"You think they'll be okay on their own?" Renma asked, his voice filled with concern and uncertainty. They had been separated for quite a while, relying on nothing but their instincts to guide them.
"They should be," Takeshi said, hoping to ease Renma's troubled mind, though he too felt uncertain.
"They can handle themselves," Benimaru confirmed, his tone steady and confident. He raised his hand to his lips, taking a deep breath before calling out.
"Aoi!"
A moment of silence followed as the three samurai waited patiently, hope flickering in their hearts.
"Over here!" Aoi's voice finally rang out, as cheerful as ever.
"We're close..." Benimaru said with relief, a sigh escaping his lips as he pressed forward.
Hours passed as they ventured deeper into the forest, following the sound of Aoi's voice. The journey seemed endless, doubt creeping into their minds. Had he already succumbed to some unseen danger?
"I hope Fuu and Kenta find something... This walk is going to take us all day," Renma murmured, his worry spilling out in words.
"You said it," Takeshi added with a hint of frustration.
Benimaru raised his voice again. "Aoi!"
"Over here!" came the reply, almost immediately.
The closeness of Aoi's voice brought a smile to Benimaru's face. He ran ahead, his hand steadying the blade at his side to keep it from jostling. Behind him, Takeshi and Renma exchanged a curious yet excited glance before following quickly, their footsteps eager and energetic.
The grass beneath them gave way to their hurried steps as they plunged deeper into the forest. The further they went, the dimmer the world became. The sun had begun its descent, its light retreating behind the dense canopy of trees. Shadows stretched longer, and the thick leaves blocked out what little sunlight remained.
"Where are you guys?" Aoi's voice echoed faintly through the trees, pulling them forward.
Benimaru cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted back, "Aoi, we're here!"
In response, the faint sound of tiny, scurrying legs rushed past them. The three samurai froze, spinning to face the noise. Around them, the forest seemed alive with movement, yet nothing emerged from the shadows.
The rustling stopped, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The forest felt unnaturally still, as though holding its breath.
"Draw your weapons…" Benimaru whispered, his voice low but firm. Slowly, he unsheathed his blade. What little light remained caught the steel, casting a cold, sharp gleam.
Takeshi and Renma followed suit, their blades sliding free in unison. The sound of the scurrying returned, circling them now—erratic, teasing, as if the source was deliberately toying with them.
And then—silence again.
The three samurai stood back-to-back, their swords ready. Their eyes darted through the encroaching darkness, seeking movement in the suffocating shadows. Fragments of light struggled to break through the canopy above, leaving the forest in an oppressive gloom.
"Aoi?" Benimaru called once more, his voice steady but strained.
"I'm here, Benimaru. Why aren't you coming?" the voice replied. It was closer now.
Something about the tone sent a chill through Benimaru. It sounded like Aoi, yet hollow—lacking the warmth they knew so well. His grip on his sword tightened as his eyes flicked toward Takeshi and Renma. Takeshi's brow furrowed in confusion, while Renma's lips parted slightly, forming the beginnings of a question he dared not ask aloud.
"That's not Aoi," Renma whispered, his voice barely audible.
Benimaru noticed Renma's gaze dart sharply to the right. Something was coming. Fast.
"Renma, move!" Benimaru shouted, lunging forward. His sword flashed as it intercepted the attack. The clash of blades rang out, piercing the heavy silence of the forest.
Renma stumbled back, his breath hitching as his eyes landed on their assailant. It looked like Aoi, but the grin on its face was monstrous—distorted and inhuman.
"What have you done with Aoi?!" Benimaru growled, his voice filled with anger as he pushed against the creature's unnatural strength.
The imposter chuckled, its tone low and mocking. With an unnatural grace, it leapt back, its movements fluid and unsettling.
Takeshi and Renma exchanged a quick glance before charging together, their blades slicing through the dim light. They struck with coordinated precision, aiming to overwhelm the creature.
But it was ready. Its blade shot up, effortlessly blocking their strikes. It seemed unfazed, its hands steady despite the force behind their attacks.
Benimaru saw his chance. He lunged, his blade flashing toward the creature amidst the chaos. Yet, it twisted and dissolved, its form collapsing into a smaller shape. The creature darted between their legs and disappeared into the shadows.
"A mujina!" Benimaru muttered, stepping back into formation with his comrades.
The creature reappeared, now in the form of a tanuki. It darted deeper into the forest, its mocking laughter echoing through the trees, surrounding them.
Above, a shadow shifted. The figure resembled Aoi, leaping from branch to branch with unnatural agility. The samurai's gazes snapped to the movement, tension thick as they braced for the next attack.
The mujina struck without warning. Its blade flashed through the dark, narrowly missing their heads and embedding itself in the ground. Blood trickled down Renma's cheek from a shallow cut.
The three samurai turned sharply toward the blade's source. The mujina stood there, retrieving its weapon with a sinister grin.
With a swift kick, it sent Benimaru flying, his body crashing through the undergrowth before slamming against a tree.
Takeshi and Renma held their ground, engaging the creature in fierce combat. Renma swung downward, but the mujina evaded, its movements unnervingly fast.
"Renma, watch it!" Takeshi yelled as Renma's strike narrowly missed his face.
"S-sorry!" Renma stammered, his apology interrupted as the creature retaliated, landing a shallow cut across his chest.
"You bastard!" Takeshi roared, swinging his blade in a wide arc. The mujina leapt back, its eyes glowing with bloodlust.
Benimaru pushed himself to his feet, panting heavily. His sword dragged against the dirt as he called to his comrades.
"You two!" he shouted, his voice strained. "We can't fight this thing… We need to retreat!"
Takeshi and Renma hesitated, their swords still raised, before nodding in agreement.
Despite the urgency, Benimaru couldn't suppress a defiant smirk. He gripped his blade tightly, his gaze locked on the mujina.
"You're going to pay for what you've done with Aoi," he vowed, his voice low and filled with determination.