The rest of the evening passed rather pleasantly. There was a brief problem, when Shiro’s Berserk Blessing reached the point Asha’s Tree might have started to take damage, and I certainly couldn’t mitigate it any more with my Skills, the pain being unbearable even for me, the damage outpag my Ether Healing, so with some grumbling, Shiro celled her buff and then was ferried back to Shirohebizumi, making a brief appearao reinitialise it, as every drop of ether recious, sidering I would be away for a while.
On her return, she started drinking heavily with my father and Shaeu, anding I make it up to her on my return. I agreed, ughing, and after talking with uests, the families of the girls, the party wound down.
I then found myself in my bedroom, with three women waiting for me. Natsumi smiled, still wearing her rather fetg party dress, while o her was the oddly quiet withdrawn Hyath. Finally there was Asha, sitting there serenely, watg me warmly.
“That was a little stressful.” Natsumi said after a moment. “Mother be a bit embarrassing at times. But she’s right, Asha. It would be o have your children wearing our clothing. I’ll help sew them. After all, your children are our children too.”
“I had never sidered it. Young Dryads usually go bare, or weave their clothing out of leaves and bark. Only wheure do we stray far enough from our Trees to be mindful of such things.” She touched her own dress, in a pale green.
“Yeah, that’s no good.” Natsumi giggled. “We ’t have our children running around naked. Besides, you want them to have the best things in both worlds, don’t you?” She wi me, and I nodded.
“Yeah. Anyway…” I paused, unsure of how to speak, and Hyath spoke up.
“I dooo think I should not be here tonight. I feel bad…”
“Don’t.” Natsumi shook her head. “The lottery is just a fun game, we don’t have to abide by it. Akio has the st word. If there’s one girl he wants to have retions with, then of course we’ll agree. Though…” Her smile was cheeky. “…if you py favourites some of us might get upset. I’m teasing…” She saw the expression on my face. “…we all uand. Especially us daughters of nobility. Holy, this is a good idea. We do grow closer through shared experiences, and the habit of staying with those we are closest to needs breaking. So… to that end, you’re happy you have Hyath here, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “Just like I told you, Hyath. You’re as much my wife as anyone. But there’s ohing…” I looked at Asha. “You’re pregnant, is it safe to have sex?”
Asha nodded. “I believe so. I am not mortal. But even so… perhaps just some other activities? I cede to Hyath, for…” Asha regarded her fellow Fae warmly. “I have never fotten you were one of those that saved me and my Tree, and I am endlessly grateful. And while I did enjoy the intimacy, the feelings I have never felt before… I have a low drive for amorous activities I believe, for I am as mut as Fae. And I have fruited. Though…” Her eyes narrowed wickedly. “…It will take great efforts to reseed the forests of the Fae and also this Japan. I will be calling upon you again.”
“I look forward to it.” I managed a dry ugh. Just how many daughters am I going to have? I really need our factories to start produg, raising kids isn’t cheap…
“In that case… I’m not very experienced, but we do talk. Shiro shared some iing ideas with us. She seems very… experienced. Not in that way…” Natsumi giggled again. “We all know she’s dedicated herself to you, just as we nobles do. But as a worldly-wise woman, she has great insights.”
I’m sure Shiro would be happy to be praised, but knowing it’s for her knowledge of erotic matters, I daresay she’d be flicted.
“What do you have in mind?” I asked, excitement building. After all, I’m a healthy man, and what man wouldn’t be overjoyed by his geous women proposing some sort of lewd game?
Natsumi flushed, her noble shyness making it a little hard to say, but in the end she forced out the words. “How about a race? We take it turns using our mouth to service you. Thirty seds each? And the winner is the one who makes you ejacute?” Hearing her speak so matter-of-factly about it was arousing in itself, especially apanied by her blushing face.
“Blooowjobs? Hyath knows that one well, we pyed it befooore.” She perked up a little, lig her pale lips.
“I am inexperienced, but I am prepared to taste your seeds. They have found purchase in my fertile soil, so they are potent indeed.” Asha said elegantly, and with that, I found Natsumi’s hands on my trousers, and soon they were pulled down, my pants too, revealing my stiff coatsumi poked the head idly, sending shivers through me.
“All right? Who wants to go first?” Natsumi asked. “Since we are experienced, Hyath, maybe Asha should decide her turn?”
