Along the road outside of town, a tall figure strode. Self-proclaimed legendary warrior, Hiroto Kita. On his back rested a sheathed blade and a large bow, and slung across his shoulders, an exceptionally large club. By his side, a horse-like beast covered in scales walked, hooved feet clanking against the road. The town in their path, as large as it was, hadn't been in their deliberately planned route. Still, a quick stop wouldn't hurt. They were both hungry, and the long walk they were on was taking something of a toll. At the city's entrance, the two immediately caught attention. The sight of a man nearly twice as tall as the average citizen and an immense antlered reptile wasn't easily ignored.<br/><br/>Immediately upon entering, the sight of a hysterical man running down the street and shouting about a 'blade demon' gained his attention. A wide smile crossed his face, followed by deep laughter. "<span style="font-weight: bold">A blade demon? We should meet this 'demon,' don't you think?</span>" He asked, turning to the kirin that followed him for an answer. He only got a huffed exhale as a response. "<span style="font-weight: bold">I'll take that as a yes!</span>" With a new goal in mind, the warrior made a beeline for the inn, and for a moment, stood outside the doorway. It was too short to accommodate him, and a frustrated groan escaped him as he crouched and ducked beneath it, taking a single-kneed stance once inside.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-weight: bold">Bartender!</span>" He shouted, voice loud enough to draw the attention of damn near everyone inside. "<span style="font-weight: bold">Give me all the rice you've got. And a bucket of water.</span>" The order was followed up by a very swift motion as he reached into his jinbaori, withdrew a satchel of coins, and slammed it into the bar's top. "<span style="font-weight: bold">And some tea. Green, if you've got it.</span>"<br/><br/>A few moments of silence and stillness followed. Hiroto nudged the bag of coins forward, and once the bartender took them, he immediately turned and pointed a massive arm towards the inn's inhabitants. "<span style="font-weight: bold">Now then! I hear talks of a <span style="font-style: italic">blade demon</span> in this place. Which one of you is it?</span>" He asked, eyes questioningly moving over the crowd. "<span style="font-weight: bold">If this village is infested, then I, Hiroto Kita, <span style="font-style: italic">Unrelenting Storm of the North</span>, am honor-bound to remove whatever threatens it!</span>" The way he spoke was distinctly boastful. Despite the talks of honor, what he was really looking for was an opportunity to fight. Anyone called a demon was bound to have enough skill to make for an interesting battle.<br/><br/>Another silence followed until the barkeep spoke up.<br/><br/>"Sir, please don't harass my customers."<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>In one of the rooms of the inn, a younger, much less physically large man was sleeping. Or at least trying to. The sound of someone yelling outside the thin door awoke him, and with a huff, he sat up. In the room's corner, his weapons sat, gently resting on the floor. His kimono was tossed over them, much less carefully, and his sandals beside them all. Akio, as he was called, half-considered going back to sleep before the loud voice starting yelling about a demon.<br/><br/>He pushed himself to his feet, loosely tossed his kimono on, and tightened his obi just enough to keep the thing from falling off. He left his sandals off and slid the door open, peeking out to meet the sight of a giant yelling at everyone. He blinked tiredly, only half-awake, and spoke up. "What's all the yelling for?" He hadn't seen any demons around, and Sakura had not taken the effort to warn him of any evil spirits. Whatever was going on, he was sure it was some sort of misunderstanding.<br/><br/>Still, Akio wished the big dude would quit shouting. He was making it<span style="font-style: italic">very</span>hard to rest.