Standard Disclaimer

Debating getting a house…work is going well but keeps me very busy. Busy at work means less time for writing, always eating my writing time. Sorry for that. Another issue is Dark Souls 2 which wants me to die of a heart attack of rage! After planning out this chapter I realized I wouldn't need an epilogue after all. So this is the end of the journey here, it was odd but I full heartedly enjoyed walking it and sharing it with you. I hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did writing it. I had two little ideas for stories that weren't enough alone…but much like how this story went when I combined it the thing took off. Next up…I'm thinking maho-shoujo…that's right…going to be fun!

X-X

Friend of my Enemy

Chapter – 24

Kuesu didn't know what to think, but she knew she had to be here to help with whatever went on. Life had suddenly went from hectic to confusing in a matter of days. No longer did she fear losing her husband, or him never remembering their promise to one another. The ring on her finger felt warm and slick, she loved how it felt as she twisted it around with her other hand. But with the ring came responsibility, she had to honor and support her beloved if gullible husband. And right now he needed all the help he could get. Yet she wasn't the woman he had married, she was part demon now. An immortal tied to the condition of her spellbook. A demon, she had become that which she fought!

"Any word from Chelsie-chan or Shizuku-chan?" Shinji asked as he poked his head out of the kitchen. He hadn't stopped cooking since Kuesu arrived with Asuka. Had Asuka not dragged her back, Kuesu had meant to stay away until whatever rescue operation started. Bringing out a tray of sandwiches, Shinji set them down on the coffee table so everybody could have easy access to it. About to head back to the kitchen, the boy found his hand grabbed and held by Tamamo. Stuttering and protesting just a bit, "Tamamo-san, is there something wrong?"

Yanking Shinji down to the couch with her, Yukihana took the other flanking position, the eternal beauty hugged the boy close. "No word yet, and of course something is wrong, Shin-chan. My daughter and your wife is kidnapped. And while we plan her rescue, you are burning all your energy fidgeting about. So either sit down with us here, or we'll take you to a bedroom and work out that stress the old-fashioned way," she tickled under Shinji's chin.

It had to be a trick or a joke, Kuesu didn't believe for a moment Chizuru's mother would make love to her husband. "Minamoto-san has a point, Shinji-kun," Kuesu gave him brief glare. He wilted under her gaze and submitted, husband knew his place in the pecking order. Grabbing one of his sandwiches, her hand brushed against Tayura's who was grabbing one as well. It amazed Kuesu to learn that the fox-boy's girlfriend now knew of demons and was here to support the worried brother. Taking a bite, her mouth exploded with flavor, he was going to be the cook of the family, she spoke, "With the weather going so bad out, we know that whoever took her is making their move."

"With what I know of Mitama and his plans, as long as that storm is going, Chizuru-kun is safe," Ritsuko tugged on her collar. Walking about the apartment, Ritsuko never looked directly at Tamamo. Whenever she glanced in the woman's direction though, a rosy hue tinted her cheeks, and the one time she went to speak to Shinji alone…well she came back panting. A cup in hand, its contents unknown, she was a dichotomy of collected and frazzled, "But what do we do when we find out where she is? The weather outside is near hurricane level?"

Feeling the weight of her book on her lap, Kuesu knew she couldn't hide from it forever. Before they started the rescue, she'd have to tell Shinji about her new condition. Asuka admitted he already knew about it, but SHE hadn't told him. How would Shinji react to her new ageless body? But more important matters first, "We strike easily enough. Those of us that don't have any abilities will stay here and wait for the others to come back. That means you two and her." Kuesu pointed at Misato, Ritsuko, and lastly Hikari.

"What the fuck do you mean I'm staying here?" Misato bristled and rushed across the room. Lifting Kuesu out of her seat, the book fell to the ground and bounced open. Holding Kuesu by the neckline of her dress, Misato had a vein throbbing in her forehead. "I will not just sit here like some bump on a log! I am his guardian, I am Asuka's guardian, and I will not be left out of this!" Misato hollered in the girl's face.

Shinji tried to get up, tried to talk, but Tamamo and Yukihana held him down. Tamamo waved a hand and with one finger shut Shinji's open mouth. It was Himari that acted, put a hand on Misato's shoulder and just held it there for a few moments. "Katsuragi-san, we doth understand thy plight and feelings. Yet ye be to fragile and important to master. While we be durable and trained, ye haft not fought the likes we shall be forced to engage. And we shall need aid upon our return, likely injured," the friendliness was gone from Himari's voice. The demon-cat sounded different, she sounded cold.

"It's as she says, mother-in-law," Kuesu teased lightly. She had hoped to get a smirk or a response from Noihara, but nothing came. All that happed was Misato slowly let Kuesu sink back to the ground. The woman's head sank down, hair covering her face as her hands went slack to her side. Bending at the waist, flashing Shinji her pert rump, hell a girl had to keep her husband interested when he had so many other options, she sat back down after. Winking at the blushing Shinji, "We'll need somebody to tend to their wounds and keep that fox from killing my husband with her obnoxious breasts once we get her back." Seriously those damn utters were to damn big!

Sitting on the ground, a plate of bones to her left and a plate of food to her right, Rei was power eating. Nobody expected it, but it seemed Rei was a nervous eater and Shinji had to work mostly to keep the wolf-girl appeased. Speaking and spitting out hunks of meat, "We will not stop mistress when she is brought back. I will assist her, Noihara likely as well. She will need time to recover, and Alpha is best at it."

The room just went silent as everybody looked over at Shinji. Nestled between two shapely beauties practically hanging on him, he did paint the picture of a suave man. Funny how the smaller boy was the love interest of almost all the women in the room. He sputtered and frantically looked about before resigning himself to his fate. "I guess at times that is all I'm good for. You're all so much more skilled than I am. But I won't stay back either. Chizuru is…important to all of us for many reasons. And I know how Misato feels, but as her husband and with Lights Ferry, I'm going," they had all tried to stop Shinji from going at one point.

"Master should not walk into this trap, but we know it be a wasted effort to try and stop ye," Himari grabbed a sandwich and took a bight. Yanking the lad out from the vile hands of Tamamo, the cat-girl held him possessively as she walked about the apartment. Nobody missed how Ritsuko took the spot Shinji vacated. Rubbing her cheek against his, still the Cheshire grin she oft had while doing so was gone. Himari was cold and cut off. "And ye be more than just a body to us, though you do know how to use it well. Speak not so dower of thyself or we shall haft to re-train thee," she pushed him gently towards Kuesu.

Strange, why would Himari literally be giving Shinji to her, Kuesu felt a strange sense of dread brew in her mind. "I would think you'd be well trained already. If the honeymoon was any indication," she pulled Shinji to her chair and snuggled up. The honeymoon HAD been a wonderful experience she hadn't anticipated. Shinji, the timid and shy boy, had been able to bring out such bliss from Kuesu's body she nearly fainted from it! Addiction, she had grown addicted to his touch and more importantly his love. Yes, for that absented minded boy she's suffer sharing him. "So, back to the matter at hand. When we do find this bastard, Mitama, we storm in and save her. Though we might need Tamamo-san to…help us get in," Kuesu was overwhelmed at the feeling of power from the aged Kitsune.

"Can we stop talking about how Shinji-kun is sticking it to half of this room?" Asuka stomped about the room. Her hair was frazzled and unkempt, eyes were rimmed with circles from lack of sleep, and her arms were crossed at her waist. Plopping down next to Rei, she stole some of the wolf-girl's food and slapped Rei's hand when she tried to get it back. "You ate half a fridge worth, you can let me have some! Shinji tell her!" Asuka flinched her head at Rei. When Shinji nodded and Rei pouted cutely, her wolf ears popped out and sagged, Asuka smirked, "Anyway, I still think we should keep that baka here. Didn't Fuyutski say that this Tendril's Leaf group wanted a slayer, Shinji specifically? With what happened to…us…Shinji IS the last untainted slayer."

