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"I'm Ainsu's mother." Yuki explained curtly, "Now get me to him! It's IMPORTANT! I know how we can defeat Konton!!!" she grabbed them, shaking them, "He, he kept me, for nine months, and, and... I can't explain, you just have to trust me!! I know what my abilities are! I knew what they were!" she corrected herself, "Please, just get me to him!"

Kaguyo kept close to Ainsu, closing her eyes.
She couldn't help but feel guilty.
"I don't know what I want anymore." she sighed, hugging him tightly. "I want you... but... I can't stand the thought of him being alone against what you faced, Su-kun, especially if he can't fight back.... If he won't fight back... If.. If I don't try to bring him back, I couldn't forgive myself... but... if I do... just... I need you to know that you're my home." she stroked his hair gently, "I need you to know that I'll always return to you."

Kaguyo smiled, obviously quite content with the night. "You know, you could always help me win him back." she suggested. "He still feels for you as much as I."
Well, she wasn't sure who he cared for more, but it was pretty safe to say he felt something for Ainsu after all this time.
"God, the Muse is really gonna hate me!" she giggled gleefully, stretching out over his lap as well as her chair, "You know, I really should be dead by now the way I've meddled with him."
What an understatement. "Actually, I was for a bit, wasn't I..."

Although she had a mission to complete, Yuki was able to appreciate a few small facts.
For starters, she was grateful to be with Watari again. Nine months was a long time to be alone, and she had never been kind to Aoikage after what he did, programmed or not.
He stole her first time AND her first child... who could blame her?
But all those months with Konton had hardened her in a way; her resolve to kill him was like the finest samurai sword...
While they tried to wear her away, she only folded, condensed, and became even stronger.
The second they landed she rushed off at a full sprint, even if she was still exhausted from giving birth. She had a job to do, and heavens forbid something or someone or anything got in her way.

Kaguyo was about to say something else whenever Yuki busted in, suddenly hugging Ainsu tightly. "Oh thank goodness you're alright... Ainsu, do you recognize me at all?" she asked him, before slapping her head, "No, no, of course you don't... Gods, I left you with something, when you were little..."
"Wha....what....?" Kaguyo deadpanned, blinking upwards, "Yuki, you knock a screw loose....?"
"Nonononono, trust me, I have the last puzzle piece..." she insisted, looking deep into Ainsu's eyes. "Oh thank the gods he didn't find it.... If you would've found this earlier, the Muse would've been dead. I should've awakened it myself... Damnit..."
She placed her hand on the man's forehead, concentrating deeply. "I gave you my abilities, Ainsu." she whispered, "I didn't even know I had them until you. Yukatta, yukatta... They're still there. I knew they would be, HA!"
She traced another symbol on his forehead---nothing fancy, just a common, holy symbol from their homeland---and suddenly, the man began to glow.
"Whoaaaaaaaaaaa that stuff was potent..." Kaguyo's eyes widened, holding Ainsu's hands tightly, "What... the f#ck...."
Yuki had never been so proud of herself---or Ainsu, really--in her entire life.
While Kaguyo just stared in disbelief, she was outright cackling.
"Motherf#cker's going DOWN!" she wanted to dance, hands on her hips, "Serves you RIGHT!"
"I'm..... I'm confused..." Kaguyo whispered, blinking. "What's going on???"
She looked to Po-ar and Watari for her answers.

"Calm down." Yuki sighed, sitting down. She kept her hand on Ainsu's arm, sighing deeply. "Ok, storytime. Look. Whenever Aoikage took me... Well, he wasn't entirely himself. To make a long story short, he and I had a kid. I tried very, very hard to keep him, but he was taken from me moments after he was born. He was named Ainsu, you see... Aoikage took him from me, but I was able to do something very, very special before he and Konton returned him to the past."
She took out a compact mirror from Kaguyo's purse, which would've ticked her off in any other circumstance, and held it up to Ainsu's face.
"You see that symbol?" she asked quietly, "That's the same symbol I traced on your forehead before they took you. You have my holy ability... it was why Aoikage took me, why I stood out to him. I didn't realize what my ability even was before I was pregnant with you..."
She looked very sad suddenly, very tranquil and sober. "I imagine you must think me crazy. I can't imagine being in your shoes right now... I... I'm sorry... but... well... Perhaps I should leave you alone."
The glow was dying down as it was absorbed into his system; despite the dimming gold, he still felt strangely different.
"Forgive me." she bowed deeply, jerking to her feet, "I, I just had to let you know..."
She bowed again before rushing out. She had already picked up on Ainsu's emotions...
Well, his empathy came from her after all.
"Gomen nasai!"
For his own sake, Yuki dragged Watari with her.
You know, she DID seem a lot stronger than he last remembered...

