At a local hospital in Dendra, Kiyoni rejoined Kurama who is watching Mukuro's repairative neck surgery go down. A team of six doctors of different yokai backgrounds from crustacean to octopi to medical instruments work tirelessly to restabilize and restore both Mukuro's sense of feeling and mobility. Media outlets outside of the building gather to get the scoop on her condition. Live feeds from yokai-based news stations broadcast everything they know down to the minute.

"How's it looking," Kiyoni asked.

With a concerned sigh, Kurama said, "It's slim. She could lose either the freedom of movement or the ability to feel."

"Sounds like significant nerve damage."

"Exactly. For Shinobu to take down someone like that… A-anyway, how are things in Tokyo?"

"According to Juri and Shishi, Aphrodisia is practically no more. They were there to get my things. Smoke damage was the worst of it for my stuff."

Both Shuuichi and Kurama were delighted to think, "That red dress…"

"Ahem," Kurama stated, "That's good to hear. Any ideas on what their future looks like?"

"Shishi, I guess, is gonna continue to be a sugar baby. Juri...ha...she's going back home to work on her family's apple orchard."

"Wow. An apple orchard. She did seem a little too sweet for that place. Both you and her."

"Thanks. You already know why. I feel like it's my fault though."

"Feel like what's your fault?"

"...Aphrodisia burning down. It was only done because Shinobu was looking for us. Had I known that he was that bat shit crazy, I would've never invited Shuuichi to go there in the first place."

"That's where you're wrong, Kiyoni. Shuuichi wanted to go there. He wanted to see you. That was his choice. As far as how Shinobu took that information, that was a surprise to all of us. It is not, never was, nor will it ever be your fault for what happened to that place. Is that understood?"

Kiyoni nodded in acknowledgement, "So...what's our next move?"

"Once Mukuro is property stabilized, we'll head back to Tokyo. Shuuichi can handle things from there. He'll find us a rabbi to speak to and help translate the spell."

"Will we need anything?"

"I don't know. We have to accomplish the first few goals up front before we get into any details. At least we can freshen up."

"Ha, yeah."

And so, the two waited…and waited…and waited…and waited. They waited while engaging in small talk. They waited while watching random TikTok and YouTube videos. Kurama laughed his ass off as Kiyoni told her story about her bout with Aiko and acknowledged her use of hands.

Kiyoni did her best impression, "And then, she was like, 'My MaStEr, UrAmEsHi-SeNsEi, SaYs I'm A nAtUrAl.' So I was like, 'Was that a reference to your fighting skills or your chest?'."

Kurama giggled, "I can tell you, off-hand, that those things are fake."

"Wait, really?! They're fake? How do you know? Those things have some serious bounce."

"You said succubi can make themselves as attractive as necessary, correct? The night I came out looking for you, she changed her size twice. Once, when I showed up and one more time by the time she approached me. They're clearly fake."

"Shut up. I knew those things were fake!"

"Yep. False advertising at its best. Yours, however…"

"Don't even go there. I am one-hundred percent natural. Thank you."

Kurama slid his hands underneath Kiyoni's clothing, whispering in her ear, "Indeed, you are. Natural and perfect. Just how I like it."

Kiyoni's breasts may have been on the sore side but Kurama's hands on them felt so good. A few more moments and Kiyoni would've melted right then and there. Even though Kurama was going through a change of heart, his inner pervert wasn't completely gone. How did he know about pleasure found in pain?

"Gorgeous face, beautiful smile, perfect breasts…and a plump ass to match," he complimented, "Oh, yeah. Shuuichi adores your waistline. As do I."

"Ai-ya," Kiyoni broke away, blushing, "I, eh, get the…get the point. Thank you."

Arms were crossed over Kiyoni's chest for a few minutes. Given the fabric of her outfit, anyone would've been able to see that Kiyoni was a bit…nippy.

For hours, the pair waited for an update. Good or bad, anxiety grew in their hearts over Mukuro's condition. Finally, they got their answer.

"Counselor Mukuro will pull through," said the head surgeon with a helmet-size water tank to breathe with, "Yes, the bullet did hit her spine and had it moved less than one millimeter over, it would've severed her spinal cord completely, paralyzing her from the neck down. It's going to take a while to recover but at least she is alive."

