Mitsuko's forces started to move out with renewed vigour. With Mitsuko and her human allies leading the army from the front as her demonic allies brought up the rear. Even though the journey is taking longer than planned, Mitsuko's words echoed in their minds. Their rations are slowly wasting away with no sign of replenishment needed. Though no one was deterred. LingQi noticed that Mitsuko started to smile more genuinely which she thought was a good sign.

'Hey Pang Tong, how long left till we reach her headquarters?' Mitsuko questioned her strategist as she started to tire this seemingly endless march.

'Well its difficult to say, bandit hideouts tend to be hidden for a reason. But if what I hear is correct it shouldn't be too much longer.' Pang Tong answered.

'I hope that's the case, even though they're keeping their spirits high they must be exhausted.' Mitsuko responds as she glances at the soldiers behind them who keep on marching. The demons meanwhile stay silent, even during the camp they keep watch especially Dodomeki who was noticeably more different even to his demon brethren. He would walk in front of them out of earshot of their conversations.

'Have you found out anything about him yet?' Diamondback whispered.

'No I haven't had the chance, he rushes of to scout the perimeter of the camp so fast I can't keep up with him.' Gyuki responded.

'Grr, why can't the infernal cyclops just open up?'

'That's just who he is, you know how stubborn he can be.'

'Don't I know it…if he keeps this up he may end up a liability to lady Mitsuko.

'Watch yourself Diamondback, that is still my blood brother you're talking about. He wouldn't do anything to become a liability to lady Mitsuko.' Gyuki threatened as he lowers his voice, something the lizard demon wasn't used to.

'Maybe not intentionally, if he keeps feeling like this though and doesn't snap out of it he may do something even more stupid. And we can't afford that right now. Especially given the change of our lady's expression as of late.' Diamondback pointed towards Mitsuko. Gyuki looked forward as he saw Mitsuko smiling…a familiar smile something he hasn't seen since…since.

'Hey look at that, our lady has made a friend. I've never seen her smile like that before.'

'I know…I hate to say it but it is unusual for her to be doing that. Still, I'm glad she's able to feel happiness.' Dodomeki responded with his arms crossed as they both onlook Mitsuko and her friend from above.

'Though…I just hope this human doesn't take it away from her.' Dodomeki lowered his voice though Gyuki brushed it to one side and slapped him on the back.

'Ah c'mon look, their smiles are genuine. There's no way she'll hurt her.' Gyuki reassured Dodomeki though he wasn't entirely convinced.

'One can only hope.'

After that vision seemed to fade Gyuki found himself clutching his head with Diamondback next to him trying to offer support.

'Oi you ok there? You just dropped down for a second there, something wrong?' Diamondback asked. Gyuki looks forward to see Dodomeki glance at him, their eyes meet. Gyuki could something strange in Dodomeki's golden eye. Dodomeki kept walking like forward as Gyuki stood up.

'Dodomeki knows something.'

'What?' Diamondback asked in confusion.

'I saw something, this happened last night aswell. Me and Dodomeki were watching lady Mitsuko just like before but it seemed to be in her time or something.'

'What? How did you do that?'

'I…I don't know, though it looks like he knows something like that. I don't know why he isn't sharing it with me though.' Gyuki pondered this but couldn't think of anything. He couldn't understand why he wasn't opening up...though this did help grant him resolve to try and get to the bottom of this.

In the afternoon Mitsuko's forces managed to reach what seemed to be an opening in the mountain pass. A large road in between two walls of mountainous terrain. The warriors halt in place as the officer conferred with each other.

'So this is the way to her hideout?' Mitsuko questioned, looking at

'I believe so my lady. From here we should be able to meet with the bandit queen and secure an alliance for the numbers we require in the future. Given how they don't seem to be a fan of nobility if you appeal to that they should be more open to negotiations. That and perhaps giving them aid against a certain other bandit could work quite well. Since you are at this moment the weaker of the two parties you must be prepared to give what they need first. After all if they have no need of you what is the point of the negotiations? Fortunately for us she's the one that's the lesser of the two powers in these mountains and could need all the help she could get.' Pang Tong explained to Mitsuko.

'That makes sense, though what happens if she decides that she's through with us and stabs us in the back?' Mitsuko questions.

