Chapter 1

"AH!, Princess please the ink!" Said my handmaid Itori, she's a bright and funny little girl. She's always looking out for me. I look down at the talisman I was writing to see I let the ink drip over my writing.

I guess I have been in a daze; lately, it's my seventeenth birthday today, and here I am finishing up my training instead of taking in this day and relaxing. I've been in a. hurry to finish training as a priestess so that I can finally leave the castle and venture out on my own like my two older siblings and relatives before me. Combat training I've finished it all my elder brothers Motan and Sotan helped me personally., but spiritual training I have not. Mainly because I am the last child of my parents and they didn't want me leaving. However, my recent dedication to training has changed their minds.

I turn to Itori and smiling apologetically. I place my brush down and crumble the talisman, placing it on the table. I sat up and gave myself a good stretch then turned to Itori.

"I am going to the sacred gardens. This training won't finish itself now will it." I say turning my back to her and walking away. Leaving my own private office and into the cold heading to the sacred gardens by myself. Only high-level priest and priestess are allowed through the barrier of the garden.

It's cold? A bit colder than I thought, but it reminds me of that time two years ago when I met Shiori. Two years ago today to be exact, my fifteenth birthday. I was called to assist in an exorcism for training purposes. My men were brutally slaughtered and I was chased through the darkness of forest dimly lit by the moonlight. It seems like it just happened, but in truth, it was two years ago. Since then I've only felt his presence. I know he watches me from afar. He never really comes close to me. I never properly thanked him Next time I shall ask him to come out of hiding so that we can speak as most normal people do in the world.

I enter in the barrier of the sacred gardens, getting to the alter I sit on my knees and begin to pray, clearing my mind of previous thoughts and becoming one with the spiritual world and energy, merging my own spiritual energy with it. Sooner than I thought I begin to lift off the ground and I am surrounded by warmth and energy. I start to think of Shiori again and about his demonic energy that overpowered me that night. I imagine his demonic Presence overwhelms me a just a bit now, I'm almost done with training and demonic presences are a bit hard to tell apart at the moment. Especially if they match so well with Shiori's so well. No matter that, it's not like I'll really see him again anyway.

I hear light footsteps coming towards me. I don't recognize the scent or presence. I lower myself to the ground and sit down still meditating. While waiting, the footsteps stop right behind me and I took that moment to act. Jumping up in the air and flipping backwards. I take my short sword out and turn around pointing it at the person's neck. This person turns out to be my mother. I sigh and roll my eyes and tucking my short sword away. I look into her eye to see my mother overjoyed by something. Whatever it could be I hope it was nothing but good news. I smile at her as she opens her arms to a hug. I do not hesitate to run into her loving embrace and allow her to hold me. I feel her grip tighten a bit and snuggle me. I do the same and look up at her. She moves some fallen strands of hair from my face and sighs.

"Ayame you are becoming a fine young woman before my eyes. I am very proud of you... The high priest of Kyoto will be here in three days time to promote you to an official high priestess of our lands. We shall celebrate your birthday and your promotion then. After the ceremony, we shall have a woman to woman talk about the things out there in the world. You will be travelling making a name for yourself and showing off that what they say about our royalty and skill are very much true, but don't forget you are still Princess Ayame, not just priestess Ayame show you know manners and politics and that you have a very good education... Now I will not say it again so don't forget." She says caressing my face gently and planting a kiss on my forehead. I nod holding in my excitement and pull away from her. My mother grabs my hand and pulls me from the garden, explaining to me that there are things that I will know that she does not, and under no circumstances am I to share the information with her or anyone else that is not of my new ranks. She went on and on about this until we've reached my room, and she kissed me good night. I wait to walk off before taking my hair down from its top bun and lay my hair pens back in their boxes. My hair fell down my back, Extremely long as it is, it is very easy to maintain. I change out of my current kimono into an all-white slim one. It's what I prefer to wear to sleep so I don't ruin my good Kimonos.

