Before we begin.

If you've read to this point, I must give you my heartfelt thanks. What started as an idea I had while mindlessly working as some kind of slave/drone that my brain thought up just to keep itself from putting itself through a machine, has grown, evolved. I see from my stats on that I now have readers from 12 different distinct countries. Now, I'm not sure that all of those people will keep reading, but that I've reached that far with what started as a simple grab at sanity preservation is rather heartening.

Now, lets kick open the door and look for treasure.

Chapter 17

Tired, but triumphant, of a sort, Bell, Hestia and I returned home to our basement. Contrary to predictions, nothing had fallen off the shelves. There was however, a small pristine white envelope sitting on the dining table. Hestia went to pick it up, while Bell and I put our things away for the day. While stowing our gear, Bell and I made idle chat about tomorrow's training with Mikoto and her band, and things we might try while doing so.

Then our Goddess made the most curious noise. A sort of mix between 'urg' and 'sigh'.

"It's just not my day." She groaned, holding her face with one hand, the letter in the other. "There's been a meeting called for the gods."

"So... What's that mean?" I asked, Bell also looking curious beside me.

"Every so often, most, if not all of us go to some grand meeting and discuss... Well, whatever we want. It's very boring. Oh... And recent level two adventurers get a nickname."

I frowned, scratching my head, "That does sound boring. But, nicknames?"

"Yeah..." Another sigh. "The thing is, the other Gods decide it. Not the one whom they are with." She said miserably, "I'll try to keep them from giving you two something silly."

We stood in silence for a moment, before Bell perked up, "You can wear that dress we got you though?"

For the rest of the night until bed time, our poor Goddess was rather depressed. Not only would this meeting take anywhere up to a week to finish, we had to, once again, pay a fine for going against the guild rules. This one being 'no Gods or Goddesses in the dungeon. From what I understood, it was a percentage of our assets. Meaning Hermes Familia was probably paying something close to ten times or more what we had to.

I felt oddly satisfied with that, though I did feel a little sorry for the actual members of his Familia. He didn't seem like the kind of person to care much about 'the little things', and that annoyed me.

We both had our status updated, with Hestia's usual jaw drop reaction to just how much we had both grown. For Bell and I, all we could do was shrug and scratch our heads. I knew, just by listening, he had a special skill that helped him grow so fast. Me on the other hand... I was always pushing myself to keep up. Taking risks. Refusing to fall behind. Figuring out what I could do, then doing it when I needed to. Made me think of an anime I watched. Genius sister, and the big brother who kept up because he refused to not be there when she needed him.

I finished getting ready for bed and lay down. Bell was already passed out and snoring on our thread bare but comfortable couch, and Hestia was already under the blanket. I was just closing my eyes when a pair of arms wrapped around my tail and started to cuddle the poor thing.

"You did it again." Hestia mumbled behind me. I didn't reply, though I wiggled my tail a little to show I was paying attention. "Another prayer, to me. When I'm the one who should be thanking you."

"A good person who does nothing is evil." I quoted quietly. "Bell is the special one. I saved him, because I couldn't think of not saving him. I nearly got killed along with him, except two of Takemikazuchi's Familia protected us. Bell stopped me from killing some one who was, by all counts, a criminal."

She hugged my tail tighter, but said nothing.

"Get some sleep. We both have a busy few days ahead." She groaned, "And don't drool on my fur."

Bell and I started our morning the usual way: At full speed. Both our statuses had jumped again, and we were both eager to find where our new limits were. I was glad our neighbourhood was rather sparse, or I'm sure we'd have gotten noise complaints by now. Either that, or people had come to expect a bit of a show, from a safe distance. In light of me getting a handle on grounding out magic, he even started to throw the odd firebolt at me, though he was sure I'd be ready for it.

We were just towelling off when Hestia popped out from behind the door, still squinting from having just woken up. "Why are you two so full of energy?" She was dressed in the gown we had gotten her. A more modest, but black version of her usual outfit, with a long skirt that went to her ankles, but was slit up one side to her usual outfit's height. It would be almost scandalous back home, or maybe something an Italian dancer might wear, but it fit just right and still showed off how nice her curves were.

I gave her a thumbs up. Bell... Went to stuttering idiot. Two for two, if you were to ask me.

She was also holding a bag with our fine for the guild in it. "How did you know my sizes anyhow?" Hestia asked.

Unable to help myself, I got behind Bell and put my hands on his shoulders, then moved them down to his hips. He actually started steaming in the cool morning air when I said, "Some one showed me how to do measurements by hand. Oh dear... I think I broke him."

