After everyone split up, they had been occupied with their own endeavors. More time had passed since then. Now, they have regrouped again to avoid boredom. The boys, Triple G, JR, and Geo were walking about the large house in search of something to occupy them during their free time.

As they walked around, JR blinked as he saw Audrey wandering around as well. He waved. "Hey, Audrey. Are you looking for something?" He asked out of confusion...and boredom.

"Not really," Audrey said with a small shrug. "I just enjoy wandering, sort of a strange habit." She added on with a smile as she moved her hand to rest on her belly.

JR shrugged at that before Trip said, "I wouldn't blame you. It's a wonderful time to be roaming. The weather is just right too." He said with a shrug as JR's eyes widened.

Audrey nodded in agreement as she seemingly ignored JR. "Exactly! Much better than being cooped up." She commented with a bright smile.

Trip nodded. "Exactly plus exactly! Who could possibly stay in? Honestly, we are looking for something to do because there is no reason to waste this wonderful opportunity!" He said happily.

JR nudged him with his elbow. "Dude! D-d-d-d-d-d-d-! D-d-d-d-d-d-d-!" He stuttered while his eyes were still wide.

Trip blinked before he looked in the direction his brother was looking. "...Oh no…" He said with wide eyes.

Audrey raised an eyebrow before looking at what they were looking at. Blinking she looked back at them. "...Why are you guys freaking out?" She asked quizzically while exchanging a look at the sight before her.

JR looked at her in shock. "Don't you know what that is!?" He asked her while squinting at the red and golden and large cat.

"...A cat?" Audrey said blankly as her eyes halved.

"Not just any cat!" He exclaimed. "That's…the Dragon Cat." He said with squinted eyes.

Triple G squinted his eyes. "Rumor has it that it burns down everything it touches." He said dramatically before pausing. "Oh. Also, if you make it mad you get cursed with bad luck for a whole week." He said casually.

Audrey stared at him blankly before looking at the cat. "...That's just a cat." She deadpanned with halved eyes. "I've seen a dragon cat and that's not a dragon cat." She said as she placed her free hand on her hip.

JR clicked his tongue three times before saying, "It's not called the Dragon Cat because it's part dragon. It's called that because it lights itself on fire, smoke comes out of its nose, and it spews out golden flames." He listed off. "It's...kind of like a title...more of a nickname." He shrugged before stepping back while Trip did the same.

Audrey didn't bother to move as she gave them both an exasperated look. "...So does my wife and you don't hear anybody screeching and running for the hills." She deadpanned while moving to rub her forehead. "...And she can turn into a phoenix, yet we don't get all "Oh my gods, it's a killer phoenix." Audrey said before saying the words in a high-pitched manner. "...Boys." She muttered out the last part to herself.

JR frowned at her. "Heidi is a person-thing. That is a fire breathing bad luck...cursing beast!" He said before he paled as the exasperated cat met eyes with him. "Uhhhh…If you need me...I'll be in my room!" He said before dashing off. "Hide before you get bad luck! She'll ruin every board game for you in existence!"

Triple G shivered before saying, "No! Monopoly is all about the luck! I can't survive being unlucky! Ahhh!" He said before running for the hills.

George, who was there the whole time, blinked in confusion.

Audrey sighed and facepalmed while mumbling. "I'm glad I'm not having boys." before looking up. "...Honestly, that cat is the single most normal-looking cat I've seen in my life. I live with a three-headed mutt from Hell, for gods sake." She said, her voice heavy with exasperation. "If they freak out to this...I wonder how they'd react to Heidi's dog…?" She asked aloud, a smile slowly blossoming onto her face.

George sighed, knowing he'd have to clean up after another animal. He snapped, causing a broom to appear in his hand. "I'll prepare the extra dishes." He said before walking towards the kitchen.

Audrey rubbed her hands together with a mischief filled grin before turning around and heading back to where the hospital room was, most likely to figure out how to get said dog to her.

