Morning dawned, and Nanashi stirred from slumber’s embrace on her own accord, with nary a trace of Akiza to be found. Yet, the essence of Sasuke hung in the air, a silent whisper of his presence. Seizing the opportunity for mischief, she decided to enact a playful ruse upon her self-declared best friend. With a transformation into Yama, she emerged from her den, her form now mirroring that of her own heart’s desire. She frolicked through the forest, her body caressing the bark of trees as she marked her territory with glee. Ascending to the apex of an ancient tree, she danced with abandon, arms flailing to the rhythm of the wind, allowing it to carry her scent afar, a siren’s call woven into the breeze.

Busying irritating the water tiger over humaning, he caught an unfamiliar scent, causing blood to boil at an unfathomable temperature.

“Oh, what is that I smell, seems like there is a new fox in town, or perhaps a new rival, argh, the laws of nature can be so cruel, out with the old and in with the new but what can…”

Before the water tiger could finished his profound monologue on the philosophy of life and the law of nature, Sasuke, dashed off kicking dusted in the mouth of the water tiger.

“There he goes, how nice the energy of the youth, making me miss my days of fighting for dominance and earning the lady’s love.” The water tiger finally finished and descend into the water, waiting patiently for his next human.

A primal force stirred within Sasuke as he approached the den, his body undergoing a profound transformation. The once-familiar features melted away, revealing his true, fearsome form – a visage reserved for confronting only the most formidable threats.

His raven locks morphed into a silvery mane, streaked with feral, tiger-like markings that etched themselves across his face. Nails sharpened into lethal claws, and his skin adopted a fair, ethereal glow, accentuating his now-chiseled features that exuded an otherworldly handsomeness.

Sasuke's humble priest attire dissolved, replaced by battle-ready garments tailored for combat. Twin blades materialized at his sides, their steel gleaming with a thirst for bloodshed. His ears elongated into pointed tips, and samurai armor adorned his form, imbuing him with an aura of ancient warrior nobility.

As he neared the den, the trees seemed to sense his presence, parting of their own accord to clear his path. An icy, murderous aura enveloped him, casting a foreboding chill upon the surroundings. The very air grew heavy with the weight of his deadly intent, a harbinger of the carnage that awaited those foolish enough to cross his pat

Nanashi's senses prickled as the unmistakable scent of Sasuke wafted through the air, mingling with an ominous presence that sent a chill down her spine. Her playful demeanour evaporated as the trees around her den groaned and twisted, parting against their will to clear a path for an approaching figure.

Instinctively, she leaped down from her perch, positioning herself before the den's entrance. The cacophony of cracking and popping branches ascending, heralding the emergence of a shadowed silhouette from the depths of the foliage.

Nanashi leaned forward, her eyes straining to discern the identity of the being advancing towards her. While the scent was undoubtedly Sasuke's, the entity that materialized before her seemed to transcend the familiarity of her self-proclaimed best friend.

A wave of dread washed over her as she took in the sight of the transformed figure. Sasuke's once-familiar features had given way to a visage of unearthly beauty and power that sent a shudder through her very core. His aura pulsated with an intensity that threatened to suffocate her, a tangible manifestation of the lethal force that now stood before her.

Nanashi's breath caught in her throat as she found herself ensnared by the piercing gaze of this otherworldly being, whose very presence seemed to herald a reckoning she could scarcely comprehend.

“Who are you?” she asked trying to keep her cool.

“I believe that that is my line.” He replied, in an ice-cold tone.

Nanashi, felt a cold chill pass down, her body and every fire of her being begging her not to go forth with the prank but being who she is, things where exciting, so she set forth, “I am Sesshoumaru, lord of everything I set my foot on.’

“I am Sasuke Hakate.”

“And?”

“I suggest you disappear.”

“Or what?” she said confidently, standing up and puffing up his chest.

“I will make you.” A guttural scoff ripped from Nanashi's throat. "Ha! As if—" The world dissolved into a horrifying vortex of sound and pressure. A scream clawed its way up her throat, but it was choked back by the sensation of her entire body being squeezed in a relentless vice. Bones groaned in protest, threatening to shatter under the unimaginable force.

Then, blessed silence. Nanashi lurched forward, hands scrambling for purchase on the unforgiving earth. Her vision swam as it flickered back, crimson staining her skin where a trickle of blood snaked down from her nose. A metallic tang filled her mouth, another warmth blooming at her ear. Instinctively, she reached up, fingers brushing against a jagged tear.