Walking in through the veranda, the wind upsetting papers and sent the drapes flying, Shizuku and Lizlet made there entrance. "I wouldn't say Slayer-chan was untainted. He has been immersed in the fluids of many a demon, pure blood and half breed. I can even attest to his ingesting…" Shizuku would have kept talking but Lizlet covered her mouth with her hands.

"N-not really a time for talking about that Shizuku-san," Lizlet continued to hold the Mizuchi as her whole body went red. Whatever Shizuku had seen, the tea-sprite didn't want it known to the general public. "W-we found a powerful seal around an abandoned hospital on the outskirts of town. It was…to strong for us to get through it. B-but we did see a good number of those snake men walking in. And the storm is apparently centered on it. Chizuru-san has to be there," Lizlet's hands went through the watery face of Shizuku.

Oozing through Lizlet, Shizuku formed in the center of the room and hu-hu-hu'd as she looked back at the frazzled sprite. "I'll tell you all a secret later, after we save Kitsu-hime. Something to look forward to. But we do need to act fast, so it'll have to wait. The energies are growing tremendously out there. Whatever they are planning it will happen soon. So as much as I'd like my reward from Slayer-kun, it'll have to wait as well. You will be providing all of us payment for saving her correct?" she waggled her tongue in Shinji's direction.

Must they all be so flippant about their abuse of her husband? Kuesu was going to have to get used to that. Her mother hinted at maybe they could run away for awhile, after matters were resolved. A few spells to mask their movements, a few places in Europe to look to learn more about her condition. An extended honeymoon with just Shinji and Asuka, that would be bliss. Maybe if Asuka let down the walls, and they double teamed Shinji, Kuesu my outlast him rather than the other way around.

Regrettably sliding out from Shinji's side, Kuesu yanked Asuka off the ground. Asuka would always be her closest female friend, and oddly enough sharing her love with both her favorite people didn't seem that bad. Nobody else knew what it was like to be from a slayer clan like Shinji did, and nobody knew what it was like to have an immortal body like she had other than Asuka. "Well we'll go first, with our books left here with Katsuragi and Akagi, they can't kill us let alone beat us. But I will need a moment alone with you two," Kuesu pointed at both Shinji and Himari.

"Lets go to Shin-chan's room Yukihana, we'll need a place we can focus in peace to take down that warding. And you did say you love his scent did you not?" Tamamo winked at her continual companion. Giving Shinji a quick kiss to the cheek, she lead the frazzled ice-woman to Shinji's room.

Helping Hikari off the ground, Tayura lead over to Misato and Ritsuko. "Watch after her for me. She's…she's helped me a lot and if anything were to happen to her I'd…" Tayura was just listless. His sister kidnapped, his mother in an odd state, Tayura was doing all he could to keep it together.

"It'll be fine, Tayu-chan," Hikari patted the boy's arm affectionately. They both had that odd quality of being uncomfortable with touching, yet thrilled by it. Not close to Shinji and his legions level of intimacy, they were still growing up to it. "I'll be here when you get back with your sister. Just be careful and don't get hurt, or I'll get angry with you. With what you said Shizuku-san does for healing…I don't think I'd let you," she tried to look angrily at the Mizuchi but failed miserable.

Taking Shinji and Himari to the kitchen, Kuesu would let the others get their odd goodbyes out on their own. "Before we go off on this rescue…I just need to tell you Shinji, Himari, what happened to me with Shuten-Douji," Kuesu couldn't look up at him. It was stupid and she knew it, but she couldn't help it. Asuka had already told her Shinji didn't care, but what if that didn't equate to his wife. It had been so heart warming when he gave her the choice. To be able to live life on her own terms, not something forced or coerced into. It brought her closer to her mother, opened her heart to possibility she never knew possible, and then she risked it all…what if he didn't want a girl that's body didn't age?

Shinji however knew how to respond, his heart was always on his sleeve. Silly boy needed the women in his life to be strong for him, or he'd be a slave to somebody. Bringing Kuesu into a hug, he rubbed her back softly. "I still love you Kuesu. Nothing will change that, nothing. You don't have to worry. Just like I told Asuka, we'll do whatever we can to help you learn about your condition. None of us will abandon you," was that his member growing hot and hard against her side?

"S-Shin-chan?" Kuesu pushed him back so she could look him in the eye. She felt him growing at her side, and as odd as it was she wanted him more than ever in her life. They were going into battle, he might die…very unlikey as he had a legion of protectors…yet right now Kuesu would do just about anything to have an hour with him. Closing her eyes, she would at least have a kiss before…then she felt the sheath of Himari's blade touch her head. Oh yeah, audience, "Himari…what are you hiding from us? You're…different." Himari was going feral, Kuesu could sense it. She had seen a cat-demon that was feral before, and it felt very similar to Himari right now.

Breaking the young lovers apart, Himari hooked her elbow with Shinji's and lead him away. "Their will be time for such matters later. And nothing is wrong. My wayward master is to accommodating and we can't afford the time or the energy to let him spoil you. Let us deal with saving your rival, and then deal with other matters. Ye must be ready for anything, slayer…anything," she yanked Shinji out with her before Kuesu could react.

"She knows she's losing it, she's warning me…" Kuesu didn't want to think it! Kuesu had felt Himari her rival not that Kitsune. Himari couldn't go feral, she had to live to see Shinji become her love slave! Himari had to see her be the first to have a child, Himari had to be defeated! "She won't go out that easy, I won't let her," Kuesu loaded her gun and grabbed Asuka. Everybody had already left, they were the last to go, Misato stopped the two before they leapt out the window.

"You two be safe, and come back. I don't understand a lot of what is going on, but I will not go to any funerals for them. If you are truly immortal, keep them safe. And Asuka…don't get hurt, please?" never had Misato seemed so defeated. A human without powers could only watch as her family went out to battle. But they would win, and bring back the wayward flirt! Kuesu just nodded at Misato's request and ran off to join the others.

X-X

Time seemed to have lost its meaning for Chizuru, but she wouldn't be beaten. She knew she fell asleep twice, but with the windows blocked and the only light coming from the ceiling that didn't mean much. Her stomach ached from lack of food, but she just envisioned one of Shinji's breakfasts and suffered through it. This man would not get to her, she would win. The cold air of the room pervaded her exposed body, her arms and wrists hurt from the shackles that held her off the ground. Once she was free, this Mikami was going to suffer every injustice he forced on her in spades. Chizuru was not one to abstain from things like revenge.

"Shinji will come for me, I know he will," Chizuru muttered as she pulled on her chains for the countless time. Himari and Shinji would come for her, and her other friends, they'd not abandon her. That's the hope that kept her going amid all the trash talking Shiki kept telling her. She was not some reincarnation, she was her own person! As the shackle bit into her wrist again, the pain lanced through her, she felt her powers rise then get stunted. Growling as she felt her ears try to come out only to be denied, "I hate magic suppressants."

The door opened and the light flicked back on, Shiki had a small tray of food with him and his slick grin. "And how is Kushinada-hime today, ready for some food?" he asked with his politician level smoothness. Making a point to step over the cold and starting to smell body of Gendo, he kicked the man as he fixed a chair. Sitting with his face a foot away from Chizuru's, he set the tray out of her reach. "All you have to do for some food, is simply say your name for me," he crossed his hands on his lap.

"Minamoto Chizuru," she said without a moment of hesitation. It was this song and dance again, him trying to break her and go along with his lie. But the food smelled so good, and he even had orange juice with him this time! Her mouth watered and her stomach rumbled, but a little pain wouldn't stop her. His goals, his plans, Chizuru would never support or assist him, her friends would be here soon. His hands gripped her cheeks and she snarled, "Don't touch me! I'm not who you think I am!"

Gripping her harder with his right hand, the lazy smile shifted to a glare, but Shiki just pinched harder. "Oh but you are Kushinada-hime, even if you deny it. Lie to yourself as much as you need to, but we've studied you for years. It pains me to do this to you, but if I must…I can just use other means to break you," he didn't sound upset at all. Let his hand trail down her cheek he cupped her exposed chest with his gloved hand. Licking his lips, "Susano-o has some truly wonderful taste."

