Kage and Kagirinai <private>

[Neko-Nakro]

Seeing things through the eyes of a horse was rather remarkable, the young demoness always preferred this more bestial and wild feeling to that of a two legged form that seemed more vulnerable and squishy. In this state her appearance both commanded awe and fright, for she not only looked fearsome but beautiful. Muscles flexing under sleek, black, soft fur, soon stood still as streamline nostrils flared at the scent of humans. Her ears twitched and swiveled in the direction of voices and footsteps. Kagirinai's piercing silver gaze stared, or rather glared at the mortal men, their presence not at all welcome, especially since they obviously meant her harm.

They only got out a few words before she lashed out at the men who were ready to take her out. Powerful kicks of her hooves sent some flying with cracked ribs and broken limbs. These creatures, she would not dare allow them to have her life as another one of their so called victories against the demon race. She snorted defiantly before darting lot int one direction, breaking through sutra's and enchantments that would cripple most demons. Whirling around and rearing on her hind legs she let out a defiant, challenging neigh before closing her wing close to her body, creating a feathery shield that guarded her against more sutras as she charged into the remaining group of 12 men.

Soon all that stood was a bloody, heavily wounded mare and the head monk who just barely managed to avoid a death low to the head with her hooves. As the man charged at her with his staff in a final attempt to ride the region of this beast, aiming straight for her heart through the space between her armor. Fueled by pure adrenaline the female didn't even realize he had pierced through her armor's damaged section, at least not until she cracked the man's skull with her massive, armored head. A series of pained huffs and stumbling was followed by her collapsing to her knees in her human form as she ripped the staff out of her chest. Her blurring gaze fell on the small battlefield that was once just a peaceful field full of wildflowers. It was now littered with humans and their scattered remains, both thief blood, and hers staining the earth and filling the air. Her hands and face were covered in their blood, as her own oozed from open wounds. Kagirinai felt her strength fading as her tattered wings slumped, her form soon following suit as she passed out in the field of bodies.

[Sune&Kage]

Kage had been passing at his own pace, not a care in the world. Not that he ever had one, he made his way just listening to the sounds of this world. Then as he went to pass an obvious battle field to the south of him, he caught the smell of fresh blood. First human, then something sweet. Was this second scent a woman, it isn't that of a human though. How he loved everything about the female presence. And this one really caught his attention, with that he changed his direction. As he walked onto the battle field, he smiled at the dead monks at his feet. Those stupid humans, they had no chance.

As Kage walked, his line of sight was caught by the sight of lavender hair. What a wonderful color, and whom did those wonderful locks belong to. Once his feet came to rest in front of the bloodied beauty, he couldn't help but reach down and brush the hair from the girls face. She wasn't human, just as he thought. He stood back up, and was going to walk away. Then he stopped and looked back at the girl laying on the ground. He returned in front of her, and proceeded to bend down. He shouldn't get involved, he should let her lay. But something in him, maybe it was her hair. But he then proceeded to pick her up, and carry her. Making sure to be careful of her wings, she hugged her delicate body to his chest. He knew of a little cave right in the area, and that would be a good place to hide her. No doubt some others would come looking for her, smelling her blood and all.

It didn't take him very long to reach the cave, once inside he set her down. She was very pretty, even covered in blood. He sat down, leaning against the cave wall. He smiled at her laying there, what would she do when she awoke. Surly, she would not be happy to know she lay in a dark cave with a strange specter. Kage turned his attention to the mouth of the cave. He could hear lesser demons devouring the bodies of the dead monks, they would not dare enter here. He could smell the coming rain, it would help hide the smell of her blood. With that thought, Kage cracked his neck and waited for the girl to awaken.