Asha waved her haly. “I shall allow you to choose.”
“Rock-paper-scissors it is then!” Natsumi said, and after the three girls pyed, the order was Natsumi, Asha then Hyath.
“Fine, I’ll start and warm you up.” Natsumi grasped my co her firm yet gentle hand. Blushing, she looked at me with moist brown eyes. “I’ll do my best!”
“Shouldn’t you take off your dress? I don’t want to get it dirty…” I asked, and Natsumi giggled, her mouth close enough to my dick to feel her hot breath.
“Liar! I remember you loved soiling our dresses in London. Don’t mind it. My family knows cloth, we easily remove the stains. Though I’ll do it myself… if mother saw it, I would die of mortification…” She then swallowed my cock whole, one hand on my balls teasing me, while her toarted lig my gns and all around my shaft, her sed hand making a ring with her fingers around my cock, gently squeezing and stroking as she sucked.
“How is it?” she asked wetly, and my answer was to slip a hand into her dress, pushing down her bra and fondling her breast, while my other slid into her skirt, groping her ass and rubbing her pussy through the fabric of her panties. Her flush deepened, and she intensified her sug, heaving hot sighs.
Her tongue was rough and warm, and she found a spot under my dick that sent shudders through me. Grinning, she tio focus it, until Hyath called time, and Asha took over. As Natsumi pulled away with a little regret, wiping her mouth and fixing her dress, in a way that somehow showed more, Asha sat dowly on her knees before me. Not seiza, like a Japanese person would, but refined, heless.
“I shall begin then.” Asha bent down, her hands geaking my dick as if it recious, she had airely different style to Natsumi, gently lig it all over, fingers squeezing. “I must release your seeds…” Asha procimed, and as she did so delicately, her mouth sug on me as if it was a gentle breeze, I stroked her hair, respeg her wish not to experieoo much pleasure as she regnant. Though she still feel my affe, I hope.
Indeed, Asha narrowed her eyes, enjoying our closeness, and wheime , she patted my dick gently, as if to thank it, before turning, only to see Hyath was already naked and her pussy was dripping. Her clothes had beely folded, of course, it was Hyath, but she was clearly eager.
“My turn. Bad luck, Asha. But there is always ime, nooo?” she iserated the Dryad, who merely smiled.
“I have already all the happiness I need. Although…” She touched her lips, which had been cmped around my shaft only moments begore. “I also delight in giving pleasure, my Kiss, to my beloved.”
“Yes, giving is just as good as receiving. Sometimes better.” Natsumi giggled. “While we noble daughters aren’t taught bedroom skills, at least Motoko and I never were, we are taught that serving is a joy. Our parents and teachers got that right, at least…”
As Asha and Natsumi bantered, Hyath was frenziedly sug on my dick, eager. Her tongue was like a snake, and even her hair was moving. She guided my hand to her pussy, and as I slid my fingers into and around it, toying with her clit, wet sounds resounded, and Hyath began to moan, speeding up her feltio. She varied the pressure her mouth was emitting, alternatively squeezing and rexing, and it did feel like her mouth ussy. Natsumi watched, learning all she could, while Asha gently put a hand on Hyath’s sweaty back. Tears sparked in Hyath’s eyes, sliding down her cheeks to drop onto my legs, and with my other hand I stroked her head, her hair settling down again, no longer ag like she was a Medusa.
“Akiooo…” Hyath muttered, arms around me, but her head didn’t stop moving, her tongue searg, probing, tasting me. I was oozing precum, and could feel a hot load rising within me. I could have resisted, but… It’s more than thirty seds, surely?
Asha, still patting Hyath, shook her head, and Natsumi waved a hand. Uanding, I forced my body to respond, the opposite to usual. Normally I’m trying to hold myself back…
“I looove this fvour, it soothes me, reassures me…” Hyath muttered, g her mouth down, tongue ing around me. Moments ter, I groaned, my cum jetting out, and Hyath’s teary eyes widened in pleasure. She gulped again and again, droplets and rivulets scattering, and her own pleasure spiked, and she gushed her own sour ars, soaking my stoking hand. She tio sue, as if to drink me dry, and when I ent, she pulled free, cloudy white cum spilling from her lips, and she opened wide for a moment, showing me her full mouth, before she swallowed. “I wooon. But…” she paused. “Hyath got carried away. That was toooooo long.”
