A/N: HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Book One: Chapter Sixteen

[Inner Confliction]

"I can't wear what I was wearing before because why?" Relon questions Miko, the two having returned back to his room.

Looking in a mirror, he checks out his attire consisting of a simple long-sleeved buttoned white shirt and black shorts with sandals.

"Because what you were wearing during our 'touching' reunion was the equivalent to nightwear." Miko responds seated on his bed looking at him. "That and considering this will be your first official appearance before the public, it would be only proper to seem somewhat presentable."

"Somewhat?" He gives her a curious glance adjusting his attire.

"You've grown, literally speaking, so we'll need to take measurements as all of your outfits have grown too small."

"I'm pretty sure I didn't gain crazy muscles or anything like that…"

"You didn't but you did gain some height. Most likely due to your union with Ei."

"Really?"

"Yes." She nods, getting to her feet. "Before your scandalous departure, you were even with Hu Tao's height." Miko comments using a hand as a comparison.

"Seriously? Huh, I guess I've grown a little since. I can see just barely over her."

"It's only a slight difference but it is noticeable."

"To you guys I suppose so. Speaking of; Sara and I, we're- H-Hey! Whoa!" Feeling a pair of arms pull him close, heat quickly rises from the soft sensation touching the back of his neck.

"Hmm, indeed. We are quite close~." She hums, the tone in her voice combined with a finger trailing up his chest causes a shiver to escape the male.

"M-M-M-Miko?! Why are you-"

"Do you happen to remember how close we were~?" She whispers into his ear, her warm breath causing his body to shiver once more.

"Um… no?" He attempts at a clear answer, his mind struggling to ignore her breasts against his neck.

"Hmm, a pity~." She pulls him deeper.

"M-Miko, can't we talk about this?"

"My, isn't that what we're doing right now? Just you and me." She peers her head to meet his sporting a mischievous albeit playful smirk.

"W-Well, yeah but… face-to-face preferably? Not… you know…" He closes his eyes attempting to remain focused.

"Oh? Now that you mention it, you never did answer my question before you left."

"What… question?"

"Why, what sort of breasts do you prefer obviously."

"... Huh?"

"Yes, you escaped last time but now you can answer me." She coos, releasing her grasp as Relon stumbles away before snapping around to Miko in his face. "So. What's your preference?"

How? Where? Why? So many questions littered the demi-archon's mind. How had things suddenly come to this? Where was that coincidental moment that would save him from this predicament? Why did Miko have to bring up something that he couldn't remember? Why was Ei not helping him out? Why were it always the females that were causing so much chaos for him? And why did he have so many damn questions that began with why?! Wait a second…

Ei? Help please!

Hmm. I too am quite curious about your answer.

Oh, come on!

"Well~?"

"Stop teasing me please…!" He whines averting his gaze for a gentle finger to plant itself on his side jaw turning him with ease to face her once more.

"Awe, come now Child. It's just you and I. Not a word of what you say shall leave this room, much less this abode. So tell me, what is your preference?" She begins withdrawing a small notebook.

"You said-"

"I said I wouldn't tell. I never said I wouldn't write anything down." She smirks. Now then, let's begin." She clicks her pen seating at the end of his bed, one leg draped over the other. Large like Sara or I? Small like Hu Tao or Fischl? Or are you an in-between sort of man? Ah, what about cleavage appearance?"

"Mikoooooooo!"

"Are you into the underboob that bird woman sports? Possibly the innerboob from that cryo woman you defeated? I believe her name was Lawerence. Ooh, are your hormones dependent on a glimpse of breasts from the side such as mine? Do you prefer it covered like Lisa's or more exposed like Ei's? How about the hidden fantasy that young Kamisato woman has with her attire. Does the appeal of fantasizing the size keep your blood flowing? Or what about Ganyu's whose body shape practically leaves little to the imagination? Hmm? Well? I'm waiting." She clicks her pen in anticipation.

Quivering at the heat adorning his face, his gaze gives a chance glance at the eager Miko to look away.

"Y-Yes…?"

"Ah, ah, ah. I need a discernible answer~. Be as specific as possible."

"Someone save me…!" He whines.

As if an almighty force answering his plea, a knock to his room comes before the door is opened. Entering, a wave of relief overtakes Relon as Miko's own demeanor shifts to slight annoyance with boredom.

