(edit, years later...)

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Chapter 69

Without hesitation, I bowed to the Goddess before me. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Astraea. How might I help my Sister's Goddess?"

She giggled, a little musical noise, then, "I seem to be lost, among all the hustle of the city. Could I bother you, Miss Kodori, to guide me to my wayward Child?"

"As you wish, though, truth be told, I am headed there already." I fell into step beside Her, and we started walking. "Has the city changed so much, since you left?"

"I'm not sure. From her letter, you know of what happened..." I nodded and she continued, "I did my very best to forget everything. There may have been a little alcohol involved... And magic..."

"Understandable. I won't pretend to know what it was like, but even losing one of Her children, for even a few seconds, made my Goddess very... sad." I sighed, "We have been lucky, and I have been trying my best, as captain, to keep it from happening at all."

"I've been told you take your job very seriously." She smiled, "Ryuu worries so much about you."

"Don't tell her you said that." I smiled, "She might blush. I think she will be very happy to see that you've come out of seclusion."

Again that chiming little giggle, "I've been meaning to ask, but who is that on your shoulder?"

I stopped, collected Chime from her perch, and offered the micro rabbit to the Goddess. "This is Chime. She is a very special monster."

"The letter did mention..."

"Yes." Astraea accepted the critter, who after a little sniffing about her two small hands, not only gave Her a headbutt greeting, but flopped over onto her back. "Wow. She really likes you. But yes, Chime is able to understand us, just like a person, though, unable to speak. She also has excellent table manners, and has never tried to nibble on anyone's socks."

We spent the next few minutes of our walk chatting about some of the Xenos, though we hid the topic by describing Chime. The city had many eyes on me, and ears too. Already I could hear people wondering, talking openly, discussing rumours about me. Was I going to abandon my Familia? Walking with other Goddesses? Visiting I AM GANESHA. A date with The King. It was kind of annoying, really. But, soon enough, we hit the main street, and were within sight of the Hostess of Fertility.

"Wel... You have another one now?" Syr was, as usual, minding the door. It was a little before the lunch rush, so her shift wasn't quite done. My newest tail went to perch on her hand, "Welcome back, Kodori. And you are?"

"Astraea." The Goddess introduced herself, "Hm, human, grey hair, adorable, no falna... You must be Syr." She extended a hand, my tail abandoning its perch so Syr could shake it.

"Pleased to meet you Lady Astraea, please, come in, you are just in time to get a good seat before the lunch time crowd comes."

It surprised me a little, that Syr didn't seem to be... I dunno, more excited? Ryuu's long lost Goddess was back... Unless she didn't know. I suddenly felt incredibly lucky to be so close to the quiet elf. As usual, I was greeted by my foster family, Chloe and Arnya both getting a hug and pat on the head, as well as my new tail saying hello. Mia was her usual self, the big motherly smile in place. Ryuu and Luniore were no where to be seen, though they usually started working in the afternoons. Then there was the Amazon. Anita. Despite being one of my torturers, I felt no animosity towards her, and she seemed to be really fitting in around here.

"Ah, welcome Miss Kodori," Anita motioned us inside, offered us two menus, and directed us to a chair, "You and your guest have a seat, please."

Astraea gave me a raised eyebrow, and I gave her a thumbs up. "We'll be a moment." I replied.

"No problem." And she backed away, helping the cat girls get everything in place for lunch.

"Where is..." Astraea started, before I raised a hand.

"Soon. Enjoy lunch. She'll be down soon, and then you'll have to wait to eat." I grinned, "I know even Goddesses have tummy rumbles."

After ordering, and getting about half way through our meal, me with the 'giant sandwich', Her with the soup, and Chime with a side of salad no tomatoes, Ryuu did in fact make an appearance. Still looking a little sore from her fight with Ais, she spotted me and my tails instantly, then who I was dining with.

So, I did the only thing I could reasonably do in that situation, and saved the soup, as Ryuu strode over and hugged Astraea, surprising the Goddess and nearly toppling Her out of the chair. Mia and the others looked surprised, but to see the usually reserved elf shedding tears of joy, they simply let her be.

