"AHHH! THIS IS NICE. I can't believe Asmodeus and Lilith recreated an entire onsen from my memories."
"I thought this was a Japanese outdoor bath?"
"Onsen is another name for a Japanese outdoor bath, Alice." Replied Kiyo.
"The water is just hot enough and the view is exquisite."
"Why thank you, Leo. I take great pride in my figure."
"I was referring to the view from this open air bath. And why the hell are you in here anyways, Rien?"
"Why Leo, are you embarrassed by the sight of a naked woman?" Rien asked, stepping into the bath. She intentionally remains standing. "As you can see Kiyo, I'm in fact all women."
Kiyo is more surprised by the scars that now cover her body — marring its beauty. That aside Rien does still have a nice well toned body.
"Will you please sit down, Rien."
"That's surprising. I figured you'd enjoy this, Lilly." Remarks Rien, sitting down.
"I don't get turned on by every naked woman I see; I'm not that shallow."
"Even if I were to stand directly in front of you, spread my feet shoulder width apart, and bend over backwards while sticking my crotch in your face, you wouldn't be tempted to do something?"
"Oh, I'd do something all right," Lilly raises her right paw — claws out, "I'd reach right in your vadge and remove your insides."
"Is there a reason these two are here, Kiyo." Leo asked.
Leo, Corym, Alice, Luna, Abby, and Kiyo are soaking in an open air mixed bath. Along with Rien and Lilly.
"I asked Kiyo if I could fill the role of assassin until Kino returns."
"I told her I was fine with it, but you guys also have a say in the matter."
"I'm fine with it." Said Leo.
"Same here." Answered Corym.
"Us too." Luna and Alice answer in unison.
"Welcome to the team. Said Abby.
"Just like that? But Luna, I attacked you. I figured you of all people would object to the idea of me joining."
"Are you still hung up on that? You already apologized for that, and Kino explained everything; so stop worrying about it."
"Thank you, Luna."
"So that just leaves Rien," I turn to her, "why are you here? And don't say you're here for me."
"Relax. I'm on a bit of a vacation from work. I will be departing tomorrow sometime."
"What do you do for work?"
"Alice right?"
"Yes."
"I'm an assassin for hire. Currently employed by Archbishop Judas."
"Aren't you an elf?"
Corym lets out a snort. "She's not. It's just an illusion. Albeit a very good one."
"Oh you could tell? And here I was hoping to enter the elf village with this look."
"You would've been killed on sight for impersonating one of us."
"That's a bit harsh."
"Those are our laws. I have no say in the matter."
"Care to elaborate further?"
Corym tells her curtly, "No."
"If you work for Archbishop Judas does that mean you hate non-humans?" Leo asked.
"Not at all."
"Then why are you here?" I asked again. "The truth this time."
"Fine I'll tell you, but this is top-secret. If the truth gets out I will be killed."
The serious tone tells me Rien isn't lying. "In that case I won't push the matter."
"Then how about I tell only you?" Rien gets up and makes her way over to me. She sits down right next to me, pressing her body against mine, my arm slips between her breasts.
"Light Magic: Sound Manipulation Bubble. There, now no one can hear you guys."
I give Luna a thumbs up. "Okay Rien, go ahead."
Rien leans in even closer — close enough that her breath tickles my ear. She puts her hand up, blocking her mouth. "I am an assassin for hire who was hired by the now Empress La-tif to infiltrate the Marijuana Empire."
I put my hand in front of my mouth and asked, "why are you so obsessed with me?"
"When we first met and I looked into your eyes, I saw a darkness lurking within. The kind of darkness that comes with taking a life. That's something I'm very familiar with, what I want in a life partner."
"I don't know what you mean."
Rien attempts to say something but I hold up my hand, stopping her from speaking any further. She nods in understanding.
I signal for Luna to disable her spell.
"Hey Kiyo, was that dreamworld just like the world you and Kino came from?" Asked Luna.
"For the most part it was. There were some minor differences."
"Could you tell us more about it? I found that world rather interesting," said Corym, "I'm especially interested in anything related to your history of archery."
"Hold on a minute." Abby suddenly chimes in, "Kiyo, you never got around to telling us about yours and Kino's past."
"Hey yeah, Abby's right. After hearing Corym's tragic backstory, we never got a chance to hear your guys story."
"Come on Alice, it's not that tragic."
"Can we join you?"
"I would love to hear about your up-bringing as well."
I look over to see Abby's sisters Shiori and Lilith standing there.
"It's not like I could tell two princesses no."
𝐴𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑦 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝐼, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑢𝑡 𝑎 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑔𝑢𝑟𝑒.
"But first you need to rinse off over there." I point to the shower stations.
In a seductive voice Lilith asked, "can you show me how it works, Abaddon?"