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After quite a bit of steady walking, Hazel finally made it to Terra's door. It has taken a bit of time since Hazel didn't want to drop the sleeping passenger on her back. With this in mind, the older cat cranes her neck the slightest. After that, she scratched at the door.

"Terra! It's me!" She called as she scratched. She still reminded herself to keep the kitten balanced.

The door opened seconds later and Terra peered down at the cat. "...Minty is on your back...And she's asleep." She commented with surprise as she shuffled off to the side in order to let the cat in.

Hazel nodded in thanks. She walked in while saying, "We talked everything out. On the way here she decided to hitch a ride." She explained, looking around for a place to set the kitten down.

Terra shrugged as she went to close the door. "I would ask how you managed to keep her balanced for so long...but then I remember that cats defy most laws of physics these days." She said with a slight smile.

Hazel chuckled as she used her claws to pull a pillow off of Terra's chair. "I also have a pretty large back in this form." She slung the pillow on the ground before walking up to it.

"No kidding...Hate to say it, but the kitten was right, you are huge." Terra said with a smirk and a chuckle as she sat down in a large black bean bag.

Hazel made herself comfortable on the pillow. She tilted her body in such a way that the kitten slid right off and landed on the pillow also. "So I've been told. I think I'm pet show material." She said jokingly. "The only reason I'm chilling in this form is because I move around better on four legs." She said before walking to Terra's bed.

"Well, sadly most pet shows have a strict, "You must be 100% animal, not 100% shapeshifter," Terra responded with a smirk as she summoned her magical tablet. "And I'm pretty sure that form is something you like better...because you don't look as dumbfounded when I decide to put on a mini fashion show to decide what clothes to bring." She said in a casual manner as she played with her tablet.

The cat looked at her in mild annoyance before hopping onto the bed. "So...you said you wanted to s-show me some things? Something for me, you said?" She tilted her head.

"It was something for human Hazel, not feline Hazel, unfortunately. That and cats can't work the tablet to see the designs." Terra said with obvious amusement in her voice.

The cat sat up at that. "I-I'm still human Hazel. Just in cat form! C-can't you at least hold the tablet for me?!" She asked, sitting up.

"Nope! I told you, I'm having my own mini fashion show to pick out my wardrobe. You don't have thumbs, fingers, or anything needed to work my tablet." Terra said with a grin as she set her tablet down, far away from the cat, and proceeded to walk towards her large closet.

Hazel laid down and grumbled. "Fine." She said before changing into her human form. She was still laying on the bed. Just with an irritated pout this time.

Terra tossed the tablet to her using her magic as she looked through her clothes. "All the designs are in there! Should be labeled with an H.A. if my memory is correct!" She said rather loudly, her voice somehow echoing as if the closet wasn't just a closet.

Hazel looked from the closet to the tablet. She shrugged before going through the folders of designs. "H.A she said…" She murmured as she searched. "There It is." She smiled as she had finally found the label.

It was an elegant off-shoulder flower print summer dress. Along with it were a dazzling diamond teardrop tiara, iridescent gladiator heels, golden chandelier earrings, and a yellow diamond necklace.

Hazel blinked before her face broke into a smile. "At least robot you knew what I liked!" She shouted so that Terra could hear her.

"Funny how that works right?!" Terra hollered back before letting out a yelp as she must have tripped over something from somewhere inside the closet.

"I guess!? I don't know! I'm not you!" She said as she continued to look at things.

"I'm not robot me either!" Terra yelled back as a loud crash sounded from within the closet. "Don't mind the sounds! I'm working out the issues with the setup!" She called out and laughed.

Hazel blinked before shrugging. "Um...okay!" She called before moving her hair further from her face. "I'm going to have to get used to this…" She said, referring to Terra's expressiveness.

"If it wasn't so natural I wouldn't be used to it!" Terra fired back before letting out another yelp as music began playing from inside the closet. "NOT THAT!"

Hazel tilted her head at that before placing the tablet down. "Uhh...why does your closet look like an EDM concert?"