[Neko-Nakro]

The scent of rain, the dampness of the cavern, and this man, he was obviously not human. Threads of shadows began lacing over her more serious wound as Kagirinai slowly opened her heavy eyes, apparently she had lost a decent amount of blood. A soft sound escaped her lips as she readjusted herself on the cool flooring of the cavern. Her gaze shifting from the ceiling above her to her rescuer who seemed to be keeping watch just in case. "You... Carried me here, I guess I should thank you though I can't begin to understand why." Her usual scent of wild orchids was mixed with the stench of the human blood which made her grimace, the scent would drive her crazy before long. Deciding to rinse it all off in the rain that was pouring outside, the demon woman would rather be wet than reek. This would also allow her to get a closer look at this demon that resembled a man. Slowly she got to her feet, her will to survive gave her unthinkable willpower as she ignored the groans of her screaming body. Her hand traced along the wall as she limped to the mouth of the cave, kneeling down she began to rinse her hands in the pouring water at the mouth of the cave, the blood faded off into the distance, being carried off by the rain. As the blood faded away she sighed in relief, though she kept a guarded air around this new being. Her slender fingers tucked the wet locks of hair behind her ears, her gaze going off into the distance. "You could have so easily left me to die, the world we live in is survival of the fittest, you... Are not like other demons." She said calmly, her gaze never straying from the forest as she listened to his breathing.

[Sune&Kage]

Kage arose from where he was sitting, only to inch closer to the mouth and to where the girl was kneeling. She looked even prettier in the light, under the falling rain. He himself didn't know why he had changed his mind, and carried her to the cave. It was most unlike him, so he wouldn't be able to give her a good reason. He wet his lips, and he lowered and traced the curve of the girls back with his eyes.

"I am surprised you awoke so quickly, with as much blood you have lost..." he watched as she gazed at the forest. He knew what she was doing, and he leaned against the mouth of the cave. Only a few reaches away, and he continued to study her body. Her beauty was that of nothing he had seen before, she was not like any that had caught his eye. It was her hair, it reminded him of moonlight during a full moon. He sighed, he must be getting soft in his old age.

He moved away from the girl, he wasn't going to let this girl's presence seduce him. He wasn't interested, she was nothing but trouble! He could only figure as much, and he didn't want to be apart of it. He would wait till the rain stopped, then leave. There was no point in sticking around, he didn't know her anyways. She might attack him once she gained some strength.

"What may I ask is your name?" He asked as he refused to look at her, as he waited for the rain to stop. He could at least make some small talk, and not be bored out of his mind. Standing with his back to her, folding his arms, almost looking like a hermit. But he had to get his attention off her hair, he knew he would be moved to touch it. He refused to allow such human emotions to fill him, he hated when such disgusting pieces of his old human self still remained. He sighed, and waited for the girl to answer him.

[Neko-Nakro]

She listened to him silently, noting every movement, every twitch, every glance from the corner of her eye until he was no longer even looking at her. What a strange man, she thought as she decided to answer his question. "Kagirinai Neito, though most have come come to call me the Wandering Mare."The Young Woman's voice was lacking of any emotion, she was more like a perfect doll even for a demon. Kagirinai would not openly show her discomfort of being in her human state, and so weak around this stranger, he might have saved her, but there was no reason to really trust him, or anyone. One thing she learned, was that both human's and demon's alike were only out for themselves, she had seen it in her travels too many times, this was just a one time act of kindness. Her attention snapped back to the mouth of the mouth of the cave as the lesser demons finally picked up her trail.

Her eyes narrowed as she got to her feet and stepped out into the rain, these beasts would not have her, she would not survive a dozen elite monks to be devoured by pathetic demons. her arm darted out to the side as her spear of carved adamant materialized, gripping the pole she took her fighting stance, the pouring rain giving her a rather wild appearance. her hair clung to her messily as her left foot shifted forward slightly, her right foot turning outwards, she was prepared to make quick, almost impossible movements for her injuries, but luckily, she was a fast healer and she hated being surprised. Her tattered wings cling to her back, not wanting to suffer any further damage, it would take weeks for them to recover, they were burned, cut, and scarred, many of the silky black feathers were already gone. putting both hands firmly on her spear she pointed it in the direction of the demons that came swarming out of the forest, this was her que. Within a blink of an eye she had moved several feet, the pain was intense but she ignored it as she lopped off the head of several demons, phasing in and out of shadows, taking the creatures by surprise, she was simply too fast for them, even heavily wounded, she was a warrior in a league of her own. she would cut off the head of a couple then back up into the shadows of a tree and vanish, the demons would smash into the tree she was just at. this happened several times as she quickly reduced the hoard on her own, her wounds reopening, but the pain just seemed to fuel her to fight harder, and faster. Her eyes holding no fear nor remorse for the life she was taking, her only thought, was survival, she had to survive until she found the ones she was looking for, at any cost.