Bucking away from the man, Chizuru tried her best to snap at his fingers and just nearly got him. "Don't touch me! I'll rip those hands off after I get out of here! My friends will come for me, they will!" Chizuru growled. His touch was loathsome and vile, he wasn't Shinji and wasn't allowed any privileges. But he just sat back with that sick smile, "You won't break me, pig, nothing you can do to me will ever get me to do what you want." Her legs shifted and the chains that kept them in place rattled in protest.

"You can say that, but we both know once you've no hope left, you'll do what is destined for you," Shiki got up. Grabbing the tray of food, he lifted the juice off it and hurled the food at the wall. Some of it landed on Gendo who had paled considerable. It wasn't a normal discoloration that came with death, the life from the man had drained out of him and into the black crystal floating over his body. Pouring the juice just out of Chizuru's reach, it splatted on the ground and splashed on her knees. "You will leave Kushinada-hime, and Orochi will take over. Then the beast will destroy the seal and my dreams will come true," Shiki cackled. Throwing the glass at the ground in front of Chizuru it shattered and covered her with small cuts.

Watching him leave as he always did after he failed to turn her, Chizuru sank as much as her confines would allow. Her arms ached from being forced to remain up and the cuts her legs felt from the glass made tiny red lines on her pristine skin. The smell of the juice was intoxicating and infuriating. All her life she feared her wayward black tail, funny how it was ALL her tails that were against her it seems. She was not Kushinada, she was not Orochi… Never in her life had she ever hated the stench of orange juice, but right now it was the most nauseating thing. Her head hung down, her hair caresses her cheek as the darkness came back, "I miss Shin-chan…hell I miss the cat too. I miss them all."

Time seemed to float again for her as she sat there in the darkness. Was he even coming in the mornings or was it just a trick? Chizuru hated to admit it, but part of her wanted this to end, to be free one way or another. Only her confidence in her friends kept her from wallowing in the pain. She was strong, she knew that, but she wasn't invulnerable. Tayura would be coming, Tamamo would find her, and then they'd break this man. "I have to tell Shin-chan about what his father said," she never knew the man, but felt his death was unneeded.

After an unknown amount of time, Chizuru found herself waking from a doze as an explosion rocked the building. Her chains clacked and jingled as she moved about trying to shake her fatigue out. "They're here! I knew it!" the hope in her was so palpable it was scary. It was ending, her pain and confinement was going to be finally over! "I might even make him…" Chizuru felt herself moisten. All she wanted was cuddling and being spoiled to make her forget all the times that monster touched her. Thankfully it wasn't anything to bad…yet…though she did want to scrub her babies clean of his maleficent touch.

More rocking and the sounds of fighting could be heard all around her, muffled and faint. Then she heard it, foot falls outside her door, they were here! "Shinji! Shin-chan I'm in here!" Chizuru yelled out and found her throat hurt. Dehydration and fatigue left her unable to reach her full powered voice, but she rebelled against that pain regardless. The light from the outside of the room illuminated her cell as if it was divine justice coming in, and then the light came back on blinding her. Standing there beaten and bloody, Shinji stood with a pipe in his hand, "Shin-chan! I knew you'd come!"

"Chizuru, I've finally found you," Shinji expounded as he rushed over to her. His cheek had a large gash on it, he was limping as he nearly tripped over Gendo's body. Falling to his knees before her, the pipe clanked to the floor as he let it fall. "They're all…Chizuru they're all dead. We didn't expect such strong resistance…they're all…all gone," his head sank as he grabbed the chains. He pulled on them hard, railing against them when they failed to release her.

Gone…they were all gone? Chizuru couldn't believe it, it was all a lie! "What do you mean, Shinji? Where is Himari? Lizlet's cup couldn't have been…they can't be!" Chizuru felt tears stinging her cheeks. Shinji wasn't being soft when he yanked on her confines, but she hardly felt it. Why wasn't he speaking? Why wasn't he saying it was just a joke! Nuzzling her cheek against his, the heat coming off of her made him feel cold, "Just get me free, Shin-chan, get me free and we'll go and make sure they're all safe. D-did you get the key off the man in the suit?"

"Man in the suit?" Shinji asked confused. Pulling back from Chizuru, his eye not shut from a wound went wide. "W-we didn't see any man. Just a lot of Yig that were all over this place. And they had talisman that countered everything. Powerless, we were powerless, and I barely got through to you," Shinji railed on the chain again. Falling back, sitting on his legs, Shinji collapsed on himself. "We've lost them all, Chizuru…" Shinji was dejected and hollow.

They'd find out for sure after she got free, there had to be a way to get her out of here. "Shiki probably ran away when he knew he'd lose," Chizuru knew he was a coward. They'd find her mother after they got out, surely Tamamo could do something to fix things, the woman was capable of the most improbable things. "Lets try to merge and then I'll get out of…out of…" what was that heat over her face? Why was her face wet? Shinji had an odd stain growing on his shirt, a thick red stain.

"C-C-Chizu…"Shinji sputtered out before he fell to the side. He had a sword going through his chest, the hilt buried all the way up to his back. He croaked out and convulsed as he reached out for Chizuru, but he couldn't form words. Futily trying to push the blade out of his chest, all he did was hurt his hands and cover them in the slick fluid.

Putting his foot on Shinji's shoulder, Shiki yanked it out with a wet pop. "Almost got me, that damn demon-cat almost got me. But sons of Yig follow power, and while she was distracted," Shiki waggled the sword in Chizuru's face. Was it Himari's sword, it looked similar but her tired brain couldn't really tell. With his business jacket off, only wearing an expensive looking light blue undershirt, Shiki sat down and wiped sweat off his brow, and marred it with Shinji's blood. Panting heavily, "Till the end you thought the Mizuchi was on your side, and she almost was. But she was gullible enough to think she'd get the slayer as a prize for siding with us. Fat lot of good that did for her."

"Lies…lies…that's not…that's not Shinji," Chizuru muttered without believing it. He couldn't be gone, but even now she could vaguely sense his soul. Her head was foggy with hunger and pain, but she knew him well enough. Gone, Shinji was gone, Himari gone, her puppy gone, her life…everything she wanted was gone? "Kill you…I'll bathe in your insides," rage she hadn't known herself capable of swelled inside her. She could feel the dripping of fluid down her cheek, yet she wouldn't acknowledge what it was.

Laughing loudly, Shiki slapped his knee, "Now that is what I want to see! You full of rage and hate! Feed on that Orochi! Feed on your hate disgust and then Kushinada will leave! Leave to be with your departed husband." Getting off his chair, Shiki flipped Shinji over so Chizuru could see his face. Pulling the body closer to Chizuru, he lifted the body up and rubbed it against Chizuru. "Isn't this what you've wanted? To be with him? Well you can, and all you have to do is submit and let yourself go," he cackled madly and let the body slump against Chizuru's.

"I'm so sorry, Shin-chan, so sorry," Chizuru felt hot tears bursting out of her eyes. If she hadn't met him, if she hadn't dragged Shinji into this world of demons and slayers he'd be fine. Eventually Kuesu would have come to him and they'd be together, but at least he'd be alive! She wouldn't have to listen to this insane man cackling over his perceived victory. Gone, she just wanted the pain to end, not the physical pain but the inner pain. Kissing Shinji, still warm she noticed, he slumped away from her, "We'll be together soon."

The body fell down, and rolled to its side, but Chizuru didn't see it. Done, she was done. If everything was gone, all her friends and family…what did she have to go on for anymore? The world faded away from her, she was drawing inside herself and away from the pain she had endured. "I'll find them all," Chizuru mouthed into the void she found herself in.

"So you've come back? Finally going to give in to me…to us?" a voice asked.

Looking up, Chizuru found herself surrounded by copies of herself, her 'tails' which were all parts of Orochi and not what she had thought all her life. Had Tamamo known all along that she wasn't really a true Kitsune? "Oh…its you…I don't care anymore," Chizuru just wanted nothingness. The pain inside her was swelling and growing and threatened to devour her.

