Lingering feelings, whispered into my ear in a last goodbye. An invisible veil...

DISCLAIMER: DxD does not belong to me.

I don't remember the last time I've been to a funeral.

Death itself is not a strange concept for me; I've faced the idea of dying many times since my awakening as the sekiryuutei, even seeing someone be killed before my eyes twice, although the first time thankfully didn't last. Nothing lasts forever, that's a lesson I've learnt a bit too soon, but understand it completely: everybody leaves one day, and death is the final departure from this realm.

However, the mourning, the grief and the rituals after... I'm not used to them.

I have just vague memories of granduncle Fujio's funeral from when I was four, though. I didn't know him very well nor grandpa Kazuki had good things to talk about him in retrospect, but I remember the soothing, echoing sounds of the cerimonial bells followed by the itching scent of incense and prayers from the monk, father and grandpa sharing a few words on the altar and then carrying the white open coffin to the crematorium, picking his bones and saving his ashes on a urn to bury on the family grave. On that day, for that moment, no matter the thoughts and images one had of him, granduncle Fujio was the most important, most beloved, dearest member in our family, and to think no one would ever see him again was a massive shock for all parties.

I didn't know him, I didn't even meet him alive since he lived far away from Kuoh, yet seeing people crying and mourning for him... It made me sad, somehow. This feeling, I feel it yet again after what happened...

I was just enjoying some ice-cream with my group as we took a day or two to relax before resuming our trip here in Kyoto, when out of the sudden a fox spirit, invisible to anyone else, summoned our names to give us terrible news:

Yasaka-sama, the fox spirit guarding the whole Kyoto region, has died.

First, confusion. Then curiosity, followed by denial, irritation, doubt, shock and finally the nothingness after. My mind when blank for a while, so much so I thought I could hear the welsh dragon's breathing, and trying to find some ground with my peerage, turning to see their shocked expressions was enough to make me realize that I wasn't dreaming or having a hallucination.

Yasaka-sama, one of senpai's belles, has passed away. Complications of her already failing health was the causa mortis, and a wake and funeral would be held in that evening. As the red dragon emperor, although far from her previous dear one, it was only natural for them to invite me to the wake, but for a while I couldn't answer, my brain turned to mush for that news.

I wasn't sad... At least, not in a way I usually feel. I felt... Empty. I didn't want to rage at the world or cry my eyeballs out, I just... Stopped, and didn't respond until Whiswain shook me to give them an answer, a yes for the occassion. The fox spirit adresses me politely, bows and leaves, and for the rest of the morning, I couldn't think of nothing else but the wake. Specially considering how Yagura and the welsh dragon went quiet after the news. Likewise, I didn't hear any cries, sobs or a change of behaviour among the spirits in my head, and while curious, I restrain myself to ask anything to not disturb their own grief.

*TING! TING! TING!*

Ichijou, did you hear? Yasaka-sama just died! Yokkins is a mess here! - Rina

Yo, dragon. The fox lady Yasaka kicked the bucket. How are things back in Kyoto? - Annie

I herd the wake will be this afternoon? Sorry about it, wish I could be there, but mother said that devils aren't allowed to. Gonna take care of Yoko here instead. - Rina.

U already der, rite? If you can, send my regards. God knows what shit is unfolding der. - Annie.

And seeing my LINE, I assume the news spred like fire around, as expected. Yoko... She knew and was friends with Yasaka-sama, she must be feeling the worst among all of this chaos, if only I could do something about, but for now... Evening came, and donning the only black clothes I had, I followed the instructions leading to a shrine at the top of the mount here in Kyoto, followed by my group wearing equally dark vests...

"Ichijou-san. Hey, Ichijou-san..." I feel a poke by my side and knowing that voice, I turn to my grim reaper bishop, calling for my attention and holding a small yelp for my reaction. She visibly gulps, shakes her head and nods. "H-Hm... Are... Are you okay? I mean, sorry for the stupid question in this situation but... Uh, h-how... How are you feeling?"

"..."

"S-Sorry, another stupid quest-..."

"I feel nothing, just... Nothing." I quickly answer, much to her surprise, her reaction this time being a jump. "It's not like I knew Yasaka-sama. I knew what she was, the leader of the Youkai Kanto faction, a powerful fox spirit and one of senpai's wives, but, while inheritedly sad, I feel... Nothing about her passing. It's not like she was someone close to me, and death is always a tragedy, yes, aside from that, I can't muster the feeling of being utterly sad, or depressed, or anything. She just died for me."

"..."

"Is... Is that weird?" I inquire. Did I make myself look like a psychopath by saying those? Shit, maybe I am an asshole when it counts the most. I do want to feel truly sad about the death of someone close to senpai, I really, really do, but... Feeling like that about a complete stranger will either make me feel worse or fake.

"As you said, death is always a tragedy, but do not forget it is also an inevitability." Ryuubi-sensei's save made everyone turn to her instead, clapping her hands together in a prayer as the beads in her possession, the, make a dull sound. "Devils, angels, fallen, supernatural creatures, they live long, almost endless existences; to say nothing about the perpertuality of Gods and Buddhas. Old age will never save us, therefore we should seek solace in the truth that we shall die by forces outside our control, and struggle with that reality."

"...?"

"You may die any day, and for an extremely long lifespan like ours, that 'any day' is dread for we don't have the security of senility to spare us from." Kan'u explains, taking sensei's side and giving me a mean side-glance. I snap, now knowing what the hell that means. "We may live thousands of hundreds of years, and that is both a blessing and a curse. At least, my solace is found in milady."

Ryuubi-sensei turns to Kan'u, and for the first time since she got here, the pink-haired master sighs and smiles at her general, no doubt making her internally jump in euphoria. Now that I think about it, yes, devils do live long lives, so much so they can see their own descendants from several generations after without looking unfresh. A live that long... Knowing that you can die any day... It's a bit too much to think about it.