[Sune&Kage]

Kage had moved back to the mouth of the cave, as the wild girl attached the lesser demons that had come to try and feed on her. She was powerful, something that made him start to like her more. Who was she, she said her name was Kagirinai Neito. The Wandering Mare, was that right. He had never heard of her, but to be honest she probably would have never heard of him. He narrowed his eyes as he saw her disappear in the shadows of the trees. She didn't need his help, but the real question was. Would he help her, would he dive deeper into something that once he was in. He would be stuck, Kage knew that this girl was trouble. But why, why would he allow himself to be involved?

Kage walked to the edge of the mouth, then jumped off the top dramatically. As was his norm, and in an instant he was in front of the forest. He smiled as he began slicing the heads off demon's with his metal claws, laughing as he went. They started coming at him, thinking they would be getting two meals in one. To his right, one tried to take a chunk out of him. Kage destroyed it, but not before the demon removed his band holding his jet black hair in a bind. Kage quickly looked at the trees, as he watched a horde of demon's attack where they believed the girl was located. He continued to lower their numbers, and then set off to take on the last remaining horde. Smiling the whole time, and looking wild with his hair around his face.

[Neko-Nakro]

In the blink of an eye Kagirinai was behind the hoard of demons, using the shadows of a bolder to get directly behind them her spear glinted in the sun that was breaking through the rain clouds a long, swift sweep sent heads rolling. between the two of them the numbers of demons fell quickly, caught up in the fighting, when she sensed something behind her she swirled around, the tip of her bloodied spear pointing at Kage's throat, she lowered it briefly before lunging it beside his head taking out a demon lunging towards him. "you puzzle me. You act uninterested but jump into the fray, I bet you even planned to leave me to die but instead save me.... I'll never understand men." She let out an emotionless laugh as the last of the demons fell to her spear still writhing. Her cold eyes stared at it as she casually strolled over to it taking her bare foot she crushed the skull without a second thought and wiped her foot on the grass.

Sighing and running her fingers through her messily strewn hair before looking back at Kage, staring at his metal claws curiously, a sense of weariness washed over her, like any wild horse at the sight of a weapon, it was her nature to be cautious about everyone, and everything. Grabbing her staff she had it stand beside her, her grip tightening as she felt the blood-loss taking over again from all the movement. Her piercing silver eyes closed slightly, before snapping open, she needed herbs, and a fire. unfortunately everything was too wt to make a fire with. Her thoughts obvious switched from caution to recovery as she wandered into the woods, her pace slowed and weakened, she was not going to become a burden to anyone or ask for help. In the end they'd end up parting ways and she'd be alone again as things were meant to be, there was something unsettling dark about him anyways, last thing she needed was to be corrupted by someone potentially dark. Once out of sight she recalled his laugh and shivered, who on earth laughed like that?

[Sune&Kage]

(Oh where do I go with that!? Hmm, let me see. She is going to think he even more of a creeper...)

Kage watched as she began to walk away into the woods, and smiled. She was cute, and he was unsure what she was going to do. Where was she heading? He took her smell in, and flicked his eyes. What to do, should he continue to where he was headed. Or should he bother this girl some more, he had to admit. She had given him some lesser entertainment, some of which he enjoyed. What did she think of him, most think him strange, even for a demon. He hid his last shreds of human existence well, that was his weakness. It was almost like he had split personality, his demonic one ruled over the other. Kage scraped his tongue along the edge of his teeth, and dissipated into the woods. He seemed to be gone for a few moments, then arrived beside the girl.

"So, tell me, where is it you are going?" he really wasn't that interested, but was in wonder at to what the girls purpose was. He so wanted to reach out and touch her hair. She looked so frail to him, but her presence was otherwise that of a strong demon. She commanded this with her emotionless expression. He had not seen such a face on a girl, even more a demon. She looked like she had no heart, like she was a broken doll. Kage continued to slowly remain by the girl as she made her way. Staring right at her, waiting for her to speak again in her ever so wonderful voice.

