In her dream...

Shizuki’s eyes opened, she was in the place where she didn’t recognized, a bright blue sky with clouds. The hill were filled with any kinds of flowers, the breeze passed through her and even waving her ponytail and her bangs, 'Where am I?' she thought and she couldn’t speak in this dream, she tried but she only grunts. 'What is this dream? Oh wait, don’t tell me I’m in—'

She caught a glimpse of a youthful woman; it was her mother, Mizuki Kasuga, walking down the hill while carrying three daffodils on her hands. Her kimono she wears reflecting her beauty like Yamato Nadeshiko, her eyes just like hers even her hairstyle, but her hair color is darker and Shizuki was mid-tone lighter than her, 'Mother…?'

It seems like Mizuki was enjoying her time in the field, seeing a good view from here, that’s what Shizuki knew about her. Then a dark-brown haired General dressed in glamor of his warrior attire with dark blue cape, he was in his late-twenties while Mizuki is in her mid-twenties. He noticed the woman was sitting there, thinking if he could approach her, and recognized her as a concubine for the ruler in the Sun Palace.

“Lady Mizuki.”

Mizuki looked up at the man who stood behind her, then she smiled at him. Slightly keeping her distance to give him some space, she smiled in hopeful and kinder way, Ryoga never smile in his whole life, until a woman he met given him a chance to do so. “General Ryoga, I shouldn’t have wait for you because you’re the top-busiest General,” she said to him, pouting with puffed cheeks, “What takes you so long?”

Shizuki snickered, knowing that a habit of her came from her mother, [I knew it… that’s why I always act so childish], she thought. Her father, Ryoga placed his hand on his hip, shaking his head after noticing her childishness of her habit. “Princess, it’s uncommon to see you like this, you never done that in front of the Emperor.”

“Do you want to know?”

The ruler has been treated Mizuki badly in the past, despite being a princess and favored by him as a candidate of the harem, but she completely ignore him and doesn't want him to take her virginity away. It disgusts her so much, so she decided to spend less time with him and choose to be with someone else. “I left my position, so I became a noblewoman even though my status still a candidate. So, I have a free time to spend more days with you."

Ryoga saw her happy smile grew, his cheeks flushed that he never smile before in his entire life. But he would only give a small smile, but a bit sincere to the princess. “… I’d like to know, Mizuki,”he answered. Mizuki giggled with her eyes closed, then she placed her hands on his shoulders. “I’ve known you for a long time, remember?”

The General nodded, didn’t react but hold back his blush from appeared on his cheeks in embarrassment. “Of course, I’m the one who helped you walking with your jūnihitoe, and lending you a kimono to wear, I always beside you whenever you need a help,” her cheeks flushed in red, but she was holding back. “Ryoga… the truth is that I…” she leaned her forehead against his shoulder, before she sighed softly. “… I’m glad to have you here with me, you’re more than everything to me.”

She confessed, her feelings for him was strong enough, and he couldn’t deny her sincere words. Ryoga smiled down at her, “I love you too,”he confessed sincerely, after knowing her for a long time, “But because you’re the one who stole my heart away, now you’ll get the price.”

“Ryoga-sama...”

End of her dream...

Mikage arrived at Kasuga Village in twilight dawn and it was cold, sighing that he was hesitate to meet Shizuki to apologize and clarified everything, even what happened. He was with Akito who stood beside him, until the Commander saw the assassins was approaching them and bowed at him. “Commander Mikage, welcome to the village, what do you need in here?”

The commander bites his lower lip, as he sighed softly, “I came here is to talk with Shizuki Kasuga, I did not take advances on her. I just wanted to have a short time to talk with her,”they nodded and guiding him to the Headquarters which is a black and red citadel with lanterns, it was Ryusei’s association after all. Akito followed him from behind, with his hands behind his back.

Once they got inside, Mikage met Shizuki’s uncle Ryusei. He chuckled as he smiled at the Commander, folding his arms. “It’s been a while, Mikage-kun,” he addressed his surname, tilting his head to the side a little. “How’s your new fiancee?”

He avert his eyes, then he look around the inside of his citadel, “Tell me, where’s your niece?”

“Hey, she’s still sleep with her um… new fiancé.”