"But, even without getting old and with that sudden death, I hope Yasaka-sama had a good and fulfilling life." I sigh, now shaking off the awful statements from before to focus on something a bit more positive. A leader, a mother, a beloved figure, and senpai's dear belle among many others. No doubt she got her own regrets or wishes, sure; but to live that long and accomplish that much... Like senpai, Rias-sama and the others, she left her mark before dying. I feel a sting on my eye, and I notice a tear running down my face. Huh. "I guess I'm more weak-hearted than I thought. I'm not that sad yet, but thinking about it, it is a pity I never got to talk to her. She seemed like a nice person..."

"If those are the tears of Ichijou, instead of just the red dragon emperor, then they're very genuine." Sensei pats my head to comfort this little old me, and I take a deep breath to recompose myself. I know this is a funeral, there will be sad people there, but to look undignified, specially as the red dragon emperor, will only make our entrance into the wake worse. I say nothing after, just continued to walk upstairs to the place of wake...

Little by little, the aura around the mountain grows denser and denser, and small spots of light and youkai shrouded in dark capes accompany us to the peak, saying nothing and appearing as more like spectres than anything else. However, for such terrifying scenario, I feel no threat or danger, only a suffocating sense of melancholy, which prompted me to sniff a little...

"Purify thy be, purify thy be! Follow the aura to the wake of the Great Yasaka, and pay your respects! Oh, master Ichijou?"

"Sally-chan?" I blink once I see a certain blonde little girl wearing a miko outfit and throwing salt and ginger everywhere in order to 'purify' the surroundings. My eyes are not playing tricks with me, this is indeed my 'apprentice' Sally-chan, here and now of all places! Once spotting me, she opens the biggest smile, with me approaching her. "Sally-chan, you of all people here? What gives?"

"Grandpa was close friends with Yasaka-sama, and once she passed away, he was the one appointed to pay his last respects and recite the right mantras for her passing from this realm. Since I'm here from visiting him, I want to help as I can. By the way, purify thy be!" She then throws a bit of salt and ginger onto me in order to 'purify me', the others also receiving her blessing in order to pass. I feel nothing different, but I guess that's only tradition. "I'm the one surprised you're here, Ichijou-shi. Are you in a super secret mission here in Kyoto? Or maybe a nice youkai lady picked your eyes? I found myself a nice harem member, by the way!"

"Actually, I'm also here to visit my grandparents. This whole event... Was just a coincidence. Just that." I recite, and she nods. The old sekiryuutei luck, it seems: to be in the right time at the right place. Only this time, the circumstances are far more grim than ever. At least I'm here to pay my respects, even I'm just a stand-in for senpai. "May I come in now? I should pay my last respects, after all."

"But of course! I'll talk to grandpa and see if you can be right in the front!" She cheers, and I open a bitter smile for that, dismissing her wishes with a waving hand. No, even with that, I won't be okay by being this close to the dead since I barely knew her. I don't deserve this luxury. After that, we follow the line of spectres and youkais heading to the shrine at the top of the mountain, where the interior lightens brighter than any sun.

I take a deep breath, and once again I feel my eye itching and a warm tear running down it. Death is always a tragedy, no? So it's natural for one to be sad, I'm not weird to feel that about a woman I barely knew, right? We reached at the gates, and waiting for us was Kunou-sama, wearing a black kimono and sitting on a small cushion to receive our condolences. Her glare was devoid of its previous shine, but her glow returned once we reached our turn.

"You came, Tsukino-kun. I'm so elated." She whispers, a ghost of a smile creeping on her lips. I muster the best smile for now, and then sit in front of me to bow and pay my respects. Dignified even in the face of tragedy, such is the leader of the Youkai faction.

"Thank you for having me, Kunou-sama. Even if I'm just a stand-in for Issei-senpai, my condolences are from the heart." I admit and the fox lady smiles weakly and bows to sign that she's glad for me to come. "I'm sorry for seeing you again in this bad occasion. I cannot comprehend of what kind of situation you're going through, but please, accept my humble words of console."

"You're already here, Tsukino-kun. Your presence is very much appreciated. I know dear mother will also be glad for her red dragon to be here, even if by spirit." he nods again, and a relieved smile creeps on me. This fox spirit is nice, so nice, and her motherly aura somehow puts me at ease. She is also part of senpai's harem, right? What a lucky man he was, and I'm not just talking about her appearance. I sniff, bow one last time and stand up to make space for others. "Kan'u-dono, Ryuubi-dono, Whiwain-dono. What a pity of our reencounter to be held like that. I appreciate your presence as well."

Once we all paid our condolences to Kunou-sama, our attention turned to the opposite side of the shrine, where a massive wall of flowers and arrangements covered the entire other half like a rainbow of petals. In a small altar rests a small photo of a beautiful woman of painted eyebrows, serene stare and almost divine presence, while her body rests in a white coffin. For every step I get closer, the weight in my heart just grows and grows, and I can't help but to want to just turn around and walk away from here. Some youkai are being held by their cohorts, some cry onto each other, some simply hold their heads low, but I can only move forward to face Yasaka-sama, a heavy chest and an empty heart. However, in the end, I bump into someone...

"Misogi-san..." I whisper now facing the tengu youkai, who apparently is back from paying his last respects. His red eyes frown seeing me, and I return the glare. He doesn't me, I get it, but c'mon, not here. "Look, I'm not here to cause any trouble. I just want to give my last prayers and make sure Yasaka-sama is at ease."

