Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Deeper Kyo and the characters in it.

A/N: It has been almost 4 years since I last updated a chapter. I just want to announce that I now have a son and he is 2 years 8 months. Hahaha (no, I didn't nickname him Kyo, but, yes, my partner and I nicknamed him Bimemaru). I hope I still do have my readers and your review means a lot to me (even after more than 10 years :D)

Chapter 14:

The gate with the Mibu insignia stood proud right in front of Muramasa, Kyoshiro and Kyo. Kyo is having a hard time trying to believe that he was actually at the main house. He even had second thoughts and is currently orchestrating an escape route in his head.

"Okaeri-nasai mase, Kyo-bousama, Kyoshiro-bousama," it was Jiyaa greeting them. He walked closer to Kyo and hugged him.

"Kyo-bousama, ohisashiburi degozaimasu," said Jiyaa with tears in his eyes.

"Jiyaa… hisashiburi desu," Kyo somehow relieved to see a familiar face.

"Let's go inside, the ceremony is about to start," said Muramasa.

The moment they stepped into the Mibu premises, Kyo noticed all eyes were on them. They were (un)welcomed by rows of altar men and women of the Mibu Clan. "That's the demon child with Muramasa-sama isn't it?" "The cursed child, Onime No Kyo!" "Kyoshiro-sama is back, the King must be looking forward to his return" "What is the Demon Child doing here?" "He should not return to Mibu. He will distort our peace!" These were the words that they could hear as they walked along the path towards the Mibu Castle. Kyo couldn't brush off the uneasiness of hearing all these things, though, in his heart, he couldn't care less. Kyoshiro on the other hand was very concerned about Kyo. He was reminded of the conversation between Muramasa and Shihoudo. "How are we related to the Crimson King?" thought Kyoshiro.

The Goyousei were waiting for them in front of the main hall.

"Welcome back, Muramasa-sama. It has been a while," said Taihaku, leader of the Goyousei.

"Taihaku, it has been a while. Have you been well?" Muramasa replied with a beam on his face.

"Yes, Muramasa-sama, I am well thank you. This way please," he ushered the father and sons to the hallway. "You look well yourself, although it has been a while since we last saw you," he continued.

Shinrei who was standing there amongst the Goyousei along with Keikoku, Saishi and Saisei couldn't help himself from making a move to scorn Kyo's presence.

"Onime no Kyo, such a blasphemous presence. On this sacred day, we had to have you here," said Shinrei, stopping Kyo's stride.

"The feeling is mutual, Shinrei. I hate to say this, but I was invited, and I'm a guest. Shut your trap and just do what you're told to do by your Elders," like a bucket of mud, the words from Kyo splattered onto his face.

"Damn you, Kyo!" Shinrei scoffed. He just stood in the spot, stunned. Kyo strode towards where Muramasa and Kyoshiro were walking with a small thought written in his eyes, "In your face, Shinrei". He couldn't help but have strange feelings up his guts to punch Shinrei in the face because of whatever relationship Shinrei has with Yuya. Strange.

"Shinrei… you should just leave him alone," said Keikoku.

"Shut up Keikouku," Shinrei retorted. He was sure, very sure that he needed to get Yuya away from Mibu Kyo. Heck, he just wanted her to be safe. He, the assassin, was sent to kill Shiina Yuya, but fell in love with her. "Damn it. I will kill you with my own hands, Mibu Kyo''

Far in the corner of the hallway stood Hishigi and Tokito looking intensely towards Muramasa, Kyo and Kyoshiro. Kyoshiro and Kyo noticed the strong animosity coming from the two. "That is Hishigi, one of the Four Elders. Who is the other person?" thought Kyoshiro.

"Why did the Crimson King invite them losers? Onime No Kyo, a threat to our very existence, no less. Sometimes, I just can't help thinking that the King is a fool," whispered Tokito to Hishigi.

"You better wipe off those thoughts before you present yourself to the King, Tokito. We don't want a bloody incident happening on his birthday, do we?" warned Hishigi as they both slowly walked behind the earlier bunch, keeping their distance far enough so that their conversation would still be discreet. Tokito shivered with the thoughts of what happened to the previous encounter she had with the King.

As they reached the end of the hallway, Fubuki appeared from behind the tall curtain "welcoming" the two siblings and their father.

"It has been a while, Muramasa. I thought you might have forgotten how to come back to your homeland," Fubuki ushering them to the castle ground.

"Good to see you too, my friend. How can I forget my roots?" Muramasa replied.