"Big brother…!" The innocent albeit tired voice of Qiqi greets running to hug him.

"Qiqi, hey! I thought you and the others were off working on stuff?" Relon smiles, returning the embrace before looking at Sara sporting a smile of her own.

Immediately upon doing so, his eyes go wide as they quickly avert from the view. His embarrassment from his prior harassment coming back in full force to the tengu warrior's confusion.

"Is something wrong?" Taking sight of his blushing self as Qiqi tilts her head curiously, Sara's mind processes for all of two second before her now droopy eyes look to Miko writing in her small book.

Feeling a pair of eyes on her, the priestess peers up from her work.

"Can I help you?"

"What did you do?" Sara questions with crossed arms.

"Why, Sara, I'm hurt! Whatever would cause you to believe that one as innocent as I would do such a thing. Much less upon one as dear as our Relon?"

"Qiqi is innocent!" Relon speaks still blushing. "You are far from it!" He exclaims before taking a deep breath to calm his nerves. "Why do I have to be the one to deal with so much?" He mutters to himself, Qiqi tilting her head to the other side before patting her brother's head in comfort.

"Drop the act, Lady Miko. Why else is Relon blushing?"

"Hmm, if you really must know…" She pauses eyeing the pouting teen. "He simply questioned his relationship regarding everyone. You know. 'Status-wise.'" She answers with a coy grin as Sara's eyes widen ever so slightly, her face feigning a tint of red.

"Hmpf." The warrior grunts averting her gaze momentarily.

Looking to Relon who's taken aback, she gives a wink to him and Qiqi before Sara adjusts herself returning her gaze upon Yae.

"And?" She questions. "What was your response?"

"Obviously, I told the truth." Miko shrugs.

"That being?"

"That being him with numerous women, obviously." She gives a roll of her eyes, Relon's on snapping wide as déjà vu hits full force. "Obviously you, Hu Tao, Keqing, Fischl, and we may as well as Ei and myself." She chuckles not at all paying mind to the baffled look Sara wears instead returning to her small book. "Now then, Dear, what would you like for tonight?" Miko wonders with an upbeat tone in the direction of Relon. "A well-cooked meal? A warm bath? Or…"

"OKAY, WE SHOULD GO! DON'T WANT TO KEEP THE OTHERS WAITING!" He shoots, placing Qiqi atop his shoulders before bolting out the door.

"Awe, looks like he reached his limit. Oh well. Another time I suppose." Miko sighs, closing her book and getting to her feet.

"He remembers by the way." She stops beside a still Sara. " About you two."

"... You're telling me this, why?"

"Because we're friends. Well, family would be a better term at this point but I'm just letting you know." She muses walking on to stop. "That and he may have conflicting emotions in regards to the others." She purses her lips in thought, making Sara turn to her. "Come along. We don't want to be late." Miko leaves, Sara furrowing her brows before departing after the woman.

"You believe he may have developed feelings for one of the cryo lieutenants?"

"It's a possibility. Relon stated himself he regained his memories during the battle. And those were but momentary glimpses of the past. The only one that can answer tht would be himself and possibly Ei." Miko adds, both stopping on the floor below where Relon and Qiqi await them at the front door. "But it goes without saying that you both need to sit down and discuss your relationship. You're still wearing the ring after all." Miko quips walking away.

"... What about you?" Sara calls after a moment of hesitation, her words making the familiar halt though she dares not turn her back. "Now that Relon is back, can you determine if you truly love him?"

For a moment, neither respond.

"... I don't know. Not yet at least." She finally speaks looking over her shoulder with a wry smile. "Though I could ask you the same, no?"

"I…!" Calming her sudden tension, Sara continues. "I guess so." She relents to feel a pluck against her forehead. "Ouch! What was that for?" She winces, rubbing her stinging skin.

"Stop brooding. That look never suited you and no one wants to see it anymore."

"But-"

"No buts." Miko turns on her heel. "We can worry about our love lives later. Right now, we need to ensure everyone is on the same page. Including Relon."

"This still isn't easy…" Sara murmurs as they approach the reunited siblings.

"Whoever said it would be?"

"You in one of your novels."

"Oh, that was a lie." She shrugs, Sara stumbling from the blunt response.

"Ready to go?" Relon asks with a casual smile, both stopping for a moment as a sense of familiarity comes to smile back.