Shiori reaches up, grabs Lilith by her hair, and drags her off saying, "come little sister, I shall wash your back like when you were a child."
"But I want Abaddon too." Whined Lilith.
Once done both princesses step in and sit down on either side of their sister.
"You just had a dirty thought didn't you, Kiyo?"
"Prove it Lilith."
Shiori speaks up. "Enough Lilith."
"Fine, I'll stop, for now."
"Please tell us your story, Kiyo."
"Let's see… I guess I'll start with our parents."
****
"Welcome to our home Adams Dante."
Dante takes in the traditional Japanese house as he climbs out of the car — a pleasant smile on his face.
"Thank you, Mrs. Kurosaki, and please call me Dante."
"And you can call me Yoshiko. Now let's go inside."
Yoshiko is wearing a simple yellow sundress, and matching sandals.
Dante has on a black t-shirt with a rock band logo, blue jeans, and black and orange running shoes.
With a duffle bag in each hand, Dante follows Yoshiko inside.
"Welcome, my name is Yukino. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Yukino is wearing a purple t-shirt, black pants. Her hair is pulled up in a ponytail.
"Hello my name is Adams Dante, thanks for having me."
"Oh my, you speak Japanese quite fluently."
"Thank you, my aunt on my dad's side is Japanese."
"Hmph. It's not bad for an American."
"Be nice dad. That is Kurosaki Yoshio, my father. Come I'll show you to your room."
"Try anything with my daughter, and I will send you back to America in pieces."
"Daaad!"
"No worries sir. I will not do anything uncouth, while under your roof."
Yoshio, who is dressed in a white keikogi and navy blue hakama, goes back to reading the paper.
Yukino ushers Dante to his room with Yoshiko trailing behind.
"This will be your room." Yukino opens one of the shoji.
Dante steps into the room, taking it all in. Tatami mats, a low table, a tatami chair, and a futon against the wall.
"I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of laying out your futon — after airing it out."
"I don't mind at all, Yukino, thank you."
"We have more furnishings in storage. We can even Westernize it if you'd like." Offers Yoshiko.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'd like to keep it as traditional as possible during my stay."
"Then let's go see if there's anything in storage you'd like to use."
****
"That's how our parents first met. Dante, my father, was a part of a student exchange program that allowed him to study in another country.
My father, having met all the criteria signed up. Because he spoke fluent Japanese, and knew some of the customs that's the country he chose.
My mother, Yukino, was the host family."
"What does a host family do?"
"Well Princess Shiori, their role is to provide a comfortable room, regular meals, access to laundry facilities, transportation to school and other necessary locations. They involved my father in family activities, taught him customs and traditions.
Over time our parents fell in love, got married, and had us.
"Hold on," interrupts Lilith, "why is your last name Kurosaki and not Adams? When I was in your heads I learned that children take the father's last name."
"My father was abandoned in front of an orphanage as an infant. The proprietors of the orphanage couldn't have children of their own so they adopted my father, and gave him the name Dante Adams.
He was the sixth child to become a member of the Adams family. 𝐼 𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑝 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑠. Then when my parents got married, my grandfather asked my dad if he would like to take the Kurosaki name. Which he did. A year later my big sister — I look directly at Rien when saying that part. And I was born."
"Wait, you mean Kino is older than you!" exclaimed Luna.
"She is."
"But you're so mature and Kino's sooo."
"Free spirited." Abby said.
"That's what our parents always said about her. That and she was off and running before she was crawling."
"I believe it."
Everyone nods in agreement with Corym's remark.
"Even as an infant my sister could never stay still. If anyone tried to keep her from going where she pleased, she'd throw a world class fit until they let her be.
As Kino got older her love of travel grew. It's one of the reasons she joined the track team. It allowed her to travel to different places combined with her love of running.
"Our parents, especially our father, fretted over her safety and well being. So he had her start taking self-defense classes, which of course she excelled at."
"What about you Kiyo? When did you pick up a sword?" Asked Shiori.
"I was three when I started learning kendo or swordsmanship as you call it. But I didn't use an actual sword. The use of actual swords is from a bygone era. Now we practice with a bokken, or wooden swords.
I learned from my grandfather, who was ranked an 8 Hachi-Dan, and held the title of Hanshi."
I fall silent remembering all the time I spent in the dojo learning from my grandfather.
"Kiyo, you okay?"
"Huh, you say something Alice?"
"I asked if you were okay? You fell silent and had a glum look on your face."
"Sorry, I was just reminiscing. I was really close with my grandfather. So his passing hit me the hardest."
"What happened?"
"He was on one of his nightly walks when he happened upon a bunch of punks harassing a mother and her four young children in front of a convenience store."
****
"Come on lady, help us out."
"I said no. Now get out of my way."
