Shizuki was wide-eyed upon hearing that, she didn't believe that at first--but sounds quite convincing...? "What?" she asked.

The warrior princess thought Kazuya hates humans especially priestesses who has correlations with Yuzuki, even the likes of High Priestess Munakata and Saotome--he hated both of them. "Perhaps he sensed something different from you, I don't know if you're Yuzuki's reincarnation or not--since there's something familiar about you. But, your personality is the opposite to hers," Yomi explained with a smile, she was happy to hear such kind words from her. "You're kind, caring and friendly to everyone, you have a good heart--you are an innocent girl who is pure."

Yomi complimented, although knowing that Shizuki might deny that. "Y-You think so?" she asked, she's indeed kind-hearted but also a courageous warrior princess--just that she didn't really admit it. "Of course!" Yomi replied happily, clasping her hands together--it reminds Shizuki of Haruka when she was smiling and how she acted. "You are a great person, Shizuki! I want to be your friend, please allow me to do that."

Shizuki was startled by her sudden proposal, she was surprised that Yomi was being friendly to her. "S-Sure! I would love to be friend with you!" she was excited to have a friend like Yomi, she wondered if she would share some stories with her someday--she accepted her no matter what. They got inside the hot spring and it makes Shizuki reminded of taken a bath with Haruka, she misses those days in her childhood years. "Don't worry, no one will peek on us," Yomi comforted her, smiling gently, "I'll make sure everything is prepared, you should go ahead--I need to finish some chores."

"Right.."

Few hours later...

Shizuki relaxed herself in the warm water of the hot spring, leaning her back against the rock with her hair tie up in bun but leave her bangs untied. The hot spring was called 'Serpent God's Hot Spring' due to its owner was Kazuya's friend, it contains a pure spring water that could heal any injuries and exhaustion that caused by traveling long distance. The water was bubbly with a strong smell of sulfur and made Shizuki cough from its stench, but it felt good once she got used to it. She felt her body was refreshed by the soothing effects of the spring--and it calmed her down since she really likes hot springs. "It's so warm… huh?" she heard a wind sound nearby but couldn't be detected.

Shizuki shook her head and closed her eyes for a while, suddenly she felt an image came down from the underwater of the hot spring. Shizuki tilted her head as she leaned down--watching the scene suddenly reflecting on the water. Her vision shown in somewhere of a dark forested area, where she saw a young woman in her early to mid twenties--the woman has identical features of Shizuki--even though they were not related--she must be Yuzuki.

The young woman has a similar appearance and features of Shizuki in exception of her eye shape that was sharp--while Shizuki's eye shape is round. The young woman wears a traditional priestess robe with white colored cloth that covered most part of her torso and legs with red hakama that reached halfway till her feet--her skin tone had porcelain color like hers even her dark chocolate colored hair and her dark cherry blossom eyes--the difference is the young woman's hair-length that was longer to her waist and her eye shape elegant and sharp--unlike Shizuki's eyes that was rounded, youthful and full of hope.

The scene of the young woman was talking with one of the yokais, she remained in her cold demeanor. The woman sighed from her lips, looking up at the tree with her arms crossed firmly. "Karasu Tengu, I have some questions to ask you, and it's very crucial to ask about this."

The anthromorphic-crow with white robe appeared before her with crossed arms, his light blue eyes eyeing over her dark cherry blossom ones. The creature spoke in low and deep voice, sounded annoyed when she came here. "What do you want, Yuzuki?" he questioned, Yuzuki narrowed her eyes in slit when he said that, but she was unfazed about his presence-she has been getting used with that kind of thing. "Tell me, is it allowed to have a child of an immortal, a god?" she asked.

Karasu flapped his wings a little, intrigued by her question. "Unfortunately it's forbidden," he replied sarcastically. "Even if you are Yuzuki, you cannot have children with an immortal."