Kaguyo just blinked up at Ainsu, tilting her head. "You know... You do both look kinda similar." she murmured, still stretched out in his lap. If he decided to jump up, he'd send her tumbling to the floor.
It was her own way of making sure he didn't go running scared like a rabbit.
"And you do feel pretty weird." she added, watching him closely; she was intrigued. "You remind me of going to a temple... or one of the priests. Take a deep breath. You look pretty freaked, and....Here. Smoke this." she offered him one of her cigarettes. "I bet you're missing that hookah of yours---I have a couple more where that came from. I'm sorta sleepy." she yawned, snuggling him. "Oh, but really, I think that's just part of Konton's plan. If she IS your mum, then he was counting on her freaking you out when she came back. And as for the Muse, I changed my mind. I'm going after him alone. It would just be safer that way, and Aled would fight just as hard as you did to make sure I was safe."
In truth, it was likely Aled would fight harder. Out of anyone else in the universe, he wouldn't allow the only other woman he had ever loved to be killed.... let alone slaughtered by his own hand.
"I think I'm going after him tonight or tomorrow, depending on what you need." she finally sat up, kissing him gently. "If you need me here after all you've been through, I'm yours."

Kaguyo blinked. "Why not?" she asked quietly, tilting her head. "He may be stronger than me, but there's one thing we can use to our advantage. The Muse is only recently transferred to Aled... You're always strongest in the beginning, before he has a chance to break you down. Besides, the fact Konton killed Shiori... he won't let anyone, even himself, kill me. I'm the only other woman he has in the world." she slowly stood up, ruffling through her hair absently. "It's why he made the deal to begin with..."
Well, she had a point there, but she knew only because of how well she knew Aled. Ten, eleven years could do that to a person.
"Besides... if I go back to him alone, there's less chance of Konton trying to enslave you again. Not only that, if you come with, he may think we're trying to take him back by force. This needs to be handled delicately."
She was pacing, although she didn't seem aware of it; she was drowning in her thoughts, trying to figure out what to do. "Although... if you do come, he'll know you care as well. Perhaps. What to do, what to do...."
She could always get Kazuhiko to spirit her away in the middle of the night.
But the real question was, would Ainsu expect her to do such a thing, given her character and nature?
She stole a quick glance at him, looking him over.
Yeah. He probably did.
He probably knew right from that glance what was on her mind, empathetic motherf#cker.
How on Earth or any other planet was she going to prevent people from reading her so easily? How many plans had been foiled because of her weakness?
Her mind was going on a tangent. There was no point to follow that road, calming down was the best option she had.
"Have any ideas, my dear?"

Ainsu's words forced Kaguyo to pause, even make eye contact.
Oh yes, he had to have read her thoughts just then. Sure, the part about Aled's increased empathy was a good point, but it was obvious he knew.
What he really meant by immediately dangerous was that SHE would be immediately powerless...
And, well, he had an awfully good point.
"But what if something goes wrong?" she countered, "Then who's going to defend the Ouji and the others? Not only that, you don't even know HOW to control your new power... If you have it, I absolutely refuse to let you go. They don't know about it yet..." she shook her head, "The SECOND he finds out he's either going to kill you or strip it from you! He'll defeat us before we even have a chance. Like you said, Aled's senses will be heightened.... If I go in, I'm already weak as hell compared to any of them," one hand moved to her hip, "so what threat would I be? If anything I become their plaything." she shook her head, "And while I stay there, I'll weaken the Muse's grip on Aled. You need to stay the f#ck away from Konton, do you hear me?"
She was attempting to pull rank on him----usually that didn't work, given how protective the man was. In a way it was sorta cute...
For the most part, it was probably frustrating and annoying.
Part of her smiled inside. Knowing him, she wouldn't be let out of his sight for a second now, despite her protests, just to ensure they went together. Knowing Ainsu, he'd be too worried and even pissed if she did manage to pull it off. After all was over, they'd probably get in a few vicious fights....
But it was a risk she had to take. He knew by now that she would always return to him...
It was just a matter of whether or not he'd choose to forgive her after the stunt she was aiming to pull.