Mikage’s eyes widened when he mention new fiancé, he only chuckled softly at that statement. “I just want to talk with her shortly, then I will leave.”

“Fine, don’t make her groom awake and throws a fit on you.”

After that, he went to the hallway and now stood in front of the shoji door, taking a deep breath while trying not to bother her at this twilight. He knocks on her door gently, waiting for her response, “Shizuki…” he muttered her name, usually address her by surname but no longer using that again.

Shizuki heard the door knocked from outside her bedroom, she sighed softly as she get up and trying not to wake Kazuya in his sleep. She fixed her haori as she slide the door open in slowly, her eyes widened when she saw Mikage, her supposedly ex-fiancé and the one who has been chasing after her in the past. “Mikage?” she whispered, as she stepped back a bit.

“Can you let me in, for a while?”

She stepped aside to let him in as she closed the door in front of her, now he was watching Kazuya sleeping peacefully. He placed his hand on his hip then glanced at her, narrowing his eyes. “This man is your groom?" he asked, still not changing his monotone voice. "A mountain god, for real?”

“It’s not like that..”

Shizuki replied with a frown while not sure that why is he here for--she feared that he might take her way from here, Mikage turned away from her. “The reason I came here is to apologize to you.”

“What for?”

The green-eyed General frowned, turning his head over his shoulder. “Regarding about how I treated you like how my parents treated you,” he clicked his tongue, “I cancelled everything because my parents against it and they thinks it’s meaningless, I don't have a reason to have feelings for you--after you left and when I found you on my way to see you in that village... until that commotion interrupted me from approaching you and you escaped,” he tilted his head at her, sighing. “Will you… forgive me?”

She frowned while looking at his green eyes, but she won’t hesitate to forgive him, it was inconvenient for her not to forgive him. Shizuki smiled sincerely, “I’ll forgive you,”she bowed at him, “I heard you’re engaged with someone else?”

“Oh shut it.”

He shut her up while turned towards the shoji door, “Anyways, I have to leave this time, I need to go back to Tsuki Village to talk with Juri,” Mikage stated, before she slide the door open for him gently. “Thank you for your time, Shizuki Kasuga,” she nodded when he saw her stepped out as she slide the door close, causing Kazuya to awake, his eyes opened when he looked up at her.

“Shizuki?”

Shizuki turned around to glanced down at Kazuya, her eyes widened when he got awake, but didn’t get the conversation between her and Mikage. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, “What happened? Did you woke up before me?”

“My ex-fiancé visited me.”

She stated while she returned to sat down beside him, wrapping her arms around her knees. “I was surprised what he actually want by visiting me, it was a short talk and he wants me to forgive him… back when we were young. But, I forgive him,” she said with a smile, before she frowned. “Can’t believe that he came at this early morning...”

“Do humans forgive to each other?”

Kazuya asked her, his hair were still down and reached his bed and his waist. Shizuki shrugged, leaning against him. “Not all of us forgive each other, but… forgiving someone is our compassion to them, not because we're weak... but sometimes--they took advantage of one's kindness so... not everything is about forgiveness,” she smiled while the red lantern still litted up above them, it still twilight dawn and the sunrise hasn’t appeared yet.

The Dragon listened to her speaking and answered his question, seeing her smile was quite different than how Yuzuki smiled to him in the past. Yuzuki was gentle and elegant through her coldly eyes, but Shizuki is hopeful and filled with compassion in her round eyes. He reached and strokes her long, chocolate hair, “You have so much hope, do you wish for something that you wanted to cherish?”

“Of course,”she pouted at him, “I wanted us humans and immortals to get along.”

His brown eyes widened, then he rolled his eyes with a chuckle. “That’s what I always hear."

Next morning...

It's been a while since Shizuki went to Tsuki Village before, she headed back there with Kazuya, Yomi and Kaname after everything went fine. While waiting for her katana to be forged back, Shizuki yawned as she stretched her arms. "Sheesh... it's been a while, huh?" she muttered, Yomi chuckled while holding her staff and Kaname was observing the humans in this place. Kazuya, on the other hand--he was standing beside Shizuki with his arms folded. "I was thinking if I can surprise one of your friends by announcing that we're engaged, how's that?"