"BECAUSE ROBOT ME DID ANYTHING PHINA TOLD HER TO DO!" Terra yelled over the music as it only grew louder. "I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER DOING THIS!"

Hazel blinked before deciding that this conversation would only get weirder. "Um...okay." She said before making herself comfortable on the bed.

The music continued blasting before Terra eventually caused a 'BANG' to happen and everything stopped. "...Got it." She said as she finally surfaced with countless outfits floating behind her.

Hazel blinked for a moment. "Uhh...what were you doing again?" She said as she blinked and tilted her head.

Terra hung the outfits up on some hooks she had on her wall and look over one with interest. "Fashion show. I'm trying to figure out my outfit set up for the castle." She said as she rearranged the outfits in a different order before nodding to herself.

Hazel blinked before her eyes widened. "Wait, so you want m-me to be the audience!?" She said before waving her hands. "Not me...anyone but me. I have a bad taste in f-fashion." She nervously smiled.

"Well, it's either you or my love-dovey sister and that would mean the green one would be in here too. Take your pick, innocent judging of my outfits, or having to witness constant nicknames." Terra said with a smirk.

"B-but...I...oh, fine." She sighed in defeat.

Terra's smirk widened before she used her magic on one of the outfits and summoned a pair of shoes and several accessories. Giving Hazel another grin, the woman waved her magic over the outfit, causing it to glow before replacing her current outfit.

The first outfit consisted of a pastel rainbow flowy sleeveless dress with a deep plunging v-neck that showed off Terra's considerable cleavage. Her hair was a bit different with it being blue fading to a purple then fading to pale pink. On her left wrist is a large diamond bracelet and on both of her ears were two large diamond earrings. Her nails were painted in the pastel colors of the rainbow. She also wore a pair of white lace flats that appeared to sparkle in certain spots.

Terra did a spin, causing the dress to billow out a bit and sparkle under the light. "Option number one! What do you think?" She asked with a smile while resting a hand on her hip.

Hazel blinked for a moment. "It looks...nice?" She sounded more like she was asking a question. At the moment, she was more concerned with keeping her eyes off certain places that the dress accented.

Terra looked amused at her reaction as she turned to look in a mirror. "You know if there is one thing I retained from my sister's speeches and whatnot...if the person is flaunting it...you can look at it." She said with a wide grin while her eyes were filled with mischief.

She did not just say that...Hazel blinked once more before her eyes turned a deep magenta and a blush was now visible on her face. "H-H-how long before we m-move onto the next outfit..?" She asked, barely keeping her voice from faltering.

Terra turned to face the blushing Hazel with an innocent look. "As soon as I get some good feedback. Like numbers or something." She announced while a smile appeared on her face.

Hazel, her eyes traveling over the other woman's body. "You...want me t-to give you numbers?" She questioned.

Terra nodded. "Exactly. Rate my outfits out of ten." She said with a small shrug.

Hazel nodded before thinking the most she could at the moment. "Uhhh...I'd say a t-t-ten." She tried to keep her blushing face as neutral as possible.

Terra looked at her for a bit longer before smiling and turning away. She looked at the next outfit and tilted her head while rubbing at her chin before going about using her magic to switch her outfit with the one hanging up.

The second outfit was much more casual with its pastel blue off the shoulder, long-sleeved crop top, short white skater skirt, and holographic heeled boots. On her right wrist was a golden bangle with countless gems and flower designs and she wore three gold earrings in her left ear along with a tiny diamond stud.

Terra, who was looking at the previous outfit like she missed it, took a minute to get used to the second outfit before tearing her eyes away to look at Hazel. "It's a bit more casual, I personally like the other one better." She said, adding on the last part with mischief in her eyes.

Hazel was able to breathe a bit better with this one. She was very relieved...for now. "Umm…" She tilted her head. "I'd say...about an eight." She said as her eyes lightened and her blush began to clear.

"Not a ring out like the other one...but an eight. Pretty good." Terra said with approval before looking at the next outfit and quickly switching to that one.