Morrigan leaned over onto Po-ar, sighing deeply. "We're all sleeping in the same bed tonight." she murmured, Kazuhiko snuggling beneath the blanket. "Too dangerous not to. I'm surprised I slept at all. Did someone drug me?"
She stared at him sorta blankly, holding out her tea cup. "I want more. Otherwise I'm not sleeping a wink. And it should be stronger. Even if I'm sensitive to poisons and all that good stuff that needed to be stronger. I might've built a tolerance for once."
No, not likely. She didn't seem altogether there when he looked in her eyes; it was familiar of the other times Konton had damaged her. The only difference was that this time she wasn't entirely broken.
If anything, it seemed like there was something lurking beneath the frozen surface of a lake. He couldn't see through---the ice was thick---but it was obvious the Goddess was just waiting to break through.
The second that Konton appeared again, she was going to kill him. She was going to kill him, or die trying.
"Lot stronger." she shook the cup at him. "Really. And ginger please."
In a way she sorta looked like a beggar when she shook the damn thing.
"And sleep."
Kazuhiko woke up, nuzzling the woman. He was as affectionate as a cat. "Settle." he soothed her. "You'll have your chance, Momma. I'll keep us guarded, promise." he crawled out of her arms, standing beside his father. "You really should get some sleep Mum. You've had a long day. Let me take care of barriers, ok?? You'll be alright."
She just sighed. "Teaaaa." she pouted, "T-E-A! Here I thought you Japanese were as civilized as the home country..."
She couldn't help being cranky. The woman had a lot to be tense about.
First her family, then Shiori...
How the hell could she sleep knowing Konton could do that on a whim?

Yuki frowned, although she was surprised. She adjusted her glasses, watching Watari closely.
She wanted to gauge his reaction, and with good reason. She didn't want to be judged for this.
"Aoikage raped me, although not necessarily of his own will." she burst out frankly, "When he took me, that's why. I told him to knock me out, which he did... so... I technically don't remember any of it. Didn't matter. By the time I was conscious I was in Konton's realm and held prisoner for nine months---technically a bit after eight. He was a bit early. Anyhow, I didn't want to give him up... but... they took him from me. The pregnancy made me aware of what my own ability had been... I was a source of light." she tried to explain, "Holiness through purity--through our people--- I suppose. I gave it to him. I am no fighter, I am a scientist, and I learned that very well from them." she crossed her arms, unblinking, "At least if he has it, some use can come from it. That's why I just traced the symbol on his head... Everyone on Tarnbsei knows it, but he's the only one that I know of that has it glowing on his forehead."
She seemed a bit pleased with that cleverness in truth.
With good reason!
"Konton didn't think I could stop him... and in a way he was right." she cracked a smile, unable to hold back, "But he could."

Yuki just blinked---although Watari wouldn't have been able to see it through her fogged glasses.
They were completely opaque at this point.
The way she was blushing was another dead giveaway too. She hadn't prepared herself for such an... enthusiastic welcoming.
"I... I missed you too." she almost squeaked, clearing her throat. It was impossible to retain any form of composure at this point. "That was unexpected."
She hugged him tightly, but briefly, unsure of how to handle herself. He had rattled her pretty thoroughly.
"Um... Watari-chan, don't we have work to do?"
She still had yet to unfog her glasses, but it was understandable as to why. Wiping them off would be pointless if Watari was going to pull a smooth move like that again.
In truth she hadn't expected him to be so forthright.
She had to compose herself and calm down, and in all cases that meant one thing:
Work.