"I know," she said in disappointment. "But I don't care about that, I just want to know if I can have a child with Kazuya," she said, holding her stomach. "A child of an immortal can be a blessing or a curse, depending on what kind of relationship you have with your partner. Unless if you're willing to take the risk, you'll get the consequences," he explained in detail. Yuzuki nodded while looking down at her stomach, rubbing it gently. "Then… what if I had one?"

Karasu avert his eyes, somehow suspicious over her words and suspecting what happened to her. "Yuzuki… did you just..?" Yuzuki rubbed the flat of her stomach gently, lowering her eyelids. Karasu felt uncomfortable seeing her like that, he felt disgusted by her actions. "Yuzuki…" he warned her, but she ignored him and continued. "If I give birth to a child of an immortal, then we can live happily ever after."

Karasu looked at Yuzuki with confusion, his eyebrows knitted tightly together before his eyes widened in shock. "You won't survive with the child, Yuzuki, there's no possibility you can live with him."

Yuzuki didn't answer him, instead she stared at her belly again. "What do you mean? How come?" Yuzuki asked, confused. Karasu explained, "An immortal child is not compatible with a mortal, Yuzuki. You will die soon after giving birth. Even if you survived, you will be cursed with immortality. Your child will become a monster like you and will be killed by other gods and yokais. Another worst possibility that you will die with the child inside you, which is the most likely scenario."

Yuzuki was shocked hearing that, she was scared and saddened by what he said. "Why?" she asked, tears started flowing down her cheek. "Why would this happen?" Karasu close his eyes, letting out a deep sigh. "You don't understand, do you, human?" he stated with a low and deep voice. "Your child will be a burden to the world, he will bring destruction to the world and destroy everything around him. He is a monster, Yuzuki. A demon that will be born from a sinful act. It doesn't matter whether you love him or not, he is destined to be evil."

Yuzuki was silent, clenching her fists. "I don't believe that! If my child is a monster, then I will raise him well and teach him how to be good! I will never let anyone hurt him!" she yelled, glaring at Karasu. "You cannot change your fate, Yuzuki. Your selfishness and greed will only bring disaster to yourself and others. And your child will be a curse to the world, if you want to prevent that... you have to die."

Yuzuki was quiet, staring at her belly--she was afraid of losing her own life and her unborn child's. But she still wanted to save them--she wanted to protect her baby and make sure he/she would be safe. Even if it cost her life, it seems like she had no choice but to die with the child. "Kazuya..." she whispered, after she sealed him--she knew her selfishness and greed will only cause a great disaster--but she couldn't help herself. She wanted to see Kazuya's face again--to see him smile and laugh, even if it was for a short moment--but she knew it was impossible. "I will do this... even if I will die with our child..."

The vision ended when Shizuki look up, leaning her back against the edge of the rock as she was breathing by surprise. She opened her eyes slowly to stare at the sky, feeling a headache coming from her neck--something must've happened because of the dream that she couldn't figure out what really happened to her and Yuzuki from that vision of the past on her eyes.

How did Yuzuki died? Did something happened between Kazuya and Yuzuki in the past? It made her head spinning around as she leaned back on the edge, thinking of what could've happened between them before they got together? The hot spring helped calm her nerves and mind as she relaxed her muscles and took a deep breath of air before letting it out through her lips. 'Maybe they had a feud back then...' she thought. 'I wonder what happened?'

Shizuki got up from the hot spring and getting changed into her home kimono with cherry blossom patterns inside her ryokan room, with a dark purple haori with cherry flower patterns--it was given by Yomi as a gift. Her hair was tied down in low ponytail, leaving the bangs fell and two behind her ears untied and her main natural makeup did not change.

Until she saw Kazuya stepped inside in his home kimono that Yomi gave to him, he was wearing a white kimono, adored with a light blue lily patterns, even has a dark blue haori around his shoulders, his long smooth black hair was tied in low ponytail to the left, leaving his bangs falling unevenly and behind both of his ears. Her cheeks flushed at the sight of his broad and muscular chest revealed slightly, Shizuki was a bit flustered just by looking at him. She tried to ignore his appearance and stared at the wall instead--her heart pounding rapidly like a drum inside her chest. 'Urgh... why is he so handsome?' she muttered under her breath.