Kazuya teased, while deep down Shizuki just wanted to punch him in the face because of that. "Urgh, you're still annoying like hell," she growled, before noticing that Haruka and Hayate waved at them. "Nice to meet you, are you Shizuki's friends?" Yomi greeted the two of them, Haruka replied with a nod and bright smile. "Yes, we're friends from childhood! Please, have a seat!" she guided them inside the machiya house, while Kazuya ignore Hayate who throw a nasty glare at him. As they get to know each other (except Kazuya because he already met them), they decided to stay in the machiya house that Haruka provided for few weeks--before they can continue their mission.

Kazuya was staring at the pond filled with koi fishes that there were fifteen of them while he had to wait for Shizuki, although he didn't like the fact that her childhood friends are here. He was too immersed with these creatures, he wished he could free them with his hand but not for now, he was about to reach out his hand towards the fish when he saw his hand was grabbed. "You shouldn't eat those Kazuya, these are my pets and they're not edible."

Haruka told him as she was aware that the Dragon doesn't look too familiar with them, other than yokai and ayakashi he encountered. The Dragon gave a slitted gaze, before he huffede. "I thought they're edible," he furrowed his eyebrows, making her chilling down her spine. "By the way, where's Shizuki?" Haruka gulped slightly remembering that Shizuki in the hot spring, she didn't want him to barge into the hot spring since Shizuki is doing errands there. "Well… she was out for a while," she smiled nervously at him, feared of the might of the Dragon--even though Kazuya was just reacting to her response. "Why are you asking?"

Kazuya knitted his eyebrows together still sitting criss-crossed on the porch, he wondered why she was so nervous of him. He looked at Haruka and noticed something is wrong with her; she's hiding something from him--that bothered him--why did Haruka need to hide things from him? What did she want to tell him about? Well, Haruka didn't want him to barge inside like a maniac--so that's understandable, but she's hiding important matters from him. "You've been acting weird lately and not telling me about important things," he pointed out with narrowed eyes. "All I want to ask is... where is Shizuki?"

"She's in the hot spring, errands," Hayate answered him bluntly, causing Haruka to get mad at his blunt response without thinking. "It's not far from her house, I can lead you there-" Haruka kicked his head from behind, Hayate groaned in pain and stared at Haruka in annoyed gaze. "What was that for?!" Hayate complained at her angrily, didn't notice Kazuya's footsteps leaving them behind and made him being cornered. "He doesn't know what Shizuki is doing there! What if he's barging in without knowledge?!" Both of them fell silent to notice the dragon wasn't here. "Oh no…"

Kazuya was walking down the street of the village, his brown eyes filled with curiosity, he wasn't accustomed to this life. There were elders, adults and children everywhere, they lived peacefully and his expression was unreadable and difficult to guess, his brown eyes softened a little at the sight of them.

The Dragon continue to walk until he noticed a hot spring and he was curious if this where Shizuki was going, without thinking and further any do; he went inside to the hot spring. "Excuse me sir, but you have to take off your sandals."

The old lady reminded him with elderly smile and familiar with the elders, he didn't argue because she's a human. Kazuya took off his zori respectfully and went inside the hot spring. His height was taller than Shizuki and probably stand around 6'4 in feet than Shizuki being 5'10 in feet, he felt a bit threatened when the temperature was higher than what he expected-what is this place? The mountain god doesn't care because he experienced things like this, he would probably brush it off and now where is she…

Shizuki finished her task helping the hot spring owner with the customers, until she saw Kazuya walking towards her. "Kazuya?" she stopped in front of him, tilting her head. "What are you doing here? I thought you're in…"

"I was looking for you."

Shizuki blinked, before she blushed upon hearing that from him. "O-Oh, thank you..."

Kazuya nodded a little that he was concerned about her, she was shocked with his answer because he doesn't show emotion like this very often. "So what are you doing here?"

Shizuki looked around the area and noticed that the hot spring was crowded with people bathing and having fun. "I was doing errands, since there are so many customers that need to be deal with," she answered, making the Dragon look at her curiously. She sighed, wondering why he asked that question because it was obvious for her to say that.

