#that's a kamaitachi right there

[just-4nother-ghost]

Actually begging for someone to make an edit, or a post, fic, whatever you want with Q!Fit and Tsar by Kamaitachi. In my head, it encapsulates Q!Fit's memories from 2B2T. (And how his love for his family is affected by that past.)

Also, the beggining fits perfect with the HC that Q!Fit is HoH because of the explosions on the server.

Tsar is a song in brazilian portuguese, so if anyone actually wants to make something related to it, I'd be more than happy to help with the translation!

(Also, I'm on a Q!hideduo brain rot (especially Q!fit) since yesterday which is why I'm associating this song with him, but you can fit some many characters to the lyrics of these song.)

[thistledropkick]

In case anyone is wondering what the heck was going on with Kamaitachi's entrance music at the show today: When Hiromu was in CMLL wrestling as Kamaitachi, he used the song Benjo Sandal Dance by Maximum the Hormone as his entrance music. I have to assume that Kamaitachi is continuing to use this song as his entrance music, and that the album version of this song is what was playing in the venue. The "altered due to music rights" song that played on New Japan World was Hiromu's unusual solo vocal cover of this song.

[youkaigakkou-tl]

(sorry in advance for the long ask) i feel silly for not noticing earlier but i realized that "Sano Mikoto" follows the same "__ no mikoto" name pattern that several japanese gods have. but that also made me wonder: if the 佐 from sano's name means "help" then his whole name sounds like "the god of help/assistance". but based on how that doesn't align with his yakubyougami nature and how ebisu reacts to hearing the name in ch 53 (his reaction is a bit more clear in the jpn raws) (1/2)

佐 doesn't really mean "help" on its own, it only somewhat means that when it's part of the word 補佐 "hosa" , which means "assistant" (in an organizational structure to a chief or leader) rather than like "helping people". Most of the time 佐 is just used as a kanji to represent the sound "sa", which is somewhat frequently the case for the on-readings (similar to chinese pronunciation) of kanji.

This is particularly prevalent when it comes to ancient literature like the creation myths and stories around gods, where the stories originally only existed in verbal form, and when japan adopted the chinese writing system some 1500 years ago, they applied certain chinese characters to the sounds that existed in japanese (the 50 or so hiragana that exist now) in order to put the stories into writing.

(and then over time 50 or so kanji got simplified into hiragana for normal use but thats neither here nor there. but names got to keep their kanji, which is why creation myth gods often have stupid long names that are 1 kanji per syllable, and the kanji used dont mean much of anything by themselves)

(theres also that often the kanji chosen will have been positive words, stuff like "fast" or "wise" or "powerful", in addition to the chinese word sounding like the japanese syllable (which was the more important part). Its unclear whether all these attributes were all applicable to the god named, its just as possible people afterwards applied those attributes to them in future retellings of the stories because the kanji was in the name. sort of a chicken and egg problem. and anyway, does it really matter what the one "true" interpretation of a story is, if one exists at all? it's a very modern sensibility to demand one, when for much of history stories only existed in the air between a storyteller and a listener. im getting off track here)

this is a lot of words to say, what is significant about the 佐 in "sano", is that it's the same one as in susanoo-no-mikoto. susanoo, notable for being associated with storms and disaster, for being exiled from heaven after causing some sort of destruction, and for being a child of izanagi and izanami and born after their first child hiruko (or rather, ebisu).

the thing about the yakubyougami thing, as with every other youkai and everything about folklore, is that at the end of the day, it's a story. youkai are just a set of attributes and circumstances that are wrapped up as a story, and in turn given a name and a face. a kamaitachi is just the occurrence of "wind whipping up suddenly and dust and leaves cutting someone" wrapped up as a story of "what if an imperceptibly fast weasel with knives did it?!"

it's why there can be so many different versions of stories for the same youkai, with behaviors and appearance differing from place to place, or the same "story" being given a different "name" in different places

(relevant to the latest chapter, i sort of suspect this is why theres like 10 different monkey youkai whose lore is just "this monkey is a FREAK")

what im getting at is, this isnt really like scientific taxonomy classifications, where theres genes you can sequence or criteria you can check to see if something is the right species. (and even then, there's birds stranded on isolated islands, fish sealed in caves, microorganisms in general, etc etc) there's not like a "youkai auditor" that goes around auditing if you're Really the youkai you say you are.

nor is it like you intrinsically know what youkai you are and all the lore about it and what behaviors youre supposed to have and what powers you have etc. you're told that by your parents, and in cases where that isnt possible, you figure it out somehow. like with beniko (popped out of a house and raised by humans), they looked it up and people have come up with a name for the phenomenon, which was called "zashiki warashi". or in cases like odawara where you really do just come to life alone, i imagine you either make a name for yourself, or humans who come across you will make a name for you.

which is a lot of words to say, sano can call himself whatever the hell he wants to make his life easier and not have to explain his backstory or have classmates make guesses at his backstory, as long as his traits somewhat fit. especially since recently he's often in the same scenes as kurahashi, who is now confirmed to straight up not be who or what he says he is.

[modeus-the-misanthrope]

OMG! I NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED THIS....

Razor + Beast/Den is a Kamaitachi, I LOVE THIS OP! 11/10 WORK!

Say hi to the knife kitty

I know it's been multiple months since my last original kiggy fusion but I swear I was planning on making more, but I got sidetracked with birdmen

For the sake of my own sanity her monster blade form is mostly the same just longer to account for Den's length. I really don't want to attempt to draw that at the moment

[the-mononoke-facade]

Alright, gonna be posting the translation stuff and other Mononoke-related stuff here going forward, anyway!

Got the second story from the Mononoke book translated and edited. Took me a while to get what this one was going for, and I think I still don't necessarily understand all of it even still, but is it really Mononoke if you're not sitting there staring at the screen like 'wtf' for at least some of it and going to need a few exposures before it really sinks in?

And if you haven't had a chance to check out the first story (Kamaitachi) and you would like to, you can find it here

So again, obligatory disclaimer that I don't own any of the rights to this book and this is just a fan translation done by someone making slow but steady progress in Japanese. You can buy a digital version of the raw version of the book on Bookwalker for $5 (i need to find the link for that again, but that's where I got it)

And then, for content warnings, let me know if I missed any big ones:

-Mentions of period-accurate pederasty -Graphic depictions of violence -Attempted ritual suicide -Body horror

With all that being said, here's link to the translation below:

I also just want to check in, is sharing through Google docs generally accessible for everyone or would there be a better format to share it in? If I knew more about OTW policies on fan translations I would rather stick it on ao3, but since I don't and since this isn't fan fiction I'm playing it safe and not going that route for now, but if anyone's got suggestions for a more convenient way to share, I'd appreciate it

That's it from me for now, hope y'all enjoy :)

< Previous story: Kama Itachi Next Story: Tamamo no Mae >

[wsjyuyuyuau]

Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)

Name: Ichigo Kurosaki

Series: Bleach

Gender: Male

Status: Alive

Family: Masaki Kurosaki (Mom, Deceased), Isshin Shiba (Dad), Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki (Sisters)

Flower Motif: Yellow Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium)

Flower Meaning: Rebirth

Weapon of Choice: Sword

Associated With: Interdimensional Hero Club

Hero Form Appearance: A mixture of a Soul Reaper’s uniform and YuYuYu’s hero outfits. The flowing yet loose sleeves, top, and pants all are the base color- a vibrant yellow. However, they all fade into a glossy jet black, and the same goes for the boots- but this time, they’re black fading to yellow. A white under-bodysuit balances out these colors well, as well as accents of gold throughout the outfit. The petal silhouette of the yellow chrysanthemum is shown through the tailcoat, sleeves, and the dual ribbons that adorn each of Ichigo’s shoulders. A single yellow Chrysanthemum serves as a boutonnière.