The two of them stayed that way for a moment, before I stood up, carefully plucked Ryuu's frilly bonnet off of her head, and put it on myself. "You two catch up. I'll cover for you." Ryuu started to say something, but I deftly untied her apron as well, and put it on over my outdoor half kimono. "Sister, I insist." She grabbed my hand, the one with the ring, but I reversed the simple hold, smiled, let go, and started to shoo them both away with my tails, "Later."

"Thank you." She managed to say finally.

They both retreated upstairs, and Mia finally spoke, "Well, you aren't in the full uniform, but just for this afternoon, I'll let it go."

"Thank you Mama." I said, striking a fighter's pose, "Now, lets serve lunch."

Lunch was indeed served, and the regulars of the Hostess still remembered me. After all the excitement, and danger, and blood, and tears, and utter bullshit from the last little while, it felt good to just, work a job. Ironically, it felt like a vacation. In my previous life, I'd sworn off the food industry. I'd cleaned up too many restaurants to want anything to do with food related work. But here, it felt like I was just... Cooking for the Familia at home. With the respectful observation of Mia's rules about her girls, no one even bothered me about the recent rumours.

Finally, the lunch rush died down, and I could finally tell Mia and the girls the news.

"So, it's finally happening huh?" Mia asked calmly when I showed her the ring, and told her the news. "I suppose with all the things that were going on its taken a while, but really, its about time."

"Yeah!" Arnya said, nod-nodding, her little brown triangle ears twitching, "We've all known you and the little fox were a couple."

"Are you going to retire then?" Chloe asked, her thin black tail swishing back and forth.

"Retire? No, but certainly take some time off." I replied, "However, unless I want to wait an entire month for our honeymoon... We have nine days."

"Nine days? Why so soon?" Arnya asked, "That's not really a lot of time..."

"I've gotten most of the little details ready... Just need to send invites and the like." I replied, not answering her actual question, "Dresses should be made tomorrow or the next day. Invitations are part of things today and tomorrow..."

"Ha. Little Fox thinks it's that simple." Mia grinned, "Always plan for a problem." She said, "We'll be ready, just keep your tails on straight."

"You guys are the best." I said, my tails wrapping around the two cat girls and my arms hugging Mia, "I'm going to check on Ryuu, and tell her she's back on the clock."

"Good idea. Thanks for covering for her." Mia replied, "And put them down, still have work to do."

The two catgirls were set down, then given a pat on the head, before I rushed up stairs preempting them before they could voice a protest. I didn't hear any voices from Ryuu's room, so I tapped the door quietly.

"Enter." Astraea said quietly.

Ryuu's room was just as I remembered it. Living furniture, neat arrangement, and scented like a forest. Astraea was sitting on her bed, hands on Ryuu's head, who was kneeling on the floor with her head in Her lap. Very gently, the Goddess was tracing a finger over Ryuu's long ear.

"Well, I'm glad I convinced her." I said with a smile, "She's helped me in so many ways since I came to the city."

"She's only sent the single letter, with your gift. Though... It was a very long letter." Astraea replied, "She did mention you weren't from around this place."

"Hm..." Ryuu made a little noise, sitting up suddenly. "I'm sorry Lady Astraea, I fell... Oh! Sister."

As flustered as I'd ever seen her, I raised my hands to try and calm her down a little, "Don't worry, lunch rush is over. But..."

So I told her about the plans as well, helping her smooth out her uniform and put the apron and bonnet back on.

"It's time then?" Ryuu said finally, smiling that little smile of hers. "We'll be waiting then." Then, as her and I touched forearms, "Sorry, Lady Astraea, I have to work."

"Don't worry. I will sleep here. It's been a long trip, and I think I will stay a while." The Goddess replied.

"Come visit." I told Ryuu, "And bring your Goddess too. If Mia won't let her stay, I'd be happy to shelter Her."

"Yes, we'll visit soon." Ryuu replied, turning to leave.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss Kodori. Though, soon it will be Mrs, I suppose?"

"You as well." I tapped a knuckle gently against Ryuu's dresser, "With luck, it will all work as planned."

I caught up with Ryuu before she could descend the stairs, and wrapped her up in a huge hug. She wasn't really a person for hugs, but she didn't complain. "Please sister. If you don't let go, I might cry again."

