Tale of the Six Kitsune: II

This volume tells of the clash between "Black Fox" Aida and the "Twin Oni of Togakushi." That tale was unfortunately lost from Chronicles of the Six Kitsune; happily it has now been recovered and adapted.

Continuing from last time: Black Fox Aida was heading straight for the villages to pick a fight when she saw two women by the roadside dressed as woodcutters—yet at each waist hung a seven-shaku nodachi, a short tachi, and a wakizashi as well: fully armed, edges bare.

Seeing a dark, burly figure stride up, raising dust and shaking the ground, the two grew wary, hands on hilts, and asked as one:

"Who goes there? Could it be a youkai?"

That figure replied:

"Haha—exactly a youkai!"

The two women dared not hesitate; they drew and cut. Yet that youkai sidestepped in one move, twisted aside, seized both wrists and wrenched—the seven-shaku great swords clanged to the ground. The two, stung with pain and shock, went to draw the short blades at their sides, but too late—Black Fox raised a palm and sent one flying, then clamped the other and lifted her like a chick. Holding one thus, a great geta-shod foot stepped upon the other's chest.

"'Twin Oni of Togakushi'? Last year I already saw you sisters bully the villagers and gave you a proper thrashing. Still you have not learned!"

Hearing this, the two women bandits were shamed and furious at once, and could only apologize and beg mercy. Yet Black Fox Aida simply tossed them to the ground and spoke on her own:

"Ah well. Since Lady Hakushin has driven me down the mountain, I am a masterless youkai now. Better you two accompany me in acts of chivalry—else it will be too dull!"