"That's good news," Kurama stated.

"Very good news," Kiyoni added, "Thank you so much, doctor."

"It was my honor," said the doctor.

Upon entering the hospital room, Mukuro still had the mechanical headband on her head, still in activation mode. Groggy, Mukuro acknowledged her two visitors the only way she could, using a robotic voice.

"You're still here?"

"We're here to check on you," Kurama explained, "Looks like you pulled through."

"Yeah…thankfully. What will you two do now? Go back to Tokyo?"

"We have to. Shinobu is still running around and he still has a hold on me."

"You'll need a lift. You can take my fortress if you want."

"Thanks, but I'm afraid that won't do. We'll need something a bit more inconspicuous."

"Ugh. Fine."

Kurama looked back at Kiyoni and shrugged as she shook her head. Seems like Mukuro has her silly days even when she's in the hospital.

Eventually, Mukuro managed to pull some strings with Kurama's assistance in getting him and Kiyoni back to Tokyo. They made a beeline for Kiyoni's apartment where she took a much-needed shower, giving Kurama time to hand the reins over to Shuuichi so he could make some phone calls. With great luck, Shuuichi got a hold of a rabbi with some free time on his hands for some visitors.

"Kiyoni…" he called, "I found one! I found a rabbi who's willing to meet with us."

"Suu'chi…" Kiyoni cried from the bathroom.

"Yes?"

"I missed you."

Shuuichi laughed a little, "I never left."

"So? I missed your voice then."

"Aww. I'm touched."

Kiyoni emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a baby pink towel and nothing else. Shuuichi's eyes widened and his ears perked up from the sight as she sat on his lap. She threw an arm around the back of Shuuichi's head and gave him a juicy, welcoming kiss.

"Welcome back."

"Well. With a greeting like that, I…guess you did miss me."

"So, where are we going and who do we have to speak to?"

God, she smells amazing… "Fortunately, we don't have to travel far. There's a synagogue in Shibuya that we can go to led by Rabbi Andrew Beshalach. We talk to him, see what he can figure out, and take things from there."

"Are you sure we can pull this off? I mean, what if Mr. Beshalam is just as nutty as Shinobu?"

"It's Beshalach and we'll never know unless we try. Not only that but I think it's a little unfair to compare him to Shinobu before we ever meet him. We just need faith. Faith the size of a mustard seed, remember?"

Kiyoni nodded for the third time this day, "Yeah."

"Are you sure you're going to be alright," Shuuichi was concerned, given that Kiyoni hadn't been fully restored yet.

Today must be "feel Kiyoni up" day because Shuuichi's feelings didn't stop him from finding a sly way to get another feel of Kiyoni's waist-to-hip ratio. Perversion covered in compassion. Another sign of the internal merger.

"Are you," she retorted, "You got a…nice, little shiner there."

Deflection. That's disturbing. "I guess we'll…both have to deal with what we have. Recite the serenity prayer with me?"

"...Okay."

With linked hands, Shuuichi prayed with Kiyoni, "God, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the strength to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

"Amen."

"Amun."

Fearful of tension at the church, Shuuichi changed into the outfit he wore when he left for Gandara from Nagoya. Thanks to some quick laundry work from Kiyoni's part, of course. Kiyoni threw on a pearly white, cashmere sweater over a black tank top and some dark wash jeans. It was still winter in Tokyo by the way.

From a short train ride, the pair headed over to an area of Shibuya City where the synagogue of the Congregation of the Called was located. Set up within walking distance of a Red Cross medical center, the Yamatane Museum of Art, Tokyo Jogakkan High School, and Soleil International School, this specific house of worship for Japan's Jewish community was relatively quiet given the morning hours with minimal snow both on its campus and surrounding neighborhood. A concrete stairwell sat next to the main door where Shuuichi waited for someone to answer upon knocking. Kiyoni observed the bronze sign that stated the synagogue's engraved name in English, Hebrew, and Japanese all underneath a large Star of David. She wore a face mask and a little concealer to hide her worn-out features while Shuuichi allowed things to fall where they may.