But the terror throbbing in her skull wasn't from the wounds. It was from the sight that stole her breath. Nanashi whipped her head around, and a primal gasp escaped her. The world behind her was gone. Replaced by a horrifying expanse of raw, exposed earth, smooth and polished like a nightmarish wooden floor, stretching out as far as her eyes could see. The size of a soccer field, at least. A testament to the unimaginable power that had just been unleashed.

Slowly, her gaze drifted back. Sasuke. He wasn't standing anymore. He was crouched before her, his face a mere hairsbreadth away. His eyes, usually warm and familiar, now burned with an infernal intensity, a crimson glow echoing the blood staining her flesh. The air around him crackled with a power so raw, so potent, it felt like a living entity, a predator coiling around her very soul. In that moment, Nanashi understood. This wasn't Sasuke. This was something far more terrifying, far more powerful. And it had her cornered.

“Will you leave now?”

Nanashi looked him directly in the eye, her gaze unwavering. Suddenly, her hand shot out, delivering a resounding slap across his face. He stumbled backward, caught off guard, and fell to the ground. Fury flashed in his eyes as he shot back up, a roar escaping his lips.

"Now you will die!" he bellowed, reaching for his sword.

But just as quickly as his rage had erupted, it dissipated. For there, standing before him, was not the intruder he had expected, but Nanashi herself. Her lips quivered and tears glistened in her eyes, her whole body trembling.

"Nanashi, what are you doing?" he asked, bewildered.

"WHA...WHAT AM.. I DOING?" she cried out, the tears streaming down her cheeks.

Sasuke's expression softened, and he quickly sheathed his sword. "Yes, and why are you so upset? Did he hurt you in any way? I swear, I'm going to make him pay."

But Nanashi's fear and sadness were quickly replaced by a different emotion - pure, unadulterated indignation. She rose to her feet, dusting herself off, and wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Oi, Sasuke, tell me, honestly, were you born plain stupid?" she huffed, her brow furrowed.

Sasuke blinked in confusion. "What? I'm here to protect you, and now you're insulting me?"

"I am, because how could you not notice that it was me?" Nanashi said, crossing her arms.

"How?" Sasuke asked, perplexed.

"I shapeshifted into him to play a prank on you," Nanashi explained, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Sasuke paused, then fixed her with a deadpan stare. "Nanashi, tell me, honestly, were you born plain stupid?" he asked, morphing back into his normal form.

"What!" Nanashi exclaimed, her eyes widening.

"Seriously, every creature knows that if another male enters another male's territory, the response is either to chase it away or kill it, which I have just displayed," Sasuke said calmly. "I hope you understand and never do such a thing again, right?"

“Where is Akiza, why is she not here yet?”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“And she completely ignored, why was excepting anything, else?” he muttered.

“Excuse me, speak up I cannot hear you.”

“She will not becoming today, she has a little fever.”

“Well, why did you earlier, rather coming here to play a silly prank, last one at her house is a stupid, stinky fox.” She said ran off, but in a few seconds Sasuke past her and called out to him causing him to stop dead in his treks.

“Wait?”

“What now?”

“I just wanted, that I understand, and I will never do it again, forgive me?” she said putting her hands together and bowing her head.

Sasuke, blushed and laughed nervously, before answering, “No, need to be so formal, we all make mistakes.”

“Gosh, you are stupid, see ya!” Nanashi said, and bolted of faster than before.

“You little cheat!” He said and tried run after her but his feet would not move he looked down to find his feet sucked into the ground, ‘Huh, well played but you are a fool to thing that this is going to keep me put, four legs are faster than two.’ He said, turning himself into a deer and dashed after Nanashi.

It was not long he got with before he caught up with her, ‘Remember you are a temple-maiden.’

“And you a priest.”

Sasuke's eyes danced with mischief as he replied, "I've got this covered." With a graceful roll, he somersaulted across the ground, his form shimmering and shifting until he emerged in his human priest attire, a playful grin etched upon his face.

Without missing a beat, he took off in a sprint, his robes billowing behind him. But Nanashi was not one to be easily outdone. With a sly smile, she tapped her hands together, conjuring a tiny wall of shimmering energy that sprang up directly in Sasuke's path.

Sasuke's eyes widened comically as he collided face-first with the barrier, his momentum halting abruptly. A muffled "oof" escaped his lips as he tumbled to the ground, his robes askew.

Nanashi's melodic laughter rang out, her eyes sparkling with delight. However, her triumph was short-lived, for Sasuke had no intention of letting her get away with such trickery. With a swift motion of his hand, he sent a rippling wave of sand surging towards her feet, causing her to yelp in surprise as she lost her footing and tumbled forward, mirroring his own ungraceful landing.

