A month has passed since Mitsuko did the first task for the bandit queen. Her forces have integrated themselves in the city as well as they could. Though the majority of the inhabitants still viewed them all with suspicion, there was less friction around the city between the two forces. Though still not much information could've been gathered by Pang Tong in terms of who's leading the Tai Dominion however he did manage to find out a little bit of information on the Tai Dominion in general. He was surprised to find that the Tai dominion as of late have been passive, considering the distaste of Zhang Yan from tai Dominion. He chuckled as he started to scheme in the shadows. Gyuki started to become more like a watch master for the city. Keeping an eye out for any potential dangers as the bandit queen ordered men to bring him some food from outside while being constantly visited by the other officers including Mitsuko to make sure he wasn't completely bored.

Mitsuko was eventually summoned from her spartan quarters by a messenger as she finished donning her armour after getting up early in the morning. She followed the messenger to the palace. Zheng Jiang signalled her palace guards to leave. As the doors shut behind the guards Zheng jiang spoke.

'Good morning lady Mitsuko. I hope you slept well?' She asked as her snakes opened their jaws wide like they were yawning.

'You could say that. Couldn't have given me 5 more minutes?' She asked.

'Hehe, my apologies about that but I thought you may have wanted to know about our current situation.' Zheng Jiang responded in a serious manner which has Mitsuko's attention.

'And what pray tell, would that be?' Mitsuko could've sworn she saw a very faint smirk on Zheng Jiangs lips before she spoke.

'Unfortunately, our food resources are running thin here in the city. The extra strain of our resources your forces have on us is starting to concern us. We're not exactly the capital of the country. We don't have an endless supply of food, we had a stockpile ready however your forces have drained that.' Zheng Jiang explained.

'That was something you could've told me the first time before telling me about a good few weeks later when it became a problem.' Mitsuko responded with a clear annoyed tone in her voice.

'I wasn't aware of this problem until recently unfortunately. As soon as I did I thought I'd inform you. Because we could use this as a good opportunity to make this alliance you seek.' Mitsuko narrowed her eyes at her as her snakes hissed inquisitively at her.

'How? What did you have in mind?'

'Well, bandits aren't known for being isolated and keeping to themselves. Word has come to our attention that there is a village to the east who are producing food and trading with Zhang Yan and despite the famine they're producing a lot and we're under the impression that they have a stockpile of food. If you manage to get that food for us it'll prove that you embrace who we are and you can provide for yourselves. From there we can make our alliance official.' Zheng Jiang explained her position. Gai Shu looked at her with shock, he wasn't aware of this sudden shortage of food it looked like. Lu Zheng meanwhile hid most of her face with her fan.

'So how do you want me to do that? Do you want me to talk to them provide us with the food instead?'

'You can most certain try. But just getting that stockpile of food would be enough, you're free to use any means necessary to do so. Anything done to them will put some strain on Zhang Yan. It'll be a win-win situation by the end of it. While you're gone we'll look into more ways to provide for our city.'

'So where am I going in the west? I'm going to assume you have scouts ready to escort us?'

'That's right, they'll be able to show you where you need to go. They won't get involved though which will help not have a repeat of last time.' Zheng Jiang chuckled.

'They'll meet you at the front gates. Even though our food supplies are quite diminished you are ready to take what you need, I already gave the order for the guards of the storehouse to give you the food necessary. Don't worry, I have faith that they'll get replenished when you come back soon enough.' Mitsuko was curious about this as she glanced to the two people at her sides and the bandit queen herself. The words uttered from the bandit queen herself were believable however something about the situation seemed…off. She couldn't explain why though she figured she didn't have a choice in the matter. Even if they are lying, she did the same thing to them and they currently hold the cards. As Pang Tong advised she needs to do the giving first.

'All right. I'll gather my soldiers and we'll move out as soon as we can.' Mitsuko answered as she lowered her head respectfully along with her serpent heads. As she started to walk away Zheng Jiang stopped her.

'Remember, just bring us as much food as possible. By any means necessary.' She emphasised the last sentence she said. Mitsuko nodded in understanding as she exited the palace. The palace guards flooded back in. As the doors shut Gai Shu spoke.

'I didn't know we had a food shortage. How come I wasn't told?'

'Because we don't actually have a food shortage.' Lu Zheng sighed as she shook her head at him.

'Wait…then why did you-'

'Its called deceiving.' Zheng Jiang stated as she leant on her left fist. Gai Shu started to smile deviously.

'Ahh I see what you're doing. We're going to ambush them once they get the stockpile of food right?' Both Lu Zheng and Zheng Jiang sighed loudly at him.

