(ahem) I love all my reviews. Really. Getting a review, no matter how negative you might think it is, is awesome for me. But, please, if you DO leave a review, sign up to the site so I can reply. (You know who you are. :) And I'd love to chat.)

Chapter 28

It might have been any number of things, but as I stood with my hand on the gate of the Hestia/Takemikazuchi home, it felt... Colder. Like a little bit of the colour was missing from the very air itself.

Until I was spotted by one of the younger orphans who was playing in the yard. He stopped, gasped, dropped the ball he was playing with, and dashed inside. Hardly even opening the great double door enough to get through, my ears picked up his excited shouts to the people inside.

As if it were any other day, I opened the gate and stepped inside, closing it behind me. I then took the little bunny, who gave me a red eyed 'I was sleeping' look, and put it on my shoulder. "No longer safe for you that low I think." I mumbled to it as it balanced itself on its new perch.

I managed to get about half way across the lawn when the first head appeared. Bell, eyes dark with lack of sleep, shoulders loose and listless pulled the door the rest of the way open and looked at me. I waved rather lamely, and he blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't some sort of dream.

And I was suddenly being hugged. I put one arm around him and ruffled his hair with the other hand, sighing.

One by one they came out of the building, Lilly, Mikoto, Welf, the fighters of Takemikazuchi Familia, the rest of the orphans, and finally, Haruhime who was leading a thoroughly worn out Hestia. The lot of us were already somewhat teary eyed, laughing, crying, cheering, but when I saw the two of them stumbling out from inside, I let go of who ever I was hugging, and waved to them.

And as they smiled, I felt that little bit of colour return to the air around me.

It wasn't until we had mobbed our way inside that some one asked me why I had a needle rabbit on my head.

After I ate most of the leftovers from dinner, sharing it with my new friend, I told my story to the others. They were eager to hear it, but after hearing my stomach protest, they simply sat down around the table, introduced themselves to the rabbit, and waited for me to make a total glutton of myself.

After that, they all fell into a silence. Most of them had seen what was left, but like the dwarf from the inn, none of them wanted to tell me.

"We're just so happy you're back! We were all so worried..." Bell said, trailing off, "But it was only because Lady Hestia knew you were still alive that we had hope.

I looked to our Goddess, who was leaning, pale faced and dark eyed against Haruhime still. "Because of our bond, I always know." She mumbled. Her burst of energy from before was gone, and she was hanging on by willpower. I suspected she only slept or ate when someone broke down and forced her to.

That task was probably done by Takemikazuchi, who as usual, sat smiling his calm smile, sipping his tea and keeping an eye on the rabbit, who was curled up next to the still steaming teapot.

"And you brought a monster home?" Lilly asked, "It looks like Master Bell."

We shared a quiet chuckle as Lilly brushed a finger over its head, making it open a red eye at her. "Yes, it followed me back to Rivira. Seemed harmless enough, and I was hoping to bribe Lady Hestia with it." I admitted, looking over to Hestia, who smiled.

A wicked, evil smile. Muted by how tired she was. "Bribe me?" Even with her exhaustion, most of the rest of us shifted away from her and that evil laugh. "You are so very grounded miss."

"Yes ma'am." I mumbled.

After dispersing, I found my way to the bath. Even after a week apparently laying down on the eighteenth floor, I wasn't really that dirty. My feet the exception, from having walked barefoot from there to here. But the hot shower and almost scalding soak afterwards felt just... amazing. Ever since I started going to the dungeon, the meal and shower afterwards was the true indication I'd come home.

When I got back to my room, my skin practically still steaming as I walked, I was surprised to find, or rather, not find, most of my bed.

Sure, the mattress was still there, but the sheets, pillow, comforter, a small stuffed animal I'd gotten, and Lilly's pillow. All gone.

Scratching my head, I was about to open my door back up when I heard a timid little knock. Opening it, I saw Hestia, Mikoto, Lilly and Haruhime all standing there. Silently, Mikoto handed me the stuffed animal, a cuddly version of a hard armoured. Just as silently, she turned and left.

