. His oni-like physicality shared with Akamaru ensured that both master and yokai were no easy foes to kill, but they couldn't avoid the physical pain of being battered by an opponent of an equal caliber. The back of Naoyoshi's jacket had tear marks thanks to the tree bark and friction from being thrown into it. Blood was dripping slowly, though not enough to warrant immediate danger. It did not help that the blood blended with the jacket's red fibers.

Despite all that pain, Naoyoshi seemed to shrug it off without a complaint. The most he did was crack his neck from side to side and roll his shoulders. He finally removed his mask, revealing a face bearing old scars. Naoyoshi's expression was still intense without the mask, maintaining a trained look on Ryosuke as if the man was still a potential threat even when he offered a drink to make up for any lingering ill-will.

"You must be brave, stupid, or both to invite someone who just tried to kill you to a meal," he answers back. There was no smile, but a hint of respect in his tone. "Let's see if it's real, then. I accept this offer."

[Umbraflamma]

"Yup, catching up on education. i learned a fair bit but you know.." he shrugged, "not a lot of options on the street." he said as he took his cigarette and dragged it across this shoulder to staunch the bleeding, not even flinching at the cauterization.

"Or just insane, maybe even a mix of the three, perhaps you can make up your mind yourself." he said as he noted Naoyoshi's wounds. "I have a kit in my jacket, why don't i patch you up real quick and then we get some drinks." he said with a grin as his shadow bowed indepentently before turning back from a skeleton to his proper shadow.

He started to walk towards the place the fight started, noting a couple fallen trees, the rent trash can, it really looked like something had rampaged through here. He began to break free of their group to retrieve his jacket when he heard the sound of a whistle, announcing the arrival of a member of the shinsengumi.

[mermalaide]

A tall woman with long dark hair and the half cloak of the Shinsengumi strides up. He glasses have slipped on her nose and the glint of garnet was in her eyes. Her hand was on the hilt of her katana. The whistle was from a police officer, one that Momiji had often worked with that patrolled the park often. "Alright, what is going on here?" It was calm, cold and commanding. Her voice did not waver and she scrutinized them carefully. The smell of demon blood was in her nose and there was blood everywhere between the two of them. Some seemed like it was from a fight they had, but what was the rest? The place stunk and Momiji felt her jaw clench. It was bad enough that she had to run and track the Ii clansman through the park, partially based on screams for a telephone job. She tried not to break eye contact with either man, it was walking into a trap possibly. She noticed that the man in green, who seemed like he was part bear or something was offering to patch the other. If they had been fighting, they were not now.

[Sengoku]

The arrival of the Shinsengumi and Ashikaga samurai illicitted a look of disdain from Naoyoshi now that he was unmasked. In response to the woman who was nearly as tall as he was, Naoyoshi first spat out a blood-soaked phlegm into the grass as he turned his head to the left.

"Killed two rampaging oni," he answered back, his tone harsh but clear. "Had a dispute. Ended the dispute. Meaning you Shinsengumi and Ashikaga took your sweet time getting here." Running up from behind the Ashikaga samurai was the couple Naoyoshi saved earlier, now properly dressed and bowing towards him.

"Th-thank you very much, samurai-sama!" the woman said in a hasty, frightened voice. "W-words can't describe how grateful we are for what you did!" In response, Naoyoshi just grunted in acknowledgement and nodded at them as he continued to answer the Shinsengumi woman.

"If I left this to you lot, these two would've been mincemeat." The proud samurai of the Ii clan made it nice and clear for them - he was neither fond of the Shinsengumi nor the Ashikaga Clan. One of the Ashikaga samurai in full armor fumed at him, reaching for his katana.

"HOLD YOUR TONGUE, FILTH!" he snarled. "You think you can walk away unscathed for such disrespect, Ii dog?! I don't care if you're with the Tokugawa - I'll have your head for this insolence!" And like that, Naoyoshi's hand hovered over his uchigatana's handle once again, though this time, Akamaru re-emerged into existence mirroring his stance with a mad grin.

"Do so at your own peril, Ashikaga." His eyes shifted to face Momiji's. "You. Shinsengumi. I suggest you tighten that leash you've got on these Ashikaga samurai. They lack the manners to show gratitude to Takuma and I for solving their problem and now they threaten us with violence?" The entire squad of Ashikaga samurai took a step back when Akamaru made his presence known. Both the young samurai and the red oni emitted an aura of dread and bloodthirst, a nonverbal way of reminding them who was higher up on the food chain.