[Neko-Nakro]

A hint of shock spread across her face, she felt like she was going to jump out of her skin, but hid that part. Her expression became calm once more as she picked some herbs. "something to help speed the healing, fire and hot water would help too but everything is too damp. I rather hate feeling fragile.... since you know my name, might I ask yours?" She asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice, if he was going to follow her around she might as well learn his name. She picked through certain herbs and grasses, things she had picked up from watching humans. Having him so close she took in his scent silently, his smell reminded her of cinnamon, she liked cinnamon. She shook her head quickly trying to throw such strange thoughts out of her head, just having him around was confusing, not to mention following her was starting to creep her out a little. Kagirinai was growing uncomfortable at their closeness, so every chance she got she's inch away, almost comically, but she honestly hated being so close to someone, it made her feel vulnerable, almost trapped, and his scent was starting to get to her. "...You're honestly a strange demon, others would have tried to kill me by now, but you just seem to follow me." Her voice was uncharacteristically soft because of her cold expression. her touch with the plants was gentle almost caring as she picked only what she needed before standing, a small handful of herbs in her grasp.

Figuring he would follow like he had been the wounded demon began heading back towards the cave, her pace slowed as she gripped the tree beside her with one hand she then pushed herself forward and towards the cave, pushing her body to its brink with each step before sliding down at the mouth of the cave. her back against the cold wall which soothed her screaming muscles. finding a smooth stone, she put a small bunch of the herbs on it before grabbing a rougher stone and began crushing them as she move the sleeve of her dress to get to the wound that was just above where her heart was and began smearing the paste in the rather deep wound.

[Sune&Kage]

Kage had remained silent, just watching her make her way to the cave. He had softened his eyes to her, he knew what it felt like to be wounded as she was. He pitied her a little, but you would have never known by looking at his face. Running his hand through his loose hair, he sat and leaned against the cave wall. Not that far from her, he made sure to place himself on the other side though. So he could keep a good look on here, she was intoxicating.

"I have no name." and by this he meant he once had one but no longer remembered it. He was sure she would be confused by the statement, but he then decided to continue. "My enemy's call me Kage, and I feel that suites me enough." he felt like he was being sly, when in fact the tone of his voice made him sound vain. That was fine with him, he wan't trying to impress her. "Do those herbs bring you comfort?" he hadn't ever used plants to heal himself, it was a human ritual to him. If he was wounded, he waited, and healed with his demonic strength. But the fact that she knew which plant did what, that was interesting to him. Where did she learn?

Kage suddenly disappeared, and seemed to be gone for many moments. Then he was back, and unloaded wood he had in his arms. His goal, a fire. Wet or not, he would make it work. He put everything in it's place, and then poured some kind of sticky oil on the wood. The oil was from a nest of insects he had destroyed days before, it was part of their defense. It would catch fire quickly, and after pouring it on the wood. He flicked his fingures, and a single spark fell. Then the wood caught quickly, and his job was done. He returned to the cave wall, and sat with a big smile on his face.

[Neko-Nakro]

Kagirnai Watched him curiously and listened closely. Having no name, piqued her curiosity a bit. "you certainly move like a shadow.. luckily I'm not afraid of the dark." She stayed silent for a moment and watched the sparks of the fire, the warmth a welcoming feeling. She pondered on whether she would respond to his question or not, for the time being she just stared deep into the fire. Her lips parted as she decided to answer him his general attitude amusing her slightly though she didn't show it. "No it actually feels like a hot piece of metal being shoved into the flesh, it cleans the wound and speeds up healing." She looked up at Kage, this time getting a good look at this strangely charming demon, and just strange. Why did he give her such strange tingling sensations? This all of this had to be bad.

From head to toe he was quite nice looking, which bothered her even more deeply, between his scent and looks he was gonna drag her into some trap that would ultimate get her killed or worse... she was certain. When Kagirinai realized she was staring for so long she looked away quickly and back to the fire as she drew closer to it, the flames making her pale skin glow slightly rubbing her cold arms, she had lost way too much blood, biting her bottom lip as she came to a decision she pulled out a small knife from a hidden pocket, unsheathing it she proceeded to set the blade in the fire, it was obvious that she planned to cauterize the wound to prevent any further damage.

