“If you’ll excuse the insult, you look rather like shit, Akio-kun.” Gin-san observed with a wry smile as I pulled out my chair and sat down, trembling a little. Damn, I don’t think I’ve been this exhausted sihe bad old days of running long dista school. Even across this separate body I feel the effects of aether depletion… no, everythiion.

  Gng at the older man, who was addressiher more familiarly retly, I stifled a yawn, but before I could speak, his Chosen Hero, Akai, the young phoenix, blinked her fiery red eyes at me. She let out a hiss, ing her long brown hair all around her, c her rich brown skin. Only her eyes were visible as she peered at me warily, and I pinched my nose, feeling a headache ing on.

  It seemed I wasn’t the only one, as while some of the others in the room let out amused chuckles, Gin-san rubbed at his temples. “Akai, we’ve beehis. Akio-kun isn’t going to hurt you. You’re a phoenix, by Avalokiteshvara! A mythical immortal bird feared and respected by all. At least act like it sometimes.”

  “No!” Akai decred, ag like a petunt child. I guess she is, in a way. Gin-san said he found her as a chi the Boundary, ae looking like a fashionable, if rather sloppy, young woman, she’s still childish. “He’s scary!” She insisted, hissing again. “Every time, stronger and stronger! And…” She paused, a little unsure, and it was Yasuhide-san who broke the silence, ughiily, tugging at his white beard, though I noticed that he looked less wrinkled and worn than usual, perhaps the bes of Chirurgery redug the wear and tear on his body.

  “You’re certainly a funny one, Akai-. It’s good that Akio-kun is stronger, we don’t want to face a situation like Kyoto again, do we? Though it seems we will be.” His eyes narrowed. “Troubles are definitely brewing. Tsukiko- would hardly be wrong about this.”

  Saying her name so casually wrung frowns and disapproving murmurs from many of those around us, but it was Chiyo-san who was o speak, from her positioo the old monk Bankei. “Enough of the theatrics.” She was blunt and to the point as always. “Our Lady Divisukiko-sama, has returned, her fate defeated as Akio-kun promised. And I have spoken to her. When I visited Shirohebizumi, to see how my granddaughters were getting along…” She paused then, eyeih a dispassionate gaze. “They’ve blossomed, certainly, having mastered earth element, as they call it, though mostly thanks to Hiroto-kun’s little twins. Brilliant girls. And it seems his boy has matured after… well, after those tragic events. Sometimes a boy bees a man when he faces despair.”

  “Yes.” I agreed, pg my elbows oable aing my head, not g about the rudeness. Just o catch my breath. The finishing touches to Tamamo-no-Mae had wiped me out, and my vision was a mess, streaked and stressed with e light and meaningless shapes, almost as if it was the aura for a fierce migraine. “I’m very grateful to Chiaki- and Chiasa-, they always go above and beyond what is required, and they had no reason to, after Kyoto.”

  “However… they do tell me of… a troubling issue.” Chiyo-san tinued. “My girls, they say there’s rather a divide now, between the ordinary trainees, and those who have joined anroup. Adamant, they called it. It seems the lions’ share of resources and effo towards these recruits, and the work ing those of the faith into the fold decreases.”

  Yasuhide-san agreed, though his eyes twinkled with amusement. “You know, Akio-kun is rather busy, gallivanting around the world, saving people heroically. Then there’s this business with the Nasu voloes. Clearly not a natural event. But my dear Shiori was talking about this group too. It’s very iing. She was torn about joining, though I advised her to wait.” His smirk was knowing.

  “Yeah, this isn’t really the time or pce to discuss Adamant. But it’s not what you think, or fear. It’s certainly a more… personal… fore, but that’s all.” I assured them, once more cursing the fact everyohought I was just gathering a huge group of women to satisfy my lusts. Holy, if that’s what I wanted, I have Eri and the others, I’ve no she of women! “As for the numbers of the faithful, yeah, I o increase it, but we also o perform Chirurgery for the gover and the military, and for now it’s just me and Shaeu who . Isn’t this off-topic though?”