"Mommmyy!"
"Everything will be alright sweetheart. Just stay in the car." Reassures the mother.
"You shouldn't lie to your kids, lady."
"Excuse me gentlemen, might I have a word?" Asked Yoshio, approaching the group.
"Get lost old man."
"Funny you should say that. I can't recall where I live." Yoshio moves closer.
"Not another step, old man."
"Or what?"
"This!" A goon charges forward, raising his bokken above his head.
Yoshio swiftly moves inside the attackers arc, blocking it with one hand while simultaneously hitting his would-be assailant in the throat with his other hand. The man crumbles to the ground. "Who's next?" Asked Yoshio, taking a chūdan-no-kamae stance, bokken in hand.
"Someone kill this old fool." Orders the leader of the group.
The others begin moving towards Yoshio. Two of them pull out switch blades, one picks up a pipe, and another cracks his knuckles.
Yoshino watches each of them, studying them, waiting to see who'll make the first move. The unarmed man makes the first move, throwing out a punch which is met with a smack to his knuckles, and another to his right knee, crippling him.
Yoshio parry's a wild swing from the pipe wielder, and follows up with a strike to his head. With Yoshio briefly distracted one of the knife wielders throws his knife, lodging itself in Yoshio's shoulder blade.
He attempts to pull it out when a report echoes out. The bokken clatters to the ground. Yoshio pitches forward, falling to the ground, unable to move.
With the gun barrel still smoking, the gang leader walks over to Yoshio and puts two shots each into both kidneys — destroying them, sending Yoshio into shock.
****
"By the time help arrived it was too late. My grandfather was gone. After the funeral we invited the family over, where they gave us a first hand account of what transpired that night.
The police conducted an investigation into the incident and it was revealed that the shooter and his associates were former members of a gang known as the Gokudō.
They were eventually found and arrested. Security footage, eyewitness testimony, and cellphone footage from the woman's oldest helped put them all behind bars."
The air had turned heavy after I finished speaking. Lilith is the first to speak. "Did you ever seek vengeance for what they did to your grandfather?"
"For a long time I had considered going after them. Get them before the law did is what I thought. And I would have to if Kino hadn't beat some sense into me, literally."
"She hit you?" Asked Shiori.
"She did more than that. Kino beat me black and blue with my own shiani. Oh that's a type of sword made from bamboo we use in kendo.
Anyways after she beat me down she said six words that hurt worse than the beating she just gave me.
'Grandfather would be disappointed in you.' And she was right. I had succumbed to my anger, to hatred, my mind was filled with thoughts violence.
Later that night I apologized to my grandfather and vowed not to go down that wrong path again."
"How did Kino know you were going down the wrong path?" Asked Corym.
"That's the thing, Kino and I have always been able to tell when one of us wasn't okay. We always chalked it up to it being a shared mental bond."
"What's a shared mental bond?" Alice asked.
"You could call it a type of telepathy that twins share exclusively with one another. Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm getting out."
****
(Dimensional Library)
"Why now after all this time?"
"There's a storm coming. I needed everyone to know that you are now my wife, Empress Cesmak La-tif. Thus allowing you to make on the spot decisions without involving me, and allows me to handle other… things."
Cesmak perched on the purple sofa, clearly annoyed. "What's really going on? What aren't you tell me?"
Khaos sits across from her in one of the matching purple chairs. "Come now Cesmak, surely you noticed something odd with those otherworlders?"
"Yes, I've noticed." Cesmak sits all the way back on the sofa. "Kiyo has the ability to control all of the basic elements along with the non-standard elements. Given enough time and training he'll have full command over all elements. Lastly, his wakizashi, Snow is…well let's just say unique."
"What did you notice about Kino?"
"Kino has the speed that no one can match, and given enough time she could manipulate time itself. According to Abaddon, Kino can even speak to animals and beasts. If she were to master that skill, she'll be able to command them.
And most recently I briefly noticed that she also has a God in her, and if she ever learns to harness that God's power on top of everything else."
"Good so you did notice." Replied Khaos.
"Is that the 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑚 you're so worried about? That they'll remake this whole world however they want with those powers, or are you afraid that they'll come for your life?"
Khaos shakes its head no. "I believe they'll use their powers to help quell that coming storm."
"Then what is it? What has a Primordial Deity so fucking sacred?"
****
"Hey lassie…hey wake up."
"Ye think she's dead?"
"Nope. Look at her chest, see how it rises and falls. I think she's sleeping."
"But why won't she wake up?"
"Don't know. Ye best go get the doc. Have' em look her over. I'll stay with the girl, try to get a fire going."
"Our doctor or the other one?"
"Best bring the other seeing how she's female."
"Got it. I'll also inform the Captain, so he knows what I'm doing with S.I."