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The Dragon turned his head to the side to stare at the water that flowed through the rocks and into the pond, making Shizuki curious that he looks interested--it's obvious that he's a water dragon--not just mountain god. Until they heard a scream from the hot spring and both of them turned to check what happen. "What was that?" Shizuki heard him asked, she was annoyed that it was Hayate since he always making trouble when it comes to women--finally Haruka handled him and she saw her dragging him out from there.

Well, it appears like Yomi was the one who screamed and Kaname had to beat Hayate up for that.

Shizuki sighed with relief while she glared at Hayate who's groaning in agony, because of the punishment Haruka gave him while he was trying to escape from her hold--she shrugged with a grin; knowing that Haruka can handle him. "Don't mind him," Shizuki said with a sigh, before she added. "I'm done with my errands, let's go," Kazuya nodded at her, after that they walk out from the hot spring and heading to the village streets. Shizuki still embarrassed about his words of 'are you worthy of my love?' ever since she wake up after recovering from her 'awakening'.

Shizuki wondered what happened to Kazuya thousand years go, she wasn't born just yet and she was curious about it. How did the Dragon fall in love? Did he met someone special? What kind of woman was it? What happened with her? Was it love at first sight or it was destiny? She wanted to know what happened with her--or perhaps it was fate? All she know that he used to fell in love with Yuzuki that time, but soon he was betrayed by her and everything was obvious--Shizuki wondered about Yuzuki's past before she sealed him... since she wasn't priestess like her...

Kazuya look down at her with his sharp gaze--making her felt nervous and anxious that she can't meet his gaze--she averted her glance at him and glanced down to the ground instead. She sighed with displeasure, she wanted to ask him about it but she can't bring herself to do so--because she knows it's rude. "Huh, you never get scared of anything?" Kazuya smirked down at her, teasing her like what happened in the West Mountain.

Shizuki shrieked internally at his statement, he's making her feel so embarrassed--and she can't think straight because of his smirk. "If you want me to take off my clothes," Kazuya teased her in amusement. "N-No thanks!" Shizuki replied awkwardly and quickly changed direction. "Let's go," Kazuya chuckled quietly as he caught up with Shizuki. "Besides... we've been dating for a long time and... both of us already engaged too," Shizuku murmured, looking away from him in embarrassment.

Kazuya lifted his eyebrows when she said that, he let out a chuckle before he turn around to speak. "We can get closer to the marriage if you want," Shizuki felt her ears went red, she stopped on her track with him and her cheeks became warmer. He looked into her eyes and saw her flushed cheeks, he felt a little amused. "I mean..." he paused.

Shizuki nodded shyly, feeling a rush of emotions that she never felt before from this handsome dragon. She wanted to talk to him about that incident earlier in the mountain but she didn't want to embarrass him again--so she held herself back and turned away from him with a gulp. Her heart was beating rapidly and she couldn't control her breathing--she was so embarrassed of this whole ordeal! Shizuki sighed with annoyance, at least she didn't regret for loving the mountain god--he already cared for her and now he didn't see her as Yuzuki anymore.

And she doesn't want to make him mad--she twitched her eyebrows a little, she turn around in the opposite and huffed. "Whatever, I'm going to do something up there," she take out something from her kimono, it was a flute that she kept when she was young. "I want to do something in the rooftop."

Shizuki walked away from him, the moment she kept walking she could hear the movement of his footsteps and leaps. Was he following her already? That's when she turn her head to see Kazuya walking beside her, seemingly following where she's going this time. She brush off the blush and stopped in front of the closed shop, before she jumped up and landed there. The dragon hummed when he jumped high and landed on the rooftop, seeing her jumping to the tower where the village chieftain's castle top was and he followed her from behind.

Shizuki landed on the highest part of the rooftop, she couldn't help but to feel the same anxious feeling of looking down at the village lights. The yellow and red lanterns made her reminiscing of something, the feeling made her remembered the past--when she was younger and more energetic--she had so much energy back then, she could even jump to a higher building and land safely without getting hurt or killed. But now... she's grown older--her body is weak--she can't even move without getting dizzy--but she's eighteen years old... so why? Why is this happening to her?