The three of us walked to the fountain together, once Bell had recovered his scattered wits. In an uncommon show of rebellion, he actually punched me in the shoulder and called me mean. Politely, of course. Hestia was ruining her new look by giggling at our antics, and I felt that something cosmically out of place had clicked back to where it belonged.

Takemikazuchi's Familia, and the God himself were waiting at the fountain for us, all dressed for combat and ready to take on the dungeon. Familia behind him, Takemikazuchi met us with a smile.

"It is good to see you are here, safe and well, Lady Hestia, Bell Cranell, Kodori-san." I could tell by his tone, he was about to take a big slice of humble pie for his Familia causing a problem for us.

So, to save time, and 'face' for Mikoto, who had probably been through the cycle of putting herself down, and thinking she was letting everyone else down for her and her party's lack of experience, I took a half step forward and said, bowing, "Thank you, Takemikazuchi-sama. We hope our Familia can work together, to prevent such a problem from occurring again. May we both learn much from the exchange." That was all said in my very best formal tone, in English. I also added, "We have already forgiven them. And today we hope to make sure it never happens again."

Everyone was sort of looking at me, with that odd awkward look you get when you say something weird at a family dinner. But I held my bow and ignored the blush I hoped wasn't visible in the dim morning light.

Takemikazuchi saved me by saying, "Thank you, Kodori-san, for your kind words. Please, take care of them while I'm away." He gave my head a pat, carefully avoiding my ears, making it a formal sort of blessing, instead of a say 'good girl' pat on the head. I straightened up, and he gave me his usual serene smile, before looking past me to Hestia. "Shall we go, Lady Hestia?"

Our Goddess gave us both a hug before giving us a wave and linking arms with Takemikazuchi.

"Well, that went well I think." I mumbled, looking around at his Familia, four in all. "Okay. Let's get started."

After a brief introduction, a small breakfast, and a quick trip to the first floor of the dungeon, our two Familia started to train. I found that all of them were level two, surprising, since Bell and I, with Lilly and Welf managed to survive just as well as them as a mix of levels. But when Bell and I started our little war games, I figured out why.

They were very inflexible. Painfully so. Mikoto and Ouka, the big man with the spear who protected Bell and I, were front line fighters. Chigusa, the girl, who I thought was a boy, was the supporter, and Asuka, a quite girl who seemed to want to fade into the shadows if you stopped looking at her, used a bow.

On paper, that was fine. If this were say, a table top game of Dungeons and Dragons, I'd say they'd do well. Except, that was all they did. Mikoto could use a bow, rather well too. But generally didn't, and borrowed Asuka's when she did. Chigusa wasn't really capable of fighting, though she was handy with that shield when she needed to be. And Ouka was... Well, very strong, but only really saw forwards. And Asuka was a fairly able bare hand fighter, but wasn't equipped to actually do it.

So, taking a few pages, most of the book really, from my training with Ryuu and Luniore, Bell and I started drilling them on close quarters fighting, the fighting retreat, hallway pushing, room breaching, and basically applying Murphy's Law to every situation we could think of. With only the six of us, seven, when Lilly joined in a little while after we started, we were kind of limited on how elaborate we could be, but they were very disciplined, and took instruction well.

We got a few strange looks from other groups who were coming and going, since we were all obviously experienced adventurers playing on the first floor, but when they saw we were using blunted weapons, most of them simply nodded to themselves and even occasionally offered a bit of advice. Thanks to Lilly, we were able to have lunch without leaving, and shortly after that, Welf came down to see what all the noise was about. Then it was four on four, and we were able to take turns on attack and defence without needing to even out the teams or have people sit out.

It almost made me forget why we were doing it in the first place.

"Kodori-dono is wise." Mikoto said as we all sat in a circle for dinner.

"Please, I'm not so great as that." I was only just begrudgingly accepting 'Miss Kodori', after all. "And, bruise more now, bleed less later." I rubbed a sore spot Ouka had inflicted on me with his spear. "You four are able students. I'm happy you left pride at home, and came to learn."

The look on her face, all of their faces, told me they hadn't left it at home, simply swallowed it for the moment. I gave the girl a light punch to the shoulder, "That is not what I meant. I know you didn't fail on purpose. I know you are all smart, kind and hard working. But there is no substitute for experience. Now that you know how to deal with what caused the problem... Now you have no excuse."

"Yeah." Welf chimed in, "You guys are pretty strong. We're all friends here, cheer up." He laughed, hooking an arm around my shoulder, grabbing Bell as well with his other arm, "You wouldn't believe the stuff these two showed me on my first couple days with them."