Kyo couldn't help but be wary of his surroundings. Somehow, everything looks too familiar to not recognize. The zen garden, the rocks position, the resting stools. Everything.

"It's Kyo-sama." "He is back with Kyoshiro-sama" "He is so grown up now" "He took after his mother"

"Kyo-sama, welcome back to the Mibu Castle," came a little girl running towards Kyo with a flower in her hand.

Fubuki, without hesitation, kicked the girl to the curb and drew his sword towards her.

"What do you think you're doing, you filth? Do you want to die?"

Kyoshiro ran towards the girl and helped her up. "Are you okay?" he asked. He threw a sharp look at Fubuki, "You-"

"Fubuki, please. She is just a mere child," Muramasa cut in before Kyoshiro could speak. He was holding his breath and keeping himself calm not to make a scene.

"Take this filth away," Fubuki raised his voice. The castle attendance came to pick up the girl. "Haste. We can't keep our Lord waiting"

Kyoshiro halted. He felt anger crawling in his blood, skin and bone. For a second, he lost sight of what was in front of him and he was burning with rage. "Calm down, Kyoshiro. What is wrong with me?" Kyo turned to his brother and realized Kyoshiro had the same pair of crimson orb as his. "Kyoshiro! You-" the surprised Kyo exclaimed. Kyoshiro snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Kyo. "It's- it's gone… was it just my imagination?" thought Kyo. He really did see the crimson orbs on Kyoshiro. "Calm down, Kyoshiro. Let's just get this over with"

Yuya finally woke up from what seems to be a super long sleep. Today was her offday. No classes to attend and no part-time job as well. She got up from her bed and walked towards the window. "Today is the Crimson King's birthday. Thanks for the day-off Crimson King" she thought to herself and giggled. She took a quick shower and she went out of her room ready to start cleaning the apartment since Kyo wasn't around. "Kyo…" she thought. Her heart skipped a beat. "It wasn't a dream, was it?" She did a monologue. She shook her head and started cleaning. As she walked down the stairs to the living room, she saw the beer cans and wine bottles still on the table. "It was NOT a dream."

"Ting.. Tong"

Yuya rushed to the door and viewed the intercom. It was Yukimura.

"Ya Ho!" he chirped. Yuya opened the door and let Yukimura in.

"Yukimura san, Kyo is not here today. He was staying at Muramasa-sama's place last night."

"Ah, we know that! Saizou, please. The gift for Yuya-san and Kyo-san," he chirped.

"Right away, Yukimura-sama," replied Saizou while passing a huge flower basket with a variation of shortbreads, biscuits and jams for Yuya and another picnic basket with two bottles of wine, for Kyo.

"Wow, Yukimura san, what's the occasion?" Yuya carried the baskets to the table.

"Oh nothing, but wow, please tell me I'm right, Yuya san. Last night, you were trying to catch up with your studies for your upcoming exam, and then Kyo told you to chill and invited you to have some drinks. Of course you refused, but Kyo knows his way. He told you that you're no fun. You fell for his trap and ended up drinking with him all night long. Umm.. If my deduction and feeling is right, from how you look this morning, I sensed a little romance? HAHAHA but.. I'm just shooting arrows aimlessly now…" Yukimura blabbered the entire sentence in one go and he could see blood creeping up Yuya's cheeks. "Did that happen last night?" Yukimura gave Yuya a cheeky look.

"Ting… Tong"

"Saved by the bells!"said Yuya. "Who is it?" she asked while walking towards the door.

"I'll find out about the mystery soon, for now you can keep it to yourself," said Yukimura as he seated himself down on the sofa.

Yuya opened the door and found Bontenmaru, Akari and Akira standing there with bags of chips and wine. "Hi every-"

"Kyoooo! Where are you punk! It's a holiday, let's get wasted!" shouted Bontenmaru.

"Good morning, Yuya san. I'm sorry about these two idiots and for barging in like this. I understand that it is a holiday for the Mibus but these two deliberately took the day off just to hang out with Kyo," explained Akira.

"I'm sorry, Kyo isn't here today. He is at the Mibu's main house with Muramasa sama and Kyoshiro," said Yuya.

"He what?!-" exclaimed Bontenmaru and Akari.

"Is it the end of the world?! Why would Kyo go to that damned place," Bontenmaru was swimming in the sea of curiosity. His glances moved to the sitting beam of light on the sofa. "What the hell are you doing here? Mibu gave their employees a good day off, get out of here, shoo shoo," he continued as he made himself comfortable on the floor. "Yuya san, can I have a cup of coffee, I seem to have a splitting headache now"