After laying out my futon I sit on it humming a lullaby and brushing my hair. It takes a lot of time to do this at night, but I must manage my hair properly for it to keep growing and for it to stay healthy.

A demon is near, I feel his demonic aura... Why is it so strong?

I hear a light thud from above me, I set my brush down and slowly and quietly make my way to the window seal I have a small knife hidden in my kimono, even though we have palace guards I still like to have something to protect myself with. I swiftly and quietly climb to the roof. I see a shadowy figure sitting on the roof, the demonic aura was coming from this person. I slowly made my way to the person it appears to be a man. I won't put up an easy fight. It's money he wants he won't steal from me and my family. I grab him from behind and aim the knife at his neck and narrow my eyes.

"Do not move or I'll wound you deeply?" I say as the wind blows I catch his scent, it was so familiar. That scent that I longed to smell all this time.

"Ayame, my dear I don't think you could wound me even if you wanted to." He said It is him what is he doing here. Why is he on our roof above my bedroom? I loosen my grip on the knife still having it pointed at his neck, he getting impatient swiftly grab my arm and turned around. Holding my arm up in the air and using his other hand to grab me by the waist pulling me toward him. I blush and looked up at him seeing his face in the moonlight and staring into his eyes. A smile is on his face, Shiori moves his hand from my waist and went to my hair picking it up and feeling it.

"Your hair has gotten a lot longer since I've seen you are you purposely growing it out?" He said so casually. I nodded in shock a bit from how fast he moved and shifted our positions. Shiori lets go of me and points down.

"Shall we go inside? It's too cold out for a human." He said, I snap out of my daze and turn my back to him giving him a bit of attitude.

"I have you know my training as taught me to withstand certain weathers for a period of time... Besides I don't know if its right to have a man in my room..." I say turning my head to him slightly and giving him a look. Shiori gave me a chilling perverted look, but I didn't show it. He came closer to me and leaned into my ear.

"If I want to be a womanizer and sweep you off your feet to be a pervert, I would do it right here or rather I would have done that two years ago." He said into my ear, this made me realize he was right, he is a demon and most likely has special abilities like myself. I perk up and chuckle awkwardly.

"Well, look at how high the moon has risen, I'll be off into my room for the night," I say now turned to him and getting ready to climb back inside my window. Shiori grabbed my arm in a hurry though I look back up into his eyes and begin blushing again.

"Wait Ayame, I came all this way to see you. May I at least come in and speak with you... I remember today is your day of birth correct?" He asked, How the- I haven't celebrated my birthday in years. After my first eldest brother left I never wanted to celebrate. That was six years ago.

"Sure come in I was just brushing my hair," I say pulling my hand from him and going into my window quietly and sitting back down on my futon, I picked up my brush and start over with brushing my hair. Shiori came in and looked around my room, very bare my room is. Nothing but empty space, and my beauty table. Shiori sat down in front of me and cleared his throat.

"I've been meaning to ask, does it ever get hard brushing your hair at that length? My hair is long but your hair is much longer than mine..." He asks, I nod and sighed.

"It is very hard to get to the back I will admit," I say, Shiori chuckled and gently grabbed my brush from my hands. Then motioned me to turn my back to him.

I did not hesitate since I'm used to others doing my hair anyway. He indeed brushed my hair correctly, from root to ends then running his claws through it afterwards.

"Shiori?... How did you know it was my birthday. Do not lie to me either." I said balling my fist slightly in front of me Shiori sighed as he continued on with my hair.

"Ever since I brought you back to you home, I couldn't stop thinking of you and if you were well off, every once in a while I would come and watch, I watched you train with your brothers and by yourself. I am impressed with how strong you've become over the years... Recently I couldn't but to travel back and forth from my homelands to yours to make sure you were okay. Honestly, I want to see you as well, you are a very interesting human... You are just now noticing my presence, I assume you have completed your training recently?" Shiori says pausing on brushing my hair when I abruptly turn to look in his face. Seeing if he was telling the truth, and he was. I sighed and nodded but then it clicked in my head.