"Kiyoni…" Shuuichi suggested, "be nice."

"Wha–? Mmcht! When am I not nice?"

"Need I remind you of your attitude the first time you arrived at my church?"

Kiyoni sucked on her teeth again while crossing her arms, "Mmcht! Need I remind you why I had said attitude on that day?"

"Unnecessary. Touché."

The doors opened revealing a lone parishioner. He was a chipper, American man in his late twenties to early thirties, standing a little shorter than both his guests by not much. He wore a navy blue dress shirt and brown slacks with a dark yarmulke on his head that blended in well with his hair. Kiyoni liked the beard the man wore. It was thick enough to encompass the man's entire jawline and it seemed so smooth and manly and well-kept.

"Hello," he welcomed, "How can I help you? Ooh, that's a…nice, little shiner you got there."

"Hello. Sorry about my appearance," Shuuichi responded using his calmest, sincerest, and most direct approach, "My name is Minamino Shuuichi and this is my companion, Ikeda Kiyoni. We're here to speak with a Mr. Beshalach."

"Oh, why that's me," the man extended a hand, "Andrew Beshalach. Nice to meet you."

Shuuichi accepted, "Same. Nice to meet you as well."

And so did Kiyoni, "Oh! Hello."

"Come in, come in," Andrew offered, "It's blustery out here. Come in."

Andrew led the pair into the building lobby where over a V-patterned, hardwood floor and a freshly-cleaned, Arabian rug sat two, royal blue, cushioned chairs on one side and a couch of equal style and color on the other with a table in between them. Behind the couch is a large window that gives a view of the church's backyard where the sun greets the wall-lined garden of dirt, melting the remaining snow. Behind the set of chairs, outlined by two palm trees in white, ceramic pots is a set of four sliding doors that leads the congregation to the sanctuary.

Andrew escorted the duo to the two chairs while he took the middle of the couch, "So, what can I do for you? Wait, you look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?"

I hope it's not from the recent news reports. "Yes, I believe so," Shuuichi answered, "I believe you were a guest of my church. Lighthouse Tokyo?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, I remember now. The ears kinda threw me off. So sorry to hear about what happened. Is everything okay?"

"Fine as far as I know. Actually, we were looking to see if you know anything about something. Kiyoni?"

Kiyoni pulled out the spell from her purse and presented it to Andrew. Andrew, observed the worn out pages and wondered where it came from.

"Oof. Never seen anything like this before. That's for sure," he said, "May I ask where it came from? It looks pretty old."

Shuuichi and Kiyoni nervously side-eyed each other.

"Eh, well," Shuuichi replied, "It came from…eh…"

"An old spell book," Kiyoni blurted out, "An old spell book that's in the possession of Father Sensui Shinobu."

"Father Sensui," Andrew repeated, "He runs Lighthouse, doesn't he?"

Both Shuuichi and Kiyoni nodded.

"Why would he…why would he have something like this? Is this for research or…?"

"You could say that, yes," Kiyoni replied.

"It's a bit complicated to explain," Shuuichi answered, "Also time consuming. Is it possible for you to translate the text at least?"

Andrew looked at the spell again, "Well…yeah. I may be off by a couple of words but it's definitely doable. In fact, I can tell, off-top, what some of it says."

"What is it?"

"You see this image right here in the middle, the one with the drop of blood? I can read it off-the-bat that it says that the blood must come from someone who is either pure of heart or someone who is willing to give their blood. Blood taken forcefully will not work. I don't know if that's significant to either of you but, yeah. Also, I would say not to try this because it does look like it's on the dark, witchcraft side so that's something to think about. Okay? We're good?"

"Oh! Oh, sure. Yes. Kiyoni?"

"Fine by me," she said.

"Okay, good," Andrew rose to his feet, "Just give me a few moments to translate this and I'll be right back, okay? I'll be right back."

Both Shuuichi and Kiyoni reclined in their seats with heavy sighs.

"I knew he was going to say something about witchcraft," Kiyoni stated.

"That's irrelevant at this point," Shuuichi countered, "My only concern is the stipulation of that spell."