When she turned around, Kazuya was staring at her in wonderment--like he's surprised with how graceful she is--he never seen someone as flexible and agile like her before. Shizuki gulped, hoping that she didn't embarrass herself in front of him. When he approached closer to her, she moved away from his reach and tried to ignore his presence, she can't look at him directly because she felt nervous with his presence. "Are you okay?" Kazuya asked. Shizuki gulped, but she nodded when her gaze went back at him--she felt her face blushing again--and she knew it's obvious because of his intense gaze. "Why are you here?" She asked him with an uncomfortable tone. "I thought you're coming home with Haruka-" Shizuki paused, she was reminded that no matter what she told Kazuya to do--she couldn't... he might just keep following her everywhere because she's the one who released him from his sealing state in the mountain.

Shizuki looked away from him, trying to hide her blushes--she's afraid of his presence right now--she can feel his warm breath touching her skin--she felt so nervous--why is this happening? "I came here because..." she trailed off, before she cleared her throat. "Because I wanted to do something," she continued, taking a deep breath, "What are you waiting for? I'm all ears for your performance," he said calmly with his arms folding on his chest, waiting for her as his ponytail of his black hair swayed by the night breeze. The Dragon's dark brown but sharp eyes almost covered by his bangs even his cheeks, but it gave him more handsome and sharp look on his face.

Shizuki stepped forward on the rectangular flat of the rooftop, preparing her performance stance with the flute she held and took a deep breath before playing the flute; producing the sound of her air and her fingers playing on the holes. Her eyes closed in tranquil demeanor as she was occupied with the song she played, the charisma appeared and shown when she was relaxed and elegant. Kazuya watched and listened to her as his eyes gleaming under the moonlight, astonished by the beauty under the façade of the warrior princess--Shizuki herself.

Once she played the last verse, she finished the verse and let go of the flute--no one noticed but she didn't mind--she just wanted to relax her mind and body--but now she feels like dancing in the middle of a forest or somewhere where there's no people--the moment she opened her eyes, she saw Kazuya approaching closer to her. Her breath hitched when he touched her shoulder gently and pulled her close--his hand brushed against the small of her back as he pulls her closer--and Shizuki stiffened up--it felt good when he touch her--and when he hugged her tight from behind. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close so she doesn't fall from the roof.

"K-Kazuya...?"

Shizuki could see the melancholic gaze from his dark brown eyes, making her couldn't help but to admire the orbs of his eyes. Shizuki watched him open his mouth to speak, she insert her flute back to her kimono and heard Kazuya spoke. "In my whole life, I never know what does it feels like to hear a music, sleeping is like an empty void to me," he whispered quietly and looked down at her; making Shizuki shivered a little. "But now I know what it means when someone plays a song, it brings happiness, sadness--it makes me remember some things that I forgot," he murmured with a smile. It was her first time seeing him smile before, Shizuki found it rare that he only smirks or grins whenever he was being arrogant or sarcastic.

"Being sealed away made me suffered more than everlasting slumber, I feared that I won't wake up until the time being," Kazuya whispered, making Shizuki's eyes widened. "But... hearing you play makes me... calm," He murmured slowly with his voice shaking as if remembering something painful. "And, your smile makes me happy," his words were like a lullaby--a melody that was soothing and calming. Shizuki felt her face flushed, feeling uncomfortable in his presence right now. "You're really beautiful..." he uttered softly into her ear.

Shizuki could feel her heart throbbing, beating faster inside her chest--it was like a pounding drumbeat. It made her no longer feel coldness from the Dragon, he usually gives off a cold aura to everyone even High Priestess and other maidens--but he's different today, he's not that cold and unfriendly person anymore. Kazuya loosened up his embrace a bit when Shizuki felt her feet unsteady after hearing those sweet words from the dragon. She looked into his eyes once more, and saw them moist. "Your lips are so pretty," Kazuya muttered with a smile as he leaned his head towards Shizuki's neck, sniffing into her scent.

Shizuki gasped, feeling her face turning red when she felt his warm breath--it made her bit her lower lips in embarrassment. She turned her head away from him, trying to hide it because she knows that she's blushing like a tomato. The moment he leaned closer to her neck, Shizuki's hand unconsciously moved to his cheek to stop him from moving any further--but it seems like his body can't stop moving by itself.

