My Trip Abroad

by Ravenhale1

This is the tenth installment of the AU recreation of Rosario Vampire told through Kurumu's POV. This story covers the events over winter break (December 16th - January 1st, 2006 & January 6th, 2006), including the trip to China which is second season's Chapters 27-42 and a modified version of Chapters 47-49. Not strictly canon.

15. Mafia Massacre

"There is the little lady. So glad you could finally join us!"

Yukari looked pale as she drifted into the dining room. She had changed into her school uniform without the jacket or bow, matching Kurumu's attire. Her small hands clutched her navel as she approached the vacant chair between Rubi and Ms. Xinyi.

"Why did you change, Ms. Sendou?"

Yukari glared at Fang whom was seated across from Rubi. The young man was garbed in a sleeveless white silk shirt with the golden hem and toggles. To his left was his father whom was wearing a black, short sleeved dress shirt. Both were wearing black slacks.

"I'm in no condition to do the next session."

Ms. Xinyi reached over to pat Yukari's shoulder as the witch sat down. The cousin was rocking a bright blue sports bra and matching spandex shorts, having worn similar attire yesterday. Rubi had donned her tan sports bra and a pair of the school's red bloomers after hearing Ms. Xinyi's claim that this attire was easier to train in than a cheongsam.

"You should join us. You could watch over the camp until this passes."

"That's one serious case of diarrhea."

Yukari's eyes widened at Ginei's comment. She glowered at the grinning boy whom was seated on the other side of the table between Miyamoto and Tsukune. All three were wearing the same outfits that they had been training in for days.

"It's my period, moron!"

"I honestly forgot that you had those."

Miyamoto chuckled, nodding at Tsukune's comment.

"Agreed. None of the other ladies have spoken about this issue."

Ms. Xinyi giggled, withdrawing her hand. Her ebony hair was pulled into twin buns with blue ribbons.

"I didn't want to admit it, but that was the incentive for our shopping trip earlier this week. Mine had started the night before. The first day is always the hardest."

Yukari grumbled, picking up her chopsticks.

"Don't bother asking about Rubi. She would never admit being in pain."

"It is the burden of being a woman."

Ms. Hitori huffed from her place between Otonashi and her phoenix partner. The crimson haired woman had also adopted the sports bra and shorts look with both of her stretchy garments being black.

"Speak for yourself, Ms. Toujou. My race lacks any such cycles."

The phoenix man chuckled heartily, clapping his hand on Ms. Hitori's shoulder. He was garbed in the scarlet shirt and brown slacks he had worn to the wedding.

"Which is why it is so difficult getting you pregnant."

"I would prefer you not to talk about such things."

Miyamoto gestured at Otonashi whom was sitting beside Kurumu. The siren was wearing the divine garment Master Touhou had given her, which was basically a navy blue, one piece swimsuit. A white square with a year and class designation was fastened to Otonashi's slight bosom with safety pins.

"I wonder if our little bird has had any issues with the training."

Otonashi smiled softly, shaking her head.

"Have you ever passed an egg?"

"She's not a tengu, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu frowned at Miyamoto as she absently picked up a slice of chicken with her chopsticks.

"It just dawned on me that I have no idea how her race even works."

"She might be too young. Several species don't mature until their twenties. Gnomes come to mind."

Otonashi giggled at Ms. Hitori's response. She scrawled a reply on her notebook, holding it up to reveal her ignorance over if she could have babies yet.

"If Ms. Sendou is sitting out, I would like to take her place."

Sitting beside her brother, Ms. Ling was garbed in a white, sleeveless dress with a high collar holding her golden bell above a generous view of her ample bosom. The dress had a golden butterfly design and a golden hem. Her pale arms betrayed faint lines where they had been sliced off.

"I suppose I can allow that if you promise not to push yourself."

Mr. Huang chuckled at his wife's declaration.

"In that case, perhaps I should also join you."

Mrs. Huang frowned, sitting between her husband and Tsukune. She was sporting a short sleeved, black silk cheongsam with a crimson flame pattern and hem. Her dark hair was also pulled into twin buns though hers had crimson ribbons holding them in place.

"Don't even joke about that. This is your first meal that we haven't had to bring up to you."

"Ah, but all of the best things to happen to me are in that room."

Mrs. Huang blushed at his wide grin.

"You aren't joining us. Sicong should be here within the hour."

"My father is coming here?"

"He called this morning. He wants to discuss some of our foreign business matters."

The mafia leader huffed at his wife's remark.

"Silly fool. This could be handled later. Doesn't he have weekend plans with his son's fiancée?"

"It's not like he's in charge of that. My father will only focus on what he can control."

The door opened behind Kurumu, heralding the arrival of Master Yao and Master Touhou. The wizened elder stifled a yawn as he looked about the room. He had on a brown robe over a white one while his companion was garbed in a white robe and black slacks.

"Over here, Master Touhou."

Ms. Ling beckoned for the elder to take the vacant seat beside her. Master Yao murmured something before starting off for the other vacant chair beside the phoenix.

"So glad that you could join us, Grandfather."

Master Touhou grunted at Mrs. Huang's remark as he sat down. He promptly grabbed his chopsticks.

"Yes, yes. I see that Ms. Otonashi is ready for our session."

"We're waiting on you, old man. The provisions for our next session are already in the training room."

Master Touhou huffed around a mouthful of lunch. He wagged his chopsticks at the grinning phoenix.

"Ironic to be called old by an eternal."

Kurumu regarded the last vestiges of her rice. This was so much better than the meals they shared inside the mirror world.

"I'm tempted to stay here with Yukari."

Ms. Xinyi sighed heavily, scooting aside her empty plate.

"At this point, we may as well reassign training partners."

Fang laughed with a vigorous nod.

"I wholeheartedly agree. We failed to include Mother when we made those."

"You're only saying that because you didn't get a partner for the first day."

"But guarding provisions is boring."

"If Master Yao has no objections, I would like to start with him. Loosen up."

Master Yao nodded at Mrs. Huang's statement. He swallowed the mouthful.

"None, Mrs. Huang. Though you will need a new partner, Mr. Aono."

"I will gladly be your new partner, Mr. Aono!"

Tsukune grinned at Fang's enthusiasm.

"I suppose we could for the day. When will you resume my training, Master Touhou?"

Master Touhou huffed while polishing off his chicken.

"After I have enjoyed a day or two with the ladies."

Rubi clapped her hands with a bright smile.

"Does that mean we will work on the Iron Maiden again?"

"Yes, yes. As long as you have your legendary costume, I'll humor a day of your masochism."

"Thank you so much, Master Touhou."

"I'm done with my meal. Are you ready to go, Mr. Miyamoto?"

"Certainly, Ms. Hitori. I hope to not disappoint you."

Ginei sighed dramatically as he stood up from his chair at the same time as the others.

"Guess I'm also ready to put an old codger in the dirt."

The phoenix snickered, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed.

"This won't be any different than the last times we got paired up. Are you sure you don't want someone else? Last chance to make a change."

"Nope. I can't let Tsukune be the only person to best you."

The phoenix sighed in a way to mimic Ginei's earlier sigh. He scooted his chair back and stood up.

"Looks like I'll have an easy first day. Whom will get stuck watching provisions?"

Kurumu shrugged, having been paired with Rubi today.

"I don't know but it would be rude to force Ms. Ling to do it on her first day with us."

"I could pair with her if you don't mind, Ms. Kurono."

"I'm seriously thinking about staying with Yukari."

Ms. Xinyi groaned, slouching in her chair.

"But I don't want to get stuck with provisions. Can't you come with us?"

"Even if I did, wouldn't that just mean we have two people watching provisions again?"

"Sounds like you ladies can figure this out. See you on the other side."

Ms. Hitori nodded before she retreated from the room with the phoenix on her heels. Ginei chuckled, wandering around the table with Miyamoto.