"Mr. Welf just has an anvil for a head." Lilly said, sipping her drink.

"So, shall we call it a night and return tomorrow?" I asked, giving Welf a nudge, looking at the other four. When they all nodded, I added, "Good. At the fountain again, but we're just going to do sparring, lets hope for clear skies.

We left, and split into our two groups. Welf was in especially high spirits, considering his apparent gloom the day before. He told us why as soon as we had made it to the fountain.

"I did it. I'm level two now." He smiled, and we all clapped hands for him. "Yes yes, thank you my adoring fans." Lilly boo'ed quietly, but he just waved her off, "But, this means... Sigh, I'm going to be very busy. You guys have a plan for the next few days?"

"Lady Hestia said she was going to be away for a meeting with the Gods." Bell said, "And might not be back for a few days."

"Yeah, Lady Hephaestus said the same thing. I just managed to see her before she left this morning." Welf replied, "She was quite happy I made it in time too. Picked up some more of your order too, sister." He said to me, patting a pouch on his hip. "Can't wait to work on it. The rest of the stuff too!" He was like a kid in a toy store.

"Hey Lilly. Take Bell with you to Nazza's place. We need potions and stuff, and he's got most of our valis." I gave her a wink, disguised by pretending I had something in my eye, "You and I can go fill your pack back up tomorrow."

Wiser than her childish demeanour let on, Lilly grabbed Bell's hand before he could protest and said, "Miss Kodori is wise, Lilly will make sure Miss Nazza doesn't give Bell a hard time."

Unable to resist Lilly, Bell was dragged away.

"Wow." Welf said, "That was... Really smooth."

"Being a big sister is hard." I replied. "I have a few idea's I'd like to run by you. And yes, I'll pick up a hammer, if you don't mind risking that I might break it."

Oddly, he was almost as excited about me wanting to try his forge, than he was at working himself.

"You have... What... How..." He was looking at a couple of designs I had drawn on a bit of brown paper. "And this goes... Pulls that... Locks here..." It was a crossbow with a handle underneath the neck, that one could pull back to cock it again. Instead of using a goat's foot, crank, or using your hand, this would cut loading time down to half or less, depending on how strong you were.

I fully intended to make use of just how strong us adventurers could be.

"Even with a little crossbow, Lilly could be much more effective." He held the design draft at arms length, "Where did you even come up with this?"

I shrugged, being unable to say 'Youtube'. "She's a good shot, she should have a good weapon."

"Fair enough. So, what should I start with first?" He grinned, "Or was there something you wanted to try your hand at?"

Welf and I spent the next few hours making things. My first swing of the hammer was probably the worst. I was so worried about having one of Welf's tools simply turn to dust when I brought it down, it was a timid little tap that hardly marked the metal under it. This of course, made him click his tongue at me, and tell me to try again. After that, it wasn't so bad. I had to remind myself I was using a tool, for its intended purpose, and by the wording of my curse, that was the only 'object inflicted violence' it would allow.

I had basically only actually made one thing myself, a simple iron bracelet. But I had polished it, using my super strength and salamander wool, to give it an almost silver shine. The rest of the time was spent drawing something else. Eventually, Bell returned, looking a little frayed at the edges, but smiling, to make sure I didn't stay up too late.

"I'm gonna stay in tomorrow, get us all outfitted again." Welf said, "Hold still sister, you too Bell."

Bell had an embarrassed 'I'm not looking' face, as Welf took my measurements, then his. He was perfectly professional about it, so I didn't mind where his hands went. He even asked me to hold my tail so he didn't have to touch it. Bell got the same treatment, the smith using a bit of knotted rope and writing down dimensions.

On our way back, I held my tail again, looking at it, and realizing that it really was longer than the last time I actually thought to measure it. "Maybe Haruhime would know about that?" I mumbled, making Bell look at me, but he didn't pry.

Again, it was a cold sleep for me. Without Hestia present, the bed just seemed... uncomfortable. Even Bell had trouble sleeping, constantly rolling over and flopping around on the couch. As a result, we both woke up too early, and were only able to train halfheartedly, though we managed to hit our usual pace just before it was time to go meet with the other Familia.

We went to the fountain, to find Takemikazuchi Familia all set to face the day, and simply brought them back to our home so we could train in above in the mostly open space. Thinking ahead, our students had brought some extra wooden weapons with them, just in case.

What followed was a a sort of tournament, where we would all pair up, fight until eliminated, and repeat until some one managed to beat everyone. We also didn't take a break between rounds. Once a clean hit was made, the next person would charge in. Bell's insane speed didn't stop him from getting tired against more experienced opponents like Mikoto or Ouka, and my near tirelessness, and our agreement to not use magic kept me from doing a full set as well.