'Then we'll slaughter them.' LingQi responded threateningly holding one of her double sided glaives in front of her face diagonally. The idea of bandits backstabbing them made her angry as something just…clicked at the back of her mind very subtley.

'Hehe, easy there lady LingQi. We may not need to kill all of them, just the leader should things prove too difficult in the game of diplomacy. We should be on our guard though, not much is known about the bandit queen so she will be quite an anomaly when negotiating. However I do believe it is an obstacle that can be overcome my lady with diplomacy and not necessarily violence this time around. These bandits respect strength after all, you prove your strength to them and they will join our cause.' Pang Tong bows her head at Mitsuko respectfully before she gave the order to move deeper in the mountains.

'I hope you're right.' Mitsuko responded before giving the order for her troops to move forward. They all march through the entrance. As Diamondback and Gyuki continued their discussion they eventually realised that Dodomeki is nowhere to be seen.

'Wait, where did he go?' Diamondback whispered trying not to make too much of a ruckus.

'I don't know, he was here a minute ago. Tch, he's too good at sneaking in the shadows.'

'Quite, well maybe he's just pro-actively scouting but he should really wait for our lady's order before doing something.' Diamondback growled.

The sun was descending down the sky as the road started to widen with more open fields in view. Mitsuko and her soldiers couldn't help but look around their surroundings.

'I didn't expect it to be so…open.' Mitsuko stated.

'Hehe, just because there is a mountain range doesn't mean that's the only thing it offers. Besides contrary to popular belief bandits are also human beings, they can't just live on boulders and rocks now.' Pang Tong chuckled as they pressed on though silently he surveys the surroundings. Knowing full well this is uncharted territory. Due to the dwindling of supplies they're not able to rest and send a few scouts to survey the land. As they ventured forward, the moon started to appear as the sky began to darken as they were approaching a forest. Mitsuko halted her forces as she raised one of her snakes in the air as it hisses cautiously at the trees.

'Its probably best if we don't go in there tonight and rest. We don't know what's in there and I would prefer to do it when we have some form of visibility. Let's set up camp here tonight.' Mitsuko ordered. Everyone obeyed as quickly started to setup the camp, eager to get some rest for tomorrows journey. Gyuki meanwhile attempted to look for his blood brother around the perimeter of the camp when the majority of them are resting. He prevented his heavy legs from quaking the ground so Mitsuko's soldiers can properly rest. Though he still rushed around quick as he could to find his blood brother and couldn't really say anything lest he wanted to wake everyone. He hasn't returned and started to get worried for him as he stood on the outskirts of the camp.

'Blast it Dodomeki, where are you?'

'Hey.' Gyuki was startled as he gasped and raised his club high ready to strike however he stopped as he realised it was Mitsuko. He quickly went down onto both his knees and bowed before Mitsuko.

'Ahh my lady! I apologise I didn't think it was you, I thought it was an enemy that managed to sneak behind me. I did not mean to raise my arm at you, I humbly request your forgiveness!' Gyuki pleaded for his life.

'Hey don't worry about it. I'm starting to get accustomed to this, I should probably start announcing myself first before I startle people.' Mitsuko jested surprising Gyuki, he was sure that Mitsuko would have harsh words, or fury or something. Though instead she played it like a joke.

'Ahh no, the fault was mine lady Mitsuko I should've heard your footsteps.' Gyuki insisted though Mitsuko wasn't quite used to this. Sure she was happy someone finally said sorry and actually meant it to her but this was a little too much.

'Hey take it easy, no one got hurt. I'm fine.' Mitsuko reassured him as Gyuki looked up to see Mitsuko with a lopsided smile.

'A-are you sure?'

'Of course.' Mitsuko sat down next to Gyuki who was shocked.

'My lady, shouldn't you be resting?' He questioned.

'Yeah but I'm not that tired for once so I thought I'd try stargazing like I used to back at my time.' Mitsuko looked up at the night sky and smiled contently. Gyuki only just realised this but this was the first time she saw Mitsuko this close for more than a few seconds and she seemed more…relaxed than usual. He was glad about this and laughed slightly.