Full Bloom Gauge Location: Right Sleeve

Guardian: Hurriblade (Based on the Kamaitachi)

Favorite Food: Strawberry Daifuku

Parallel To: Karin Miyoshi

Bio: Despite being like all other teens his age, Ichigo Kurosaki can see ghosts. After his friend Rukia Kuchiki helps him become a Soul Reaper, Ichigo battles evil spirits known as Hollows, which threaten the worlds of the living and the deceased. Even as a part of the IDHC, his fiery spirit is as bright as ever!

[jpriest85-blog]

It was a bit early, but I came up with some concept art of @vendetta-if sequel MC. Including portraits of my MC, Akami, Luka, Jackal, and my interpretation of her older brother Konstantin. While Konstantin does share Luka's height and eye color, I headcanon he inherited most of his features from his late Uncle Viktor. This probably triggers a lot of bittersweet memories for Luka when he sees his children playing and getting a very vivid sense of deja vu at how much his son looks like how he remembers Viktor as a child. Either way, he's glad Akami has such a close relationship with her older brother... although it worried Luka at first how many times she tried to bite Kosta as a toddler. Here's some more info about Akami

Vendetta sequel MC

Name: Akami Morozova

Nickname: Ai-chan,  or норка (norka).

Gender: Female 

Sexual preferences: Lesbian 

Birthday: April 8

Zodiac: Aries

Face claim: Mikako Tabe

Body claim: Maika

Height: 5ft.2”/158cms.

Ethnicity: Japanese 

Hair: long, straight black hair with blunt bangs

Eyes: Black 

Complexion: Pale

Tattoos & distinguishing features: A long thin scar that starts on the left corner of her mouth going down her neck to her collar bone. An Irezumi tattoo on her right shoulder depicts a mink drawn like a kamaitachi wearing a jackal skull on its head.

Personality: Akami tends to come across as a Stoic and intense person, which can be expected considering her role in the family is to assist her older brother,Konstantin, and take out any threats to him or the family. Although many people tend to underestimate her at first since she's rather petite and baby faced. They're quick to regret it, though, as Akami is very brutal. Adopted or not, Akami is still a Morozov, and one of her fathers’ is an infamous hitman, and she very much is Jackal's daughter. She is also intensely competitive and hates to lose. While it did help motivate her to improve during combat training, it did cause problems in less high stakes situations. Such as Akami attempting to bite her brother when they were young children whenever she lost against him playing board games. Thankfully, Akami has outgrown the habit of biting people…mostly anyway. 

Despite Akami's history of aggressive behavior, she does have a fondness for cute things and even used to dress in Lolita fashion clothes as a teenager. She also tends to get flustered easily around beautiful women turning bright red and attempting to hide behind her longer hair. While Konstantin will often tease Akami about trying to hide her soft side, he does look out for his baby sister and often tries to play wingman for her. While it does embarrassed Akami, since she's not good about dealing with feelings, other than rage. She does appreciate that her older brother is one of the few people she willingly confides in with personal matters. Besides, it's not like she can ask their dads for advice with girls, and Konstantin is the only other relative, besides their cousin Katerina, with actual social skills. 

Her older brother also helps Akami rein in her temper since she's also prone to active impulsively. Having grown up together Konstantin knows his sister well enough to intervene early before she does something reckless, although sometimes he does have to physically restrain Akami, and he's one of the few people with both the physical strength and trust with her to be able to pull it off. While Akami's relationships with her brother have grown more professional since he became the new family head, it's not always completely serious. They will still affectionately tease each other and get into childish arguments with each other when in private. They're still siblings, after all. Once in a while, Akami and her brother still indulge in the same dumbass stunts and games they enjoyed as kids. Like Akami convincing her older brother to use his laser vision to blow up a watermelon or pumpkin filled with fireworks! From a safe distance and with safety gear, of course, they don't want to risk their father, Luka, freaking out and putting them both on house arrest again like last time. 

Additional info & Headcanons

Akami didn't speak until she was an older toddler. It worried both Artyom and Luka when they first brought her home. They had many doctors and specialists check on her, and they didn't find any physical impairments to her delayed speech. The doctors tried to assure her fathers that she's still within the windows for her first words. Unfortunately, the first words they would hear from their daughter weren't Dada or Papa. It was hearing Akami telling Takashi to “fuck off” after he annoyed the little girl by fawning over her too much and pinching her cheeks. Thankfully he wasn't too offended after the initial shock of hearing baby Akami cursing at him, and most of the family found it funny. Luka took a bit longer to find the humor that his youngest daughter's first words were cussing out an ally and family friend like she was a tiny Samuel L. Jackson.

Akami had a hard time making friends with other kids her age growing up. So her older brother Konstantin was her only friend for a while since he was one of the few people who always figured out how to get her to open up.

Akami has a stuffed Axolotl plushie Konstantin won for her at Carnival game when they were kids. She was upset she was too small to ride anything fun, so her brother made a point to win her the giant salamander plushy to cheer her up. It was her favorite toy, and she still keeps it even as an adult but would never admit it.

Konstantin was also the first one to take Akami out drinking when she was old enough. While it was fun Akami did give her brother a heart attack the next day when he went to check on how she's handling her first hangover by crawling out from under her bed doing a very convincing impression of Sadako from The Ring. It's not like she did it on purpose, but the fact Akami is naturally pale with long dark hair combined with her bloodshot eyes, and unsteady gait while hung over gives her an eerie resemblance to the iconic ghost girl popular in Asian horror films.

Akami received the large scar on her face and neck from an early assination mission that went sideways. She narrowly avoided getting her carotid artery cut but thankfully survived. Both her fathers and brother were furious that someone would dare scar Akami's pretty little face but they were proud to learn she did worse to the bastard who cut her, by tearing out his lower jaw…until she asked if she could keep the piece of jawbone as a trophy.

Akami has an affectionate nickname based on an animal. Her family calls her норка (norka) since it's the Russian word for mink. Her grandfather was the first one to use Nickname since, like the animal, Akami looks small and soft but is quite an aggressive predator. She even received a mink coat from him as a gift, and even as an adult, Akami prefers wearing mink coats when it snows.

