Sakumo hopped off the branch infront of Mari, disappearing with a quickness that left only a handful of leaves swirling in his absence. He appeared behind the Yokai, hand up on his blade. In a moment, he drew his sword from his back and with a downward arc, the white flare of the weapon's chakra marked the creature.<br/><br/>He stood behind the beast, his feet flat on the branch it stood on, his saber firmly planted halfway down its body. The White Fang, as he was known for good reason, leaned back and brought the hunched-over spirit fully upright. Looking at Mari from beneath its legs, he nodded, "Now's your chance!"<br/><br/>The Yokai's arms bent at the joints unaturally, those limbs now appearing to 'face' him as its feet remained planted towards Marise.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Sakumo; Shundou &amp; Kenjutsu: Iaido<br/>Sakumo's Hide in Plain Sight; 20<br/>Monster's Spot; 9<br/>Sakumo's Attack: 40 (Critical Confirm: 39)<br/>Damage; 31, Bypasses Damage Reduction</div></div><br/>Kaname didn't see anything... but she heard a twig snap somewhere off to her left, in the direction towards Imouto. The direction she was supposed to be luring creatures away from. Then there was another sound, like a heavy footprint, and the creaking of a branch straining to support some monumental weight.<br/><br/>She couldn't make it out, but whatever it was- it jumped to another branch noisily landing upon the wood with great strain. Kaname could only figure out the general direction of... whatever it was, but it was getting closer and closer, headed seemingly straight for her.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide</div><div class="spoiler_body">Opposed vs. Hide; ??, Move Silently; 17</div></div><hr/><br/>Maki smiled, returning his touches fondly, "No... I want to tell you. These markings... are a price for my loyalty." She said, "They are part of a forbidden technique- binding my body in blood carvings to an oath."<br/><br/>"Whatever I may do- to become a stronger ninja, a better tool for the Daimyo..." She said, "It is my duty."<br/><br/>The kunoichi inhaled through her nostrils and continued after collecting her thoughts, "But all forbidden techniques... are that way for a reason. My body is a thing to be sacrificed... For the village. Surely, you can understand. You know, I am not<em>highborn</em>... And few people are anymore- I do not think the Mibu Clan would appreciate all of this."<br/><br/>She reached down, placing her palm against her belly, "I've been using my chakra to keep your... seed from being planted." The woman explained, "I do not think the Mibu would trust me to bear such a gift as the Red Eyes. Or the True Red Eyes, if it were so."<br/><br/>"You should be more careful, too." The woman added, "If I am to bed an Uchiha, and bring the Sharingan back to Tanigakure in my womb, then that is my duty. There are no doubt many such dutiful kunoichi in other villages as well."