"I'm happy you reached out to Her." I replied, letting her go and starting down the stairs, "Even more that She's here."

"Me too." She replied, actually smiling. Really smiling. "I am a little embarrassed you saw me like that..."

"That's the most relaxed I've ever seen you." I returned with a smile of my own, "Maybe I'll try that on Wiene, next time she has trouble sleeping."

"She's on the clock you!" Mia called across the room at us, "Go get your invitations done, and let us know exactly when you need us."

Ryuu and I shared a nod, and I left the Hostess of Fertility, pausing only to collect Chime, and greet Lunoire, mobbing her with tails and a hug just before I got to the main street.

"Oh." Zanis said with a frown as he opened the door of Soma's main building. "It's you."

"Survived the night then? Find your monster?" I teased. "Or were you chasing rabbits all night?"

"Very funny Fox." He growled, "Do you have business here? Or did you just come to mock me?"

"You're not important enough to mock." A new voice, belonging to Chandra as the dwarf trundled his way towards us, likely coming from the main brewing building. "Miss Kodori! What brings you by?"

"Well, aside from bringing news that I've put your little brewing kit to good use, though, not for actual brew..."

"Heretic." Chandra said easily.

I tried to look downcast, but gave up and shrugged, "I'm getting married. And I'm here to extend an invite, to you and Lord Soma. And mayyyyybe ask how to distil fruit. I have peach trees that are just starting to be... peachy."

Zanis was still standing there, growling, but the two of us pretended he didn't exist. "Well, I know I gave you the right tools... I'll write you the steps. A wedding you say? That little fox lass?"

"That's right." I replied, turning to Zanis, who had just started to open his mouth, "If you call her a whore, I will pull out all of your teeth." He closed his mouth, and resumed glaring.

Chandra smiled, "Well, I'll tell Lord Soma, and maybe, he might leave his garden for a few hours. Did you have a drink in mind? I mean, you are at Soma Familia's brewery."

"Most of it will be handled by the Hostess." I replied, "Though, if you have something light, for a smaller crowd after. Most of us have no tolerance for the stuff, even if we like to occasionally drink."

"Hm, I've got just the thing." He grinned, looking to Zanis, "You can help me look for it later."

Zanis folded his arms, glared even harder, but said, "Very well."

"Right then... Oh... Is that a needle rabbit?" Chandra asked.

"You're making all kinds of friends, aren't you." I said to Chime as I held her in my hand, "I mean, Gods, Goddesses, all my friends. I suppose I should go to Loki Familia..." Chime gave my palm a headbutt, and I lightly stroked her back. "Oh! We can visit the little hell hound. We let it stay at an orphanage. Syr is looking after a bunch of kids, and during all the excitement, we had it on good authority, that the hound could stay."

Chime made a little squeak noise, her ears perked up, noise twitching. "You did get along, right? I'm not going to have to explain to some one why I didn't bring you home, right?"

"Oh! It's Miss Kodori!" I heard someone say. Drawing my attention, I looked over and spotted a little boy, maybe ten years old, holding a leash with a robust looking rust red furred puppy that came up to his hip. "We were visited by some people from Ganesha Familia! And look! Spot has a new collar and we can really keep him now!"

His voice drew another little person, a girl that might have been a little younger, with little cat ears and tail. "Yay! Hello Miss Kodori!"

I met them half way, and knelt down in front of the three of them, "Good to see you guys. You too." I held my hand out for the hell hound, who sat down properly and 'rrf'ed' quietly at me. "Yes, I talked to Lord Ganesha Himself. And asked really nice if He could let you guys keep Spot around." I held out Chime to the hound, who sniffed once, then licked the little rabbit from nose to ear tips, before giving me a doggy grin, panting lazily.

Chime sneezed, and turned her body away from the hound with a tiny rabbit huff.

"Haha. Spot likes the little bunny." The girl said, "Oh... Is that another one? Like the big fluffy one we had here?"

"It's actually that one's daughter." I replied. "Now, I have to go, but I figured I'd check to see if everything was okay, since I was nearby."

"Thank you Miss Kodori!" The boy said, "Can... You tell Bell we're sorry?"

