_Even the promise are useless, there will be the consequence to bear._

The party walking through the path of the grassy hill towards Zenkyou where they have to take some fresh air and keeping an eye on possible incoming monsters--those creatures were rather easy to strike, none were powerful enough to a certain level of energy. Each and every party member can be relieved from stress at all, even the girl was amazed by the beauty of the world and what the yokais had created for her to see. Shizuki laid down on the grassy ground while they took a break, sighing in frustration, sometimes she was reluctant to hunt down Hozuki.

"One day... I really tried to convince myself about Yuzuki's conscience, she really wanted me to understand my true purpose in life... she did apologize for deceiving me," Shizuki admitted to Kazuya, the man squinted his eyes as a response to her revelation. How could Shizuki be strong to confront her for such things? He never wanted Shizuki to regret when she wants to sacrifice her own life for his happiness, or even protecting him from the negative consequences. "I know, but that made her no different from Hozuki," the Dragon spoke bluntly.

Shizuki stared at him, before she hummed--she really need to rest her mind for a while after she gained her reforged katana back from Akito. It was made of the remaining steel swords that Ryusei's samurai servants stored and forged for her--makes it stronger and resistant for her to use, especially from Onikami's inheritance. As much she can't agree with Yuzuki's idea of seizing Kazuya's happiness, sacrificing his immortal life or endangering the villagers from death and disaster for her own greed--Shizuki decided not to listen to what Yuzuki was telling her. "Yeah, I already know..."

Kazuya watched her rolling to the side and sat down, sighing deeply as her hand holding the scabbard of her katana. The man stared at his partner's face for a moment, watching her thinking about their journey or what's going to happened next, the young woman was trying to come up with some plans in mind--she felt his eyes were gazing at her, she whipped her head, facing him. Their eyes met for several minutes before Kazuya leaned towards her and pulled her in his arms.

"What is it now, Kazuya?"

"Not now, just keep your distance from those creatures, Shizuki--remember what happened last night?"

Shizuki growled in frustration. When they were camping, a tengu-type monster almost got its claws on Kazuya, if she was being too far from him and it ended up destroying their temporary campfire. Only by the time, Kaname needed to burn it with a fireball--almost as if they were in a play in the act of the opera theatre. Yomi had to heal his wounds, even though he's a rain-snow Dragon--he still get injured. She wanted to show she can stand on her own and not becoming his "weakness" for a dragon's pride, she want to be stronger and able to protect him and her friends--maybe like Yomi and her uncle, Ryusei.

Kazuya used his hand to tilt her chin towards his direction, making him look at his serious dark brown eyes which means that he didn't find her as an obstacle, and have shown his new emotions. "You never become my weakness or my burden, I'm glad I had you to change me completely... you just showed me what's the meaning of actually living as a mortal, I'm not like the other immortals who hate humans for thousands of years. I couldn't even believe I was born out of foolish human's ambitions," he whispered while his other hand was brushing her hair with a gentle touch.

Shizuki closed her eyes before he reached his hand out to stroke her cheek lovingly. Kazuya is the one who showed her what's the meaning of living an eternal life with no worries, the man embraced her tightly as his own heart beginning to race due to their intimacy that both of them can give their satisfaction. Shizuki closed her eyes after her lover pull her into his hug, while his silky black hair trailing behind her body like an endless waterfall. "Lying to myself was easy, but now--I truly accepted that you've changed me completely, I'm so glad you exist in my life. So... when the time comes, I will be there with you," she mutters.

Kazuya put her face closer, her ear against his chest where his heart was beating rapidly. Shizuki feel warm just to hear the sound from his chest, leaning against his cheek to entangle her arms around his neck. "Tsubaki really tricked us, huh...but you kept the charm for me, I promise I'll get you something eventually," Shizuki said, wondering that the reason Kazuya is like this was that he hadn't been loved before, how did she found out? Yuzuki told her some things about it, once she witnessed her real love just a minor fraction.

They shrieked to see Yomi returns with Kaname, holding some fowls and ingredients for their food supplies. When Yomi noticed what were they doing, her cheeks flustered and Kaname was sighing in displease. "Hey lovebirds!" he called, shouting out to the both of them--Kazuya appeared in front of him and glaring at Kaname. "You want to pick a fight against me? Seriously?" Kazuya questioned, it made Kaname screeched. "YOU BASTARD! STOP CREEPING UP ON ME LIKE THAT!"

Yomi smiled with annoyance before tapping her foot on the grassy ground, sighing with a smile. "Do you want me to cook your meal, Kazuya-sama?"