"Sekiryuutei, I cannot hate someone who genuinely wants to honour Yasaka-sama, mother of us all, in her tragic passing." But instead of scorn or hatred, the crow youkai lightly taps my shoulder and nods, his usual screeching now nonexistent as he is not calm and careful. I gasp silently, and he lowers his head to pull me closer. "May she rest in peace, and her soul be at ease with the presence of the one and only Sekiryuutei. I know that a humble youkai like myself... Means nothing compare to you."

And he leaves me be with a bitter expression in his crow face. I blink once, twice, and sigh to myself; I'm still too green for this kind of stuff, I need to mature and fast. Once that out of the way, I finally reached the altar where Yasaka-sama forever rests, and sitting properly on the cushion in front of it, and remain in silence, seeing her body and the surroundings.

Her healthy complexion, her serene expression, rosey lips and new clothes for the occasion, she seems to be peacefully sleeping now, ready to wake up at any moment and shower the world with her divine presence, but no, that won't ever happen, and I blink once again to let a tear run down my face. Senpai's wife, the fox spirit Yasaka-sama, mother of us all, afflicted with a curse due to her help in the Apocalypse, and who now lies dead in front of me. She seems... At peace at least, she didn't seem to have suffered much.

I can't muster the power to cry nonetheless. Is there something wrong with me? One of senpai's wives lies dead in front of me, but barely have known her, I can't grief in a way that will sound genuine. This feeling of empty, of uncertainness, compels me to do something, anything, but even so... She is dead, that's sad, but why I can't cry fully? This is so... Frustrating.

I lower my head until my forehead touches the ground, and let a quiet wail. Cry, damnit; cry, be sad, do something. Why can't I do it?

Why?

'H-Hey! Pay your respects to Kunou-sama first! W-Wait what are you...?!'

'Halt now! Even if it's you, you shouldn't...!'

'W-Whoa, what are you doing...?! Someone stop her!'

"Huh...?" And I sit up from my pathetic position when I hear some commotion behind my back, but before I can turn around to face it, a feet lands right on my side, and a breath that smells like alcohol blows next to me with a warm aura. From the corner of my eye, I see the one causing all the ruckus, but at the same time, a surprise: eye uncovered, ears coming out, wearing a crimson and golden kimono and with a gourd dripping with sake was my fox wife Yoko, her usually pale face so red I thought she was melting, and her gaze going hayware until it landed on the body in front of us. "Y-Yoko?"

"Sho... Gee ol foksh ish ded... Fteh all deez yas, she jush dies like dat..." But my wife completely ignores me with another gulp out of her gourd, followed by a rude burp and an unladylike sigh, the reek of alcohol spreading even more. One, two steps closer and now she stands right above Yasaka-sama, her shadow covering the laying fox spirit. "Hey derr, Yashaka... Shay, shtop wiz diz joke, tiz nut funee. Yer too ol' two bee playeen games like dat... C'mo, lesh drink..."

"Yoko..." I gasp. She's dead-drunk, even a blind man can see it, and while everyone tries to calm her down, the aura she exhales just pushes everyone away, anybody unable to do anything but watch what my wife is about to do. One, two seconds, and she lets out a spurt of air out of her mouth, now dripping some sake out of her gourd onto Yasaka-sama's lips! "Yoko...!"

"Wakey-wakey, Yashaka... Wekap, or elsh... I be prankn ya..." Yoko slurs and chuckles, her legs growing weak as she now falls on her ass, still holding the border of the coffin and laughing like a drunkard. I try to approach her, but Ryuubi-sensei pulls me away. "Pfff... Hahah... Hahahahah... C'mo, Yashaka... Lesh drink, lesh fin pwetty boys to play wiz... If I get angwy... Bekaz you dunnwana play... I will kill everyone around here~!"

"...!"

"I'm shiruz...! Imma do it..." She laughs one more time despite the growing deadly presence around, and while one hand makes her gulp one last pint of her sake, the fox lifts the other to summon a ball of fox flames of dense energy. She then turns to us, and smiles devilishly! But even so, I see now... She's crying. "Imma fukn do it if you dun wekap, Yashaka...!"

"Yoko...!"

"Kurama." But the one who intervenes instead appears right next to my wife before anything can go wrong. Also wearing a black kimono and with trinkets all over her pale hair, stood Mutsumi-sama, picking Yoko by the wrist and gripping so that the fireball vanishes. The drunk fox turns to her mother, and grit her teeth. One moment, and then the older fox kneels in front of her daughter to touch foreheads with her. "Let it out, come on. Not here. Please."

"Teeh... Hehehehe... Watcha tokin about, mum... I'm jush kiddin... Yashaka won wekap... I just wan her... To shtop prying aroun... Heheheh..." And the fox laughs, my fox wife laughs and laughs, but from here, I can see tears running down her face, and for every laugh, one moment or another, a hiccup. One, two, more, and eventually, Yoko lowers her head, and continues to laugh. "Heheheheh... Heheheh... H-Heheh... Heheh... H-Heheh... Haaah... H-H-Hic... H-Hic... Uuuuh~... Uuuuuuh~...! Wuuuuuuuh..."

Mutsumi-sama was able to control her own daughter, and once calmed down if crying, she took Yoko away to take care and avoid any other repercussions regarding this already melancholic wake. I stood up and tried to follow them too, but a tap on the shoulder and a negative head shake from sensei made me realize that it wasn't such a good idea, specially now that she's so vulnerable. I bite my lips, and for the first time since I got here... I cried. Yoko...

After that, the ceremonies went without any other major problems. To my surprise, the one paying the last prayers and reciting the mantras, Sally-chan's grandfather, was not a kannushi priest, but an Oshou (buddhist high priest) wearing the appropriate gartments and saying the last goodbyes. I asked Sally-chan why for that considering, well, Youkai were suppose to follow shinto traditions no?, and her response was that Yasaka-sama wanted that way for some reason. I still have my doubts, but who am I to question the dead? It must have a reason...