The second point of this exercise was the difference in style. Close in punches, daggers, sword, spear, and even a bow. It was here that Takemikazuchi Familia out did Bell and I, as we only really ever sparred with each other.

All in all, we had a good time, trying to prevent our next trip to the dungeon being a bad one. Lilly eventually found us a little after lunch, saying she was bored, and I promised to go shopping with her. Not one to break promises, I told Bell to make sure no one burnt the place down, and went with her.

"Miss Kodori is strange." Lilly declared as we left the clothing store for men that I frequented for my socks and underwear.

"And why is that?" I asked, putting my newly purchased things into my backpack. "I don't like panties, and I've had to do enough walking around naked in this city already." With a sigh, and her curious look, I told her the story of how I arrived. "So yes... No need to be breezy either."

"Still strange." She replied.

"No stranger than some one who can change shape?" I mused, "Lilly must really like her ears being petted." Unable to resist, I gently played with her ears, making her pout, but she didn't move away, "Lilly might know something about this. I have a problem. A social one."

She looked up at me with one curious eye, so I told her about my letter from the Goddess Ishtar. By the end of the story, she had crossed her arms over her chest and 'hm'ed thoughtfully. "Lilly can think of a few reasons why Miss Kodori was asked for a meeting."

"Miss Kodori can too." I sighed, "But, what should I actually do about it?"

Of all the people I knew, Lilly was the most familiar with the darker side of the city. If I wanted a worst case answer, she would be the most likely to give it. "She might try to take you into her Familia." For once, her childish mannerisms were gone. "Lilly has heard things about her. Her Familia is the largest in the city, but not the most powerful. Lilly knows she hates Freya Familia, for being the most powerful, and a Goddess of love as well."

"Urg. But, warning aside, what can I do? Or rather, should I do?" I sighed, "I hate... pol... polite? Pol..."

"Politics." Lilly supplied with a smile, my tail curling around her arm in thanks.

"Yes, that." I didn't want to simply reject the offer of a meeting, not if I wanted to visit the only other Renard in the city. But I also didn't want to trust some one who was sounding like a sore loser who was hungry for power she couldn't get fairly. "So, why is the Freya Familia so powerful?"

"Ottar." Lilly replied instantly, "The only level seven in the world, as far as Lilly knows."

That brought me to a halt, as my logical mind cleared its metaphorical throat and gave me some math to think of. If the limit was 1000 per level, without magic like mine, this Ottar fellow could have upwards of 7000 in any of the basic stats. As only level two with a strength and endurance of roughly 1500, I was already strong enough and tough enough, to use my hand as a hammer at Welf's shop. It still hurt, but I was able to do it.

"Miss Kodori is breathing too hard, is Miss Kodori okay?" Lilly asked, patting my back and bringing me back from that dreadful mental loop.

"Sorry. Thinking too hard." I found myself suddenly shivering, "I kind of want to meet this Ottar." I wanted to test myself somehow against the best. Even if it was only to find out how far I was from him.

"Miss Kodori is strange."

"So, about Ishtar?" I brought us back on topic.

"Lilly thinks you should at least send a letter. Two of them." She replied, "One to Ishtar, maybe say you are busy, with our Familia growing. And one to the other Renard, in case you have tomorrow off." She smiled wickedly, making me blush.

"Lilly is teasing me." I said, pretending to pout.

"Miss Kodori is easy to read some times." She replied, "Oh, let's go here!" She suddenly tugged my sleeve to drag me to a food cart that smelled delicious.

I returned home with Lilly just after sundown. Everyone was still there, though looking thoroughly worn out and enjoying a small campfire dinner. Bell was laughing with the rest of them as some one finished a story or a joke, it was hard to tell as we approached. But it felt good, seeing people so young actually act young.

I understood this world was different. Bell wasn't even 15 yet, but he was very capable, smart, tough, and had risked his life many times, and saved many more. The rest of them, of Takemikazuchi Familia, were all level two, meaning they too had risked much, fought hard, and been acknowledged by the Gods. Lilly and I had stopped just out of the reach of the campfire's light, her little hand tugging my sleeve, and my tail wrapping around her arm reflexively.

"Miss Kodori is thinking again." She said quietly.

"Life, back home." I replied. "It was simple. But too simple. Kids went to school, learned skills to be adults, while adults worked at jobs they learned to do while they were kids." I sighed, depressed suddenly, legs folding up under me and making me just sit down, "The leaders placed rules that kept people working, but never advancing. To get ahead you either cheated and were lucky, or used the rules against others."