"You watch me from a distance? You are not telling a lie are you??" I ask him, he nodded and my face goes completely red.

"YOU'VE SEEN ME NAKED! I mean I always assumed you watched me because I would always feel your overwhelming presence and thought nothing of it... You've seen my naked body!!" I scream at him holding myself. Shiori held his hands up in defence and shook his head.

"No no, I might be a man and a demon, but I am respectful I would never peep at a woman's naked body," he says to me and rubs the back of his head. I calm down a bit and sighed in relief. Shiori then gasp slightly and reached into his kimono for something. He pulls out a cloth and unwraps it to reveal a beautiful necklace charm. It was a small size red crystal, the crystal was in the shape of a small ball on the crystal I see a wolf carved into it, but inside the crystal, I see some sort of silver and gold lights inside. It was one of the most mesmerizing things I've ever seen.

"It's a gift for you Ayame. I found it just for you... I thought about it when I remember it is your day of birth today" He said moving some of my long hair out of my face. I shake my head something like that must surely be expensive.

"I can not accept I'm sorry..." I say looking down it is very pretty but I must not take things from a man I barely know. Shiori shook his hand moved behind me.

"You can and you will, I will not take no for an answer." He said being very persistent. He also finished brushing my hair at that time. Once he finished he finally broke that silence.

"Well I'm off, I will not delay your sleep." He said getting up I looked back to see him putting my brush on my table and giving himself a good stretch. Shiori then started heading to the window. No! I quickly get up and go over to him. Looking down at the floor and I held him by his kimono.

"Please stay with me... I-... I don't want you to leave me." I say quietly. I heard a soft chuckle, Shiori removed my hand from his Kimono and kisses my hands. He leads me to my futon and lays me down tucking me in and sitting beside me.

"Then I will not leave you..." He said before moving some of my hair to the side. I smile and close my eyes reaching my hand out for his. He doesn't hesitate to grab and hold my hand.

***

It's been a few days since my birthday Shiori comes and sees me every night. Most nights we talk until sunrise, other nights he holds my hand as I sleep throughout the night. It's nice to have someone like Shiori around. Tonight is not only my birthday party that I didn't want, but it is also my ceremony for my crossing over into the head high priestess of our lands, so young to only dedicate my life to this path I hope to only save many lives human and non-human, bad and good, everyone deserved to be set free and given another chance. Mother and father say today is the day I begin my journeys into womanhood, there are things I must know and things I must not know. What to do and what not to do.

Itori and my hairdresser Mei are getting me ready for tonight, hair and makeup, as well as my finest fanciest Kimono for the party. It's a nice pretty pink with beautiful Japanese designs and blue and green accents.

The ceremony starts, I walk down the throne room and knees before my mother, father, and the priest crossing me over, I take my vows and I am blessed by the priest. Then I drink the blessed wine that was given to me and pray with the priest. This last for an hour. Afterwards, I am pounced high priestess Ayame, and presented to our kingdom. The parade lasted thirty minutes, and before I could even head to my office for a breather I am dragged away for hair and make-up touch up

Itori escorts me to the banquet hall where I sit between to mother and father as our guest arrives with presets and well-being wishes. Once everyone was seated and greeted the party began, food, dancers, music, and alcohol. Everyone was having fun even drinking wine a bit too much I might add. It was all too much, too overwhelming. I will admit I had a bit of fun at the party, some of these people I haven't seen in such a long time due to business travels and of course protecting Japan from going into war. I can't leave just yet I have to wait for my father to get a bit more drunk so he can go join in with the king from the Itamori clan, which happened later than sooner. The Itamori leader's son Shouji was flirting with me I entertained it for a bit until he started to get a bit too close for my liking. Shouji and I are childhood friends. We have a history together however Shouji is very well known for womanizing and lecture if so to speak, nothing like the boy I grew up with. I do not like the man he's become today, rumours say he's gotten a few women from Itamori and here in Hirosaki. As drunk as Shouji is I didn't beat him down no matter how much I wanted to. I hate drunkard men trying to seduce me for what it's worth. I managed to get Itori in by me and asked her to do me a small favour to keep Shouji occupied so I can retire to me.