  Chiyo-san nodded, before chastising Akai again. “The only thing you should be scared of is your virtue, it seems, little phoenix. As for Tsukiko-…” she stumbled over the familiar address but was making a point to be less respectful than before. “…she has made up her mind, in part thanks to Akio-kun here. She is still our Diviner, but has thrown in her fate with his, and so no longer wishes to hide herself away. The reason for it has passed, it seems.”

  “Yeah, her visions came true, at least in part, but we turned aside their sequences. And I won’t let her go back to a lonely life of serving Tsukuyomi. If she’s going to dedicate her all, then she deserves to have a happy life while doing so.” I swore, and Yasuhide-san nodded cheerfully.

  “That’s my boy.” His words were proud. “Anyway, buck up, Akai. Strong allies are a wonderful thing, and Akio-kun is kind to women. He won’t break anything but your heart.” He echoed Chiyo-san’s words, and I was going to protest, but sidering I had just been terribly intimate with Tamamo-no-Mae, even if it was to help restore her to her full strength far more rapidly… I didn’t do it because I wao. It was hellishly difficult, and it has left me spent… but I don’t have time for Mae to slowly recuperate. Uranai basically persuaded me to rescue her now through Shinkume-no-Hana, and my Fht is buzzing too.

  “Akai, you’re a trusted ally. Nobody wants to hurt you, least of all me. In fact, one of the reasons I’m here is to make sure everyone’s on the same page ready for trouble. Gin-san said you were awesome st time trouble broke out, so I’ll be relying on you.” I reached out a hand across the table, trying to force a smile onto my exhausted, sallow face. For the lo moment I was left hanging, befin-san coughed loudly, and with a tentative, weak motion, Akai’s hair parted a little, and her arm came out. She hesitated again, befingerly taking my hand.

  “You promise?” she said, as I gently squeezed her hand, which was far warmer than ordinary humans, her skiemperature of hot tea.

  “I promise, Akai. We’re all friends here.”

  “You’re strange.” She said, releasing me. Shaking her head, her hair was flung behind her, revealing her face more, and her ruby eyes wavered a little. “Always ging. Not human, not anymore.”

  “Well, you areher, are you? her is Shaeu or Hyath, but do we o be human? We’re all intelligent beings with thoughts and feelings. Even the Gods are.” I khat for a fact, as while I certainly couldn’t say Tan had the same thought processes as us mortals, she definitely did have many of the same emotional responses, if on a grander scale sometimes. “As for ging… yeah, I have to ge. Because I’m the one in charge.” I decred proudly. “And therefore it’s my responsibility to protect Kyoto and everyone here. Though I’ll be ting on those who help, like you , Akai. But don’t hesitate if you need something.”

  Akai frowned, looking down at the hand I had held rather quizzically, before nodding slowly. “Fine, I’ll trust you, scary man… Akio. Huh, Akai, Akio. We match.” She puffed out her cheeks. “In that case… I want cute clothes and pretty dresses. Lots of food too. Gin is such a miser!”

  Surprised by this turn of events, I looked at Gin-san, who coughed. “I hardly stint on Akai’s needs, I assure you. But I am simply the humble priest of Kinkaku-ji. I don’t have your bottomless wealth, Akio-kun. Besides, she may be a chick, but she eats like she’s Suzaku itself, and thrice her size.”

  “I get hungry.” Akai tio pout, but fortuhe mood had shifted, and there were now smiles around the table. “I won’t grow up big and strong like you if I do!”

  “She’s got you there.” I let out a chuckle of my own. “Sure, we go shopping. I’m too tired for much else anyway.” I promised, and as Akai’s face lit up, I turned my attention back to business. “The matter with Tsukiko is final. As for increasing the number of trainees via Chirurgery, we definitely want to, but for now it’s on the backburner. We’re still ahead of schedule, really.”