All the voices started talking at once, all of the 'tails' were sounded miffed and upset with her. Telling her not to give up, that they owed Chizuru and Shinji for the joy they felt, all but one. The one Chizuru had feared all her life. That one just smiled as floated over to the soul of Chizuru. Wrapping her in vines, "So this is how you finally submit to me. Maybe I'll go and get our mate and take him as my own until I grow tired of him. Unlike you I don't think he's gone yet. But you've always been to weak to see the truth. Sleep here then. Sleep or leave, leave the body to me."

"I don't…" Chizuru didn't know what to think or feel anymore. It was just to much. "Please…both of you wherever you are…" she just wanted to see them again.

X-X

Himari was doing her best to keep her calm, to recall her skills that kept her mind from going blank, but it was a hard fight. Even now while they were on a landing catching their breaths she could feel the darkness creeping in. At all sides her consciousness was fading to the back of her mind, replaced with bloodlust and rage. All she wanted to do was abandon her sword and claw through the damn lizards and bathe in their blood! She wanted to feast on their hearts and revel in the heat of battle! To be a force of carnage, to bask in her baser instincts, to be free!

"Neko-hime what is the plan going forward? Both you and Slayer-kun are wounded and we've come to another split in the path," Shizuku broke through Himari's fantasy. The hospital was a web of powerful spells and wards, not to mention the Yig and Oni that sided with this man Shiki. Kneeling over Shinji, who sat panting on the ground with a meter stick in hand, Shizuku betrayed her normal mask of emotionlessness with concern. Patting his face, licking a small gash from an Oni talon, "Who is going where?"

Gently pushing Shizuku away, Shinji found Lizlet more than happy to help him stand. "It'd be better if we could stick together. I don't like being separated so much," Shinji leaned heavily into the top-heavy tea-sprite. His clothing was in tatters, patches of blood and exposed skin crisscrossed his body. Yet he didn't for a moment seem he was going to retreat, no, this was what the demons feared most. A slayer willing to continue to the bitter end, to never relent until the mission was complete. The mission, save one of their missing pack.

"I think I should go with Shin-sama and stay on this floor while you two go to the top," Lizlet for a change didn't have her flirty nature. It was what the girls all agreed on, keeping Shinji in the back as much as possible. While Shinji had been distracted the day before, they plan was set. Shinji was the weakest fighter and most vulnerable one of the grup. While he was better at fighting than Lizlet, he didn't have her neigh immortality. She cold shield him forever, and had the strength to bend Oni in half without batting an eye.

No! If she was going to go down, which she felt was coming, Himari wanted Shinji to be with her as long as possible. She wanted to be with her love until the last sweet taste of sanity left her. "Yon snake and sprite shall take this floor while Master and myself continue onward," she saw the shocked looks from the other two. Shizuku couldn't be touched by any of the fighters, only magic could harm her, and the only damage Lizlet had was to her clothing. Damn girl was waking around mostly topless now with a full breast on display! Biting down hard on her tongue, the pain helped her focus, "The odds are equally stacked. Defense and offense for both."

As if to emphasis Himari's point, Shinji rekindled Light's Ferry in his weapon and it filled the dark hallway with radiant light. "Himari-chan has a point," he slipped and added his emotional variant. Gently freeing himself from Chelsea's embrace, he smiled softly at her and cupped her cheek. "I can't let you get hurt protecting me when I trained to protect myself, can I?" he just had to know what to say to them.

Chelsea back down instantly, unable to refute the human she pledged her existence to. "M-master…you have to be careful though, or who will get to drink my special milk tea?" she cooed as she took that step closer to him.

"Be still those massive jugs, now isn't the time to offer him your breast milk," Shizuku cut in and pushed the pair apart. Shinji went ridged as Shizuku waggled her tongue at him. "Didn't you know she was using her own milk all this time? Slayer-kun is very dense…and that is why we love him isn't it? Are you sure of this Neko-hime?' Shizuka alternated between the stunned Shinji and Himari.

Her whole life was dedicated to this task, keeping Shinji safe, and she was violating that vow for her own selfish purposes. Himari just gripped her blade and nodded, "I shall reclaim my honor for letting the fox slip through my fingers and causing this kerfuffle. So if you see this man or her, ye are ordered to call out to us! Do not face him alone, as we have not seen the illusive Minori." She'd break them herself and present their heads to her master along with her own.

Not wanting to, but submitting as she had no option, Chelsea just nodded. "We'll see you after we check this floor out. And we can still hear them downstairs so we know the others are safe too. After this is over…Shin-sama can we have a few days off?" she asked with all earnestness. Her hand gripped the door to the third floor and it wrinkled like tinfoil.

"Of course we can, I'll cook us up a storm and we can all just relax at the apartment," Shinji didn't sound very convincing though. Wiping more of the blood off his arm, a cut from a flying Yig tooth, he just grimaced at it. He had pushed Himari out of the way from an surprise attack and nearly lost his leg. Himari had been to intent on her opponent to see it. He held his hand out as he had when the parted ways with Tayura and Rei and twenty minutes ago Asuka and Kuesu. With a nod, "We all go home together, all of us."

Himari watched Shinji perform his little ritual of camaraderie with the others as she tied more of her torn clothing into a ribbon for her hair. The snake whispered something to him, he nodded and they covered his hand with theirs. "Let us be going, the longer we dally the sooner something unbecoming may happen," she wanted to move on and carve her path through her foes! Her goal was to kill this Mikami man, the reason why was becoming less and less clear in her mind. Just the man from the picture had to die, and the odd girl/man had to be silenced as well.

Watching the others part, as he had before, Shinji slammed his hand against the wall after they had left. "I'm worried, Himari-chan. I know they're all capable, but I don't like any of this," Shinji rejoined her. They claimed up the stairs in unison towards the top floor of the hospital. His meter stick was the only light the had, but it wasn't really needed. Getting to the door to the last floor, Shinji stopped and took Himari's hand in his, "Himari-chan, how are you doing?"

"I be fine and ready to end this farce, master. Be not concerned for this one," Himari said grimly. Must he be so soft even now in the thick of battle? It made her mind calm, made her weak and a target! Now wasn't the time for romance or love, it was her purpose! Hand shaking just a little, "They shall be waiting for word of our triumph. This man is on our floor, I can sense powerful magics." And she could, it was a miasma that wrapped around them like silk.

Ever the gentleman, Shinji opened the door for Himari and gestured for her to enter. Empty, the floor had no sign of life on it as they both strode down the hallway. Whispering softly to her, "I agree with you. This floor is different than the others. We have to be careful." Holding the stick as he had been trained, Shinji's expression was alien on his face, anger. It didn't suit him, but it was there.

"I shall not disappoint or fail you," Himari said aloud. Dropping the pretense of stealth, she broke into a run and trusted her instincts. Scenting the foul order of forbidden things on the air, she just ran towards it at full tilt. A chance, that tiny hope, that if things ended soon enough she'd not lose herself fully. However she couldn't recall the taste of food, or even what she had eaten yesterday. A mind full of attacks and target points, the blood she tasted wasn't her own, and it was sweet.

Calling out to her as she ran, Shinji yelled, "Himari wait for me! I'm supposed to go first remember!" He was the shield to her sword with his powers, and the scarf he wore kept most magics inert. Echoing footfalls were the drumbeats of war as the two made their mad dash towards their fate. A loud crash and a grunt singled Shinji had lost his footing in his haste and tumbled.

Her master was falling behind, yet she ran on regardless. "Failed her…I failed her and must atone," who she had failed Himari could scarcely remember. A dear friend and rival, somebody almost as important to her as master. Standing before a heavy door, the stench of forbidden radiated out and wrapped around her as a cloud of moisture. "I am here," she threw the door open and was blinded by light as she breached the threshold. A stone was floating above a body, tendrils of red lighting leapt out and kissed the walls at random.