Lilly put a hand on my head while I talked, "Here is different. Here, you can do well. Learn to fight, learn to craft, learn to trade. The rules help those who help themselves, instead of the other way around. You have some control over your own fate."

"Miss Kodori, is crying?" Lilly asked, petting one of my ears, my body leaning into hers before I realized it.

"I guess I am." I sniffled a little too. "Who ever it was who took me from my old home, I owe them, for letting me be a part of this." I waved a hand at Bell and the others, the motion catching Mikoto's attention, making her tug Bell's sleeve. "A flick to the forehead for bringing me here naked, and leaving me someplace on Daedalus street, but a thank you, too." I reached up and put a hand on Lilly's shoulder to balance myself as I stood. "They gave me something to aspire to, and protect." Bell waved to me as Lilly and I stepped into the light, "Friends, a family, and way to keep them close."

"What were you doing over there, Miss Kodori?" Bell asked, shifting over a little to make room for me to sit down, Ouka handing Lilly and I a bowl and motioning to the pot on the fire.

"Reminding myself why I care so much." I said with a smile, "Is this rice?"

It was indeed rice. And it was sitting happily in my belly as I walked towards the red light district a little later. Wearing my all concealing cloak, I retraced my footsteps back to the same place I'd met the other Renard.

This late in the evening, the atmosphere was much different. There was more noise, for one. Not just the noise a pair might make while having some private, or not so private, fun, but more chatting, drinking, singing. It was like dozens of very small parties were happening at once. I supposed that was why this place was called, the 'entertainment' district, on any official map of the city. I was the focus of a little more attention than last time too. More of the Amazons were out looking for trouble, or fun, making a rather effective police force, until being chosen by a customer. Lilly had told me a little more of the Ishtar Familia, while I wrote a pair of letters after eating dinner with the others. The average level of the Familia was roughly three. Impressive considering they were in the top five in the city for member count. They had an ace, at level five, though she didn't have any information on who it was. They even had an elite squad, called the Berbera.

By the time I had arrived at the house I'd last met Haruhime at, I'd been propositioned four times, groped twice, and pinched three times. I'd managed, just barely, not to hurt anyone, but I did make eye contact with a few passing members of Ishtar Familia, motioning to the offending drunk. A pinched butt was a small price to pay when you got to see some one else get the Chloe Javelin.

When I entered, I was greeted by the Madam, who smiled as she recognized my shape under the cloak, and took my hand, saying I was expected.

"Expected? Really?" I mumbled, being led past the counter marked 'pay here' and the rather short line up of available girls. Haruhime I noticed was not in the line.

"Yes. All the houses were given word about you by Lady Ishtar herself." She replied with a smile that made my ears get hot. "That if you did arrive, anywhere, that we were to treat you with utmost care."

I blinked, wondering what I'd done to deserve such treatment, "Well, in that case." I reached into my cloak and retrieved the two letters. One of them was in the not quite as pristine as it used to be white envelope. Hestia had only removed the wax seal, leaving it reusable, if slightly fingerprinted by handling. "This is for Lady Ishtar." Lilly had advised me to write a simple, politely worded, 'not now, but some time soon' proposal for a meeting. Soon meaning possibly never, but it wasn't a total refusal.

The second letter was neatly folded into a paper crane. It took a couple of tries to remember the simple origami, but after, I wrote the letter and folded it up into one. "This is for Lady Haruhime." I placed the crane in the Madam's palm.

She looked at the paper crane with fascination, probably noticing a little of the ink that had bled through the paper as well. "It's so cute." She said finally with a smile, tucking the letter away, and carefully holding the crane flat on her palm. "I will see that these get to them. Was there anything else?"

Her eyes made 'anything else' look like 'really, ANYTHING, else?' And my ears felt like they had caught fire. "No, not tonight." I mumbled, but then I remembered something. "Do you know where I can get a brush for fur?" My tail twitched under my cloak. Who better to ask than a woman who made sure everyone under her care was well groomed?

By the time I returned, only Bell was left. He was blushing too hard to ask any questions about my trip into the red light district. After putting my cloak away, I motioned him to come back outside with me.

After training with the others, it seemed kind of pointless to have yet another sparring session with each other, but we did anyhow. We had both learned new tricks from the others, and were eager to try them out. Bell wasn't even using his daggers this time, instead picking up one of the mock spears that were left behind for tomorrow's sparring. I tried a few of the more acrobatic moves the quiet one Asuka had done, trying to get more use out of my new mobility to get around Bell's much longer reach.

