Masamori couldn't help but smile to himself as his brother managed to catch each of his Night Troops in kekkai. His training was showing results, even without his training partner there to provide her assistance.

'I suppose I should have told him we would be coming to help out.' He thought, quickly catching Yoshimori's hand in his own kekkai before he could perform metsu.

"That's enough Yoshimori." He scolded, almost playfully, as he and Tokine looked up at him "Hey, your reflexes are much quicker, but your tactics leave a lot to be desired."

After hearing a few complaints from his Night Troops and explaining to the two Kekkaishi that setting up base at Karasumori seemed like the most effective way to help out with the Kokubouro situation, everybody started swarming the teens, making introductions and just generally keeping them busy.

"About time you all showed up. I was beginning to wonder if reinforcements were ever coming." Atora commented as he walked up to her. She seemed more somber than usual, opting to hang back by the trees instead of helping to coral everyone away from Yoshimori and Tokine.

"How have things been holding up since they took her?" He asked, trying to get a feel for what kind of situation he was walking into.

"About as well as can be expected. Everyone has been pitching in to fill in the gaps, but it's been oddly quiet since they took her." Atora replied as she looked past the crowd at Gen, who seemed to be keeping as much distance from everyone as possible without running off. Masamori looked with her.

"How has he been handling it?" He asked, lowering his voice a bit more, noticing the concern etched onto the trainer's face.

"He's worried," Atora started "We all are, but Gen is definitely taking it the hardest, despite how much he denies it. He's been closing himself off again too…though he's still working with Tokine and your brother pretty well."

Masamori nodded in quiet understanding. The team dynamic wasn't suffering as much as he'd feared it would, but he was glad he'd had the rest of the Night Troops move bases when he did.

"Any ideas as to what they would want her for in the first place?" He asked, the question having been nagging at him for days now. Atora simply shook her head.

"She's never mentioned any attempts like this before, and the only option I've been able to come up with myself is…"

"Bait."

Atora nodded, her expression turning grim.

"I've had the same thought. We'll really have to keep an eye on Yoshimori and Gen. I doubt Tokine would be so rash as to chase them down, but those two are a different story."

"So have extra eyes on them?"
"For everyone's safety and sanity, that would probably be for the best."

XXXXXXXXXX

"She wants to meet you, you know." Azza states out of nowhere as they're eating breakfast.

"Who, that Aihi lady you've been working for?" Lissette asks, confused as to what has brought on this topic "Azza, it's going to be hard enough getting you and I out of here, but adding a second wormed person to the mix…"

"Not her, - well, her too actually - but she's not who has been asking to see you all week."

Lissette looked her dead in the eye, hoping that this conversation wasn't going where she feared it was. Azza fidgeted nervously as she glanced between her and the door to Lissette's cell.

"I told you about the Princess, right?"
"The fox demon that rules this place?"

Azza nodded, picking at the hems of her sleeves.

"Why?"

"Honestly? I think she's bored. Part of my job here has been assisting in keeping her calm and happy, but she's been restless since the invasion. They're hoping that bringing her some new…entertainment, will help her continue to maintain this place until they can manage something more permanent."

"I see." Lissette paused, finishing her last few bites of food as she mulled the idea over. She wasn't really keen on being anyone's "entertainment".

'But,' She thought 'It may be a good idea to stay on her good side for the time being. Not to mention helping keep the place intact until we can get out would probably be in our best interest.'

"Any suggestions? You have more experience in fox-sitting than I do."

Azza seemed to relax immensely as her response, a grateful smile finding its way across her face.

"She really likes stories about the outside world. She seems to like playing with my hair too…Oh!" Azza suddenly all but leaped at her, beaming from ear to ear "You don't happen to have your sketchbook, do you?"

"Yeah, I keep my smaller one tucked in my sash."

"Perfect! You should show her some of your drawings! Or even offer to draw her something! Oh, I need to go tell Byaku so we can get you ready for her. I'll be back later!" Azza exclaimed, bolting towards the door.

"Wait, what does 'getting me ready' mean?! Azza?!"

Lissette's shouts either went unheard or ignored by her twin. She let out an exasperated sigh, holding her head in her hands. What in the hell had she just agreed to?