It was not usual for Merlin to be out this late, and yet he couldn't sleep - currently he had Morph's constant company, but since the peace talks had started his uncle had been requiring his ambassador at his side. Which - fair enough, Merlin could understand that. For his part? He was focused on Camelot's running while others looked to the peace talks. It wouldn't be a great idea to show his face there considering who his brother was and the fact Merlin had been instrumental in getting Heimdall to go to Ryugu-jo. (Boy was he regretting that now).
However, a drink at the Umbrella had loosened him up quite a lot and now he was heading back, limbs lose, shoulders relaxed. He mostly felt ... not cheerful, but much better than before having that drink. God, he was going to turn into an alcoholic, wasn't he? Great.
In his conundrum of thoughts he failed to really notice the stranger behind him. Someone who had interested Merlin, but he'd heard no more of him. Out of sight, out of mind.
The dark was a convenient cover for Jubokko who had arrived feeling a little hungry but had opted to rest the first day he was in the city before going out for a hunt. His normally long dark hair had been concealed, his clothing black and allowing him to blend in easily. Only his true accent would sell him as a Ryugunese but with what was about to happen, he wasn't worried.
And then the opportunity came and his steps quickened before he attacked from behind, clasping a bare hand across Merlin's throat, squeezing and draining immediately at first touch, his other arm going to circle around his waist to keep him near. He dragged the lanky man into a near by bush to conceal them from anyone who might pass by. A mild sort of disgust traveled over him when he detected the man had been drinking but he supposed he couldn't be picky in Camelot. His opinion fell low when it came to those outside of his native region, just like most other Ryugunese.
Merlin jolted, as if struck by something but he couldn't fight and he certainly had no clear idea of what was happening. Just that it was weird, and he was light-headed and everything was so...still. And Merlin was not the type of person who was ever still, he was loud and energetic, he was passionate (in a weird sort of way) and he was... well, Merlin. Douchebag, and chancellor. He closed his eyes.
When this was over he'd stumble about, lost, confused - having lost hours that had been taken over by a certain, good-looking and hungry tree.
And that tree, by then, had slipped away, freeing all leaves and what not from his now rejuvenated appearance. He had drunk his fill of the Camelotian, leaving him with enough to feel faint but also able to get away. There had been no need to kill, no offense had been made and there had been no need to even leave him unconscious in the bushes.
However, should the man stumble into traffic, that was his own issue. Hair freed from the hat it had been pinned under, he moved back to the hotel he was currently staying at. Amaterasu's big brother felt so much more ready to deal with her now.