The devil that lurks within

The boy had truly made a habit of making trips to the battleground. His skills had grown and his muscles hardened with use, proving his efforts fruitful. It was addicting, the power and skill he was acquiring, and he wanted even more. He wanted to prove himself, so he set out to do just that. As he arrived, his companions in tow, the boy couldn’t not notice his opponent in front of him. She stuck out like a sore thumb, a familiar sore thumb. She was like a giant, pink, spring flower, dappled in markings of lighter and darker pink that resembled much of his koi heritage. His curiosity was officially peaked.

The glowing lad let out a bark of greeting, and unlike the other times, he didn’t send Benjiro or Amaya away. This woman was fully grown, though just barely taller than him, and seemingly battle hardened beneath her sleek pink pelt. She had seasons on him and, therefore, he needed the leverage that he could. The Akita and the Serow flanked him, close on his heels as he settled a fair distance away from her. His red gaze turned to Benjiro and, in the snow, he wrote out a question. In turn, his companion turned to face the woman. “Master Takeshi would like to know if you are from Iga,” the dog spoke, his tone swift and fluent in his native Japanese tongue.