As Miko and Asura exited the hole, the morning sun shone on them.
"It looks about nine... want to take a bite before we work?" Asura asked. Miko nodded and the both of them walked to the center of the village. There were the shops were, selling all sorts of things. Some sold food, others pills, herbs, treasures, books, etc. It was not particularly big for a village, but had a decent, small population. Some kitsunes have already moved into the mixed town as well, as it was more profitable there. Others liked Miru and Ryo worked in the human half of the country, where they would earn human currency. This was neccessary as it the relationship between beasts and humans were supposed to be mutual, where humans would supply the beasts their own farm animals for food, and beasts supplied spirit stones for their cultivation. However, in recent years, this relationship was broken and both sides had to steal from the other. The coins Miru and Ryo earned could be exchanged for spirit stones at restaurants, as those restaurants required coins to buy the animals, although rare nowadays since foxes have learnt to rear their own animals and farm to some extent. They used their earth elemental cores to farm, and that was what seperated human and beast farming techniques. However, less coins can be converted to spirit stones now as demand for them was dropping, so foxes like Miru and Ryo usually spent them for leisure in the human world.
Soon enough, both of them arrived at a small restaurant. It was made mostly of wood, and some morning glory flowers crept around its interior, giving it a more natural feel. They placed their orders before taking a seat, sipping on some lemon water that was given for free. Very quickly, their meal was delivered and they ate quickly before leaving. Asura tossed the brown kitsune at the front a third grade spirit stone before exiting the shop.
From there on, they headed to the outskirts of the forest. Around the south of the forest, there were mountains, but it was where the Tengu and Yatagarasu resided. At the west, they were where the Tanuki resided. At the east, there were nothing but cool sandy beaches with glistening sand and azure- marine blue waters. This was where some kappa or suiko resided. If you had ventured deeper out to sea, there would also be chances of encountering ningyo.
At the outskirt, Asura flipped open her ledger and started pacing up the clearing. She was looking at a large white flower, which seemed to resemble a candula, except it was white and slightly smaller. Sensing Miko's curiosity, Asura explained, "This is a moon candula. Its named so because it was said to have been used as one of the items in our goddess's acension and it resembles the purity of the moon. Its nectar inside is especially sweet, and it has healing properties. It is can be used to make sweets, although a waste for humans since this is only available in our forest. Most importantly, why it is sought after is due to its superb healing properties, which can heal cuts, burns, freeze burns and neutralise certain poisons." Miko nodded, showing she understood. Asura scanned around the field, tilting her nose upwards to capture its sent from the passing breeze. She nodded towards her left, signalling to Miko it was there. Both of them strolled over to the site, and Asura bent down to pluck it from the ground.
"Stop!!" A voice commanded from the distance. A young man stood in the distance, wearing a dried straw hat and bamboo basket on his back. Asura paused her actions and turned towards the direction of the voice. Miko turned to him as well, as he came running over.
"I saw that plant first!" The young man insisted, while panting heavily. Asura scoffed and replied, "Sure. Then I came here first." She then bent down to pluck it, before she was stopped again.
"How ignorant of you! How dare you pluck this plant just to add as your accessory?! There are many daisies over there, they would certainly look nicer than this plant! Give it to me!" The man argued.
"Acces- accessory?" Asura wondered.
"Yes! Now give it to me! This plant cannot remain alive for long soon after it is plucked! Now give it to me!" The man said exasperatedly and took out an orb which contained some sort of energy inside it. Based on what he said, it is clear that it would be used to nourish and store the moon candula until it was time for its use. It was also a rare find for humans as it was only easily available in beast territory, making it unsafe for civilians to search for it.
"What makes you think I am using it as an accessory?" Asura asked as her lips curled upward, bemused at what the herb gatherer said.
"I-Isn't it obvious?! With the clothes you are wearing, aren't you both working at brothels?! If you want to find things to look pretty, I am sure the people there can find it for you, no need to waste precious ingredients like this!" The man scoffed. Asura and Miko looked down at themselves. Sure, ordinary people didn't wear clothes as flashy and eye-catching as theirs, and their skirt was also much shorter compared to usual women clothes which usually reached ankle length. They stared at each other blankly before laughing. The herb gatherer was stunned, but continued, "Now, give the plant back to me! What are you laughing at.."
Asura finally stopped laughing before smiling at the herb gatherer coldly. She chuckled before saying, "Yes, we may look like brothel women to you... but have you wondered why brothel women would be all the way out here, in the middle of the forest?" The man looked stupified for a second as he thought about it for awhile too.
"T-to please the men that bought you here of course! Outdoor service definitely cost more!" The man stuttered. For some reason, he felt an intimidating aura comming from the girl with lavender coloured hair and bright green eyes. Asura laughed again. That was indeed a possible answer, although a shame that it was wrong.
"Then, where are the men?" Asura asked once more, tracing her finger down his face and holding his jaw, leaning him back such that she was towering over him. If she was accused of being a prostitute she might as well live up to part of it. The herb gatherer turned his head left and right, only to see forest on one side and empty vastness on the other. There was also only the occasional chirping of birds and the sound the wind made when it picked up. Other than Miko and Asura, there was no one in sight. The man trembled in fear, knowing full well something was not right with the girls he met.
"M-MONSTER!" were his last words before he swiftly fainted to the ground in terror.