"I'll be sure to send him over, so you can tell him yourself." I looked to the hound, who raised a doggy eyebrow at me, "Make sure to give Bell a good slobber when he visits. Our secret."

"rrf." And I gave the little hound a good head rub for his promise.

The Twilight manor was just as weird as I remembered it. The bright sun of late afternoon made many of its towers look even more majestic, while the odd supporting structures and bridges between the towers cast deep shadows.

"Ah, Miss Kodori." I looked down from my admiration of the building, and spotted Finn, the Loki captain. Dressed casually, and unarmed, he looked like he was just about to start a walk. "Come to visit? Business or pleasure?" The boyish smile was a little ruined by the eyebrow waggle.

"Loki bragging about my last visit?" I asked, "Here, have a bunny."

He accepted Chime, who gave him her usual greeting. "A little yes. A tricky thing, gambling with Lady Loki. Who's an adorable critter...?"

"Not really. I learned from the best. And if She wanted to win, I'd have to have stopped." I grinned, "As for my visit, a little of both." I felt incredibly vain for doing it, but I showed off my ring, "I promised Loki I'd invite Her."

"Oh! Well well, suppose I lost that bet." He handed Chime back to me, and I perched her on my shoulder, "I didn't expect it to happen until you retired. You and Mr. Bell seem far too active to settle down just yet. Lady Haruhime then?"

"That's right."

"Bete is still a little sore about you and her, you know. I'd avoid him if you can."

"He knew better than to touch the waitress." I grinned, "I'm hoping you aren't too sore about how it all happened?"

"I'd love to play a game of chess with you some day." He smiled, "Lady Loki should be in her office, if you can find it." He gave me a wave and walked past me, "I look forward to seeing how your little Familia develops from here."

I watched his back for a moment, then turned to the castle style double door, and entered. There were a few people there, most of which I didn't know, but a couple of them I had seen on the eighteenth floor. None of the major members, but I at least got a few friendly waves from them. Walking further, and finding that one hallway that looked like a dead end, but wasn't, I turned down it and ran into Tione. Well, I didn't actually run into her, but her chin ended up resting firmly in my cleavage for an instant, as Chime, unbalanced, abandoned my shoulder for hers.

"Ah! What? Who? Oh, a bunny!" She held Chime in both hands, then looked at me, "Oh, hey Fox." She sounded a little... disappointed, but at least she wasn't angry. "I'm not sure if I should be angry, or... just shrug my shoulders at you."

"Please don't be angry? You're holding my friend." I smiled, "Was I right about that trap? I'm sure I had it mixed just so."

"Hour and a half, before we could get out of it." She replied, bringing Chime up to her face, "The Fox is so mean. No stains on the clothes either, though it did not like our hair."

"Oh... Forgot about that part. Though, since I have a hard time growing any..." I looked around, "Wait, where's your sister?"

"We aren't joined at the hip you know. But if you must know, she's pouting."

"Really?"

"Your little trick basically put us out for the entire thing. Neither of us got to do anything." She handed Chime back to me, "So what brings you by?"

"Going to see Loki." I said, "Getting married, and I promised to invite Her."

"Yes! I won the bet!" She said excitedly.

"Is my entire life a betting pool?" I asked no one in particular, "Anyhow, I'll tell you about it if you help me find Her office."

Loki was thrilled, or at least, happy and sad. Happy that I was indeed inviting Her, but sad that it probably meant the only person who had actually, willingly, LET Her get all touchy feely would probably never let Her do it again. She also got Chime's approval, which made me smile a bit. But, business done, I managed to somehow find my way back outside. Running through the list of people I had to invite, and looking up at the early evening sky, I considered who was left. There was Hephaestus, who I was sure would at least try and come. Freya, who I kind of still didn't want anywhere near me, my Familia, Takemikazuchi Familia, or Gros.

"Oh right..." I mumbled, "Shall we go visit Eina?" I asked Chime, who's ears perked up, prompting me to pet them. "Thought you'd like that idea."

"You want me to..." Eina started, my walk to the Guild building reminding me of the other thing I wanted to talk to her about. "Meet with your new guest?"