"Yes, Almighty Shogun." Sara gives a curt bow, Relon lips immediately quivering as he averts his gaze.

"Just… Relon is fine." He dismisses, a tint of red visible on his cheeks as he scratches it.

"Hehe, very well." She states taking his right side as Miko takes his left.

"What were you two talking about?"

"Oh, just girl talk. You needn't worry." Miko waves off as Sara opens the door.

Squinting for only a moment from the greeting sunlight, his eyes quickly adjusts as a line of soldiers stand at attention.

"General Kujou, Lady Guuji, Lady Qiqi, and Almighty Shogun!" One man noticeably bulkier than the rest speaks out.

"GOOD MORNING!" All the soldiers resound in unison.

"Noisy…" Qiqi mumbles for a chuckle to escape Relon.

"At ease, soldiers." Sara orders.

"YES, MA'AM!" Dismissed, all venture around the complex to their usual posts with a few remaining around the door.

Descending down the staircase, Relon takes in the area.

"I feel like I should apologize for yesterday."

"To the soldiers? Well, you did give some people quite the scare." She leers at Sara. "I told her not to worry in case you did escape as you would most likely make your way up the mountain but…"

"Hmpf. I had every right under my jurisdiction."

"Sorry for the trouble, Sara."

"Think nothing of it. Just… worried me a little is all." She mumbles.

"I'll try not to be too much of a hassle. Though I feel like I'll only make things harder going forward."

"Most likely." Miko blurts out as they reach the bottom before continuing on down the next flight of steps.

"Lady Miko, be nice." Qiqi pouts as Sara's annoyance remains on the famous teaser.

"Haha, it's fine Qiqi. She isn't exactly wrong." He dismisses, eyes landing upon the sakura tree overhead as his sister catches one inspecting it.

"No one is safe from Lady Guuji's, ahem, 'choice words.'"

"Come now, I'm not that bad am I?" She muses as the group stops along a small bridge over a pond.

"Do you want us to answer that?" He asks peering over at the fish

"Hmpf, I have feelings too you know."

"So do we." Sara dryly responds, the group departing to stop shortly after.

Dismissing the next group of guards, both women watch as Relon slowly walks forward.

"Inazuma City…" He awes. "Yesterday, I was scurrying around the boundary so I never saw what the inside looked like."

"Well, today you're reacquainting yourself with the people." Miko recalls the group treks over the familiar long bridge.

"As the Shogun or Relon?"

"Both." Sara answers. "Our soldiers have already acquainted themselves with you due to the recent battle. Yet the people haven't."

"Hasn't there been chaos for the last year with Ei gone."

"Believe it or not, no. Before, very few ever saw the Raiden Shogun so Inazumans simply accepted what news was spread."

"What about the soldiers at the estate?" He asks glancing from where they came from.

"Only those who directly interacted with the Ei and before you both disappeared, she gave a rather simple order." Miko takes over.

"That being?"

"Do. Not. Enter. It was quite easy considering those soldiers answer specifically to Ei."

"But then how come they accepted Sara's words? Because she is the general?"

"That and because Ei also instructed the two of us to take over as leader figures. Even though I already was one you could say. Sara was on her way to earning that prestige but a little sooner than later didn't hurt I must say." She smirks for Sara to roll her own eyes.

Stopping for a moment, Qiqi looks down to notice Relon's face lost in thought.

"On her way huh…"

"You want to get recognized by the Raiden Shogun, right?" His past self speaks.

"Yes, but I cannot see you doing such based on that alone." Sara's past self responds.

"Haha, is it that odd to help my fiancé?"

Noticing his halted movement, both back with curiosity. Their eyes noticing his own go to Sara's gloved hand. Mind racing through the numerous memories with each girl, his mind resurfaces to the morning with Ganyu. Their bodies having been meshed against the other with their lips only moments from being connected. For a moment it flashes; anger. All three clearly saw it but they didn't know the cause. Looking up to find a sole cloud overhead, the three can only watch as it begins to part as a breath releases from Relon.

Looking back, the two meet his back. His eyes focused once more back in the direction of his new home though his eyes focus on something else. A statue easily discernible to be of Ei albeit with wings. Feeling his grip around her tiny legs tighten, Qiqi's gaze shifts up before back to the statue.

Feeling a gentle pair of hands pat his head, he comes back to reality meeting Qiqi peering at him upside down.