[Umbraflamma]

Ryo gave a deadpan expression as they seemed to be ready to throw down. The first thing he learned about dealing with cops was that escalation was always the wrong move. Deciding that the best thing to do was try to calm down the situation, ryo place his hand on naoyoshi's shoulder and pulled back gently. "Hey hey hey, we're ok." he said as he tried to deescalate the situation. "Oni were rampaging through the park, we put an end to them both." he said in a calm voice, his bass tone lenmding a degree of assertiveness to it. "we handled two, he got the big guy i beat the other one senseless with a sign, which unfortunately broke." he admitted as he put himself between naoyoshi and the others. His huge frame had the ability to assert the right of way to others. "How about we start with names. Mine's Takuma Ryosuke, I recently started at Abe no Seimei university on a government scholarship." he said as he tried to break the line of sight between the Ahikaga and naoyoshi. "We were about the hand over the bodies to the bounty board and be on our way." he had to diffuse hotheads about to fight before, though naoyoshi would be enough of a handful. As momiji turned to deal with her own person escalating further ryo whispered to him, "hey let the dog bark, he's either slow, stupid or weak, and honestly doesn't deserve the honor of your wrath. They're flies buzzing around nothing more. chill out and let me do the talking, alright?" he whispered so that only naoyoshi could hear him, before turning back to the other group. 

"Anyway let's just wrap this up, people are saved, nobody important or innocent died, let's just say it ended well we'll just be taking the bounty trophies and lea-" his sentence stopped short as he noticed the oni he had beaten down was nowhere to be seen, just a trail of blood and offal in a dragging pattern towards the bushes, sit next to his coat. "Shit where did the body go?"

He looked over at momiji, his hazel eyes meeting her cardinal ones through the crimson shades. "So uh... that's never happened before."

[mermalaide]

When the officer next to her began to bark, her arm shot out in front of him. "Enough. I don't care how rude a civilian is, we maintain a decorum in our ranks." Her voice did not need to shout, it was crystal clear. "I want you to go and start taking statements, also, remember the uniform you wear. People look to our company for order and protection. Clearly they are rattled. Remember that." She dismissed him on the spot, not breaking eye contact with Ii Naoyoshi for a second. She made a note of both men's names, along with Takuma-san's information.

"As for you. Screaming into the phone and taking off into the wooded park area is no way to report and receive aid. Your pride seems offended for some reason, so I will treat you with more respect than you are showing me now." She breathed through her nose, her classic hime features and garnet eyes staring him down. Her hand never left the hilt of her blade, it merely relaxed on it. Her ears twitched a little at what Ryo said, but she mad no business about it. "Now, let's recount tonight's escapade." She went to say something else, perhaps ask a question of them when Takuma Ryosuke spoke.

One of the bodies she just passed was gone. She did a double take and went to crouch near the body. "Another one. This is not good. It could still be around here." Her jaw clenched. The men with her were likely safe, but those civilians and the Ashikaga samurai were not. "Hey!" She shouted at the samurai taking statements. "I need you to take the civilians to the gate immediately. We have Silent Lamb situation! " The code was what the Shinsengumi were calling the creature or creatures that were stealing and eating bodies. It was a bad enough situation to where a few cleaners had gone missing and the one that was found was barely hanging onto life. There were also reports of yokai bodies going missing as well as a few civilians disappearing off the street.

[Sengoku]

Without Ryo's words, Naoyoshi may have very well dug himself a deeper hole and gotten arrested for assaulting a squad of Ashikaga samurai and a Shinsengumi officer. The large man suceeded - he pacified the samurai and, more impressive than that, the oni that was eager to feed his own bloodlust further. His uchigatana had already been drawn a few centimeters, though it clacked as the blade was returned to its sheath. His attention shifted from the Ashikaga samurai to the oni corpses once Ryo and Momiji pointed it out, believing them to be pulling a sick joke.

"What are you on about?" Naoyoshi snapped, turning to see what was going on. "Corpses don't move-" He halted as his right eyebrow raises for a moment. "I stand corrected."

"Haven't seen that happen yet," comments Akamaru, scratching at his beard. Both the samurai and oni walked over to examine the bloodied grass where the female oni used to lie. There is a blood trail, but it only travels up to a point before vanishing.

"There's a direction, at the very least. You need to close the city. Nothing gets in, nothing gets out." Naoyoshi turns to Momiji and Ryosuke. "That includes us."

[Umbraflamma]

Ryo was glad that people deescalated. he was really not looking forward to dealing with another fight so soon.

Yup this looked like trouble. So much for just getting out of here, "Well. I guess we've got one more to clean up?" he said as he walked over, picked up his jacket and threw it on. "So what exactly are we hunting?" he asked as he walked over to the nearest park sign and started testing it. "Think this'll do or should i go bigger?" he asked as he was eyeing a lamp post. "Also, Ii-sama, you want me to at least toss some alcohol on the cuts, maybe some quick clot to stop the bleeding? Can't have you any less than your best with how Lady Crimson here is reacting." he said simply as he pulled a battered compact first aid kit out of his jacket. It was one of those one's you could roll up to save extra space.

"Whenever you're ready I'll be good to go." he said as he pulled the sign free from the ground with terrifying ease. His shadow flashed as if it were a skeleton for a second before he fully pulled it free. It was only for a second and could have been a trick of the light.