Itori didn't mind at all, for some reason she has a crush on Shouji, why would she like a man like that it really surprises me. Itori is such a beautiful and smart girl. I lean over and whispered to mother I was going to retire for the night. She just nodded and waved me off before father could notice I was leaving. Sneaking out of the party and standing in the hallway for a bit I let out a sigh and closed my eyes. They can continue the party without me, besides I have training and classes early tomorrow morning. I finally arrive in my room and close the door the wall seemed greater than it usually is, maybe because I greeted several servants on my back to my room.

I took no time in changing into my night kimono and neatly putting my party one away. I then bring out my futon and covers out onto the tatami mats. As I am straightening up my closet I feel a strong demonic presence, I reach into my kimono and grip my spiritual seal that was given to me during my ceremony, my seal is silver with gold accent wrapping around a star and circle the circle holds the star in place in the middle. The points of the star represent the elements of a soul and nature. I pretended to not notice the demonic aura until I tuned around aims the seal towards the way of the demonic aura. I tense up slightly when I see Shiori sitting on my window look out into at the full moon

"Good Evening Ayame," Shiori says coming into the room and sitting next to the futon. When he said my name with that beautiful soft-spoken voice it made my heart skip a few beats. I observe his expressionless face then close my eyes to avoid eye contact with him to keep my composure.

"You do know entering a woman's room uninvited is unacceptable, more importantly, are you trying to get yourself killed. I could hurt you badly or even kill you." I say then opening my eyes giving him a sharp look still holding up my seal to him. Shiori started into my eyes and chuckled.

"Can you please put that away... We don't want an accident to happen." He said reaching over with his hands, he paused right in front of mt and smiled at me. I get lost in his gaze and lower my seal placing it beside me. He touched my face holding my chins with his claws and tips of his fingers. Making me look directly into his eyes and bringing my face closer to his.

"Oh, my dear Ayame I don't think you could kill me even if you wanted to. Maybe hurt me but never kill me." He said I blushed slightly and looked away with my eyes. Why does he tease me like so, it always makes me lose my composure. I look back to his eyes and sighed he was still holding my face. I couldn't help but think and wish for him to kiss me. It would be much better then that man who assaulted me and killed my men, but being romantically involved with a demon would surely be frowned upon. I moved his hands away and sighed

"So you went to your homelands today, yes?" I asked. Shiori told me about his homelands and my eyes lit up with excitement. A land that is full of demons and half-demons as well as other creatures and magic. Very colourful as well, grass greener than green, water bluer than blue. Very vibrant he describes the colours in his homelands. Children running around playing with each other and huge vibrant flower fields that children play in as well. The villages there are filled with old and young, and the strange exotic foods they have it made me wonder how wonderful they take. It was really elfin imagining the things he described, but most importantly Shiori a demon was opening up and holding a conversation with a human such as me. It makes me wonder if humans and demons can live in harmony together. I wonder what kind of demon he is?

"Ayame, please close your eyes," Shiori says to me with a serious tone and face. I tensed up again but did as I was told. I felt Shiori grab my chin again then his pinky finger on my lips. I started blushing a bright pink colour. I smelled strawberries, it was so welcoming. I open my eyes to see Shiori smiling he laughed lightly.

"Just as I thought the lipstick matches you perfectly." He said I blush a deep red.

"A gift for you crossing over today," Shiori said as he places a small wooden box in my hand. I open it and look inside the scent of strawberries overwhelmed my nose. There a bright red lipstick and eyeshadow inside the box. I blush and get over to my closet getting my hand mirror and gasped. The red was very flattering on me Shiori has good taste I see. I turn around and crawl right in front of me looking down for a bit then up at him.