"San. Are you coming with us?"

Otonashi nodded, slipping out of her chair. She departed from the room alongside the boys.

"I'd rather watch provisions with you than be alone."

Kurumu mulled that over as she scooted the last remnants of her meal into a corner of her plate.

"I'm tempted to ask for seconds on lunch."

Fang laughed heartily.

"As am I. You don't realize how much you appreciate a cooked meal until you are forced to go without."

Mrs. Huang giggled, picking up the bell beside her plate. She rang it with a brisk flick of her wrist.

"Of course. Best get that done with quickly though else you'll miss your day with Mr. Aono."

Ms. Ling stood up decisively.

"I'm ready to start my training. Shall we go, Ms. Toujou?"

Rubi smiled at Kurumu and Yukari apologetically before scooting her chair back.

"Yes. I'll be in your care."

The broad figure of Mr. Liang appeared at the end of the room, wearing an apron over his suit.

"Yes, Mrs. Huang?"

"I need two more meals for Ms. Kurono and my son."

Mr. Liang nodded, retreating to the kitchen as Rubi and Ms. Ling slipped out the open double door.

"I was looking forward to being partnered with you."

Yukari grimaced, having barely touched her meal.

"I can't do anything, Ms. Xinyi. I actually want to just go upstairs and sleep."

"I am also thinking that it's time to retire to my room."

Mrs. Huang frowned as her husband scooted back his chair.

"But Sicong-"

"Can have our meeting while I'm in bed. It's his fault for insisting on doing this today."

"Fine. I'll help you to your room."

"Is that an offer to carry me?"

Mrs. Huang smirked, getting up to her help her husband.

"Your legs aren't broken. Now give me your arm."

"Do you need help?"

"I'm not that injured."

"Oh, hush. I needed Mr. Gao's assistance to get you down the stairs."

Tsukune got up and moved to the mafia leader's other side. The swarthy man chuckled, draping his arms over the shoulders of both Tsukune and his wife. They slowly steered the man around the table.

"We'll have to drink tonight. To my health and yours."

Tsukune chuckled nervously.

"I'd rather not drink again."

"I insist! You will join us, Fang!"

Fang laughed heartily as the trio neared the open double door.

"Of course, Father. I look forward to it."

The large Mr. Liang returned seconds after the trio departed, striding purposefully to Fang's side. His eyes lit up as the servant set the plate before him. As he uttered his thanks, the man leaned over the table to present Kurumu her own plate of chicken, rice and vegetables. Kurumu graciously accepted it, pushing aside her empty plate.

"When did you get such a big appetite?"

Kurumu frowned at Yukari as Mr. Liang retreated to the kitchen.

"When I was forced to live off snacks and instant foods for weeks on end."

"Are you ready, Mr. Yao?"

Master Yao nodded, scooting back his chair and standing up as the elder hopped out of his own chair.

"I am, Master Touhou."

Kurumu smiled softly, enjoying a mouthful of warm chicken as the elders left the room. Fang looked like he was on a mission to finish his meal in seconds.

"You don't have to hurry."

"Sorry, Ms. Kurono. But I don't want to keep Mr. Aono waiting."

"I'm sure that he's still helping your father to his room."

Kurumu smirked as he took her advice to slow down. She moved her chicken about, gathering up some of the rice. She took her time with her next two mouthfuls as she was not hungry enough to eat fast.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Yukari? It will be boring out here by yourself."

Yukari sighed heavily at Ms. Xinyi's comment, pushing away her half eaten meal.

"I should call my parents before my nap."

Kurumu shivered, ceasing her attempts to eat.

"We never called Kokoa."

"I don't want to call that brat."

Kurumu set aside her chopsticks, shaking her head.

"No. We should have called her."

"If she's in Iromori, we won't reach her."

Kurumu hopped out of her seat, suddenly feeling frightened.

"But we have to try! She might have news about the situation with Moka!"

"Even if she does, you still might not reach her."

Kurumu grabbed Yukari by the shoulder, giving the groaning girl a rough shake.

"Can't we leave a message?"

"Stop! I'll go with you upstairs."

Kurumu's heart fluttered as the witch slipped out of her chair on the other side.

"Are you okay watching over your cousin while I handle her anxiety attack?"

"It's not an attack, Yukari. Umizake couldn't even reach the Huang family when he wanted to. How do we know everything is fine in Japan?"

"If Alucard was revived, that message would get through."

"We'll be fine, Ms. Sendou. But if you don't return soon, I'll go with my cousin into the mirror world."

Yukari sighed, drifting towards the open door with Kurumu.

"I'll send this dummy back to you when she realizes her mistake."

Kurumu grimaced as she hurried to the main foyer as fast as Yukari would let her. Mr. Gao stood by the main door, wearing his sleeveless black vest over his white dress shirt. The silver haired man paid no attention to them as she made her way to the central staircase a few steps ahead of the witch. She had to slow her ascent to the central landing for Yukari to catch up.

"Are you sure that Mrs. Shuzen could contact this house? Umizake couldn't-"

"We don't know whom Umizake was told to contact to reach the main family."

"But it had to be a reliable contact. He got it from the Headmaster."

Yukari grumbled as they reached the central landing and started up the second flight of stairs.

"What Mr. Umizake wanted is entirely different from what Mrs. Shuzen would want. It makes sense to refuse letting some unknown kid onto the premises. But Mrs. Shuzen, the Fairy Tale president, should be well known. There is no good reason for her message to not get through."

Kurumu pondered over Yukari's reasoning as they ascended the last steps. Yukari had to be right. She was getting anxious over nothing. No news was a good thing.

"I'm sorry, Yukari. But I still want to call her."

"I don't care. I wasn't hungry anyways and want to lie down."

Kurumu sighed heavily as they started down the hall to their rooms.

"I'm such an idiot. I had my phone yesterday and was more worried about taking pictures of Umizake and his family than making an important call to Kokoa."

"If you don't have a signal, you won't be able to leave or receive a message. If we don't reach her, I don't want you annoying me all day with something I can't do anything about. Go train with Ms. Xinyi."

Kurumu nodded as they passed by the room Yukari was now sharing with Rubi in Moka's absence. The last room on the right was not that much further down the hall.

"As annoying as she is, I hope you do talk with her. And she better have news."

Yukari grabbed the door by its knob, twisting it and pushing the door open. Kurumu murmured her thanks, rushing over to the corner of the room. She reached over her luggage to disconnect her phone from its charger. Settling on her haunches, Kurumu bought the phone up to her ear.

"Call Kokoa."

"Kurumu! Where the hell have you been?! I've been trying to call you all morning!"

Kurumu's heart cinched up as she looked at Yukari. The witch hunkered down beside her.

"What for? What's wrong?"

"You have to get out of there! The Miao family are coming!"

"What?! Now?!"

"Mother saw a bad future! We're on the way to the airport! You have to get out of there!"

A loud shot fired on the other side of the mansion, drawing their attention.

"It's too late, Ms. Kurono. Just stay alive."

The spell abruptly ended with Mrs. Shuzen's cold declaration. Kurumu swallowed thickly, clutching the phone against her chest as she looked at Yukari.

"What do we do?"

A round of closer gunfire startled them, causing Kurumu to crawl back to the dresser. Yukari snatched her phone out of her hand and chucked it on top of her open suitcase.

"We have to find Fang. Give me your hand."

Kurumu swallowed, offering Yukari her hand as the witch leaned over her luggage. Yukari grabbed the end of the charger and squeezed it. After a moment and another round of gunfire, Yukari frowned.

"The power is gone."

"What does that mean?"

Yukari dropped the charger cord and turned to face her.

"It means that this is going to be hard to do without broadcasting our location. Hug me."