"Yes." I said with a grin, "Just think of all the information you could get from him. Also, have a bunny."

We were sitting across from one another in one of the small consultation rooms. When I placed Chime between us, the micro rabbit rolled over onto her back. "Well, if you insist." Eina said, lightly scritching Chime's chest and belly, "Well, I suppose I could visit. I'm sure Mr. Royman would approve if I asked for a little time for 'self improvement'. He's become much more reasonable."

"Best teacher." I grinned, "I'm also pretty sure I could get you into a talk with Lido." At her questioning look, I explained further, "He's their leader. Smart, good head for long term thinking, a natural leader."

"Hm, I... Kind of look forward to that."

"So that's old business." Smiling, I put my hand on the table, "New business. I'm extending an invite for my wedding."

"The Fox is here." Tsubaki, the one eyed, black haired, samurai blacksmith said as we got to Hephaestus's office workshop. "With a bunny." Which she handed back to me before walking off.

"Oh? Finally, an excuse to stop with the paperwork..." I heard as I entered the room proper and took an appreciative look at all the neat tools hanging from the walls. "What can I do for you today?"

"You really should hire a secretary. I mean... Seriously. Welf complains that YOU complain about never having time to properly make something." I put Chime on the desk, and she sniffed at one of the documents there, and nibbled at the corner.

"You know, if you eat that, I won't have to do it." Hephaestus said with a sigh, reaching over and lightly running a finger over the rabbit's ears, "Too much to hope for I suppose."

"Well, first, old business, how did the project for Wiene go?" I hadn't actually seen their work yet. I felt a little bad, but I'd been pretty busy, and there was little need to wear it around the house.

"Well, when we could get her to sit still long enough to get measured, and Welf got things hammered out a little, it went well. We both tried it, and once Wiene puts it on, no one but her can take it off. Unless you maybe, took a chisel to it. But there is only so much you can do there."

"Perfect." I smiled, "She's adorable, and it would break Lady Hestia's heart if it happened again."

"Losing Familia is... Unpleasant, yes." The Goddess said with a frown, leaning back in Her chair and very carefully putting her feet up. "We... The bond we share, between God and Mortal, is like... A little bit of our soul is taken up. A little spot for our Child. When one dies, that little spot goes cold, dark." She sighed, "Anyhow, talk of old business, means you have new business?"

I showed her my ring, making Her put her feet down again to look at it carefully, "Ohhhhh... Oh wait, yes it's pretty but, you're getting married?"

"Yes. And being a friend, I'm inviting you."

"Well then, let me check my calendar." She took a paper pad out of her desk, flipping it to the date I mentioned. After a quick read, she ripped the page out, crumpled it, and tossed it into the nearest fireplace. "Right, seems I have nothing to do that day."

"Excellent."

Returning home after sending a letter up the tower to Freya's apartments, I found myself reflecting a little on what I'd done to get to where I was. Somehow, I'd managed to survive being an adventurer long enough to make friends, big and small. Become known throughout the city, for better or worse. Rescue the Girl. Date the Girl. And not die while I figured out everything I need to, to marry the Girl.

I stopped, making Chime look up at me. Looking around, I made sure there wasn't anything wrong in my immediate area. No monsters, hidden ambushers, angry mobs, idiot Gods, or random distantly related(?) family members appeared, so I kept walking.

"Yip." Declared something near my feet as I took my first step.

I could have sworn I'd looked all around me, but as I looked down, I seemed to have missed a rather large black fox. It wasn't one of mine, I even double checked, looking back at my tails who seemed to just be waving there innocently. Kneeling down, and putting Chime inside my kimono top, just in case, I got a good look at it.

Giving me a patient look and sitting down like a well trained dog, it was indeed a black fox. Male, with almost uniformly black fur, with a couple of dark grey rings on its tail. A long narrow nose and big gold coloured eyes looked back at me as I offered my hand to him.

He didn't even bother sniffing, and simply placed his paw in my hand. It was then I noticed that he had some straps under his fur. These held in place a small pouch on his back.

"Well, I see you're on the clock." I said, shaking his paw once and standing, "If you want to follow me, I'll get you fed." The fox tilted his head at me, in a very good impression of 'I don't understand'. So I tried another one, "Kochiradesu, gohan." This way, food.