Shizuki covered her mouth with her hand, trying to contain her voice--but she still felt embarrassed that the dragon kissed her on her neck! She can feel her heart beat faster--and it was like it's about to burst out from her chest! "Y-You're not supposed to do that...!" She protested with embarrassment.

Kazuya laughed quietly as he pushed himself away from Shizuki. The warrior princess breathed in relief after he let go of her neck, she couldn't believe what just happened. Kazuya glanced at her when he sat down on the rooftop carefully, he could notice her round innocent eyes that looks hopeful and her youthful presence.

Shizuki suddenly remembered something when she ran away from that palace, before she went amnesiac--she stared at the scallop on her hand before she look down; letting out a soft sigh.

"I don't know about you, Shizuki... because you already know my past, mind if you can tell me about yourself?"

Kazuya decided to get to know her in return, the human woman who break him free from the seal. "I was the the last member of Kasuga clan, the clan who possessed the sacred artifact called the Iridescent Pearl; the powerful marble-sized pear that contains the immense power to one of us possessing it. Many elders entrusted us to guarding the relic, who were my parents and my entire family until, the tragedy happens," she sighed when she rests her hands on her sides, looking down on her lap.

"The Emperor of Akatsuki fell in love with my mother before took her as his wife, but my mother didn't love him-he's just using her for that pearl. That's when she got paired with the general during their expedition together, none other than my father-they fell in love. I don't know what do they looks like or what happened to them, all I know was their story from my uncle… I was an illegitimate child and they came after me, killing my people and I was the only one left…"

Shizuki's eyes covered by her bangs at the thought of them dead, clenching her fists when she elaborated. "I ran away with Iridescent Pearl like what they told me, not knowing that it was within me the whole time… I spent my whole life traveling with no food until… Haruka and Hayate found me, we were young back then," she glanced up at him with a smile, as if she covering up her pain. "I don't remember anything else after escaping from that place-and for the pearl, good thing it's safe with me and my purpose is protecting it… but I want to discover about the power."

Kazuya's eyes widened perked with interest about her past, though he didn't say anything when she spoke-he couldn't help but to feel sympathy from her. The pearl that he heard was quite known and legendary according to his old friend, perhaps it was what Yuzuki looking for and she wanted that. "You've gone through a lot, I can't blame you for that," he reach out his hand to touch her hair bangs beside her cheek, as if he was going to caress her cheek.

Shizuki was flushed red because of this gesture from him but she didn't mind--this is the first time someone touched her so intimately like that. "You don't deserve the suffering that those humans do, as for myself has been mocked by my immortal gods for falling in love with a human woman in the past--I never regretted that."

Kazuya explained with disdainful tone at the end part, his fingers stroking on the silky hair strands on the top of her head. She felt her heart throb again when his fingers brushed across her ears--and she could feel goosebumps appear on her skin at that instant! Shizuki stared at him despite her ears are red by his fingers, before he lowered his hand to rest beside her and hold her hand, almost touching her pinky and she could feel it not touching his hand. Shizuki moved her hand to prevent her embarrassment being shown, though it might not work anytime if they get to know each other. The dragon could see her cheeks flushed in red, he couldn't help but to smirk at the color of her cheeks.

"That face you're making of in front of me, is adorable... I'm glad that you're my bride, Shizuki..."

Kazuya teased her that makes her folding her arms, containing her anger from lashing out because she wasn't supposed to unleash his wrath. Both options are very wary because of his attitude that seems unpredictable, whether he's actually serious or not--Shizuki hold back her temper and kept quiet--though she wants to retort back with another witty comment from his earlier joke. She's glad that he's not as annoying as usual--or maybe it's because he's just too tired and exhausted after all these years of imprisonment. "It appears like you became something else, more than just a warrior princess..."

Shizuki nodded, before she hugged him and he embraced her--keeping her warm in the night. They faced each other for a while, before he lean down to kiss her on the lips, to which she kissed him back in return--they pulled away while Shizuki buried her face into his chest once again. 'I wanted to know... what kind of power did I awaken... it seems similar to Onikami race... right?' she thought, before she close her eyes and succumbing into his warmth.