'Haha, is that so? Well in that case I should probably leave you to it.' Gyuki responded how as he got up from his knees.

'How come? Stay a little bit if you want. I'd like to get to know you a bit better if that's ok.' Mitsuko stated taking Gyuki by surprised. He wasn't sure on how to proceed, the old Orochi never really cared much about spending time with his subjects so this took Gyuki aback.

'Erm…ok if you're sure.' Gyuki hesitantly sat down next to Mitsuko. The two sat in silence for a while as they both looked up at the night sky, neither of them didn't know what to say to another. They were working alongside together yet they knew almost nothing about each other.

'So…what do you think is up there?' Mitsuko asked, attempting to break the silence taking Gyuki off guard as he fumbled around with his words, unsure on how to address her privately like this.

'I erm…erm…I never really thought about it to be honest. I've been pretty much fighting or preparing to fight since I was spawned.' Gyuki admitted.

'Really? So this Orochi just made you guys fight and that's that? You didn't like do anything in your spare time?'

'Not really, since I was spawned all I really have known to do would be to fight for survival and for lord Orochi. I mean we did pass the time by conversing and the like, we weren't completely soulless machines. We were just…dedicated to him I guess.' Gyuki answered, unsure of what else to say. Since this cycle Gyuki was dedicated to serving Orochi and didn't really think about anything else.

'So is that why you follow me? Because Orochi inhabits me?' Mitsuko questioned. Gyuki stunned by this quickly stumbled clumsily around and went on his knees and bows his head to the ground in front of Mitsuko.

'Oh no no I would never follow you out of blind devotion to lord Orochi my lady please don't think that. It was that way in the beginning I admit however over time we have started to serve you of our own volition, Orochi or not. We are proud to serve you my lady. Please do not think otherwise.' Gyuki pleaded. Not wanting to offend her in anyway. Though was surprised when Mitsuko tried to contain her laughter.

'I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I don't mean to laugh but the way you went really serious there and tried to make amends gave me a chuckle I'm sorry.' Gyuki was surprised by Mitsuko's laughter but he couldn't stop himself from laughing along with her after finding the humor in it.

'It is kind of funny when I think about it.' Gyuki stated before sitting back up to his original position. He instantly became a little more relaxed after that, he looks up to the night sky covered in stars again. He pondered about Mitsuko's question.

'Erm…I don't know whats up there to be honest, though its something I'd like to learn.' Gyuki answered which Mitsuko gave him a warm lop sided smile on the left side of her cheek.

'Fair enough, nothing wrong with that.' Mitsuko replied. The two sat in silence though it wasn't as awkward as it was before.

'You know…I never had the chance to thank you personally did I?' Mitsuko rhetorically asked. Gyuki was confused by this.

'Thank you for what my lady?'

'For saving LingQi back at Xia Pi. She told me that you were the one that rescued her from being married from that piece of shit noble.' Gyuki noticed her snake arms were more aggressive as they hissed loudly, though they quickly rescinded back to standard docile behaviour.

'Why did you save her though? I know you and Dodomeki at the time were looking out for me but why save her? Especially since Dodomeki doesn't exactly approve of her.' Mitsuko glanced at the ground, wondering why those two can't get along.

'Because she's important to you right? I wouldn't want to have someone important to you taken away if that was not their wish. Besides I thought she would be a good asset to you and I was correct. But you both were unhappy, I didn't think it would be fair for you end things like that at the very least.' Gyuki replied, surprising Mitsuko.

'I see…well without her I don't know if I'd be here the way I am and I was happy to see her again. So no matter the reason I'm grateful that you helped her. Thanks.' Mitsuko gave him a warm smile as she extended her left snake arm who looked at him with a more curious expression. Gyuki wasn't sure on how to proceed however it did feel good to be thanked for something. He smiled back and fist bumped the snake on the nose slightly.

'It was not a problem my lady but it is kind of you to thank me.' Gyuki responded feeling…something alien he hasn't felt before. He hasn't felt anything like this before. Before he knew it he started to reminisce the time he met LingQi.

'You know, the first time I met lady LingQi I used a little too much force and knocked over the carriage, when she crawled out she was really furious. I introduced myself saying nice to meet you and she thought I was going to take her soul and was ready to slay me. I had to practically beg her saying I knew who you were before she stopped.' Mitsuko burst out laughing as she heard that.