Kurumu hugged the witch tight, feeling a sudden draw of power from her core. In the blink of an eye, they were holding each other on a tiled floor with the sounds of gunfire around them.

"Ms. Kurono!"

Kurumu looked into the fearful eyes of Ms. Xinyi. The young woman was hunkered down by the steel leg of a sink, holding a hand up in the direction of gunfire. Bullets rained through the walls, tearing up the cabinetry and components of the kitchen around them.

Yukari threw a hand up, grabbing Kurumu's blouse tightly. Kurumu felt another draw of power from her core as Yukari put up a ward to protect them from the deadly bullets.

"Where is Fang?"

Ms. Xinyi gestured over to a side entrance. Fang was down on his knees with a pair of men in black suits. These men were taking turns firing at an unseen enemy in the dining room.

Kurumu was finally getting her bearings when one of the ladies guarding the door to the hall fell over with a bloodied face. Her heart cinched in fear as she could not recall if this was Ms. Su or Ms. Ma.

"Kurumu. This way."

Kurumu shuddered, crawling over the lifeless servant's body with Yukari shielding her. Mr. Liang and the other woman with the braided ponytail continued to pour cover fire down the hallway.

"We have to get to the others in the training room. Keep your ward up, Ms. Sendou."

Kurumu nodded as Ms. Xinyi started crawling towards the side door. She followed beside Yukari as the hail of death peppered the walls of the kitchen. Both Yukari and Ms. Xinyi held a hand up, causing any bullets that got too close to bounce harmlessly to the floor.

"Fang! We have to get to Master Touhou!"

Fang glanced at them and nodded. He abandoned his post by the door, gesturing for them to follow him deeper into the kitchen.

"This way. I know a shortcut."

To Kurumu's surprise, Fang started crouch walking with his left hand out.

"He knows how to ward?"

"Yes. Give my cousin some credit as a sorcerer."

They made their way deeper into the kitchen, passing through a door into a storage space. Fang opened up a small pantry closet and gestured for them to follow. He pushed on the shelf which forced the whole thing back. He slipped around the shelf and beckoned to them.

Kurumu hurried into the closet which was barely big enough for a person. She shuffled into the space on the other side, noting the racks filled with weapons. She looked about this little armory in awe as the others filtered into this room.

"Feel free to grab a rifle if you want."

Kurumu frowned at his nonchalant remark as he stepped back into the closet. She heard the door close before he came back around to push the shelf back into place. There was a handle on this side to drag the shelf out. Once he had it in place, the sound of gunfire was eerily absent.

"I don't know how to fire one of these things."

"Is it safe for us to talk like this?"

Fang chuckled, grabbing an assault rifle from the shelf.

"Yes, Ms. Sendou. This room is sound proof."

"Are you seriously going to use that thing?"

Fang frowned at Yukari.

"I can't use my summons. They'll just die."

"I suppose that panda of yours wouldn't be bulletproof."

"I have more than a panda!"

"How do we get out of here?"

Fang sighed at his cousin's query. He gestured across the room.

"That wall opens up into the back of the fireplace in the piano room."

"You have a piano room?"

Kurumu chuckled, tousling Yukari's hair as she tried not to think about the death outside.

"Her parents have a piano room."

Kurumu frowned when Yukari batted her hand aside. The witch scowled, pulling away from her.

"We need to discuss how we will communicate outside of this room."

"I have a free thought spell which I can link to our earrings."

"I guess you being a girly boy will pay off."

"I'm not a girly boy!"

Kurumu giggled, guessing that Yukari was referring to the fact that Fang was wearing earrings.

"You know there are several guys in school that have earrings, Yukari. Burumoto isn't girly."

"Yea, whatever. Cast your spell."

Ms. Xinyi nodded, stepping over to her cousin. She bowed her head slightly as she reached up to grab the bright orange stud in his left earlobe. Kurumu shivered as she felt the hum of power.

"Won't they notice us casting these spells?"

"I'm sorry. I'll draw on my own life force for these other two enchantments."

Yukari frowned as Ms. Xinyi stepped over to her.

"Okay. But don't push yourself too thin. Those wards need juice too."

Ms. Xinyi nodded, grabbing the emerald stud in Yukari's left ear. The sorceress closed her eyes and there was a barely perceptible draw of power. The woman breathed in deep and let go of Yukari's ear.

Kurumu grinned as Ms. Xinyi turned to her, thankful that she had worn her earrings today. Since she was in her school uniform with red lingerie, she had her rubies. Ms. Xinyi touched Kurumu's left stud and hovered beside her. The draw of power was more noticeable.

'Is that better?'

Kurumu smirked, thinking this was very similar to how her mind reading worked.

'Is that so?'

Kurumu laughed, turning on Yukari.

'Yes. Will I need to guard my thoughts here?'

'Depends. Just remember that we have a child in our party.'

"I don't regard you as a child."

Yukari glared at Huang.

'This will not work if idiot here says his thoughts out loud.'

'Fang. We will hear you. Trust me.'

'Sorry. Let me get that door.'

Fang walked by them to the other side of the room. He crouched and grabbed a black lever which was recessed in the wall. He tugged this lever up, waddling back as a waist high panel pulled with the lever. His thoughts encouraged them to go as he gestured them through.

Ms. Xinyi took the lead, crouching to get under the top of the opening. Kurumu followed Yukari through, hearing the sound of distant gunfire. She stepped over a bundle of fake wood, clearing the white bricks overhead. Though she could stand up she remained crouched as she took in her surroundings.

There was a piano in the far corner of the room on a raised dais. A black leather couch and two matching chairs faced the fireplace. A row of shelves laden with books and trinkets lined the wall to the nearest corner on the right. But the rest of this large room was empty. And the open windows with the curtains drawn back which lined two of these walls made her feel vulnerable.

Kurumu heard a slight click behind her despite the noisome gunfire. Fang shuffled out of the fireplace, clutching his weapon in both hands. He straightened up and gestured at a passage to a door on the left.

Knowing his thoughts, Ms. Xinyi started for the passage while crouched down. On the other side of that door would be the hall which wrapped around the rooms about the training room.

It only took seconds to reach the door. Ms. Xinyi grabbed the black knob and twisted it gently. She eased the door back, increasing the volume of the gunfire. The cousin poked her head out and quickly waddled across the hall to a door on the other side. Her urgent thoughts beckoned them.

Kurumu shared a glance with Yukari before she hurried across the hall. Ms. Xinyi was pushing open the other door a heartbeat before Kurumu entered that storage room. In less than a dozen heartbeats they were all safely inside this room with Ms. Xinyi closing the door.

'I hope they are here.'

'They have to be here.'

Ms. Xinyi shook her head at Fang's thoughts as she crossed over to the narrow double door cut into the slanted wall of this room.

'No. They may have already gone into the mirror world.'

'Then we can go get them.'

Ms. Xinyi sighed as she pulled open one of the slender doors.

'No, Fang. The power holding the gate open is gone.'

Kurumu's heart fluttered as she followed Ms. Xinyi into the training room. It was immediately obvious that nobody was present. The cousin made her way while crouched over to the center of the room, reaching over to the circle below the chandelier. Her hand patted against the solid floor.

'We need to restore power. I lack the spirit to do this on my own.'

'Maybe if I help-'

'Even if we succeeded, we would draw attention. We won't have enough time to run in there and warn the others before we are found.'

'But everyone inside is okay?'

'Yes. This is just a doorway to another dimension. The world within should be safe.'

'Could Master Touhou make a new way out?'

Ms. Xinyi nodded at Kurumu's query.

'That might be possible. Only Master Touhou would know for certain.'

"Then we should send someone in at once!"

Bullets came tearing through the walls. Before Kurumu could think, pain tore through her shoulder and side as she fell down. Yukari stepped over her with a hand up, causing the torrent of bullets to bounce away. Kurumu's senses reeled as she felt wetness spread out from her body, causing her blouse to stick against her aching skin. She winced trying to move her arm, aware that she was bleeding.