"Let's see... Shizuki will be my cooking buddy today."

Shizuki growled, why it had to be her--but as long he's protecting her, she can manage. However, it depends on the type of recipe that he will pick--only her family could do that and Ryusei loved her cooking skills, she learned the basic steps by herself as she folded her arms. "Ahem, since when I was your assistant? I don't agree with that you jerk," Shizuki remarked.

Kazuya smirked as his eyes stared at her passionately, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close that she can smell his scent. "Of course, you'll be useful... you can cook, right?"

"Urgh, knock it off!"

Shizuki whined, her face looked disgusted by his remark that nobody would do that--unless they had to risk being burnt to death, while Kaname always being a charred charcoal whenever he's cooking. After several minutes, they lit the campfire as Shizuki is standing beside Kazuya who is holding the knife, cutting the meat on a tray. Shizuki helped him cutting the vegetables as her sleeve rolled up, before Yomi prepared the mushrooms and peeled off the potatoes. Yomi asked Shizuki to marinate the chicken and beef meat, added some flavor on each and every part of the meal, letting the ingredients sink in--thus resulting in the spices spreading through the meat. Yomi also help Kaname with the stew, chopping the vegetables for him to use as ingredients.

Shizuki noticed Kaname focused on cooking the stew with an ease for his land deity skills, his hand added a little bit salt from the container, mixing the ingredients until the water flowing from the pot. Her hand holding the wooden ladle before she pour it down on the meat, steam rising from the chicken. "Try the stew," Kaname suggested, putting a dish over the desk where he added the soup pot on it. Kazuya tasted the soup, his eyes widened after sampling it.

"Interesting, Kaname's stew really has it tastes..." he complemented while he sipped the mug, giving Yomi a cup of soup for her to taste. Shizuki was about to taste the stew, until Kazuya turn to see her frowning when he took the dish away from her. "Let me, Shizuki," he said as he grabbed the cup and carefully feeding her, he gently held her chin up when Shizuki was about to eat it, leaving her face flustered from the position they were in. Shizuki felt a bit awkward on her face as her shoulders trembled, she really wanted to hide her face after he finished feeding her--her heart was thumping loudly as she turned away from him. 'Damn it, Kazuya... I'm literally eighteen like Yomi! Are you still trying to seduce me?!'

Yomi covered her mouth as it widened in a squeal, despite it being a weird sight, Kaname's cheeks become warm when he look at their shy expressions--how come Yomi find it cute from the both of them? "Kazuya, you do realize that you're making this really weird. Look, you made her embarrassed," Kaname pointed out to him, causing the Dragon to nod with a smile. "Thanks for the tips, but isn't it cute? Too bad Yomi need to watch," he mocked, making the land god growled in protest.

"Can I punch you now?"

Shizuki asked, trying not to be outraged by him when he smirked haughtily. She knew that his personality is rather straightforward but teasing at the same time. "Well, it depends if you can punch me right? You're pretty clumsy and stubborn sometimes, of course I already know that," he mused before lowering his head. "Well, but I admit you were adorable when you pout."

Before she could protest from being teased, Kazuya already took a chance to kiss her forehead. He turned to see Yomi and Kaname who was having their own conversation, making him huffed. "How come both of them has a thing for each other?"

Shizuki frowned when he wondered, can't they just finish cooking their foods? Oh, did Kazuya actually saying something that might hurt her feelings, no matter how he talked? His scent was always calming in such things, he let her head rest on his chest, while his finger caressing the tip of her long strands of hair. "Why don't we take a patrol around the area, Kazuya?" she insisted, moving away from him and turning her gaze towards the trees.

He tilted his head to the side a bit before a smug smile appeared on his lips. "Now you're talking. Fine, let's go," he muttered.

While wandering around the forest, Kazuya was walking beside her as she hold her katana on the left holster. Kazuya will never let Shizuki to use it, unless she need to stab enemies if she face one--the forest is suspiciously quiet, it made Shizuki felt a little uneasy. Kazuya started looking around their surroundings if there's danger out there, looking at the blue sky to know the time of the day, judging whether he wanted to stay around her protection--as much he knew Shizuki can fight, she became his good lucky charm. The dragon turned to the small water source on the stream, she tapped his arm.

Kazuya used his hand to hold her knuckles to prevent her from walking away, when Shizuki raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Don't you think it feels too quiet lately?"