“The details don’t matter.” Natsumi insisted. “Akio’s happy, you’re… happy. So we are tht?”
Asha nodded. “Yes, I do not begrudge you your love, Hyath. For he saved you, as he did me, did he not?”
Hyath nodded slowly, thinking about something, and Natsumi cpped her hands.
“All right, time for the mai. The first one, anyway, as we know Akio is insatiable, and we have to make sure he remembers us for a week when he’s aloh Hinata! Since Hyath won, I think we should let her have the first bout of lovemaking.” Natsumi exged a look with Asha, who nodded, and I felt warm ihey’re very siderate. Hyath’s clearly not been right sihe party. They are trying to make her feel better…
“If yooou are sure? It does not seem fair, you were toooooo generous with the timings” Hyath said, lig her fingers, having swallowed my cum cheerfully. Her was still sticky with it, and it had dripped down her ned chest.
“The petition wasn’t important. Not this time.” Natsumi pointed out. “Only that everyone has fun. If you really want to py properly, why don’t we get everyoogether, make a real game of it?”
“If we do that, I’ll be squeezed dry!” I ughed, imagining nine, or perhaps ten, if Tsukiko decided to py, of my women all waiting their turn. It’s times like this I’m grateful Kana is taking our retionship slow…
“Do it for us.” Natsumi insisted, smiling.
“All right then.” I patted the bed, my dick standing hard despite Hyath’s passionate efforts moments ago. She flopped down beside me, and with her fingers spread her pussy, inviting me in. She then blinked, surprised, as I waited.
“What is wrooong?” she asked, and I shrugged.
“That’s what we’d like to know. You seemed upset at the party. Want to talk about it? You don’t have to, but we’re here for you, okay?”
Hyath shook her head. “I am fine. I wish tooo serve.”
“And I wish to find pleasure together. But if you’re sure…” I kissed her tear-stained cheeks gently, surprising her, befently sliding into her hot insides, her pussy g down with joy as I entered her,
“Yes, I looove this!” Hyath insisted, arms around me, as I began to thrust, sliding in and out of her. “I feel ected, wanted, needed.”
Yeah, there’s definitely something wrong here. As I tio slide in and out, wet liquids scattering, the sour, almost grassy smell of Hyath filling my nose, I didn’t aggressively grope her like usual, which uzzling her. Instead I stroked her hair and back, though I couldn’t help myself from cheekily squeezing her ass a little. When I did that, Hyath giggled softly, though there was an edge to it.
She was grinding up and down, her breathiic, eyes moist, and I found myself at a loss. I hought it could happen when having sex wasn’t fun… It hysically pleasurable, as always, Hyath eager to please, and her frenzied motions were squeezing my cock as if to milk it, but… there’s no joy in it. Normally when I embrace them, they hold me… we feel the e of our hearts. This… It wasn’t right.
I didn’t bme Hyath, she was clearly struggliionally, but sex was a joining of our hearts, so perhaps I could use it to unicate. Especially if I… yes, that could work. Hyath anting, losing herself in pleasure, yet she was a good girl, not fetting to make sure to look at my face to see where my own pleasure spots were. She moved so my gns was rubbing on her insides, stimuting us both, but her violet eyes seemed fused at my expression.
“Are you nooot enjoying me?” she asked, her tone pleading, and my answer was to release a great surge of my elemental energies aher, sending them out towards Hyath. For a moment, she looked frightened, silver sparkles in her violet eyes, but I then kissed her for the first time, and she widened her mouth as she did her eyes, and I slipped inside my toasting her. We twisted together, tongues, arms and alsenitals, and Hyath squeezed shut her eyes for a moment, before her owal energies responded, surging into me as mine flooded out, along with her emotions and sorrows…
I k. She’s hurting… Huggiight, I pulled Hyath up into a sitting position, so my dick reached deep inside her, striking the entrao her womb. My spiritual energies were also inside her, carrying my warm feelings and love towards her, and with every thrust we felt each other ier detail.
