Preparation for the Journey

In preparation for their journey to Orario, the Raiden Familia, known for their combat prowess and commitment to justice, swiftly set about their respective tasks. Each prominent member took on crucial responsibilities to ensure the success and safety of their expedition.

Ayato, leveraging his extensive network and business connections, orchestrated the logistics of their transportation. He arranged for a caravan of sturdy carriages and secured passage on a sizable ship, along with skilled drivers and sailors to navigate the journey safely.

Meanwhile, Sara, the captain of the Familia, mobilized the other members and organized the gathering of essential supplies and equipment. With meticulous planning, she also charted the most efficient route to their destination, ensuring they would traverse the terrain with precision and speed.

As for Miko, the shrine maiden within the group, she focused on spiritual preparations for the journey. Drawing upon her sacred duties, she performed rituals to invoke divine protection and blessings upon their journey. Additionally, she crafted potent talismans to ward off any malevolent forces that might seek to impede their progress.

Last but not least, Ayaka, the prodigious swordswoman of the Famila, found herself tasked with... doing nothing. That's right, despite her insistence on helping everyone, her brother sternly instructed her to stay put.

"What do you mean I have to do nothing?" Ayaka demanded, wanting an explanation.

In response, Ayato sighed, understanding his sister's frustration. "Listen, Ayaka. You are one of our greatest assets, but your safety is our utmost priority. So, you shouldn't be concerned with helping us."

"But brother..." the young lady pleaded earnestly.

"No, buts," Ayato firmly declared before turning to their loyal servant. "Thoma, kindly keep an eye on her."

Thoma nodded dutifully, acknowledging his master's orders. "Understood, Master Ayato."

After that talk, Ayato turned heel and went back to his assigned task. The preparations were in full swing, and with each passing moment, the Raiden Familia drew closer to commencing their journey to Orario.

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As preparations continued until the next morning, Ayaka found herself practicing swings with a wooden sword, albeit slightly upset and annoyed.

"Stupid brother won't allow me to help, saying things like being the greatest asset..." Ayaka kept on mumbling to herself, her frustration evident as she swung the wooden sword with relentless force.

For each strike, Ayaka poured her pent-up anger into the practice, venting her feelings into the rhythmic movements of her arms. Despite her brother's directives, she couldn't shake the thought of wanting to contribute to the preparations for the journey ahead.

"Do you want some tea to calm your mind, Lady Ayaka?"

As she continued her training, Thoma approached her with a tray of tea and treats, seeking to smooth his master's frustration.

Ayaka, pausing mid-swing, turned to him with a fatigued yet appreciative smile. "Thank you, Thoma. That would be lovely."

Setting aside her wooden sword, the young lady joined her servant in the Gazebo, accepting a cup of steaming tea with a sigh of relief. The warm aroma enveloped her senses, offering a moment of solace amidst the chaos of her emotions.

As she sipped the tea, Ayaka felt the pressure in her muscles begin to ease, the gentle heat spreading through her body like a comforting embrace. Thoma observed her with concern, his expression softening as he addressed his master's quiet contemplation.

"Milady, please don't stress yourself about helping the Familia. They just want you to relax and be comfortable before the journey commences."

Ayaka sighed, understanding Thoma's words of reassurance. "I know that, Thoma. However, it's just hard for me to sit idly by when there's so much to be done."

As the two sat in silence, savoring the serenity of the moment, a sudden realization dawned upon Ayaka. She set down her tea and stood up from her seat, shifting toward Thoma with a broad smile.

"That's it, Thoma. I may not be able to help them directly with the preparations, but there's something else I can do."

Piqued by her sudden declaration, Thoma tilted his head with interest. "What do you have in mind, Milady?"

Ayaka's smile widened, her spirits rising as she shared her plan with her loyal servant.

"Fufu, I'm going to cook them a meal."

Thoma blinked in surprise before a smile spread across his face. "Cooking? That's a splendid idea, Milady! What do you plan to make today?"