"Thank you Shiori, it's a wonderful gift I will cherish it," I said the blush overcoming my face. Shiori caressed my face

"Only a beautiful gift for a beautiful woman, now the moon has risen high please go to bed." He said then tucked me into my futon and made sure I still wore the necklace he gave me not too long ago. He picked up the box and placed it in my closet and closed the sliding door Shiori sat next to me and looked back outside at the moon

"I... I have a favour" I said bashfully. He turned to me waiting.

"I- I will be travelling very soon and... I would like for you to accompany me... I would be much safer and better off if you were to travel with me instead of the guards..." I say looking down at my covers.

"Is that all?" He said before going to sitting on the window. I nodded there was a long silence before I got an answer.

"I will accompany you where ever you go Ayame," he said before I fell fast asleep

***

"Princess Ayame? Are you awake it is time for meetings?" I here Itori on the other side of the door was opened. Itori and Mei came in quickly and got me ready for the day, meetings and meditating the only duties I have so far until I leave. Meetings are always boing so details are not a necessary matter of fact I wasn't even listening. When it came to my meditation I was out in the garden and felt like I was being watched, come to think of it Shiori said he sure does watch me from afar. It's like he's guarding me in a way. I stopped praying and look up into the tress nothing there, I sighed and went back to praying for good health and safety on my journey. Then a demonic aura arrives, I was very alerted and turned my back with my spiritual seal it's a spiritual star witch a circle around it. The colour of it is silver wrapped around by gold accents. When I look to see Shiori, I put down the seal and gasp slightly.

"S-Shiori what are you doing here, people will see you and tell that you are not human!" I say to him as I got off my knees dropping my seal to the ground and walking over to him. Shiori was stiff, too stiff as in fact. I reach out to him and touched his arms he then came to reality and looked down at me and my worried expression.

"I came to see what you were doing out here alone I've seen you do this in the woods and never understood what you were praying for and on your knees but now I see I shouldn't have disturbed your training... I am sorry to have frightened you." He says as he moves his hair from his face. I sighed and shake my head-hugging him tightly

"Do not worry you didn't frighten me... I am finishing up my prayer, Even though I am a princess to a family of royal Priest and Priestesses, It is my duty to do exorcisms and purifications... I travel across the countryside doing lots of things, even fighting greater demons than me such as yourself." I say looking up at him, I never did tell him I'm a priestess. What if I were to accidently hurt him during these if he watches over me, Shiori pulled away quickly and look towards the castle. I blush a bright pink when I realized I was hugging him and still hugging him for this long.

"Someone is coming," He said then gently pushed me away before I knew it he was gone. I took that chance to go back to praying or at least acting like I was. I hear running footsteps to me soon after and Itori hands me a letter. I read it and frown deeply, My journey starts now, I must leave for the sake of this possessed child up north I am receiving word about, then I will continue to the kingdoms on the west and east then come back south and do what I am asked to do, despite being the head royal family of the south we are the only ones that are the most powerful priest and priestesses.

"Gather my things, and my horse, I will leave immediately!" I said and grabbed my seal running to my mother and father to give them the news and also to express to them that I would not be taking any guards. My mother of course was thrilled my father on the other hand was not, but I had no time. I had too many quests at hand. I went to my room and changed into my travelling clothes of course my father followed me to press on about guards mother followed to light a flame under his butt about how I am a woman now I should make my own decisions. This went on and on as I got dressed and packed, my father finally screamed and we went silent.

"NO DAUGHTER OF MINE WILL TRAVEL WITHOUT PROTECTION! I FORBID YOU FROM GOING UNTIL YOU FIND TWO COMPAINANS SINCE YOU REFUSE TO USE OUR GUARDS!!!" He yelled. I gave him a look and started growling my hand shaking and my spiritual energy rising high.

"You never let me do anything you old prune! Motan and Sotan get to leave the nest! And not I! How dare you old man, I have been nothing but great to you! Followed your every word, your every command of me! It is my time now to leave the nest and become something great but you won't allow it! How am I the next heir to your throne by your choice and I can not make my path for my way of ruling! You must be dammed in Hell if you think I will sit and not tend to my duties! I Ayame Katamori High priestess of Katamori will not sit like a duck and be held on a leash a dog!" I yell at him, my own spiritual energy circling around us making things shake. My mother rolled her eyes and sighed hitting my father up against the head.

