[X] Then let us fight him. As you say, his very existence is an affront. He must die, and he must die today.
"Then let us fight him," you respond. "As you say, his very existence is an affront. He must die, and he must die today."
The ogre looks at you quizzically, leaning its head slightly to the side. "Us, Samurai? Do you mean you and your companions, or are you saying something else?"
"I mean that we don't have time to waste on fighting you," you say. "Not if you aren't the kidnapper." You shift your grip on your weapon. "If it is as you say, and a Maho-tsukai is responsible, then that is where our focus must lie."
"And you would have no issues if I also wished to kill this man?" the ogre asks. He leans forward and gives a wry smile. "Would that offend your sensibilities, Crab? To have one such as I as an ally?"
"We are not allies," you growl. "I'll not have anyone saying such. No, ogre, we are merely fighting the same foe and ignoring each other, nothing more and nothing less. Any… personal issues can be set aside to battle the immediate enemy."
"Interesting," the ogre says, cupping its chin. "And unexpected. You are a strange one, Crab."
The monster stands up, reaching its full height. The creature towers over you, almost eight feet tall. It is not often that you feel short, for most of the time you loom over your fellows quite easily. Now, though, you are very obviously not the largest person in the area. It is an uncomfortable experience, and in more ways than one.
The ogre slides his giant sword into his belt, the blade fitting easily. The blacksmith was right. The blade is easily the size and weight of a no-dachi, though the ogre wields it as if the weapon were only a katana. You eye the sword warily. Something that large with the strength of an ogre behind it… That is a danger to keep in mind.
"I am Muharanok," he says. "Son of Katarano, son of Gosomak, son of Muhomono, son of Muhonarak."
"I am Hiruma Sosuke," you respond warily. You're used to giving names, but the ogre went a listed… family history, you suppose. Is it some strange custom? "Of the Crab Clan."
The ogre nods. "Very well. Follow me, and I will lead us to our mutual foe."
Muharanok marches away from the fire, leading further into the hills. You follow at a reasonable distance, staying out of charging range of the ogre should this all have been an elaborate trap. Even keeping your distance, you're not very comfortable with this affair. You've spent your entire life fighting monsters like this one, and now you're letting it guide your path.
Even more, the ogre's words bother you. You only know ogres as rampaging monsters, clad in wasted rags and swinging trees around like clubs. But Muharanok is intelligent, and claims enmity to all creatures of Jigoku. As far as you know this isn't something that can happen.
A group of intelligent ogres may have once tried to ally with the Crab, but this was after serving Daigotsu in an extended campaign that took several watchtowers along the Wall. Hida Kuon, the Clan Champion, had been well within his rights to slaughter the leader of that monstrous band and as many ogres as he could get his hands on. The Crab have no love for these creatures, be they capable of reasoning or not, and have killed the beasts for centuries. It has always been this way.
But is that really the case here? you ask yourself. What do I do after all this if his intentions are true?
"Sosuke-san," Shasa whispers, her hands tight on her still unsheathed sword. "Are you completely sure this is a good idea?"
"No," you respond. "But for now, it seems better than getting into a confrontation we do not need."
"I'm not so certain," Shasa says, glaring at the ogre's back. "The beast could be leading us into some trap."
"It very well could," you say. "Which is why I will be counting on you to help me keep an eye out." You smile at her. "I think we'll be able to handle ourselves, Shasa-san. We've enough skill and strength between the three of us to handle any foe."
Shasa blinks at your words, looking uncertain. Then, finally, she nods. You restrain a sigh of relief. You spoke only the truth, but you didn't want Shasa to know just how concerned you are about this situation. Maho-tsukai are even more dangerous than ogres in their own way, and everyone will need to keep their spirits strong in order to face him. Confusion and doubt could kill as easily as any sword.
You glance at Shirou, who while keeping an eye on Muharanok seems mostly at ease with the situation. You almost envy the monk, being able to stay so calm despite the strangeness of these events. It is a useful skill, maintaining one's serenity as he does.
Eventually Muharanok leads you to a large hill, a sizable opening set within its side. The hole leads downward into darkness, obviously going deep into the earth. However, that is not the most striking thing that catches your attention.
You smell blood on the air. Your grip on your tetsubo tightens such that the leather of its handle creaks. People have died here, and in no small numbers. And in their passing the atmosphere has been saturated with their blood.
That seems as good a sign as any that you have reached your destination.
[] Write in.
) hatred of all things of the Shadowlands. 