"Huh? What's up, sis?" He blinks though Qiqi doesn't answer, instead reaching down and grabbing his nose. "Um, Qiqi?"

"Nose…" She leans back upright as Relon watches her carely stand atop his shoulders to hop down. "I got my nose back…" She states placing the pretend nose where hers already is.

Blinking at the girl, he feels a sudden surge of air rise from his chest. Quickly covering his mouth with a hand, a snicker escapes as he turns away.

"Pfft! Pfft, ha… Hahahahaha!"

How long has it been since he's experienced such giddiness, such joy? As long as a year as he's been told? Longer? Shorter? He didn't know. The time from raising Qiqi to waking up on Serei Island was all but a black book with certain points of the story in ink. The confusion of awakening as an amnesiac, the agony of being separated from his only blood relative, the sorrow of seeing Ganyu bothered by the war itself, the rage of seeing Qiqi hurt… it all just swirled around in his chest like a storm with no sight of dying out. Numerous questions without their faithful answers were much like him; alone. What could possibly drown out the misery of the unknown?

Turning around, he found his answer. The childish smile gracing her feature, the pure innocence that radiated from her very being, the same vermilion eyes as himself. Relon hadn't forgotten his cause since awakening, he'd forgotten the very sensation from in the presence of his younger sister. The murder of their parents caused him to take over in raising her. Teaching the younger girl how to speak, proper mannerisms, how to tend to life itself, he recalled. The easy parts and the hard. But, that was just the extent. No dire consequences they may have faced, no hardships in and of itself, simply him raising Qiqi. The same girl he's sought after since his and Ei's awakening. That kind smile he's thought of millions of times during his duration of jail was before him and here he was sulking, angry at himself for making such actions without thinking of the possible consequences. How foolish he was. IN the here and now, he needed only to remain by her side. He'd missed an entire year of watching the young girl grow up and it was high time he started making it up to her and everyone starting now.

"Leave it to my own sister to cheer me up. Not to mention remember something as silly as that. Then again, even that alone holds meaning." He murmurs, a smile creeping onto his face to snap up. "Hope you've enjoyed your reunion Qiqi!" He grins watching Qiqi's eyes open ever so slightly before a stalagmite of ice launches her towards the other side of the bridge.

Cupping her hands together, she leans forward.

"CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!" The same exuberant voice heard on the battlefield returns as she smiles running into the city.

"Well, not everything ever goes as planned I suppose." Miko sighs.

"Sorry Miko, Sara." He says walking past them. "But how could I care about looks and prestige… when my sister just challenged me to a game of tag?!" He shoots them a feral grin like a child. "Ready Ei?!" He takes a running stance, a familiar surge of energy coursing across his body..

Need you ask?

"Then…" He takes off, only streaks of static visible as he vanishes around the corner. "LET'S GO!"

"I swear, they're just as troublesome as they used to be." Miko huffs.

"Hmm." Sara hums walking forward. "I wonder about that."

"Oh? You're not bothered by the possible ensuing chaos?"

"Hmm, no. Not this time." She muses, her wings coming to life.

"Sara Kujou, don't tell me…"

"I apologize in advance, Lady Yae, but I shall also be participating." She smiles crouching down to soar high into the air into the city.

"SARA, COME… back." She sighs. "I swear." A faint smile graces Miko's features as she continues her stroll. "Those children."

AndyKurosaki98: Oh I thought I left a review last time, so here we go again. We finally got the reunion and it was very lovely indeed, really liked how you wrote the interactions between the characters here. loved how you paced the fight between Relon and Sara, I could picture it almost perfectly in my head, and I usually struggle with that. And finally this little chapter, again i loved the interactions (I'm just a sucker for those) and Miko being the biggest tease is, The Best, also it seems next one we're going back with the Cryo army, so that will be interesting, curious to see how certain Vengeance seeker will react.

You did, FFN was being weird. I may not be as well as other authors at exposition and whatnot, but fight scenes always come across as the easiest to write so I'm happy it was an easy visualization. And Miko. God, Miko. I'm right there with you my friend. Cryo army coming up shortly after the next chapter. Spoiler alert; it's Tag lol. Eula I think will be an interesting perspective for sure. Considering what'll happen.

Temsen: Miko is more cat than fox; does what she wants and totally spoiled. :P

Ya know, ya ain't wrong XD.