  At everyone’s grudging agreement, I tinued. “So, are repared for the uping troubles?”

  Gin-san hough his smile was now quite sour. “The pn is ihough some of us ’t help but think this is a ploy to swallow up all of Kyoto.”

  “If I really wahat, you think I couldn’t?” I sighed. “I was the one who put ihe Ministry rules to protect yhts. Rest assured, we’ll help you re-establish if needed, but we want to avoid further unnecessary casualties. We don’t have enough Chosen to be throwing them away over petty pride or holding ground.”

  “As, this humble monk must report a problem.” Bankei said, before anyone else could speak. “The remaining Chosen of Susanoo fa refuses to answer our calls and has isoted himself. Young Uchida also remains withdrawn, and the remains of Susanoo within Kyoto are likewise estranged from us. Unless Uchida Yamato-kun wakes…”

  “Damn fool.” Chiyo-san snapped, without any kindness or pity, though her face betrayed her sadness. “He’s suffered a grave loss. I sympathise. But he’s not alone in that. Yamato-kun gambled recklessly and paid for it.” She turo me then. “Is there no way you rouse the boy? We’ve heard tell of your many miraculous healings.”

  I shook my head. “Trust me, if I could, I would. But… the matter is plicated, and beyond my power to intervene in.”

  Chiyo-san nodded slowly, eyes narrowing. “Yes, I see why.” She ged the subject, surprising everyone. “By the way, my granddaughters were talking about your sister. She’s been kind to them apparently, and they feel she has a golden future.”

  “Is this the time for that?” Yasaka-san groused, speaking up for the first time, uanding. “I know if you praise his sister it will put Akio-san in a good mood, but… it’s not helping.”

  “It seems nothing does help.” Chiyo-san pined. “But if we ’t persuade him to pull himself out of his grief, then we have to act as if Uchida-san isn’t here. But if disaster strikes again, I trust that the Susanoo holdouts will respond accly. If not…” she shrugged. “…we ’t help those who don’t help themselves.”

  As the table devolved into a discussion on just how to wihe st remnants of the faith, for every true shrine recious to Japan, I closed my eyes there, snatg a moment of rest, while in the Boundary, Mae had stopped her shaking and had dragged herself to her feet. Pulling on her discarded Kimono after Hyath had mopped her , I couldn’t help but express a hint ret as her colossal breasts were half-hidden, and Shiro kicked me gently in the leg.

  “It’s not all about size, Aki. Mine are just as good.”

  “I know.” I apologised. “And I shouldn’t ogle, but…”

  “Grandmother certainly is… impressive.” Nebisuki offered, her face still deathly pale from watg the harrowing Chirurgery and Shapercrafting that went into Mae. “And you roamed your hands and mind all over every inch of her, even those mountainous breasts, which do not even lose to Mount Fuji in scale…”

  “Little Hana…” Mae said pointedly, and she snickered weakly.

  “I shall be silent. I promise.”

  “See that you do. Though you are far from entirely wrong.” She tied her obi sash, and her cleavage ushed up, again drawing my eyes, like some sort of mesmeric attra. I was half-blind aally exhausted, but I still mao focus my League, and I realised that Mae’s Charm was more active now, magnifying the appeal of her soft chest, which was as warm as… Shaking my head, I cleared those thoughts, only to run into her accusation. “When you mutited my heart, your hand lingered, groping me all over. So sdalous.”

  “Sorry.” I bowed, and she seemed surprised I would apologise.

  “I could hardly stop you. To reach my heart, you had to touch my chest. What man, and even few women, could resist my bounty? And you were trying to aid me, even if your methods were as torturous as that cursed monk. I may be a woman short on gratitude, yet I suppose I five you, although…” Her emerald eyes narrowed, and I felt her League rise, until it was greater than mihough the difference was far from insurmountable. In fact, I’m not too far behind, holy…even if she’s still not at her best.