"He said blood must be given freely. I'm sorry but I don't think there's anyone who's willing to give their blood away for a…magic spell."

"We're not that far away from a blood donation center."

"Mmcht! Suu'chi…"

"Sorry, sorry. It was a joke," Shuuichi continued to think, "I guess it would make sense. Kurama was practically dead when his blood was sacrificed. I was told that Jesus shed his blood to save the world and that's how I…willfully gave mine away."

"We know you're willing to do it again in order to break the spell. Do we have to use Shinobu's as well?"

"If we do, then it's an automatic dead end, leading us back to square one."

"Crap. Why does it seem like whenever we find the right path out of the maze called Shinobu, we end up hitting dead ends? It's like he has just about everything covered."

"Probably one of the reasons why Kurama hates him so much. Shinobu is just as much of a meticulous planner as Kurama."

"Yeah but Kurama said even his plans could backfire. I'm just waiting for that moment to happen to Shinobu."

"It will, Kiyoni. In due time."

A moment of silence blew by. Kiyoni shifted her attention towards the outside where grass from last year peeks through the snow of the new one due to the sun.

"How would you feel," she asked.

"About what?"

"Should the spell work and you and Kurama separate. How would you feel?"

"I've been pondering that, myself. I would feel like the proverbial weight has been lifted off my shoulders but, at the same time, I would feel…like I'm missing a part of me. Half of me, if you will. Kurama and I have shared this body for so long that losing that side would feel…bittersweet. Not to mention, I've gotten used to these ears."

Kiyoni smiled, "I like the ears too."

"You like playing with them."

"You like for them to be played with," Kiyoni clapped back with a smirk and bouncing eyebrows.

"Are we…flirting…in a synagogue right now?"

"I don't know. Are we? Seriously, like…could you imagine spending the rest of your life without Kurama?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe? I mean, I've spent the better part of my life not even knowing that he was a part of me. But now that I'm at that stage where I should be thinking about how I want to go about my life, my future, I'm not sure which direction is the best for me."

"So why are we here, Shuuichi? If you're not sure about what your next step is, why are we here?"

Shuuichi panned his head down in deep thought before lifting it back up, "...In case I decide to forgo my life as a yokai in favor of humanity. That's why. Would you miss him? I heard you speaking to him about it."

"Well, we did have a rocky start but…I don't know. Either he's warmed up to me or I've warmed up to him. Like, I like you. I really do. I think you're cool as…once we're comfortable with each other. Then there's the unnecessarily-traumatic moments we both have. Not to mention, you…are warming up to me. Ahem, Nagoya, ahem. But–"

"Kiyoni, just answer the question. No time for dancing."

Kiyoni froze. She was caught.

"Yes. Yes, I would miss him. He can be just as sweet as you and…despite his mistakes, he's willing to learn from them. Then there's the shared feeling of loss that I did not expect to discover. I guess what I'm saying is that…I'm falling for the both of you…equally. You both have something I like about you and would want to be around for. That…that doesn't make you jealous, does it?"

Now it was Shuuichi's turn to search for something from the outside as he collected his thoughts. Kiyoni was honest and he couldn't fault her for that. She liked him. That's just fine. Shuuichi liked Kiyoni just as much. However, Kiyoni also likes Kurama. He has lived multiple lifetimes longer than Shuuichi and could probably show Kiyoni some things Shuuichi never could, especially in the bedroom. Then there were the cuckold dreams Kurama would cook up, teasingly laughing in victory as he gave Kiyoni the mind-blowing orgasm she so desperately craved. The most recent one…

Ancient Egypt in the dead of night. In an underground bunker separate from the Temple of Seth, was Kurama's domain. A personal place of seduction and fornication. Anyone who wanted to serve the fox god, had to…allow him to go through them. His current pledge, Ikeda Kiyoni.

He had fun with this one in the early going. Banging her whenever the time was right. The best time was whenever she was the horniest. He fed her his seed whenever and wherever she told him to. It had gotten to a point where she wanted him more than he wanted her but this perverted deity didn't mind. The reason, a third party was involved, Minamino Shuuichi.