For a heartbeat, they both lay sprawled upon the ground, breathless with laughter. But then, as if propelled by some unseen force, they scrambled to their feet, eyes locked in a silent challenge.

And so began a playful chase, a dance of tricks and laughter, as they weaved their way towards Akiza's house, leaving a trail of magical mishaps in their wake. Sasuke would conjure gusts of wind to ruffle Nanashi's hair, only for her to retaliate by conjuring a shower of harmless sparks that danced around his head.

Their laughter echoed through the streets, a symphony of joy and camaraderie, as they raced and stumbled, tripped and dodged, each determined to outmaneuver the other with their whimsical sorcery.

“Ha! I beat you!” Nanashi said, barely able to catch her breath.

“No, you did not, I did!” Sasuke protested.

“No, you did not, you cheat.”

“I cheated? Why, you!’

Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed behind them. “Hey, Orashai!”

Nanashi whirled around, her eyes flashing red and her hair flaring up. She began growling, the sheer intensity of her yokai energy causing the man to fall to the ground, cowering in fear and muttering, "Yo...Yokai!"

"Nanashi, that is enough," Sasuke said, stepping between them. "Why do you always have to make such a scene?"

"I..." Before Nanashi could respond, a familiar voice called out to her.

"Nana," the voice said, as a figure emerged from behind the curtain, instantly pacifying Nanashi's anger.

Nanashi spun around and snatched up the newcomer, showering her in adoring kisses. The little girl, Akiza, giggled in delight.

“Are you alright?” Nanashi lifted Akiza above her head, examining her closely.

“Sasuke, quick, help my daughter! She's going to eat her!’ Shippo cried out.

"Stop it, already, Shippo," Suzune said, emerging from the doorway. "The healer said it's just a light fever, nothing serious."

"It's better to be safe than sorry," Nanashi insisted, turning to Sasuke. “Here, do your thing, make sure she never gets sick again. And why is this guy still here?”

“He's my husband.”Suzune replied calmly.

“Really.’ Nanashi, said, squatting down, grabbing his head in a rough manner and bring him close to her face, examined him, then grabbed his ankle and stood up raising above the ground, looked at Suzune for a while then back at Shippo, and Suzune again and then one last time and Shippo, “Suzune.” Nanshai said sternly.

“Hai!” Suzune responded like a soldier.

“You could have done better.”

“Come on man!” Sasuke erupted, “He is sitting right in front of you.”

‘It is okay, Sasuke, that is what her, father, mother, older brother, her younger brother, her older sister and younger, her cousins, and grandmother, grandfather, neighbour and the priest too, I am use to it now.”

‘You really not helping your case here Shippo.”

“Well, I do not care what all of those people say, but the priest too, wow, anyway, what really matters is that he loves me Akiza and I love them too.”

‘Oi, what is going on here, are you two some sort of main characters in a play or novel, Suzune, enough of your sad and emotional story, come inside and pour me a some tea.”

“Yes.”Suzune replied and headed inside.

“Sasuke, are you done with her, because you are hogging her for far too long.”

“I am, here you go.’ Sasuke said, handing Akiza to her.”

“Thank you, let us go inside, where it is nice and warm.” Nanashi said, heading into the house.

“Quite a fiery one you got yourself there, Sasuke.”

“You are not the first one to say that.”

“Guess, you and I are in the same boat.”

“No, no, we are not, trust me.” Sasuke replied with a freezing glare.

The day unfolded with a serene tranquility, the air filled with laughter as they indulged in an array of family games, weaving memories under the gentle embrace of the sun. As dusk painted the sky in shades of amber and violet, a subtle shift began to take hold. Akiza, Shippo, and Suzune found themselves ensnared by an unanticipated weariness, their once bright eyes now glazed with the onset of fever.

“Are you all alright?” Nanashi asked with evident concern etched upon her features.

Suzune mustered a weary smile. “We are just a little tired, I suppose, and I think whatever Akiza had is spreading to us, but we will be okay. After all, we are older and a bit more resilient.”

Nanashi furrowed her brow. “Sasuke, can you do your healing thing? Perhaps you can help them recover more swiftly.”

Sasuke's expression grew pensive. “My healing ability is not as strong as some, since I am not that kind of kitsune, but I will try my best to assist.”

Nanashi nodded, then turned to Shippo with a sly grin. “It is fine, we do not really need Shippo after all.”

“Hey!” Shippo erupted, shaking his fist indignantly.

“Oh, Nanashi, what are we going to do with you and your mischievous ways?” Suzune replied, sighing heavily.