We were both sweating and panting for breath afterwards, both of us reluctant to go back into a home without our Goddess.

"Bell?" I said after finally catching my breath, the boy and I were sitting back to back, leaning on each other. "We really miss her, don't we." He didn't reply, but I could feel him nodding, "Use the bed tonight." I said, wondering how he'd react. "It's cold without Lady Hestia."

To his credit, even though his back stiffened and I could almost imagine his face catching fire, he said, "It really is. Thank you, Miss Kodori."

Of course he didn't try anything. Bell being so skittish around anything even resembling a girl made it pretty much impossible for him to even consider something like that. I did however, wake up with him hugging my tail. I considered it the price of a good sleep, and went about my morning as normal.

Well, normal, save that we had Takemikazuchi Familia as spectators for our morning spar. They saw first hand what Bell had meant when he said the no magic rule was unfair to me. My reply to that was that I was using my magic too much, relying on it all the time would end up as a crutch later, if I were to be close to mind down or unable to use it for some reason.

Our training followed up on yesterday, becoming a two on one, three on one, then two on two and three on three. My goal was to make them capable of handling, and realize they were handling, a losing fight. I understood part of the 'samurai code' they were following, but I wanted to give them other options than 'stand and die, or run away as fast as you could.'

Lunchtime brought Lilly with a new set of snacks from some other corner of the city, as well as Welf, who brought a small collection of things in a big leather bag. One of them was the crossbow, though it had no lath, or bow part attached, Welf had brought three of those with him too. It felt a little like Christmas or something. A jolly man with a big bag of goodies was handing things out, after all.

He actually gave Asuka, the quiet fist fighter my old gauntlets, hammered down a little smaller for her hands. Their supporter got a resurfaced shield, since it was partially melted defending Bell and I. Welf had re-heated and hammered it back into shape, making sure it wasn't brittle anywhere. Ouka got a new spearhead, and Mikoto a replacement shoulder guard, to replace one she had lost on the eighteenth floor. Everyone was surprised and properly thankful for Welf and his generosity, toasting him with mugs of water or juice.

To Bell, Lilly and I, he gave me a new pair of gauntlets and arm guards. Lined with salamander wool, and made of adamant, they were heavier, but felt really good on my hands. They were also free of anything that could even be considered sharp. No spikes, no rough edges, nothing. And aside from the weight, they felt like a second skin. The palms were even made of orc hide, something we had an awful lot of after our fighting on the tenth floor.

Bell got a replacement for the chest plate I had destroyed after pulling it off of him. It must have hit something hard enough to potentially harm it, setting off my curse. The new one used adamant as well, and fit him much better than the last one.

And Lilly... Got her new mini crossbow. While we marvelled at our gifts, Welf was working with Lilly to see what sort of lath she could use and still pull back in a timely manner. Like any adventurer she was stronger than she looked, and managed to use the middle of the three Welf had brought. Holding three bolts in her mouth, she ratcheted the handle down the stock, drawing back the string and placed a bolt. Taking aim, she fired at a bit of firewood we had set up for her. Within four seconds of her firing, and hitting the little log, she had put a second bolt into it, and again after another four seconds. Welf took the little bow away from her, examined it for any wear, and handed it back, declaring it a success.

Hestia and Takemikazuchi returned just before dinner, looking a little worn out, but smiling as they walked formally, arm in arm. Respectfully, we had stopped our sparring as soon as we caught sight of them, and lined up, including Welf, for what reminded me of a military inspection.

They were both happy to see us, happier that we were getting along, and acting positively tickled pink about us being happy to be working together, and getting along. It was kind of odd, but Bell and Lilly looked at me, and I nodded. Something had happened at this 'Gods meeting', and it was setting the two divinities on edge. They didn't say anything while we were all together, but I was sure everyone could tell.

After Takemikazuchi had left, his Familia following beside him, Hestia led the four of us, Welf invited because of his service as our Familia's smith, and she practically collapsed, pretty dress and all, at the dinner table. "Blehhhhhrrrrrrrrggggg." Was the closest I could get to a translation of the noise she made.

"I take it things didn't go well?" I asked, Bell and I patting our deflated Goddess on the back.

"It was the usual, mostly. Gods and Goddesses talking back and forth about nothing important. Not really anyway." Another sigh, her back straightening, "You," She pointed at Bell, "Have been named, Little Rookie." Lilly and Welf clapped quietly, "It was the best I could do to prevent some of the other ones. Baby Rabbit, Tomato Top, Stuttering Idiot..." I cringed at the last one, while Bell's eyes hardened at the second.

