<a class="postlink" href="https://aryion.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&amp;t=22991">Interested? Look here for Sign Ups and general info~</a><br/><br/>Yokai were often seen by humans as savage and ferocious monsters of the spirit world, roaming the lands to devour human flesh and create nothing but strife in their world. For the most part, this was mostly true...as most yokai were of that nature. However, this was only due to them acting on their instinct, what came natrually to them. Of course, as time passed, humans began to lose sight in the yokai as science began to take over where fantasy could not. Phenomenon that were once explained as the doing of most yokai or gods were debunked by scientific facts that could actually back their claims rather than rely on mere speculation and supersition.<br/><br/>Even so, as humans marched on to forge their own path in the world, they do not realize that their science has blinded them from the fact that yokai are in fact very real. Albeit, the lot of them exist in a land hidden from the gaze, in the secluded land of Obakerikujou. It is here that yokai live in an entirely different light, as civilized (well...sometimes) beings who appear way more intellegent in their acts than humans used to precieve them. With the Saint Kings, guiding the yokai and keep watch over the gates, as well as the Kami who observe on high, it would seem that Obakerikujou is something of a paradise for the monsters long forgotten by time and humans...<br/><br/>Of course, with every paradise...there comes a hell.<br/><br/>Recently, an odd form of political unrest has begun to manifest within the ranks of the Saint Clans. The Saint Kings who were once very close to one another have now begun to turn on one another. This in fighting a result of a festering envy towards the Ouryu Clan that has, supposedly, been given special treatment by the Kami as of late. The Ouryu Clan was always a rather undesireable group, having been looked down upon for recieving the duty of looking over "Munashii" (The Void), a boring space of infinte nothingness. The Saint Kings saw this as embarrasing and laughed at the Oryu clan, seeing that their "region" had no one for them to rule over and thus they had no solid number of followers. Now, however, it seems the tables have turned and the 4 Saint Kings...are laughing no longer. Seeing the weak rise to power has brought forth anger and distrust to the kami, the Kings began to work amongst themselves to out do each other and find ways to shine brighter than the Ouryu clan in the process they distanced themselves from each other...and their lands...<br/><br/>The gates and overall balance of Obakerikujou are beginning to suffer. The once locked gates are beginning to falter and open needlessly to the humans that were locked out from this wonderland so many eons ago. The yokai who looked to the Saint Kings for guidance are beginning to see them as childish and unfit to be at the position they are in, as a result some yokai have banded together to take down the kings and free their world from them. Even though there is a sense of peace in many different areas; it is clear that, If things do not settle, the land will only suffer much greater trauma down the road...<br/><br/>----------<br/><br/>- Aonami Lake ~ Nishi Region -<br/><br/>The sky was blue, the sun was shining and there was not a single cloud to blemish the perfect complexion of the heavens above. To put it shortly, it was a nice day outside for the moment, and a perfect chance to go to the beach...or rather the shoreline of a moderately sized lake near a quiet village. Neither reason really mattered to Nanako Shiisa, a young Koma Inu who had traveled to this area with Mitsuko Chiyotsuki, a nomadic kitsune that had taken her in when her brother could no longer care for her. Nanako stood in the lapping waves, her bare feet submerged in the sea water as she looked out at the horizon and took in the aroma of the sea. This was the first time she's ever been to a lake...her parents didn't really have the chance to take her to one...with them being long since dead. Her brother was gone too...from what Mitsuko told her, he had left to become a Guardian Dog. Something she herself was working to become as well...of course, for that to come into fruition Nanako had alot of training to do.<br/><br/>"How long do you plan to daydream in the sea, Nana?" And that was something Mitsuko wasn't going to let slip. "I thought you were going to train~?" At least she wasn't a total shrew about it like most masters were. Still the kitsune can be a bit of a nusiance with it, given how she often she likes to bring it up whenever Nanako is lounging around rather than working.<br/><br/>"I know, but I've never really been to the beach before...I didn't know it was this pretty..." Nanako replied as she glued her eyes on the sea ahead of her. It really was beautiful, something she didn't want to leave behind. Of course, knowing Mitsuko she would inevitably plan to move on elsewhere when she least expected it. "Oi, when are we leaving Aonami?"<br/><br/>"Today." Mitsuko replied taking a bite out of her rice ball, "I've gotten word that a special event is taking place in the Tengu Village, some distance away from here."<br/><br/>"What kinda event, I need to train at the beach!" There was a difference between need and want, and it would seem Nanako mixed up her "need" with her "want". Something Mitsuko easily saw through given her experience with Nanako and her own natural wisdom.<br/><br/>"Something important. It's a festival to celebrate the Saint King Byakko's birthday, and a very special guest is appearing on top of that." Mitsuko replied. "Dunno who...but someone I know will be beneficial for both our goals."<br/><br/>"But...you said we were staying here til' I finish my Qi training?" Nanako face begins to puff up in a pout as she walked out of the water, her bare feet collecting sand as she walked. "What happened to 'we'll stay here as long as it takes you to master Qi Trigger'?"<br/><br/>"It got blindsided by priority~" Mitsuko said swallowing her rice ball and twirling her parasol a bit. "I know you like the beach, but if we don't hurry we'll miss that guest and who knows where he or she will go from there."<br/><br/>"But...what if that person comes back to the village?" Now your just beind desperate Nanako...<br/><br/>"Nanako, you're old enough to know about probability..." Mitsuko commented with a glance elsewhere. "Anyway, we're not leaving til' later this afternoon anyway, so you have plenty of time to train...or should I say, goof off~?"<br/><br/>"I-I'm training!" Nanako chides as Mitsuko giggles playfully and rubs her head. The kitsune then took her leave and headed toward the small selection of houses inland, leaving Nanako to do as she wished. "At least, I can daydream in peace..."<br/><br/>Mitsuko turned back to the Koma Inu to see that, while she had given her the chance to train where she wanted to, Nanako still chose to sit back and indulge in the scenery. Of course, Mitsuko wasn't going to force the training on her, while she was responsible for getting Nanako to Gaurdian Dog status, it ultimately depended on her  own resolve and will to make her one life long goal a reality. "I'll poke her about it later." The kitsune shrugged as she left the Koma Inu to her devices and headed for the village past the woodlands that surrounded the lake. The village in question was rather small compared to larger ones like the aforementioned Tengu Village. The houses were placed far apart across the woodland landscape, with some of the shops and food stalls closest together. The yokai that lived here were mostly beast type yokai such as Tanuki, but there were various others such as the occasional Futakuchi-onna and other human shape spirits.<br/><br/>Mitsuko strolled along the dirt path to the rural village, her parasol spinning about slowly as she took in the sights of the village around her, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere that seemed to blanket this quite little town. The kitsune soon came to a stop at the front of a small, noodle stand, a decadent scent of boiling noodles rising from the opening of the stand. There didn't seem to be anyone else here for now, so it seemed perfect for Mitsuko to sit back and have a little bite to eat while she planned on their next move. "Yoohoo~" The kitsune called to the cook, a rather portly looking Tanuki of sorts, who gazed back to his first customer. "A bowl of Shoyu please." She wouldn't really be here for long, she'll just eat her and go check up on Nanako later. A part of her maternal instincts were pretty much yelling at her for leaving the young cub on her own like that, but she figured Nanako was old enough to handle herself when she was alone and without parental supervision...or at least supervision from someone she trusts. Besides, if Nanako really needed something, she'll come to her of her own free will, right?