The prayers from the Oshou, Kunou-sama's last words, and finally the cremation of the body followed by wails and cries as the body is carried elsewhere and then incinerated with divine flames from the fox priests. Apparently, the reason as to why the wake and the funeral are held in the same day is because Yasaka-sama is not only the main leyline here in Kyoto, her nigh-divine presence and previous power made her flesh accumulate an obscene amount of energy even in death, so in order for that leaking miasma to avoid attracting ill-intentioned youkai and unrest spectres or just explode Kyoto like a supernatural unsupervised nuclear silo, the body must be dealt with as soon as possible. Once nothing but bones and ashes are left, the final ceremonies are held: the bones are picked and stored to later become talismans and ward off evil spirits (hopefully somewhere a high-school student won't find it and try to eat it) while the ashes are put in a urn and sealed until the remaining energy in it safely vanishes and are stored in a graveyard like normal.

And so comes the wake and funeral comes to a close, and may Yasaka-sama rest in peace, in a place safer and better than this, hopefully with senpai as well. Death indeed, is a tragedy in itself. As for the living...

"Cheers! This one is for Yasaka-sama! May she rest in peace!"

"Cheers." I say alongside the other youkai in this isakaya restaurant, lifting a cup of juice and drinking with them. As expected, after a gloomy and tragic funeral, the best way to deal with the passing is to remind everyone of the joys of life as well, and for that, here I am eating and drinking with my peerage and the Kyoto Youkai faction, Sally-chan even sitting on my lap to eat, tears and laughing filling the restaurant to ward off the melancholy from the previous event. Since I'm still a minor, orange juice will have to do it. I drink, I sigh. "For Yasaka-sama. Wish I could drink as well, I bet she loved sake."

"Let us not be reckless now, Hong Long. There is no need for that, as intention is all that matters." Ryuubi-sensei taps my shoulder and drinks her own cup of water for the occasion. Kan'u or Whiswain are not even paying attention, they're to busy enjoying the good food, and who can blame them with the banquet in front of us. Mountains of food and dripping sake and drinks from all directions, expected no less from leader of the Kyoto youkai faction. "To celebrate life after a funeral, is indeed the biggest gift. Lady Yasaka lived a fulfilling life, and we must celebrate that aspect as well, for no life is wasted."

"I appreciate your kind words, certainly a fruit from Goku-sama's training. I'm glad mother will be remember like that, even today." And the one to call our attention is Kunou-sama, appearing behind our back with Mutsumi-sama, carrying a small teacup. She pours some onto our cups and politely bows. "With all due respect, I hope mother is gladly resting in heavens right now, observing us from a place away from here, satisfied for the red dragon to be attending her wake."

"Kunou-sama is too humble. I should be the one honoured." I bow as well, and she smiles. She is really too humble, happily accepting me into the wake when it should be the other way around; even the red dragon emperor needing some leeway to get into that important of an event. One tint of alcohol, and now it was Mutsumi-sama's turn to smile.

"What a cute laddie, speaking like a gentleman. No wonder my daughter talks about you all the time." She speaks in a cute manner while rubbing a hand on my scalp. She looks only a few years older than me, but her tone and words are a bit too archaic. I hear a laugh, and turn to Sally-chan below happily taking a sip from her juice.

"Heheh, master is very popular among the fox ladies! As expected from the red dragon emperor!" The little priestess laughs, and I scratch my cheek in embarassment. I am kinda popular ain't I, although for the 'wrong' reasons, overall. I take a drink from my juice yet again.

"B-But don't forget: the m-main wife... It's me..." And I feel it again, the reek of alcohol, intoxicating and yet, not that alluring when up this close. I hear a dull crash beside me, and now, there she is, my dear fox wife Yoko, her eyes still disconnected from this reality and rudely burping everywhere, a clear indication of her drunken state, sitting next to me and leaning on my shoulder. "Y-You two... Don't mess with him, he's... He's mine... Even when he's being a little beta..."

"Yoko, you shouldn't really drink like that, even today." And i lift a finger to weight the bottle of sake she was holding. I bet she has more beverage than blood at this point, and if this continues, I dread that she will either do something she'll regret or make a fool out of herself. Her mouth, which leaks sake from the brim, pouts, pulling away from me. "C'mon, I know it's an afterparty, but that way of coping is not healthy. I don't like to see you like that..."

"Hic... A-And who are you... To say shit... Hic, hic... How I cope with this stuff? You're... You're pretty selfish, ain't ya, husband of mine." I purse my lips to my statement, Sally-chan and the other foxes curiously turning to me who has nothing else to say. That was uncalled for, and while true, not a nice move there, specially coming from her. She let the bottle fall down her kimono, and lets out a desperate laugh. "D-Don't... Patronize me... Dragon... L-Like you're one to talk... A-About shit. H-How's your deal with papa, anyway..."

"Yoko..." I grit my teeth. Now she's going too far, and I'm starting to get angry. Even as my fox wife, stepping on that makes me want to wake her off her funk in the most rude way. Before that could unfold, Mutsumi-sama picks the bottle and drinks it whole herself, tossing it away now.

"Kurama, behave for now. You drank enough for today, now cope some other way." The older fox chuckles, let out a cough that reeks of alcohol and a rude colourful mist. Yoko pouts once more, her attention now turned to her mother and then with one final snuggle on me, she stands up and loosens her kimono a bit.

"Fine then, whatever." She pouts, standing up and highening the volme of her voice to call for everyone present. "Hey everyone, thanks for coming to Yasaka's wake! as a reward... Hic, hic... I'll give you all a kiss, and yer better like it! A deep, wet one too, and if yer cute enough, I might even suck yer face! File up, you mugs!"