He asked, causing her to nod. This wasn't an ordinary forest where the both of them should have relax without the nosy villagers that will annoy them whenever the humans spotted them. Shizuki observed the mountainous terrain, despite this place has a beautiful scenery and quiet atmosphere--every place should have dangerous monsters lurking, maybe Tsubaki is aware where to put the barrier for them. Kazuya wanted to let her stay beside him, there's no reason for both of them to make a distance from the other party members in the festival. Shizuki turned to him when he let her palm placed on his chest as she sensed his steady heartbeat, it made Kazuya smiled at her in a comforting way that they were being protected.

Until they're hearing rustles in the trees that alerted Kazuya and made them get into their fighting stances, Kazuya was prepared to freeze everything and even kill the monsters with his ice. This time, it was Shizuki who stood in front of him, before two yokai dropped down from the trees and growling with the teeth showing to both of them. Kazuya swung his katana towards the first yokai and freezes the creature by his ability, before he made constructive cuts and slicing them into pieces. Shizuki performed numerous cuts towards the second yokai that was attacking her. Kazuya went to rush towards the enemy but only seeing Shizuki finish the monster with her sword skill.

The warrior princess stared down at the lifeless creatures that he had caused, before he faced her. "You're quite bold these days," he complemented, before he folded his arms at her. "Your uncle really did trained you well, with his master swordsmanship," he added, complimenting about her good defense and teamwork skills with him. "Thanks, I tend to bend the rules sometimes," she answered, sheathing back her katana.

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As the god came closer to her, he held her chin and tilted towards her side, observing the cut on her shoulder that she covered with her hair. He scoffed in displease as his eyes narrowed, his face softened before he let his thumb caressing her cheek in comfort.

She blushed when his body gets closer to her and her back touching a tree bark, his hair tickling her body and Shizuki started to whimper. Why does he just standing there while he was seducing her? She know that they fell in love with each other and already dating, which means she just let him get closer to her with his lips hover her forehead. Kazuya closed his eyes and a small smile formed on his mouth before he kissed her there, the same feeling Shizuki had when she's alone with him. At the point, Shizuki decided to raise her hand in order to brush his bangs.

Suddenly, Shizuki sensed a powerful presence is coming in and Kazuya pulled away from the kiss--he know it was Hozuki but strangely he wasn't aggressive and hostile like before. "Well well well, father. I didn't expect you, a Dragon, loved an insignificant human being..." he said, the next words sent a chill to the both of them. "Oh, actually... I think this is an unexpected reunion of... hers, my mother."

Both of them looked at each other, having an idea that this might happen when they face him. Shizuki wanted to come closer but Kazuya hissed, he doesn't want her to fight him until she receive his hand to hold--keeping her close. Wait, what is this feeling? Shizuki was disgusted by this some kind of 'charm' that Hozuki was using, possibly makes Yuzuki having an immense amount of anger with the power and abuse it--only trying to taint the sacredness that belong to a Dragon? "So, you're my mother's reincarnation... Shizuki Kasuga. You don't have to run, did you forget who I am? Are you planning to ruin my future?" he asked, chuckling a bit as he saw the horror on her face. "You... what? Listen, I'm your mother's reincarnation--but that doesn't mean I'll do it against my will!" she yelled, making Kazuya relieved on her progress.

"Oh? So you're trying to fight us, our ancient powers for an insignificant ones? What a pity..." the man mocked, his face looked gloomy yet handsome just as his father's, chocolate hair and purple eyes that resembled his late-mother's--but for some reason... why'd Shizuki felt some sort of... sympathy? Agh, no... Yuzuki was a truly resentful person, she wouldn't forgive Hozuki like she forgiven Kazuya just for making her remember about her past. "You had been trying to kill her, but why?" Kazuya asked, still holding her to protect Shizuki in an enraged manner. He doesn't want to see a scene where a Dragon and his significant other will lose their dignity and souls in a painful way.

Hozuki remained silent, he didn't know why... either Yuzuki was mad at him or thinking about her revenge, he didn't do something sinful until he realized his mother was consumed with corruption and revenge. He turn around while muttering something, before he suddenly vanished with a dark smoke. From that moment, Shizuki let out a heavy exhale once she finished recalling about the horrors of her past lives. "Kazuya..."

"Hm, what is it?"

"Do you have fear?"

"It depends. I just feel uneasy because of the first encounter I met Yuzuki, somehow--your eyes are somehow different from her's, as if she doesn't have a personality and treated me like a war trophy..." he explained as he touched her cheek, closing his eyes as he felt bad remembering her. "Even though she taught me a lot of things about humans and kindness... I still get pissed off when she betrayed me."