"Over to me!"

Kurumu realized that Ms. Xinyi had also been tagged. The cousin left arm and side had been reduced to a bloodied mess. The girl crawled towards them with Fang standing over her with his hand up in ward.

"Kurumu! Grab me!"

Kurumu dumbly followed Yukari's instructions, reaching up with her left hand to grab hold of Yukari's leg. The witch dropped her hands, placing one on Xinyi's bloodied shoulder and Fang's side.

A sudden surge of power swept over them and their dim surroundings were replaced with Kurumu's guest room. Yukari staggered a moment, pitching to the floor between them.

"Ms. Sendou!"

'Shut up, you fool!'

Kurumu felt sick, slumping flat on her back upon the floor. Fang shot out frantic apologies in his thoughts while Kurumu struggled to keep her lunch inside her stomach. She caressed her belly with her left hand, not daring to move her right. Her shoulder hurt too much. She clenched her teeth, thinking about her injuries. Her spirit was eager to cling to her blood, slowing the flow.

'You almost got us all killed!'

"I'm sorry, Xinyi. So sorry."

Kurumu hoped his hushed words would not bring more enemies to their location.

'You expect too much from this idiot.'

Kurumu laughed weakly, glancing over at Yukari. The witch panted, lying with her cheek against the floor.

'Are you okay?'

'Exhausted.'

'Because you teleported four people with your own spirit.'

'No choice.'

Ms. Xinyi sighed, rolling onto her back. The cousin winced as Fang flooded them with more apologies and despairing thoughts of their inevitable deaths.

'Shut up, Fang. For once. Just shut up.'

"You won't die, right?"

Kurumu threw the young man a reproachful glance and a kinder plea for him to be quiet. His fear filled eyes met hers and he nodded with another apology.

'Some people say this fool upset Xia Long. That the truce was canceled because of him.'

Kurumu immediately threw her memory of Xia Long's conversation with Huang's parents to the front of her mind. She made certain that all of them knew this was false.

'Good to know but many members of our family blame Fang. Some outright hate him.'

'If I died, would there be peace?'

'Stop with those thoughts, Fang. Your death will not bring my Moka back to us.'

'Will you be okay?'

Yukari wheezed out a laugh, lifting her head up to look at Ms. Xinyi.

'Both of you were shot multiple times. I am more worried about you.'

'Yea. I need to heal myself. But that might alert enemies.'

'What about everyone in the mirror world? What will happen to them?'

Ms. Xinyi sighed at his thoughts.

'Depends on if Master Touhou can get them out of there. But there is no way of knowing how long it will take them to realize the way back is closed. It could be hours from now.'

Fang whimpered, falling to his knees. Kurumu just realized that he had lost his rifle.

'What should we do?'

Yukari sighed, pushing herself up onto her knees.

'We need to recover. Hopefully we have enough time for that. Kurumu can heal herself in a shower and might be able to heal Ms. Xinyi.'

'Will water work with the power off?'

'Depends on if they have water pressure without power. How does your water system work?'

Fang showered them with apologies for his ignorance. Yukari sighed, reaching over to pat Ms. Xinyi. The girl hissed with a painful expression.

'Watch the door for us, Fang. Keep us safe while I cast a healing spell on Ms. Xinyi.'

'I will be fine.'

'No. You might not last more than five minutes like this. You are bleeding too much.'

'Funny. It does not hurt as much as before.'

'Shock. Fang. Watch the door. I need to heal her now.'

Fang hurried over to the door in a crouched position as Yukari turned to face the cousin. The witch took in a deep breath and made a diamond pattern with her fingers and thumbs by her bosom. She shivered as she pulled the diamond from her chest, trailing blue essence which she pushed into Ms. Xinyi's body.

'That healing spell is unfamiliar.'

'I saw a sphinx do it.'

'Using your life force. You are straining yourself too much.'

'Shut up. I won't watch you die.'

Ms. Xinyi sighed again as Yukari repeated the spell.

'That feels nice. Warm.'

Yukari panted, resting with her hands pressed against Ms. Xinyi's torso.

'Okay. The bleeding stopped.'

'So useless. I lack the strength to even activate my ward.'

'I feel the same. Might have to borrow Kurumu.'

'Can you when she is injured like that?'

Kurumu shuddered when gunfire tore down the hall towards them. Men cried out that they had found them, drawing their attention to the door. Fang was hunkered in the doorway, holding his hand out to deflect the attack.

'Use your mind powers. That woman was teaching you how to influence people remotely.'

Kurumu shivered, forcing herself up into a seated position. She winced in pain, favoring her left side.

'It hurts too much to think.'

'You have to do it, Kurumu. This may be the only way we get out of this alive.'

Knowing Yukari was right, Kurumu sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She ignored the pain, pushing her awareness out. She immediately felt Fang and his anxiety. Aware that these men wanted to kill them, she reached out farther for the hope of finding hatred.

She felt a chaotic presence close. But it quickly changed from ecstatic mayhem to confusion.

Kurumu frowned, as her awareness failed to grab hold of the other. She opened her eyes as a new flurry of gunfire sounded from the foyer. She heard running feet and men crying out in alarm. More gunfire answered those cries which was followed by more running. These footsteps were coming closer.

"Uncle?"

Fang retreated into the room seconds before Mr. Han arrived with an armed gentleman. Both were garbed in black suits and black ties, though Mr. Han's escort had the usual sunglasses of the security detail. The escort with the bleeding shoulder had his dark locks styled in a crew cut.

"Keep the door secure."

The escort nodded, remaining at the door. He leveled his two chrome plated pistols down the hall as Mr. Han quickly crossed the room, ignoring his bewildered nephew.

"Father? How did you find me?"

Mr. Han knelt by his daughter, setting aside his black pistol as she struggled to get up on her knees.

"Tracking device. I always know where you are."

Ms. Xinyi winced when her father suddenly hugged her. The man at the door started firing down the hall, ducking back inside the room when a torrent of bullets answered him.

"Uncle. We are under attack!"

Mr. Han laughed, relaxing his embrace. He pulled back to arms' length to regard his daughter.

"That much was obvious, nephew. You've been shot."

"That much was obvious."

Mr. Han nodded at his daughter's pout, releasing her. He reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a silver ring and presenting it to his daughter.

"You need to get out of here. Use this ring. It will take you to your mother."

Ms. Xinyi frowned, taking the ring.

"But what about the rest of you?"

"Go. Get your wounds treated. Send help if you can."

"No. It would take almost an hour to get men from our home here."

"I know. I have your other ring to keep me safe."

Mr. Han held up his left hand which was adorned with rings on both his index and ring finger. Ms. Xinyi looked at the ring and continued shaking her head.

"That won't be enough, Father. You don't have the spirit to keep that working for long."

"We aren't staying here, silly girl. This just needs to last long enough for us to get off the premises."

"No, you don't understand. The others are trapped in Master Touhou's mirror world."

Mr. Han frowned, picking up his gun as he glanced back at the door where his escort continued to exchange fire with the enemy.

"I don't know what you want me to do about that."

"We can't just abandon the house."

"We don't have much choice. We will have to come back for them later."

"My mother is in there!"

Mr. Han paused in the midst of the gunfire. His man grunted as one of his pistols clattered to the floor. The man's left arm hung limply at his side as he tried to defend his position.

"And your father?"

"He might be in his room."

Mr. Han nodded decisively, turning on his daughter.

"Go home, Xinyi. I'll take the boy to his father. If we can stay here, we will. But send reinforcements."

"But Father-"

"Not a negotiation, child. You won't do me any good here. Now go."

Ms. Xinyi sighed. She nodded as her whole body trembled. She brought her bloodied hand on top of her other and bowed her head. And in a sudden rush of power, she was gone.

