X-X-X-X

Chapter 29

X-X-X-X

"I want to go! I want to go! Take me! Take me!" Lambo cried throwing himself onto the ground.

"Lambo, it's not that kind of party." Michiru said adjusting his tie.

"If anything, I expect bullets to start raining a few minutes after I arrive..." I muttered as Kanna handed me my purse.

"Water park!"

"Lambo, that's next week. If you don't behave I will not take you!"

"To...ler...ate...!"

"Hibari is here." Reborn jumped onto Michiru's shoulder. "It's been a while since I last saw Kiku, I wonder how old she looks now."

"Surprisingly young." I always wondered if the Hibari family has youkai blood because almost all the members look much younger than they actually are. "Kiku-obaa-san looks to be in her late twenties rather than...how old is she again?"

"If you have to ask then don't question it." Michiru handed Lambo to Kanna. "Make sure he doesn't make a mess. We should be back around three, hopefully earlier than that."

"Take care, Tsukichiyo, Tsuna."

"Yeah...I'm so not looking forward to this..." I got stuck sitting beside Hibari while Michiru took a seat in the front. Hibari stared at me for a few moments, his hand touching the kanzashi in my hair. "W-What...?"

"It's not the one I picked out."

"You do know what giving a kanzashi to a girl means, right?" There's a silent pause and he looked away. "You only found out just recently, didn't you?"

"Hn."

"Hibari-senpai..."

Even though it was labeled a party at a very fancy hotel...almost all the guests were of mixed blood and I could see several allies of the Aozora and a member or two of my family. The ones from the Aozora came to greet me politely, saying how it was an honor to see me again. They fled when Hibari began getting annoyed with the crowding...cowards...and they call themselves youkai. I tugged on my earring, silently waiting for our esteemed hostess to get around to greeting us.

"Oh, there you are, Tsukichiyo. Good work, Kyoya." I turned my gaze to the woman who appeared behind me. Her polite smile is nothing more than a mask as her eyes are observing me...like a wolf stalking its prey. Her gaze went from me to Michiru and Reborn. "Reborn." Kiku said opening a fan to cover her face.

"Kiku." Reborn said nodding his head to her.

"When was it last that you met with my husband?"

"Three years, give or take."

"Hm...He's avoiding me again."

"I would avoid you too after that last spat you two had."

"Oh, a spat is it?"

"Kiku-obaa-san..."

"Hn...I'll let it go this time, Reborn. Also, Namimori is my town and yet you don't even have the courtesy to come see me personally? You've been here for quite some time, have you not?"

"I apologize."

"Save your sweet talking for someone who cares, Reborn."

Wow...so tense...! Michiru is sweating as he got stuck between the two of them. Hibari grabbed me by the arm, dragging me away and I managed to snag Michiru's wrist before we got too far away. Reborn jumped off Michiru's shoulder and onto a nearby table as the two continued their talk. Everyone, and I mean everyone, quickly fled from that area, keeping a close eye on the two should a fight break out. I can't call them cowards at this. Hibari Kiku is known for using poison and her swordsmanship is top notch. Reborn on the other hand is the Sun Arcobaleno, enough said. Thankfully, no fight had broken out as the two were talking over drinks...saving me from the trouble of keeping an eye on Reborn.

"Kiku-obaa-san only invited me to get to Reborn..." I muttered quietly.

"Expected, but why was I invited...?" Michiru questioned quietly.

"She didn't recognize you during the few times you guys met, right?" I asked tugging on his sleeve.

"I don't think so..."

"That woman is too observant..."

"Come." Hibari dragged me away by my arm...out to the hotel's garden away from everyone else. "Don't move."

"Eeeh...?"

This guy...! Don't go using a girl's lap without asking! Really...ever since we bonded he's gotten used to invading my personal space. Even Michiru isn't this touchy feely and he's family! I jumped when I heard the explosions coming from inside and Michiru ran over...while chaos erupted behind him. She...didn't purposefully let a bomber blow up one of her parties...right? I thought only for my hopes to be ruined when I heard the exchange of gunfire and many men begging for mercy.

"The Hibari family is as crazy as I remember them..." Michiru muttered dusting off his suit.

"Too bad for me that Hibari-senpai is fast asleep." I said pointing at the sleeping male.

"Sky attraction?"

"Why else would the Cloud be sleeping here...?" I swiped my hand across the air, killing off a wasp that flew too close. "I hate wasps..."

"Naraku?"

"Who else?"

"Who is Naraku?"

"You're awake, Hibari-senpai?" I didn't hesitate to lift up his head and drop it when I moved away. His head hit the bench as I stood. He gave me a nasty glare for that and I ignored it. "Let's go find Kiku-obaa-san."