Poor Shuuichi. He stood on the proverbial sideline, helplessly tied like Jesus in the center of a hieroglyphic-dominant wall watching Kiyoni receive some fleshly blessings. In this case, Kiyoni was bound, hog-tied in mid air by rope made of earth and vine by Shuuichi's greatest rival, Kurama. Kiyoni was a sex fiend like no other. There wasn't a position she wouldn't try and was quite impressive throughout her pledge period. Kurama was a beast, every form Kiyoni could be flexible in, Kurama would hit the target no matter what and Kurama's strength increased with every climax. But this time, things were different. Kiyoni's inner Nile dried up a bit and Kiyoni was beginning to malfunction like an animatronic.

"No," he shouted in frustration, "Just… Fuck! This happens every time! …You…"

"I told you," the deacon smirked with growing confidence, "She's not…a plaything."

"Is that right," Kurama repositioned his likened sex doll towards Shuuichi.

Kiyoni's inactive eyes were blank and were reactivated by the time her head was pulled back, "Hi, Suu'chi."

Shuuichi tugged on his restraints, "Stop this. Stop this right now."

"I will not," Kurama felt Kiyoni's riverbank flow once again and was going to reignite but… "Hey. I have an idea."

"A sick one," Shuuichi assumed.

"You know, I just realized the cause of her defections. Care to know?"

Shuuichi kept silent as his attention never broke away from Kurama. The feeling was mutual from Kurama's end. The fox noticed the deacon's stance and cracked a smile.

"Let's find out, shall we?"

"Kurama, what are you doing?"

Kurama approached Shuuichi with only the space of Kiyoni's body in between them, "Why don't you look down below?"

From below, Kiyoni stared at her object of admiration and did nothing but flash that seductive smile while calling, "Suu'chi…Shuuichi…"

"Stop it," Shuuichi demanded, "I said enough. Enough…"

"Deacons don't lie, remember? If you think you had enough, then why is she still flowing? Huh? Why is your cock getting sucked? Huh? Explain that!"

By now, drops of bodily fluids fell to the floor between Kurama's feet. At the same time, Kiyoni shared her knowledge with Shuuichi, matching her rhythm with Kurama's. Things were getting sloppy on both ends. Shuuichi fought against the temptation but it didn't matter to Kurama. He gave it to Kiyoni with divine might. However, when the big O came, Kurama felt nothing and shot blanks. A rumored trait of the Kemetic god. That's what got him the worst. When he was finished, he pulled Kiyoni away for a moment.

"You wanna know why she's defective," Kurama repeated, "It's because…she only gets wet for you."

Afterwards, Kiyoni was released from her bondage and rolled towards Shuuichi like a ragdoll. From her mouth, she inhaled and wailed as she just went through the strongest orgasm she had ever had and from her loins was a growing puddle of her organic self. As she laid beneath Shuuichi's feet, he turned his head in shame. Yes, he was jealous of the way Kurama had his grip on Kiyoni and it was uncomfortable and torturous to watch. That bottom line was the theme behind Shuuichi's views on his potential sex life.

Which would he rather do? Merge with his inner co-owner and hopefully have a joint experience with Kiyoni or live the rest of his life constantly comparing himself to his missing other half, wondering if he alone could really give Kiyoni what she wants and needs? Would she be worth the hassle in the end? So many thoughts. So many thoughts.

Before Shuuichi could answer anything, Andrew returned with some documents in hand.

"Thank you for waiting," he said, "I've translated all I could and made these copies. One of them is in English and the other in Japanese. I hope you don't mind."

"Oh, thank you so much," Kiyoni accepted.

"Yes, thank you," Shuuichi scanned the other document, "Looks good."

"I hope so," Andrew wished, "Again, I hope this is for research purposes. If you or Father Sensui have anything else like that for me to translate, please do not be afraid to get in contact with me. I kinda find it fascinating."

"Sure thing," Shuuichi stood up with Kiyoni in tow, "Again, your assistance is greatly appreciated."

Andrew shook the hands of both of his guests, "My pleasure. You take care now."

While taking a walk outside, Kiyoni read the English translation while Shuuichi read the Japanese. Some things stood out upon another look.