"Boss. Don't think I can hold it."

The man panted, leaning against the door while seated on the floor. He was aiming down the hall with his good arm but three more bloodied holes were riddled down his side.

"Guess that I'll have to be the escort now. I hope that you girls can walk."

Mr. Han stood up and turned about. He walked calmly towards the doorway, prompting Fang to follow.

"My daughter told me that you and Ms. Sendou can cast wards. We should be able to cross the mansion much easier than I managed with my men."

Yukari grimaced, getting up on her feet. She offered Kurumu a hand.

"We won't be able to do much if they pursue us."

"This gun isn't for show, Ms. Sendou. As long as we can keep moving forward, we will be fine."

Kurumu staggered upright, feeling her vision swim as a moment of vertigo assaulted her. It was difficult to keep her focus when a part of her was dedicated to holding her blood in. Yukari grabbed her left hand firmly with her right, tugging her towards the door.

"I hope you have no problem being a battery."

Kurumu smiled, pushing her thoughts towards Yukari.

'Better tired than dead.'

'You should use your mind powers. Make these fools shoot themselves or join us.'

Mr. Han calmly stepped out into the corridor. A rain of bullets greeted Mr. Han but he held his left hand up. The deadly projectiles bounced off the barrier for many seconds but eventually clicks sounded. As the unseen assailants cursed, Mr. Han lowered his left hand while raising his right. He fired his pistol several times, causing gurgled cries. He gestured for them to follow as he raised his left hand again.

"Young Master. Here."

Fang frowned when the escort offered one of his chrome plated pistols.

"But you might-"

"No. You'll need it more."

Fang took the weapon, murmuring his thanks as the man relaxed against the door.

"Come, you fools. And keep your wards ready."

Fang smiled apologetically, darting out into the corridor. Yukari squeezed Kurumu's hand as they passed by the sighing escort, moving at a brisk pace to keep up with the other two. The uncle strode with such reckless confidence that it frightened Kurumu.

Before they reached the foyer, two men came around the start of the hall. Kurumu recognized the dark haired pair from the annex. The slender man with the goatee and moustache immediately lifted his gun and started to fire, prompting his clean shaven portly companion to do the same. Both Mr. Han and Fang had their hands up to deflect the unprecedented attack.

Kurumu staggered in disbelief as Yukari drained her energy to fuel her own ward. She knew these two men worked for the Huang family. It made no sense for them to attack.

'Make them stop!'

Yukari's sharp thought prompted Kurumu to lash out with her mind. She smashed the slender guy's consciousness with the memory of their encounter at the gate, forcing him to think about his lecherous thoughts towards her. The man staggered back, lowering his weapon.

Kurumu shuddered when Mr. Han instantly gunned down the man, cutting off her connection. His portly companion cried out furiously, backing away from them while firing. But he was summarily cut down by a hail of death from behind, forcing him to fall forward on his knees. Mr. Han lowered his guard to place a final bullet in the big brute's forehead. He would have fired more but his gun clicked empty.

"Those were our men!"

"They fired on us. Follow me."

Mr. Han walked forward, stooping down to pick up a weapon from a dead man wearing a gray suit. Brandishing the new weapon, he kept his hand forward as he entered the foyer.

Gunfire greeted him as Mr. Han moved with his back hugging the wall. Fang entered the room with his warding hand up, following his uncle's example. Kurumu swallowed nervously, letting Yukari guide her into the dangerous room a few steps behind Fang.

'Someone betrayed Fang's family.'

'Maybe these two panicked?'

'And fired on Fang? Heir of the family. Not a chance.'

Kurumu flinched as a bullet smashed the wall near her head. She kept hold of Yukari's hand as they neared their antagonists. One enemy was at the top of the stairs and another on the far balcony across the foyer. Two more were down on the central landing. All of these men wore the gray suits of Miao.

'But the big guy was shot by these men.'

'Collateral damage.'

Kurumu wondered how they would even reach the other side when Mr. Han lowered his ward to fire three rounds across the foyer to take out the man on the far balcony. The uncle winced as a bullet tore through his left shoulder but he forced his hand back up, preventing further damage.

'This is stupid.'

Kurumu felt a huge draw of the energy about them which caught everyone's attention. Suddenly the stair the nearest man stood upon was wrenched away from the balcony. The structure collapsed, taking the startled man with it. As more of the stair crumbled, Mr. Han lowered his ward to gun down one of the men on the central landing. The other man fled to avoid the same fate.

"Excessive, Ms. Sendou."

Mr. Han trotted across the balcony with his ward hand up but no bullets tried to stop them. They darted into the upper level hallway on the other side, walking by the doors to the rooms which Tsukune and the members of the Huang family resided.

It only took a few seconds to arrive at the last door on the right side of this corridor. The uncle stuffed his gun in his pocket, grabbing the black knob. He kept his warding hand up as he pushed open the door.

"Feihong? We're coming in."

Mr. Han ventured into the room, leaving the door open for them. Yukari encouraged for Kurumu to follow Fang, trailing a step behind to keep a ward up to protect them from any pursuers.

His parents' room was twice the size of the guest rooms. It had a couch, armchairs and a television sitting upon an entertainment center tucked away in a corner, much like Kokoa's and Moka's bedrooms at the Shuzen Estate.

"Feihong?"

Mr. Han walked closer to a canopy bed in the far corner of the room which was flanked by two dressers pushed against the far wall. He lowered his warding hand, drawing back the drapes. The uncle let out a heavy sigh, falling back a step.

"Assassinated."

"Father? No!"

Fang rushed over to the bed, throwing aside the drapes. He dropped his weapon as he clambered up onto the mattress, crying out in dismay.

"Shut up, you fool!"

Despite the fierceness of that hiss, Fang continued to wail in grief, tugging at Kurumu's heart. She looked at Yukari whom promptly renewed her hold on Kurumu. She felt the draw of power as Yukari held her hand up to ward any attacks this mourning instigated.

"Unless you wish to join him, cease this nonsense!"

Kurumu shivered, feeling the despair and loss. Though she had not seen the body, she had a clear image of what it looked like. Both Mr. Han and Fang had seen it. Fang was cradling his lifeless father's body in his arms. A bullet had blown out the back of his head, leaving his face undamaged with only a bloody hole in the center of the forehead. Brain matter and gore was splattered all over the mattress. She could feel his sorrow as she held her father's body against her.

'Why are you showing me this?'

'Sorry, Yukari.'

Yukari squeezed her hand, turning to regard Mr. Han.

"That was a shot to his forehead, Mr. Han. You said assassination but that was up close and personal."

"Assassins can get close, Ms. Sendou."

"Why do you keep acting like there isn't a traitor when you have known for days that someone stole a bunch of your devices to bypass Master Touhou's illusion?"

"I am not dismissing anything. It simply feels irrelevant right now."

"Irrelevant? You just show up in the middle of an attack and send your daughter away to safety."

"Any parent would do that."

"And you didn't have any means of getting the rest of us out of here?"

"I only had the one ring, Ms. Sendou. Xinyi would have taken one of you with her if she could."

Yukari scowled, ceasing her pull on Kurumu's spirit as she lowered her ward.

"I don't even hear gunfire now. That can't be the only stairway up here."

"They won't just shoot up the place randomly, Ms. Sendou. They may still be looking for us."

Yukari grimaced as Fang continued to sob in the background.

"So what is your plan now?"

Mr. Han sighed, striding purposefully back to the door.

"There is a stairway near here. We can go down and slip out a side door. If we can secure a vehicle, we should be able to escape."

"Why should we trust you?"

Mr. Han frowned, glancing at Yukari.

"I beg your pardon."

"I'm asking why we should believe that you are not the person responsible for Fang's father being dead."

A coldness replaced the confusion in the man's eyes behind his boxy glasses.