Shizuki wondered if he know something about Yuzuki in the past, but she decided not to ask him since it was a sensitive topic for him--and he would get really mad since he still resenting Yuzuki back then. She sat down on her bed with her knees folded, staring at the floor as she saw him walked towards her with his hands behind his back. "How was the hot spring?" he asked, sitting beside her on the bed.

Shizuki looked up at him with a serious expression. "It was nice," she answered honestly, smiling. Then she stared at him for a moment and trying to decide whether she should ask or not--but the princess felt awkward if he gets upset. "How about you?" she asked, since he's a water dragon he shouldn't be bothered about it--but because he has ice and snow element... maybe it's not as good for him as it is for humans.

"It was fine," he said with a small shrug. "I'm glad that I have this chance to relax myself. I haven't had a real rest in ages."

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

'Yeah yeah, you keep demanding nothing but this and that...' Shizuki thought, feeling annoyed but remembering his personality. Even when Kazuya leaned closer to her and staring directly to her eyes, a sudden voice was heard inside Shizuki's head. 'If you wanted to release me… you can't say no!' a similar, familiar voice was heard inside her head--she recognized his voice even though he was threatening her--was Kazuya talking to her in telepathic... it surprised her and made her feel embarrassed.

"Kazuya!"

Shizuki snapped, grabbing a pillow and hitting him on the face, before tossing it away. Kazuya was startled by her sudden reaction, then chuckled softly, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his finger. Shizuki's face turned redder. "You're one interesting person, Shizuki Kasuga… not a boring one but an interesting princess."

Shizuki's face turned pinkish, he's being gentle for the first time ever since they met. "Do not call me a boring human, Kazuya!" she whined, crossing her arms in a pouting manner--which made him laugh more. "I mean, you're an amusing girl to be a warrior princess," Shizuki rolled her eyes, not pleased at all. "Urgh... I can't believe you're my roommate... Just stay away from me, okay?!" Shizuki snapped, although she knew she can't change her fate about him--and she knew deep down inside her heart, she accepted the fate that he's her fiancé--her beloved. 'This Dragon... a god... Kazuya...' she thought. "I'm tired... I need to sleep."

She lied down on her side and closed her eyes, while Kazuya was getting sleepy and laid down beside her, facing her back. She feels his arm around her waist, which made her blush even more. "Goodnight, Shizuki..." he mumbled softly. "I will stay awake until you fall asleep."

"Okay," she murmured quietly.

***

Shizuki heard a grunts as she slowly opened her eyes when she heard a grunts and voice from beside her futon, slowly turned around and checked in the middle of the night. Kazuya was having a nightmare and looks like he was struggling, he could be seen moving his head side to side. "No… no… please stop…!" he was panting heavily, trying to catch his breath from the nightmare. Shizuki narrowed her eyes, wondering what was he seeing in his dream. 'Kazuya?... Why did you say that to him?' she whispered his name, placing her hand on his chest, feeling the coldness from his body as she realized he wasn't sweating in his sleep. "Kazuya…?"

"H-Huh?!" Kazuya opens his eyes and glanced behind him, Shizuki was alright behind him and she was confused why is he staring behind him. "Is something wrong?" she asked. Kazuya shook his head, clearing his throat and rubbed his temple. "N-Nothing… I just had a bad dream... that's all."

Shizuki was surprised by his reaction, this is the first time she noticed the dragon had a nightmare. "I-I had a nightmare… I apologize if I worried you…" he said quietly while panting, turning his head around but not facing her. Shizuki seems worried about him from her concerned expression, closing his worries over her despite her concern. However, he still couldn't sleep because of that nightmare and made him sleepless, instead Shizuki tugged on his haori. "Kazuya… do you mind if I can comfort you?"