'Don't be an idiot. We won't do no such thing.' Zheng jiang responded which took Gai Shu back.

'Then…why?'

'If she is serious about her objectives then she'll need to learn she'll have to do whatever it takes to achieve them. This will be a good lesson for her.' Zheng Jiang explained as she smirked. Gai looked confused at his wife but gotten annoyed as he looked up to see Lu Zheng with a slight mischievous look to her eyes as she hides the majority of her face with her fan. Meanwhile Mitsuko gathers her officers outside of the castle to make them aware of the situation.

'So that's the gist of it really. Once we get the food we can start making progress on the diplomatic level.' Mitsuko concluded her explanation to her officers.

'Ahh excellent, things are coming along nicely. Though the situation doesn't seem as dire as they make it out at to be. I haven't heard any whispers or anything regarding food shortages. Normally that would be the case as they'd start restrict food distribution but there's nothing.' Pang Tong was curious by this task given to Mitsuko.

'I have my suspicions as well but it's not like I can call her out on it. As you said I have to do the giving first for the moment.' Mitsuko responded.

'I did indeed, though I can't help but be curious about the circumstances surrounding this task. Though it's not wise to look too far into things when there are more pressing matters to attend to.' Pang Tong chuckled, he didn't disclose the passive nature of the dominion to Mitsuko yet, wanting to find an answer first before reporting to her. If he could find out about the reason, he could it to their advantage. Though for the moment he'll stay silent. No need for Mitsuko to worry about that anyway.

'The strategist is right, we should look to this task that she wants us to do if you wish to pursue this alliance. Should I go round up the men and the provisions?' Dodomeki questioned.

'Yes, however there's no urgency as of yet. We'll leave in the next hour or so. Just make sure we're properly prepared, we don't know what's going to be there. Especially with these external mystic threats, at this point us I want us to be properly prepared to fight anything that dares to oppose us.' Mitsuko stated as Dodomeki bowed in understanding.

'Understood my lady. We'll assemble them by the front gates and await your command.' Dodomeki answered as he and the rest of the officers assemble Mitsuko's soldiers. Mitsuko was about to follow them until diamondback put a hand on her shoulder.

'Apologies my lady but may I ask for a quick word…in private.' Diamondback whispered the last part of the sentence with Gyuki's presence nearby. Mitsuko was curious about this as Diamondback wasn't one for words, Mitsuko agreed to this knowing he wouldn't ask this if it wasn't something serious. They made their way Mitsuko's temporary quarters, which was very spartan. Mitsuko sat down on the bed with Diamondback in front of her. His diamonds shone despite the lack of sunlight entering the room.

'Alright it should be ok here. What's up?' Mitsuko questioned Diamondback. He glanced to his side before answering.

'I have some concerns about Dodomeki. He has been acting unusual recently and I fear it may impact his ability on the battlefield.' Diamondback stated.

'How so? Isn't he normally a distant one who keeps to himself most the time? He seems the type.' Mitsuko replied.

'He is but not to this extreme in your…or rather lord Orochi's previous incarnations. He and Gyuki may be more distant due to them going more for scouting and being part of a vanguard rather than a main force. However Dodomeki normally didn't push himself to this extreme. He would always wait and rest up before lord Orochi would summon him and Gyuki for their next mission. He wasn't one to constantly go out of his way to…prove himself it feels like. Gyuki also knows something but the bond between blood brothers is strong. Every attempt I try to get it out of him he dismisses it. They would normally stay by your side, especially Dodomeki. I'm not sure what's going on with them but I feel they need their issues resolved before they endanger the rest of us.' Diamondback explained.

'Aww you do care about them.' Mitsuko teased as she smirked mischievously. Diamondback was taken aback by this and took a step back.

'What? No you misunderstand my intentions, all I wanted to state was-'

'Relax Diamondback, I was just joking.' Mitsuko assured him, interjecting before he finished his sentence.

'Oh, my apologies I didn't mean to take that the wrong way.'

'Don't worry about it, I suppose you're not used to them. Though I do see what you mean about Dodomeki. He hasn't been giving himself enough time to recover. I don't suppose you have any idea why he's acting like this then do you?'

'Unfortunately not. If I did I would be able to resolve the issue myself I feel. Its only this cycle that he has acted this way. I'm not sure what would cause the change. When I first met him here this time he was his standard self.' Diamondback answered. Mitsuko rests her head on one of her serpent heads in thought.

'Well when did you notice this change in his behaviour?'