Both Akami and Konstantin have a close relationship with their older cousin Katerina, to the point she's become a maternal figure to them. Like how Aunt Cara used to be a mother figure to Katerina when she was young.

Akami and Konstantin are also raised in a multilingual household. They both grew up speaking English, Russian, Cantonese, as well as Japanese considering their close relationship with the Aikawas.

Likewise, they are also close to Katerina's SOs Ash and Rin. All three of them had some influence over Akami in some way. Kitty would often take Akami shopping and dress her up, which is partly why Akami is fond of cute clothes. Rin helped instill a love of music with her, and Ash helped Akami with combat training.

Ash also unintentionally inspired Akami's arsonist tendencies. As a toddler, Akami would always giggle and get excited whenever she saw Ash create a small flame. Granted, Ash is usually more careful about using her abilities around the kids, but how could she say no to little Akami pleading to see her make fire appear on her finger tips. Especially with how cute the little girl is when she giggles and claps like she's watching a magic show. Until Akami starts trying to make her own fires. Thankfully, Luka is experienced in dealing with short tempered girls who start fires, although he makes sure to check that Akami isn't taking any flammable materials with her before she leaves the house.

While Akami also grew up close to the Aikawa family, both as allies and in-laws, since Rin married her cousin Katerina. Rin also helped influence a love of music in her. Akami was a very aggressive child, and Rin noticed early on that music had a soothing effect on her, which came in handy whenever Kitty volunteered to babysit her cousins. Akami does wind up taking music lessons growing up and does develop a beautiful singing voice, although she rarely sings in front of anyone outside her family. Akami has a preference for R & B, Soul, Jazz, and Blues music and even took up playing the drums as a teenager.

While Akami shares both her fathers distaste for large formal parties, she does try to restrain herself. Unfortunately for Akami, that restraint means punching a man in the crotch instead of stabbing him when he incessantly asked her to dance after she already said no. Thankfully, Konstantin knows his sister well enough to prevent such incidents by introducing her to groups of pretty women. Sure, Akami doesn't say much, but she's more likely to come across as adorably shy by being flustered around a group of socialites. Instead of insulting a potential ally's family by punching someone (although that one jackass did deserve it by not accepting his sister's refusal).

[lackuraphi]

Weasel story)Act One: The Free Weasel

The Story of the Free Kudari

(⚠️Caution⚠️)

I used a translator

This is the Fan fiction

It’s different from the original

It's unrealistic

The characters are Japanese names

—————————————

Before we start talking about this story, let's talk about Kudari.

"I am Kudari."

He is an ordinary boy who can be found everywhere.

If we were to find something different about Kudari,

His face always has a smile on his face and he likes white, so he enjoys wearing white clothes, and he loves trains so much that his dream is to be a Depot Agent

..And he is the child of a family that worships a weasel monster(Kamaitachi) named 'Ohnyula' as their god.

There are many different people in the world who worship various kinds of gods.

There are people who worship big white reindeer as god. There are people who worship a mantis with a rock-like blade as a god. There are even people who worship the souls of giant salmon as god. Kudari belonged to a family that worshipped the weasel monster 'Ohnyula' who caused whirlwinds as a god.

Of course, the atmosphere was solemn and there were many rules to follow, so it seemed that Kudari would always be tied up, but contrary to expectations, Kudari grew up unbound by his family. He grew up as normal as any other child.

The family's "high-rank people" never forced Kudari to serve God after generations and instead allowed him to prepare for his dream to come true, telling him to do what he wanted, and even bought Kudari all the train toys he wanted and train-related goods and books. (Fortunately, Kudari didn't buy too much to the point where he thought it was too much because he wasn't greedy.) And they let him go on a train trip if he wanted.

In addition, high-rank people didn't blame Kudari for running around with train toys in a large oriental mansion with a room that functions as a shrine, or inviting Kudari's friends Kamitsure, Huuro and Arty home.

Kudari, who grew up so rarely tied to his family, was like a free white weasel running freely in nature outside the cage.

However, even such a free Kudari had only one rule to follow in the family.

Never enter a room where god are worshiped.

Even with those rules, Kudari was not interested in the room because he was more interested in trains than God. And Kudari was a "good kid," so he listened to his family well.

But the rules were rules, so whenever Kudari invited his friends to the house, he was forced to block them from entering the forbidden room.

"Kudari! Let's go into that room!" "No." "Why?" "I don't know. The adults told me not to go in because it's a sacred place." "But Kudari, aren't you curious about what's in that room?" "No. I'm not curious." "Really?" "Yup. I'm not interested in that. I am Kudari. I prefer trains. There must be a large statue of a stone weasel standing in an empty room that is dark and smells terrible." "Umm… Or maybe the room is full of art, or historical material that My older sister Aloe would like." “Anyway, never go into that room. This time, I am really serious. Really serious" "Okay, Kudari…" "Instead, let's go eat delicious snacks! My mom told me today's snack is Dango! She told me to eat with my friends!" "Yes.. we got it.."

So Kudari's friends couldn't shake off their curiosity about the forbidden room every time they went back to their homes.

"What's in that room…?"

That day, Kudari had a very normal routine.

He woke up in the morning, ate, went to school, studied, hung out with friends on his way home, went home, fiddled with his smartphone, ate dinner, did some homework in his room, and was studying Depot Agent while listening to music before going to bed.

All right, that's all. Kudari had a normal life.

​"……"

But that day, Kudari was just staring silently and blankly at a small railway model diorama, where trains were moving in different directions, on the double track he received as a birthday present a few years ago.

'Ah… one is going up and the other is going down…'

Kudari, who had been looking at the diorama for so long, soon realized that he was tired and then lay in bed and closed his eyes to sleep.

..But this is where Kudari started to go through strange things.

'Kudari… Kudari… Kudari… Kudari… Kudari…'

Someone in Kudari's head who was sleeping kept calling his name.

"Ugh… Who is it… It's loud…"

Kudari tried to ignore the voice that called him, but the more he ignored it, the clearer his voice was heard, so Kudari could barely fall asleep until dawn, when his voice no longer called him. (Luckily it didn't matter if he woke up late because it was a holiday.)

Kudari, who woke up so late in the morning, felt tired all day and just walked around the spacious house without thinking. (His parents were worried about Kudari, but Kudari himself was tired and had no thoughts.)

​

Then Kudari stopped in front of a room.

'Kudari…'

It was a room where adults were told not to go in In front of the room, the voice that had been bothering him all night was heard.

​'Kudari… Kudari… Kudari…'

The voice, which began to be heard again, kept calling Kudari as if to come into the room.

"But I must never enter that room. Because it's a rule."

But the voice kept calling Kudari.

​'Kudari.. Kudari.. Kudari…' "Ugh! I don't care anymore! I can't stand it anymore!"

And eventually Kudari opened the sliding door, which was tightly closed, and finally got into the god-sitting room, where the adults told him to never enter (Fortunately, there were no adults around him.)

Kudari came into the room and looked around first.