Kazuya heard her which made him surprised, he protested quietly in a whisper. "Shizuki, you don't have to--" Shizuki shake her head, insisting him. "Kazuya… I just want to help you."

"… Alright."

Shizuki sighed in relief while she faced against his back, now she had to tell him something to make him feel better. "Turn around in front of me," he obeyed her words as he shifting around to face her, not cold like before. His expression was softer than usual before, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her; his face almost leaning against her chest.

Kazuya's cheeks flushed in red but he wrapped his arms around her waist a bit tight, he nodded at her while whispering. "I feel comfortable now…" he avert his eyes then closing both of them together, not knowing this kind of feeling was satisfying. "Good night, Shizuki…"

"Good night, Kazuya."

On the other side, Yomi was at her bedroom meditating and contacting the other gods who got sealed in some unknown places.

The demon crow god-a handsome young man with blonde hair, light blue eyes, fair skin and wearing his white monk-like attire, appear to be in a more human-like form; dressed in the robes of an ascetic monk, large, feathered black crow wings sprouting from his back. He used the white cape with hoodie to cover. He was Ichirō Karasu, the current Karasu Tengu after his father. "How's the progress, Yomi-sama?"

"Everything goes well, Kazuya has found the right person, Ichirō-kun."

Yomi responded with a smile, closing her eyes to look forward the future through her vision, with her eyes closed. Then she open her eyes once again then facing the mirror in front of her, "The releasing ritual will be started tomorrow, I'll make sure the process will goes well. Are you joining the ritual tomorrow?"

"I don't think so, I have a duty to watch over Tsuki Village, Munakata-sama's order."

"I see, well then… take care for you safety."

Ichirō kneeled down before her behind her back, before he turn around and flap his crow wings to fly. "As you wish, Yomi-sama."

Next morning...

The sun has rose up from the West Mountain in the twilight morning, Yomi and Ryusei had just gone to the East Mountain with the other maidens for the ritual. It was an order from Kazuya himself, he missed his old friend so badly after his sealing years by his former lover.

Shizuki slowly open her eyes while seeing Kazuya slept closer to her with his arms around her waist, she brushed the strands of his black hair as it was long and smooth through her fingers. 'I never seen a Dragon god like him... I wonder what else is he could do?' she wondered in her head, then suddenly Kazuya open his eyes, immediately realizing she was up. "Did you sleep well, Shizuki…?" he asked in a tired morning voice, the way it sounded was so damn sexy even her eyes widened but soon narrowed a little. "I sleep well, how about you?" she asked.

The mountain god nodded at her, his hair almost covering his eyes, "Same. That's good then… thanks to you," He answered simply. There was an awkward silence between them, neither Kazuya nor Shizuki seem to speak until the Dragon finally spoke first. "About last night… I appreciate that you comfort me in my worst time."

"I'm happy to help."

Shizuki responded politely, even she didn't even realize that they were already laying in the same futon together, just she felt embarrassed like hell. Kazuya eventually released her once he sat up from her, his hair was down reaching the mattress. Shizuki also sat up and both of them take a bath separately in the hot spring from that incident, soon after--they got changed in their own main attires so they could have a breakfast prepared in the ryokan room.

Shizuki tied up her hair in her usual hairstyle, same goes for Kazuya who was keeping his up his usual hairstyle with his usual white ribbon in up tight-knot, leaving his several bangs falling atop below his eyes and between his face, even behind his ears reached his chest. Shizuki put her katana on her left hip, Kazuya put his own katana on his left hip with a click. "I didn't see Yomi around here, she's not in the bathroom either," Shizuki said to him, walking around the hallway with him, "I don't see my uncle here, maybe he was in the West Mountain with her, leaving us here."

Kazuya let out a quiet yawn with covering his mouth by her palm, staring down when he walked beside her. "So, what should we do now?" he asked.