  “I see…” She flexed her body, rolling back her shoulders, tails wagging. That just drew my eyes further. “Yes, the pain is mostly gone. Fasating. To think I am fed of etal and other dead materials, yet I still am myself.” She looked at me then, and a seductive smile crossed her cherry lips. “Yet to do so, you vioted me, my chest, and more… a woman has her pride and dignity.” She paused then. “My dignity must look rather pathetice you have seen my begging, pleading, desperate eies to that dead fool. But… none of you will speak of it, will you?”

  I shook my head. “A dy should have some secrets. And… in your pce I’d have dohe same, if I could even have withstood it at all. You made sure I uood.”

  “I did. So… repense.” She moved suddenly, and her fist was in front of my face. The impact rocked me, and since I was too exhausted to move I let her punch throw me to the ground. Yeah, it doesn’t hurt. But… Shiro and Shaeu blinked in surprise at the se, though Shaeu had clearly seen the puning and had elected not to stop it, perhaps expeg I would deal with it. Hyath merely nodded knowingly.

  “So, I’m sure you could have dodged that, Aki… or maybe not, you’re pretty wiped out.” Shiro asked. “But… aren’t you holding her name?”

  Mae curled her lips into a smile, looking satisfied, though she gnced down at her fist, the pale skin now rather red and tender. Lig it softly, she sighed. “Indeed, Akio is. Were I in my prime, it would never have happened. I was the only Kitsune bold enough to be known as my true self, a retain my own autonomy. But such gripes are merely the whining of a beaten loser. Perhaps when I regain my strength I shall seize it back, force his hand off my tail, yet… for now you speak the truth.”

  “So, then how…?” Shiro asked, and Mae tossed her head, her hair that Shaeu had reattached casg behind her as if to emphasis her point.

  “It is simple. He forbids me naught. Even a blow hteous indignation. Perhaps he does not fear me. My strength is rather feeble now. Or perhaps…” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. “…he does indeed feel guilty for my pains. It hardly matters. This was merely a sop to my pride.”

  “Yeah, I do feel guilty. Though you shouldn’t be so Charming.” I stood, brushing myself off. “Holy though, I do feel a little ashamed, even if I wasn’t groping you for my pleasure.”

  “I am aware.” Mae shook her head, losing i. “I tell the differeween lust and other emotions. Now…” She surged with aether, and after a moment, blinked her green eyes, surprised. “…I am pathetic. Even my dear granddaughter would have surpassed my current strength, were she not so… worn out.”

  “Rude. Still holding a grudge over my spanking threat, dear grandmother? The greatest of us should hardly be so petty.” Nebisuki barked a dry ugh. “Though…” her smile was now wistful. “…despite everything, and all you have do seems you are finally back with us. randmother, the greatest of us all.”

  “It seems so.” Mae agreed, her own harsh tone softening to match the mood. She then bowed to me pyfully, tails wagging. “I feel little pain. Many odd sensations, but not agony. While my strength has yet to return, and I feel as weak as a new-born, I draw on more than before without suffering harm. So your work was… adequate, it seems.”

  “Adequate?” It was my turn to pin. “What went into you was my greatest masterpiece!”

  “Could you do less? I am and always have been a priceless work of art. My beauty has been legend across the known world and beyond.” She stretched, her breasts threatening to spill free again. Kitsune really like kimonos. Nebisuki is the same…

  Seeing me looking, she ughed, this time with sheer joy. “I must not be myself. Perhaps it is ihat for the first time in my long life, I am not responsible for my own self. Though should you seek to misuse your authority, I shall resist. I have suffered one long e, and it has ged me, winnowed mue away. I ot bear another.”

  “Nor will you have to.” Asha handed Mae a goblet of fiery honeyed mead, and as she drank it gratefully, rest some of her strength after the surgery, Asha tinued. “And I know you know it. I have had little gress with Yōkai up to now, but you strike me as one who see through the wiles of others.”