“It’ll be all right. You talk to me, to us.” I promised, and Hyath burst into tears, sobbing and wailing. Even so, she didn’t stop bobbing up and down on top of me, even if her arms were clutg me tightly enough to hurt, her nails digging into me, drawing thin rivulets of blood. This is nothing, pared to what she feels…
“I love you.” I whispered, and she tightened up on me, squeezing my cock tight. “So if you need anything, I’ll do it. If you don’t want to say, that’s fine, but…”
No more words o be said. Despite her sobs, she sought my tongue, rog and riding on my dick, shuddering as she started climbing towards asm. Her kisses became sck, filled with drool, and moments ter her back arched, and she let out a loud, shrill shriek, her pussy gushing her grassy ars. I then thrust up one final time, and my cum jetted out, soaking and filling her insides, just as her elemental energies filled me, and mine hers. We were blending together, being one, and I clutched her as tightly as she did me as we colpsed, panting to the bed, one final thrust of my cock emptyi, spshing out of her dowhighs, rendering us both a sticky mess.
“Hah, Hyath is… sooo fused. But…” She touched her belly, panting heavily, and as I went to pull out she shook her head, hair tig me, and so I y there in her embrace, feeling her worries. In the end, she spoke up. “I… Hyath feels ashamed, to weep in front of you, Akiooo, and the other mistresses.”
“Don’t mind it.” Natsume shook her head, and Asha agreed. “We all have our struggles. But… we have the ideal man to chase them away.” Her smile was cheeky yet warm, and Hyath nodded, wiping her eyes.
“I… do not remember, nooot truly.” she said again, an expnatioen gave, but I was starting to doubt, especially with the feelings we just shared through the Fae way of bonding. “But I worry. I am happy, truly happy again, and… I dooo not want the darko creep in again. For it all to fall tooo ruin. Seeing everyo reminded me ooof far-off days, the sparkle of the Court, the … before.”
“Before the Unseelie?” Asha asked, knowing, and Hyath nodded.
“Yes. Whooo could see it ing? Nooot the King, nooor the Queen, nor even her. Hyath could her. But I should have, if sooo…” Words failed her, guilt bubbling up, and I sile with kisses, gently pying with her hair until she calmed down. After a while, the look in her eyes ged, our shared emotions calming, and she shuddered like wet dog, before kissing me noisily, lig my face, and she was back to her old self.
“I am sooo ashamed, making a fuss, ruining your fun.” She repeated her earlier words, though this time they were less sorrowful. “Akiooo, mistress Natsumi, mistress Asha. How I make amends?”
“No amends needed. We uand.” Natsumi joined in on , while Asha once more stroked her hair, and mine as well, radiating a motherly aura. “Though… if you insist…”
“Anything…” Hyath promised, and Natsumi giggled.
“In that case, I’m up . And then… Hyath, do it over, and really satisfy yourself, and Akio as well. In here…” she patted Hyath’s bare chest. “…after all, this is making love, not just sex. So unless you feel the love…?” She let out a yelp as Hyath hugged her too, smiling.
“I knooow, I uand. I… am very thankful I am nooo longer in the box. I looove it here. I looove everyone. So… yes, go ahead. Hyath will help!” With that she stripped Natsumi off as she protested, embarrassed, and then tossed her dowly beside me, before sitting down to watch, her violet eyes shimmering.
Crimson with embarrassment, Natsumi paused for a moment, before shrugging. “I guess this was the whole point of us ging up who sleeps with you together. In that case, I’m Hori Natsumi, ready for battle!” Announg her readiness just as she would in a martial arts tour, we all burst out ughing, and uhe watchful eyes of Hyath and Asha, I pulled Natsumi close, knowing I had a long night ahead, but one I would not trade for anything.
Hyath… there’s more to this thas on. But all we do is ence her. She’s rec, certainly, not anywhere near as damaged as when we first met her, but… some wounds are deep, and exposing them to the light is painful. I’ll ask the others to keep an eye on her, and when I return… maybe I do some digging, or at least get Shaeu to…
Then my thoughts, despite my numerous Split ones, scattered, as Natsumi began to suck my coce more, trying to make up for lost time…
***
“Did you have a good night?” Eri asked me as I came down for breakfast. Natsumi before me, bathing and then heading off to practise with Motoko, but Asha was still in bed, watg over the mentally exhausted Hyath, who was sleeping soundly now, her worries being out in the open relieviress. Even if she’s not said much, opening up a little, first at the party and now in bed, it surely helps her…
“Just as good as the night before.” I gave Eri a good m kiss, and she raised an eyebrow, amused. The surprise made her cat ears and tail pop ience, pushing down the hem of her jeans a little.