"What...?"

"Ah, she's in slut mode now. No stopping her." Mutsumi-sama whispers with a sigh and an awkward laugh from Kunou-sama, and my confusion grows more and more. What's with that name, 'slut mode'? Noticing my confusion, my in-law shrugs and smiles. "When Kurama gets super drunk, she usually goes in a sexual rampage that she won't remember the next day. It's not like she'll become an easy target or something, but she can become quite looser as a result. She's that type of drunk."

"I... See." I simply comment, seeing all the youkais lining up to receive a smooch from my fox wife. I guess that's fair, kitsune are known to be quite... Mischiveous, all things considered. My reaction draws some confused looks around.

"That is the only response for that revelation, Hong Long? Your belle is a loose wench, and this is your own answer for the news?" Kan'u, still munching on some deep fried tofu and fried shrimp, asks me. For that, I simply shrug. Of all the people she might be questioning, she does me, the successor of the harem King? It's not like it doesn't bother me a little, but I feel it'd be hypocritical to say otherwise.

"I mean... She does her stuff, and while it irritates me a little, it's not like she'll just run away with anyone. I'll step in if she goes too far, but I don't think a few pranks are all that harmful." I simply say, receiving a pat on the head from Kunou-sama.

"What a mature view on relationships, red dragon. Don't worry, I know Kurama-sama won't ever abadone you and your little posse. The way she speaks about, you're her one and only... Even during those frenzies." She laughs, and I nervously scratch my cheek again. I know how she is, the loyal little fox wife, but I'd be lying if I were to say I'm 100% okay with that... Like I know she's not 100% with me and my little harem hijinks. And, of course, I assume that's her way to cope with things, I suppose.

"Master is truly wise and fair, like masters were suppose to be!" Sally-chan smiles, nodding to my little quotes. I don't think that is something it is suppose to be taken as gospel, but I'm glad I'm not the only one on that. Kan'u, however, continues to frown.

"There is a word for a type of man that you are, Hong long." She hisses. "It's called a cuc-..."

"Guan Yu, hold your tongue before I get really vexed." But master stops her with an ominous aura, something more threatening than anything I could ever throw at her if she completed that phrase. The general lowers her stance and huffs in disdain, returning to eat. "Hong Long is indeed precious to lady Kurama, I bet even in her madness, she has the red dragon in her mind. Her vows are indeed too precious..."

"Heheh..."

"Hey~! Aint'ya popular, husband of mine? That's not fair, y'know!" And the one crashing closer this time is Yoko again, her stance failing and a bit groggy, but she still holds on and comes for a half-hug on me, pushing all the other girls around me away. "H-Hey, you rascals! I might be a love machine now, b-but, y'know, the one who has my heart is... Is this laddie here! Therefore, before you virgins can get a piece... He'll get the opener! W-Watch and learn...!"

"Yoko, what the hell are you talking abou-...?!"

Chu~!*

And then... Soft and squishy lips land on my own, the reek of alcohol and plum mixing with her hot breath and a certain acidic tone of fruit. I couldn't finish my phrase and my dear fox wife came to me in a hot kiss, a stream of sake going down the gap of our lips.

I can... I can feel it now, and the sudden assault turns a bit calmer. Even in her frenzy, in her madness, beneath it all... I feel something salty. She's crying, she's mourning, she's sad; my fox wife is trying her hardest to forget, to just indulge and forget about her best friend, mentor and peer, the almighty Yasaka-sama. What an ugly façade, but... I can't say anything about it, but even so, I want to help her, as little as it is. I pull her closer as she approaches, and I can feel her tongue slipping inside my mouth, yet nothing but sadness and grief between us.

The bursting restaurant now becomes quiet, all eyes on us as I trade gasps and kisses filled with sadness and sorrow. I feel also tears dripping on my face and down my own skin, her hands gripping on my shoulders trying to find any form of comfort from me. Ah, what am I doing? Trying to help when I can't deal with my own losses? Yeah, I'm trying my best with this, because even with my own baggage, if I can make her grief a bit easier, I should... I bet everyone thinks that as well. She's right, I'm a bit too selfish. Her squishy and soft lips, the acidic taste of plum and alcohol, all to shower me with her thoughts and sorrows, desperately trying to find the help she wants, the help I w-... It's vomit.

It's vomit.

It's vomit. It's vomit. It's vomit. It's vomit. It's vomit. It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit It's vomit IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT IT'S VOMIT...!

"Kurama-sama, hold yourself...!"

"Daughter, what the hell...!"

"Ichijou-san...!"

"Master, what...?!"

"Hong Long...!"

"Seriously, you lot...!"

And in another moment, the shock made me numb for a few seconds, and then in another, my peerage and the foxes separated me and Yoko, but the damage was already done: my mouth wide open, intoxicated by alcohol and love, now filled to the brim in sake, pieces of fried tofu, BBQ and shrimp bathed in a pool of stomach acid and bile.

The shock, the horror, I can only twitch and despair feeling the rancid foul thick liquid run down from the corners of my mouth down my chin, to my neck and then my clothes, the smell and taste making me tear up.

"Oh God, oh Lord. Hong Long, whatever your intentions, do not force yourself to swall-...!"

*GULP!*

"Oh no."

And I couldn't help it: instinctively I closed my mouth and swallow that unholy soup of foul scent and taste, feeling that lump of half-eaten garbage and alcohol going down my system as its effects on me were instantaneous: A pitch on my stomach, my eyes rolling all the way inside my skull, and a hoarse moan out of my throat as the alcohol knocks me out and made me fall on the floor, where before I blackout, I could see Yoko also unconscious, a small stream of barf down her lips. After that... The darkness.

This is, without a doubt, the second worst kiss of my life... So far. But please don't take it as a dare.

...

...

