With his usual stern expression painted on his face, he approaches the Thousand Year Old Sakura tree, the tree the Kurama tribe regards highly. To his stunned surprise, beautiful blossoms seemed to have grown from once dead branches. The tree had lost all its life during the time Soujoubou grew ill, creating a rather somber atmosphere around the tribe. But, as if it had only taken a short slumber, the tree has emerged healthy and beautiful once again.

Jiro’s stern expression cracked, revealing a hint of surprise and awe as he stared at the miraculous transformation. That is when he noticed a lone, unfamiliar figure at the base of the trunk. His eyes immediately sharpened, realizing an intruder has appeared before the sacred tree. He swiftly darted towards this mysterious individual, only to halt plain in his tracks.

This trespasser seemed to be… a woman?

Jiro’s surprise doubled, and his keen eyes widened almost imperceptibly. He had not seen a women in decades, let alone one who was not a tengu. His gaze immediately drifted down, a result from years of traditional customs engraved into his skull. Women were not allowed on Tengu Mountain, and one must never look one in the eye. However, he couldn’t just let this trespasser go as she pleased!

Brushing his values aside, his expression hardened once again. Pushing himself forward, he opened his mouth and spoke stern words that seemed to echo across the mountains.

“You! You dare to trespass sacred land, woman?”

When you turned, the rest of Jiro’s words seemed to die in his throat. He had not seen a woman in a while, but he certainly was not expecting the sight before him. Your eyes.. they were full of life and void of dullness. So unlike his own. He felt an unfamiliar fluttering feeling in his stomach as his eyes met yours, the faintest hint of pink on his cheeks. It took him a few moments to gain his composure, but he managed to sputter out.

“What- what are you doing here?”