Next was Lilly, who returned my pillow. I had recovered enough of my wits to give her a pat on the head before she could turn away, and she made a happy noise in return, before also leaving.

Then Hestia and Haruhime not so much pushed, but sort of crowded closer to me until I had to back up. The two of them were hugging my blankets and comforter, folded tightly against their chests.

As tired as the two of them were, I couldn't sleep.

Hestia, as soon as she lay down and grabbed my tail, was asleep before I could even say good night. By the time Haruhime had found the exact spot she had been the first time we'd slept together, our Goddess was quietly snoring and nibbling the end of my tail.

With Haruhime cuddling her back into my front, her arms hugging one of mine close, her hands holding mine against one of her breasts, and my other hand resting on her belly...

Coupled with the familiar scent of Lilly on my pillow, a big meal and what might have been a week of sleep... Yeah, no sleepiness here.

Maybe this was part of Hestia's punishment?

"Miss Kodori looks tired." Lilly teased as we ate breakfast.

I gave her my best glare, but sighed as she just smiled back. "Where is Lady Hestia?" Bell asked, "She almost never skips breakfast."

"Cuddling with Haruhime." I said, smiling as Bell blushed, "She was still very tired, and Haruhime seems to not be a morning person." After I had gotten up at the usual time and visited the bathroom, I'd returned to find the two of them sharing the spot I'd just left. The thought of waking either of them up felt like some sort of cosmic injustice, so I let them be.

"Lilly is used to it now." She said proudly, "but only because Master Bell dragged us all into the dungeon looking for you at all hours."

"And you all looked it yesterday." I replied, feeling a nibble on my big toe, and finding the mini-rabbit there. Bringing it up onto the table, I offered it some salad, "Hey Welf? I hope you fixed the straps on my spare guards?"

"You bet. If you help me a bit today, we can get you fitted for new armour and stuff."

"You just want me to pick up a hammer don't you?"

"Busted."

We all shared a laugh, "That reminds me. I'd like all of us to get fitted for some kind of armour." I looked at the Takemikazuchi Familia members specifically, "A new situation meant our rear line nearly got itself killed." I watched as the lot of them, Mikoto included started to look down, "Oh no, none of that." I said firmly. "It is no one's fault. It's only when it happens twice that we get to feel shame."

"The fox is wise." I heard Takemikazuchi say as he entered the room, Hestia and Haruhime in front of him. "You have my gratitude for keeping my Familia from looking down."

"An old habit of mine I had to break when I arrived here." I replied, "I would be so wrapped up in failure, that I stopped trying to succeed." I pet the little rabbit as it nibbled a bit of lettuce, "So, instead, I try again, and make sure what ever stopped me doesn't do it again." I looked at them all, "So we are going to make armour for everyone."

"A'cha... You're killin' me here sister!" Welf said, rubbing the back of his head, "We're going to need more materials if you want me to outfit everyone."

"Lilly?" I looked at our supporter.

"Lilly still has the list!" She said proudly, "Lilly knows where all the merchants you found are!"

"Best supporter." I said proudly, "And if anyone is feeling bored, a trip to level ten for orc leather would be easy."

"You're jacket is a different story though." Welf said sadly, "I worked really hard on that too."

"And from what you told me, It's why I have all my bits still attached." I replied, "And since I have been grounded." I paused as Hestia's eyes peered over her mug of tea at me with a gleam, "I will help with the crafting."

I looked over to a still sleepy Haruhime, who was having a tug of war with the rabbit over a bit of lettuce leaf, "Nooo... I'm hungry... I want it..." She mumbled at it.

"Friend." I said firmly, and the rabbit let the slightly chewed end of the leaf go. I reached over the table, and tore the leaf in half, putting one half in Haruhime's salad bowl, and the other in front of the critter. "Food."

We chuckled as the two of them nibbled on their halves of the leaf. "Wow. Miss Kodori is good at that."

"As with any animal." I said, "You must teach it who is friend, and what is food."

True to form, Bell and the rest had their morning training. Instead of joining them, I followed Takemikazuchi. Without my gauntlets and armour, the rest of them would feel obligated to going soft on me, so instead, I sought a different sort of training.