In response, Ayaka chuckled softly, already envisioning the dishes she would prepare to lift the spirits of her companions. She faced toward the direction of the kitchen before looking back at her servant and declaring her answer with sparkling eyes.

"It's a new recipe. I call it Bento Box."

Thoma's eyes widened in anticipation, impressed by his master's ingenuity. "Bento Box? That sounds interesting. I'm sure everyone will appreciate your efforts, Milady."

With renewed determination, Ayaka headed towards the kitchen, excited to commence her culinary adventure. Thoma followed closely behind, ready to assist her in any way he could.

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Inside the kitchen, the young lady and her servant began their culinary endeavor with vigilant decisiveness. Ayaka meticulously selected the freshest ingredients, her movements fluid and precise as she gathered vegetables, fish, and rice for her Bento Box creation.

Meanwhile, Thoma gathered compact-sized boxes, arranging them neatly on the counter, ready to receive Ayaka's culinary masterpieces.

As she chopped, sliced, and seasoned the ingredients, Ayaka's focus remained resolute, her passion for cooking evident in every motion. Subsequently, she delicately assembled each component of the Bento Box with practiced skill and care, ensuring a harmonious balance of flavors and appearance.

"Done!" she declared, a sense of satisfaction evident in her voice before turning to her loyal servant. "What do you think, Thoma?"

Thoma approached the counter, his eyes wide with astonishment as he saw the beautifully arranged Bento Boxes on the table.

"Milady, it's magnificent! Each dish looks undoubtedly impressive."

Ayaka's smile widened at his praise, her heart swelling with pride at her achievement. "Thank you, Thoma. Now, let's ensure everyone gets a taste of my culinary masterpiece."

"Understood, Milady."

With that said, Ayaka and Thoma carefully packed the Bento Boxes into a basket, ready to be delivered to their fellow members of the Raiden Familia. As they left the kitchen and headed toward the preparation area, the aroma of freshly prepared food awaited their comrades.

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Upon arriving at their destination, Ayaka and Thoma were met with the solemn expressions of their Familia as they approached the table. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, and Ayaka couldn't help but feel a knot of worry tighten in her chest.

"Is something wrong here? Why does everyone look so serious?" Ayaka inquired, her voice laced with concern as she glanced around at her companions.

Sara, the captain of the Raiden Familia, looked up from the table, her expression grave. "It's about Shinobu..."

Ayaka's heart sank at the mention of their fellow member's name. Kuki Shinobu was known for her intelligence and great observation skills, and any news regarding her filled the group with apprehension.

"What happened to Miss Shinobu? Did something happen to her?" Ayaka pressed, her voice trembling slightly as she awaited her captain's response. 

Miko stepped forward and responded on Sara's behalf. "That's the thing, my dear. We don't know what happened to her because she hasn't been responding to our messages."

Thoma exchanged a worried glance with Ayaka, his concern mirroring hers as they awaited further explanation. The uncertainty surrounding Shinobu's whereabouts weighed heavily on their minds, leaving them anxious for answers.

"We tried reaching out to her several times, but there's been no response," Sara continued, her tone tinged with frustration. "It's unlike her to go silent like this without any explanation."

"The last thing I know about her was that she quit her job in the estate and left somewhere else," Ayato interjected, his voice reflecting a mix of concern and confusion.

Ayaka's brow furrowed at this information, recalling the time her parents died and Shinobu was heavily devastated about it. The dedication of the green-haired girl to her career was unmistakable, as well as her unwavering loyalty to Ayaka's father, Kamisato Akihiko.

"If she left without informing us, then there's something serious must have happened," Ayaka concluded, her voice tinged with worry. "We need to find her and confirm if she's safe."

With determined nods from her comrades, Ayaka and the rest of the Raiden Familia resolved to uncover the truth behind Shinobu's disappearance. 

"But before we leave, Lady Ayaka has prepared food to ease our worries," Thoma gestured towards the basket of Bento Boxes, offering a glimmer of comfort amidst the uncertainty that clouded their minds.

Miko chuckled lightly, seemingly amused by the offer. "Ah, as expected of you, dear Ayaka. Your thoughtfulness knows no bounds."