I found her alright...finding her give orders to her men who were hauling away a few dozen men. She smiled cheerfully, grabbing me by the back of my neck and tossing me into a fancy car nearby, bidding Michiru and Hibari farewell and reminding Reborn to come see her for tea sometime soon...I got kidnapped...rather...I was forcibly taken away. As I thought...this woman is too difficult to deal with. I thought unable to even argue against her.

"Hurry up, we don't have all day." Kiku said leading the charge.

"Yes..." I said quietly.

"As I thought, that kimono I designed suits you perfectly." Kiku tilted my head up slightly, a hand straightening my back. "Back straight, eyes forward."

"Y-Yes..."

"Don't stutter, a lady is to be seen, but we are women in power so we must be heard as well. Do not allow any man to take advantage of you."

"Yes, Kiku-obaa-san."

"You have a date with a relative of yours. While I would love to dress you in one of my kimono again...It seems you do not have proper western attire..."

"I hate western clothing..."

"I agree, nowadays girls are flashing everything they have to seduce men. A true seductress can do it in even a modest dress. A hint of skin here, a hint of skin there, a few whispers, and a touch is all a true seductress needs."

"I'm not seducing anyone, Obaa-san."

"Hn." The woman gave me an unimpressed stare. "You're a Sky, sweetie. There is going to be a man who will not fall for your charms and when that happens, you need these lessons."

I don't want these lessons! Is what I wished to shout out, but I didn't dare to go against this one. She knows about the youkai and...she scares the shit out of me! Do not get me started on the fact she's a poison mistress...! She's the worst match up for someone like me...I'm reminded of my days stuck with Naraku and it's hard for me to resist. I want to run away...but I can't.

X-X-X-X

"I'm home..." I entered the house, dropping the bags on the floor. I flopped down onto the ground, geta messily falling from my feet. "I'm tired...!" I complained quietly.

"Welcome home." Kanna said appearing in front of me.

"Sorry, Kanna...tomorrow let's go shopping for your camping supplies..." I said feeling incredibly exhausted.

"Bath?"

"Yes."

I wanted nothing more than to sleep and relax for the next week before I had to deal with Kotaro. I didn't get it as Michiru dragged Yamamoto to my house in order to get help on their homework the very next day. I didn't really care, but I do not appreciate uninvited guests being brought in...by Reborn. It's that Haru girl that was stalking me a while back...she's here full force while excitedly chatting me up.

"Does Tsuki-san like sweets? I know a really great store to go to!" Haru said clinging to one arm.

"As usual, Tsuki's seducing girls without meaning to." Souta said laughing at my expense.

"Shut up." I said shooting him a glare.

"Ah, that's right. Onee-chan and Kaa-chan are asking if you'll visit soon. You rarely leave Namimori since you built this mansion." Souta is pointing out a mistake on Yamamoto's worksheet. "Ah, do you mind participating in the next festival at our shrine? We need more help."

"Do I have to dress as a Miko again?"

"No good?"

"I guess it's okay...I think..." I have demon blood, but purification don't work on me since I'm mostly human. Still, is it ethically okay for me to be a Miko...? "So long as I don't have to put on a performance like last time. I keep saying that I'm not qualified."

"You're popular and we get ten times the number of visitors compared to when you are there."

"Am I a mascot now?"

"No, but you drag others along. Everyone in the area knows that if you participate then so does your very nice looking friends."

"..."

"We have to maximize what we have and our shrine depends on your guys faces to bring in a good amount of profit."

"..."

"Mukuro brings in school girls with ease because he's an ikemen and you attract everyone from old to young, male to female."

"For someone who acts kind and sweet, you're manipulative and a penny pincher on the inside..."

"I have to be if I want to keep my sanity."

"Hahi! I had no idea that Tsuki-san works as a Miko!"

"I knew that Souta lived at a shrine, but you help out as well, Aozora?"

"Tsuki is popular."

"I guess so...everyone at school thinks Aozora is perfect." Yamamoto is staring at me. "After getting to know her, she's actually very cute instead of the cool and rough image I had of her."

"...Cute?" I pointed at myself while looking at Souta and Michiru. "I'm cute?"

"Tsuki-hime is very cute."

"Yeah."

"Hahi! Tsuki-san doesn't understand how cute she is?!"

"Hahahahaha! That's surprising!"

"Stop fooling around and go back to your homework..."

I wasn't much help, I mean...I just barely passed myself despite the strange image everyone gives me. I have to study three times longer than most people to even keep up with those my own age...Not my fault I'm more proficient as a youkai taijiya. Yamamoto was actually surprised that I'm not that smart, giving me a laugh while lightly patting my shoulder. Gokudera...when he came over I felt as if salt is being rubbed into the wound. For someone who looks and acts like a delinquent...he's smart so much so that he gets perfect scores.