"You wished to talk?" He asked as I got closer. He was heading towards the area of the building we used for the orphans. He spent much of his time looking after them. Teaching mostly, but also a lot of the other things a child needs. "You seem... Troubled. You might fool the others, but I see something is different."

My ears rotating around to make sure no one else was around, I spoke bluntly, "I killed someone." The blunt statement didn't even make him twitch, "From what I put together, since I have no memory of it myself, that is the only conclusion I can come to."

"You did what you had to. An act worthy of a true warrior." We had stopped walking, and our voices echoed quietly in the still mostly empty halls. "But, that is only part of it, isn't it?"

"Yes. But, that isn't why I want to talk you." His praise of my 'noble' act felt sort of... odd. He didn't blame me, but it felt like he should have. "I would like a lesson, if you know it, and are willing to teach this unworthy one."

"I would be happy to teach you. I've taught all my Familia the basis of all of their arts. But, while I may be a god of war, I still have only a mortal's strength." He sounded a little down about that, "But, you said, if I know it?"

"I don't know the name as you might, but it was called 'trapping', where I'm from. Or maybe 'sticky palm'." The art of simple rotations of the elbows and wrists to push aside, deflect and 'trap' an opponent's hands in extreme close combat. There were other names for more modern forms, like QCQ, and the like.

"Ah, yes, it would make sense for you to want to learn that. We can entertain the young ones while we dance." He turned and continued his walk.

"Whoa, sister, you look..." Welf almost dropped his hammer as I walked into the workshop. Both of my arms hung limply from my shoulders, making me look like a gorilla as I stumbled in.

"Lesson with Lord Takemikazuchi." I mumbled, trying to roll my shoulders and failing, "Strength means nothing against perfect form." He had indeed given me a lesson, both in sticky hands and humility. "But, once my shoulders want to move again, I can get to work."

"Yeah... Hey. You really okay?" He asked, putting what ever he was hammering back into the fire and stoking it twice, "I mean, you look okay, but..."

"I should be. I've got good friends to make sure, after all." I smiled, finally getting some motion in my shoulders. I gathered up some leather from one of our many material bins and sat at a work table, "I'm really glad you guys made it out. And didn't do anything stupid while you looked for me."

"Yeah... Haha..." He trailed off, then asked, "So, you want me to make another coat like last time?"

"I could probably go kill another drake if you wanted..." I replied, earning another nervous laugh.

"Miss Miss!" I was just able to stop myself from putting my chisel through the bit of metal I was etching when an excited orphan burst into the shop. "Some one is here for you!" Looking at Welf, who shrugged and went back to hammering, I carefully put my little mallet and chisel down then stood and followed the boy.

Adjusting my shirt so it wasn't clinging so much from the heat of the workshop, I followed until we got to the front gate. Giving the boy a pat on the head, I found myself looking outside at a very familiar man from the Ganesha Familia.

"You must be here about my new friend." I said, unlatching the gate, "Ganesha Familia really does get around, don't they?"

Smiling, he nodded, "You look well." He greeted, "And yes we do, and yes I am." He chuckled, "I just need a little information, and we can have your new friend able to leave your home."

As we walked inside I asked, "So, I've been curious. I know Ganesha Familia deals with monsters from the dungeon, but, why is the Guild so strict about monsters as pets?"

"You are new, I remember." He said with a nervous chuckle, "Even with the skill of Taming, most monsters need to be beaten into submission to even be social with people."

As we got to the kitchen, I found Hestia sitting at the table reading a book. Holding the book in one hand, she was using the other to lightly stroke the tiny needle rabbit's side. "I think we can skip that part." I said to him, making him laugh.

"Ha. Yes, you're right." He stood before Hestia and bowed, "Good afternoon, My Lady. I am here on behalf of the Ganesha Familia to register and tag your pet."

Putting her book down, she stood, and put a hand on the top of his head, just like she'd done with Bell and I. She broke the imperious act, by giggling, "Relax! Thank you for coming."

He straightened up and smiled, "Thank you. Now... Hm... I've never seen one so small..." He reached into his sash and pulled out a little metal tag. While little, if he wanted to attach it to the needle rabbit, it would be like putting a dog tag on a mouse. "Okay, this might need some more thought."