"Because I have no reason to do this."

"Seizing control of the Huang family seems motive enough. If something were to tragically happen to Fang on the way to the vehicle-"

"I already control this family, Ms. Sendou. His father is a figurehead and his mother has no say in most business matters. What do I even stand to gain here?"

"What are you talking about?"

Mr. Han looked up at Fang whom stepped away from the bed. The young man's arms were smeared with his father's blood.

"Your friend is desperately trying to paint me as a villain."

"You seemed neither surprised nor upset that his father was dead."

"We don't have time for this nonsense. We need to get Fang out of here."

"Oh sure. We just walk out of the mansion into a Miao family trap. You hand Fang over and let the rest of the family die in the mirror world."

"You are mistaken, Ms. Sendou. A trap laid out by me would not involve Mr. Lao, my driver, getting shot up and rolling our vehicle. Nor would it require Mr. Leung to be killed before we could get out of the vehicle or Mr. Dai being cut down before we made it to my daughter. Mr. Tseng bleeding out in your room is not a ruse to get your trust."

"Yukari. Uncle has not betrayed us. Those men have worked for him for years."

Yukari shook off his hand when he tried to put it on her shoulder.

"That simply means he was double crossed."

Kurumu sucked in a breath, reaching out to Mr. Han's mind. She quickly felt his fear and concern which was hidden beneath that icy expression. He was worried that these kids were going to get him killed. That his own family might be under attack.

"Yukari. Don't be like Lord Chiki, twisting every fact to fit your conclusion."

Yukari whirled on her with a scowl.

"I am not being unreasonable. Mrs. Shuzen couldn't even reach the family when she wanted to but this guy's morning call got through without a problem."

"What does Mrs. Shuzen have to do with this?"

Yukari turned to face Mr. Han's flat inquiry.

"She was trying to warn the family about this attack."

Mr. Han nodded thoughtfully. Thoughts that Kurumu was aware of. Security was in charge of monitoring all calls for the family.

Haitao.

"I need to get you off the premises, Fang. There are men in this family whom are not happy about you becoming the next heir. You'll be safer in my home."

"Like we should trust you."

Mr. Han scowled at Yukari.

"I'm not playing this game with you, Ms. Sendou. If you want to stay here and die, you are more than welcome to. But Fang must come with me."

"He thinks it's your other uncle."

Fang gasped and Yukari turned wide eyes upon Kurumu.

"We don't know anything, Ms. Kurono. For all I know, Haitao is dead. We must get out of here."

Yukari nodded as Mr. Han opened the door, tugging it towards him.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Han. I completely forgot about the other uncle."

"I can't believe Uncle Haitao-"

"Could both of you stop assuming things without fact? We need to focus on leaving here alive."

Kurumu felt Mr. Han's regret for suspecting Feihong's little brother. But if this gets these kids out of this room, so be it. He could apologize later if the traitor was one of Haitao's subordinates.

Mr. Han headed out of the room first, holding his left hand with the ward towards the foyer as he drifted down the corridor to the right. Fang paused in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder though not at them. His eyes were for the bed where his father remained. The young man took in a deep breath and stepped out into the hall, holding his left hand up to serve as his shield.

"I'm not like Lord Chiki."

Kurumu smiled softly, grabbing Yukari's hand with her good one. She squeezed before guiding the witch out into the corridor. The other two had made their way to the end of the hall. The corridor turned and went towards the front of the building. But Mr. Han disappeared in a small passage on the right.

Kurumu followed Fang into this passage, noting that it was a stairway down. They descended one flight of stairs in the eerie silence of the mansion. Upon reaching a landing, they turned about and started down a second flight.

Mr. Han reached the bottom, stepping out into a corridor with his left hand facing the foyer. He held that position, waving them to get behind him with the pistol in his other hand. Fang promptly acquiesced while Kurumu took a moment to steel her nerves before entering the hall.

With a glance to the left, she realized that this was the corridor they had been in not so long ago which wrapped around the training room. She could see where this hall ended and turned towards the front of the mansion. This other hall was lined with windows looking out at the forest to their right.

"Over here."

Mr. Han slipped by them to where the hall made the turn. But instead of walking down this perimeter corridor, he stepped on a protrusion upon the wall. A faint click sounded and the uncle pressed against the wall, forcing it to swing out. He gestured for them to go through the opening.

Fang hopped out onto the grass, moving enough aside for Kurumu to hop down and join him. The jarring landing caused a sudden shooting pain in her arm and side. She grimaced, panting softly.

"What's the point of this? You have windows along this wall."

Mr. Han chuckled as Yukari hopped the short step down. He stepped out last, letting the panel close behind him under its own weight. It clicked when it shut.

"Fang was not the first member of this family to install odd features to this house because it was cool."

Kurumu and Yukari smirked in unison, sharing the same thought that Master Touhou was the culprit. Mr. Han crouched and started walking alongside the wall, gesturing for them to follow.

It took a few seconds for them to reach the corner of the mansion. Mr. Han hugged the wall as he peered across the open expanse. Several vehicles were parked in the circle though Kurumu's attention was fixed on the one overturned vehicle on the drive. Bullet holes had torn up the side which was visible to them.

"Hopefully one of their vehicles have the keys inside. If not, we have a long run to get off the property."

Yukari sighed, squeezing Kurumu's hand.

"If she wasn't injured, I would suggest us flying out of here."

"We would be shot out of the sky."

"I'd take that chance over the long shot that one of those cars have keys."

Mr. Han nodded at Yukari's remark, looking at Fang.

"Okay. I understand that you can summon that flying dragon reliably."

Fang gasped, touching his chest.

"But they would shoot him."

"It's your choice, son. Risk losing your dragon or us running out there."

Fang sucked in a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay. But you will need to protect me while I cast the summon."

Mr. Han grunted in acknowledgment as Fang reached into the pocket of his slacks. He stepped away from the building, standing up tall as he pulled the coins out of his pocket. His uncle darted out beside him, lifting his hand up to ward.

A shot rang out from behind them, causing Fang to drop to the dirt. Kurumu's heart lurched as the uncle fell to his knees with the front of his head blown out in an indecipherable mess of gore. The man pitched face first in the dirt as they looked about wildly for the shooter.

"That accountant proved more troublesome than most of your worthless staff, Huang Fang."

Xia Long materialized before them along with nine other men wearing the gray suits of the Miao family. These men stood about them in a circle, denying escape with guns aimed at them.

"Xia Long! You murderer!"

Xia Long chuckled, touching the black top hat resting on his blond locks. He wore a black cape over a pinstripe shirt with black slacks. He held a black cane in his right hand which had a ruby top.

"I've been called worse."

Fang snarled, lunging towards the blond man. But before he reached the man, Fang struck against an electric barrier which knocked him back on his ass.

"Sorry, Fang. But this is a one way barrier. I can't have you and your little friends getting out of there."

Kurumu shivered as Yukari let go of her hand. The witch stood up.

"When did you have time to set a barrier like this up?"

"I had three of these barriers set up. One on each corner of the building and the last in the center. I just needed our spotters to tell me which one I needed to activate."

"So now you plan to just gun us down?"

"Coward!"

Xia Long laughed as Fang snarled at him.

"As easy as that would be, I made a promise."

Fang turned in the blink of an eye as a figure darted towards him. Kurumu registered the short, pink hair and the light blue frock gracing this lithe figure as a blade flashed out. Fang whipped up a kick that knocked the lunging assailant aside, causing one blade to clatter in the dirt beneath him. The figure landed on its feet, hopping back to safety.

"A little girl?"

Kurumu shared his confusion as the slender assailant crouched low with one blade held firmly in her tiny right hand. The blue frock which failed to reach her knees had long sleeves and pockets stitched at her hips. Glossy black buttons ran up the center with black dots scattered about the garment.