Shizuki gasped a bit upon hearing his true feelings, he's just admitting that he don't want to meet that woman again. Then, she yelped when she felt her power reacting by the negative aura that Hozuki has--making her shimmering in dark red and true to her Awakening Onikami form's color aura. "D-Don't look... I'm hideous..." she begged, feeling herself weakening a little. Kazuya smirked, before he stated. "Shizuki, it doesn't matter if you're hideous or look like a prune..."

Shizuki gulped in nervousness as her shoulders trembled, until he chuckled softly and gently put his palm over his chest--closing his eyes as he gently touch her own. "With or without Onikami's possession, you're still beautiful in every ways I can ever describe to you... don't you dare to worry about your own body."

'Okay, I'm convinced...' her conscience agrees, making her gulped nervously when she found him leaning closer to kiss her. His arms wrapped around her waist as their fingers intertwined lovingly, entangled inside his insecure feelings that was starting to fade away once he was reminded about the words from Ryusei--Shizuki's own uncle. He intentionally welcoming her power to possess her, as long she stayed true to her dreams. "Look, Shizuki. When you're dying on the battlefield, I'm always going to stay with you, as long you stayed with me..." he whispered.

Shizuki felt the red aura dissipated, before she nodded weakly when she realized what was the meaning behind his words. Kazuya meant that he will protect her no matter the cost, which has a low percentage, a perfect way of fighting for the sake of living as two souls united with an eternal bond.

"BOO!"

Kaname scared them that made Kazuya sneered in anger, Yomi chuckled as she popped out and Shizuki shrieked--she absolutely hates being scared like this. "You can't say, you've got yourself surprised--huh, Shizuki?" Kaname teasingly said, crossing his arms with a smug smirk on his face. Shizuki was about to retort, but she hold it back for the sake of her peaceful day. Besides, being a warrior princess was too tiresome to maintain the status, her days go worse after she met Yuzuki's soul, but when she had Kazuya by her side--her inner battles with the power of the dark flame will guide them. With Yomi's friendship and Kaname's oath for his own vow, the four of them will work hard to fulfill their wishes that led the path towards their journey.

And so, to take a rest and take a break from the endless travels and the future battles--nothing can be that serious unless someone has to hold the reins for an act of love, the whole nature accepts and supported each other--regardless of different dimensions or an unknown war where every hearts can shine brightly with the stars.

Next morning...

"Found it."

Shizuki said, obtaining the silver-colored Iridescent Pearl on her hand after they defeated a large monster that was guarding it--a huge centipede-like yokai that almost crushed everyone with its heavy jaws. Kaname was laying on the ground, panting lightly as Yomi was cleansing the area and Kazuya watched the pearl glowing vibrantly with a mysterious glow. "So... what are we going to do with this thing?" Shizuki asked, inspecting the shiny, round-shaped pearl. "Yomi, care to explain what does this actually do?"

Yomi listens as she finished warding off the negative energy, followed by adjusting the hold of her ceremonial staff. "What was the color?" she asked with a smile, before Shizuki turn around while holding the pearl on her palm. "It's silver," she replied, followed by the surprise from the priestess. "Really? Let me see," she said, approaching her to see the pearl and her eyes widened by the sight of the pearl. Shizuki take out her shell compact rogue and checked her red-colored Iridescent Pearl with the red thick cosmetic cream inside, it resonates with the silver one as Yomi showed the green one from her ceremonial staff inside it. "This is it, the one that we're looking for."

Kazuya yawned before he approached them, crossing his arms before he continued. "I never knew who was the original owner of this pearl, Yomi...?" he asked, staring at the sky. However, when they looked at Yomi and she looked confused--so does Shizuki who was wondering who is the owner of that pearl. This time, Kaname stood up before he let his back rested on the tree. "Or... the pearl doesn't have the possessor, we have to keep them away from Hozuki and his underlings--we need to know where do these pearls came from in the first place."

They nodded before they continue their journey, wandering around the countryside.

"Great, there's a sea..." Shizuki muttered, before she glanced at Kazuya (he knew he will transform into his dragon form when it comes to passing the sea--he doesn't want her to fall into it), there's no other way to pass it--Kazuya was growling heavily, but Shizuki did have something on her mind. "Don't you dare, Kazuya--alright?!" Kaname pointed out, he looked so annoyed to him before Kazuya shifted into his dragon form and leaped into the waters, starting to swim away before the three of them hopped on top of his upper body. With those eyes, he can feel the water surround his eyelids. 'Nothing in their weapons can hurt me, they can't be dead at least that I'm around,' the Dragon mused, before he began to slither forward the sea where the calm and roaring waves are swaying, it send a tingly feeling to his nerves--yet he kept swimming for all he needs in full speed.