The rabbit, curious, hopped over to the man, then tried to nibble the tag."

"Friend." I said. And it stopped. "Good."

"Oh, clever." He said with a laugh, lightly patting its head. "Hm. I will have to come back with something smaller... If we even have a smaller tag..."

"That just has to be attached to it someplace?" Hestia asked, picking up the critter and playing with its ears.

"Yes. Some of the larger beasts have it put under the skin so they cannot claw or bite the collar off."

"I'll make something for it then. I'm grounded still..." Hestia gave me the 'glare', "So I've got time."

"Very well." He reached into his sash again, pulling out a second tag, "This one will help you find the other. In case of it getting lost or escaping. Again, I think you'll have no trouble there, but rules are rules."

The second tag was a little bigger than the first, with an almost compass like etching on the top. This, he touched to the other tag, and the two bits of metal glowed for a moment before settling down. He then handed me the two and said, "Don't lose this, as we cannot replace it. When you hold it, you will feel a little pull towards the smaller tag."

"Sounds simple enough." As I held them, one in each hand, I could almost feel the larger trying to move to the smaller, like a very weak magnet.

With one last pat on the critter's head, and a bow to Hestia, "Then I will be going. Be sure to feed it more vegetables than fruit, and you should have no trouble." And with that, he left.

"Pleasant fellow." I said, "I should buy him a drink or something sometime."

"Oh?" This was given to me with a raised eyebrow from Hestia, "Why's that?"

"He gave me his sash from that time at the monster festival. And the magic stone from the Hard Armoured I killed." I grinned back at her, "And while yes, he's handsome, I'd much rather someone a little... softer." I made sure to get a little closer as I dragged out the last word, leaning in until I was maybe a hand span away from Hestia's face.

She started to blush as I reached out my hands, then eep'ed as picked up the critter from her arms, "Now now, what did you think I was going to do? Remember? You have to ask me first." I did however give the top of her head a kiss, "I'll be in the workshop... Oh, I think I broke her."

At dinner, we convened around the table as usual. This time however, our new needle rabbit was wearing what looked like a tiny chest plate. Welf had thought up a sort of harness idea for it, and we put it together from our softest bits of leather. Our little friend didn't seem too thrilled with it at first, but after an hour or so of little adjustments and then another hour for it to get used to wearing it, it seemed to just ignore it now.

"Yay! Lilly will be able to find you anywhere now." She said, offering the critter a leaf, "Just in case Lilly wants to pet a rabbit, and Master Bell isn't around."

At least three people coughed at that one, though I didn't see the other two were.

"Have we thought of a name?" Bell asked, trying to cover his blush, "I mean, if it's a pet, we have to name it, right?"

The entire table collectively fell silent, spoons making trips from bowl to mouth.

"Chime." I said, looking at the rabbit, then to Bell's rabbit like face.

"Ohh! A smaller Bell." Haruhime said, clapping her hands once, "Right Mikoto-san?"

"Yes, a good name." She agreed.

Bell gave us one of his nervous laughs, but smiled, "Am I really that much like a rabbit?"

Hestia was absent from my room that night, leaving me alone with Haruhime, who was already sitting on my bed, brush in hand. My tail was happily lashing back and forth as I stepped behind my dressing screen and tossed my clothing into the laundry basket.

"Kodori-dono looks happy." She commented as I sat down, naked with my back turned to her.

"You are here, with a brush. That makes my tail happy." I said as she started brushing my tail, the soft wires just teasing the skin underneath making my spine tingle. "And you are here. That makes the rest of me happy."

She giggled quietly and continued her grooming.

We made small talk, chatting about nothing in particular. It couldn't distract me from what I was feeling, and by the time she was done, the tingle was starting to become unbearable. But, as she fell against my back and reached under my arm with a hand, she held up the brush in front of me.