"Uuuuugh..." My head... It hurts. The light coming from outside hurts my brain, and I feel like something just hit me with the force of a dragon, speaking from experience. The least the place of rest is somehow comfortable, wherever it is.

I open my eyes, flinch seeing the morning sun coming, and after a few more blinks, I see myself in a completely different scenarion before the darkness took place: a traditional house with tatami floor and paper sliding doors, with me sitting on a futon of colourful tones. However, only grandpa's place, this place feels a lot more royal with the drawings on the door and the chandelier of gold above my head. Taking a second look, I see that my clothes are not dirty or covered in barf, but clean and good as new.

What is that all about? Kicking the mattresses away and standing up, I hold my head to ease the pain and try to figure it out where the hell I am. I slide a door open, and by the other side... I see a counter of wood, with a view to a beautiful skyward scenario above the trees and rivers in Japan. The summer wind blows the leaves away, and I sigh as the pain on my brain dissolves a little. I'm not alone either: sitting in front of a tea table on the floor, on top of a cushion, stood Mutsumi-sama, who lifts a hand and waves.

"Yo. Good morning, dragon dear. I hope you rested well." The fox lady, who discarded her formal attire and was now wearing a white shirt and shorts, smiles, but my own response to that was a groan, my head still hurting. She signs for me to take a seat in front of her, and I take it. "What a night, no? Heheh... After that little spectacle, my Kurama just knocked herself out as well, and your little friends and Kunou-sama had to take her away for some healing. As for me, I took you instead back to my house for you to rest. Couldn't let my dear in law go home after having quite a smash. The smell of alcohol is all over you, too."

"Uh-huh..." That was my brief response, mainly because the headache just won't go away. In such a pitiful state, the fox spirit passes me a small cup of steaming tea, and I took it for myself, seeing its content.

"Some tea, plus a small tint of honey. It's good for hangovers, plus it'll help you regain all of that lost energy. It's a pity it can't erase yesterday's event, though." She huffs miserably trying to maintain a playful face, and with a nod and a bow, I take a sip out of the hot liquid. It doesn't work immediately, but part of the pain goes away after the first gulp, it's sweet too. I take a deep breath, relieved. "I know what happened was an accident, but still, allow me to apologize for my daughter's behaviour yesterday. How unbecoming of my successor, I feel nothing but shame for her little display."

"D-Don't worry. I mean, she must be going through a lot." I lift a hand and try to dismiss her words a little so that she wouldn't feel as guilty. I mean, yeah, that traumatize me and will haunt my dreams from time to time until the day of my eventual demise, but all in all, it's not (all of) her fault, Yoko's just... Grieving, and like she said, it was an accident. "What kind of husband would I be to hold a grudge about her? To tell the truth... I'm glad she came, I was able to cry a bit..."

"Hm... What a response. Perhaps... Have you awaken a new fetish after? I jest, of course... Unless..." She laughs with a shrug, and even with the headache, my lips twitch and a rage bump appears on my head. And here comes playful Mutsumi-sama, I knew it wouldn't last. I take another sip from the tea and she turns outside, to the beautiful scenario in front of us. That's her abode, right? It is nice, even better than Grandpa and grandma's house. She takes her own cup and drinks it. "You really love my daughter, huh? After what happened, I don't think you'd be that accepting about her."

"..." I do, I really do. Yoko is complicated, mature, but not hard to please and truly understandable. I am glad to have someone like her by my side, even if I'm kind of lukewarm by comparison. It's not a bad feeling, actually. "She has her life, I have mine. As long as she loves me, she can do whatever, and I know she accepts the same for me. Besides... I'm the one to talk about grief and loss. Drinking her problems away seems to be the best alternative."

"Hahahah, what a mature lad. You should enjoy yourself more, but I guess that works too." And again a madame laugh at me, making me twitch and flinch in pain. My head still hurts, if second-handed drinking (is that even a thing?) does that stuff to me, I rather spend the rest of my life sober dreading what will happen if I ever drink for real. "I'm glad Kurama found a nice beau to call hers, despite being such a young lad. Foxes... Are mischiveous like that. Well, guess that only earns you a bit more points of trust, enough to make me sure about it."

"Mutsumi-sama...?" I lift a head with a curious stare. From her side, the fox spirit now lifts a pearly white rune sealed with paper talismans on the top. My hangover mind took a few minutes to realize what it was, and when it did, I gasped. "I-Is that...?!"

"Yep. Good ol'Yasaka, at least what's left of her." She comments ever so casually, much to my surprise. I'm not blind, there is something fishy going on, and even from here, the aura that urn exhales just makes it even more dreadful. That urn, the final resting place of the mother of all youkai in Kyoto... Here, of all places, I thought it were suppose to be stored somewhere else?! To my silence, she responds. "Tsukino-kun, I loved Yasaka, I really did. She was a friend, a confident, a partner.I love Kunou just as much, for the same reasons... But as a close acquaintance of the former, I promised to fulfill her last request even without her daughter's knowledge. With that, I want you to instead deliver this urn to a place that is not here, since I'll be out and distract Kunou in order to that request to be fulfilled. Be a dear and do the last part on my behalf, why don't you?"

"..." I look down on the urn, then back to her; back to the urn, back to her. A request? From Yasaka-sama? That not even Kunou-sama knows about? What gives? I open my mouth to ask, but then restrain myself, closing it like a fish does. I seal my mouth with pursed lips, and lower my head and cross my arms in thoughts. One peek back at the fox spirit.

"I understand your confusion; and honestly, I will be satisfied with any answer." Her expression turns serene, and lightly taps the top of the urn, her eyes into a dream-like gaze. No malice, no second thoughts, just pure love for the one who is there, making me lower my guard a little. "But, Tsukino-kun, please understand: this is her last request, one only I, and now you, know about. Distrust me as much as you want, this is wish from the bottom of my heart. Please, take these ashes and put them in the place I'll inform you about. I promise you, I'll take full responsability from what happens from then on..."

