Chapter 30

Rachnera listened as their Jorogumo Guide told them all about the history of the binding brides. The main difference was the origin of their species; one occurred naturally, while the other involved godly intervention. Athena cursed Rachnera's foremother because of her hubris of being a better weaver than the Goddess.

Arachnera gave birth to various children over the years; some were dedicated to tormenting the children of the Goddess that cursed their mother, but some decided to go to other lands and start their own families. One group settled on an island in the Sea of Monsters, starting not just a family but a kingdom. The force of time changed some of them to better fit their role in society, such as becoming bulkier but slow or becoming smaller and faster.

The Guide was surprised to learn that Rachnera was a princess of an entire kingdom and chose to leave it, if only temporarily, for the sake of her shotgun husband. She personally found Rachnera's determination romantic and reminded her of some of the Jorogumo tales her mother used to tell her.

"So, how do you fund your village?" asked Naruto, "Rachnera makes goods from her silk while I work as a tailor."

"We do the same thing," replied the Guide, "we mainly make kimonos or the occasional custom order."

"What a coincidence," commented Naruto, "then again, we are weavers by trade."

"Some of us are better than others," said the Guide, "some leave the village and go into the city to become housewives or try other ventures. We have a lot of success being musicians in the biwa."

"I don't see any fault in that," said Naruto.

"What's a biwa?" asked Bianca.

"It's a short-necked wooden lute that is played with a wooden stick called a bachi." Answered the Guide, "they're very popular for traditional musicians and can be used for storytelling."

"Interesting," said Bianca in interest.

"Maybe I should bring one home and try and play it." Said Rachnera, wanting to learn a new trade and impress her husband.

"I wouldn't oppose to it," said Naruto, "it might even liven up the cabin."

"We can get you one along with a couple of books to help you learn," said the Guide, excited for the couple and glad another monster wanted to expand their potential.

"Thank you," said Rachnera in excitement, "I can't wait.

"So, the foreigner and his group are the Jorogumo village," said Raian as he read the note, "I do have a few supporters there, but most of them are happy with foreign influences. Tell my spy to isolate the foreigner and his group so we can take them out quickly; the younger spider demons and their fire-breathing pets could prove to be a nuisance."

"At once," replied a lower-ranked gang member.

"Soon, that blonde foreigner will be gone, and Japan will get back to its glorious roots," said Raian, going back to planning.

The Guide brought Rachnera to a building where they store their instruments, letting Bianca and Naruto wander around the village as the third group member shopped. Bianca followed Naruto without wanting to be alone as he browsed the Jorogumo's wears.

"I can see why people want spider goods," said Naruto, running his hand along a blanket, "tough but soft to the touch."

"I agree," said Bianca, eyeing some sweaters and pajamas, "they also have wonderful heat retention."

"Yes, our silk competes with alpaca and fleece for quality." commented the shopkeeper

"Do you have any books on designs and techniques for weaving?" asked Naruto, wanting to learn and expand his business.

"I think we have some in the back." said the shopkeeper, going to the back of the shop.

The storekeeper returned and gave Naruto his requested books, and Naruto paid the demon the price amount, but a new smell caused Naruto to worry.

"Do you smell smoke?" asked Naruto to his group.

"It's probably one of the younger girl's pets," assured the shopkeeper, "they sometime can't control their flames and end up burning a house or two."

"But is it supposed to smell like roasting nuts?" continued Naruto

"Stage one is complete, moving onto stage two." said one of Raian's henchmen outside the city, "Alright, men, aim for the blonde and his group, subdue anyone that gets in your way."

"Yes, sir." replied the small group behind him as they moved toward the village

Back in the village, Naruto, Rachnera, and Bianca were being escorted away from the danger, the trio watching as multiple women ran with buckets of water to extinguish the flames.

"I'm guessing this is a regular occurrence," remarked Naruto

"It happens about once a month," answered the shopkeeper, "the younger spiders get excited and shoot their flames."

"Spiders can shoot fire," said Bianca in confusion

"The ones under the Jumogoro's command can," said Naruto, "mythology can get weird at times, especially when visiting other cultures."