That got his attention, and he stood and fell in beside me as I headed home.

"Kodori... You have a small... animal... following you." Gros observed as I unlocked the front gate, entered, and locked it again behind me. "Wait... Is that a fox?"

If the bus sized talking griffin statue bothered my new follower, it didn't show. The two of them looked up/down at each other, before I answered, "Yes, this is what an actual fox looks like." One of my tails swished under my arm, and I held it, "Same sort of tail, see? Ears too." I twitched my ears for emphasis, "Found me on the way here, and I think I know where he came from."

"Oh?" Gros lowered himself to the ground, still staring at the fox.

"Well, a while ago, there were some others like me who visited the city. After a little... negotiation... We solved a problem for them, and sent them home."

It was hard to imagine HOW an unbreathing statue could snort, but Gros did in fact snort, "Sounds like a long story... Hm, you do have the same eyes."

I reached down and gave the fox's head a pat, interrupting its staring contest, "I talked with Eina, and she'll visit some time soon. I'll get Lido's occulus, and you three can have a good talk."

"Very well." He looked up at the sky, "I don't suppose I could bother you for something to hide under? The sun is pleasant, but too much of it makes me feel... uncomfortable."

"We'll have something up for you before bed time." I said, looking down at the fox, "Kochi." Then to Gros, "I promised this one something to eat, then I'll get who ever is around to come help."

"Thank you."

With the fox trotting beside me, I entered the manor. Kicking off my boots, I smiled as the Fox actually wiped its paws off on our door mat before entering. "Hello the house!" I called out.

A moment later, Ouka appeared, looking like he had just been in the kitchen, "Oh, good timing. We were just about to... Wait, where did you find the fox?"

"Found me. About to what?" I fell into step beside him and he walked back towards the kitchen.

"Dinner plans. Among other things. As your loyal underling, I have to warn you about something." He paused, turned, and put a hand on my shoulder, "The women are plotting against you."

"Ouka! You snitched!" As angry(?) and loud(!) as I'd ever heard her out of combat, Chigusa appeared at the kitchen entrance and pointed a tiny accusing finger at the spear man. Then, looking at me, Chigusa said, "Hime-chan! There she is!"

From inside the kitchen, I heard, "Aisha-san?"

"As you command." Aisha's voice replied, the Amazon stepping out of the kitchen. "Alright Fox. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way." She stated, punching her open palm in the 'standard thug attempts to intimidate' motion.

"Which would you prefer?" I said before she could continue, "Though, before anything... Can some one feed the fox?"

Completely derailing what ever it was that was about to happen, the fox replied with a little series of noises that sounded a little like laughter.

"Oh... Hold on." Aisha said, then calling over her shoulder, "Hime? There's a black fox, a real one, out here. Looks hungry."

"Oh, send it in." A pause, "Then please, continue."

We all waited as the fox trotted its way to the kitchen.

"Right." Aisha 'a-hem'ed', "Alright Fox. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

Ouka and Chigusa facepalmed in unison as I replied, "Which would you prefer?"

Not wanting to destroy the house, I relented to being confined to the living room. While I was curious as to how well I'd do in a fight with Aisha, I was content to sit across from her and be grinned at, for the moment.

"So..." I looked at Aisha, Asuka, Hestia, and Chigusa. "What's going on?"

"Kodori-dono is trying to do everything herself again." Asuka said, "So, since this is an important event, we all decided you should just relax."

"Well, I don't really mind. I got almost all the leg work done already." I smiled, "I..."

Three girls growled very quietly at me.

"oookay," I mumbled, "Someone." The growls stopped, "Needs to invite Nazza and Lord Miach. I managed to talk to Lord Ganesha, Loki, Hephaestus, and left a letter for Lady Freya. The Hostess knows the details and are ready at the drop of a hat... Umm... Oh, and I invited Chandra and Lord Soma. Right, and Eina too."

"Wow." Aisha blinked in surprise, "Just like shopping, you really know how to get things done."

"Miss Kodori is very efficient." Lilly said from behind me as she entered the room.

"You invited Loki and Freya?" Hestia grumbled, "Really?"