X-X-X-X

Due to my lion nature...a hot warm day like this...dressed in a thin yukata...it makes me want to laze about. My mother left me be since she understood that I was more in touch with my youkai blood than I am with my human one so if she saw me lying around the engawa in the middle of the day then she would leave me be. Sometimes she would place some snacks and drinks nearby for me to enjoy. I looked up when Kanna returned home...looking depressed.

"What's wrong?"

"Lambo's gone."

"Huh, Lambo is gone?" I sat up, a bit surprised. "As in, he disappeared?"

"Un. He blew himself up and was sent flying. He's safe."

"What do you mean by 'blew himself up'?"

"He was playing with explosives at the park when he launched one at me. I sent it back without thinking. He blew up and was sent flying." Ah...she probably used her mirror to reflect it back to him. "I'm sorry..."

"No, it's Lambo's fault...How does he keep getting those explosives...?"

"We were playing in the park, a Bovino carrier brought it."

"..."

"Nii-chan brought back the crate."

"..."

"Tsukichiyo?"

"No...I thought I told the Bovino to stop sending weaponry...I'm going to have a long talk with those bastards..."

"Tsukichiyo, guest."

"Ah..." The doorbell rang. "Go ahead and show them in."

"Yes."

I brought out the fan to the engawa to get a nice cool breeze as I continued my lazing about. Strange, Kanna left a few minutes ago...but the guest didn't arrive at all...I wonder why? I turned onto my back, the bottom half of my yukata coming loose as enjoyed the sun's warmth. I could hear a male's voice if I focused enough...it's an unfamiliar one. I could hear the sound of gunfire and I got annoyed and I went out to deal with it. Adult Lambo ran towards me, hiding behind me while Bianchi...in her rage fired in my direction.

"Bianchi...!" I caught the bullets before they could touch me as I stared at the woman who quickly tensed up, hiding the gun and poison cake behind her back. "Don't make trouble for me. It's too hot for this nonsense..." I said ruffling my bangs.

"M-Mom! B-Bullets! They're firing bullets!"

"Ah, there's the guest..." A red haired boy my age. I made a shooing motion at Bianchi and she took the hint, taking her leave. She's probably going back to sunbathing by the pool with Reborn. "Pardon me."

"Waah!"

"Are you alright?" I leaned forward to his level. "Do you not feel well?"

"N-No..." His gaze trailed down from my face to...my body? Ah, my yukata is almost completely undone...but I'm still wearing a thin tank top beneath so I wasn't exposing myself. "I-I'm sorry!"

"Ah..." I was fixing my yukata as he ran off, carrying a crate...what just happened? "Kanna..."

"Yes?" Kanna appeared behind me as our Lambo returned. "What is it?"

"Why did you not escort the guest to me?"

"He was looking for Reborn."

"Hm...From now on, all guests go through me first. I don't need Reborn's guests wandering about the grounds."

"He's a civilian. I saw no harm."

"Just clear it with me first. I'm going back...I want to laze about a bit more..."

I went back to my spot on the engawa only to find a soft pillow and some watermelon by the fan. Kanna joined me and I let her enjoy the watermelon as I went back to lazing about. The girl is leaning against my back, munching away. Michiru returned from school and he joined me on the engawa, the two of us not moving until the sun went down.

"You two laze around a lot during the day." Reborn said out of the blue during dinner.

"When it's hot, it's hard to move a lot..." Even back in the feudal era I was like this sometimes if I didn't get dragged about for training. "Most of my family is like this." I explained licking my canines.

"The Aozora have a bad habit of lazing around on the engawa during summer. If not on the engawa then beneath the shades of the trees on the property." Michiru said with a laugh.

"You're like cats, lazing around wherever you want."

"Not wherever we want. It's our house, we can laze around wherever we want within it."

I decided against mentioning that we mostly slept during that time...damn instincts. If I wasn't originally human, I would definitely be asleep on the engawa most of the day. Michiru is having an even harder time than I am as he instantly falls asleep after returning. Lions normally sleep 18 plus hours...for someone like Michiru, summer is the worst time of the year for him. Thankfully, we don't act like this during the other seasons, just summer. Summer is our natural enemy...it makes our lion instincts go wild and makes us sleep away the day.

X-X-X-X

Chapter 29 Ends

Tsuki doesn't understand that she's considered 'cute'. In the feudal era, being cute is pointless compared to being strong and knowing how to survive. As a result, she doesn't really care about her looks compared to her ability to fight. Tsuki doesn't have much in terms of shame so long as the important parts are covered up. I predict quite a bit of chaos in the future~! Also~! Some hints of what's to come will be showing up throughout the following chapters~! Look forward to it~! That's all for today! Bye-bye~!