The room was as large and dark as Kudari thought, and full of scent. (The only light was the light of candles hanging from place to place on the wall) However, if there is a difference, contrary to Kudari's expectations, the large stone weasel statue was nowhere to be seen.

..and beyond a small table made of dark wood used as an altar for offering something (probably a kind of food)…

"You… you…! Your face…!"

Kudari and his face look the same as if they were looking in the mirror, but unlike Kudari, who is always smiling, a boy in a black yukata, who is always expressionless, was looking at Kudari, who was surprised to see him kneeling somewhat modestly.

[ikeromantic]

The Final Thread, pt 2

Kenshin (Red Thread of Fate AU) finds himself inexplicably drawn to a tavern-keeper in an enemy village. Though victory seems assured, strange happenings put Kenshin, his allies, and the woman in danger. Written for @scruffymctee featuring her lovely OC Tomoyo! Approx. 3700 words.

Previous: Crimson Thread, Another Skein, The Final Thread pt 1

The mist ahead of Kenshin and Tomoyo cleared enough to make out the shapes of struggling figures. Men grappling with ghostly shapes, animated shīsā fighting fell beasts made of mist, and the fallen desperately crawling toward the hilltop and the hope of safety. A mounted kamaitachi crashed to the ground nearby in a sudden gust of spinning wind, the Akazonae rider dead and the beast dying.

Kenshin didn’t hesitate. His sword made its first cut, the sharp edge sinking heavily into a nearby writhing mass of arms, legs, heads, and less definable body parts that made up the opaque mass. There was a slight feeling of resistance, like cutting moving water. For a heartbeat, he wasn’t sure the ghostly creature noticed but then it turned its attention to him. 

Arms and open mouths clutched at him as he ripped his blade free. He leapt back, guard up. Slash and move, his body in tune with the fight even as his mind calculated the odds. Could a ghost be defeated? Killing the dead seemed too much to ask from the simple steel of Himetsuru Ichimonji. Yet in the end, Kenshin knew he would keep fighting even if the battle was already decided. Futility played no part in the blood-song of the struggle.

Only . . .

His distracted gaze sought out Tomoyo, drawn to her as the moon draws the tides. She stood to his right, guarding him with a zealousness he knew he did not deserve. Her weighted sleeves snapped in the night air, weaving a wall of moving fabric to keep the spirits at bay. She fought without hesitation, without fear. 

Kenshin could not help the way his eyes drank her in, admiration filling him. She was formidable. Beauty and danger, mystery and comfortable familiarity in equal measure. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to fight her. He desired. And that alone shocked him. How many years had it been since his frozen heart stirred? He could not count the passionless nights, the days of living only because to do otherwise was too much trouble. And now, there was something, someone, he wanted. 

She caught him looking and flashed an exuberant grin. Then she gestured to his left, the slightest tilt of her head, but he understood.

He spun on his heel, blade cutting toward whatever threat approached. The phantom soldier screamed, its face distorted, mouth open and bloody. It held no weapon, but speared toward him with bare hands as if its palms were knives. Kenshin’s sword cut the ghost deeply, but it did not stop. 

The phantom’s hands slipped past Kenshin’s armor, through his skin and muscle and bone. Like shards of ice that wounded the spirit and not the flesh, he thought, as the cold ripped through him. A nearby shīsā leapt to help him, stone limbs grinding as it heaved its mass across the intervening space to clamp its jaws around the ghost’s shoulder. The stone dog’s teeth dug into the ephemeral meat of the phantom, pulling it back and down.

The ghost turned its head toward the guardian. It spat the frothing blood from its lips onto the dog’s head. The moment the blood touched the shīsā, the stone it was made from crumbled into dust. The Sanada troops around him weren’t faring any better, fighting a foe that could not die and would not stop. 

Kenshin didn’t have time to worry over their fates. He had his own ghosts to battle. The cold was seeping from his chest down into his legs, and up into his throat. There were only two options. To push forward or to try to withdraw. Kenshin swept his sword out and up. With a shout, he brought it down onto the phantom’s arms. With a sensation of tearing fabric, the spirit’s flesh parted. Its limbs fell twitching to the ground. 

“Good job,” Tomoyo’s voice was closer than he expected. When he turned his head, he felt the flutter of her lashes on his cheek. “I thought I would have to save your ass again.”

“I can handle myself, woman.” He felt a smile on his lips and heard it in his voice. What was she, to bring this change on him?

“Call me woman again and next time I’ll just let the spirits take you,” she pouted. 

Kenshin felt his lips part, and her name left them like a kiss to land upon her ears. 

Tomoyo’s pout melted away. “Better.” Her jade gaze still flashed like bonfire flames, but the heat they held now was of a different sort. One that stirred low in Kenshin’s belly, a serpent of fire that excited the flesh. He felt himself lean ever closer, wanting to claim her mocking mouth with his own. “Careful,” she laughed, dancing back from him. 

Kenshin had only a heartbeat to react as a smoking chunk of armor hurled past his head. Any slower and it would have hit them both. “Is your village always like this?”

“Only when we’re being invaded.” She gestured toward the battle raging around them, encompassing the mist-cloaked village and the hidden swell of the hill they climbed. “Mostly, the nights are quiet. Mists and shaking shutters. It’s only when there is violence that the spirits wake.”

They had no time to discuss it further as the many-limbed abomination closed in on them again. 

Kenshin tried to stay out of reach, using the longer reach of Himetsuru Ichimonji to his advantage. Tomoyo was at his side, her small blade and long sleeves teasing and distracting the monstrosity while Kenshin hacked at it. Normally, Kenshin preferred not to coordinate with other soldiers, but fighting beside Tomoyo felt as natural as drawing breath. He need not call out attacks or warnings, nor did she. They moved as if guided by one will, one being split into two parts.

Slowly, they whittled the creature down. Arms, legs, heads all fell to the ground and dissolved into mist. The mass of spectral flesh kept coming though, and Kenshin realized this fight was only a holding action. They could not win, not like this. “Is there a way to destroy them,” he called out, unable to spare a glance for her.

“Yes,” she replied after a moment. “But it’s impossible.”

“Tell me.” 

Tomoyo took a breath, her motion slowing for a moment. Then, “We must let them have their victory. Then they can depart, knowing they protected their home.”

It was impossible. The Sanada and their Takeda allies would never submit, especially not to a force of yūrei whose intentions could not be known. Kenshin shot her a gauging look, but there was no doubt in her expression. She was certain, he could see. “Come, then.” 

The two of them fled their fight with the limbed horror. They ran up, past more knots of battle and through thickened mist. The night was alive with screams and the clamor of battle, intensifying as they reached the top. There, the Sanada general rode atop his dragon mount, using the vantage point to direct his troops. 

Kenshin grabbed Tomoyo’s hand as they approached. The general spotted him and brought his dragon to a stop so that he could speak. 

