Samurai Oni
THE RED BABY I

The Southeast Fortress of Honjou. Nekomata settles out of the region, heading for Kuran. There he meets a tengu grandfather named Naruhaya.

“You left Akashi alone? He's a stupid kid. If he makes trouble later, you'll be in charge!”

“Already, grandpa. Akashi is a good boy. I believe he can overcome everything with his spirit.”

“You think it's possible?!”

“From that, cake. I want to ask you about Mr. Akio. Please tell me something is there something you've been hiding from him and all of us? About Tuan—”

“Ah, wait!” The grandfather shut Nekomata's mouth for a moment. Then denied it, “I've said repeatedly that I won't say anything about him or the secrets he has.”

“Why? Don't I have the right to know?” nekomata.

“Iya. Sure was! You're just a yokai. Not entitled to interfere in Akio's affairs in the future.”

“Why do you always hide it. But if you look around for sure it has something to do with the past.”

Grandfather felt that he had been defeated by Nekomata expressing it bluntly. Moreover it is true, that this is related to the past.

“Don't tell me you know something?”

“It turns out to be true this has something to do. But it's a pity that I don't know anything about what happened in the past,” Nekomata said.

“I still can't say anything to you. Well, besides ..about it. It could be said that Akio is the reincarnation of someone important in the past.”

Nekomata squinted. His catch from the beginning was always right, but it did not make him feel relieved or calm just the opposite, he felt restless.

“I began to suspect this after what happened to Mr. Akio.”

“Hoi, cat. You are not ...,” Accidentally Grandpa did not continue his sentence.

And the cat knew what Grandpa meant.

“I'm not a spy like you think, old man. It's just that I'm starting to get suspicious. The smell of Mr. Akio is distinctive and attracts many yokai either with bad or good intentions though.”

For a moment he sighed, and again said, “Then what did Mr. Akio do when his body and soul went into Onryou. Starting from losing his spiritual power then showing something more dangerous than that.”

“More harmful to you or to humans?”

“It is certainly more dangerous for damned yokai like us,” Nekomata said.

“Yes, I expected it. But still I won't say anything else.”

“I know, cake. For me it's enough you say reincarnation or whatever it is.”

“By the way, why are you so curious about it?” ask the grandfather.

Nekomata replied, “I just want to know.”

An unclear answer was found. Nekomata just wanted to know that. It could be said that he was very curious about Akio.

3 Days have passed after Kizu got something about yokai in the form of a beautiful woman wearing a wedding dress.

The Hatekayama Castle. The mistress who was the wife of the late Shogun Hatekayama has given birth to a red baby, the 3rd son.

Outside there is a very tight guard, consisting of 3 leaders of the founding clans of the country, Kazuki, Uchigoro and Mizunashi. This was the day that the Madam had been through heavily.

Has given birth to her 3rd son but it is unfortunate that her husband has died in his own castle.

“Congratulations Madam Hima. You have given birth to a healthy baby. He is a boy.”

The delivery was pretty smooth, there were no obstacles from anywhere. This is all over once Mrs Hatekayama Hima has given birth to her baby.

Everyone including one male pastor prayed for him to be healthy always and given abundant blessing. Thus, gratitude poured out on the beloved baby. The mother simply smiled and said "Thank you" while thinking about what name would be suitable for her third son.

“Good, Mistress. We're gonna go. And if there is anything, please feel free to call.”

“Ya, thank you.”

Without Lady Hima and a few people there before realizing, that the red baby had something unusual. There is a shadow created from behind the curtain, two horns on the head are very small and fangs and claws of each finger belongs to the red baby.

Right after their departure, other than Lady Hima with the baby who was still flushed, Samurai Oni—Akio was close to them.

“Oh, who is there? Didn't I tell you to leave me alone?” said Mrs Hima, while asking who the figure is.

Akio would answer nothing but to try to pull the sword blade of Retsuji from the sheath.

“Anu ...who?”

Lady Hima was unable to move as she pleased after risking her life to hold a baby. He could only lie down weakly while hugging the baby who had just been crying slowly.

“My son, shut up for a minute. Don't cry like this huh?” Lady Hima tried to calm him down.

But whatever the power of the mother, she seems to realize that the presence of Akio actually makes the baby cry even harder.

DAK!

A woman slammed the door of the room, she opened it while shouting, “Who are you?!”

At the same time, a gust of wind swept across the curtain that was the barrier between the two of them. At first glance Madam Hima saw the oni mask, which then when the curtain was closed again, Akio's presence was no longer there. It disappeared like it was being blown away by the wind.

“Mrs! You okay?!” The woman looked very panicked.

“Yes, me and my baby are fine. Don't worry.”

“So it was really presumptuous once. Where did the intruder come from?! Geez, what are those samurai doing anyway?”

“Tenace.”

“Mistress how can I calm down? You just gave birth and we just stayed for a while, then this is what happened?”

“That's why I asked me to calm down a little.”

“Good, Lady Hima.”

“I want to ask you something. Can?”

“Good. I'd be very happy if you follow your orders, Mrs Hima.”

“Good.”

Hatekayama Hima had given birth to her third child, and she was directly confronted by the Samurai Oni. The oni mask was his trademark and it made him curious.

“I ask you to find Samurai Oni, please convey this also to Mr. Samurai outside, yes.”

“Good.”

I don't know with what intentions Hatekayama Hima plans to meet the Samurai Oni after dealing with him before this. And even more strangely, this crimson baby cry stopped after the Samurai Oni left the castle.

***

“Why didn't Mr Akio finish him off? It was a golden opportunity,” said Yuurei who was in Akio's body.

“Do not babble. I couldn't do it when his mother was.”

Akio's work is hampered only because the baby is close to the mother. If Akio were to commit such a heinous act in front of him directly, then there would be a huge commotion.