Taking a deep breath to calm myself, I accepted the brush and we traded roles. With much less tale than me, it didn't take as long, but, I made sure not to rush. I also noticed, as I enjoyed the soft feeling of her fur, that the knot on her sash wasn't on her back. As our conversation died off, I put the brush down and got a little closer, my arms reaching around her and holding her close, one hand finding and closing around the deceptively delicate knot.

Having learned from Aisha, but unable to use my hands, I nibbled one of her ears just hard enough to make her gasp, and gave a tiny pull on the knot, waiting for her reply.

After, as we lay together, both our bodies damp with sweat, our breathing just this side of ragged, I pushed her away slightly. The sudden chill of cool air between us made us both sigh happily, before I pulled her in close again.

As I'd done any number of times in my previous life, I trailed my hand up along her side, and made to caress the side of her face. Loving the feel of her skin under my palm, I brought my face closer and kissed her. Not nearly with the same passion as a little earlier, it was still a long slow and very personal act.

As I drew away, the two of us breathless again, I noticed, as I looked into her eyes. My hand, with its thumb under, and my index finger over one of her eyes, still cradling her face, was... blue?

It felt like my heart had stopped. Blue, and terrified, that eye looked back at me, unblinking, accusing.

Haruhime shook me gently, and the feeling vanished. "Sorry..." I mumbled, letting her face go and drawing her close. "Just... thank you..."

"I am happy you are satisfied with me." She mumbled into my chest, "Eep..." She squeaked as I nipped the tip of her closest ear.

"None of that." I closed my eyes, seeing Haruhime's green eyes in the darkness behind my eyelids, "I'm happy you are here. So no thinking you are just... Here to satisfy me. Please? Don't do that to yourself?"

I opened my eyes and moved slightly, putting a hand under her chin and looking into her eyes. "You can always say no to me, if you don't want..."

Her reply was only to smile her sun-bright smile, and turn her head back down to cuddle into me properly again.

I was tempted to start my morning by rolling back over and skipping it entirely. Considering what Haruhime and I had done the night before, and how I was still feeling that little edge of happiness on the end of every single nerve in my body...

But instead, I very slowly untangled myself from her, replacing my body with my pillow. Getting dressed for the day, I kept an eye on her as she gravitated to the spot I'd just been, a tiny sliver of green peeking out from between her eyelids as she realized I wasn't there. I returned to her, drawing up the blankets over her naked body and hushing her back to sleep. "Don't miss breakfast." I mumbled to her as she settled down again.

Morning training was again spent with Takemikazuchi. He was all too happy to give me another lesson while we entertained the slowly awakening mob of orphans.

"You've improved much after only a day." He commented as he had to take about two and a half seconds longer to twist my arm behind my back, "You show remarkable focus."

"Something..." I rubbed my shoulder to get the feeling back into it, "To do with falna." I said, "I noticed it almost as soon as Lady Hestia... Ow I give..." Never talk and fight.

He let me go with a quiet laugh, and we both bowed to each other, dropping our guards. "I did notice as well. After I brought Mikoto-chan and the rest into my Familia, they quickly outgrew my basic lessons. It was... Somewhat lonely."

"It isn't just our physical abilities. Mental ones too. I used to be terrible with names. But now, I remember almost all of them, no repeating, no writing them down. It's simply there, in my mind, the next time I see them." I frowned, "But, that is also what bothers me."

"About... Ah, you said you didn't remember."

"Exactly." I held out a hand, just at empty air, "Last night, I saw... It was an eye but it belonged to someone else." I lowered my hand and turned to face him, "It was as if I had brushed on what ever I'd forgotten."

He nodded thoughtfully, "I do not know, but if you have forgotten, maybe it is for the best? I am no expert, but do you children not tend to forget things that are either trivial, or traumatic?"

He was right, but it still bothered me. That single eye looking back at me with such a vivid mix of emotions. "Perhaps it will come back on its own. Again?" I held up my hands and settled my feet back into a stance.

"Again." He replied, doing the same and punching towards my solar plexus.

"There we go." I told Asuka as I wrote down a number, "That should be everything we need for your armour." She gave me a smile and put her arms down, "Hey Welf! I got the numbers."

"Good!" He called back from the other room. I'd been in charge of getting measurements from the women of our two Familia, and he didn't want to be bothered with 'all that shy Eastern mannerism'. "Bring it in when you have a moment, I can't put this down."