“Ftterer. Flirt.” She criticised me insincerely, before returning me a more passionate kiss, her bck eyes as damp as our lips when we parted. She raongue over hers, tasting me, and then snorted, amused. “The irls are going to miss you. I am too… but for me its different.” She was triumphant as she poured me some cold tea into a mug.
After all, we talk to each other whenever we want, feel each other, right? They’ll o work harder on their Lovers’ Link… but surpassing me is just a pipedream!
Sure. And yeah, we’re never apart now. I ruffled Eri’s hair, thinking back to her. “So, how’d you find the party?”
“I e. And more importantly, mother and father . Seeing us all together, all our families… they get that this is the life we chose, and that the irls are the same as me. And more importantly, their parents too. In that respect, Kana’s parents and Tsukiko’s make the biggest impression, but surprisingly… Natsumi’s mother and father made an impact. For nobility they are very down to earth, and have ordinary worries.”
I nodded, sitting down, while Eri brought me my breakfast, rid miso soup alongside some grilled fish. It was a light breakfast, as I would be travelling to London through the Ring Gate in the early afternoon, which due to the time difference would send me back to breakfast time again.
“Yes, actually Natsumi’s family, other than being very old and notable in their industry, are really very normal. Yet they have to follow noble ways. Natsumi’s future otentially difficult. That must have troubled her parents. But now…”
“But now, the arranged marriage they knew would e happened, but fortunately Natsumi is happy, and more than that, she’s remained with her best friend, even marrying the same man. Therefore she be assured her future will be a kind one.” Eri finished for me, and I nodded.
“Yeah. So talking to mother-in-w Masae-san and father-in-w Shou-san is good for your parents. After all, they have an ordinary perspective on an abnormal situation.”
“Exactly.” Eri agreed. “Though holy, my parents have e around to it. They know it’s either you for me or nobody. And I’m happy. arents don’t want their daughter to be… oh.” Her face fell as she sat down beside me, remembering oiceable absence from our party. “A poor choice of words. Shiro’s…”
“Don’t worry. She won’t take offense. And I don’t think they wao be unhappy, they just… I don’t know, it’s not my pce to interfere unless Shiro asks me to. But it seems more like selfishness and han malice.”
Shiro wasn’t up either, having hit the booze hard, especially after her forced break, so I didn’t want to talk about it further. Eri, I let my Eye shine. Realising what I was going, Eri leaned back, her chest straining against her t-shirt, appealing to me. With a ugh, I waved a hand. “I’m too busy to take you to bed right now, Eri. I had enough st night. Anyway…”
Mori Eri
Half-Bakeneko
Bonded Kin
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
345 397
Fortune
10 11
Fortitude
357 401
Majesty
1
Intellect
381 447
Charm
15 19
Resilience
384 431
League
7 9
Acrity
396 446
Determination
8 9
Precision
387 437
Fht
Aether
1059 1307
Fate
4
[Material Skills]
[Aetheric Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
Silver Cord
Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Eight Night Moons Chakra work
Rank 3
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 3 Rank 4
Suffit (3) Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Ether Healing
Rank 3 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Elemental Skills]
Third Eye Chakra Of Light
Rank 2 Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Light Manipution
Rank 3 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Throat Chakra Of Darkness
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Darkness Manipution
Rank 3 Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus Chakra Of Fme
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Fme Manipution
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Lunar Chakra Of Light, Darkness And Fme
Rank 1
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
[Cultivation Skills]
Qi Refining
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Rule (5)
[Physical bat Skills]
Axe Teique
Rank 3
trip (1)
Simple (1)
bat Teique
Rank 2
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Elemental Axe Teique
Rank 1
Rank 2
Suffit (3)
Foundation (3)
[Unique Skills]
Lovers' Link
Rank 8
Rank 11
Imperious (6) Legendary (7)
Artifice (6)
Principle (7)
Shifting Cat
Rank 1 Rank 2
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
[Level]
50/107 54/148
[Css]
Dark Temptress 8/10
Fae-Bonded 5/20 9/20
Spirit Pledged 7/10
Kami-Blessed 2/20
Shapeshifter 1/10 2/10
Maneki-Neko 1/20 2/20
Prodigy Of The Lower Worlds 1/10
Qi Refiner 2/10
[Mastered Csses]
Spirit Pledged 10/10
Dark Temptress 10/10
“Huh, you’ve got the Skill for your Lunar Chakra now? And you’re at Rank two for Qi Refining?” I asked, notig the key points, and Eri nodded proudly.
