HOORAY FOR SEMI-FILLER! This chapter exists solely to answer a few questions and make sure time is passing so the next chapter isn't too abrupt. Also, pseudo-fluff, so... enjoy the slowly-becoming-more-amiable relationship between Waka and Iris!

EDIT: Am I the only one who noticed that trying to headbutt Waka causes Ammy to PHASE through him? Wierd.

Chapter 28: Ayame

"There have been fireflies at night recently," Waka said, glancing outside. "Queen Himiko doesn't know what to make of it."

"Really?" Iris sat up. "I haven't seen fireflies since I was a little girl. I used to love them. They aren't as common as they used to- what are you smiling about?"

"Hm?" Waka was still grinning as he looked at her from where he leaned against the doorway. "Oh, I was just picturing it. Itty-bitty Iris, running around in a dress that's too big, chasing fireflies…"

"It was pajamas, thank you." Iris rolled her eyes. "But how would fireflies survive this-" she coughed, "fog?" Waka shrugged. "Hm…" something occurred to here. "Hey, Waka?"

"Yes, ma cherie?"

"You said that Ayame's death was unexpected… what happened?" The grin faded, and Waka glanced down.

"…The official story is that she killed herself," Waka murmured, folding his hands across his chest, "but I don't think that's it. There are too many questions raised by it, starting with-"

"Why would she do it?" Iris finished, and Waka nodded.

"Exactly. Why would she want to? From what I remember, she was excited about her wedding, so that's not it… and Ayame didn't know about my vision when it happened; I was too busy trying to reason with her parents to ever tell her about it."

"Reason with them about what?" Iris raised an eyebrow, and Waka waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh, some silly superstition of theirs – thought I was a bad omen for some reason." Waka shrugged.

"…Um…Ayame…"

"Pure coincidence, I assure you." Waka looked outside. "Getting back to the subject at hand. The story is she poisoned her own tea the night before her wedding. Even so…" he shook his head, "I still feel something is amiss." He looked at Iris again. "If you were about to have something you'd been waiting for happen to you, would you do something that drastic to avoid it, without explanation?"

"Point taken…" Iris frowned when Amaterasu and Issun charged into the room, straight through Waka.

"Girly!" Issun said, while Iris stared at Waka, who didn't seem to have noticed what had just happened, "We think we know what's causing this sickening mist!"

"Really?" Iris looked at them, "that's great!"

"Yeah, I know!" Issun bounced up and down, while Amaterasu wagged her tail. "Just you wait, Girly, you'll be back to your old self in no time!" They dashed out again, not phasing through Waka this time.

"They seemed excited," Waka said, and Iris looked at him.

"Waka," she said quietly, looking at the tiny strands of gold that stuck out from beneath his helmet, "this is a bit random but… you sparkle, you can walk on water, your magic sword, you're blond from what I can see under your hat, even though you look Japanese otherwise, and you can make Ammy phase through you… what are you?"

"Ah," Waka chuckled, "that's an interesting question, ma cherie. Perhaps I'll tell you someday… but not now."

"Why not?" Iris said, leaning forward. "Is it a secret or something?"

"Sort of," he responded, walking over to her and sitting down. "There are a few things I need to take care of, which I cannot if people suspect me of being anything they're not used to, with all of these demons running loose. They might think I'm evil."

"So what, you think I'll rat you out on not being human?"

"Not at all," Waka said, "I just think it's better to keep quiet until I'm certain people's suspicions calm down, and with Ninetails becoming a bigger threat with each day, now just isn't a good time. After all, someone might overhear."

"Tea?" One of the maids, a pale woman with long hair that obscured her left eye, walked in holding a tray.

"No thank you," Iris said, and the maid left. "She keeps trying to get me to drink that tea… I think this is the third time today."

"Hm," Waka said, frowning a bit. "Maybe… no." He looked at Iris again. "Now, getting back to the subject… if you're really that curious, I'll explain to you, when we're in a better position to discuss such things."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Waka glanced at her bag. "Bon sang, has your friend Tobi slept through the past few weeks?" The slip sticking out snored in response. "That would be a yes. Goodness."