Chained to the floor and ceiling was an unconscious nude woman, and Himari felt spikes of something alien in her mind. Before she had started loosing herself she'd have known it was fear, but now her mind knew of no such emotion. Sliding her feet across the floor, not making a sound, she looked for her foe. "Come out vile heathen and face my blade," she couldn't see another person.

"I expected more than just the servant. Is Susano-o not with you," Shiki stepped out from behind a desk a gun in hand. Holding it out at Himari, a his teeth bared in an odd grimace.

Smiling, he was smiling but Himari forgot what that was, just knew that exposed teeth was a sign of a threat. "Ye speak of my master, he comes but need not dirty his hands with the likes of thee," Himari saw the gun and kept her eyes on it. Not to far gone to not realize a threat when she saw one, Himari would not fail!

Clapping his hands yet keeping the gun trained on Himari, Shiki rolled out with laughter. "Good! Good! It would be a shame for him to not see both his servant and wife killed. I need both of them for my dream to be fulfilled," Shiki boasted. Dashing to Chizuru's side, he let lose three volleys at his target.

Cutting each bullet in half without even seeming to move, Himari did stop her advance though. "Coward, using a defenseless woman as a shield. I shall drink deeply from thy throat!" she felt the darkness creeping in more. She could hardly see anymore, at least not how use used to. Color ebbed out of the world, threats and targets were the only things she could see. Her ears and tail popped out gloriously in full black as her eyes started to glow red. It was harder to hold her sword now as her nails grew larger than ever and cut into her palms. They would be better weapons…true weapons.

"Himari watch out!" Shinji screamed as he entered the room. The glow of Light's Ferry clashed with the red of the stone. The clang of metal rang out in the small room, as Shinji's blade deflected Minori's from a killing blow aimed at Himari's back. Rolling with Minori on the ground, Minori who was now much older in appearance and seemingly totally male now. Holding his weapon over Minori's, Shinji kept the assailant on the ground.

Bucking like a wild animal, a savage grin on his face split it from ear to ear. "Brother you finally came! Came to end our torment of existence! If only you never existed I'd not have to suffer! We can die together!" he cried out deliriously. Rocking from side to side, he nearly shoved Shinji off, but the ultimate defense held.

Lesser things were fighting behind her, yet her target was cowering behind that meat shield still. "Fight me man, let this be over and done," Himari let her blade drop to the ground. It wasn't needed anymore, she had been reborn as her true self. The thrill of the hunt, the glory of the kill, that was all that mattered now. Leaping at the small man, he balked and sank back. Whatever purpose the girl had, he had forgotten it. Yet she could hear an annoying cry coming from behind. A known sound, familiar and loved…it confused her. Annoyed her as it drove a pain in her chest she couldn't fathom.

"Don't do it Himari-chan! Chizuru and I need you to stay with us! We all need you to stay!" Shinji cried out achingly. When she paused her assault of the cowering Shiki and looked back, Shinji made a mistake. He relaxed his hold, and before he could recover Minori threw him off and onto the ground. His attention now on the man holding Himari's blade over his chest, Shinji called out not for aid but to provide it, "This isn't the real you, Himari-chan. Come back."

Stopping, that nagging pain in her chest swelled and grew to a crescendo in her head. What she was doing was wrong…that person on the ground was her master…no it was Shinji! The man she loved, the girl was Chizuru the annoying fox that fought her for his love. Yet they both knew he had more than enough to go around, it was a game. That was the game, not killing…not this…

NO! The kill was all that mattered! Blood, life, and the pursuit of the perfect kill. To win the fight she had to be strong and devoid of the weaker emotions that brought her down. Love was weak, it was a pain, a nuisance that would only…only…

Make her whole.

And just like that, a switch flipped in Himari's soul as she embraced both halves of her soul openly. Yes the savagery was needed, but only to protect what she loved and who she loved. That power of hate could be funneled, could be used for good ends. "Ye shall not hurt my Shinji!" she called and dove at Minori as the sword went down.

Faster than she'd ever moved in her life, faster than anybody could even see, Himari had caught the blade in her hand. With a quick twist of the wrist, she wrenched the blade from the man's hand, and then elbowed him in the chest sending him flying into the wall. Not just to the wall but half buried in it. Standing over Shinji, Himari saw clearly again, and knew she'd never need fear losing herself. She had mastered her fears, mastered her self! Her whole body had a red glow about it, yet it was warm and soothing. Pulling Shinji off the ground and to her side, she kissed him deeply.

"Today I come to you a complete woman, Shinji-sama. I shall ne'r leave thy side, ever. Now let us end this farce as ye see fit. Diplomatically if possible, or violently otherwise," she winked at him as her heart soared. Her love for him, his for her, it saved her mind. Something was more important than battle, and she was holding it. "Let us wake thy sleeping princess and leave here," she saw Shiki recovering and Minori wasn't out yet. But they'd win. She had faith in her master.

X-X

For a moment Shinji had been scared, not for himself but for Himari. If she had lost herself to the battle rage Shizuku warned him of, well he'd have died before he could kill her anyway. But in an instant, literally, Himari's dark aura vanished and was replaced with a pale white light. In that same second Himari appeared to teleport away from Shiki and bat Minori away like a ball of string. All he had done on this whole mission though, was feel like added weight. Himari was now capable of decimating the army of lizard men by herself without raising her heart rate.

"Chizuru-san, Chizuru-san can you hear me," he asked as he clamored over broken tiles. Himari's movement wasn't without damage is seemed, her subsonic motion left a clear path of devastation in her wake. His Light's Ferry seemed worthless in comparison. His ability to block the Oni's magic, and wield off the rare attack was nothing compared to his companions skills. It was sobering to know he was literally the weakest one of them. No time for self pity right now though, Chizuru needed him, and that pulsating black crystal had him worried.

Pointing her blade at the recovering Shiki, hair mussed and a small patch of discoloration in his crotch, Himari had her humor back in her voice. "Have thee a chance to change thy garments or shall we discuss this while ye be covered in thy own filth? What be that energy, and who be that man?" her blade pointed to the crystal and the dead body. Not one to let her guard lapse now, she would take a moment to insure Minori was still unconscious in the wall from time to time.

Fixing his tie, Shiki smoothed his hair back, but the damage to his image was done. "Well first off the dead sack of shit once was Gendo Ikari. He gave his life to bring the seal between realms open for all to see," he cackled as he again kicked Gendo's body. Wrapping his jacket over the stain on his pants, he shrugged. Offering a hand to the two, "Sorry your father wanted to end this world as it is, Susano-o. And might I complement you on your choice in bodies. She was delicious and the wild cat here likely is just as active as the broken Kitsune in bed. Oh you should have heard how she called my name."

"Himari-chan, he thinks he can trick us with lies," Shinji didn't buy Shiki's lie for a moment. Knowing that his father was dead did hurt, the reconciliation he yearned for gone forever. But would Chizuru betray him for a body? Never, he trusted her implicitly. As Himari pointed her blade at the man, forcing him to back off of Gendo, Shinji knelt at his father's side and crossed the man's arms on his chest. "Goodbye father, it is a shame we never got the chance to get to know one another again," a regret Shinji would live with. Gendo had abandoned him and betrayed him at ever turn, but Shinji had learned to be an optimist thanks to his friends.

Taking a slash at the pulsating vortex, Himari joined Shinji in a regal laugh. "Thy fox would sooner swallow her own tongue than be touched by a man not her alpha," Himari took to using Rei's term, it seemed fitting. Her blade bounced off the target with a resounding clang and visual expulsion of energy. Biting her thumb, Himari let her vexed side show, "Tis as Tamamo-sama said, we shall need our combined powers to subvert this."

"D-don't ignore me!" Shiki shook with rage at how little care the two lovers paid him. "That bitch has been broken, and it was MY doing! All that is left now is for Kushinada-hime to depart the vessel and let Yamato free! Then it shall devour the seal and set you petty humans in your place! And the complacent old pure bloods shall lose their powers to bring up quarter bloods out of you! The demon-animals shall rule!" His hands extended up high into the sky in adulation of his own greatness.

