[From the deep pool hidden within herself Shinobu gathers patience, holds it within her palms as though it were water from a purified spring. She focuses on the reflection within her mind, listens to the sound of her own breath escaping her body and returning again even as the stench of blood remains soaked into her clothes. She pushes every outside intrusion aside— including... no, especially the oni invading her space right now. She focuses and keeps her anger at bay. She is a Hashira. She could not allow herself to be so easily riled up.
Shuten-douji.
Her fingers curl inward into her palm.
King of Mt. Ooe.
Her lips press into a line.
I just saved that horrible beast from being driven mad.
A shadow blocks her view of the shop entrance. A shapely silhouette fills her vision.
Do not... let her win!
Just then— cool slender fingers brushing against her lips. The aroma of sake and sweat mingling together, underlined by the bitter mineral tang of blood.]
Hah.
[She moves.
Her hand snatches that pale wrist in a blur so quick she wonders if either of them were prepared for the contact. With that movement she pushes forward, shoving the oni away but not at just a mere arm's length. No, she all but leaps from the crate and shoves Shuten back until that slender form connects with the wooden wall behind her. With the rest of her strength she wrenches the oni's arm up against her throat, pinning it there with the same accuracy as she would with a sharp blade.
Shame that she didn't pull one of those out.
This will have to do.] Enough.
[The word is low and heavy, despite the very calm way it falls from her lips.] 'Thank you'? Do you take me for that much of a fool?
Ahh, but perhaps I merely should have been honest from the start...
[Her hand tightens her grip, until her knuckles are stretched white. Against her seriously severe expression her smile repappears, slow and ghost-like.]
You see, Shuten-douji... I have yet to settle a score with you. And I couldn't very well accomplish that with you out of your mind, now could I?
What we have here is a temporary truce, until we can leave and I can find the means to truly make you regret.
So until then... [Despite the simmering anger beneath her words, despite the way she hopes to crush bone beneath her grip... she leans in. Leans into that feline gaze, those dark lashes and fanged lips.]
no subject
Shuten-douji.
Her fingers curl inward into her palm.
King of Mt. Ooe.
Her lips press into a line.
I just saved that horrible beast from being driven mad.
A shadow blocks her view of the shop entrance. A shapely silhouette fills her vision.
Do not... let her win!
Just then— cool slender fingers brushing against her lips. The aroma of sake and sweat mingling together, underlined by the bitter mineral tang of blood.]
Hah.
[She moves.
Her hand snatches that pale wrist in a blur so quick she wonders if either of them were prepared for the contact. With that movement she pushes forward, shoving the oni away but not at just a mere arm's length. No, she all but leaps from the crate and shoves Shuten back until that slender form connects with the wooden wall behind her. With the rest of her strength she wrenches the oni's arm up against her throat, pinning it there with the same accuracy as she would with a sharp blade.
Shame that she didn't pull one of those out.
This will have to do.] Enough.
[The word is low and heavy, despite the very calm way it falls from her lips.] 'Thank you'? Do you take me for that much of a fool?
Ahh, but perhaps I merely should have been honest from the start...
[Her hand tightens her grip, until her knuckles are stretched white. Against her seriously severe expression her smile repappears, slow and ghost-like.]
You see, Shuten-douji... I have yet to settle a score with you. And I couldn't very well accomplish that with you out of your mind, now could I?
What we have here is a temporary truce, until we can leave and I can find the means to truly make you regret.
So until then... [Despite the simmering anger beneath her words, despite the way she hopes to crush bone beneath her grip... she leans in. Leans into that feline gaze, those dark lashes and fanged lips.]
Enough of your games.