The third outfit kept the casual look from the second with a white crop top, pastel blue skater skirt, a pastel blue jacket with a flower design on the back, and a pair of pastel blue boots with little cherub designs on them. She had on a pair of opal studs and an ice sapphire bracelet on her right wrist.

Terra stretched a bit and twisted before shaking it off. "This one?" She asked with a smile while looking herself over.

Hazel nodded in approval before saying, "T-ten." She said with a smile. Also appreciating the fact that she regained her composure.

Terra shrugged as she looked at the cuffs of the jacket and frowned momentarily when she saw a loose string before looking up. "Aside from the string...We have our second knock out!" She said with a grin before blinking. "Didn't I say it was a ring out though?" She said with a raised eyebrow before shaking her head and looking at the next outfit.

Hazel blinked. "I-I-I...don't think so…" She looked to the side in thought.

Terra blinked as well. "...So this is what my sister always had to deal with." She said, referring to her previous comment with a shake of her head. "Anyway-fourth outfit here we go!" She said before switching outfits once more.

The fourth outfit was far simpler with a white off the shoulder blouse, purple leggings with a white grid pattern, and white sneakers with purple butterflies. Her nails were purple with some being completely purple with small holographic butterflies and with others fading from pink to purple. Her necklace was simple and was a gold necklace attached to a multicolored gemstone.

Terra tilted her head as soon as she noticed the purple. "...I've never actually tried purple, wonder why I made this?" She said in a somewhat confused manner as she looked the tight-fitting leggings over.

"Ah...For a certain, the p-p-purple does look good on you." She said as she fiddled with her fingers.

Terra nodded in agreement. "Maybe...it's because I added a bit of purple to my hair?" She asked aloud with a head tilt.

"P-perhaps." She inwardly screamed due to her constant stuttering. "...I'd say a n-nine at most…" She looked away.

Terra shrugged as she looked at the next outfit. "Nine is almost a knockout. Onto the fifth outfit, second to last." She said, shooting a wink at the last comment before changing into the fifth one.

The fifth outfit was almost completely white with a short chiffon white dress that had long see-through sleeves and a plunging v-neck. Her heeled boots were white with white lace and golden details. Her necklace was a silver necklace holding up a large diamond-lined opal while her earrings were two opal studs and her bracelet was an opal one as well.

Terra looked at her outfit and raised an eyebrow. "What are your thoughts on an almost white outfit?" She asked quizzically with a small smile.

"Uhhh…" She said with a few blinks. "I-it's...well, simple, but nice." She said as her unwanted blush returned.

Terra smirked in a playful manner as she turned to look herself over in a mirror. "I know, white used to not be my color...but I'm kind of liking this look." She said while placing her hands on her hips.

Hazel looked away as her cheeks and eyes darkened in color. "Sh-sh-should I rate this one? My o-opinion may be biased since I l-like wh-white…"

"You are good to rate away. I like second opinions." Terra replied with a smile.

"Well...I g-guess it's a t-ten, th-then." She stuttered before focusing on her fingers.

"Yeah? Well, I guess white is now gonna be a bit more present in my wardrobe." The bluenette said in amusement before walking over to the last and final outfit. "We are on the last outfit...are you ready?" She asked with a grin that practically screamed "I'm up to no good." while her eyes filled with mischief almost immediately.

Hazel turned her eyes to her. She overlooked Terra's expression. "I...sure." She said with a small smile.

Terra nodded before using her magic to switch to the final outfit. This outfit consists of a long black chiffon and lace dress with a flower design on it, see-through sleeves, a very tall slit on the right side of the front of her dress, and a massive v-neck. Her shoes are tall black heels that are tied via magic black ribbons. She was wearing a wide-brimmed black hat, a necklace with drop gemstones in the order of the rainbow, and a pair of earrings with countless gems in all colors of the rainbow.

The bluenette walked forward a bit and placed her hands on her hips. "And this...this is what I was calling the wild card." She said with a wide grin.