“Of course. It’s strange how everything came full circle. It was Shaeu giving me Chirurgery and then your aether p into me that started everything. I’ve been w hard. I don’t want to be left behind, even though I wasn’t crippled for that long, to me it seems like forever. So now I’m well, no, better than well, I’ve been making up for lost time.” She puffed out her chest, pressing against my arm. “With my body being half Bakeneko now, it’s more malleable, and easier tthen. Though it does e with downsides.” She gestured to her tail. “I ’t always trol it yet. I ’t wear skirts easily in case I fsh someone, and I don’t want to be responsible for their murder when you find out someone saw my panties.”
“I wouldn’t be that unreasonable. Probably.” I amended, pleasing Eri greatly with my possessiveness.
“Anyway. I find Qi Refining easier than expected. Daiyu’s saying I take after her, a prodigy. It makes sense, after all, we both mao gain the Css, didn’t we? The others o try harder!” Eri’s triumph gave way to en embarrassed smile. “Holy though, Daiyu’s teag is excellent. Ae being stantly praised from the day she was first a Cultivator, she isn’t that arrogant. She’s easy to get along with, I like her. There’s something calming about having some girls around who aren’t always chattering away, like Shiro and Shaeu.”
“Yeah, Daiyu’s very stoic. But also surprisingly loving.” I muttered, and Eri sniffed.
“Not surprisingly. For Daiyu, you were her destiny. I know how she feels. And not only that, you even Cultivate with her. With us all soon, hopefully. In fact, Daiyu and Shaeu both suggested I be the oo test it out more thhly, the more advanced Chirurgery too. I know you are pnning to add the Night Orbs Shaeu and I have, as well as Daiyu’s Dantians, to everyo makes sense you’d worry, it’s like doing multiple heart transpnts not knowing if they’ll take. But me… I’m malleable!” As if to prove a point, Eri’s chest started to grow, straining the cloth of her t-shirt, before she grimaced.
“Ugh, I o do this when not wearing a bra, that ainful.” She returo normal. “But joking aside, if something goes wrong, I’m more able to withstand it and be fixed. I’ll be sure to try a Shifting Cat to higher Ranks while you are away. I’ve been practising a lot. Also… Chiaki- and Chiasa-…”
I raised an eyebrow. It was very rare for Eri to use the - suffix with anyone, Aiko was the only one I remembered, though obviously that stopped after Las Vegas. Seeing my expression of surprise, Eri expined.
“They are very good girls. Refined, polite, talented and loyal. It’s troubling. For a moment I almost knew how Shaeu and Shiro felt, before on sense reasserted itself. But I uand Adamaer now. Not that I done Hinata and the oing behind our backs, but we’ve talked it out, and I’ll make sure they don’t do it again. But… girls like the twins ’t be allowed to escape us. Not that they want to. They idolise you… as a brother.” she added.
“Aiko won’t be happy then.” I chuckled. “Seems like I’m colleg sisters…”
“Yes, and I couldn’t be happier. Turnabout is fair.” Eri crowed. “Though they’ve helped us all, me included, learn. My light element wouldn’t have grown without their linking, and I’m sure it was one of the reasons I finally properly dehe lunar Chakra. When it es to rewards, they should be top of the list. Haru-san too.”
I agreed. “Yeah, they’ll have all the money and support they’ll ever need, and I do io make equipment for them at some point. Anyway…” I went back to Eri’s status. “Ygest weakness is your stats. They’re ly low, but like everyone else, you haven’t had much time to Level up retly, so the best way to boost them is to increase the strength of your Chakra work and Silver Cord. It looks like you’re close though…”
I estimated that via the glow I could see with my Eye, and Eri agreed.
“Yes, I feel a breakthrough is soon. By the time you return, hopefully I’ll be more able to stand at your side, even without a Favour.”
I nodded. Although, depending on my first errand… “So, do you have any pns?” I asked, ging the subjeow that Eri was aware of her current potential and growth pns.