Shizuki was holding on the Dragon's large horns as she watched the water trailing away from Kazuya's head (she decided to just grab the horn as she needs for her grip). Kaname was fixing the sleeves of his kimono shirt while his legs crossed, sitting on the other side of his horn while Yomi enjoying the view of the sea (even though, Kazuya dislikes humans that much that can drown him to the sea). Her ears heard the wind howled when she was having a good look at the beach, smiling a bit because the wind of the ocean smells nice. She turned to see the Dragon when he was speeding through the water, luckily nobody saw them. Kazuya glanced at Shizuki and he knows what she means, her gaze reads 'Can you slow down, Kazuya? I'm afraid'.

He huffed in a relaxed way, he's driving slow but steady to the island not to scare the girls and the land god. As they arrived at the town, it appeared that this is the busiest town on the countryside with the fishing, As the three hopped off from his back, Kazuya transformed back into his human form and he growled. "Next time, Kaname should be in charge of driving your transportation... you're sure enough letting us staying beside your enormous horns," he groaned, shaking off the droplets of water on his clothes.

Kaname snorted, he wants to blame him. How come he didn't realize that himself? "Nice idea," Kaname says before they walked into the seaside town. 'Hopefully we'll find some clue...?' Shizuki thought to herself. They wandered around, before the girl went shocked when a large wave headed towards her feet, wetting her as the waves subsided.

They found a machiya house where they'll be staying, they really need to rest after a long day of traveling.

***

Shizuki finished taking a bath as she slept on the futon, stretching her arms while Kazuya was in deep sleep after the long journey and today--both of them had discovered the Sea Spirit's home, revealed that he was once had someone in his life. He can't remember the face but Shizuki try to investigate because this could be a start to find the answer, maybe when Hozuki will be 'waiting' for the time to come so he can gather his power to take over Kagutsuchi. She slept beside him as she felt the young man pulling her into his embrace, snuggling his face into her shoulder and making her chuckled. "What...?" she asked sleepily, it was evening and the sun was about to set, making the sky had a red-orange hue when darkness eventually consuming the daylight in the sky.

Kazuya was caressing her hair as the strands were like an endless waterfall, placing his hand on her cheeks and caressing her features to soothe her. "Would you consider to talk to the Sea Spirit about what did happened? Well, tomorrow I mean... you're pretty tired," he murmured sleepily, his vision was slightly obscured by the tiredness as his eyes were blurry and closed it, he always love the smell of her hair--he thought that the scent was similar like ocean breeze.

Shizuki reach out her hand to stroke his long black locks, making the Dragon purred in response. "Are you sleeping?" she whispered, eyes half-lidded and sleepy. She definitely knew he wanted to continue his slumber, if only the ocean breeze didn't make him having a beautiful dream. "Not really," he replied, Shizuki was thinking that this could be a nice place for their vacation to rekindle their bond. The sea breeze wafting towards the balcony, the swaying willow tree below the window sills of the houses. As she slowly sat up, Kazuya suddenly move his head to sleep on her lap, Shizuki watched the calm tides from the window, smiling. "Do you want to play in the sea tomorrow?"

The question suddenly woke him from sleep, instantly made him sit up from her lap. Shizuki noticed his sleepy expression turned into annoyance, which was cute seeing Kazuya pouting when she suggest something important. His hair is growing longer that it reached his lower waist--is it Kazuya's personal preference? Shizuki brushed his hair aside, letting her fingers entangling into his tangled strands of his hair that she usually does.

"Do you want to drown?"

'Goddamnit, Kazuya...' Shizuki thought, annoyed by his response before she responded. "I mean... if we can swim tomorrow, I wanted to swim you know."

"Oh."

Yomi was preparing dinner with Kaname who came back from his training at the porch, before she saw Shizuki and Kazuya arrived at the ryokan room outside the kitchen. "Good evening, how was the rest?" she asked with a smile, preparing her hot pot for the four of them as Shizuki yawned with a smile on her lips. "It was great..." she replied, sitting on the mat beside Kazuya who was adjusting to sleep. Kaname returned to the ryokan room, before he grinned. "Kazuya, wanna spar?"

"Not now, please. After the dinner, I will."