Welf and I got along well in the workshop. He knew what he was doing with almost everything, and was an able teacher when it came to any questions I might have had. With my own slightly more modern methods, only half remembered from when I lived with internet, he loved watching and listening to any ideas I'd come up with. I briefly wondered if I could remember enough to make a steam engine, or even a motor, but quickly discarded the idea as something too dangerous. Who knew what would happen if I failed at making a boiler with a piston attached... Or even worse, managed to do it right, and set off the industrial revolution... A few centuries before it would have happened on its own.

Eventually, he left the other room, trying to rub some grit off his hands with a rag. "What ya got there Sister?"

"New armour. Your design was... Amazing. But..." I showed him the draft I'd made of what I hoped might be 'Kodori doesn't get stabbed and die' ver.2.0.

"Oh... And... Right... Why the ... Oh okay..." He chuckled, "Okay, yeah. This is actually pretty good." He said finally. "More parts, but I can actually use some of whats left of your old coat too. Never did find your pants though."

"Dungeon ate them." I said, though I didn't quite think that was true myself.

"Yeah, a shame. But gimme those measurements, and we can get started on some of this armour you want me to make for everyone." He chuckled, "Maybe we can keep what happened last time from happening again."

"That's the plan."

It was close to dinner when I left the shop. It felt somewhat refreshing to not have to go into the dungeon, or rescue someone, or plan for an impending disaster of some kind. Welf had set me to making some leather bits for the armour we were going to outfit everyone in, and my hands smelt like leather and oil. Not a terrible smell, but certainly something I wanted to wash off before I ate.

Looking up into the crimson sky and taking a deep breath, I let out a sigh. "Miss Kodori!" Bell called from the main door, his head peeking out and spotting me, "We have a messenger here from the Guild!"

"Maybe I will have to plan for an impending disaster?" I mumbled to myself, heading inside and kicking off my sandals. "What's so important?" I asked him, following him towards the dining room.

"I'm... Not sure? Apparently there's a war starting up outside." He replied casually.

"W...ar? Really?" His easy mention of it and the seriousness of the implication was confusing me. I spotted the back of my favourite Guild employee as I entered the dining room, my tail starting to lash back and forth happily before I could stop it.

"Ah, you're looking much better." Eina greeted as she spotted us. Hestia, Takemikazuchi, Bell Mikoto, Ouka and I were in the room, all sipping tea at the table. Eina was standing, but also held a stone cup. "I've heard you were grounded."

Holding my tail to stop it from wandering, I nodded, "My Goddess is wrathful." I said earning an over the cup glare from Hestia, and a chuckle from Takemikazuchi.

"Well." she 'ahem'ed, "You might not have heard then, that Rakia, the neighbouring kingdom, has brought an army, and are attempting a siege."

I considered what I knew of the city, with its high walls and many powerful adventurers. "You don't looked concerned at all." I said after a moment.

"This isn't the first time they've tried. Rakia is ruled by Ares, a god of war. And as the only God there, has a sizable Familia." She paused and I nodded, following so far, "However, since there is little for them to do away from the dungeon, it is almost unheard of for anyone to reach level two."

"Ah, that explains why no one seems worried." I commented out loud.

"Initial reports also state there is roughly thirty thousand troops. As before, the city should be in no danger at all, but the Guild is issuing a warning to all Familia that travel outside the city is ill advised, unless you wish to help. In which case, you may report to Freya, Loki, or Ganesha Familia. If you wish to help in the city, Miach is head of the infirmary, and Hephaestus Familia is dealing with resupply."

It seemed really cut and dry. But when I thought about power gap between say, me, when I was level two, and Ais... Unless Rakia brought some sort of insane war machine or had some one like say, Ottar, that many level one soldiers would be nothing but wheat before a scythe.

"So nothing inside the city is affected?" Bell asked, "We can still go to the dungeon?"

"Yes. I'm really just informing the Familia not directly involved an option to get involved, if they wish. It is still early in the siege, but at worst, we might have a slight import shortage." Eina replied, sipping her tea, "Thank you for the tea." She said, putting the cup down.