  “I . For the ing seldom be fooled.” Mae admitted.

  “Then you do not need me to tell you. Simply judge his as.” Asha’s tone was motherly, soothing ale, and above us her Tree rustled its branches, more leaves and some beautiful blossoms falling, drifting down to us iill Boundary.

  “I do, and I shall.” Mae finished her drink, before yawning. “Though I still wish for more tender care. But… the worst is over, is it not?”

  “It is.” I promised. “Barring plications.” I tried to use my Eye and looked at some of the relevant parts of Mae’s status.

  [Item Css: ???] [Item Type: ???] – It is currently impossible to determihe ratings of this Shapercrafted living being, as the true strength of Tamamo-no-Mae is currently unusable and she has only partially adapted to the artificial pos that have repced her withered Chakras and further work.

  Makes sense, I guess? Blinking back tears as my Eye tio rampage, I did s a more iing description, before my Eye refused any further stress.

  [????????-Bound Artefact] – Due to the manipution of flesh, spirit and ????????, as well as the signifit quantity of your Aether, Adherend ???????? ied in Tamamo-no-Mae, further heightened by the existing bond that ected you, her ???????? has bee bound to her Shapercrafted nature, with uable results. In addition, there has been some ingling of ???????? through the existing bond, so the ????????-Bound Artefact only dispy its greatest power when the ????????’s of both parties are in accord. It further strengthens bonds and bond-like abilities.

  Yeah, that one’s not problematic at all. Squeezing shut my temporarily dysfunal Eye, I was more focussed on Kyoto, as our impromptu meeting had e to a close, and I had pulled Yasaka-san aside, Gin-san following, along with Akai, who was still wary, but eager to go shopping. I guess she’s just the same as Shaeu. Girls love to shop, no matter their species…

  “So yes, I’m finally done…” A haggard and pale Yasaka-san wiped at his forehead, looking down at the secure tablet in front of me. He paused, as my eye slid shut, a pained grimace crossing my face. “…it’s ironie to ask, sidering how you abuse me, but are you all right?” he asked, and I shrugged.

  “Yeah, just massively overstressed my body.” I forced a ugh, despite the bitter migraine raging in my head. “So it’s not just you I ask to ruin himself.”

  “Not that I feel aer. Well, moving on.” Yasaka-san coughed. “I’ve spent far too long wiped out in bed, coughing up blood. I’m hoping for a break. Don’t be calling me while you’re abroad.” he warned sourly. “Anyway, here’s the details. Annoyingly enough, I worded the question badly and ended up id up for an hour because it told me about you! Six in total, one of which is you. Then there’s Dorte Andreassen and that uy, as we found before. Then these.” Three social media profiles, two men and a woman, were dispyed, and the fourth person, another woman, supposedly an Idic musi, despite her edia presence, was also listed. “As for the seeds, we firm our weightlifter the Ameris have is one, while our live man here is also in America.” He tapped the s.

  “Great. And we have narrowed dowswana location, and also found the others?” I looked at the list and some maps. “Legendary work, man.” I cpped him on the shoulder happily. Looks like everything is falling into pce. Hmm… Looking at the locations, it wasn’t impossible I’d be able to strike one or two more during the itinerary, with a bit of juggling. “So, as for first tact with these Chosen… the Ministry imagi’s best to go with others, rather than me. I’m too big a potential dao them apparently.”

  “Makes sense.” Yasaka-san agreed, handihe secure tablet. “Now, I’m done, right? I am done?” His tone was almost pleading, and I couldn’t help but feel bad for him.

  “O issue. And holy, this shouldn’t be as bad…” I began, but he cut me off, irritated.

  “That’s what you always say! Saionji-sama, at least your questions weren’t so… so brutal!”

