Return to the Tower Part Two

Nuregami hugs Mochi and wondered if the children are resting or need to be feed. She hugs her as she telepathied to Zoesite.

----

Justine gasped.

Near the cool, flowing stream by their families' home, Inmu and Yanku were preparing their weapons. Blades were sharpen to a razor's fine edge, glinting in the dappled sunlight coming through the trees and arrows were refitted with new heads, sharp and fine. Bows were strengthened and bodies trained, lithe and strong and very deadly.

For as long as the kistune twins could remember they believed that as long as they were together they could face anything. But now, they had come to realize that if their family was taken from them they would go mad.

They didn't plan to battle, they had promised their wives they wouldn't put themselves in danger, but they would not sit by as danger came to their door. To see their family attacked; their wives raped and their children stolen or killed, would set them on a path of vengeance that would only end with their deaths.

They would become demons, youkai of the highest order, and nothing would stop them.

After they were physically prepared for the battle that hopefully would never come, Inmu and Yanku stood looking at each other. They extended their hands towards each other and touched their fingertips together, interlacing their fingers with those of their twin. Nothing would separate them. Not battle, madness, nor death. Where ever they went, they went together.

Quiet footsteps calmly approached them; Hyosuke, his face impassive, had come to help them prepare spiritually and emotionally. In his hands he carried a sake cup and a small clay jar filled with rice wine, instruments for the Bushi-Nin, a ritual that would bless and protect them in battle.

Wordlessly, the father filled the shallow sake cup and passed it to Yanku, who took it in both hands, gently holding it balanced carefully on his fingertips. He in turn offered it to his brother, and Inmu bowed his head in honor and drank from his twin's offered cup.

Inmu then took the cup carefully from Yanku and let it be filled before offering it in return to his brother. The ritual was repeated, with the younger twin bowing and drinking the offering from his brother, gently as a fox at a pool of spring water.

The cup was returned and Hyosuke calmly intoned “Anata no shōri o kakuho suru koto ga arimasu. Anata no yajirushi wa massugu tobu to, burēdo· tenmetsu suru koto. Tsuki subayaku ashi to tsuyoi kokoro wa, jitaku watashi no musuko o tsuretekuru.”

(May your victory be assured. May your arrows fly straight and your blade flash. May quick feet and strong heart bring you home, my sons.)

“Arigatō, otosan,” They replied as one, bowing to him. Hyosuke bowed as well, feeling proud of his sons and hoping they wouldn't need his blessings.

Just then, Inmu's kitsune ear twitched at a sound and with a hiss of breath he turned to look at the roof of the house, a silent exclamation in his eyes to his twin. Yanku was already drawing his bow, his arrow flying true as it struck the heart of the warrior assassin that had been trying to enter the compound. The enemy crumpled and fell from the roof, dead before he hit the ground but the kitsune twins were already sounding the alarm.

'Inari-sama! Tachiji! THEY COME, it is time!'

As the first wave of fighting began, Hyosuke rushed to the door where his family was safely locked behind, knocking enemies aside with his twin short swords. He stabbed one man and kicked him away before standing guard at the door, kitsune ears and tail up with his fangs bared.

Inmu and Yanku dashed around the compound, striking down their foes. Blades clashed, arrows flew and through it all the kitsune twin's were back to back, supporting each other through the battle.

---

Aburatori stayed close to Hana, Kimichi and their children, guarding their loved ones and ready to maul anything that came to close. They laughed insanely, their demonic, squeaking voices a reminder of days past.

----

Kyoki wrapped her arms around Hikora and the children. SHe stroked Hikora's hair, hushing her gently.

"It's alright, we'll be fine," she promised.

Kimotori sat in front of them with his legs crossed, hands on his weapons and his eyes closed in meditation. The moment anything threatened his family he would attack.

---

Kotori kept her children close to her, one in each arm as she cuddled with Yaimao within his barrier. She was confidant that nothing would get to her family. Yaimao was to strong.

Kakyuu sat quietly in the parlor and sipped her tea daintily. She could hear the commotion outside but she made no move to free herself, her two Starlights, or her two daughters, from the parlor.

Inari was coming to understand what Kakyuu had meant when she talked of war, so the goddess would have to fight or lay down and die. Kakyuu knew that Inari would never give in, she was to strong, to sly and hot blooded. Inari would fight and eventually, she's realize that Kakyuu was better as an ally then a bystander.

Setting her cup gently down on the tea table before her, the Kinmoku princess felt strong, male fingers caress her bare shoulder, the touch cool and exquisite. She looked up at the man and immediately stood, almost not believing what she was seeing.

"D-Demande," she whispered breathlessly before practically flinging herself in her husband's arms.

Prince Demande enfolded her warmly in his arms, breathing in the spicy scent of her hair, holding her tightly.

---

While Koan was in the kitchen, putting things away, Princess Emerald came to her brother Rubeus and sat by his bedside, taking his hand. She squeezed gently, willing him to awaken so she could tell him the good news.

"We're back, brother," she said, "All of us."

---

In Nuregami's bedroom, a tall young man with dark hair and wearing an elegant dark blue outfit appeared. He was smiling softly as his eyes found her, his wife, and his daughter. Smoothly he walked over to the bed and sat near Nuregami, leaning close to her and drawing his warm fingers gently along her jaw.

"Nuregami-hime, my love," Prince Sapphire said lovingly, "I'm home. I've finally been able to come back to you, my darling wife. I love you and I've missed you so much. You and our daughter both. I'm sorry for being away for so long. I'm sorry."

He kissed her lips, soft and warm, putting all the love he had for her, all his aching loneliness at not being by her side, in the kiss. He kissed her, holding her in his arms, and Mochi stared at them, her little mouth open in surprise.

Father...was home...

Nuregami hugs him as she cried in happiness that he's hime.

Nuregami was concerned about their children as she hugs him and Mochi.

"Mochi could ask Ami to bring your siblings, please..."

Nuregami smiled at her daughter.