"Ayame my sweet daughter please calm down, I will talk to your father... Why don't you leave at sunrise and I'm sure he will be fine, Itori would please escort her to the sacred woods in the sacred garden." My mother says, I wave them off and mt energy stops.

"DON'T BOTHER, LEAVE ME ALONE" I yell at them and storm out of the room heading to the garden, I do not want to be there that place is not meant for my anger. I'll go elsewhere. Heading out of the kingdom on my horse I go without stopping and without saying anything to anyone.

***

It's been a few hours since I left from the kingdom. I'm not going back until I see fit. I lay against a tree I climbed it's almost sunset. I look out and hold my stomach I'm getting very hungry but, I refuse to go back. Just then I fell a demonic presence. I turn my head to the side and see Shiori staring at me I sighed and smiled.

"You are hungry are you not?" He said sniffing at me with his pointy nose. I nodded in defeat and grinned. I jumped down from the tree and stretched.

"Want to help me catch some fish?" I waved up at him and put my hands behind my back. Shiori shook his head and phased next to me, Shiori picked me up bridal style and smiled down at me.

"I was thinking something more along the lines of you going home for dinner and sleep." He told me moving some hair out of my face I frown deeply and pouted looking away from him. I shook my head no and he sighed throwing me over his shoulder. I gasp and started kicking my feet and hitting his back with my fist. It didn't work, it's like he didn't even feel it. I feel Shiori's body move and his demonic aura disappear from him as if he was leaving the area but he was still holding me. At this moment Shiori put me on the horse and got on behind me. Gripping on to the rope firmly and locking his arms around so I wouldn't try and escape from him. I turned to finally look at Shiori to give him the face, but I couldn't Shiori was still Shiori but he's demonic features and aura were gone. I reached up and touch his face to make sure I hadn't fallen asleep in the tree, but it was real I gasp and retreated my hand away from him.

"S-Shiori, what did you do to yourself?" I asked fascinated but also alarmed

"It's an allusion magic spell I was taught growing up. I can hide my appearance and still use my demonic power for as long as I want. No matter what." He said as the horse started to pick up speed, I cradle into his arms.

"I'll show you more one day if you can behave tonight and let me get your father off your back that is?" He said looking down at me I looked up at him and blushed. OF COURSE, he knew... He watches me a lot. Why would he want to travel with a human-like me? I said nothing to him, for I was lost in thought the rest of the ride back to my castle.

Once we arrived my mother ran to me crying and held on to me tight, she thought I left without protection My father was trying to scold me of course but gave my father to the evil eye and he shut his mouth. My mother finally noticed Shiroi as Itori took the horse from him. Shiro smile and cleared his throat. "Lord and Lady Katamori, Might I introduce myself. I am Shiori, I live not far from here. Your daughter and I are friends by choice, two years ago. I managed to help her escape from bandits." He said bowing deeply then standing up. Before I could even turn to my father and mother to say more they were on the ground bowing at Shiori's feet. I gasp and look up at Shiori, it's the first time I've seen them bow down, well it's the first time I've never seen my father do this. He's a stubborn hard ass and bows to no one.

We all go inside and have hot tea and get warm from the cool air. Fall is coming faster than expected this year. I sit next to Shiori quietly drinking my tea slowly but keeping my cup in front of my face hiding my face and watch my parents interact with Shiori.

"Shiori where from you be?" My mother says looking at my father nudging him a bit.

"The Northern lands Lady Kyoko, Ayame has told me so much about you guys and the rest of your family. We are good friends... We tell each other practically everything." Shiori says and pets my head and rubs my hair messing it up. I frown and gave him a look. He knows how long it takes to get my hair done. He smiled at me warmly and took my cup away from my hands.