Then she pointed to me, "They actually couldn't decide what to call you. Not officially. Loki tried 'Busty Fox', but Ishtar actually stopped that one from catching on, saying her Renard was bigger."

"She is." I said scratching an ear, looking to the ceiling to avoid the eyes of the others.

"Ahem." Hestia coughed, my eyes dropping back down to look at her, "Some one mentioned 'Crazy Kit', when it was mentioned what you have been doing with Bell lately. Lucky Fox was another, for living through it, and the last one... Demon Fox. Since over a dozen different Familia were there when..."

"I went insane and nearly beat some one to death on the eighteenth floor." I sighed. "Turning into some sort of black monstrosity that looked like a fox."

Hestia patted my hand, reminding me that She at least forgave me even if I hadn't forgiven myself, "So, expect all of them." She waved a finger at me, continuing, "What was thankfully not settled on, were things like 'Naked Fox, Bald Kitty, and a few others like that. Surprisingly, you have a few supporters among the Gods. Hephaestus wanted to name you 'Dragon Kit', for something you helped her with, Soma looked like he wanted to say something, for the first time EVER, and Ishtar knocking down an idea was rather surprising."

The other three also gave me a little round of applause. Well, it could have been worse I suppose.

"Why is that, anyhow?" Hestia asked, "Ishtar speaking for you."

"Well..." I told her about the letter, and my reply.

"You aren't going to go, right?" Hestia gave me one of her glares.

"I really don't want to, but I also don't want a mob of angry Amazons chasing me around either." This made Hestia sigh again, "Something else?"

"Yes. Stupid Apollo..." She pointed to Bell and I, "He wants to steal you from me. And me from you!"

"Huh?" We replied.

So she explained a few things about the 'before she descended' time of her life. Apollo had always lusted after things he thought beautiful. People, art, objects, music, he would relentlessly pursue them until he was able to claim it as his own. Art was bought or 'brought' to him, music scores were carefully archived, and people were persuaded that he was the best for them, and whisked away. He considered both Bell and I desirable, and had been trying to marry Hestia since before they had come to the surface.

In her rare, but solid wisdom, Hestia knew exactly what he wanted, and flatly refused him. Repeatedly. Laws being what they were in the God's realm, he couldn't simply carry her off, and that was oddly, not his way. She had to say yes, and he would do anything to make her do it.

"Including, a war game." She concluded. "He proposed that our two Familia fight, and that if he wins, I marry him, dissolve our Familia, and you two join his."

I reached out for Lilly, and tugged her into a hug, not really realizing I was doing it until her arm hugged me around my hip. "You refused of course." I said, Lilly too.

"OF COURSE I DID!" Hestia yelled, for the first second time since I'd known her. "I would never agree to something so blatantly in his favour. He didn't even mention what would happen if he lost. He knows he'd win in a war game. We are only three people against dozens."

We four mortals in the room sighed thankfully. Proud was our Goddess Hestia. Stupid, our Goddess was not.

We had dinner, Welf getting a thank you pat on the head from Hestia, for bringing us such nice gifts. He took the praise with a serious grain of salt. That is to say, he was sincerely thankful, but didn't bother hiding his amusement at being given a pat on the head. He did mention that he needed a couple more days at least to finish some other projects, and would keep us informed.

Hestia took my news of meeting Haruhime with a begrudging acceptance, telling me quite firmly to be home in time to get proper sleep.

"There is something else too." Hestia mentioned, looking at us three, her Familia, "Apollo is hosting a Gala in two days. He wants me to bring the both of you," She pointed to Bell and I. "He's invited quite a few others, mostly to show off how well his Familia is doing, but also for others to show off as well. He's an idiot, but generous."

"Another opportunity to wear that gown." I said, nudging Bell while Lilly hid a laugh at his subsequent blush. "I'll have to get something to wear, Bell too." We both looked at each other, then ourselves, sighing. "Lilly can help. She has a good sense for this sort of thing." I said.

"Fine, just... Don't spend too much." Hestia went into full pout mode again, "That fine from the guild really hurt."

I followed Lilly out as she left, waving at Bell to stay behind before I followed her up the steps. "Hey Lilly..." She turned to look at me, though didn't say anything. Unsure on how to start, she was about to turn away before I finally figured it out. "I want you to practise." I said finally.

"Practise? With what? Lilly has nothing to practise, with Miss Kodori and Master Bell." Her voice was a little bitter, and I could guess why. As a supporter, she saw little combat, and even though she had been part of Soma Familia since birth, she was still level one, and a weak level one at that. Stat wise at least. I had heard Hestia say so, last time she had her status updated, my ears unintentionally eavesdropping.