Hazel's eyes scanned the outfit before she made something close to a small squeak. She covered her quickly redding face with her hands. "It looks nice…" She said quickly as she peeked through her hand with one deeply magenta eye.

Terra tilted her head. "Is the hat too much...or just enough? I wasn't sure, but I knew I liked it." She said as she took the hat off for a moment to look it over and flip it a few times.

Hazel, however, wasn't focused on the hat at all. "Ye-ye...th-th-the hat l-looks f-f-f-fine." She finally got out.

Terra shrugged as she put it back on and adjusted it. "What about...the jewelry? It's a bit much since they are rainbow, but I sort of liked them with how well they stood out against the black." She said, not appearing to be paying Hazel any attention.

Hazel was very sure that her ears were red at the moment. "They...l-l-look good. The n-necklace is nice." She said as if she was almost out of breath.

"And the earrings?" Terra moved her hair out of the way and pushed all of it away before showing off the rather extravagant looking earrings.

Hazel, still in her shell and covering the majority of her face, said, "...I like them…"

Terra hummed before looking herself over. "...I might just keep this on for the rest of the day." She said in an innocent manner. "Work in the look and get used to the heels." She commented while stretching her leg so she could grab the heel.

Hazel nodded slowly. "Uh-huh…" She said, sounding as if she was about to pass out.

Tossing her heels off, Terra removed her hat and jewelry before flopping on the bed in an unceremonious way. "Or I might just lay here." She said in a casual manner.

Hazel glanced at the other woman before quickly covering both of her eyes. "Sure...I-it's your bed. You can…y-yeah."

Shrugging, Terra nabbed a nearby pillow. "Since my main wardrobe is done...I'm taking a nap. You can continue to look through my tablet if you want." She said in a nonchalant manner.

Hazel lowered her hands a bit, trying to locate the tablet. She reached out and looked at it. "Uh-uh...o-ok-kay." She glanced at the woman before hurriedly focusing her eyes on the tablet.

"I'll be up in a couple of hours, knock yourself out," Terra said with a small smile before closing her eyes and quickly dozing off.

Hazel sighed heavily before looking at the sleeping woman...which proved to be a mistake. She blushed furiously before looking away. "...I said I'd do better but…" She looked towards the door. "I need a breather."

When she said this, she silently slid off of the bed and headed for the door. Then...she stopped. She turned around for a moment. "Almost forgot the cat." She whispered as she walked over to the pillow and scooped up the kitten.

After that, she quietly sighed. She swiftly slipped out of the room with ease. Now, she could breathe a lot better.

She racewalked as far away from the room as possible. Or…at least tried to. On the way to the other side of the home, she walked straight passed the group. Apparently, she walked right in the middle of them asking Ara if they could take a field trip around Rome as a group. Ara had yet to give an answer...because that's when a heavily blushing Hazel walked through the conversation.

CJ raised her eyebrow as she called to the ruby haired woman. "Uhh...Hazel? You don't look so good…" She said with a tilt of her head.

Hazel turned to CJ, still a bit out of it, and took a few breaths. "M-me? I-I-I-I'm f-f-f-ine…" She winced at her stuttering before turning to walk away again.

Ara tilted her head in concern. "Are you sure? You haven't stuttered that badly in years!" She commented with a few blinks.

Hazel took a few deep breaths through her nose. "I...am fine. I just witnessed some of Terra's new outfits...that's all." She said slowly. "As for the stuttering...I got zapped by Heidi...it's a side effect."

JR shrugged in understanding. "Sounds legit to me." He said casually.

Uma tilted her head at Hazel. "And what is the explanation for your face being all...red." She said, gesturing to Hazel's blush covered face.

Hazel took a moment to think her words over. "...Another s-side effect. It's another side effect." She said with a small smile.

JR shrugged again. "That sounds legit too."

Uma nodded in agreement. "It does."

Ara gave her sister a small smile. "If that's the case, you might want to go somewhere to catch a break. Maybe...the music room?" She suggested while tilting her head.

Hazel blinked at that before smiling. "O-okay. I'll be there if anyone needs me!" She said before racewalking to the music room.