Yukimura Sanada was an imposing man. His gaze was hard but not unkind. He led by never letting his troops fight a battle he was unwilling to put himself into. Though the Sanada were the reason Kenshin was a mercenary, Yukimura earned his respect a hundred times over. As he did now, sliding down from his saddle to greet a mere mercenary. “What news?”

Kenshin bowed low, and was somewhat surprised when Tomoyo followed suit. He half expected her to be to proud to bend even for the general. “There may be a way to fight these spirits.” He quickly relayed Tomoyo’s suggestion. 

Yukimura’s brows rose. “And what will the ghosts do if we surrender? You want me to believe they will let us go?”

Tomoyo nodded. “Yes. These are merely farmers, craftsman, conscripted into battles that were not their own. They died fighting battles they could not win, and watched their village burn. Wives and children killed, or worse. All they want is to protect this place.”

“Why should I believe you? You’re one of these villagers.” Yukimura’s frown deepened. 

“Because if you don’t, more of your troops will die. You will be left weakened by the time dawn arrives, if you survive. Easy pickings for the Oda.” Tomoyo smirked. “I could care less, of course. But this one made himself worth my time.” 

Kenshin felt her eyes on him as she said it. Appraising, warm. A look of approval. It made his heart lurch in his chest, his pulse racing. 

Yukimura scowled. He did not like the idea of surrender, but it was clear his troops had little hope otherwise. You could not kill what was already dead. “Fine. I will try it. But if it doesn’t work, you best hope it’s the ghosts that pull you apart before I find you.”

Tomoyo laughed. “You should hope for that too.”

The general ignored her jibe, already calling out to his commanders. Kenshin waited, his hand still holding tight to Tomoyo. He could let her go, but did not want to. And she didn’t pull away. 

“You, village woman, you will accompany my mercenary to deliver my orders.” Yukimura pulled a charm from his armor that bore his mon. “Here, so they will know this order comes from me. Tell them to put down their weapons and kneel.” 

Kenshin accepted the charm with a nod. There was little to say. As they moved away from Yukimura, Tomoyo tugged at his hand. “You need to surrender too.”

“I’m not fighting them right now.” He raised a curious eyebrow as she released her grip on him.

“You need to put down your weapons.” Tomoyo demonstrated by setting her knife down and shrugging out of her kimono. She wore a simple linen shift beneath it, baring her shoulders and legs. 

The sight left Kenshin’s mouth dry and his heart racing. For a breath, he could not remember where they were or why. His eyes followed the curve of her bare throat, the line of her neck, the slope of her breasts. A pendant hung between her breasts, hidden by the thin cloth. It was the first time he felt jealous of a piece of jewelry. He devoured her with his gaze, tracing all the places he wanted to touch. To kiss. She was intoxicating, and he wondered if, perhaps, this was some spell. 

Tomoyo touched his arm. “Your turn?”

He put his weapons down, too distracted by the sight of her to argue.

Her smile was a reward in itself. “Good. Now let’s go.”

The two of them left the hilltop ringing with the clatter of dropped weapons and kneeling armored men. It seemed to be working, or at least, the spirits returned to the mist and gave up their horrid forms. Word was spreading without them, the soldiers that saw what was happening imitating their comrades. 

Kenshin delivered the command to surrender at each knot of fighting they came across. The soldiers, seeing them unarmed and passing the spirits with ease, followed suit without much argument. He did need to flash the Sanada token each time, but the soldiers were all looking for a way to survive this fight and that was what he offered them. 

It was strange to him, bringing peace instead of battle. Kenshin was a god of war, a man with only one real purpose in life. One thing that made him feel. At least, he had been. Tonight, something shifted. He wasn’t sure what, not yet. There would be time to understand later. He shared a look with Tomoyo as they stepped past a pile of bodies, men they were too late to save. 

“You will answer my questions when this is over.”

“Will I?” She grinned. “Maybe you’ll answer mine. Like, who are you really, Kenshin? Why do you look so -”

“Familiar,” they said together. 

Kenshin smiled. “We will answer each other’s questions then.”

“Mmmm. Like a conversation?” Tomoyo gave a quiet laugh. “I have to admit, I was thinking of another way to greet dawn with you. But I suppose we can talk first.” 

First, she said and the intent echoed in his ears. Kenshin nodded. He was not unaware of the tension between them. Like the air after a lightning strike, or the feel of coals about to spring alight, there was energy that hummed to life when they were close. One that coiled in his low belly and beat in his chest. A hot-blooded tautness that could only be relieved by violence or sex.

She poked his arm. “Your cheeks are red.”

“You -” He wasn’t sure what he was about to say, but the words died on his lips as they came to another knot of fighting. Kenshin called out, holding Sanada’s mon aloft. “Surrender by order of General Sanada. Drop your weapons and kneel!”

The soldiers ignored him, too intent on their phantom enemies to listen to sense. Kenshin waded in. “Drop your weapons! The ghosts will depart if you stop fighting!” 

“Drop them, you idiots,” Tomoyo shouted from beside him.

The ghosts ignored the unarmed pair, but one of the soldiers spun toward her voice. “You! You’re one of the villagers! You’re on their side!” 

Kenshin brandished the charm, holding it higher. “This has nothing to do with her. Surrender on General Sanada’s orders!” 

The soldier did not even glance at the charm. His sword came down in an arc, slashing Tomoyo open from shoulder to belly. Blood stained the linen of her underdress and streamed down her bare legs. She stood there, looking down in surprise.

Sanada’s charm fell to the ground, forgotten in sudden motion as Kenshin launched himself at the soldier. He had no sword, but he was a weapon himself. His fist crunched against the side of the man’s head. His other fist met the man’s throat. The next several heartbeats were lost to fury and panic as Kenshin punched and kicked, continuing even after the soldier ceased to move.

Around them, the ghosts stirred. While Kenshin fought, the other Sanada soldiers dropped their weapons. Now they knelt on the ground, faces upturned to watch as the ghosts moved as one toward the only remaining combatant. 

Kenshin did not even notice. His vision blurred from rage, and all he could see was red. Failed. Again. Why could he not protect her? The thoughts swirled in a storm of confusion as he tried to regain control of himself. In the end, it was her voice that brought him back. Her quiet voice, barely a breath.

“Stop.”

He froze midswing, finally realizing his opponent was dead. The spirits were moving toward him now, inexorable. And he was helpless. Kenshin’s gaze moved from his bloodied hands to Tomoyo. When had she fallen? He crawled to where she lay, grasping her hand in his. Blood slickened palms met, her blood and the blood of the man that killed her. “Please,” Kenshin whispered. “Stay with me.”

Tomoyo smiled at him, a look made melancholy by the regret in her eyes. “I wish . . . but . . . not this time . . . either.” 

Not this time. Her words stirred a fitful stream of images. Memory or imagination? He did not know. Only that she was in every one. Dead by his own hands, killed by his enemies, slain by his allies, and even by her own will. A thousand thousand partings, tragedies beyond count. His heart ached with a searing pain. “I won’t let you go.”