"They did help." I replied, "I suspect Lady Freya will not show, but watch from Her tower, as usual. Ottar might come as a... represent... representative?" I got a nod from everyone as I figured out a new word, "And Loki is kinda fun to have around. It will be much like Apollo's little parties, except without Him." I grinned.

Lilly walked around the couch and sat next to me. Being that close meant my tails had someone to beg attention off of, so they did.

"What about..."

"They are being made at the tailor's. Same place I usually get my clothes."

"And..."

"The Hostess will provide most of the food and drink, for a good rate."

"But..."

"We will use the occulus to let the Xenos 'attend'."

"Miss Kodori takes all the fun out of planning." Lilly complained.

"We have nine days, eight, if you count the ninth as the big day." I said, wrapping an arm over Lilly's shoulders and hugging her, "Now, if I'm going to be forced to sit here, I'm going to need a little entertainment..."

"ACK LILLY IS BEING TICKLED!"

That entertained me for about three minutes. At which point I stopped, let Lilly catch her breath, then plunked her on my lap and hugged her like a teddy bear. "I forgive you." I looked over to Hestia, who nodded, "And Lady Hestia has forgiven you too, so I don't have to tickle you more."

"yay..." Lilly gasped, though she did wiggle a little to get more comfortable, "Miss Kodori gives good hugs."

"Best supporter." I said, looking at the others gathered, "So... Um... I'm just supposed to sit here for eight days?"

"More or less." Aisha said with a grin, "Even if we have to use rope."

I raised an eyebrow, "I'll pass. But... There is work to do! I can't just... not do things."

"Like what?" Asuka asked, "That isn't wedding related."

"Gros wants a little shelter from the sun." I said, petting Lilly's head. She really was like a stress ball. "And I should be brewing more potions... And the peach trees are going to need attention soon... And Gros will need more sand brought in... And..."

"Kodori-dono really does have a list of things."

"She is very responsible." Hestia agreed, "Well... When its someone other than herself."

"Hey! I haven't lost any hair for... umm... a couple weeks?" I defended myself, "Look! I can do bed head now!" I fluffed up my hair, "Hm... might need a little trim actually..."

"Hm. What do you think ladies?" Aisha asked, "She we let her do things? So long as they aren't wedding related?" She raised a hand, "Aye?"

"Only if one of us is with her." Chigusa said, "I mean... To make sure..."

"I think we should just make sure she sleeps... Or help her with writing! You're writing is still terrible."

"Hey! I only learned how like... a year ago." I could feel myself starting to pout. "You guys are so mean."

"I don't mind keeping an eye on her too." Hestia said, raising a hand as if getting ready for a Karate Chop of Justice. "And making sure she doesn't get near any fire hazards."

"No working at the forge? But..."

"No." They all said, except Lilly, who gave my hand a comforting pat.

"Sigh... Fine." I really was pouting now. "We should have some left over lumber right? Maybe we can get Gros's shelter done before dinner?"

"If you try and escape, I will put a leash on you." Aisha said, "After asking Hime if I can, of course."

Building something simple, with people who were by normal standards, super human, was REALLY quick work. After having Gros pick a spot to build, we got him to dig out a few half meter deep holes. For him, he just used his pointed tail, pressed it into the ground and wiggled it a bit to open up a hole. With Asuka and Chigusa cutting up lengths of wood, and Aisha and I hammering them together, we had a sturdy little shelter up in about an hour. Enclosed on three sides, and half enclosed on the 'entrance' Gros could pretty much hide from almost any elemental condition, except extreme hot or cold. But if it came to that, we could add to the shelter easily enough.

"If you want, I can tell the children not to bother you when you're in here." I suggested.

"Please do. Though, if they are anything like a Xenos child, then they won't listen anyhow." the gargoyle replied with a sigh.

"Dinner!" Haruhime called out from the front door.

The black fox was curled up in an out of the way place, though he was still technically in the dining room with us. I suspected he was either waiting to be told to go home, or waiting for us to give him a job. The pouch on his back had a letter in it, though, Haruhime said she'd bring that up after dinner.

