Wicked Yokai Prince

More Shintaro

A flicker of light bloomed from far away. Shintaro spotted the light with his sharp eyes glinting in the canvass of darkness. "Look, Rin-san!" He rejoiced. "Looks like lanterns that way. A village must be near." Him and Rin didn't have to sleep on the ground together. He let out a sigh of relief having dodged the awkward situation ahead.

They walked following the trace of the light until they made it to the small village. Lines of lanterns lit the streets as though there was a festival of the spirits happening. Rin can very well remember this place for the trauma it caused her not even that long ago.

This time no one noticed, no one smelled her scent, she didn't stand out like she did when she first got spirited away.

Shintaro led the path searching for an inn when she grabbed his sleeve trying to get his attention.

Shintaro halted and looked back at her. "What is it?"

Rin pointed at the mountain. Flicker of lights ebbed in and out of sight caused by the swaying trees.

Shintaro followed the path of her finger and saw the fading lights. Based on the size of the castle, and the location of it, Shintaro had assumed that must be the where the lord in charged takes his residence.

"Is that where you live?" He asked.

"Rin nodded. I need to get back to him please."

Shintaro let out another breath, staring at the small castle, calculating the distance and the effort he has to travel. He would very much like to just drink some sake and rest. He's been on the road travelling for days. He's in much need of a bath and a warm meal.

He exhaled, weighing something else on his mind. If the face stealing oni is there, that means he'll have to use what's left of his energy to fight it. If he waited, there's always a risk of losing its trail again. He looked at Rin beneath his lashes one more time, unable to discern her thoughts through her expression.

"It's about an hour trek at least."

Rin nodded, she remembered it only took Jiro minutes to fly up there but being on foot makes a lot of difference. "If we make it tonight, I could ask lord Jiro to feed you and let you stay for the night."

He rubbed his chin. "It may not be a bad deal after all." But he's not entirely too sure about this tengu. He's heard many tales of him, his crimes from fifty years ago. Jiro is not a good spirit that's for sure and he wondered what is his intention keeping and protecting a human girl inside his red castle?

Shintaro grew even more curious and concerned. "How about we take up some rest for tonight. I don't want to be fighting spirits on an empty stomach."

Rins shoulders slumped. She would very much liked to be at the manor now.

Shintaro nudged her with his elbow. "Common' I promise I'll get your face back."

She exhaled defeated, cursing herself for relying on men.

"That a girl!" Cheered Shintaro triumphant.

*****

Rin should have known better. She couldn't trust a man whether he's a spirit or a human. Shintaro's laughter streamed all the way to her room. Rin moped in silence and alone in her room until the drew of his laughter became so unbearable and irritating to her. 

Rin huffed as she got up, and stalked out of her room with the heaviest thud on her feet.

"Shintaro-san!" She shouted and glared at him. Female spirits accompanied him. He held two of them, one on each arm. 

There's no doubt Shintaro has shed all his exhaustion away. He even got himself a nice long bath. he seemed like a brand new man.

The grin wiped away from the female spirits faces once Rin arrived wearing a scowl on her face, although Shintaro remained wearing his.

"Hmmm?" He swayed and gulped down the cup of sake on his hand before putting it down on the table. "What is it, Rin-san? Do you want to join us this evening?" 

Her face soured as she fumed. If Jiro has mastered a knack for pissing her off, Shintaro is in a whole nother level. "Do I look like I want to join you?"

Shintaro thought for a second. "No." But what is she doing here if she didn't want to join the fun? Something clicked in him. She couldn't be jealous of the women could she? Shintaro released both girls from his arms. "Ah, Rin-san, it's not what it looks like!"

But Rin is in no mood for his playful antics. It'll take more that spending a whole day with her to get jealous with other girls. If she knew Shintaro's plan was to drown himself in alcohol and get absorbed in women's bossoms, she would have convinced him to go ahead to the manor with her.

"I'm going ahead! The trek is only an hour away." She knew she could make it. 

Shintaro was suddenly sobber after what she said. "No you're not! It's dangerous."

"Heck yeah, I am!" Her voice rising. He's got some nerves telling her no like he's in charged of her all of a sudden. 

Shintaro sighed and adjusted the katana on his hip, he made sure his eyes were focused on anything else except her. "This Jiro must be someone important to you, huh? I mean to wanna get home to him as soon as you can even if you put yourself in danger."

She was getting so frustrated by now. She pointed at her face. "My face got stollen and this demon is trying to get to him, and probably seduce him."

Shintaro's face knotted, his face grew more and more concerned the longer he let the thought simmered in his head. He could have made sure the Faceless oni was a male.

"What's the matter Shintaro-san? What's up with the face?"

Shintaro rearranged his expression. "I won't judge you Rin-san, but honestly, I had no idea you are into kinki stuff like that."