So that what this whole mess was about, why his father died? "You want to make your race the most powerful? Was it really so important? To have you hurt so many, to kill so many?" Shinji walked over to Chizuru and knelt at her side. Pale and gaunt, covered in small cuts and bruises, Shinji was tempted to let Himari play with the man. Nobody hurt his family and got away without punishment. "Chizuru is going to make me pamper her for weeks to make up for this," not that Shinji minded, quite the contrary.

"I shall assist you, as shall the others. A solid pampering shall do us all thy world of good," Himari lifted Chizuru's head gently. Such care and concern for her rival, it brought a tear to Shinji's eye. They played hard with one another, but when the other was hurt…Himari cut the bindings without looking at them and scooping Chizuru into her arms. "Doth not the fairy tales have thy princess woken with a kiss?" she nuzzled Chizuru so that the kitsune's face shifted towards Shinji.

An eruption of drywall and wood flew past the pair as Minori rushed past the two of them. Himari took to the defensive and leapt back with Chizuru protectively covered, while Shinji rolled to the ground and gathered Himari's sword. It had lain on the ground after Himari lifted the unconscious fox, and now it glowed in Shinji's hand, not yellow but white. Himari's own power merged with Shinji's in the blade. "I will not have suffered for nothing! It is not fair for my brother to get everything while I was made for nothing but pain!" Minori lashed out with his own recovered blade.

Countering the blow, Shinji didn't know how he had learned such skill, but the blade seemed to move in his hands of its own free will. "I never meant you any harm! All we wanted was to live in peace. W-what did they do to you to make you hate me so…to want to kill me?" Shinji effortlessly countered every one of Minori's blows. Himari's skill flowed through him, not that he realized it.

"That was a cast off, our failed attempt at resurrecting you, Susano-o," Shiki cackled from his hiding place. Standing by the crystal, he ran his hands over the energy and it made his hair stand on end. "She was cloned from you to be the vessel of Sunano-o's soul, yet you were able to awaken it yourself. Then we were left with a tool with no way to control it. So we made Nue to watch over her and control her if needed. Now if she'd be so kind to finally kill you, maybe that will be enough to send sleeping beauty to the other side!"

Kicking at Minori's ankle, Shinji toppled the overbalanced boy to the ground. "Another reason you need to be punished. Forcing pain on a small girl like that," Shinji was starting to understand Minori's rage. Hadn't he been thrown away when nobody had a need for him? Didn't Gendo summon him only when something needed killing? Shinji understood Minori perfectly. "Must we do this, Minori-chan?" he asked as he readied the blade for a killing blow. His inner calm told him it wouldn't be fatal though.

As if reading Shinji's mind, Minori smiled wide as a single tear went down his face. "Brother!" he cried out as he made a last ditch attack with a wide angled blow. Himari's grace was imparted into the lad as he leapt over the blow and came down on Minori's heart. The blade pierced through without blood or resistance, the white light billowed out and encompassed the whole room. As it died down, two bodies lay on either side of the blade, a young and teenage girl.

No longer glowing, Shinji felt all his energy leaving his body. Whatever power Himari had imparted it was gone now. "I am myself, not this Susano-o you claim me to be. Chizuru is not Kushinada-hime, Himari is not a wild cat. We are more than just what our blood says it is. We…are ourselves," he joined Himari and slid the blade back into the scabbard. Wrapping his arms around both of them, "Lets both go this time, Himari-chan."

"I shall be honored to be one with you fully," Himari pressed her forehead to Shinji's. She shifted Chizuru over to Shinji's arms as she vanished from view. Her clothing fell to the ground, the sword landed softly on the pile. Out of Shinji's head black and white cat ears erupted and a matching tail. Shinji's mouth spoke but it was Himari's voice, "I see why thy thieving fox enjoys this so much. Thy soul is full to bursting with love."

Staggering towards them, Shiki feel to his knees and pounded on the ground. "No! You can't do this! You are their reincarnations! It has to be you or this is all worthless! All I've suffered for, all I've done was for this moment! She is lost forever to you! This world must end its worthless existence!" Grabbing Minori's sword, he charged the combined duo.

And Himari spun about and roundhouse kicked him in the face sending him rolling along the ground.

"We'll deal with him once we get Chizuru," Shinji reasserted control. He could feel Himari in him just as he did Chizuru, and it was equally glorious. Just as Himari could feel his emotions for her, he could feel hers for him and it was just as delirious as Chizuru. Pressing his forehead to Chizuru's cool one, Shinji kissed her softly and felt himself being tugged. Different than before, this wasn't what happened to them. But with how Chizuru was, maybe it was the only way.

The world shifted around him, Shinji was no longer in the destroyed hospital room, he wasn't in on earth at all. Nor was he alone now. Floating at his side, naked as the day she was born, Himari floated with her ears and tail out. "H-Himari-chan is now the time f-for that?" he felt oddly flushed. They had just felt so close that he was able to see her excitement sheen on her legs.

"Master be just as I am, mayhap you've not noticed as thee have been fawning over my body. But ye be correct that now be not the time for romance, that be later. And I shall take thee first," Himari flew a quick few loops around Shinji. She pocked and prodded him in his bare places to emphasize her point. Shinji was just as nude as she was. Pointing to a growing ball of darkness in the sea of light they found themselves in, "Let us not keep her waiting. If she be in trouble, as she oft is, it shall be in the center of that."

Doing his best to get his own excitement to stop showing itself, it wouldn't do good to greet Chizuru with that bouncing about, Shinji followed Himari towards the maelstrom. Coldness quickly set in, biting and clawing at their exposed flesh. The light went out, not going dark, just the power of the light had dimmed. Grabbing Himari's hand, Shinji got an idea, and channeled Light's Ferry…it worked. Himari's body glowed brightly and chased away the darkness.

Yet the darkness wasn't empty, it was full of doppelgangers of Chizuru surrounding around one incased in vines. "So you finally came to her rescue. I was growing worried that you wouldn't come. She never lost hope, nor did my lesser, they love you so," a Chizuru different than the others floated down. While the remainder were smiling and happy, this one scowled and bristled with anger. "And you brought that bitch in heat with you too, unexpected," the faux Chizuru caressed the real one.

"Let her go please. There is no reason for us to fight is there? We just want to bring her back with us, and put an end to this madness," Shinji released Himari and flew closer. The multitude of Chizuru's quickly advanced on him though, pressing their bodies against him in high passion.

"Stay here with us!" "Its better here than in that other place" "We can be happy here forever, even Himari is welcome!" They all called out in various states of lust and affection.

Leaving Shinji to fend for himself against the multitude of tails, Himari flew towards the one in charge. "Ye be her darkness correct? Thy part of her she denies she has…that I tried to deny I had," Himari tucked down ready to strike. The dark Chizuru responded in kind and pulled out two large foxfires, one in each hand. "That be not necessary, fox, do not hide from thy truth, embrace it and your whole self. We shall not judge you," Himari then stunned everybody and embraced the dark Chizuru.

"G-get your hands off me bitch! I don't need you! I don't need anything but power!" the dark Chizuru slammed her knee into Himari's stomach again and again. Pounding on the cat's back again and again, the attacker was unable to dislodge her.

Rushing out of the willing throng of Chizuru's, Shinji understood too. These weren't independent elements, Chizuru's tails weren't sentient on their own. They were part of her, just as Chizuru was the reincarnation of Kushinada-hime, she was also Yamato. Himari had her battle of light and dark…as did Chizuru…as Shinji did himself. Only for him it was self doubt and feelings of uselessness that he battled with. Flying over to the battling two, Shinji threw his lot in.

"Maybe I'm not the strongest fighter, or the smartest man, or even a good slayer. But I know my feelings are true, and that is what I have to offer. Good and bad, Chizuru-san, I'll love you regardless," he embraced the pair again. The dark Chizuru fought like a hell-cat, fought with all she had…but the fighting weakened…weakened…

The other Chizuru's slowly merged back with the body proper, and slowly Shinji felt himself being dragged. "You always…know what to say…but with us whole again it will cause problems…it will not be all sunshine and flowers," the dark Chizuru hovered just above the waking Chizuru.