'Haha, yeah that definitely sounds like her. Even against someone like you I can see her getting ready to duel you.' Gyuki was too flabbergasted by how relaxed he was sitting next to Mitsuko to let that slip. It wasn't that he hated it, it was…very unusual for him and wasn't sure on how to feel about this. She did sigh though soon after.

'I wish she and Dodomeki could get along more though, I know people can't always get along but I'd prefer if those two could not hate each other you know?'

'Hmm, I don't think my blood brother hates her to be honest. Though what he is thinking alludes even me.' Gyuki rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

'Blood brother? Is that why you two are most of the time together even though you look nothing like each other?' Mitsuko asked.

'Yep, normally demons are spawned as individuals but we were born at the same time. Its said that we shared a bond before we were fully spawned so despite our differences even though demons can fight as individuals, we also can but we prefer to fight as a pair. It makes us more comfortable. Though because of our differences that was not always possible. Orochi used Dodomeki in the past as a scout or an assassin. Due to our blood brother bond we were sent together though I normally stayed a bit behind due to my size. Though that did mean I had to work a bit harder just to keep up with him. Heh, the first time we were deployed, Dodomeki pretty much went ahead and participated in the battle without me. By the time I arrived it was over and I just collapsed. Dodomeki was so angry with me he ran with me constantly to make sure I went faster for what seemed like weeks on end.' Gyuki laughed, reminiscing old times. Mitsuko let out a small giggle in response.

'Seems like I still have a lot to learn and understand about you demons don't I? I'd like to learn more about you and our other companions in the future some time if you'd allow it. I like to know more about who's working with me you know?' Mitsuko questioned, immediately Gyuki turned to face Mitsuko and bow his head.

'Of course my lady, I would be glad to impart knowledge of demons and the past with you, it would be an honour.' Mitsuko could only chuckle at Gyuki's enthusiasm

'Well that's good, though you don't need to be so formal with me when we're alone. I can see why doing it in public may not be the best idea but if we're alone it is ok to act more casually you know.' Mitsuko told Gyuki who didn't know how to respond.

'I erm…I will keep that in mind my lady.'

'Good now I better let you get on with your patrol duties as I think I've been up for a while. Don't overtax yourself I need you ok?' Gyuki nodded eagerly.

'Do not worry about that my lady I will conserve my energy until needed.' Mitsuko was pleased to hear that as she nodded at him before returning to her tent, soon leaving Gyuki all alone. He must admit that went better than he thought, he didn't really have too much to go on with how to gauge Mitsuko other than what he heard. But she made him feel more relaxed than he thought was possible and wanted to get to know him better rather than Orochi. He did admit that made him feel unusual happiness. He looked up and spotted Dodomeki in the distance who's golden eye stood out in the darkness. Gyuki stood up before Dodomeki glances down temporarily before sprinting off. Gyuki sighs as he shakes his head.

Dodomeki, whatever it is your hiding we're going to find out, don't let your pride prevent you from at least talking to me…or to lady Mitsuko.

A/N: Hey guys, hope you enjoyed this one. This will be my last chapter of the year and what a year its been. Even though there were a couple of snags…like the house's foundation getting flooded I still think it was a productive year for me. Still hard to believe how much has changed in 4 years of when I first started this fic and I'm still writing it. I'm just that much of a madman I gues, haha. Hopefully next year I can get back on track and be more productive and stick to my schedule all year long. With my actual book almost finished with the first draft and me taking a day off work temporarily I should be more frequent as that just needs to be edited to actually be at least passable. I also have a discord called DMZ's literature club if you want to join that. I mean you don't' have to but if you want to hang out with me a little bit you can. Should be able to search for it on discord I think I did make it open but let me know if its not and I can send you a manual invite link. But I will leave you with a thank you for reading it this far as I know it's a long one and you do make me feel like continuing to write this and with your kind words of saying this is one of the few 'good' DW fanfics out there despite me needing to learn and improve is just incredible, it really does move me so thanks a lot for that. But that's that, happy holidays for whatever you celebrate if not, have fun and stay safe. Until next chapter, sayonara.