Trip tilted his head. "Ah...that stutter brings back memories." He said in reminiscence.

Ara chuckled at that and said, "Yeah. It really does." Then she turned back to them. "Now...what were you guys saying?" She said before listening to them with a tilted head.

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After a very interesting discussion about walking around Rome, Ara was able to slip away to do her usual. To sneak out and complete her daily greeting to Susanoo. The only difference was that she went off into the library. It was large, had many things that she could spend hours reading, and most importantly it had four walls.

Hopefully, this would lower the chance of her being seen when she teleports compared to her room. The main room that is known for being wide open.

With these thoughts in mind, she looked around to see if anyone was present. Happy to see no one, she hurriedly teleported before she was busted.

Now in her mermaid form, she looked around at the familiar area with a smile. She was back in the ocean and Susanoo was on his rock in his normal form. This time, he was bird free.

Ara smiled before swimming over to him, only poking her head above water when she was beside his rock. "Hello and good afternoon!" She chuckled as she bobbed a bit in the water.

Susanoo opened his eyes and greeted her back with a yawn. "Afternoon." He replied while stretching a bit.

Ara tilted her head at him. "Might I add that you have a very nice organized daily schedule." She said with a giggle.

"What makes you say that? I got nothing better to do than lie on this rock and work on a tan that takes years to get." He said with a lazy smile.

Ara shrugs innocently. "I'm just saying. Every time I see you, you are doing the same things around the same time. I apologize for noticing a pattern." She said with an amused shake of her head.

Susanoo shrugged at that, not appearing too bothered by it. "It's fine. Not all of us live busy lifestyles like ol Hermes." He said with humor in his voice.

Ara tilted her head before replying. "Hermes' life is too busy for my taste." She said in thought. "If I could pick my lifestyle, I'd be somewhere chilling...all the time." She said, thinking aloud.

"You'd find that lifestyle to be rather...boring after a few thousand some odd years. My sis is the one the people like, they only like me for my looks otherwise it's up to the cloud castle with me." Susanoo replied with a head tilt as he closed his eyes.

Ara leaned on the rock as she said, "The people of Rome...they like me a lot. Honestly, I am sure they like me more than my dad." She said with humor. "The only thing is...that it comes with a lot of responsibility. That means work." She looked up at the sky.

"The only work I get is when one of the other sea gods try and ruin my day," Susanoo said with a grumble.

Ara shrugged at that. "Huh, true. They really don't like you." She said with a small smirk.

"No kidding...Speaking of which...I think I may have figured out who has been being an ass and interrupting every single time we try to do anything." Susanoo said as he sat up and got into a different sitting position.

"Yeah? Who?" Ara rubbed her eye covered in sparkling blue scales while looking at him.

Susanoo paused to look at the ocean as his eyes glowed for a moment before he looked at her. "...I'm pretty sure it's Neptune...working with Poseidon...who has a grudge against me." He said slowly, keeping an eye on the ocean as if something was going to show up.

Ara blinked before frowning. "Uncle? Working with Poseidon? Are you sure?" She asked in confusion.

"He's not physically speaking with Poseidon, more like using walkie talkies," Susanoo said, staring off into the distance in thought. "He'd be watching and would signal Poseidon to cause storms to appear or send Krakens to attack my sea." He frowned at that and looked at her.

Ara groaned at that. "That...is a strong possibility." She sighed. "Uncle is just like my dad in the area of 'protect the little princess, keep her safe, don't let her go anywhere unattended'." She said in a mocking tone. "It took a year for him to let me do my rounds in the Tyherrenian alone." She said with exasperation.

Susanoo nodded. "He's most likely communicating with JuJu...or at least he's going to. The situation went from simple "Eh, something might happen" to ticking time bomb." He explained with a shake of his head. "I'm gonna keep Neptune...busy so that JuJu can't get him to confirm anything in case he tries to confront you." He shrugged and looked up. "You know what they say, can't convict anybody if you don't have the evidence to do it."

