Snakes... They Coil Around Me

Oh, hello.

What a coincidence, running into you here.

I think this might be the first time for us to bump into each other without anyone else being around. Do I have that right?

Usually you look away or hide in Master's shadow the second you see me.

Let's see, I think your name was Paraíso...? No, no, wait, I've got it. You're that Kouga Mochizuki clan ninja.

Ulp...

A-ah...ah...

Now what was your name again? Mochizuki...Chiyojo? Chiyome? Mmm... Chiyome's muuuch cuter, so let's just go with that.

What's your class, Chiyome? Assassin?

Why, what a coincidence! Mine too! Will wonders never cease.

After all, you and I are both clearly...

A-aaah... Aah... Ulp...

(She's...looking at me...) P-please...stop... No... No...

...Forgive...me...

...!

My, my... She really doesn't care for little old me, does she?

Why, it makes me feel like a frog staring down a snake.

...Hmm?

Um, did you want to talk to me about something?

I'm in a bit of a hurry. I have to bring my sisters their meal.

Oh, don't worry, this will only take a moment. You see...

(Mumble, mumble... Whisper, whisper)

What, is this supposed to be a secret? Hmm... Are you sure she'd like that?

You're a god too, right? Come on, can't you do an oni a favor? Pretty pleeease?

...Nnn... I'm not sure... But, well... Hmm...

It's not like this would be your first time, right?

Nnn...

...Master?

Yes, Master. It is I, Mochizuki Chiyome, Kouga Jonin.

I-is that so.

？！

I am here on behalf of the Lancer, Lady Medusa, who asked me to come to the Command Room.

But, I see she is not here... What is going on?

Good evening, all. You see, I'm what's going on!

Lovely night, isn't it? Really gets my blood pumping, if you know what I mean.

Mind helping me take the edge off with a bit of exercise? Chaldea's got that "simulator" thing, yes?

Yeah, that sounds good. Seeing how we're the same class and all, I was hoping she could give me some pointers.

？！

Sounds like Master's on board with it. What do you say, Chiyome? Care to join me?

!

I-if Master commands it...I would happily go to the ends of the earth.

Fufu, that sounds like a yes to me! That's the spirit. All right then, let's get started!

... ...

...Snakes, snakes, snakes. So many snakes!

Wh-wh-what is the meaning of this!?

There are so many snakes! It's like you're...purposefully...

Oh?

I-I...

？！

Not a big fan of snakes, are you?

!!!

Chiyome of the Kouga Mochizuki clan. You use your curse sooo expertly, yet you don't seem at all accustomed to it.

What a waste. Don't you know how hard your ancestors worked to pass it down across generations?

They sure didn't go to all that effort just so you could cringe in terror at an illusion of a snake...

I... That's...

？！

Fufufu, you stay out of this, Master... or I just might have to eat you.

Come on, you know how it is.

Humans love overcoming their weaknesses, right? Not me, of course. The very idea fills me with dread.

But you're a human-based Heroic Spirit, right, Chiyome? Don't you HAVE to overcome your weakness? Don't you want to?

I-I... I have no fear of...snakes...

Indeed, I have no weaknesses whatsoever!

Oh, really? How silly of me. My bad. I'm relieved to hear that.

Then we can keep going without worrying about needing to hold back.

... ...

P-please do not worry about me. I have no issue with this whatsoever.

D-do not be ridiculous! I was already swallowed up by a snake long ago! I have nothing to fear from one now!

？！

All right then, here goes nothing...

I do hope you'll forgive me if I end up squashing you like a bug.

？！

Yes, Master...!

I, Mochizuki Chiyome, shall carry out your orders to the letter!

Snakes, snakes, and more snakes... I have had enough!!!

Just...

Just wh-what do you want with me!? Fine, I confess! I have been terrified of snakes since I was a child!

But so what!? What would you know of the pain and suffering that comes from being born with the curse of Orochi!?

How could you possibly know what it is like to be burdened with the knowledge that you will one day grow scales and become a serpent!?

That day may be today...or tomorrow...or any of the days yet to come!

Or worse, perhaps that fate will not fall to me, but to my child, or my grandchild, or my distant descendant...

But regardless of who is made to endure that fate, it is one that all of Orochi's shrine maidens born to the Mochizuki clan must bear!

Even in death, in this new, transient life as a shadow, my curse has not been lifted...

Do you have any idea how this feels!?

Hmm.

Nope!

!!!

Then cease your torment of me and allow me to serve the new master I have found in peace!

