... I can move around fine in this.

[ a mite of a man, clad from the neck down in pure black shinobi garb with a shock of white fluff to top it off, stands at the edge of the work site, mouth pressed in a disgruntled line while a pair of oni with wood propped on their shoulder frown at him.

"c'mon, man, can't you see yer ruinin' the vibe here dressed like that?" "shinobi or no, yer too sullen! even i think ya reek of death, and i'm an oni! gahaha!" ]

...

[ silent as the night, gabimaru seems to be quietly simmering, expression giving nothing away. ... before he sighs, and pulls away his sash. ]

Guess I've got no choice.

[ somehow, he's pulled in to help clean the cabinets, despite doing his utter utmost to steer clear of all those flashing, neon lights and ringing music. mask pulled over his nose, gabimaru busily scrubs at the blood, more home in the dirty crust and grime, eyes squinting to focus as though he were battling a headache.

the machine he's working on suddenly lets out an ominous groan, quaking and rattling on its legs before — ]

!

[ — it spits out a stream of golden coins, straight past him and towards the nearest person. ]

Damn, look out!

[ but gabimaru is already moving, throwing an arcade coin bucket with the swiftness and accuracy of a kunai, mouth inward, between the oncoming tokens and their next victim. ]

[ a series of images like wood-block prints appear, stroke after paint stroke, around one sullen ninja, caught between rifts in dream and reality at the mouth of an alleyway: a kind-looking young woman, a demon of an old man, flitting about around him. her voice is like wind-chimes, soothing to the soul, but she evaporates into white mist, like a smoke bomb set off. in her place is the old man, sneering and cackling.

"it was all an act, from beginning to end. we shinobi should remain emotionless!"

it's then that the kerakera-onna makes herself known, having been peeking over the cross of a telephone pole before standing, and joining in the jeering.

meanwhile, gabimaru stands there, apparently taking the abuse. he turns, away from the specter, towards the youkai, and bows. ]

I'm sure you lived a hard life, too. Thank you for your services.