"That crossbow Welf made. I want you to learn how to use it. I want you to fire it a thousand times tomorrow. And the day after. Every day until it breaks. I know you're good with it. I've seen you hit a goblin across a room filled with fighting people. But I want you to be even better." I grinned, "It's something only you can do, out of the four of us. So I want you to be the best at it."

"Lilly understands." I gave her a pat on the head, and she sighed a little unhappily.

"I never want you to feel left out." I knelt down, giving her a tap on the shoulder, "But if you think I am wise, then that is my advice. Now be safe on the way home. See you tomorrow."

Aside from noticing that, without a doubt, my tail was longer, the next morning was as it should have been. I had plans for the evening, so the both of us spent the morning and afternoon with Lilly, who helped us find something appropriate to wear for the gala tomorrow, and even something else for me to wear tonight. I told her it wasn't necessary, but the little Pallum insisted I look good, even if I insisted it wasn't a date. I think she just wanted to brush my tail, now that it had grown to almost my ankles. I really had to ask Haruhime about that, it would probably hurt an awful lot if it got in the way of combat.

It did however feel very nice to have it brushed properly.

Upon our return, and a brief trip to the bathroom to change, Lilly showed off what she had made Bell and I buy for formal wear. I had to admit, Bell looked really sharp in a tuxedo. I also had to admit, it was really odd that they even existed. But my logical mind had almost stopped trying to figure things like that out a couple weeks ago.

I was dressed in a sort of kimono like usual. Except this was actually fitted properly, longer, and had all sorts of fox themed motifs over it. Lilly told me not to worry about the price, but I couldn't help myself. I could have sworn there was gold thread in this thing. It even had a spot for my tail to fit through, and, at my flat refusal to wear it at all, the sleeves let me wear my gauntlets, and the bottom wasn't a solid piece, instead it was several layers that left my legs free in case I wanted to do something like, walk properly.

She had also chosen something much less formal, and only knee length, for my 'date'. No motif, no fancy layers, just a combat model kimono. It even matched the colour of my gauntlets and armor.

It also had, though Lilly told me this while we were out of hearing of the others, a special knot in case I wanted it off in a hurry.

As I hoped, the letter I'd given in the form of a paper crane, making the letter itself like a 'little wish', Haruhime showed up at the fountain. Right on time too. She was of course escorted, but by a familiar looking Amazon.

"You know." I started, before either of them could greet me. "I've met you three times, yet never got your name." I said to the perfectly bronzed woman, who was wearing something that actually tried to hide her various charms, if only just.

"You know, you're right. Aisha Belka." She said, smiling, "Just in case you weren't sure, I'm her escort, both of you actually."

"Ma'am Aisha, a pleasure to finally know your name." I gave her a fighting salute, a bow with fist and palm together in front of me. I then turned to Haruhime, who while absolutely adorable, with her blond fox ears and hair, and vivid red kimono, was almost invisible next to Aisha's far more forward style. "You honour me with your presence, Haruhime-chan. You look radiant tonight." Sort of like a very shy sun, but I didn't say that part. "Would you do me the honour of joining me for dinner?"

Aisha was trying very hard not to giggle at my overly formal address, but it had the desired effect on Haruhime. Her shy face lit up into a smile, and she took my offered hand. "I would be happy to, Kodori-san. Where did you have planned?"

"Well," I toned the formal speach back a little, "A good friend of mine has recently reached level two. Being my Familia's contracted smith, we have arranged a little surprise for him. I was wondering if you would like to come along?"

It was something Bell had suggested, and Lilly had arranged. Bell had gone to collect the smith, and Lilly was supposed to have gone ahead to the tavern to arrange space. My attendance was optional, but welcome, even if I brought along an unfamiliar extra, or two in this case.

While Haruhime took a moment to think about it, I raised my eyes a little to look at Aisha, who looked back at me and shrugged, telling me she was indifferent to the idea. She was however, smiling slightly.

"Yes, I would like to meet Kodori's friends." Haruhime said finally.

Author's notes.

If you were wondering about the crane. It is said that if you folded 1000 paper cranes, and made a wish, it would come true. So a single crane would be a little wish, a hope if you will.

Also, NOW! We step out of 'as seen on TV' and into the realm of books. This both limits and frees me from certain things. What is coming has less reference material out on the net. But, that being said, I can fill in a few more things with my own stuff.

As always, thank you for reading, and please, return for more.