A Desperate Plea

Director Arata was on his knees, head bowed to the floor in a full dogeza before Maria. She, however, merely frowned at the sight.

"I apologize, Maria," Director Arata pleaded, his voice muffled by the carpet. "We promised not to disturb you, but a situation from abroad has caught our attention, and we need our very best to figure it out."

"Find someone else," Maria stated flatly, already turning to leave the office.

"Please, Maria!" Arata begged, scrambling forward slightly. "I'll even throw in an additional slacker for you to boss around!"

Maria ignored him, continuing her determined stride towards the door. Director Arata, however, wasn't deterred. He lunged, wrapping his arms around Maria's left leg. Yet, he didn't impede her. Maria simply kept walking, dragging the director with her out into the corridor.

Nearby agents, witnessing the bizarre scene, whispered amongst themselves.

"What's going on?" one asked.

"It's Director Arata again... poor Captain Maria," another sighed, shaking their head.

"What kind of mission is it this time for Director Arata to act like that?" a third wondered aloud.

Maria looked around. The public display was thoroughly embarrassing. Eventually, she let out a soft sigh of resignation.

"Fine," she conceded, "I'll think about it."

Hearing those words, Director Arata instantly sprang to his feet, a triumphant smile lighting up his face. "I'm so glad you'll hear me out!" he exclaimed, beaming.

Maria's frown deepened.

Director Arata, catching her expression, instantly dropped back into the dogeza position, head hitting the floor with a soft thud.

Maria turned to leave, walking away from the kneeling director.

"I'll send the information to you later!" his muffled voice called out after her.

 _________________

Kaito stood in a state of deep concentration, his body lowered into an Iai stance. In one hand, he clutched Shikabanehime's hilt, while his other hand rested on the newly acquired, exquisitely crafted red and black cherry blossom sheath. Before him, a series of rough-hewn logs were positioned at random, varying wildly in height and distance. Kaito let out a short breath as his leg muscles tensed.

Then, he vanished.

A reappeared on the other side of the logs, a faint afterimage lingers where he had been. Shikabanehime was firmly held in his hand, barely unsheathed.

Click.

With a soft sound, Kaito sheathed Shikabanehime.

Behind him, all of the logs were perfectly cut in two and began to crumble and disintegrated to ash. Thin streams of dark light curled gracefully around Kaito before flowing into Shikabanehime's blade.

'Splendidly done, Master!' Shikabanehime applauded with admiration.

'It looks cool,' Durandal conceded with grudging approval. 'But you spent three days practicing that one move. How practical is it in actual combat?'

Kaito didn't answer. He knew its limits, and despite the impressive display, he wasn't yet a true master swordsman.

"You don't understand the heart of mens, Durandal," he said with a wry smile.

Durandal tilted her head, clearly perplexed. 'What's that supposed to mean?'

Kaito chuckled but offered no further explanation. Instead, he summoned Durandal into his other hand.

"Let's practice dual wielding next," he declared. "I'm not that ambidextrous naturally, but I'm sure Shikabanehime's ability can somehow allow me to adapt to it."

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He dematerialized both swords and pulled out his phone. It was a message from Yumi, asking everyone to gather and meet.

His training would have to wait.

 ______________________

In the underground lab, Yumi sat casually on a chair, her black tails swaying gently as she idly played with one of them. The rest of the mansion's occupants—Tamamo, Eleanor, and Maria—were already assembled. A moment later, Kaito entered the lab with an apologetic looks on his face as he joined the group.

"What is it now, human?" Tamamo grumbled, her arms crossed in clear impatient.

Yumi simply gestured towards Maria, prompting her to speak.

"The Japanese Supernatural Task Force has issued me a mission to investigate a location in Russia," Maria began. "It's not mandatory, and I could technically refuse, but Yumi suggested I accept it and, more importantly, that I bring you all along as backup."

As Maria spoke, a text message from Yumi materialized on a nearby monitor, displaying her reasoning for everyone to read.

'Unusual activity is documented there by our organization. Although we don't know the reason as to why it's occurring, it would be safer for you all to join Maria in case something unexpected occurs.'

Tamamo groaned dramatically. "Russia? That frost-bitten land? It's far too cold for the likes of me. I will absolutely stay out of this."

Yumi's text flickered on the monitor again, directly addressing Kaito.

'Kaito, watch after Tamamo while you are in Russia.'

Kaito gave a firm nod.

"Are you even listening to what I just said, human?" Tamamo demanded.

Yumi's final message appeared.

'The area is teeming with spies from countries all over the world, so don't get caught. I've already booked your flight, and there are custom-made, enchanted clothes to keep you warm over in those suitcases. While you're there, try to gather some information if you can. That should be all from me.'

Everyone nodded, acknowledging Yumi's instructions. Tamamo then turned her attention to Maria. "Come on, human. Just reject the mission. We can call off this ridiculous trip and stay in the comfort of Japan, where it's warm and civilized."

Maria offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry to rope you all into this, but it seems Yumi has already made up her mind."

"Don't say that, Maria," Kaito interjected with a warm smile on his face. "We're all happy to help. A new adventure, right?"

Eleanor nodded in agreement. "It's about time I truly contribute to the Association."

"I'm not," Tamamo muttered, but her words fell on deaf ears. The decision, clearly, had been made.

The next morning, under the pale light of dawn, Kaito dragged a visibly begrudging Tamamo, who complained every step of the way, as they boarded the plane with Eleanor, bound for the frozen expanses of Russia. Maria had taken a separate flight, accompanying other agents.