Ara smiled in thanks before saying, "Thank you and...I'm sorry too. They are ruining your days because of me. I apologize." She said with a hint of guilt.

"It's okay...Neptune and JuJu aren't the first gods to try and ruin my days...and they won't be the last. I gave myself a reputation when I was young and...gods don't forgive bad reputations that easily." Susanoo said with a sad smile as he closed his eyes.

Ara looked down for a moment. "It's a shame, really. They're so busy looking at the past that the future is getting away from them." She shrugged. "However, I'm not like that. The most important thing is the present and...you know what?" She tilted her head at him.

"What?" He asked back, tilting his head in her direction as if he were looking at her despite his eyes being closed.

"I see a guy who has come from the very bottom and has picked up the pieces to build something great again." She explained with a smile. "What's better is that I see him becoming even greater with each passing day." She nodded, looking to the sky with her smile.

Susanoo opened his eyes barely enough to look at her. "That...is something all gods like me want to hear." He said with a soft chuckle. Looking at his hands, he shook his head. "I'm sure you are familiar with Hades?" He asked, the question coming out of nowhere as his eyes opened a bit more.

"Yes." She answered, turning her gaze toward him. "I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but I know him. Yes."

"Depends if it's for a good thing or a bad thing…" Susanoo said with a small smile. "Hades and I...are very much alike. Both only remembered for a few bad things and forgotten for a thousand good deeds. We both have reputations as being evil...monsters...to only live to cause destruction." He closed his eyes. "It must be a thing when you are Ruler of the Underworld." He said quietly with a shake of his head.

Ara nodded at that. "People...gods...in certain eyes, you'll never change." She said with pursed lips.

"Its...different because of the reason I became Ruler of the Underworld," Susanoo said, taking a deep breath and looking up to the sky. "And it wasn't how it was recorded in history. I didn't go down there because I hated my sister...or because I was angry and sought refuge with my mother who lived in the Underworld." The god said softly, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

Ara slowly turned to him fully. "...Talk to me." She said in a calm voice. "You know you can trust me, and you need to get it off your chest." She said, offering him the smallest of smiles.

Susanoo looked up at the clouds. "I haven't talked about it in...over three thousand years. Only the other Shinto gods know about what happened. I...was married before. Slew an immortal eight-headed dragon to save her when it came to devour her." He stopped and looked at the girl, watching to see her reaction.

She blinked at the word 'was' before looking back at him. Ara nodded as if to say, "Go on." While giving him her full attention.

He silently nodded before looking back up. "I deserted my destructive behavior for her, I...did just about anything for her. Nobody recorded it...because they didn't want me to be seen in that light. They didn't even record...when she was gone." He paused and looked away. "I guess...nobody wanted to see big bad Susanoo as a loving husband, only the dragon-slaying monster who could move mountains." He mused with a soft sigh.

Ara looked at him before sighing through her nose. She took a deep breath. "...What...happened to her?" She asked, making her way onto the rock.

"The one thing I couldn't slay nor stop to save her...childbirth." He responded quietly with a soft sniff.

Ara winced at that. She looked down at the ocean beneath them. "Susanoo...I…" She took time to take another breath. "I'm so sorry." She said gently with a deep frown.

The god silently nodded once more. "I...did what my father did when my mother died during childbirth...I went down after her to find her. I...couldn't. But I also couldn't face them...not even my sister." He spoke softly as he opened his glowing blue eyes. "My mom allowed me to dwell down there...despite my sister begging for my mom to speak to me, to try and stop me."

Ara nodded as her eyes began to tear up. "Is that how you became a Ruler of the Underworld?"

Susanoo nodded at that. "...I was down there for a thousand years. I picked up the skills along the way...almost naturally even. I didn't use them often, only when my mother asked me to help her." He explained quietly with a small shrug. "It was only after a thousand years of mourning that I finally accepted the hand my sister was offering me." He whispered out, not appearing to notice the tears now falling.

