"Is everyone clear on their instructions?"

"Yes Master Tomoe!" Onikiri and Kotetsu replied.

It was early morning and Tomoe had lined up the Shrine's residents in preparation for their visit to Over Yonder. Onikiri, Kotetsu and Mizuki were seated on tatami before him whilst Tomoe marched back and forth, much like a general reviewing his troops before battle.

This particular general, however, held no weapons except for a blue fan. One he brought down with a hard smack against Mizuki's head.

"I didn't hear you snake."

"Ow! What did you do that for? How many times do I have to tell you that violence isn't always the answer!"

"I asked you a question. Are you clear on your instructions for today?"

"Yes! Gods. Ow!"

"And what are they?" Tomoe asked eyes narrowing dangerously.

"We are not to leave the Lady Nanami's side!" Kotetsu and Onikiri said in unison. Mizuki mutinously half a beat behind them.

"Exactly. Whilst we are conducting our business Over Yonder the three of you will stick to Nanami like sweet on molasses. I hope I have made that point sufficiently clear."

"What about you?" Mizuki asked rubbing his head.

"I will be in charge of Nanami's safety. Discouraging unwanted attention. If anything should happen I will deal with it and the three of you are to bring her home immediately! Clear?"

"Yes Master Tomoe!"

Tomoe stared into the the back of the shrine.

He had sent Nanami away to change ("Don't you dare come out dressed in something that screams human. Please wear something appropriate for the occasion.") and had since then drilled the Shrine's residents, non stop, on how they were to conduct themselves. But now Tomoe halted his diatribe tapping the fan against his mouth as he considered.

"Who are we kidding. Of course something is going to happen. That girl is like a magnet for chaos and calamity. The least we can do is be prepared." He turned to regard the three sitting before him. "Should the worst come to pass the Guiding Spell she created last night will help. But she wont have to resort to that- because?"

"We are not to leave Lady Nanami's side!" The shrine spirits repeated once more, their voices eager.

"Oh you worry too much... lighten up a little, won't you?" Mizuki had flopped onto his back still rubbing his head.

"Asking the fox to lighten up is like pulling blood from stone. Don't bother." Said a voice they recognized.

"What are you doing here?" Tomoe demanded.

Standing on their porch, his beautiful face lit by sunshine, was Kurama.

"I'm coming with you of course!" Kurama answered, his cel phone in one hand. "I got a text from Nanami inviting me to come along. School holidays can be dreadfully dull if you are not on tour!"

"And why would you possibly want to come?"

"Unlike you I am incredibly popular. It appears I have quite the strong fan base even Over Yonder." Kurama smirked.

He was saved a verbal lashing by Nanami's and Keriel's appearance. Keriel had dressed Nanami in a Kimono befitting her position as a Land God and she looked beautiful.

Kurama's and Mizuki's mouths fell open. Tomoe, the more self conscious of the three, flipped open his fan to hide his expression.

"You are late." He said from behind the fan.

"Oh but doesn't she look delicious? Speaking of delicious..." Keriel leaped across the room her attention fixed on the Tengu. "Kurama right? Oh my sisters are going to be jealous..."

"See fox. Popular in the human world. Popular Over Yonder." Kurama said with a wink over Keriel's shoulder.

Nanami noticed his gaze with immediately drawn to Keriel's low cut, tightly fitting dress. He didn't seem to mind when she slipped an arm through his and walked out the door.

"Gods. She has sisters?" Mizuki asked in a hushed voice looking terrified.

"Yes." Tomoe answered. "And I would prefer to avoid them at all costs. Keriel happens to be the least annoying of the four."

"Least annoying?" Mizuki said in disbelief. Shaking his head he followed the others out door.