*Etsuo*

Some people yelped as I walked past them on the street.

"Why are they so surprised?" Kiara asked, blinking.

Hideo sighed. "Probably because that abysmal has his tail out."

I stared at my white tail. It was handy for carrying all of the shopping bags. "Yeah, I should've kept it hidden," I mumbled.

Silas chuckled. "Not the brightest one in the jungle, are you? Not the first time you've been warned against showing off your animal form either."

I grumbled.

"Hey, don't bully my friend!" Kiara said.

"Yeah, it isn't nice to bully," Rosa said as we arrived at the palace gates.

Hyosetsu sighed. "You're too kind to those who deceived you, Rosa. Keep showing this kindness, and you'll be bitten again and again."

"He's right," I whispered.

Rosa spun around and smiled. "As I said before, if he were Roa, I would be wary. But I know that the monkey is nice. He did refuse to fight against Sir Hideaki after all."

Hideo scoffed. "That's because he isn't stupid. He knows when he is outclassed."

Silas scratched his head. "So he isn't the dumbest in the jungle either."

I sighed. Hated it, but Hideo was right. I did know when I was outclassed.

"There is some good in facing those who outclass us, though. If we never fight those stronger than us, how can one grow?" the oldest of Eiichi's sisters said.

I laughed slightly.

She furrowed her brow. "What?"

"You sound like my mom."

Her youngest sister giggled. "Ei-ei's always been like a mommy!"

"Well, let's get going," Hyosetsu said as the guards opened the gates. He stopped and turned around. He reached for his white katana and swung it as quickly as possible. Ice and sparks flew through the air.

"Not bad, Hyosetsu," Roa said, grinning.

"Roa? What are you doing here?" I yelled.

He smiled at me. "What's with that? Shouldn't this be when you're happy to see me?"

"I am, but don't attack them! Grandfather said to work with them for the time being!"

Roa jumped back and put away his katana into its black sheath. "I'm aware. I only did so to protect myself against Mr. Jumpy here."

Hyosetsu scowled. "Mr. Jumpy?"

Kohri giggled.

The older Kuroyuki no San brother rolled his eyes. "Not funny, Kohri."

"What? He has a point."

He scoffed and put away his own sword. "If I were jumpy, I would've sliced his head off by now. Or better yet, broken his core. But, I prefer letting someone else do the killing."

Hideo appeared behind Roa split second later, pointing his gun at the back of his head. "Tell us, why are you really here and I might let you live."

Roa laughed. "You think that you can kill me with a shot to the head? I'm a half abysmal. Unlike my cousins, I have a higher chance of survival."

"I see. Well, I'm happy to test that theory out."

"Hey, quit it, Hide!" Kiara said, grabbing his arm. "I know that we're only temporary allies, but this is our chance to work with them."

Hideo shook his head. "This guy's grandfather told Serrano that once Margaret is dealt with, that we'll be enemies again. So isn't it better to kill them now?"

"Yeah, and in turn Margaret might kill us," Setsuko said, grabbing him by the other arm.

Eiko nodded. "I hate the idea of working with these people as much as you do, but the princess is right."

"I agree. Margaret has to be rather fearsome if my father-in-law thinks he and his forces can't take her on alone."

"That's only because their power is diminishing, though," Miyuki said, looking down.

Roa laughed. "Indeed. Otherwise, we would have no need for your assistance."

Hideo growled. "Don't push your luck. I'm not the weakling you met months ago."

He stepped forward and turned around. "I'm aware. You're not the pipsqueak I met anymore, both figuratively and literally."

Kiara's brother smirked.

"Big head, Bro," Ki mumbled.

Koukyuu nodded.

I smiled. He always had a big ego, even when he was a shorty.

Hideo blushed and lowered his gun. He stomped away like a proud cat.

Hyosetsu followed after him. As did Kohri and his mother. Eiko in turn followed after Miyuki. Leaving me with only Tetsuya's family, Rosa, and the tanuki sisters.

"Why are you here, though?" I asked, holding out my bag covered hands.

"I wanted to check up on you. Plus, Grandfather told me to join you."

"Wait, does that mean that Team Tetsu is finally reunited?" Rosa asked.

Roa scrunched his nose. "For the time being."

The princess giggled. "Yay!"

I smiled but then remembered what happened last time Roa and Tetsu talked. "Do you think he will even accept you back?" I glanced at Tetsuya who remained still. Oddly so. It was honestly scary. Like a calm rage.

My closest cousin shrugged. "Does it matter what that guy thinks?"

Serra stepped forward. "Maybe not to you, but it can impact how we work as a team."

Roa shook his head. "You're mistaken if you think I'll work with you. The only one I'm willing to team up with is Etsuo. Maybe Dine but she's still stuck in that girl's body. Now, if only we could extract her..."

Kiara stepped back.

Amun narrowed her eyes at him.

"You won't dare touch my niece," Juniper said, glaring at him. Spiky rocks covered her.

Roa raised an eyebrow at her. "Such dense mana. To think the shorty's dad and aunt weren't the only strong ones in his family."

Anis smiled. "Nice of your to acknowledge me, nephew."

"Think you're forgetting someone, old buddy," a voice called out.

He gasped and turned to see Reno.

Roa smiled. "Switched sides yet again, have you?"

"It's hard to tell whose side he really is on," Silas mumbled.

"Sy, be nice to your cousin. He already apologized and is working hard to make amends," Rene said, sighing.

He grumbled. "Mom. You're as bad as the princess. It's his fault Dan got hurt."

Rene put her hands on her hips. "That may be the case, but I would be a bad follower of the Divine couple if I allowed grudges to linger."