'Hmm, shortly after he told me about blurting out your actions at Xia Pi to lady LingQi.' Mitsuko grimaced slightly at the memory of her and LingQi fighting back at the forest. The feeling of just unleashing her anger out on her after everything. She knew it was necessary in the end, it doesn't mean that she had to remember it with joy. Both her serpent heads hiss softly as they glance to the ground as Mitsuko sighed.

'So he told you about it before he told me then?' Diamondback looked away regretfully.

'We didn't wish to distress you any more given our predicaments back then. Plus we had to force it out of him, he wouldn't speak about it otherwise until we forced it out of him. He justified it by saying it would show her betrayal.'

'Well…he was partially right I guess, it did help us work out our…issues.'

'Shortly after that he started to…seem like to regret his actions. I don't know what caused that though, he's not normally one for sentimental stuff like that, most demons aren't which is what makes his behaviour unusual.' Diamondback responded.

'He felt guilty? He wouldn't strike me as the guy who's guilty, then again I didn't expect myself to be a reincarnation of a demon lord with snakes for arms. Though it makes sense, I have a hard time believing that he would feel like that though.' Mitsuko admitted, Dodomeki seemed like a demon that would do whatever it takes. Maybe she got him wrong. Would he push himself that far for making a mistake that worked out ok in the end?

'I do aswell, though I believe it's the case. I don't know what caused it. I was hoping you may have some idea, did he mention anything during your adolescence?' Diamondback asked. Mitsuko raised an eyebrow at him.

'Adolescence? What do you mean? When I was growing up? You know I grew up in a different time right?' She asked, making sure Diamondback knew what was going on.

'I am aware, he and Gyuki protected you during that time still.' He responded blatantly which made Mitsuko confused as stood up.

'Wait hold on a moment. What do you mean they looked out for me? I was alone and grew up alone. No family and not many friends. If I saw them I would've noticed.' Mitsuko replied. Diamondback opened his eyes with shock.

'They never told you? You weren't supposed to see them. They protected you from a distance to help protect you against any potential mystic assassinations. Normally though from what they tell me, Orochi would forcefully take control of their body when he was ready which would normally about your age. From there he would rebuild his forces. Once he emerged and gained control of the body they would be at his side and began to rebuild their forces. However…that doesn't seem to be the case now I realise. This is what I mean, they would've told you the situation by now, detailing the situation at hand. This is all more evidence that something is amiss with them, what though I don't know.' Diamondback explained. Mitsuko didn't really know what to say or how to take it in. Dodomeki and Gyuki couldn't be in her time right? Surely someone would've seen them right? She would've remembered something about monsters like rumors or gossip.

'No that can't be right. Someone would've noticed them. I would've remembered something about them.'

'They are very efficient at hiding, they have had enough practice by now. Especially Gyuki.' Diamondback chuckled. The serpents look at Mitsuko as she darted her eyes from one side of the room to the other, trying making sense of the situation.

'Well, how did they get to my time and how did they know it was me?'

'Those two would be able to answer that, I'm a fighter on the front lines. They're the ones that were …closer in proximity to lord Orochi previously. Maybe they can reveal more than I can unfortunately.' Mitsuko sighed in response. Just how the hell did they know where to find her, did they know about what happened with Akari and let it happen? Did they know her parents? Too many questions floated in her mind without much answers. She knew what if she thought about them too much she'd overthink everything. With these mystics she knew she needed to keep a clear head in case they decided to attack. She shook her head violently.

'Maybe, but for the moment we have a task we need to complete which we'll be away for a while. With the threat of these mystics running around we can't afford to be distracted. If I ask this of those two now and they don't give me an answer, it may be problematic. I don't like this, but its best to wait until we get the food from this damn village and go from there. At least here there's some protection against them. There's still a lot I don't know about them…or you demons in general for that matter. Look, I'll bring it up with them when we get back and we'll go from there. I'm grateful that you brought this to my attention, though we'll have to deal with it a little later than I'd like?' Diamondback knelt on one knee and bowed his head in respect. He didn't know why but the way that Mitsuko took her officers and what they said seriously made him feel something alien inside him. He wasn't sure whether he liked this feeling or not. Though part of this feeling was…comforting to him, knowing that Mitsuko didn't see them as just simple battle fodder.

'Yes my lady as you command. I'll go and help with the preparations, I'll make sure we'll be ready within the hour.' Diamondback stood up and walked out. As the door shut behind him Mitsuko sighed heavily as she put her snake arms at the back of her head. She started to wonder what else was being kept from her. She put those thoughts at the back of her head, reminding herself that she had a job to do for the bandit queen. Getting that food is what matters the most. Mitsuko walked out the door and made her way to the front gate, helping preparations for them to leave.