  “Sorry, but you know you’re tributing.” Gin-san reassured him. “And ohe dangers fag Japan are navigated, you retire into a life of luxury, only having to work occasionally.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, we’re depositing money into your at for each question. You’re certainly well off. But this o’s about some women, a mother and daughter, that we could potentially save. How you say no to that?” At my pleading gaze, spoiled by the fae of my eyes was sealed shut, and I ale as paper, he finally relented.

  “I sometimes… no, I often hate you…” Yasaka-san grumbled, without much heat, more for the sake of it, I thought. “All right then. Ask your damion, and I’ll see if Minerva is feeling helpful.”

  “In that case…” I held my breath after saying my words. “There’s a pair of Cultivators, who should be preserved in the far north of Japan. Su Caihong and Su Liena. Are they still alive, and if so, will they remain so for much longer?”

  As Yasaka-saed the question, sweat beaded on his brow, but in theory this should have been far easier to bear the burden of, being as we knew a lot of information already, and it was barely toug on the immediate future. As he opened his mouth, back at Shirohebizumi, I spoke up, stopping Mae iracks.

  “I guess it’s been a day for miracles. Su Caihong, Su Liena… they still live in the frozen coffins you and Sekka made for them.”

  Mae blirying very hard not to look as if she cared overmuch, which I found unbearably cute, but the movement of some of her bushy tails gave her away. “You do not have to lie to me. I am not a child. I have lived many times more, hundreds of times more than you. False hope… I no longer wish for death, so…”

  “Akio does not lie, foolish ooone.” Hyath decred. “Sometimes, efforts be rewarded. Nooot always, not often enooough, but sometimes.”

  “Didn’t you work hard for it?” I pressed. “I don’t think it raiseworthy cheating the Saint of Swallowing Sorrows, but again, you did it out of love, so… I uand it.”

  “Love? Caihong’er and I were merely passing some pleasant hours together.” Mae dehough her torayed her, voice wistful. “They should not have survived, even moving so slowly through the ages, but… Caihong’er was strong. Nobody rises to the Matriarch of one of the Five Great Sects, of Ten Thousand Flower Throne, by being easy to bully. And Liena… she was doted on by her mother, her treasure….”

  “In that case…” I patted her on the shoulder. “…you’d better restore your strength as fast as possible. After all, Kunlun is gone, and they have nothing anymore. Someone has to provide for them…”

  Mae gave me a ft look, while Shaeu, Shiro, Hyath and Asha all rolled their eyes at me in unison.

  “e on now, Aki. You know you’ll offer them a pce. Besides, won’t it be you healing them?”

  “I believe Daiyu would be a great-great deal from their knowledge.” Shaeu agreed.

  “Grandmother… I am happy for you.” Nebisuki said softly, and Mae paused, swallowing, before her usual aloof demeaner reasserted itself.

  “Of course you are. Did I not spare you, all those years ago? I am being rewarded for my good deeds.” She turo me then. “I will not decre that you owe me… despite subjeg me to sudignities, seizing my name… I know you had little malice, and I have beed. Your insisten persuadio stay is self-serving, but I hardly fault that. So…” She bowed then, a difficult thing to do for a woman of her pride, I wagered. “…I ask you. Prove to me your words hold absolute truth. If you save Caihong’er and Liena and help us seek vengeahen I shall sider our meeting a blessed one, and believe that the world is no longer a dull, dead pce.” She grihen, savagely beautiful, her League, Charm and Majesty all s. “For it will not be. For vengeairs the blood, and your enemies… shall be my enemies, and your road, my road!”

  Nodding, I took her hand, allowio feel my siy. “Obviously it won’t be easy, and it’ll have to wait until my return from my trip, but we have time. For now, prepare, and the day you see them again will be here before you know it.”

  I’m gd that for all she suffered, at least the one good deed she did that I know of, no matter how selfish, didn’t go unrewarded… Holding in a yawn, not willing to break the sanctity of the moment, I let my focus drift, to where Akai was skipping out of the shrine, urgio hurry, her fear of me currently fotten…

  ShipTeaser