Reno scratched the back of his head and turned away. "Thanks, Aunt Rene."

Hideo's mom smiled. "It's nothing."

Juniper sighed. "I must admit, I agree with Silas. It's one thing to forgive others, it's another to trust them."

She had a point there.

Reno lowered his head.

"Looks like you're really determined to make things right with them," Roa said, chuckling as he walked over to him. He put a hand on his shoulders. "That reminds me. There's someone who wanted to see you."

He raised his head and blinked. "Huh? See me? Who?"

Mankin gasped and turned around. "I sense Mei approaching."

Sis was here too?

Serrano gulped.

Setsuko crossed her arms and sighed.

"Bad memories?" Tetsuya asked, frowning. At least he finally made himself heard.

Serra dipped his head and nodded weakly.

Right, my little sis was the one who had hurt Ki to the point that Dine had to enter her body to save her life. Dine. She sure was nice to have done so. Most of us likely wouldn't have done that. Especially for someone that we didn't know. Although, Dine did say she did it because Kiara had helped me. So perhaps saying it was out of sheer kindness might not have been right.

"Roa! Who told you to ditch us! What if they ganged up on you? At the very least I can shut down their powers to level the playing field!" Mei yelled as she stomped around like a furious monkey.

Roa shrugged. "Not my fault you can't keep up."

Rosalba narrowed her eyes at him. "Has that jerk always been like this?"

I laughed weakly. "Yeah, he takes after Grandpa. Or so they say."

"Really? Grandfather seems a lot calmer," Serrano said, laughing slightly.

I chuckled. "Now, but in his youth he's said to have been a wild child."

Serra sighed. "Me and you were both cursed and blessed with wild cousins."

Tetsuya poked him. "You mean Tere, right?"

He smiled. "Don't act. You know who I mean."

He grumbled. "Hey, Roa! Want to race?"

"Eh?" Serrano and I said in unison.

Roa smirked. "A race? Rather bold of you, dragon boy."

"A race? That sounds fun! Can I join too?" Kiara asked, running in place.

"Me too!" Conrad said, hopping. He sure was an adorable guy. I was right to have stayed back to keep him safe. Even though I hadn't been needed thus far. Hopefully, it would remain that way.

Juniper sighed. "We have to get going. Knowing my cousin, he's probably furious that we're taking so long getting back. Since Hideo already went in, he'll know we returned."

"Right," Rene said.

Anis grumbled. "That guy's always grumpy, so not much of a difference."

"Let's not push our luck," their mother said, rolling her wheelchair next to her oldest daughter's.

"Alright, Mama."

Rene smiled and pushed her mom's chair while Juniper aided Anis.

"Say, what happened to her?" Roa whispered. "Last time I saw her, she could walk fine."

"It seems her pregnancy combined with her illness is taking a toll on her ability to walk."

He laughed. "Pregnancy? That old cat isn't much different from my old man, it seems."

I sighed. Why was Roa like this?

"Her illness, though, what exactly is it?"

"It seems it's hereditary."

"Hey, you two. Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's rude to whisper in front of others?" Juniper said, bearing her teeth at us.

I gulped. "S-sorry!"

Anis patted her sister's hand. "It's alright. Jun. If anything, it's nice to know that even that uncouthed boy is worried about me."

Roa blushed. "Hmph, who said that I was worried?"

I laughed. Was he worried about her for Uncle Takeshi's sake? Or maybe Auntie reminded him of Dine. Had to be the latter. Roa had felt awful about being unable to save Dine from the pit. So he could probably relate to Uncle's desire to save his wife. Wait, but how would he know that? He hadn't been here all of this time? Could he have heard it from Grandfather or his father? Uncle Skah loved gossip, so it wouldn't have surprised me. Plus, Roa would've wanted to catch up with what had happened while he was imprisoned and crystallized.

Tetsuya smiled slightly. "Seems that Hideo isn't the only tsundere cousin of mine."

"Who are you calling a tsundere?"

"Uh, do you even have a right to throw that stone?" Serra asked, laughing. "You did deny liking Rosa."

Yuko giggled. "Master Tetsu is a tsun at times."

Tetsuya blushed. "Do you even know what one is?"

"Yeah! Lady Anis told Yuko! She read Nori and Yuko a story about a tsundere lion."

"Sounds like Dad," Setty said, laughing.

"Uh, the same thing applies to you," Serrano said, poking her in the face as he smirked.

Setty blushed. "Who asked you?"

"Yeah," Roa and Tetsuya said, glaring at him.

Serrano raised his hands. "Uh..."

I patted him on the back. "This is why I like to keep quiet."

"I'll keep that tip in mind next time."

I glanced at Reno and Mei. My cousin laughed as Reno chatted with her. She could've been a bit less obvious. On the other hand, Reno was likely oblivious to such things as love.

I glanced at the tree. Mankin stared at it too. Mai stared back at us. Why did she keep her distance? Roa had already made the situation tense for a moment there. Her staying away only made us look less trustworthy. Not that the Zionians had much reason to keep their guard down around us. This was a temporary alliance. Before I knew it, we would be at each other's throats again. So perhaps Mai had the right idea to keep a distance from them. Building bonds that were to last only a short while was foolish and heartbreaking. But ethereal bonds were beautiful, like the shortlived blooms of cherry trees.

**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed the chapter! Sorry for the 35 day hiatus. Wanted to focus on Crimson Phoenix Guardian. There should be a lot more content this month, though, as I'm writing this story (well, the rest of it) as part of NaNoWriMo.**