A/N: I’m going to go a little “anime logic” for this branch (and future offshoots of course) and include the idea of characters having unusual hair colors(or at least unusual for characters who are supposed to be “Fantasy Asian”.
It was a group of bandits, heavily armed, surrounding a trio of peasant women, no doubt intending to hold them for ransom.
Getting ever slightly closer, you were afforded a better look at the three women. They all seemed to be of age but they could have been slightly younger, it was hard to tell. The first of them had green eyes and short orange-red hair arranged in a bob cut. The second had blue eyes and brown hair. Her hair was similarly short, but longer on the sides, barely touching her shoulders. The third was a blue eyed woman whose raven hair ran past her shoulders and onto her back, although the way the light hit it gave it a slightly blue sheen. All three of them were filthy with dirt and mud staining their torn robes.
One of the bandits advanced first. Judging by his mannerisms and his comparatively well kept gear he was their leader. He appeared to be middle aged, with gray streaks in his otherwise black hair, and his face was slightly scarred. “Well well well, my little flowers. You thought you could run, didn’t you? Thought you could hide? Well, no matter. You’ll fetch a good price at the market anyways.” He grinned a crooked grin and reached out his grimy hand and roughly grabbed the noirette by the shoulder causing the redhead to shriek “NO, HIKARI! YOU BASTARD DON’T YOU FUCKING TOUCH HER!”
The bandit leader’s grin disappeared and his expression darkened slightly as he turned his attention to the redhead. “A noisy little pup, this one. I do hate to damage the merchandise, but…” the man trailed off as he drew his dagger. The redhead just glared, but her stoic defiance began to waver as he drew nearer.
“All right, that’s enough!” you yell, stepping out of the bushes. All eyes, peasant and bandit are now firmly on you. The bandit leader takes a second to comprehend your sudden intrusion, then grins his crooked grin and whistles, looking you over. “Well, well, isn’t this my lucky day! Three whelps for coin, and a beautiful woman for pleasure! I see you already took the time to prepare yourself for me, too!”
You ignore his twisted remark. “Let the girls go and I will go easy on you. Refuse, and you’re going to wish for death.” You state plainly.
The bandits are all silent for a second, then many of them, including the leader, begin to laugh. But there are some who look wary. No doubt these are the smart ones who know they’re dealing with, the ones who noticed your small but unmistakable shoulder tattoo of a claw mark inside a set of fangs, the symbol of your order.
Well, it’s their funeral.