"It says to break the pact, the spell must be done during the night of the full moon," Kiyoni stated.

"Makes sense," Shuuichi informed, "Kurama did say that the original ceremony took place during the night of the new moon. A full circle moment in a way."

"Right but it doesn't say anything about what happens to the two parties once separated. I guess, in your case, what would happen to you."

"Normally, a spell like this would be done on two separate but individual…individuals. Not two individuals with one of them having a separate personality."

"So the question about what happens to you still remains unanswered."

"I'm not too concerned about it at this point. Our separation from Shinobu is our highest priority. I may have a suggestion, though."

"Yes?"

"It says here that blood must be given freely, without force. So…that made me think…"

Kiyoni stopped walking, "Go on."

"In case the spell falters, leaving Kurama and I to go our separate ways, then we'll have to establish a new pact to keep ourselves alive and intact. I was thinking perhaps we could…use this to make a blood pact with you. Just in case."

"A blood pact? With me? Like I'm ready to bleed for magic right now."

"Well…" Shuuichi panned his eyes down towards Kiyoni's lower half, "You're…bleeding right now…"

Kiyoni caught his drift, "Are you–?! No! No, blegh, ack, no! Blegh! My peri–?! My period blood? Are you insane?!"

"Kiyoni, think about it. You give away your blood on a monthly basis with little to no struggle–"

"Struggle?! Ohhhh! You don't know a damn thing about struggle, my friend. You saw it yourself back at the hot springs. The struggle is oh so very fucking real, okay? Cramps?! No. No! You don't know shit about the struggle in that regard, okay? Trust me, your green is as much of a savior as your Jesus Christ and I thank you for bringing some of it with you but don't even go there talking about little to no struggle. Bitch, it is teeeeeeeeerrible! Okay?!"

"Alright, alright. Apologies for mentioning it."

Kiyoni sighed, rubbing her hands up and down her face, "Okay. In some regards, Egyptians, Kemetics, valued blood as much as anyone else. Believed it to be the sacred liquid of life next to water. Hell, Sekhmet is the goddess of blood. They also believed that…the womb is one of the most sacred, if not, the most sacred area of the human body considering that's where babies come from. I mean, the ankh is a combination of man and woman and it kinda looks like a woman's womb. So with blood being a sacred liquid coming from a sacred place such as the womb… Fuck, it would make sense for you to ask me that."

"Well, that and your name. Sort of."

"My name?"

"Yes. You said the word, ka, means spirit or power. Another word for that is ki. You know that. Then the word, yoni, is Sanskrit for the womb. So, if we were to separate your name into ki and yoni..."

"Woooooooooow," Kiyoni was dumbfounded, "My name means pussy power. My name means 'pussy power'!"

"Let's not get carried away here. It's more of a loose translation–"

"That's so cool! Aiko did say to never underestimate the power of the pussy. No wonder I protect it the way I do. Pussy power. My name means 'pussy power'."

It was clear both visually and aromatically that Shuuichi's analysis was putting stars in Kiyoni's eyes, brightening her mood so he allowed it to happen, "Okay, fine. We'll go with that."

"Cool! Now back to the original topic. It just…it sounds really disgusting…on paper but in theory, that may work. It's the sentiment behind it that bothers me though."

"Sentiment?"

"Shuuichi, think about it. You, making a blood pact with me. That's...a sacred thing considering what's involved. That and it's...binding...for life! To me, that feels like...like… Well, if you were gonna do that, then you might as well get on one knee and ask for my hand in marriage because that and a blood pact have practically the same energy. Or we could find a love hotel somewhere and have sex already because it's also like–"

"Creating a soul tie?"

He listened…he remembers… "Yeah…that too."

Shuuichi looked Kiyoni up and down, imagining her in that black wedding dress from his dream. He can see her smiling like a blushing bride holding her bouquet of dark flowers just waiting for the moment to seal her eternal love with him. He could also see her in their matrimonial bed consummating the marriage. Just before climax, Shuuichi could hear Kiyoni sweetly whisper in his ear.

"Shuuichi…" she warmly called, "Shuuichi…"

Then, it was back to reality, "Shuuichi?!"

"Hm?! What? Did you say something?"

