The Sunrise

All I could do frown in utter anguish at one of my guardian moons doing the exact opposite of what I had planned. By now Onimusha was taking a predatory stance, hunkering low to the ground on all fours and, one hand grasping the sword on her back, her eyes laser focused. It was intimidating for Lacey and the others, and kind of a turn on for me.

"You fuck shits aren't taking one more step!!" She screamed.

Oni could kill everyone of the guests literally in the blink of an eye. "Onimusha, please. Calm down. These people are my guests." I was expecting her to at least let go of her sword, but if anything she was even more ticked off.

"Even so, Boss. Every part of me is screaming not to let these . . . these humans any closer to the castle."

The anger behind her voice was enough to freeze all the soldiers in their boots and the researchers, Ash included, scurrying behind them. But Lacey to her credit didn't move, but was noticeably shaken. But something about the tone of her voice told me their was more than her usual temper, but sadness, and one with a lifetime of experience behinds it. A story I somehow knew down to the smallest detail, as if I heard it from her lips. What completed this was the tiniest glint of a tear in the corner of her eye.

I slowly walked to Onimusha, her gaze to still narrowed at the soldiers. I slowly reached and took hold of the hand that was grasping her sword. Her lightning reflexes spun her gaze to me and the second we made eye contact, the predator like expression softened. It was a look that said, "I don't like it, but alright." She abandoned her stance and let go of her sword. I grazed my finger across her cheek to catch the falling tear.

"Don't be sad, Oni. Show that smile that I know so well." At my words, the unfamiliar sadness was washed away and her mischievous grin spread across her cheeks.

I looked back at my guests who were breathing a sigh of relief and relaxed their tense expressions. "Well, with all that out of the way, allow to introduce out guests. Here we have miss Lacey Buchanan and miss Cassandra Ashford. Ladies, I give you Onimusha." Before Lacey could get a word out, Ash raced past her and towards Onimusha who flinched as she took her hand and began vigorously shaking it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you miss Onimusha. Where are you from? You're clearly not human, so what are you? What do these markings on your skin mean? Are they markings or are they part of your skin? What about that symbol on your eye?" Onimusha's brain would be smoking with this total overload and the only thing that came out was "Hands off"

"You'll have to forgive her." Lacey added, "When theirs something new her curiosity takes hold." Onimusha sneered at her but only out of disdain instead of pure rage. Which was progress in my book. "But seriously, who or what exactly are you."

Onimusha grinned at the chance. She then bellowed loud and proud, "I'M THE BLACK BLADE BITCH!" I had to hold back from bursting into laughter at how much gusto she put behind that announcement. "You see this?" She continued, pointing at the symbol on her eye. "I am a Guardian Moon of Eden Sky, I serve my eternal master, Muzashi Oniwa."

"Guardian what?" I felt it wouldn't do any harm to tell them. "It's some name they called themselves when they wanted to serve me. I indulged them that much, along with the moon symbols."

"Some name? Are you joking, master, I want full credit for it."

The air was finally calm but I could tell Onimusha didn't let her guard down all the way. I finally suggested a tour of the castle but once again the black blade protested. "I get that you've allowed them this far, and if your okay with it then I am. But I can't allow them to enter the castle with any weapons. And this I won't budge on, forgive me." "Their is nothing to forgive." I consoled to her. I turned to the guests and placed my heart on my chest and swore to them. "I'm afraid I have to agree with her on this occasion. But I swear on my life as the last of the monks of your safe conduct within these lands. Leave your weapons where you stand and I will show you all you wish to see and tell you all you wish to know."

A number of nods to one another and the soldiers that came with us removed their guns from their shoulders and laid them on the ground. Onimusha finally let her guard down and turned to lead them up the bridge and into the castle and followed behind them when my hearing caught something no one else could. A rustling in the distance behind us.

I turned to see Hino crouching behind the shrubbery making what appeared to be begging whimpers. Ah dammit. I did promise I'd play with her but I never specified when, but I didn't want to break promise either way, plus I needed to wind down. All this acting took a lot out of me, and I didn't know how long this was going to take. "Oh good gracious." I exclaimed, stopping the entire group. "What's wrong, master?"

"Well I promised Hino I would play with her. But I forgot to say where. She'll get in a mood if I don't play with her. Oni, do you mind leading them to the main hall. This won't take long. Have the servants cook some breakfast for them."

When I turned to walk to Hino, her ears perked up and excitedly ran off, hoping for me to chase after her. Which I did with earth breaking speed. I called into my hand small fireball in preparation for playing fetch with her.

Re-entering the forest I was a little confused because Hino was gone. And I couldn't sense her presence. Until I felt her hot breath on my neck. I turned to her just as the sunrise finally peaked in the distance behind her.