Chapter 287
Back in Eden, the new arrivals were getting a tour around the city. When Risa heard of other tanuki roaming the area she appeared in town with her shenanigans stronger than ever. Her influence that afternoon would go on to inspire many tricksters, and not just from the tanuki.
Other species are capable of shapeshifting, and transmutation techniques. Without the proper guidance, their skills can never advance and some go on to forget them. Annoying as they found it Risa was helping them master a skill they needed to travel outside the village.
After the talk from Zack, she kept the pranks to lighthearted jokes focused on her roommates. Being an angel Risa told them that Zack would be the true test of their skills. She rallied the troops and made the preparations.
"Go lure him into a game, and lead him towards the hive," Risa told the children.
An inari, and tanuki child ran towards the garden where Zack was watching the others play. He was sitting at a nearby bench with Ren, and Yuki at his side. They were going over baby names together when they were approached by Helena.
"Can we play another game?" Helena asked with the pranksters behind her.
"Go ahead," Ren smirked.
"I'll come back when we're finished." Zack kissed them both on the cheeks.
"Have fun." Yuki waved at the children with a smile.
'I can't wait till you can meet your family.'
Yuki resting her hand over her belly while watching the eager looks on the children's faces. Just like Zack promised their day has been dedicated to his family, and their time at the table was only a short break from the field day.
"Where did Zack go?"
Walking towards the tables was Kaya, and the others returning with the supplies to start cooking. The normal feast was being held tonight, but the kids have worked up an appetite today. As the others were placing the items on the tables Yu was looking around frantically.
"They just started the next ga.."
Ren didn't even finish her sentence when Yu dropped the items in her hands leaping over the table. Amy took off behind her to help locate their positions. Just before the items hit the floor they were lifted by a gust of wind landing gracefully on the table.
"Good save," Octavia told Lixue.
"Thanks, but it wasn't difficult to predict," Lixue replied.
"You beat me by a second." Madison teased.
"A second more, and it would've broken," Kaya smirked.
"Tamiko sent a messenger to the waystation to pass these along." Cassandra handed Ren a ring.
"Thank you!" Ren swiftly got up hugging Cassandra.
Typically the only person Ren would embrace is Zack, but Ren's cravings have gotten worse lately. The food made in Tamiko's village reminded her of home, and it was the only place to satisfy the pregnancy cravings.
"N-no problem, but that's a little r-rough," Cassandra muttered from Ren's breast.
"Sorry..." Ren put Cassandra down while rubbing the back of her head.
"Don't worry we are pretty durable," Madison told Ren.
"When are you girls gonna quit hiding?" Octavia announced.
From a nearby rooftop dropped Ericka, and once she was at the table Cynthia descended. They have been stalking Zack since the morning, and only watched them play from afar. Smelling the food on the table Ericka decided to sneak Zack another time. No longer having to watch the troublemaker Cynthia could mingle with the others.
"Ashleigh's been looking for you," Yuki stated.
"We were just about to join them if you're interested." Lixue smiled.
"What game are they playing?" Cynthia asked while glancing at the food being prepped.
"Tag like usual," Lilith replied.
"A quick hunt before a meal sounds nice," Ericka smirked while stretching.
Hearing this Cynthia darted into the forest, and Lixue was trailing behind her. Ericka's tail swayed playfully at the challenge and dashed across the field on all fours springing into the tree.
"Does anyone know where our little kunoichi is?" Lilith asked.
"Geared up for a mission last time I saw her," Elizabeth replied.
'Damn it.' Lilith sighed pondering over the others.
"She should be back tonight," Asami said from the treetops.
"Why don't you join us?" Yuki offered.
'He hasn't returned yet so I can burn some time.'
Asami dropped down taking a seat near Yuki while Elizabeth poured an extra cup of rum.
"Thank you." Asami smiled.
"You're her aunt right?" Lilith investigated.
Asami nodded while taking a sip.
"I was the youngest of three sisters," Asami replied.
"Has she always behaved like that?" Lilith asked.
"She was a very playful child and a little bit of a crybaby. Always running around looking for trouble, but the smallest injury would send her running home in tears. When she grew older Haruna became a little spoiled thanks to her father." Asami smiled while chugging the drink.
"What happened?" Kaya asked.
Asami grabbed the bottle taking a deep swig, and the others knew it was a sensitive matter. It's not that Asami wanted to hide the story, and if anyone deserved to know it was her friends, but the wounds from that tragedy have yet to heal.
--
When Haruna was twelve her mom left for an important mission. There was a human city rising to power in the neutral territory and determined to expand they hired a band of demons to fill their ranks. They lived along the border of the angel territory, and to attack one of their cities could bring over a sentinel.
If the two sides were to clash it could spark the next dark age, but stopping them wasn't easy. Their city was heavily fortified, and they were using ancient magic to win their battles. Being a thriving city their streets were being overrun with the homeless, and they used them for their rituals. Hundreds of lives were sacrificed for their dark arts with no end in sight.
To prevent things from growing worse lord Hisato took action by sending his best operatives on the task. The one charged with leading them was his oldest daughter Hanako, and they managed to infiltrate the city. During their initial recon, they were detected, and a dire battle ensued.
The strength of their warriors was unnatural, and only one shinobi made it out due to Hanako's efforts. Before their capture, they managed to destroy one of the arrays being used for their rituals.
When the shinobi returned of the news they wanted to go rescue Hanako, but the situation was escalating on the borer, and action was needed. It was the lives of millions against the small chance they didn't kill the captives.
Hisato was concerned for his daughter, but he swore an oath to prevent the dark ages from starting again. Shinjiro had different plans for he wouldn't leave his wife behind, and he snuck out against Hisato's orders with a band of shinobi.
The final result ended in Haruna losing both parents, and thousands of innocents being killed from the absence of the extra shinobi. After this Haruna threw herself into her training, and cut herself off to human emotions. For if they stuck to their duty as a shinobi she could've at least had one parent to come home to.