Azza was beyond relieved over how well that first visit went. The Princess had been absolutely infatuated with her sister and her artistic abilities, and despite her fears, Lissette seemed to actually enjoy being around the fox ayakashi more than she could have hoped. Hell, she'd even started sketching her much to the Princess' delight. About the only way she could imagine things being much better would be if they finally decided to release the both of them. That wasn't going to happen, but she could dream.
In any case, Azza had awoken in a wonderful mood that day, and had decided on a walk before Miss Aihi started on her work for the day.
"So we're going to take another one? Isn't that a bit risky?"
Azza stopped in her tracks just before Byaku's office door. Was that Shion's voice?
'She must be getting her next orders.' She thought, deciding to make herself look as inconspicuous as possible to anyone that may be walking by, enjoying the view over the railings as she listened in.
"The Princess doesn't have time to wait for us to come up with something else. We can't move her again either." Came Byaku's reply.
"In other words, we don't have a better choice. Fine, but that brat that replaced Gagin better make for a good distraction."
'Shit, Lissette's friends are in danger. I'd better go tell her so we can -'
Azza's thought was interrupted by a zap of pain rattling her skull, causing her to hit her knees.
"You really think they're going to believe she's the other one?" She heard Shion say as the pain dulled and she felt herself now trapped in layers of webbing.
"Yes, we simply need to put her in the clothing the other one arrived in. They look enough alike that they shouldn't immediately be able to tell the difference." Byaku stated, staring blankly back to Azza's panicked glare.
"If you say so." Shion responded as her minions picked up her captured victim "At least this one will stay wrapped."
XXXXXXXXXX
Gen stood at the ready, hoping against all odds that Yoshimori's plan worked. He had his doubts, but the Kekkaishi had been right before. Besides, following Kaguro to Lissette seemed like a sound enough line of reasoning, assuming they could either avoid his detection or defeat him.
Everyone was in place on the school grounds, waiting for the enemy to show up. Normally in a big fight like this was bound to be, Gen felt his element enough to black out everything else, but now he didn't think that was a possibility, not with what was at stake.
"Raizou, now don't do anything rash."
Gen could hear Atora giving instructions to her small menagerie of ayakashi in preparation. It quickly becomes background noise as he started scanning the sky for Lissette's captors.
"Gen?"
The sound of his name caught his attention and he looked down at his and Lissette's trainer. Her expression was stern, determined even.
"We're going to get her back."
He nodded, as they heard Hakota announce the arrival of their enemy. He thought about Lissette, the way she'd never even slightly feared him, the way she had managed to worm through his barriers and become his first actual friend.
He thought about her search for her sister, the loss of her mother, every bit of pain these bastards had thrown her way for her to just walk right through it.
"I know."
He summoned his claws preparing for a fight she should have been fighting with them. They would indeed get her back, and if there was so much as a scratch on her or her sister, the Kokubouro was going to pay for it.