"Thank you, Lady Miko. It's all I can do to help the Familia," Ayaka acknowledged, grateful for the opportunity to provide some comfort to her troubled comrades.

Ayato sighed, weary about his sister's stubbornness. "Even though I told you to stay put, you still can't help it, huh?"

However, Ayaka merely smiled back at him, her determination shining through. "Some things are just too important to stay on the sidelines, brother."

"I see," Ayato nodded, acknowledging her sister's reasoning.

Following their discussion, the Raiden Familia finishes their meal, feeling a renewed sense of determination as they prepare to embark on their mission to find their missing companion, wanting to uncover the truth behind her disappearance and ensure her safety.

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As the Raiden Familia proceeded with their search, they surveyed the area and questioned a bunch of residents about any sightings or information regarding Shinobu's whereabouts.

Ayato utilized his network of connections to gather additional intelligence, while Sara took to the skies, using her crow wings to scour the area from above. On the ground, Ayaka, along with Thoma and Miko, searched through the bustling streets and alleys, keenly scrutinizing their surroundings for any clues.

After hours of investigation, they all gathered together a potential lead pointing towards the northern forest, where rumors of a notorious gang's hideout circulated.

"Stay vigilant, everyone. We must be prepared for any potential threats," Sara cautioned, her voice echoing with authority as she emphasized the importance of awareness.

With their resolve strengthened, the Raiden Familia set out towards the dense forest, their footsteps echoing against the earthy ground as they followed the winding dirt path among the towering trees.

The journey through the forest was fraught with tension, each member of the Familia acutely aware of the dangers that lurked in the shadows, their hands instinctively reaching for their arsenals as they broadened their awareness for potential attacks.

"Charge!!"

Suddenly, without warning, a group of masked assailants emerged from the shadows, their weapons glinting menacingly as they advanced toward the Familia.

"Prepare yourselves! We're under att-"

Before Sara could finish her warning, Miko's sharp ears caught the sound of movement from the trees above, shouting a timely warning to her comrades.

"Above us, dodge!"

BOOM!

With lightning reflexes, the Raiden Familia scattered, narrowly evading the surprise attack of a massive figure hurtling down from above.

As they regrouped, their eyes narrowed at the sight of a muscular individual standing before them, represented with long white hair, a pair of red horns, and a menacing red demon mask on his face.

"Boss, we got ourselves some intruders. What should we do?" one of the masked assailants asked, waiting for their leader to issue a command.

"Kukuku...Hahaha~" the red-masked person laughed as he brandished his spiky club before uttering, "Worry not, my dear follower, I'll handle them. Because I, the one and oni- URK!"

Before the leader could finish his boastful proclamation, Ayaka took the opportunity to rush forward with lightning speed and deliver a powerful punch to his stomach, sending the poor person crashing into the trees.

"Boss!!"

The group of masked assailants cried out as they fled toward their beaten leader. While they were panicking, the Raiden Familia couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for them.

"Ayaka, was the punch really necessary?" Ayato reprimanded her sister's sudden action.

However, Ayaka didn't respond to her brother's question and instead headed towards the group of masked assailants while unsheathing her sword.

As she confronted the leader, still perplexed from the attack, Ayaka pointed her blade and asked, "Do you have a connection with the half-masked killer, Hanzo Takemura?"

"Wait, what? Who?" the horned person asked confusedly. "I don't know who that is?"

"Answer me seriously, or else..." Ayaka insisted, threatening the leader by inching her blade closer to his chest. Meanwhile, the group of masked assailants huddled together, trembling.

"Seriously, I don't know! Please spare my life! I have so much to live for!" the leader pleaded desperately as he prostrated himself in front of Ayaka.

However, before Ayaka could respond, another figure emerged from the bushes, seemingly looking for someone. The person then noticed the masked leader and approached him.

"There you are, Boss. I've been looking... for you... Lady Ayaka?"

Ayaka widened her eyes as she recognized the person.

"Miss Shinobu?"