“Yes.” Eri said after taking a mouthful of grilled fish, swallowing. “I have to finish my final school assigs, and then I’m dohough holy, I’m going to take an exam for a top uy, even if I won’t go. Just to increase my value, and also to please my parents.” She paused then. “Aiko has to as well, though she’s running behind. If she’s not careful she’ll have to work over winter break. Missing Christmas would be a disaster.”
“I’ll say…” I agreed. We talked more about her pns, including watg the cert at the weekend, and soon more people were entering the room, having woken up, and breakfast became far livelier…
***
“All right then. That’s great.” I said to Suk-ja, who was sweating, having exhausted herself juring more of the Winged Diamonds for Daiyu and I. Beside me, Daiyu was abs the energies from the first batch, and now I held the sed. Breaking them down, I shattered them, sug in the crystal element. It still hadn’t stimuted my Chakras to produy yet, but I could definitely feel it soaking into my root and third eye Chakras. “Don’t worry, like I say, it’s an easy job. Best way to earn money…”
“But I’m a little worried about Ji-ho-oppa and the others.” Suk-ja frowned, only for Violet-noona to ugh.
“I wouldn’t worry…” she said, even as she was having a practise bout against Trey and Aliyah, fending them both off gracefully, even as they barraged her with volleys of rock projectiles and tried to close in to use their fists, feet and knives. “Korea’s a fug bore at the moment. Hey… that won’t work…” She dodged Aliyah’s thrust, but then stumbled, Trey stamping the ground, liquefying it.
“ry, but I’m not even using my venom or summoning the scorpions…” Violet-noona snickered, ripping her foot free of the quagmire, her knee flying out, though Aliyah blocked it, the impact making her grunt and knog her back.
“Got you!” Trey said, khrusting, only for Violet-noona to grab his arm and toss him over her shoulder.
“You think?” she snorted, before smming her boot into his guts and pointing a fist at the rising Aliyah.
“Shit Trey, we lose.” Aliyah ceded. “Good fight.” She held out a hand and Violet-noona shook it, before Trey struggled out from under her, dusted himself off, and patted her back.
“Yeah, damn good sparring. I’d hire you for the Bck Wolf in a heartbeat, girl. We need more female operatives.”
“I thought you worked for Akio-oppa now?” Violet-noona raised an eyebrow. “Besides, I’m a Hunter, not a merc.”
“Private tractor…” Trey corrected reflexively, and Aliyah pounded his back.
“Stow that shit, Trey. Now we’re just employees. Anyway, you’re a girl after my ow. When I get back, we should hit a few bars.”
“I thought you liked them cute ae… ahh…” Trey was silenced by Aliyah’s boot, and he adopted a hurt look. Aliyah ignored him and tialking.
“If we could do the wind shit, move faster like Lua, you wouldn’t have it so easy. But the girl’s a damn genius apparently. Got the fanew uniform and everything…” Aliyah looked put out at that, before brightening up. “Oh well, it’ll be good to be ba the old US of A, even if it’s only for a few days. Lua hahe pany in our absence just fi’s just a shame we’re apanying such a madwoman.”
I nodded. “You’ll just have to put up with it. I want eyes on her, and also... I need some clever, petent people with me.”
“If I didn’t know better, your pliment would make me blush.” Aliyah snorted, and Trey nodded, eg her ses. “So anyway, don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on your true precious cargo. That Hinata girl is a real cute one.”
“Yeah.” I agreed. “I’m trusting you. Ichijou-san will have guards, but they aren’t the real deal.”
“Well, we are.” Aliyah grinned. “Thanks for the gear anyway.” She and Trey were wearing Brigandine under-armour, and were also armed with enhaelesg batons taining bluesteel which was full of lightning element, as well as a modified pistol which could use elemental rounds, and a few special secret toys, and all of it was now able to exist in both the Material and Boundary. Prototypes of Ixitt’s mass-produced series…
“You t on us.” Trey promised. “So, update on the mad stist?”
“Haru tells me she’s awake, and seems lucid, but she’s… unusually quiet. It’s eerie. The experience has either knocked a few screws loose, or she’s processing it. In any case, she’s got Titan as her guard as well, and he’s all right, but he’s a brawler, all strength and toughness. If it es down to it…”
“We know. Kill the fuckers a God, or in this case, you… sort out the aftermath.” Aliyah scowled.