After all this time...!

I have finally found a master that does not see shinobi as disposable pawns, but treats me with kindness and respect!

I can hardly fathom my fortune in meeting him! I can never hope to adequately pay him back!

That is why I at least want to be of as much use to him as I possibly can, to my very last breath!

And yet...!

You CEASELESSY seek to prevent me from doing so! Why!?

？！

Forgive my loss of temper, Master, but I am afraid my patience has reached its absolute limit!

Lady Shuten-Douji!

Yeees?

You are Shuten-Douji of Mt. Ooe... The oni of the Heian period...

No! As far as I am concerned, you are no oni of Mt. Ooe! You are nothing less than the child of the great serpent god responsible for my curse!

I know that the ancient serpent, or perhaps dragon, known as Yamata-no-Orochi, was once worshipped as Ibuki Daimyojin...and that he had a single child to his name!

You, Lady Ibuki-Douji!

...Well, well. You've got guts, calling me by THAT True Name, hmm, Chiyome.

My, my... You must reeeally hate me...

I was hoping for something like this, but I really must admit, you've surpassed all my expectations.

What is it they say these days about courage? Ah yes. You've got balls of steel...figuratively speaking.

I do love a good display of courage.

Just look at you shaking in your boots, digging your heels in like a child trying to look taller than she really is.

You really care for Master that much? You wanna serve him so badly it hurts?

...I do.

Then...

...are you having a steamy romance with him? You ARE a widow, as I recall.

L-l-loyalty and longing have nothing to do with one another!

Mm... Is that so? Then what would you do if he asked you to share his bed?

If that is what my Master requires, I would not hesitate!

Then you ARE having a little romance with him.

I-I told you that loyalty and longing have nothing to do with one another! Now, cease this at once! I will not have you slander Master's good name any further!

Even if you are the daughter of Ibuki... I will not let you insult him again...

...no matter how much the cursed blood of my ancestor, Kouga Saburou, may torment me!

Be warned, Lady Ibuki! Your next word will be your last!

Come get me.

...Very well then! Have at you!

(Huff, huff...huff...!) Her magical energy seems...inexhaustible!

(Huff, huff...) (Gasp...) We shinobi...do not usually find ourselves out of breath...

So this is the power of an oni... Nay, the true power of Shuten-Douji, daughter of Orochi!!!

...And apparently, she is still only using a fraction of it.

Yet here I am, employing my full strength, to no avail. Is this is her oni power at work, or her serpent power?

Nonetheless... I will not admit defeat yet...

...I refuse to lay down my blade until the very end!

？！

That's some fighting spirit you've got. Still not enough to take down an oni, though.

But hey, you tried.

... ...

Well, I'm satisfied. I give up. You win, I lose. See you around.

...Huh?

... ...

...I was watching the whole time, Shuten.

Hey now, what's with the pouty face? I was just about to take a hot bath. Step aside, will you?

Do you have a thing for getting mixed up in other people's business or something?

Why else would you go around teasing that half-assed snake demon who clings desperately to her humanity?

Come to think of it, you did the same thing with that whole pagoda thing a while back. It's almost as if...

Yes?

Have you...

...Don't tell me you've started feeling sorry for humans?

Fu... Hehe, fufufu.

Fufufufufufufufufu!

Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!Hehe, hehehe! That's the funniest thing you've ever said, Ibaraki!

You've got it completely backwards!

Backwards...?

Fufu. It doesn't matter how many oni descendants or cursed bloodlines we get here. Those cowards could never be up to the task, since they wouldn't last a single breath against either you or I.

Humans, Heroic Spirits...they're all the same.

Just one little puff, and poof...they're gone.

???

Oh, I'm just thinking out loud. Don't mind me.

？！

Thank you!

Although, I am still not sure if she was taking that fight seriously... I feel as though she was merely testing me.

But regardless, my resolve will waver no longer. Orochi's curse may never leave me...

...and I may never entirely overcome my fear of it...but now I won't ever lose sight of where my loyalties lie.

So please, worry not, Master!

？！

Thank you!

...I suppose I never did tell you about my ancestor, Saburou, and his curse.

I am truly sorry for that, Master! Truly!

... ...

I trust it hardly need be said at this point, but, yes, I am cursed, and there is nothing that can be done about it.

So, if you wish to end our contract, and be rid of me and all the trouble I bring, I will understand...

？！

？！

Thank you, Master!!! I promise to serve you to the very best of my ability!