"Like thee ever were anything but a flirty sexpot anyway," Himari joked and pushed Chizuru's nose like a button. Removing herself from the embrace, Himari hovered behind Shinji and pushed him towards Chizuru. "Now…kiss your sleeping princess and let us leave this place. I grow hungry," Himari gave them both a good push.

His hands went around Chizuru's body as he flew high enough to look her straight in the eye. "Nothing is ever going to be perfect. I know I'm not, I don't expect you to be either. I rather you be yourself…all of us," he kissed the woman in his arms, and they merged. Chizuru opened her eyes incredulously.

"S-Shin-chan is it really…really you? And Himari!? How did…why are…" Chizuru was just as confused by the events as Shinji and Himari were. But like every trouble Chizuru faced, she faced it with a smile and never ending confidence. "Doesn't matter, you're here now, and I heard every word. Lets go back…all of us," for a moment the other Chizuru's appeared behind her smiling and one by one joined her fully. "I knew you'd come for me. I love you so much," she embraced her man and let her tongue slide into his mouth for a moment before merging with him.

Giving Shinji's body a good flip, Himari smirked and rolled her eyes. "Thy fox be trouble, but she speak the truth. I do love thee as well. Now let us go see to the others lest the take liberties with thy sleeping body," Himari embraced him just as Chizuru did. Then quite unexpectedly she merged with Shinji as well, both inside him. And as he tried to not faint from the sensory overload, Shinji found he was back in the hospital room.

"Lets get ride of that thing!" Chizuru said through Shinji's mouth.

Grabbing the stone with grace and poise, Himari agreed, "It has caused enough trouble. And I can hear the others coming. If we hurry we can dispose of it and get back to the apartment for a full hour before they realize it." Shinji's hands covered the gem and the darkness seeped back into it. Opening his palm, only the simple stone remained.

"A-a full hour before they realize it?" Shinji swallowed hard. He could sense their wants, and they could sense his…and well…they all wanted the same thing. Walking to the window, Shinji kicked up Himari's sword and cut the window out with one expert set of swings. The storm had abated and was showing a brilliant sunset. "Maybe we don't have to go to the apartment first. Himari-chan you might like Chizuru-chan and my favorite room," they'd need more than an hour.

Dropping the stone, they stomped it into dust, and jumped out of the window. Letting Himari drive, they directed her to the love hotel they frequented. And they made full use of the three hours it took for the others to find them. Dragged back to the apartment for the celebratory party, they knew it was just the start of the festivities. Himari didn't mind sharing, Chizuru didn't mind sharing, and Shinji didn't mind being shared. They had enough feelings to go around.

X-X

Applying a liberal amount of deodorant, Touji approved greatly of his attire and style for today's party. Mari had been released from the hospital last week and two half siblings of Rei's were moving to town so they were using it as an excuse to throw a party. Misato had been very vocal that it happen at her apartment so she could keep an eye on everybody. Touji suspected something else was going on, both Kensuke and he did. But why bring up that question when everybody was happy.

"Are you almost finished in there?" Mari asked. Tapping on the door with her knuckle, she pushed it open and peeked in. Upon seeing not a half dressed older brother but a clothed one, she brazenly walked in. In a stylish dress, it had a dangerous v-cut that offered the tiniest peek at what she had on under it. Saddling up right next to Touji, Mari examined herself in the mirror with scrutiny that would scare most. "You think Shinji-san will like this dress? I need to stand out over that Minamoto," she grabbed a brush and started to work on her hair.

Nothing would really outshine Chizuru, Touji was tempted to say but kept silent. Why ruin Mari's mood before even getting to Shinji's. This was a party for her benefit, and a brother had to try to nurture right? He didn't like seeing that faint wafting of black peeking out from under her light green dress. His sister was NOT supposed to wear clothing like that, or grow up. "He's not the type to worry about how somebody looks, Mari, you know that," Shinji was better than that Touji knew.

The two weeks since the storm had been quite the eye opener and game changer for Touji's friend. The day after that massive storm, Shinji and his menagerie were absent. Rumors flew about that one, Shinji had taken them all with him for a big love in, Chizuru was pregnant, Himari had gotten into a fight with all of them, and many others. The following day though, they all came back with style. Himari and Rei showed total dominance over Shinji in class, shooting down rumors while all but fawning over each other. Something had happened, something big, and they were no longer humoring the other girls. Asuka did get to hang out with the group of them though, and oddly she and Rei would switch seats from time to time.

When it came to Shinji and Chizuru's relationship, Akane had to ride them hard to keep the pair from making a scene. While Chizuru had been amorous before, after that storm she had turned the dial up to eleven and none of Shinji's group cared. It became a game to them! Who could fluster Shinji the fastest, the most, or without being discovered. Touji asked Shinji about it, and the answer…gods it made Touji envious and worried about Shinji. The poor boy wasn't going to survive his girlfriends…wives…whatever they were. But Shinji was happy, they were happy, and Touji was happy for them. Envious of how they felt really.

Applying just a little make-up, a Touji approved amount, Mari hummed out dubiously. "I know he doesn't, but that won't stop them so I can't stop. How do I look?" she fluffed her hair out and stood uneasily before her brother's scrutiny.

"You look like you always do. Cute. Now lets get going or we'll miss the party," Touji spun Mari around and pushed her out. She was not just cute, Mari was becoming a beauty that made Touji worried. Some boy would hit on her, trick her or something! Mari was a naive girl that needed constant watching or she'd be lead astray. Who could help his wayward sister learn the ways of life, oh he knew, "You'll be meeting my girlfriend today at the party, Mari. Remember Akane?"

Sitting on the couch, laptop on and running, Kensuke flipped off the television. "Took you sweet ass time getting ready. It's just a party at Shin-man's, not a school dance. And Asahina-san has been visiting Mari just as much as I have since you've started dating," the geek did have on nicer clothing than normal. Powering down his computer, he stretched his hands above his head and forced his body off the couch. Setting down his hobby, Kensuke looked at it reached for it then stopped, "And Mari-chan you look ravishing today. Trying to tempt Shinji away from somebody?"

Glad Kensuke was leaving his computer, Touji still had to slam his fist into the boy's shoulder. "Don't say shit like that to her! Mari is just dressing for the occasion," Touji would never stop being Mari's protective brother. Wincing as Mari pinched his arm, she hated it when he hit Kensuke. "Whatever, lets go or Akane will read me the riot act for being late. She's showing up with Jinguji and Hokari," Touji found himself smiling. Hikari and Tayura made it official two days ago, and he found himself happy for both of them. The small pain of emotions was still there, paths of life he'd never know now, but seeing them smile was better.

"Still can't believe that Jinguji is going to be in our class starting next week. That girl is going to give the Red-Devil a run for her money as top beauty in class. Think she'd let me take some pictures?" Kensuke opened the door and headed out into the hallway. Shinji had told the two of them about Kuesu' s plans to settle down and end her global traveling. He also mentioned that he was married to her, but neither Touji or Kensuke wanted to ruin Mari's day. Married to Kuesu, Chizuru, and Himari even if not legally it was a fact they all showed.

Mari gave both of them a stink eye at the idea, and they stopped talking about it. Touji winked over Mari's head, and they let it drop. They'd talk about it with Shinji later, maybe he could get his wife to agree to some tasteful pictures. Chizuru and Himari had agreed as long as they get to borrow the camera after for a few private pictures. Touji had a set of those pictures, and he was sure Kensuke did as well. If the private pictures were spicier than the ones they were selling…they'd lose all blood. Shinji was a staple figure in those pictures, and they left little to the imagination. Lizlet, Shizuku, and Rei were occasional fixtures in them as well.