"Lady Hestia? May I go to the wall? I'd like to look for myself." I asked, "And walk with Eina."

Takemikazuchi gave Hestia a raised eyebrow as she tried very hard to look serious. "Yes you may. But you have to be home in time for dinner. No detours."

"My Goddess is kind." I said with a smile, "Shall we?" I asked Eina, bowing slightly and motioning with my hand.

As we left, she chuckled, "It's funny when you're infuriating to someone else."

"Oh! Sister! Eina too?" Welf was just coming around the front from the shop, "What's going on?"

"Oh. Well, apparently, some place called Rakia is trying to invade, and Eina is telling various Familia how they might help, if they wanted. I was going to the wall to look, just being curious."

His face darkened, "Yeah, I'll come with."

The two of us stood at the top of the wall, looking out over the vast fields surrounding the city. In the fading light of the evening, it was still easy to spot some of signs of battle. Occasionally, a flash of magic, followed by a detonation, would sound out from somewhere. "I almost feel bad for them." I commented, "Neat formations are no match for something like that."

Welf's mood hadn't brightened at all on the way here, and his reply was probably the grumpiest I'd heard from him, except the time I asked him to work for Hestia Familia. "I don't. Idiots." I took a half step away from him at his tone, and he signed, "That's where I'm from. After I found I could make Magic Sword, I almost instantly had people clamouring for me to make them."

"And not wanting to deal with that. You left." I replied, "Good. They don't deserve you."

He drew back in surprise this time, "Whoa, where did that come from?"

"Ha, don't flatter yourself that much." I realized as I said it, that my last line could have been considered more than one way, "I know how you consider your craft. Tools to keep people alive, instead of a means for war. I've seen what Magic Sword can do, and even lived through it directly."

We both shivered at the thought.

"As a craftsman, I'll tell you something. Between us?" I looked at him, waiting for him to nod before continuing, "Out there, I see an army, with basically no way of beating what they are up against. If I were out there, on their side, and had time, and wanted to, I could give them the tools to win." Welf looked at me, at first in disbelief, then slowly his expression changed to one of understanding.

"That... Glider. The metal stamp... You know a lot more, don't you." He asked.

"Yes. The glider is a simple mockery of a bird's wing. I'm sure if some one put their head down long enough, they'd figure it out. The metal stamp, the writing press... Peaceful tools. But..." I sighed, "I know more or less how to make any number of machines for breaking walls, throwing stones over long distances, shooting man sized arrows across half a city, propel iron balls with enough force to shatter stone..."

"But..."

"And you don't even need to be an adventurer. For any of it." I said, "Like the crossbow only needs one tenth of the skill of a bow." I gave him a pat on the shoulder, "So yes. Good on you for keeping Magic Sword to yourself, and people you trust."

"Yeah..." I could tell he was imagining the implications of normal people with adventurer power. "Let's head back. Actually, you head back. I'm gonna go for a drink."

"You sure? It's Mikoto's turn to cook." For all her seriousness and combat ability, she REALLY knew how to do Eastern food.

"Oh... Tough call. But no, I just..." He shrugged, turning away and walking towards the stairs to city level.

"Yeah, no problem." I could tell his trip down memory lane and my words had given him a few too many things to think about.

Nooooootes!

Okay okay, so here is the sort of start to book 8. However, I plan on throwing as many little wrenches around as possible, just with all the little things I've left behind through all the other chapters finally meeting up. :)

Oh, if anyone is wondering about that 'special knot'. When a Geisha (that is, proper high class lady) dresses up, the knot is on the back of her Obi (that wrap that goes around the middle of a kimono) Undoing that knot is basically the start, and end, of getting dressed/undressed. Those traditional kimono are VERY complicated and usually need another person to help put on properly.

Now, the 'other' Geisha, (read, lady of negotiable affection) has it on the front, so a (ahem) customer, or herself, can get her out of/back in to her kimono. I'm probably oversimplifying it, but that is basically it. I think. (Disclaimer, don't assume, as she might just not have had someone to help her that day.. :) )