(OOC: Sorry for not posting...been busy and my home internet has been out...)
Shizuko and Sakuya continued along the path through the forest, making some good progress, and they soon came to a diverging path, one which split off into three different directions. Sakuya looked at each of the paths before turning to the shrine maiden with an inquisitive look on her face. "Ne, Shizuko-san, which way are we going to go?" The shrine maiden was silent and seemed to be in thought with her eyes closed. Thinking that something was wrong, Sakuya inched closer to the maiden, when she suddenly opened her eyes and gave her response. "The far-right path..." Turning in that direction, Sakuya wordlessly followed Shizuko.
This is the way to Mt. Fuji...the Kageken knows the way through these forests...Hmph, I wonder if I should make a quick detour and drop this one off...I haven't attracted any demons with her rain charm yet... Shizuko thought to herself, looking from side to side on the path, keeping a watchful eye for predators, bandits, and other things that could potentially harm them. Watching some distance away were the two bandits from before, this time with more people, about 5 of them, at their side. "That damn maiden...thinking she can make a fool of me! Well, we'll make her and her little friend pay, right, boys?!" The small gang of bandits nodded in approval and were about to head out when one of the bandits was suddenly pulled into the ground. Gasping at this, yet another man was pulled into the ground, only this time, the others got a brief glimpse of what appeared to be something plant-like as the culprit. Terrified by this, the other three men tried running for their lives when they to were dragged violently into the ground. The original two bandits took this chance to run into the woods, shouting and generally making lots of noise as a figure rose from the ground...
It wasn't long before Shizuko and Sakuya heard this and the two bandits soon came into view, obvious fear on their faces. Sakuya trembled to think what was wrong as Shizuko got in front of Sakuya to protect her, when the two girls finally saw what was chasing them. It appeared to be humanoid, covered in what appeared to be twisted plants and Vines, it's head misshapen and containing only a single glowing red eye. If this wasn't enough, it was dragging the five bodies of the bandits with one of it's arms, which was consisted of five separate vines. Wordlessly raising it's other arm, this one unraveled into four separate vines and shot towards the two remaining bandits and the two girls. Due to their slow speed, the bandits were ran through by the vines, but Shizuko managed to grab Sakuya and roll out of the way, causing the monster to tilt it's head in a curious manner. "You dodged it...impressive..."
Sakuya, who was frightened because of the appearance of this new monster, didn't dwell on how Shizuko dodged the attack and was just concerned on running. "S-S-Shizuko-san, we have to run, now!" Shizuko didn't budge as she watched the monster's vines pulsate and fill the bandits with...something. Soon, they changed into creatures similar to the monster, though not as complete, as they still retained some of their original clothing. Sakuya felt sick at this and this made her all the more want to run as she tugged on the shrine maiden's clothes. "Please, Shizuko-san, l-let's get out of here!" Again, Shizuko stood still as she finally spoke. "I see...so you must be one of those many demons, correct?" Sakuya gave a puzzled look and the monster responded. "Seems you are more than just a girl...yes, I am one of those demons, the one known as Vine..." Vine than took a closer look at Sakuya and saw the charm around her neck. "I thought I sensed something...retrieve that..." The former bandits then lurched forward, intending to take both Sakuya and the Rain charm from her.
Sakuya was about to run when Shizuko suddenly leaped towards one of the plant-like bandits and sliced with her dagger, leaving a noticeable gash across it's chest. Sakuya's mouth was wide open at the maiden's speed, when Shizuko yelled at her. "What are you doing?! Find some cover!" Feeling that she heard this insulting tone before, Sakuya ran further down the path and hid behind a rather large tree for cover. Curling up at the base of the tree, Sakuya hoped and prayed Shizuko would be alright, though she was quite skeptical now. Now surrounded by Vine's plant-like minions, Shizuko smirked slightly. "Good...now I can concentrate on the matter at hand..." Hurling her dagger at Vine's head, the demon knocked it away, only to see that the shrine maiden had leaped into the air. Drawing a ninja-to concealed in her miko outfit, Shizuko made some hand movements as she was enveloped in darkness. Hurtling to the ground below, the shadowy mass struck one of the minions before landing on the ground and taking the form of Shizuko once more, only in what appeared to be a Kunoichi's attire.
"I see...one of those Kamen Riders...how interesting..." Vine said, readying himself for the coming battle. Turning to face her foe, Tengu's red eyes were fixed upon Vine and his minions as she took a stance. "Tengu...has arrived!"
(OOC: I hope this is alright...)