"So the Miao family continues to pressure orphans into becoming assassins."

"Mind your manners, Fang. You are facing one of the strongest members of my family."

Fang huffed, whipping his coin sword out at the crouching child.

"And I'm Huang Fang, heir to my family. I don't know what you promised this child, but I will make sure that she sees the errors of her ways."

The girl giggled, straightening up.

"I'm so glad. So many rely on guns these days that I never get a proper fight."

Fang flinched, twisted aside as the dagger on the ground suddenly jumped up and shot towards him. It grazed his shoulder, slicing open his shirt.

"How did?!"

The girl held her left hand up and the dagger came unerringly back to her palm. The blade had a thin line of Fang's blood upon it which the girl brought close to her lips.

"I just love bullying people weaker than me."

"Enchanted daggers?!"

"Not at all!"

To Kurumu's surprise, the girl suddenly took both blades and stabbed them into her own head. She let go and the blades rapidly diminished into a pair of pointed horns. She held her hands out wide with a maniacal grin.

"I am Miao Routier. The living weapon."

Fang grimaced, backing up a step.

"I've heard rumors about you."

"I hope that you have. Since your family took everything away from me."

Routier giggled as she unsnapped the buttons of her frock, causing Fang to panic.

"What are you doing?!"

"I'm about to give my body to you. You should be honored."

Fang stammered out nonsensical protests as the girl continued her task. She parted her frock, revealing a smooth body with small breasts topped with dark nipples. A trimmed pink patch adorned her navel.

"Hold it right there, lady! I can't stand here and watch you do… whatever it is you're doing?!"

Routier frowned at the blushing witch.

"Why is there a child in the arena you promised me?"

Xia Long chuckled along with several of his men.

"I'm sorry, dear cousin, but they happened to be with the object of your desire."

Kurumu winced when Routier tore into her torso, yanking out a rib with a sickening pop. Her blood sprayed across the ground between her and a startled Fang.

"This is an intimate matter, little girl. Stay out of it."

"But Fang had nothing to do with the death of your father."

Routier's dark eyes filled with a malevolent glint at Kurumu's words.

"You know nothing, pretty girl. Fang is everything to me. I've waited so long for this moment."

Routier grabbed the rib in both of her hands, initiating a rapid transformation. The base of the bone swelled up into a thick, rectangle dripping with her blood. A black handle swept out and around the box, creating a grip for Routier as the rest of the bone flattened out and stretched almost to half the height of her body. Routier grabbed something on the side, tugging it back on a cord.

"How about we have some fun?"

Kurumu's eyes widened when a motor sounded out, causing the surface of the protruding blade to move. This moving part turned black as it became jagged and barbed. Routier held the device high, revealing a heart shaped hole at the top of the rounded protrusion.

Yukari grabbed Kurumu's arm and she immediately felt Yukari's desire. The witch wanted her to do something about these men with guns. It was not like they would be allowed to live regardless of the results of this pointless duel. Kurumu nodded, promising to take care of it.

As Fang twisted and darted away from the crazy girl, Kurumu pushed her awareness out. She could not be obvious, so she kept enough sense to make it look like she was enthralled with the ensuing fight. She moved her head with their motions but her mind reached for the presence of the men about her.

It helped that some of these fools wanted to see her naked. Watching Routier dance about with most of her naughty bits bared had these men aroused and wanting more. More than one of these guys wanted to rape Kurumu senselessly once this was done. These men did not want to be given the order to kill.

Three of these men wanted to murder Routier and Xia Long. The only thing keeping those men in line was the uncertainty of what would happen afterwards. There were other Miao family officers but none of these men possessed a clear thought over whom would take over with these two dead. It certainly would not be the buxom Ms. Hua, the family physician whom was a cousin of Xia Long's father.

Kurumu shivered when Fang's side was grazed by a swipe of the chainsaw, tearing out the fabric in the blink of an eye. Blood spilled out his torso as he darted away.

"Does it hurt? Tell me! Tell me! Communication is important in a relationship!"

'I have no reach!'

The sharpness of Fang's thought snaked into her awareness. Routier's weapon was longer than his and she moved so fast, giving him no time to summon a creature to his aid. All he could do was evade and deflect her weapon with his coin sword when absolutely necessary.

Routier hopped back with the cluck of her tongue.

"You must not be very popular with the ladies if you don't understand that much."

Fang grimaced, thankful for the moment. He whipped out a charm.

"I see that weapon of yours isn't the only sharp thing in your arsenal."

"Aw. Am I hurting your feelings?"

The moment he brought his charm up she lunged at him, causing him to fall back. His coin sword barely got up in time to push aside the chainsaw. He dropped the charm, scurrying away as she chased.

"Naughty boy! I won't let you bring a friend to our bed!"

Fang twisted, knocking the next swipe aside as he hopped back to safety.

"Wait! Hold up!"

Routier laughed maniacally as she lunged towards him. Fang barely evaded the strike though a red line sprouted from his arm. Routier paused with a shiver as the crimson splattered against her body.

"So good. I feel your fluids on my body."

Every man about the arena had the same perverse thought. Kurumu smirked, feeling confident that she had full control. They would not fire upon them if given the order.

"Lady Routier. This is meaningless."

Routier scowled at him, raising her chainsaw.

"Meaningless? Are you saying I am meaningless to you?!"

Fang gasped when the girl lunged at him. He pushed aside the chainsaw, wincing as he spun away.

"You don't have to do this!"

Routier laughed as she whirled about to face him.

"No! We must dance!"

Fang grimaced as he narrowly sidestepped another lunge. He hopped back when she tried to catch him with a back swing.

"Then let the man dictate the pacing."

Routier giggled, backing off to circle him in a predatory manner.

"Aw. Am I going too fast for the virgin?"

"What does that have-?!"

Routier sprung upon him before the flustered boy could finish. He stumbled back, falling on his ass. Fang just got his coin sword up as the girl pushed her chainsaw dangerously close to him. Routier cackled as she straddled over him, grinding on his crotch.

"You might lack the stamina, but we can't stop until I'm satisfied."

Kurumu's eyes widened as she felt the arousal heighten from the gathered men. Some of them were lowering their weapons with thoughts of pounding her mercilessly. That felt good in a sickening way.

"I love being on top."

"Lady Routier! Please!"

Routier panted as she continued grinding upon him, unable to push her chainsaw closer due to his coin sword. Her cheeks were flush as she peered down at his pained face.

"So cute. If only I could keep you. Like a pet. Could you bark for me?"

Fang lost his grip on his sword and the chainsaw pushed down into his shoulder. He screamed as it bit into his flesh, tearing away the fabric in a heartbeat. Blood splattered everywhere. Routier made an expression of pure bliss as her body relaxed.

Chunks of dirt tore out of the ground, striking Routier with enough force to knock her to the side. The blushing Yukari, stepped forward with another surge of power. More earthen projectiles launched up, zipping towards the startled girl. The first tagged Routier, knocking her back but she swatted the next three aside with the swipe of her chainsaw.

"How dare you interrupt?!"

Yukari trembled as the crazy girl regained her footing. The witch stomped her feet as she walked closer to the groaning Fang, causing more chunks of dirt to hurtle towards Routier.

"I won't watch you kill him."

The horns in Routier's head lengthened as her lips turned into snarl. She effortlessly batted away the next volley of dirt and rock.

"Jealous girl. I was so close."

Yukari's blush darkened as she forced a pair of earthen hands to sprout at Routier's feet, clamping down on the girl's ankles.

"Jealous?! I don't care if you fuck him! But you were killing him!"

"Out of my way!"

Routier tore out of the ground with a startling feat of strength, launching high into the air. Yukari fell back in surprise as Routier descended upon her with the chainsaw promising death

Fang was up on his feet between them. He caught the chainsaw with his coin sword, forcing it aside with more strength than he had ever deflected her strikes before. He turned about hard as Routier continued her descent, letting her land on his back.