“Yeah. And worst case, if you’re injured I fix yht up…”
“How reassuring.” Trey grimaced, while Aliyah tossed her head, hair beads jingling.
“Yeah, you two are fun.” Violet-noona snickered, before kneeling down before the exhausted Suk-ja. “Anyway, as I was saying, Korea’s damn quiet. Almost too quiet, but if the situation calls for it, I’ll go back. Shit, I’m not just freeloading while little bro holds the fort…”
Before Suk-ja could reply, a frustrated voice called over. “Do you mind? I am trying to read…” Mae had spokeails raised in annoyance. On her p was the mysterious old book, the one we had found in Boundary Inuyama. She was idly leafing through it, able to read the a Japahin, and she was making transcriptions for us, including the illustrations, being a surprisingly skilled artist, using an old-fashioned animal hair brush.
“Sorry. We move away…” I apologised, and Mae sighed.
“It is your home, I am a guest here, even if an honoured one.” Her arrogance was returning hour by hour. “But art requires silence. And before you ask, yes, I am a master of painting, music, calligraphy, go, and much more. After all, was I not the greatest courtesan in the Eastern nds?”
“That’s amazing. I’ll have to learn from you.” I ughed. Speaking of learning… Ba the Material I was cramming German lessons off a digital rec while I sorted out some other matters. “More to the point, how’s your strength?”
“Do you wish to fight to see?” Mae scoffed, before shaking her head. “I am still far from my peak, but the… modifications… you made to me seem to be holding, and I feel far better thaerday. I have no wish to push it, but I suspect if I must, I could exert perhaps seventy-five pert of my former strength for a minute or two, before suffering injury.”
“I see.” Seventy-five pert, huh? That’s a lot, sidering she’s Nurarihyon-css, but the short time is a problem. But if she heals more every day…
“I see you w.” Daiyu spoke up, having finished her absorption. My Eye shone, and I could see a deeper reservoir of crystal Qi within her, but it hadn’t been able ter her inner Jade yet. “We are all here. This pce is not defenceless. But have no fear, we are nant. We may be tigers, but there are dragons still. There will be no mistakes.”
“All of the Bck Wolf is ready. It’s ho work, at least.” Trey decred. “Proteg women and children is a good feeling. Even if…” he looked at Daiyu ruefully. “…some of those women and kids could kick the shit out of me.”
“I have Cultivated for long years, and received the blessing of g’e. If I could not, I would be too ashamed to call myself Bck Jade.” Daiyu demurred, proving she was indeed not takialents franted. “Despite that, at first I lost to firearms. Now though…” She flexed. “I am far stronger, and have accepted the power I disdained before. If I ever faced the same again, matters would end differently.”
“Well, I ’t help but worry. But again, I’ve double-checked our tingehis m.” I sighed. “But the problem with Favours and the like is, we never know if there’ll be some cheat ability that surpasses what we imagine or pn for.” As it was nearly time for me to use the Ring Gate, oerial I said my farewells to everyone else, at least those not at school. Hinata would be taking a flight from Haneda, a private pne of course, one provided by Ichijou-san, and Christna Bakker, Titan, and Aliyah and Trey would be joining them. Dismissing my Material body, I took o look at the Territory details. Seeing that, Trey and Aliyah realised they o leave, so after exging a few fist bumps with Violet-noona, they returo the Material, though not before Aliyah grumbled how unfair it was I could reach London in moments, not nearly a day…
All right, we now have just over forty-four and a half millioher. Not bad, Shiro’s extra buff makes a big difference. In terms of build queues, the two Anchor Spires only had a handful of days left. When they were dohat would be a further boost, though minor, as most of our ether was geed by Asha’s Tree, which wasn’t affected by them.
“In that case, I’ll be off, although…”
“Yes, you shall return in a moment. So there is o fret.” Daiyu agreed, a faint smile on her face, and indeed, I stepped through the Ring Gate, reached Bermondsey isle, and resummoned my Material body as soon as I crossed to the shore, to prevent falling ihames. Moments ter I popped back through the Gate, and spoke. “I’m back.”
“Yes, wele back.” Daiyu agreed, and with that, I went back to our training, though for how long… That’s the question, isn’t it? As soon as I o ehe Boundary on my travels, I’ll vanish from Japan. Ideally, I’ll never o, but… that’s simply not feasible, and too much of a waste…
ShipTeaser