Shizuki stopped when she saw a training room beside her, then she slide the tatami door open. "Why don't we get some training?"

"Training? Is that how humans do?"

"Uhh… of course."

Shizuki was puzzled as hell, how come he doesn't know that? He doesn't seem to be kidding and was actually a curious and oblivious dragon from before. Shizuki stepped inside while looking around with him, he was following her from behind and placed his hand on his hip while he watched the wooden swords from the wooden boxes. "So, this is a mock sword?" he pick up the wooden sword then swung in each sides like he was holding a real katana, he stared at her.

"Yes, it's called a bamboo training sword."

Kazuya blinked a few times, placing the bamboo sword back in the box before giving Shizuki a quizzical look. "Haven't you used a real one, Kazuya?" he shook his head in response, which surprised her from his answer. "Since I've awoken from my slumber, I never tried myself with these wooden swords, all I know was I use the water spirit spell that turns into an ice shard to attack our enemies," he explained calmly.

Shizuki pick up her bamboo training sword as she tilted her head, then went startled when he said that. Kazuya is quite proficient and expert in swordsmanship, he's very serious and scary when he fought seriously.

Shizuki was lost in thought when she placed the bamboo sword on her shoulder, somehow that vision about her and his vision appear was still on her mind. But who could possibly she is the reincarnation of that evil priestess of the past? She doesn't possess any other kind of power--it's just her spiritual energy can affect everyone at the shrine, yet she's nothing like her and never do anything bad like her. She glanced at Kazuya once more, if only he was strong enough to shatter the iron bars that guarded his previous sealed state.

Kazuya was watching her with a smirk, underestimating that he holds his pride with his fighting skills. "Don't underestimate me, I practiced my swordsmanship over centuries ago to become stronger, many gods make fun of me because of that. I never seen you fight so I will test you first."

Shizuki was surprised hearing that from him but decided to accept the offer anyway. 'That's so bold of you, but I won't underestimate that...' Shizuki thought as she sighed softly, reluctantly accepting that. "Fine then…" she switched into her fighting stance of her sword, preparing for battle. "Here I go!"

The Dragon avert his eyes and keep his cool when she charges towards him, she swung her wooden sword towards him. The Dragon shields himself with his wooden sword, he was testing the way she fought with katana while she used wooden sword and he warned her. "Are you sure you can hit me? Don't be afraid to swing it hard, I won't die easily."

Shizuki glared at him, being taunted by him makes her blood boil. "Stop testing my patience, you arrogant dragon!" she lashed out at him, trying to attack him directly which was quite amused on him. A sweat dropped down to her cheek, remembering how easy he made his training a real challenge.

"Careful, Shizuki, you have to be careful because it's different compared to using katana," he cautioned her while he readjust his position. Shizuki was aware of his warning and she stopped her attack. "I understand!" she answered calmly. The Dragon kept his cool until her movements became more natural and fluent; he smirked at her before moving forward and strike his sword on her wooden sword. Shizuki blocked his first attack by sliding her sword back, then she swung her sword in front of her and parried the dragon's attacks with ease. "Impressive," he complimented her.

Shizuki huffed. "I am, a warrior princess, I have a duty to protect my people! So don't talk down on me!" she glared at him threateningly. his face. "You're right… I'll respect you from now on."

Shizuki narrowed her eyes so she swung her wooden sword at him; it was a fake attack though she was going to fight him seriously. She swung the wooden sword at Kazuya's wooden sword, both of their wooden swords collided into each other without any force or strength to penetrate each other.

Kazuya pushed back, swiftly swung his wooden sword towards her, Shizuki starts to hold her shield position-her hand holding a handle while the other hand with its palm holding onto the rest of the shield. Both of their hands blocked each other's attacks and neither of them broke the contact of the two swords--making them both stand still for a while, they're both trying to break through each others' defense but they failed to do so.