Kazuhiko sighed, teleporting to his 'Uncle's' side. He looked over the man silently and grew sober, scribbling a little note to his father.
Of course he had recognized who the imposter was...
But it was for a rather grim reason. He thought he had escorted the soul to the Otherworld sufficiently...
Then again, Tarnbsei's Otherworld was all locked in that tree, similar to Earth in a sense. Unlike Earth, however, on Tarnbsei it was easier to extract souls into hosts....
'Da,

Already know who it is, but trust me when I say that it might be better that no one knows his identity. Also trust me when I say he is no threat.
However, you may want to get here. I don't trust the elephants with notes. Too easy to take out.

Love,

Kazuhiko

"Go." he patted the elephant, before looking up at the man. "So, Ava... How are you doing? Hungry? Comfortable?"
No point in being cruel to the soul...
After all, he was just a kid, just like Kazuhiko...
"It seems like the last time I saw you you were leaving before you even got here."

Kaguyo placed her hands on Ainsu's chest, looking up at him. Her intuition was hitting the mark so far...
Either that, or Ainsu had grown predictable, and so had she.
"We know now." she watched him closely, "And who knows whether Konton knew or not? We can't take that risk.." she insisted.
There came a point however when she realized that arguing with him was pointless. She sighed, resting her chin on his chest. "You really want to come with me..." she smiled slightly, sighing again, "Alright. I suppose I really don't have a choice do I?" she nuzzled him, hugging him tightly, "Alright. Alright... You win this one."
She smiled, and it seemed genuine...
But he couldn't shake the feeling she was still flirting with the idea.
"I need a bath." she murmured, almost confirming his suspicions.... almost. "Or maybe sleep. Whatever those things were I smoked, they're a lot more potent than I thought they'd be. Maybe a bath can wait until the morning... I should brush my teeth before bed unless you want to smell my stinky fish breath." she teased, blowing into his face. "Doesn't it smell beautiful?"
She closed one eye, smiling fully now. "I bet that was really gross. I'd say I was sorry but you just sorta sat there and took it so I'm not sure if I should feel bad for you or just say you deserved it... hahahaha!"
She just beamed up at him, still refusing to let him go.
She was quickly getting better at hiding her thoughts...
It would've made him smile. She had gotten at least a little bit stronger than when they had first met, but she still had tons to learn.
She was still fragile in a way she didn't care to admit.
"I'm lucky you look after me so well." she seemed to voice his thoughts, "I really don't mean to belittle your efforts."

Kaguyo looked away briefly, biting her lip. "Ah.. s**t.." she blinked a few times, "The only thing I'm swearing on our love is that I'll always be yours... I won't go, but it's only because you're so persistant. Even if I did want to go, you won't be letting me out of your sight... and besides, you did just get back."
She softened, playing gently with the few locks of hair flowing over his shoulders. "I'll stay with you, my dear. We'll go in the morning, how about that?"

Kazuhiko shrugged slightly. "You don't remember. It's alright though." he smiled a bit. "Do you know who you are, even a faint inkling?"

The glasses just fogged up again.
Yuki was clearly charmed with the scientist.
"I bet we can find him." she chirped, still red, "I bet he'll come out eventually. Just give it time. We could draw, try to get your powers to work again." she offered, "Maybe try to find a power-awakening serum."

"We could compare it to someone who does." Yuki pointed out, "Although agreed, it would be more beneficial to study yours..."
She wiped her glasses clean, following after him with a small smile on her face.
It was nice to see Watari so energetic. In truth, she hadn't seem him so happy since she met him.
"What sort of tests should we run?"

Kaguyo nodded, smiling. "Together I take it??" she bit her lip, thinking, "Or apart? I don't really feel like soaking... Well, at least right now."
It all depended on what he did in truth. If he soaked, she'd be out; if he didn't, she would.
Most likely he would counter all of that however.
She moved carefully from his arms, grabbing her beer and drinking down.
"Let me finish some of this pitcher..." she excused herself briefly, "I don't want to waste it..."
Two or three more glasses later, she seemed a bit tipsy but not as bad as other nights. "Ok." she hung on his arm, leading him out, "BATHTIME!"
She sent someone to draw baths for them, rather pleased.

Kazuhiko tilted his head. "Because I saw Ava's soul on Earth's Otherworld." he answered honestly. "And because I know who you are. You'll come around here soon though, promise." he smiled, "You're gonna be the youngest. You know another soul would've been your older brother, but he suffered the same fate... But he'll be back too. It's going to be a long ride. Don't you remember your mother?"