Dinner was a collaborative effort of Haruhime, Mikoto, Wiene and Takemikazuchi. The war God in the kitchen kind of worried me, but I was told He did the dessert.

"Wait... Where are the guys?" I looked around the table, seeing only Ouka. Bell, Welf and Marius, were all absent.

"Out doing... A thing." Ouka replied.

A pause, "A thing?" I asked.

"An important thing."

"A secret thing."

"They only said 'be gone for a couple of days', and left this afternoon."

"Well..." I looked to Lilly, who leaned away from me, "I suppose I won't tickle someone for information. But they are missing a good dinner."

Aside from the usual staples, we had bread by Wiene, that wasn't even a little burnt. A really good stir fry, thanks to Mikoto, and... Peach... somethings. I think someone, probably Haruhime, tried to invent pastry, but it was kind of... sort of... not quite flaky biscuits with bits of peach in them. They were actually pretty good, and a hit with the orphans.

"Ah, this explains why Lord Takemikazuchi was in the kitchen." I said with a grin, nibbling at one of the peach something or others.

"The fox is wise. And good with plants." Takemikazuchi replied.

"Hardly. I just asked an expert. Ask Marius... When he gets back. He was there, carrying almost all the things." It was really odd, having so many of our Familia away from the dinner table. Even with the addition of Aisha, who was also enjoying the sort of pastry.

"So. What's with the actual fox?" Aisha asked, "I mean, two of you is great, but a third? I dunno..."

A few of us chuckled, "Yes love? I do believe you were going to do the honours?"

"Well..." Haruhime looked over to the fox, who's ear twitched, as if he knew some one was paying attention to him. "He had a letter from your... distant relatives? Mostly it was written by Miyuki-chan. With a small thank you from her father." She paused, taking a neatly folded bit of paper out of her usual red kimono, "It even has a picture." She unfolded the paper, revealing that it was actually two sheets, not one, and handed me one of them.

On it, was a very well drawn picture. The subject was obviously Miyuki, her face still clear in my mind. Her pretty, high cheek bones, softly smiling face, was looking downwards. Dressed in a black kimono with a snowflake pattern, her two hands were gently cradling her belly, as she sat on what looked like a traditional Japanese dojo floor.

I passed the picture to Lilly, saying, "Well, guess there's no worries that it worked." I smiled to Haruhime, our tails seeking each other out. "What's her letter say?"

"Well..." She looked at it, and started reading, "To our most honoured wayward sister, and her blessed golden companion."

"Seems they already knew." Ouka mumbled, making Chigusa giggle.

"With the help of your friend, the Silver Handed, I and many of the others who were stricken, have recovered completely. I was the first to be finally blessed with child, and by the time my father reminded me to write, several others had also been able to conceive."

"Going to be busy there soon." Asuka said.

"May they grow strong and fine." Takemikazuchi said, sipping his tea.

"As well, though, I am mostly forbidden from politics, I have heard Father talking with the other elders about reaching out to other Renard clans. It seems Kodori-dono advice has broken through my father's stubbornness."

"Good." I said firmly, "Being alone leads to nothingness."

"People need people." Asuka agreed, "No Chime, you may not have that pepper."

"Thank you for all you have done, even if you didn't return with us, the gift you have given me, and the other women, will be remembered for generations." Haruhime concluded, "Then there is a little bit here." She said, "Thank you for helping my daughter. The messenger's name is Jinsoku. He is yours, until you send a reply. He is clever and fearless, and enjoys being brushed."

At the mention of his name, the Fox looked up from his curled up position in the corner of the room, and gave Haruhime a look that seemed to say 'Yes? What?'.

"Hm. I wonder how long it took for him to get here?" I mumbled.

"No more planning from you." Aisha said with a glare.

"What? I mean..."

"Even if one of us ran, it would take over a week to even get close to the Eastern territory." Ouka explained, "And who knows where their village is."

"Hm." I looked at Haruhime, leaning over, "Maybe we can send a picture of our own in a few months?"

"Haruhime broke." Lilly said, as my opposite slowly went red from the collarbone to her ear tips.

Notes!

I dunno? Do notes even need to happen here? Slice of lifeing, story clean up, social interaction, and a very small rebellion within the Familias.