Both of them fell silent when they heard the commotion from below, the Dragon knitted his eyebrows together as his expression reverted to his usual stern and composed look--glancing down at the streets to notice something unexpected. "What happened down there?" he asked, before he saw Yomi and Kaname also across the roof--standing there as they noticed something down there.

Saotome spun her naginata once she saw the general of Akatsuki, Mikage Hiiragi standing with his katana on his hand. The young man has a dark auburn hair, light snow complexion with pair of turquoise eyes, handsome and youthful-he's very aquiline and quite intimidating in height. "General Hiiragi! What are you doing here?!" she demands for explanation as she aimed the blade towards him.

Mikage narrowed his eyes slightly when he faced her, adjusting his glasses when he spoke to her. "Stay out of this Renjou, this is none of your business--and the reason is the person who ran away after he killed the feudal lord," he clenched his teeth as he stepped forward, his height towers over her and she keep her distance from him.

"Don't call me that! That's the last thing I want to hear from you!"

The village chieftain of the Tsuki village; Ren was annoyed, he stepped forward beside Saotome with a deep and loud voice. "Fool, who do you think you're talking to?" the high priestess stood beside Ren with her arms crossed, narrowing her eyes with a smug. Munakata was definitely enraged by the outsiders from Akatsuki, seeing him with the soldiers on his side was to the point of banishing them. "You can't stop us, we have no business of making ties with you."

Mikage clicked his tongue until he had another thought, before he look back at them. "How about you will becoming one of my concubine, Juri?" the General smirked at her, trying to persuade her and making peace with the priestess. "I promise I will let that girl free; the princess of Kasuga clan, I'll do anything for you, but your purity and power," he offered her a favor, but that doesn't stop them from persisting. "I can't believe this blasphemy…"

Saotome averting her eyes as she was disgusted by his attitude, it was obvious that she made it clear. "What a manipulative man, you shall not lay your hands to the High Priestess,"she points her naginata towards the General, the soldiers was going to charge at her but was stopped by the chieftain's army. "If you wish to make peace, you must agree to never make fun of women's feelings. Some rumors that your Emperor have underestimate them in the past by using every strong men to attract them."

"Turns out some was true and some are not."

Mikage glanced at the chieftain in disbelief, he couldn't believe what he has heard from them. "What did you say? He's using me to lure them?" Munakata averting her eyes, not saying anything until Ren says something.

Ren taunted him with a smug face, prompting him to believe what has the Shogun done and it worked. "Those are the unconfirmed rumors by the wind, if you wish to believe it, why don't you ask him?"

Mikage had a dirty look on his face, he tried to answer but he couldn't defend himself to do so. "I assume your words are quite … convincing, whether they're true or not," he turned back from them, both Munakata and Saotome was astonished by his sudden change of behavior and got convinced. Mikage avert his eyes before he left, hopping on his horse and glared at them to warn them with saying. "When we encountered one another, she will be nothing but a stranger."

Munakata crossed her arms, sighing deeply when she spoke. "I simply can't trust you and all of you, but I'll keep that in mind,"she turn around to see Hayate and Haruka was standby beside her. Mikage nodded as he turns to leave with his horse. he can be seen serious and most likely planning something--however it's unknown if his plan was clear or not.

***

"--and that's what happened last night…"

Haruka explained what happened, which surprised them that Shizuki was starting to suspect on what the hell the members of the Sun Palace doing here. "Seriously, we just want to defeat Hozuki and this is what happened?" Kaname asked, the High Priestess took a sip of the cup of green tea as she sat beside Saotome. "Our deep apologies, we didn't mean to have that little commotion. Oh well, I suppose the scroll that was given for us is actually a warning," the Second explained, looking back at Munakata. "Is it true that you have awakened your true potential, Shizuki?"

Shizuki nodded, before Akito handed her the re-forged katana that polished well and now enhanced with her current power. "Shinoe also informed us about the recent incident, there has been sightings of Hozuki around and almost harming the innocents--especially humans in the village," Munakata explained, making Kazuya grumbled. "No wonder Tamotsu is alarmed by this..." he growled, slamming his fist into the tatami floor--almost making a huge crack.

"Is there any way so we can defeat him?"

Munakata closed her eyes, before she opened them and look back at the party. "There is a way, but..."