[Sune&Kage]

Kage smiled at the sight of the blade, he wondered what else she might be hiding. She just seemed to get more interesting, and more interesting. She was making him want to get close to her, but he would fight the urge. He desperately wanted to run his figures through her moonlight locks. Naturally he would be pushed aways, but that made him want to do it more. He liked dominance, he wanted to see her reaction. But his human side told him to let her alone, to let her rest. The question was, which would win the battle. He made a sounds as he sighed, almost of conflict. Like he was battling a decision, it was an uncontrolled noise. For he hadn't ment to make it, but he was demonically urging to go closer to her.

"So, tell me. How did you come to be wounded surrounded by dead monks? he ignored the herb subject. For he no longer cared, he was passed it. He had seen her stare at him, which only continued his urge to touch her. There was one thing he knew, don't back a horse into a corner. And he had no want of getting struck, not yet that is. Running his bottom lip against his top teeth, a normal thing he did when he was fighting himself. He grabbed his hair and moved it all over his right shoulder. He may leave it down for a while, it suited him this way for now.

[Neko-Nakro]

His Sigh caught her attention as she glanced at him from the corner of her eye while flipping the blade, making sure both sides got nice a hot, her gaze then returned to the first as Kagirinai recalled the pompous mortals. "there were about a dozen elite monks... at first they hadn't heavily damaged me, their sutra and wards simply just got in my way, while i was focusing on keeping a couple of the head monk's disciples off my back he managed to pierce through the armor i have in my demon form." She glared into the flames, mostly at her own failure to keep an eye on the monk, for any demon there was simply too many to keep track of when cornered. "I think my armor was already damaged and left an opening for him, he took it, and i retaliated by bashing his skull in with my own." It was obvious she had a great dislike for humans, though it wasn't as strong as hate, she just mostly wanted to be left in peace. "i had to revert to my human form to pull it out, luckily his aim was off.. stupid monks.." With that she drew the red hot glowing blade from the fire giving a good look over before moving her sleeve, Kagirinai then pressed the hot steel to her open wound that didn't seem to want to close on it's own. While her face betrayed no emotion her body twitched slightly at the searing pain, closing her eyes slowly. "this is my mistake for not paying closer attention, i should have smelled them from miles off and lost them through the woods, preferable to a gaping wound." she murmured.

[Sune&Kage]

Kage listened quietly as she spoke, watching her emotionless face as she cauterized the wound. Monks can be easy to get rid of, but knew all too well how sneaky they can be. With their charms and spells. They were annoyance he didn't like to deal with, and agreed that she should have smelled them. But it was over now, and they all were slayed. How they had been unaware that they would be feeding the lesser demons with their flesh.

Kage shifted his position, and watched as the fire dances now. It would be enough, even though the wood smelled horrible to him. What would he do, he continued to fight the urges he felt. It had been a while since he had been in the company of any sort of woman. He looked back at her, and pursed his lips. Tracing her body with his eyes, then closing his eyes and returning to the fire.

"I tell you, if you think me to mean you harm. You are mistaken, I could have easily done that while you lay injured." he felt like saying. He knew she had thought it at some time or another. His human side had poked through the darkness in his heart. He wanted to give her comfort of mind at least, while the rest of him wanted other things. "So give me no distrust at least." he knew she would anyways. It would be best to go back to being short, and sweet. For he didn't want her to discover his true self.

[Neko-Nakro]

"While that might be true, I still don't trust you. It's nothing against you, It's just how I am. I naturally remain guarded around everyone, ever since I was little." Memories of screaming, death, and blood mixed with the scent of the fire almost sent her horse's senses into a panic. her parent's were killed because they were so open, and kind. She would not make that same mistake. This red eyed devil's words, despite what she said made her relax a little, a part of her feeling a little more at ease., she still kept a close eye on him though. in this world of death and power struggles one could never be too safe. Kagirinai Turned her attention to her tattered wings, there were burn marks and chain marks from where the monks tried to pin her to the ground like some kind of animal. Sighing softly her fingers gently went over some of the feathers that remained, a soft glow of purple followed along the black feathers, trailing her fingers. her beautiful wings were damaged by those heathens. "Well luckily it will all grow back...." a soft yawn came from the exhausted demon girl as she put her small blade away. Making a mental note that she would need to bathe later she stretched a bit before closing her eyes to rest, listening to the crackling sound of the fire to help sooth her edged nerves, she was not use to resting around others, especially a mysterious, weird, male that inexplicably drew her in no matter how hard she tried to mentally wrench herself away.