“You . . . always . . . say that.” Her smile turned wistful. “I wish, just once . . . we could find . . . our happy ending.” 

A rain drop landed on her cheek. Another on her lips. Warm drops that welled from his eyes. “This will be our happy ending. Tomoyo!” 

She shook her head. “Next time.” She tore the cord from around her neck and pushed it into his hand. “Take this . . . protect . . .” A shiver ran through her. 

Kenshin stared at his hand, where the bloodied pendant lay. It looked like a piece of bone, carved with some strange sign. “Protect?” The jewelry lit up from within. A fey, thin light at first, it grew stronger with every beat of his heart until it was glowing like the sun. 

The encroaching spirits burned away, and the surrounding mist as well. This was the light that protected him before, he realized. Some magic Tomoyo kept close. He closed his eyes against the bright light, against the tears that threatened to spill out again. In the afterimage, all he could see was a coiling thread of scarlet. Thin and delicate, a tangle that pulled itself apart in the darkness behind his eyelids. Spooling into a trail that led from his heart. 

Kenshin’s eyes opened. He could still see that faint crimson string. It ran from his thumb to the little finger of her left hand. Cruel fate, he thought, to give him the other half of his soul only to take her again. He laid down beside her and held her body close, no longer caring if he lived or died. There was nothing, without her. 

The light of the pendant faded, imparting an otherworldly glow, one hidden by the palm of his hand and the press of Tomoyo’s bloodied chest. 

Around the two fallen figures, the battles died down. Those that surrendered, lived. And those that fought, died. The mists withdrew, until only a few pockets of it remained. Silvered depths of fog and gloom. One such settled like a cloak over the two ill-fated lovers. 

Kenshin felt the weight of mist as it stretched over him. He wondered if it would take him as it had the camp soldiers. That end seemed no better or worse than any other. Perhaps more peaceful than he deserved, he thought. Yet there was no sense of menace from the fog. No dread as the cold of it sank into his skin. 

Love. A hundred whispered voices said the word, echoed it, repeated it, in his mind. Did you love? We loved too. The voices came now with images of their own. Wives, mothers, daughters, sons, husbands . . . family and friends and neighbors. With each, the sense of overwhelming grief. 

The spirits mourned with Kenshin, his sorrow blending with theirs. His tears, their tears. 

You freed us, the voices sighed and moaned in his mind. You protected our village. 

“No.” Kenshin struggled for a moment, fighting the influence of the dead over his thoughts. “She did. Tomoyo. She brought you peace. I am only -” killer, murderer. God of War. They read his thoughts before he gave them breath. 

Tomoyo.

He felt her body grow cold beneath his hands as the spirits pressed into her empty flesh. The vibrant soul of her gone already. 

She is not gone, the dead whispered. She is here. With us.

“With you?” Kenshin’s eyes opened, the mismatched gaze searching as they met the depths of swirling white and grey. He felt her then, the heat of her jade gaze, soft breath against his cheek, her laugh tickling his ears. “Please. . .” He wasn’t sure if he was begging her or the ghosts, or what he asked for. His heart was bound up in all its confusion to that one plea.

The mist swirled around him, disturbed and growing more agitated by the breath. The voices of the dead rose in volume, turning from whispers to a cacophony. And then, in a sudden gust, everything fell silent and still. Kenshin froze, uncertain.

He felt the pendant in his hand tremble, and he turned his palm up to look at it. When he did, the tiny bone-colored carving shattered. Light burst from the remains, a cold fire in his hand. The brilliance drew itself in and poured like water from the remnants of the pendant into Tomoyo’s wound. 

Her chest closed up, the skin rippling as it healed. Her fingers twitched. A breath groaned through her parted lips, and then another. 

“Tomoyo?” Kenshin watched in awe. 

Her body warmed beneath him, and then her eyes opened. Her eyes, like a spring garden, green and brimming with life. 

Kenshin kissed her. His lips met hers with a desperate hunger, built across a thousand worlds and countless lives. He drank her in, the coppery taste of blood on her tongue, the sweetness of sake, the vibrant complex taste of her. His heart felt as if it might burst as she returned his passion in kind. 

“How,” she murmured, her hands caressing his arms, his shoulders, his sides. 

“I don’t know. Or care.” He kissed her again. “I found you this time. And I won’t let you go.”

Tomoyo laughed, a gentle, joyful sound. “How do you know it’s not the other way around? Perhaps I won’t let you go.”

He felt a smile so wide it hurt spread across his cheeks. “That is a debate I might let you win.”

“Let me? I can beat you fair and square,” she teased back. 

“I will not waste a single moment we have been gifted.” Kenshin bowed his head. “I do not know why the dead returned you to me, but I am grateful.”

Tomoyo nodded. “We will honor you. All of you.”

Around them, the spirits shifted, the weight of them growing lighter. Dawn approached, and the ghosts, appeased now, could pass on. Kenshin and Tomoyo felt them go. 

“We should go too,” Tomoyo sighed. “I am sure your general has questions.”

Kenshin gave a slight shrug. “Maybe. But we have plans, you and I. Though I am rethinking the order . . .”

“Oh?” She gave him a look that turned his insides hot. “But you wanted your questions answered first, didn’t you?”

Kenshin lifted her into his arms and cradled her close. “I have changed my mind. Instead, I am going to deposit you into a bath. And after we scrub off the dirt and the blood from each other, I am going to make love to you until neither of us can even whimper. And when we sleep, I will wake up with you in my arms to do it all again.”

Tomoyo’s smile widened. “That is a plan I can agree to.”

[crepes-suzette-373]

(Youkai AU)

Where would my honour be if I don't draw Zoro properly at least once? XD Also Happy Birthday, Zoro.

Just a little lore-comic for the youkai AU. Zoro is a kamaitachi and there's no pirate stuff in this world, so his epithet had to be something else. Also, I think his earrings kinda look funny in his little weasel ear, but he can't not have them...

I'm not very good at designing throwaway enemies, so this is just some kind of passing samurai ghost/zombie.

I very seriously considered just keeping the name Wadou Ichimonji, but I'm not so sure about it right now, so I made up a different blade name for the time being. If I later decide to bring Wadou later, I can just say that Fudou is his secondary blade.

Samonji 左文字 is also a real life famous sword school, like Ichimonji.

[ask-shane]

Alright, after the last mention about my country (Brazil), I'll show you more of our culture. So, the most well-known music style in Brazil would be "funk" right? Well, I also want to introduce you to my favorite singer, which is "Kamaitachi" His music is really unique, he tells stories through his songs, creates his own world and characters with the music. Seriously, it's amazing, I love it so much

oh, interesting stuff. i like the idea of using music to world-build and tell a story with characters... that is really unique. it reminds me of what it feels like to watch a movie or show.

[risingshine]

Screw it - scar sheet! (also cursed hairless chiasa) She has small pocks and scars littered across her body, so here's the major ones

(1. Chiasa got slashed with a knife to the face after trying to steal a chicken when she was young.

