Yasaka was not a happy woman. Not only were some splinter Yokai Factions rallying support to go off on their own but the sudden rise of Stray Devils in her territory was quite alarming. Any and all letters requesting aid from the Devils were all unceremoniously ignored. In fact, they even had the nerve to req-no demand an increased quantity of her faction's primary export. Spirit Plums, a fruit that can help stimulate magical growth for all races (A/N: I got this idea from another fanfic, there didn't seem to be any information as to why none of the other factions just steamrolled the Yokai faction. From what the wiki says, they only have a single Ultimate class so it makes sense that they have something other than strength to keep the others away and what to bring to the table for that alliance. So a fruit that's extremely beneficial for everyone.)
Don't even get her started on the Fallen Angels…
"Damned crows.."
"Did you say something Yasaka-sama?"
"No." The blonde kitsune shook her head, the bountiful mountains following," Continue on."
If it wasn't rude, she would've sighed not just at her current situation but also at her lax of decorum. She knew if even the slightest slip up was shown then there would be problems that oh so 'mysteriously' popped up. She subtly gazed at the 'people' sitting around the long table along side her. Simply put, they were monstrous in appearance. Long necks, heads, mismatched features, claws, teeth, tails etc. If you could name it then there was probably someone here that fit that description.
Yasaka wasn't any different from them in-fact, this human-like appearance she took on was more like a thin veil or costume. The times when she could just hide herself away in temples and be worshiped by humans were long gone. At first, it had taken awhile for her to get use to walking on 2 legs instead of the usual 4 but it had to be done. For appearing as a building size nine-tailed fox was simply rude in these somewhat peaceful times.
The kitsune decided that instead of zoning out in the middle of an important meeting, she should atleast listen to the person drowning endlessly.
"-as declined our request for aid in dealing with this issue."
A bespectacled man with hollowed out cheek bones in a dark gray kimono looked even paler after delivering the bad news.
"Who do they think they are?!" A horned man slammed his meaty first onto the table, causing the nearby tea pots to clatter slightly," First these invaders come into our country, demand our Spirit Plums but they don't even have the decency to take care of their own?!"
"There's no point in getting so worked up," A green skinned kappa sighed," This isn't the first time and it won't be the last."
"It would be wise to avoid using lethal force," The white suited Tengu advice, pushing up his glasses," There's also no reason to antagonize the Devils."
"BAH!" A spark clad canine, well barked in derision," What's new? I say we kill them this time. Teach them that this isn't their own personal playground."
"We can't." A short old man with an elongated bald head disagreed," Not only would it give those families ammunition to push their agenda but also strain our 'alliance' with the Devils."
"That doesn't mean we should let them get away with it!" The oni roared, slamming the table again," I refuse to roll over and let them take what they want… No offense."
"None taken."
The raiju snorted in its own way, sound more akin to a small thunderclap.
"I don't think he's saying that." The tanuki suggested," We should capture and hold them for ransom."
"Their Strays." The nurarihyon rejected," They won't pay a dime for them, if we keep them they might even say we're harboring fugitives."
"Then what do you suggest?!" The oni barked, obviously tired of the old man's dismissals," If our ideas aren't good enough then why don't you-"
"Yasaka-sama." The old man looking yokai turned his beady black eye in the silent kitsune's direction," Have you heard anything back from the Satans?"
That question nearly made a her want to release a derisive snort. Nearly.
"No."
She said simply, her words final like a door shutting close. Not like it surprised her. All she got from the Satans were some vague words of handling the issue and nothing else. No apology. No promise of reparations. Nothing.
'I have the mind to kick his whole family out of Japan..'
"Thank Yasaka-sama," The nurarihyon turned back to the assembly," With that I suggest this, we try to capture any that belonged to prominent families and kill the rest. They won't be able to complain if they want to in-act justice on the Strays."
"Wouldn't the less prominent families just rally together and force a response from the Great families?" A pale woman with little bits of frost flowing off her asked.
"No." Yasaka decided to add something else to the conversation," If we give the Great Families enough face then we'll only have to deal the small fry. They won't dare come here in force."
"I don't like it!"
The red oni grumbled, looking like he wanted to slam his hand on the table again but only quirked oval eyebrow from the blonde kitsune forestalled his actions.
"We don't have to like it." The old man sighed, seeming like he had aged a few more years," If we have enough time and energy to not feel content then that means we haven't been destroyed yet.."
"I miss the old days.." The raiju 'sighed'," I could dance through the sky whenever I wanted, now I need permission or else I'll get shot out of the sky.."
"We all miss the good old days." The tengu cajoled, no one really wanting to pop the lightning beast's mood," We just need to make it through another day without being destroyed or enslaved."
"I would rather die than be a slave!" The look on the oni's face now seemed painful as he stopped his assault on the table to avoid the kitsune's ire.
"They would kill you then." The yuki-onna cooly jabbed," Not everyone would hold your views and they would only need enough of us to continue running things."
"Anyone who would rather be slave than to die as a free Yokai," The ogre growled, meaty fingers gripping tightly at the table," Is no Yokai in my eye. Despicable."
"Enough of that." Yasaka interjected, already knowing where this argument would be headed. It had happened multiple times before and this was her third table this month. Those cherry blossom trees take a lot of time and youki to grow naturally.
"Yasaka-sama is rig-"
"YASAKA-SAMA!"
A mousy looked aid came barging into the room, paling further under the weighted glares from collective leaders of the entire Yokai Faction. The poor girl wore a slightly disheveled looking kimono and judging from her rising rapidly rising chest falls, she had ran all the from where ever.
"What is it dear?" The blonde held the small pipe up to her plump lips, taking a deep inhale of the fragrant smoke. She just hoped whatever this girl wouldn't add to the rising bad news. Only to immediate feel the pipe fall out of her hand as they slackened with her next words.
"T-the temple doors!" Her mouse ears twitched in agitation," They're open!"