"Don't hide your beautiful face?" He said teasing me, my frown deepens, I sigh in defeat and roll my eyes at him. This left my father shocked and my mother laughing.

"See darling she has an outsider friend she will be fine on her journeys. Leave the girl be, she knows where home is."

"Journeys? To where do you travel?" Said Shiori, I never did tell him where I was going but I guess it wouldn't hurt It could be a ticket away from home finally. However, just to teach my father a lesson. I stand up my face full of anger and stirring my energy around just a little bit, but still very firm and strong. I storm over to the door and open it abruptly.

"It doesn't matter. THAT OLD FOOL WILL NEVER RELEASE ME!" I scream and slam the sliding door shut behind me and I begin storming to my room. I close my eyes and smirk Whispering a chant I open my eyes and I feel them glowing again. Tamping into my powers like this is dangerous but it's such a pretty colour, a beautiful deep sea blue mixed with a deep vibrant purple was my energies colour ever since birth it seems.

"Haruma, Yuma... Watch them... I shall go finish the preparations for travel." I say at two lights leave from me they were a white colour surrounded by a black aura. Haruma and Yuma are damned children that I saved from going to hell. Twins they were dying in a fire, I raise them as my own but they are Shikibane's I can help them experience a normal life but they will never die, they'll get passed on to my apprentice if I chose to have one, or they'll simply come back to me after I have been reincarnated. Whatever it is I shall let the fates decide. Once I get to my room I hurry to finish packing and get changed into my gear. I put on my red pants on top of my white kimono top. I then pull my hair back tight. Tying is behind my head. This way I wouldn't get mixed up with being on royal business and I won't trip on my hair and get it dirty. I spin around a bit, just to see how it feels. I could move much more freely, less weight on me, and I can move almost as fast as I can when wearing the light armour for demon slayers when I am in battle. It was nice not being in royal garments. I take the necklace Shiori gave me out my kimono and admired it for a bit. I then placed it back in my Kimono and sit down, Now I wait for them to barge in, Haruma and Yuma will tell me everything that was said later.

A few hours pass, it is way past bedtime for the princess aka me, however, I need to stay awake until I've heard the final verdict. Haruma and Yuma Rush into the room scared for some reason. They were in their human form. They came and hid behind me I raised an eyebrow, I was sitting in the middle of the room meditating before they got into the room. "Lady Ayame!" Said Yuma as she started to cry. "He's scary," Said Haruma. Clearing my throat I look at the two in confusion.

"Who's scary?" I asked as Shiori came in with a very annoyed look on his face. He closed the sliding doors behind him and sat in front of me staying in his human form.

"Your father sure is a difficult man," He said a calm proper tone. I chuckled his properness always made my heart melt a bit. Shiori then cleared his throat and lean back on his hand. "By any means, I have gotten your father to agree to let you travel on this adventure of yours to work the countryside as Priest Ayame, with some minor exceptions..." He said trailing off a bit. I clapped her hands as a tease for taming my beast of a father.

"What are these exceptions that you see as minor?" I ask him as I begin to clam down my Shikibane, they did calm down and laid their heads in my lap staring at Shiori admiring him, I could tell they were. I too did it when I first met him.

"Well, one Itori you handmaiden must go along with you, two you must do royal duties as well..."

"Of course royal duties... Those are enough pain..." I say rolling my eyes and falling back on to the floor.

"I am not finished..." He says I wave to him letting him know I was ready to hear the rest of these tasteless demands of my father.

"Lastly... I am to travel with you for your safety, a guard in some sort" He said, I sat up quickly, this made Haruma and Yuma move off me.

"Wait no! I am no child I don't need any babysitting!" I say frowning. Shiori chuckles and gets up patting my head.

"Well, these terms are set, I already agreed... Now get some rest I am going to the room your mother put me in for the night" He said leaving from my room. I turn red travelling with Shiori and a child! My father must be out of mind! Whatever it'll get me away from this place so I can start my own adventure and my own story.