"Wow. I think my daydreaming has gone contagious. Did you hear what I said?"

"Eh, yes. Loud and clear."

"So…?"

"Is that so wrong?"

"What?"

"Marriage. I mean, I'm not asking you now but could you see yourself making that type of commitment?"

"Of course. So long as I'm with the right one. Man, woman, whatever."

"But not a blood pact. Look, I'm not saying that it's our next step but should things get to that then… It's just an idea. We can't plan too many things too far in advance. Something Kurama would've done."

Kiyoni scanned Shuuichi from head to toe. Could she see herself locked down to him via a blood pact? Could she see herself locked down to him at all? For a while, yes, at least.

"Yeah," she agreed, "Just in case. Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Shuuichi conducted a quick search on his phone, "Looks like the next full moon is this week."

"No wonder I'm bleeding. My cycle tends to center around the full moon."

"Then we're in good time."

"How do you want to do this? This spell, anyway."

"It says we'll need a few things. Candles, some chalk to draw the markings, bloodstones. I believe we can do this, Kiyoni."

"So do I."

"Let's go. I know we can pick up some of the items from the church."

"Are you sure you wanna go back there?"

"We don't have very many options, Kiyoni, and we'll only be there for a short while. A grab-and-go run. So long as we can avoid Shinobu, we should be fine."

Kiyoni sighed again, "Okay. Let's do this."

The pair would have to move as quickly as they can for Shinobu returned to the church along with Touya and Natsume. He sat in his sanctuary chair going through his spell book when he noticed the very spell that was used to bind him to Shuuichi and Kurama was missing.

"No," he lowly growled, "That whore…"

"Father," Yukina entered from the back entrance, highly concerned, "Father? Father, what happened? Have you found Shuuichi?"

Shinobu closed the book, giving Yukina his undivided attention, "Indeed, I did."

"Where is he? Is he okay?"

"Alas, Sister Yukina. Shuuichi has...turned against us. Turned in favor of that harlot, Kiyoni."

"What? That...that can't be true!"

"I'm afraid it is. We found him in the depths of the Makai world where he...sided with the succubus when we asked him to come home. He joined forces with that wench, Counselor Mukuro, assisting with the murder of countless men including our own. Only Brother Touya, Sister Natsume, and myself were able to make it out alive."

"That's...no! That's not like him at all."

"He had no choice, Yukina. With that fox, Kurama, occupying his body, Deacon Shuuichi can't maintain control of himself for much longer."

"What...what are you going to do?"

"Simple. I'm going to exorcize him. With this book. It's the only way we can save our beloved deacon. I'll need your assistance to do it."

"What can I do?"

"You created the sculpture of the succubus, yes?"

"Yes. Yes, I did."

"We'll use that to lure them in. One thing I know of those fornicating hooligans is that they are very vain, enamored with their looks so they can attract potential victims. The moment she hears anything about that statue coming down, she'll come running, bringing Shuuichi with her."

"But Father, that's essentially lying. I can't do that."

"Sure you can. Those statues will have to be taken down by now anyway since it's after the Christmas season. It's perfect timing."

"Oh…" Yukina realized Shinobu was right.

Those sculptures should've been taken down weeks ago but things got busy.

"I'll have Touya join you, of course, for backup in case trouble happens. Will you help us?"

"Of course, Father. I want our deacon back as much as you do."

"Good. Let's give him a call, shall we?"

"Moshi Moshi," Shuuichi answered at the train station, "Yukina? Really? That's not good. Very well. I'll be right there."

Kiyoni asked, "What's up?"

"That was Yukina. She said her sculpture of you has been vandalized."

"What?! Nooooooo! Suu'chi, we gotta go there now!"

"Yes, yes but let's not get ahead of ourselves. It won't be long until February. We're well past the Christmas season. Those statues should've been taken down by now anyway. We'll go but we must be cautious. Got it?"

"Yes, yes. I got it. However, let's make these stops first."

Errands completed and from the Inokashira line to the Keio line, the couple make their way back to Yomiuri Land. From there they head straight for the area where Yukina stood waiting for them. There's no telling what could happen once the meeting takes place.