"After a while, you get used to it," said Rachnera trying to comfort the young demigoddess, "I was surprised too when I found out. I wanted to take one back to the camp, but Honey said no."

"The other campers would panic and try to kill it," said Naruto, "especially my siblings."

"I know, but they're so cute," said Rachnera showing her feminine side.

"I also like my shop to not be on fire," commented Naruto, "since it's also our home."

"There is that too," said Rachnera too, "I least I'll have memories of them."

"Maybe we can come back in a few years and get a spider them," said Naruto, "when we're not located mere feet from the camp."

"I know you would give in," said Rachnera hugging Naruto, unintentionally sandwiching Naruto in her breasts

'Remain calm and breathe,' thought Naruto as he tried to control his hormones.

Naruto was saved from further embarrassment when an arrow landed a few feet away from his feet.

"There's the target! Get them!" yelled the leader of the attack

"Run!" yelled Naruto as he grabbed Bianca and Rachnera's hands.

The group of three managed to make it to the outskirts of the village before being met with a second invading force. Both forces stood still, not knowing what should happen next. Naruto knew he could escape, but Bianca might have a more challenging time as she was still new to the supernatural world and combat.

"When You see an opening," whispered Naruto to his two companions, "run; I'll catch up later back at the hotel."

"Okay," agreed Bianca, having the least amount of experience in combat

"Be careful honey," replied Rachnera, looking for an opening.

Naruto waited until he saw his opponent make the first time, a second passed before the blonde tailor saw an opponent's foot twitch and Naruto made his move. Using his demigod abilities, Naruto reduced the density of the ground and sent it out in a wave to disrupt the enemies' formation and to give his group the chance to escape.

"Go!" exclaimed Naruto, making sure his allies escaped.

"Make sure you get back safely," said Rachnera grabbing Bianca and running from the battleground, "we need to make sure your bloodline continues."

"How old is this kid?" asked one of the attacking monsters

"I don't know," replied one of the monsters in confusion, "but he somehow managed to score an attractive spider girl, so maybe he just looks young."

"You guys know I can hear you, right," commented Naruto overhearing the monsters talking about him.

When Bianca first learned she was the daughter of a Greek god, she was skeptical, but after the last few days, she started to believe. How else could she explain why a spider woman was dragging her away from a horde of monsters wanting to attack her?

"I think we're nearing the city," said Rachnera seeing the metal structures and the sound of cars.

"What is going on?" asked Bianca in a panic, "who are those people?"

"I don't know, but they seem to have something against Honey," answered Rachnera.

"Can't we do anything," asked Bianca.

"Not unless you know how to fight," said Rachnera.

"I know some fencing, but that's about it," said Bianca.

"We should get you a sword soon, then," said Rachnera when they reached the city's edge, "we should be safe now. All we need to do is wait for Naruto to come back."

"Hopefully, he'll be okay," said Bianca, taking in deep breaths

"He should be, as this isn't the first time he was forced to fight," replied Rachnera

"So, looks like we have some stragglers," said a demon with three other demons trailing behind him, "and some good-looking ones."

"Bianca, stay behind me," said Rachnera pushing the daughter of Hades behind her, "Honey taught me a few things while we were at camp."

The four demons chuckled as the thought of a spider-woman defeating them was laughable, but they were quickly silenced when they found themselves cocooned in strong silk.

"What happened?" asked one of the surprised demons.

"I think we were defeated," answered the second demon, while the other two walked Rachnera and Bianca retreat further into the city.

"They may be cannon fodder, but they made up for that in numbers," said Naruto looking for any survivors from his battle, "hopefully, that was the last of them."

The fight wasn't difficult by skill but in terms of numbers. Naruto's specialty lay in fighting multiple opponents, but he had his limits, and the Jorogumo won't actual fighters, more like ambushers and trappers. The defeated lay unconscious and bundled in silk.

"I hope I can catch up to Rachnera and Bianca," said Naruto looking in the direction the two women ran off.

"We'll deal with the ruffians while you reunite with your comrades," said one of the adult Jorogumo commanding other spider-woman on where to put the bundles.

"I think they went back to the city," hypothesized Naruto, "but other than that, I have no clue."

"Then I can only wish you luck," said the adult Jorogumo, "I hope you and your friends find safety."