They chatted about Mari's first day of school, one grade under theirs, and how the kids were in it. Both boys would never admit to it, they would strike down on anybody that tried to bully her. Nobody threatened Mari without fear of god being put into them. It helped now that Shinji would likely be willing to threaten the mighty boot of Unit-01. A warm afternoon accompanied them on the walk to Shinji's, life shifted after that storm. Somehow things felt less ominous. Life in Tokyo-3 under the reign of Fuyutski as commander of Nerv was by far greater. Gendo's passing was mentioned by Shinji in a moment of somberness, but Himari had kept Shinji's spirits high.

"Just say if you're tired, Mari, and either we'll get you into a room here or go home. Getting sick from over exerting yourself won't do," Touji had to order. He didn't pine and worry over his sister for months only to have her get sick from partying too much was not an option. Kicking Kensuke's foot, he'd need as much assistance to keep Mari under control. The girl inherited Touji's enthusiasm and excitement of things, so she'd never leave unless forced. Leaning over her, "Promise me now or we're not going in."

Pouting cutely, gods Mari was getting to attractive for Touji's liking, she kicked her foot about, "I will, brother, but don't go thinking to hard. I'm not sick, I was injured, there is a difference." That Suzuhara defiance was flaring. And as she approached the door, she spun around and waggled a finger at Touji, "And if you try to sneak Akane-chan away without me looking you can bet I'll have Kensuke take pictures of it."

Knocking on the door, Touji didn't have to threaten Kensuke in how that was a bad idea. Party sounds could easily be heard through the door. Music was playing, people were laughing and talking, and the occasional shrill yell of one of Shinji's owners complaining about something. When the door did open, a tired but wide smiled Shinji opened it, "About time you let us in. Somebody keeping you from the door?" With so many girls wanting a piece of Shinji, Touji wondered how Shinji got anything done.

"It's a little loud in here so I didn't hear it at first," Shinji confessed with a hint of shame. Was it a lie or truth, it didn't matter. Bending just enough to look Mari in the eyes, "I'm glad you could make it Mari-chan. With how Touji was saying things I was worried you'd not be able to make it." His smile was infectious as Mari all but swooned into him, not that he was trying. A set of pale hands reached out through the crack in the door and wrapped around Shinji's waist. "I-uh…guys let me introduce somebody to you," Shinji instantly stiffened up as those pale hands trialed just a bit south.

Brushing past Shinji, Touji did not want his sister to see some girl pawing at Shinji! She was young and innocent, wasn't ready for the adult relationship Shinji was in. "We can talk inside, I'm thirsty and want to see everybody," Touji tried to come off as happy not aggravated. When he saw the girl hugging Shinji, Touji had to do a double take. It was Rei just with different hair color! Whoever Rei's father was, he had to have been this girl's as well, only way to explain how they looked so similar.

"Nozomu Ezomori, the plate of spare ribs are Rei and mine, the rest is open," same deadpan expression as Rei. Holding onto Shinji's shirt cuff, the girl was almost hanging over him, guess Shinji did it again. "You meat my brother Saku already I was told," she sniffed about Mari like a dog and smiled softly, "you smell good…smell as if you want to join our pack."

Shinji bristled and spun around quickly, "T-Touji go and enjoy the party. I've-uh-something to talk to Ezomori-san here." The girl corrected Shinji, stating he was to call her Nozomu, and Shinji could be heard harsh whispering to the girl.

Touji wasn't going to comment, he'd just let it go and keep an eye on that girl. "So who is all here…" Touji would never get used to seeing some of the women Shinji knew. Tamamo and Yukino were visions beyond compare, the blonde woman from Nerv was there and looking radiant, the always beautiful Misato, and then those he knew on a more daily basis. "If I lived here I think I'd…" Touji tried not to drool at the thought.

"You'd be kicked out for being a pervert," Asuka announced as she pushed a cold can of soda against Touji's back. Handing the can to Mari, Asuka ruffled the girl's hair and flashed her dazzling smile, "You have the patience of a saint for putting up with these two. Oh and let me introduce two you might not know." Asuka gestured to a young girl and a teenager they'd not seen before. "Minori and Nue, friends from abroad staying with Kuesu for awhile," Asuka introduced.

Kensuke had to adjust his glasses as he stumbled past Touji, eyes locked on Nue, "She's lovely." It was rare for Kensuke to openly comment on a girl not in a teasing matter. Heading over towards the girl, Kensuke changed direction the moment the girl turned to look at him and went to Tayura and Hikari instead. Well maybe he'd get his courage later.

Going about the party, getting some food Shinji made, Touji just felt overwhelmed with happiness. The apartment was literally full to bursting with joy. Nerv people Touji never knew where there, he'd be introduced to them as Makoto, Maya, Shigeru, and Kaji. Chizuru, Himari, and Lizlet played at being hostesses when they weren't teasing Shinji into a froth. Rei and Nozomu kept together mostly and mentally unhinged many. Saku, Touji was still intimidated by the size of the man, seemed out of place and to hate Shinji. Touji could relate, nobody wanted to see their sister hitting on a guy who was with multiple women. They hit if off wonderfully and spent a lot of the evening talking.

Party games were played, adults verses teenagers. Drinks were indulged in, Misato letting them all drink things they weren't supposed to. Shinji made more food, and Lizlet served it in her maid outfit. It was just a lovely evening, and much to Touji's chagrin Mari stayed around Shinji and was welcomed into the group of Chizuru and Himari. Himari seemed to be a little uneasy with so many people around, not surprising with her position as guardian. Touji boggled when Tamamo, Ritsuko, and Yukihana literally stole Shinji for a solid twenty minutes to 'get supplies' from Chizuru's and came back empty handed.

After a good three hours, Mari conked out in Shinji's bedroom, Touji hated that. Akane and he snuck off to Asuka's room for a good ten minutes of make-out time. Something about the drinks Tamamo were giving just made Touji want to be with Akane in a way he'd feared before. The jock was amazed when Nue approached Kensuke and drug the boy out on the veranda, guess girl had her eyes on the nerd too.

The party went well into the night, Touji found himself just overjoyed with how his best friend was. Shinji was happier than Touji had ever seen. Days later Shinji confirmed what Touji already knew, he was in a relationship with all those girls…but shied away from answering about the adults at the party. Touji had his suspicions but never would comment. Time went on, school continued to vex him, but Akane helped him get through it with better grades than he thought possible.

Shinji and his friends never once showed signs of not enjoying their situation, none of the girls ever left his side and he never hinted at leaving them either. One day during the next semester, officially high school students, Shinji came to school with Misato…who brought him to the door holding his hand. The catcalls were mighty. Touji didn't care, he had Akane, and it made him happy. A double date with Tayura and Hikari was proof that yes those two were madly in love to. Hell even Kensuke and Nue were doing good. Mari…good bless her…she hinted at wanting to talk to Shinji about a few things. Touji told her to keep it to herself as he didn't want to know about it. Let Mari do what she wanted.

A year after the events of that storm…Shinji and his wives confessed the true nature of the world around them. Akane and Touji were stupefied to learn of demons and slayers, but it wasn't that surprising in the end. Humans and demons had once been bitter enemies, but Shinji, Himari, and Chizuru breached that fight, brought the two together. They had used their abilities and love to overcome the plots of men and demon alike to make the world a better place. So maybe it was alright for them to have a small little cluster marriage. Shinji apparently had the stamina for it, Touji found that amazing. Having become a man himself, Touji had newfound respect for Shinji after learning of just number of partners and how he pleased them all.

Let Shinji have it though, the kid deserved it, and Touji was happy for it. Life wasn't so drab anymore, fears of the angels subsided as time moved on. The pilots still had to do their duty, but no more of the celestial invaders came. Peace had came to them, even if one of Shinji's lovers would take him on an impromptu vacation somewhere without telling the others. It made for great stories, and Shinji always came back with pictures…and they always sold well. The future wasn't written, but Touji bet he could tell the final chapter of all of theirs…they had survived and earned their reward. Overcame their personal demons and doubts, and in the end created something strange and odd…but fitting for them. And the relationships forged would strain but not break…even when it was learned just how close Shinji was to some people. Touji had to hit Shinji really hard for that…but if it made them happy it was worth it.

X – The End – X