(2. the scar around her neck is from more than one person trying to chain her by the neck, and her cutting herself every time she broke out of it.

(3. the two bullet wounds are from her fight with the imperial army during their conquering of the north - she was weakened by the cold, and the shots through her heart caused her to sleep for a year to recover.

(4. the scars around her right breast is from getting on the wrong side of a pack of kamaitachi (sickel weasel yokai who are carried on the wind)

(5. The scar under her left breast is from being torn up by an oni's serrated kanabo

(6. the cross-shaped scar was from a yokai hunter who used Kojiro's Swallow Cut in an attempt to cut her gut open (with minimal results)

(7. the cut across her thigh was from a fight with the Kuchisake-onna; she couldn't exactly reach chiasa's face, after all.

(8. a massive spear through her knee from a fight with the Hachishakusama who was more dangerous than expected.

(9. A shot in the foot with an anti-magic bullet. Funnily enough it was to get her out of a rut she was stuck in.

(10. a scar across her shoulder from a battle with a knight and a greatsword.

(11. She protects herself with her forearms, so most battles end with her having more scares on them.

(12. as her hands are the main weapon, and her tendancy to grabble things, stray strikes will always end up beatin gup her hands. the scars around both her wrists are from bounds she broke through and cut her wrists up in the proccess.

(13. From an omyoji attempting to seal and control her - the marking put on her seared into a scar.

(14. A scar from her shoulder from protecting a group of travelers from a raging tengu

(15. An axe in the back from a scared woodcutter after pulling his daughter from a housefire in 'monster' form.

(16. A shot in the back from a ninja with a rudimentary shotgun

(17. A claw strike from a lightning oni trying to fry her

(18. Straw arrows when she rescued a man from a rogue bandit camp.

[akuaya-stories-tl]

[SR] [Eric] Pure-Hearted Sorcerer

Chapter 1: Life Is ... Than Fiction

Eric: — Done. I've tended to your wounds, you should be fine now.

Boy: Thank you!

[Boy leaves the scene]

Claude: … Still, it's strange that he'd suddenly get a cut even though he didn't trip on anything.

Eric: Apparently, it's a phenomenon called Kamaitachi. It's a mysterious occurrence, fitting for the times of Kankonsai.

Just like with the fox possession incident with Vanis, we still couldn't let our guard down yet.

We should get back to our patrolling—...

???: Come on, everyone. Stop by and have a look…!

We have everything, from popular children's books to unearthed ancient scrolls~!

Eric: … It's an antique bookshop. There are so many books I haven't seen before…!

Antique bookshop owner: Oh, interested? You can pick one and look at it if you want.

Eric: Oh… But we're on duty now…

Antique bookshop owner: Oh? On duty, so that must mean you guys are from the army. Thanks for working hard so late.

Claude: Ah, no. We were just getting ready to wrap things up for the day.

Eric: … Huh?

Claude: Let's take a look for a bit, Eric. I'm also interested in those antique books.

Eric: Huh, ah, yes sir…!

Claude: But the amount of antique books here is genuinely fascinating… It's my first time seeing this military strategy book.

Did you find anything nice, Eric?

Eric: Ah, yes. I'm a bit curious about this novel…

Antique bookshop owner: Oh, you have good eyes, Sir.

It's a story written in the Far Eastern Land, it has travelled all the way across the ocean.

Eric: The Far East!? From such a faraway place? What's the story about?

Antique bookshop owner: Curious? You'll have to read it for the details, but I suppose I can tell you the gist of it at least.

To put it simply…

The story is about the protagonist, a sorcerer, who had to defeat his possessed friend from the grasp of a fiend with his own hands.

Eric: I see… Seems like it's quite a tragic story from the sounds of it.

Antique bookshop owner: No, that's not the case at all.

The world was saved thanks to the protagonist’s decision and his friend's resolve, that's how the story ends with a happy ending.

Eric: ……

Antique bookshop owner: Huh? What's wrong, sir?

Eric: … Oh, nothing.

I was just wondering if that's truly a happy ending—

Chapter 2: Life Is ... Than Fiction

Eric: … Oh, nothing.

I was just wondering if that's truly a happy ending…

Antique bookshop owner: ? What do you mean?

Eric: … His possessed friend ultimately sacrificed himself, right? That's too tragic, I don't think it resolved with a happy ending at all.

Antique bookshop owner: Haha, you're taking it too seriously. It's only fiction, you should take it lightly.

Eric: That may be true, but…

Antique bookshop owner: Speaking of which, seems like the story is also popular as a theater piece over there.

With the way you two right now, you guys could walk onto the stage straight away.

Eric: With the way we are right now?

Claude: He's talking about our costumes. Coincidentally, Eric dressed as a sorcerer while I dressed up as a fiend.

Eric: Oh, I see! My acting is utterly hopeless though.

Claude: What if, it wasn't acting then?

Eric: Huh?

Claude: If I was possessed by a monster… Would you strike me down without hesitation?

Eric: Err… Sir Claude…?

Claude: ……

Haha, I'm kidding. It was merely a jest, I just want to poke fun at you. Sorry—

Eric: I'll do it.

Claude: ……!

Eric: If that happens, I'll do it.

But I'm different from the protagonist of the story. So I think I won't do it the same way as him.

Claude: … How'll you do it then?

Eric: Let's see… Despite how I look, I don't give up so easily.

I'll definitely find a way to chase out the fiend from you.

Claude: …!

Eric: Sir Claude is important to Aquilegia. Me and Oscar will surely save you.

Claude: … Hm, I see. That's rather reliable of you.

Eric: No, err… I'm sorry! I somehow ended up talking so full of myself.

Claude: That's not true at all.

… It's just, you're too blinding for me.

Eric: Huh? Did you say anything?

Claude: Nothing… But I'd like to see that ending you spoke of more than the one in the story, that's all.

Eric: I see. I'm glad to hear it.

Claude: — Shopkeeper, would you sell that book to me?

Eric: What?

Claude: You've done well for our patrol this time. Think of it as your reward.

Eric: R-Really!?

Umm… I'm just asking to be sure.

But Sir Claude, you aren't possessed by anything like Sir Vanis, are you?

Claude: Oh…

Nevermind, shopkeeper. Seems like we don't need it.

Eric: I-I'll take it, I'll take it so please! I'm sorry! That was a joke just now!

Claude: … Pfft, hahaha.

Antique bookshop owner: Thanks for your patronage, customers!

[Fin]

[elliottchezits]

2ND KNY OC TIME YAYAAYYAYSYDJFKCKK-

I know I already included some facts about him in the pic but I'm still going to type stuff about him lmao

Like I said on Hannei's post, I am not from Japan and I'm not knowledgeable on their language, so if I get something wrong, I'm sorry

Name:

Kagerō Hara

His first name Kagerō (かげろう or カゲロウ), also spelled Kagerou, is the Japanese word for "heat haze" (陽炎) or "mayfly" (蜉蝣 or 蜻蛉)

[Ignore the fact I forgot to make the o in his name's this ō]

While his last name Hara 原(はら) means meadow.