"..." She just feels so... Genuine. To be given a last request from a dying friend, now to trust someone else to do it in her behalf, someone who, I stress, knows so little about either of them, and vice-versa. Am I that trustworthy, or they're taking me for a fool and ready to stab me on the back? Teeth on my lips, running thoughts, to then eventually gulp a lump of air down my throat, and then come with the answer: "Don't be so harsh, Mutsumi-sama. Since I'm taking the offering... I will also take responsability for my actions."

"Hahah... Nice response. Kurama really has a reason to love you." She laughs, and I blush away. I flinch one more time, feeling a sting of pain in my head, and she chuckles to my reaction. Damn it, I won't ever drink alcohol again, even second-handed ones. "hangover's a bitch, no? I guess adult pleasures have their own downsides."

"Tell me about it." I take another sip from the cup... Only to see it empty, and my head still itching. A tired and confused sigh escapes my system. "I promise I'll be okay to pay attention to that quest, whatever it is. Let me... Let me rest a bit..."

"No worries, I think we can waste the morning a bit. The place I'll tell you about won' be going anywhere anyway..." She chuckles, pouring some more tea and stretching herself. That's nice, I guess, a little bit of a pitstop to sit down and relax with my in-law. "I hope you didn't mind me cleaning your clothes a bit while you were asleep."

"And have them covered in barf? Thank you very much." I bow again, and she smiles. Yeah, no, I rather be cleaned while I am asleep than just walk around with vomit that is not mine on myself. What gives, anyway? She turns away to hide a laugh.

"I mean, I bet even a fox spirit's barf have some divine properties, you see. I wouldn't be shocked to know some followers do that." her tone is sardonic, and honestly, I wouldn't either. Still, that is uncalled for, so Yoko's mother is one of those, eh? One, two minutes of silence, and once things calm down, she puts the urn elsewhere to support herself on the table and lean on it to face me. "That aside, Tsukino-kun... I haven't thanked you for taking care of my daughter, have I? I know she can be quite a weight sometimes, and I bet your first encounter with her wasn't the best... So, thank you for taking her as you wife. She seems... Very happy."

"N-No problem. She... She's my wife, after all." I respond. I admit, our first encounter wasn't the best, and all things considered, she's not that hard to please, but then again, she's my dear wife; she treats me with kindness and love, and even at my lowest, she tried to help me. I dunno, I guess that is also a form of love. I should apologize as well. I flinch.

"The first hangover, nobody forgets, eh?" The fox lady laughs while my eye can't stop twitching. Yeah, nobody forgets because that's the way some people realize why drinking is a bad idea. Shit, am I a lightweight or what? Kind of annoying, specially passing out after one... Drink. Another chuckle. "Say, I have an idea to how deal with that. We have all the morning to spare, anyway. Plus, as my in-law, it's a pleasure I can display. What do you say, Tsukino-kun?"

"Ugh... Anything to stop this."

"Hohohoh... Okay. Let this old fox ease your pain." She says, while I just groan to let out the pain away.

Suffice to say... The rest of the morning was very enjoyable.

"Here, here's the urn. Hold it with care even with the unbreakable spell. It is my friend's ashes what you're holding, after all."

"Okay."

"And here. You have this sash, think as a blessing from Yasaka, plus, it looks good on someone of your frame. You can wash it or dryclean it, it won't lose colour."

"Thanks, I guess...?"

"Don't forget the coordinates, the temple will be open at all times, but only with this permission you will be able to speak with him of all people. I know it's sealed, but always look around your shoulder to see if no youkai is pursuing you. And as soon as you can, the better."

"Understood."

Well then, godspeed, Tsukino-kun. Tell me when you're done. Come by too to chat and visit. I have no problem."

"Fine."

And with a final goodbye wave, Mutsumi-sama closes the dimensional rift on her temple, dissapearing in the gap between the reverse and human sides of Kyoto, leaving me alone with only the urn carrying Yasaka-sama's ashes and this black sash decorated with golden skulls wrapped around my waste, a small present.

I yawn a bit, and seeing the darkening skies, I can only assume it's noon, rapidly the night comes.

...

Mission? Given.

Headache? Taken care of.

Emotional wounds? Subdued for now.

Game?

...

Hmmm~.

Uh...

Ah!

Hm.

...

So, this is how sages see the world.

Huh.

"Oh, there he is. Hong Long!" And snapping me from my trance, I hear a familiar voice calling for me. One eye turns to a side, and I see now my group coming closer and closer, Ryuubi-sensei carrying Yoko on her back, who looks a bit groggy still, but with no signs that she'll puke on anyone else, fortunately. I hid the urn elsewhere away from their gaze, not a problem since it's quite small, and greeted them back. "Lady Kurama and Lady Kunou said you would be here of all places, so we're here to pick you up. It took us quite a while to find this place, considering lady Kurama's instructions fell unclear at times."

"Bet. The way she drank yesterday, I'm surprise she's awake at all." I let out a small chuckle, turning to my fox wife on the empress's back. Her eyes are mostly unfocused, and she looks like she's suffering of a worst headache than I. I come closer, poke her cheek a few times to wake her up. "Hey there, Yoko. How are you doing?"

"Ichijou..." She whispers, coming closer to rub her cheeks on the hand. "I'm sorry... I've done such horrible things yesterday... And I said horrid things to you as well... Please, forgive me..."

