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Shiori blinked.
Ah, s**t.
That was right.
This was a dream. For a few minutes she'd forgotten...
She watched him closely. "So you're telling me you doubt in your ability to impress me?" she challenged him gently, smirking a bit. "I never thought you the insecure type."
She liked teasing him anyhow.
"And since this is only a dream... I can decide whether or not I actually want you to be my first." she smiled sweetly, twirling his hair in her fingers. "I suppose you're right, you have to watch your step right now don't you? At least I'll talk to you when I wake up."

Shiori found herself blushing deeply. Likewise, she had a disarmingly cute smile, wrinkling her nose a bit. "I think regardless of what happens here you'll pursue me anyhow." she retorted, "Whether I like the idea or not. It hasn't stopped you so far... And... you're definitely different than I expected so far." she pondered him. "You'll have to have a lot more patience with me when we're awake, I fear. You make me feel weird... It's harder to act how I feel I suppose."
She was quiet for another stretch, thinking of how to explain her weaknesses.
"For all I know, you are a godlike actor and I could be naively buying into this. I don't trust easily. I may trust you now, but I can't guarantee that I'm not going to act weird when we wake up. This IS proving to be quite a memorable dream, after all... But if this is really who you are, just be patient and give me time. Don't let me forget where you stand." she smiled sadly. "Trusting one in the dream world is much easier than in waking life... At least here, if you betray me, I can will you to be washed away in a tidal wave, or dissolve into sand, or whatever I please. I have a safety net or two here. At least when I wake up... If something goes wrong... everything is gone. Removed... Forgotten. But like I said, I want to see where this could go. If you and I had perfect trust... if I'm not just the maid... or the hired help here for you to use... Show me so, show me that it's well worth forgetting old fears, and I swear I'll be yours. If you're truly like this..."
Asking Kaguyo would be a great booster in that respect; the thought would've flickered in his mind, probably because Kaguyo knew better than anyone.
So did Kazuhiko, and Po-ar would probably put in good words also. Maybe even Ainsu.
Maybe.
This seemed like it was going to be ridiculously easy. Why would Aled, out of anyone, get spooked by a little challenge?
Her words were the truth, but if she had succumbed so easily...
Real life could hardly be any harder, right?

Kaguyo glanced to Kazuhiko. "Anything?"
"I have more generals who would know where Aoki-san is." he answered, crossing his arms. "I also know that the families are kept in another of the rebel bases. Kaze-miko, he's turning your own rebellion against you. There are LOTS more informants in the bigger bases... if you go there, you're going to get caught..." he warned. "It's going to be bad... Kazuhiko, Kazemiko..." he murmured to himself offhandedly, grinning. "We're a great team."
He looked up. "I might be able to help though..."

"Oh." Shiori blushed again. "Well, I'm certainly pleased that I don't have to clean anymore..." she sighed with relief. "It's draining sometimes. But no, please, do take your days to yourself." she insisted. "I need my space just as much as you do... We can respect eachother, right?"

Kazuhiko sighed. "Some, he's taken their families; others, bribery." he answered. "He's corrupted a lot while you weren't looking. Like Ojiisan said, he's the wind Kaze-chan, and while your back is turned he could be right behind you. What do you think we should do?"
Kaguyo turned to Hapushi. "Well, first, we need to sort the traitors from the rats, salvage the other divisions." she answered gravely. "We'll put them in the holding cells, split between families and bribes and what have you... We'll start gathering who we KNOW we can trust here. This is our best stronghold... I'm surprised he only got four in here."
Kazuhiko was watching everyone closely. "I think only four." he answered softly. "Be right back."
He left the women alone to explore the rest of the base.

Shiori smiled. "I do. A lot." she agreed. "Thank you..."

Kaguyo nodded. "Do we have enough cuffs...??"
Kazuhiko shook his head. "Iie... but I could always hold them in a black hole."

Kazuhiko's eyes widened at Hapushi. "Iie iie iie iie iie iie IIE!" he shook his head rapidly, "NOT like that..."
He opened a hole, revealing a black abyss of sorts. "I call it a black hole because no one can escape it... I didn't mean to scare you..."

Shiori giggled. "I dug up a lot of them." she shrugged softly. "So... what are we doing? Are you just going to reach over me while you eat and drip clam juice all over my arm?? Ewwww." she teased, laughing.
Before he could get the succulent meat in his mouth, she leaned up, snatching it from his fingers in her teeth.
This naturally caused their eyes to meet as she pulled away, mouth frozen in that silly grin.
Delicious.

(Um Ash... did you read my edit???

Seems like we were both just tired early tonight. We're missing everything.)

~~~~

Kazuhiko shook his head. "Nope. No chance in hell." he giggled. "I could always keep hold of their souls too if I have to...."

Kazuhiko shrugged. "I guess I should get used to people saying that." he murmured softly. "I never asked to be able to do this though."
Kaguyo shook her head at Hapushi. "He's sensitive about that." she whispered.
Although she could hardly disagree.
Kazuhiko returned to the woman, snuggling her close. He was tired...
He missed his mom.
"I don't care what it takes, I'm going to save her." he closed his eyes, sighing. "I hate them Kaguyo..."
"I know." she soothed gently, watching him sadly. "Go put those people in ki cuffs, kiddo."
The boy nodded, promptly doing so and teleporting them to their cells.
"Now what?"
"We go and find more traitors." Kaguyo sighed. "We bring the loyalists back here."

Shiori smiled. "Dug up some clams and steamed them yourself." she teased, poking his stomach. "That's how you could've. But you're Ou, I don't think you can help yourself very well..."

Shiori smiled at this, chuckling softly. "We'll have to remedy that." she spoke softly. "You come to me, and I'll teach you how to cook, clean, all of that. No one should live their life completely depending on others to get them through the day...."
She ran her fingers through his hair gently. "Although... It's nice to see you have a few weaknesses."

"Kazu-kun..." Kaguyo whispered to the boy, nodding in agreement with Hapushi, "I need you to do me another favor."
"Yes..?"
He looked up with wide, blue eyes.
"You remember the forcefield around Fir's base??"
This made Kazuhiko brighten. "It's the best." he nodded avidly, "No one but Rats can get in!"
Kaguyo nodded. "I need you to do that here."
The boy took off, immediately getting to work.
"Hapushi-chan..." Kaguyo spoke when he was out of earshot, "Aoki... he's the wind. We're going to have to be very, very careful for now on..."