Ara struggled to not give way to tears. Someone had to be strong. The strong one to support the other. "Thank you for telling me. It...takes a lot of strength to do that." She said before bringing him into an unannounced embrace.

The god didn't protest one bit as he returned the embrace. "Everyone has to speak of the one secret they have been holding for so long...Myself especially. I...never fully recovered." He said, closing his eyes at the last part.

Ara nodded before taking a deep breath. "It hurts. I know it hurts. However, if you keep agitating the wound it'll never get better." She said with a sigh.

He nodded at that and sighed. "...All the things I've done with you...Are the most I've done in a long time. I didn't have the motivation to do anything...anything except sleep. It was a way to escape...and I wanted an escape so badly." He mumbled out with a deep breath.

"It's okay. That's perfectly understandable with what you were enduring." She said while patting him on the back like a young child.

"Not even Ama could get me to do the things I did with you...The most she could ever do is wake me up and take me elsewhere." Susanoo said with a shake of his head.

Ara blinked before parting just the slightest. "Hey...can you calm down for me?" She asked him gently. "Whatever you are trying to tell me, just say it." She said with a small smile and watery eyes.

He gave her a small smile. "Don't you realize it…? You are the first person since her that could make me wake up...that could make me talk longer than five minutes. I did things...that I wouldn't do for anyone-that I did for you." He said with a soft chuckle.

Ara blinked before looking away in thought. "I...I guess I am." She said before looking back at him with a smile. "Uh...I don't see what that has to do with the conversation though."

Susanoo smiled, clearly amused by something before shaking his head. "Ara, the things I did with you…a few of those things I only did for the last woman I loved. It was...my last wife that I took to see the pearls because she liked them and I wanted to show her something that nobody had shown her before. I haven't shown that to anyone since she passed." He explained while looking her in the eye.

Ara looked back at him in thought before her eyes widened in shock. "...You're not saying what I think you're saying." She said in disbelief while returning his gaze as her heart rate sped up.

He chuckled at that and tilted his head. "I don't do those things for any random princesses...I only do that for someone I gave my heart to. I think you know what I am saying...don't you?" He asked with a small smirk.

Ara looked back at him as she made the brightest smile that she had ever made in her life. "Yes, I do. I just...don't know what to say…" She said before timidly looking away.

Susanoo chuckled. "Yes, no, same, maybe, I dunno, any of those would suffice." He said in amusement. "And hey...I just told you a 3,000+ old secret that most have forgotten by now, responding to me should be easy peasy."

Ara looked at him with amusement before chuckling. "I love you too, Susanoo." She said as her smile grew even larger.

Instead of responding, Susanoo smiled before bringing her into a gentle kiss. It lasted until he had to part for air. "And I love you." He said, his smile growing as he rested his forehead against hers in a comforting way.

Ara, who was completely melted after that, giggled before smiling. "I...guess we're a couple." Then she thought about her friends back at home. "I have...a lot of explaining to do." She said with a laugh at the end.

He shook his head. "Just make sure a certain JuJu isn't there to scream until exhaustion. I've already got Neptune handled…" He told her with a small smile.

Ara nodded at that. "That's good. I'll just act like everything is normal and I should be fine when it comes to dad." She said, still holding her smile. "As for everyone else, they're on our side."

Susanoo chuckled and shook his head. "You'd probably get even a bit of cheering going on." He said with a larger smile as he shrugged a bit.

Ara chuckled as well at the thought. "From Seraphina for sure." She said with an amused sigh before looking back at him. "It...might be time for me to go now." She glanced up at the sky, removing her forehead from his.

Before she could leave him, Susanoo leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow, my princess." He said with a smile.

Ara smiled once again. "Yeah. I'll be back and when I come back, I'll have a name for you." She laughed a bit before disappearing as usual.

Susanoo shook his head before laying back on his rock. "I'll look forward to it…" Looking up at the sky, he smirked. "No birds...and I got everything in one day. Might be one of those best days they keep singing about in cartoons." He said to himself before shrugging and closing his eyes to relax in the sun.