"Tis okay. You're my Yoko, after all." I laugh, and I see her drawing a small smile on her lips, coming closer. It was indeed a horrible event, and I don't think enough showers will wash away the trauma, I tried since this morning, but at least she's fine by now, and I'm satisfied. She seems at peace now, everything I could ask for. "I hope... You're fine by now, too. I cannot start to comprehend what you were going through, so all I can say for now is... Get better..."

"Huh... With you around... I can manage. Thanks, my dear husband..." She laughs solemnly, snuggling on my hand and letting herself fly on her mental garden for a bit. I'm glad she's okay for now. "My Ichijou... I love y-..."

"...?"

"Huh...?"

"Hm... Yok-...?"

"Ichijou...?" And then, out of the sudden, her eyes are shot open, and all of her serenity vanished with the wind while she jumps away from sensei's back and walked all the way to me. Standing tall against me, she comes closer, sniffs at me, and blinks a few times with a perplexed expression. Suddenly, a twitch on her eye. Oh no, did she notice?! "You..."

"U-Uh... I can explain..." Shit, she discovered the urn?! I know the content is sealed and all, but she's a fox spirit, picking that is a no-brainer even drunk. From confused, her stare became intense, very much so, not even I can face her when she's like that. Oh no, the mission has been compromised before even starting! "Y-Yoko..t's a bit complicate, but... I seriously...!"

"Congratulations."

"Eh...?" But then... She simply sighs, picks my hands and shake them professionally, like if I just got a promotion or something. Wait, why is she congratulating me for hiding the ashes of a friend like that? My mouth contorts in a painful way, and she simply continues to shake my hand. "Yoko...?"

"Congratulations, my dear husband, for a step further into maturity. Be proud of yourself. Now, if you excuse me..." She smiles, bows and then turns to the path leading to the shrine at the top of the mountain, where her old house is. One, two seconds of silence, and out of the sudden, she shoves her hands forward and practically rips space a new one, a pathway leading to Urakyoto! Not a single word, only a nightmarish roar as she leaves us behind while climbing the mount, just a single word left. "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER...!"

Oh, she's... Not talking about the urn.

"I-Ichijou-san...? What happened?" My second bishop asks while turning to me, and I give her a glance. One, two blinks for her single eye, and then she blushes. "Oh."

"Hong Long, did you really...?" And sensei asks for my attention, but she doesn't end her phrase, and by the look on her face, only my expression is enough to quench her curiosity. A gasp of surprise, a serene smile, then a light tap on the shoulder. "I see. Congratulations."

"Master, amazing." Sally-chan claps, beaming with excitement, while Kan'u draws a disgusted and enraged expression, as if looking at something worse than garbage. My reaction? A tired yawn, arms crossed and ready to face whatever consequences my actions bring me. I guess that kind of events... Are common someone my age. Suddenly, my phone rings a few times for the LINE app, and I take a quick glance. It's from Yoko.

'Again, congratulations for your graduation.' - Yoko

'Mother and I... Will spend some time to talk, so don't need to wait.' - Yoko

'I hope you have become wiser after this.' - Yoko

'But if you show hesitation in our next time, I'll be solely disappointed.' - Yoko

'Love you.' - Yoko

And then, I hear a screech and an explosion coming from the shrine at the top of the mountain, even with the gap between the real and the reverse Kyoto. I'm sorry that my adolescence have brought this upon you, Mutsumi-sama. I'll compensate your care one day...

But for now, I should take care of the mission given to me. To Yasaka-sama's final resting place...

Gion.

Man, a lot happened in this chapter, didn't it? The wake and funeral, a glance into Yoko's bad side, a small heart-to-heart between the fox and the dream, and the start of another branch of this arc, to the Gion temple.

This chapter was a bit harder to pull since, well, it's a funeral chapter, and I don't think words and sentences make the event or death itself covered, no matter how much I tried. I hope it wasn't a slug fest and, regardless, you readers enjoyed the chapter even with some unfolding events here, specially... The barf scene. Heh, that one, I did like to write. You can say it is a comeuppance from the events of the last lemon, and honestly, a small homage to chainsawman... People know of what I'm talking about. Heh... To light things up, next chapter might come a lemon, just to break the ice a little. Oh well, if I feel like it.

Regardless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to RR, have a nice day, stay safe and until next time, hopefully not very late. Greetings from Houki Minami.

The SHINI: Whiswain

- The second bishop of Berolina's peerage. She's 16-y/o and her anniversary is October 31th, because of course.

- The hybrid child of a human father and a middle-class grim reaper mother, as Ichijou puts it, the most metal thing ever. Her father is a german university teacher in Japan who met her mother after suffering a horrible car accident. Everything else is history.

- A wallflower of a person, she was home-schooled until she was able to form a more human-like form, if incomplete, around high achool age. After that, her parents enrolled her in Kuoh since they knew someone would put her under their wing. This, combined with her naturally shy personality, made her a bit awkward around others.

- Aside from covering her skull half-face with her bangs, she uses pantyhoses and evening gloves with flowery patterns to hide her boney arm and leg. She thinks is cute, and it is.

- She has some difficulty interacting with others, and when not with her peerage, she tends to talk with Serena's pieces instead, like Akira or Bellorophon. She's trying her best.

- Her soul-crushing scream is actually her channeling the winds of the Underworld through her body, which are colder than fire and can ressonate with the souls of the dead and living. Not a spoiler, btw, just an explanation. Her scythe is unknown for now.

- has a morbid taste for things, and find them cute. She tries to hide that side because others might be put off by them, and inheritedly, by her. She still has girly tastes for films and accessories.

- She can sense two more auras beside Ddraig on Ichijou, but can't discern them.

- Her parents know she's now a devil, and glad that she is making friends while at it. The reason as to why she doesn't go home? She likes to give her parents some space. Still planning to visit them.

- A character I created on a whim, but still holds a special place in my heart. Wait for quite a development later! ... Hopefully.