Nanashi waved a dismissive hand. “Enough talk, let's tend to Akiza first.”

“Very well,” Sasuke said, and began to focus his healing energy, first on Akiza, then Suzune, and finally Shippo. Though the family was not completely healed, they did regain a measure of their strength. “That is all I can do for them for now,” Sasuke announced. “With a little rest, they should be back to full strength by tomorrow.”

Nanashi's face lit up with relief.

“Thank you, Sasuke. The village and I can always count on you to make things better. You truly are the greatest and strongest yokai of all time.” Shippo said, casting a mischievous look at Nanashi.

'WHAT!' Nanashi erupted, hopping to her feet with fists clenched.

Sasuke shot a withering look at Shippo. “Why, you Shippo,” he mumbled, shaking his head.

“I dare you to say that again, you waste of seamen.”

“I said…” before Shippo, could spell it out it, Suzune, put her hand in front of his mouth and Sasuke, tossed Nanashi, over his shoulder.

“Thank you, for having us, bye.” Sasuke said and walked out of the house.

“Put me down, now!” Nanashi protested kicking and beating him on his back, drawing the attention of some of the villagers some so much so, one walked up to him.

“Sasuke, is everything alright with your temple maiden?” a concerned villager asked.

“Everything is perfectly fine, she is just a little possessed, so I am taking somewhere, where the spirt cannot fly into someone, once I get it out of her.”

The villager immediately back up and let Sasuke pass, Nanashi remained perfectly still while he was talking to village man but as soon as the were out of sight she began once again, kicking and scream, shouting foul words, hair pulling and elbowing but using just enough force to make her refusal seem real but not hurt him.

"Alright, Lady Nanashi, it seems we have reached your destination. It is time to disembark," Sasuke's melodic voice rang out, though it was met with silence. "Nanashi?" he called again, but the only response was the gentle whisper of the breeze.

Concern furrowed his brow as he approached her still form. With the utmost care and reverence, he cradled her delicate frame, taken aback by how ethereally light she felt in his arms – as though she might drift away like a dandelion seed if not handled with the greatest devotion. Her porcelain skin emanated the intoxicating fragrance of roses intertwined with daisies, and Sasuke found himself momentarily entranced.

"Nanashi, wake up," he murmured, his tone a tender caress against her senses. But her eyes remained closed, her chest rising and falling with the faintest of breaths. A hint of mischief sparked within him. "What game is this now? If you do not wake, I shall have to leave you here on this cold, dewy ground."

Yet even as the words left his lips, they both knew it was an empty threat. Sasuke could never bring himself to abandon her so callously. Still, Nanashi did not stir, her face an impassive mask save for the ghost of a smile playing upon her lips – for she trusted he would never truly forsake her.

True to her faith, instead of lowering her to the unforgiving earth, Sasuke gathered her closer and carried her with utmost reverence. As her head came to rest upon a bed of fragrant blossoms, meticulously arranged in a cascading symphony of colours, Nanashi's eyes fluttered open.

In that moment, the world around them seemed to still, caught in the rapture of new blooms unfurling their velvet petals to greet the warm caress of the sun's rays. Nanashi's breath caught in her throat as she raised herself on one elbow, drinking in the splendour that surrounded her – a vision of nature's most exquisite artistry.

“Sauke, Sasuke!” she called out but there was no sign of him nor a response, figuring out that he has long left she laid herself back down and drifted into a deep sleep.

That night, Nanashi found herself drawn like a moth to a flame towards Akiza's humble abode. Peeking through the window, she couldn't help but admire the peaceful slumber of her dear friend.

"Ah, how blissfully one rests when they know they are loved," Nanashi mused, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Especially when that love comes from none other than me!"

But Nanashi's mirth quickly turned to mischief as her gaze fell upon the slumbering form of Shippo. "Well, well, look at this disgusting little piglet," she tsked, her eyes gleaming with a hint of devilry. "Just listen to that horrendous snoring! Clearly, he's having such a wonderful dream."

Nanashi paused, tapping her chin in an exaggerated display of contemplation. "Now, we can't have that, can we?" Without further ado, she blew a light, rosy mist towards the unsuspecting Shippo.

The moment the vapour touched his face, Shippo's peaceful slumber was shattered. He began to toss and turn, moans and groans spilling from his lips as beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

Nanashi couldn't contain her glee, letting out a gleeful cackle. "There, there, Shippo. That's what you deserve for daring to enjoy yourself while I'm not around!"

“Is it though?”

A voice came from behind her, making her knees go numb and almost causing her to collapse, but she managed to hang on to the window frame.