Current Age:

17

Birthday:

December 3rd

Gender + Pronouns:

Male, He/Him

Species:

Human

Rank:

Tsuchinoe

Breathing Style:

Breath of the Weasel

A breathing style inspired by the Japanese mythical creature, Kamaitachi. It has six forms. Kagero came up with it by himself, derived from Wind breathing.

Relationship + Sexuality:

Single and ready to mingle (kill me that was hurtful to type). Demiromantic.

Weapons:

Kusarigama

Kusarigama is his main weapon. A sickle attached to a long chain.

He has smaller weapons though like daggers and a Tekko-Kagi laced with wisteria poison.

Miscellaneous items he carries with him though are matches, a lighter, a tin of gasoline/oil and wisteria powder.

Personality:

Kagero is a very extroverted person but very blunt. He doesn't mean to be rude! He just.. isn't the brightest. Very outgoing and active, always at least interacting with someone or keeping himself busy with training or hobbies. He's a gentleman as well, mama raised him right type of gentleman. Confident but not egotistical. He's a bit of a blabber mouth, he tries to keep quiet but like it ends up failing. An absolute nerd when it comes to japanese mythical creatures. Always puts his family first, no questions asked.

He's a bit reckless though and oddly violent. That violence is only towards demons of course. One of his flaws is that he always rushes in. His determination is admirable but my god this guy is gonna die faster if he just keeps attacking 💀 he gets better though. That plays along with his slight lack of patience, he wants things to end as quickly as possible so he can get to another mission. A bit greedy and a huge spender, love language is gift giving frfr. Nosy, and is upfront about it too.

Backstory:

Kagerō and his little sister, Akemi, lived in a nice little village with their grandparents, parents sadly passing away due to natural causes. Kagerō used to work at his grandparents' restaurant but only to help. Serving the orders to the customers, occasionally hearing the gossip from locals and visitors. The most peculiar ones were about demons. How odd, but it's nice to know that there are people interested in myths just like him. Every once a month, Kagerō and Akemi would visit their parents' graves to pay respects and just chat for a while, have a little picnic as well.

The rumors about a demon were starting to get even more intense, Kagerō chalked it up to just paranoia until he heard something about the graveyard. Dug up graves have been spotted with the bodies in them gone. Of course he was starting to get worried, what sort of maniac would steal the dead bodies of people's loved ones? So one particular night, he did the smart (dumb) thing to do. Wait until his grandparents and little sister fall asleep, sneak out and catch the criminal in the act! He took a lamp with him, careful not to step on any of the graves as he walked. That's when he heard it, a sickeningly loud and squelching noise, followed by a few crunches. To his horror, the rumors were true. It was a demon. A demon was digging up graves and eating up the corpses. His parents' graves are one of them. Furious, he yelled at the demon.. and proceeded to fist fight with it. The demon was pretty frail and weak, but still stronger than the average human.

Akemi had actually followed him, scared out of her mind while holding her own lantern, decorated in wisteria flowers. One thing led to another and Kagerō just shoved the wisteria into the demon's mouth, poisoning it. He was tired but did his best to stay conscious so he could take Akemi back home. Both got the scolding of their lives but it was later revealed that their grandparents are retired demon slayers. Both trained the two about the wind breathing. Akemi was successful while Kagerō made a few changes to better suit him.

Extra:

- His favorite food is Uiro. He has a massive sweet tooth.

- Freaked out by the Wind Hashira ngl

- The top of his uniform originally belonged to another demon slayer he knew. He saw how uncomfortable she was with it and offered to switch. They were the same size so it was successful.

- Friends with Hannei! He maybe even has the tiniest crush on them.

- Regularly talks about brutal ways on how to kill a demon with Hannei.

- He keeps his hair long because Akemi loves playing and styling it. (Got pissed this one time a demon was able to cut it lol)

- He'd be great friends with Mitsuri!... If he wasn't so freaked out by the Serpent Hashira. Respectfully.

- Likes giving fun nicknames to everyone he meets. (Tanjiro = lucky, Zenitsu = deer boy, Hannei = Hare, etc.)

- Admired Rengoku Kyojuro a lot, he even wanted to train with him one day.

[zoroara]

December Belphegor Redraw 8 of 31!  

And now~ For the first full drawing of Tyl Bel, and Mink of course! It's absolutely hilarious to me that all the Varia name theirs and then Bel is just "Yeah it's mink" He could not be fucking asked.

Other thing I know Minks are like royal animals and all that. But there's like so many of those right? I always wondered why specifically a mink was chosen. But then a while ago when I was reading through the Storm Battle a line by Basil comparing his attacks to a Japanese Yokai known as the Kamaitachi made me realize why. See, the Kamaitachi is a creature that attacks in whirlwinds, cutting quickly with the ends of it's limbs that are knives. The main body? It's a weasel, and what is a mink but a royal weasel. If that's the reason it was staring me right in the damn face the whole time. I felt like a fool.

The Image I redrew is under the cut, just to keep the post small.

Mink looks like a slinky...

[mootablemimic]

In just your own opinion, if you had to assign animals that best suit everyone in the Null class, who would be what?

Momoka - Boss Momoka's a lioness, one hundred percent. An absolutely fucking jacked lioness, but still, the Sisterhood is her pride.

Akihiro - Like, come on, he's a bear. He's big and fuzzy and cuddly and just. Akihiro's a papa bear.

Yasutake - A weasel! He always, always makes me think of kamaitachi, so my vote is a weasel. Even if a sickle is more Chiyome's weapon than his.

Keisuke - Keisuke's like...a donkey with a shitty attitude that eventually mellows out, and this isn't just an excuse to call him an ass.

Yu - A boar! Because pigs are cute and all, but hoo boy, when they've got a bad temper, watch out.

Katyusha - Is it cheating to say she'd be a borzoi because she has a borzoi? Like. Yeah, kat in her name, but she's a hunting dog.

Miko - Tanuki tanuki tanuki pompokopon. Since day 1, tanuki's been her animal.

Seira - Seira makes me think of a swan, honestly? Probably because Swan Lake, and ballet seems sort of Seira.

Gakuto - It feels like it should be easy. Maybe the right answer is staring me in the face? Catboy who likes Arthurian mythology gets assigned lion, more at 11?

Kiyomi - Oh, oh, sea otter Kiyomi would be really cute. And her favorite rock is her crystal, heehee.

Yuki - He's a really fluffy, cuddly cat. The kind that you're like "Oh, he's playing nurse" because he cuddles when you're sick.

Hotaru - Hotaru's a quail! Their ahoge always makes me think of quails, and...idk, their whole visual vibe feels quail to me.

Ayaka - Ayaka's a rabbit, but not a Flemish Giant like her dear pet Bellamy. She's more like...an Angora?

Ogin - Ogin is a precious calico cat who does not like people.

Shinji - He's a mole. You designed him to be a mole. Like, come on.

Hikaru - The shittiest sassiest tuxedo cat ever.