"I'm your dance partner."

He dug his elbow into her side as Routier stumbled onto her feet. Before she could recover, he slammed his palm into the first holding his sword. Kurumu felt the sudden surge of power as Routier was launched away from Fang. The girl shot away, striking the barrier which crackled violently. Routier pitched forward in the dirt, dropping her chainsaw.

"I don't care what you do to me. But I won't forgive you for trying to hurt my friend."

Xia Long laughed, clapping his hands slowly in a mocking manner.

"Yes. Disregard that you required the little lady's help to overcome your stupidity."

Fang scowled at him before turning his eyes on Yukari.

"Are you okay? She didn't hurt you, right?"

Yukari staggered back a step, holding her hands up to her chin and chest.

"What are you talking about? Your arm looks like it could fall off."

Fang grimaced, glancing at his injured left shoulder. His bone was visible with blood dripping profusely from the jagged wound.

"Yea. I can't say that I even feel it now."

"Let me heal that."

Fang laughed as Yukari stepped forward. The witch made a diamond pattern on her chest with her fingers and thumbs.

"I'm so relieved. If you hadn't stepped in, I might have died there."

"Because you're an idiot."

Fang chuckled as she pulled a blue line of energy from her body to push against his shoulder. He winced.

"Yea. I'm sorry."

"Sorry? You are a fool and always have been. You took Routier lightly, allowing yourself to be hurt. It was only when the life of one of your friends was on the line that you fully committed to the fight."

Fang scowled, turning upon the smirking Xia Long.

"Because fighting her held no meaning for me. Unlike you, I have no desire for this war."

"I could care less about your moral high ground. Kill them all."

Kurumu cocked her head, sending a strong message of doubt into the minds of his men.

"That would be a waste."

"Yea. Can't we rape the chicks first?"

"Are you wanting us to kill Lady Routier too?"

Xia Long looked about with bewilderment.

"No, you fools! Shoot Fang and the two Japanese girls!"

Xia Long gasped when two of the men leveled their weapons at him.

"I think putting you down here might also work."

"Yea. An unfortunate casualty of our war."

Xia Long flicked his left hand out, causing a gun to slide out of his sleeve into his palm. He immediately gunned down the pair of dissenters

And then everyone started firing.

Kurumu screamed, falling to her knees as her mind was torn from these fools one by one as they turned their guns on each other in a fit of whom would get to fuck her first. Xia Long stumbled back as the last man standing, shaking his head in disbelief.

"What just happened?"

Kurumu swallowed thickly. It felt like her head and body could fall apart.

"Stand down, Xia Long. Before I make you."

She looked up at him and he staggered back with wide eyes.

"Succubus! Take the shot!"

Kurumu felt the deadly intent. She instantly created an illusion of herself as she leaned forward. A shot sounded out, blowing a hole through the head of her copy. The body of her illusion pitched to the side, lifeless. The man on the other end of that rifle was none other than Haitao whom was pleased with his marksmanship.

Kurumu stood up as she continued the ruse in Haitao's mind. She cocked her head as her chiropteran wings slashed out of her back, ruining what little remained of this school blouse. Everything hurt. Her mind. Her body. But she had to keep up her illusion.

"No! It can't end like this!"

Xia Long whipped up his hand but he hesitated. Because he was out of bullets. Because Kurumu made him believe he had fired them all in the brief skirmish. He shook his head as he stumbled back. But that was not what Haitao saw. He saw Xia Long gun down Yukari and Fang.

"This war is between the Huang and Miao families. It should be settled between us."

Kurumu cocked her head, continuing her ruse with Haitao.

"But it is over, Xia Long. Haitao is off to clean up the rest of your men because he thinks that he just blew your head off. Your men won't even know what hit them."

"That double crossing bastard!"

Fang chuckled at Xia Long's fury.

"Ms. Kurono is right. The Miao family is finished. And so is my uncle when Mother hears about this."

Xia Long grit his teeth, making a sweeping gesture. Kurumu felt the energy barrier disappear.

"We shall see about that. I challenge you, Huang Fang. A duel to the death to decide which of us will be the ruler of our two families."

"I can still fight."

Routier pushed up on her hands and knees, panting. Xia Long glanced at her and let out a laugh.

"You're alive?"

"I can't die yet."

"Stay down, Cousin. The only solution now is for Fang to fight against me. You can have your fun with him after I've defeated him."

Routier sat back on her haunches with a pout.

"But he won't be any fun as a corpse."

"I don't need to kill him. Once he's realized he is no match for me, he will surrender. And then after we kill that treacherous uncle of his, we can take over this pathetic family."

Routier blushed, clutching her cheeks.

"I've always wanted a pet."

"I am not a pet!"

Yukari huffed, taking a defensive posture beside the flustered Fang.

"I think you are too confident that you can beat the three of us on your own."

"Three? I think your succubus ally is busy fooling around in the head of that troublesome uncle. As long as I don't try to kill her, she won't interfere. How about it, Fang? One on one."

"Fang is in no condition to fight and you are in no position to be making demands."

"I accept your challenge!"

Yukari staggered back when Fang stepped forward.

"Are you crazy?!"

"On the terms that the Miao family shall unconditionally surrender with my victory."

Xia Long chuckled, stepping back. He glanced at Routier whom was clutching her side.

"Are you okay surrendering to him if I lose?"

"As if you would lose."

"If you manage by some miracle to defeat me, I will have those loyal to me to surrender."

"This is stupid, Fang. He's only picking this fight because you're hurt."

Fang smiled warmly at Yukari, reaching into his pocket to pull out a charm.

"Have some faith in me. I can do this."

"Has that pathetic summoning skill of yours improved enough for me to be concerned?"

"I'll show you. My white tiger will tear you apart!"

Fang stabbed his sword through the charm and focused his power.

"You'll rue this day, Xia Long!"

The panda suddenly appeared beside Fang, growling its displeasure. Fang glanced at the panda with wide eyes as Yukari sighed heavily.

"Dian?! Not now!"

Xia Long chuckled heartily, pointing at the beast as it planted its huge ass on the ground.

"No way! You can't be serious. This must be a trick to lull me into a false sense of security."

"But I trained so hard!"

Yukari sighed again as Fang fell to his knees.

"Nope. Unfortunately this happens every time he tries to summon Baihu."

Xia Long sighed dramatically with a shake of his head.

"This is why your own family betrayed you, Fang. You are the most useless heir to ever be allowed to carry on the great Master Touhou Fuhai's legacy."

"Please, Dian. Go home! I can't play with you right now!"

Xia Long scowled when Fang continued to pay more attention to shooing his panda away.

"I would be doing both families a favor dethroning you. This is how you cast a summon!"

Xia Long whipped out a charm and smashed it upon the ruby atop his can. A huge plant tore up from the ground, knocking Yukari, Fang and his panda away. The thorny vine reared up with a gatling gun in the center of a huge bud at the end. More roses were coiled about the vine with bright, colorful petals.

"I alone shall be king. This shall be your funeral flowers."

Routier cried out happily, clutching her hands to between her subtle breasts.

"Guns and Roses. Cousin raised these carnivorous plants himself. They reduce everything to little pieces, making it easier to digest."

"Farewell, Fang."

"But I thought you weren't going to kill him!"

In the middle of Routier's protest, the flower started raining bullets upon the startled Fang. But instead of tearing through flesh, the deadly projectiles pounded against the carapace of an onyx spiral shell. With the wave of his hand, the flower ceased its assault. Xia Long chuckled.

"You would intervene."

Yukari scowled as an orange snail emerged from beneath the shell.

"If you are insisting on a battle of summons, than I shall be your opponent."

"Not bad. You blocked my attack."

"I can do much more than that."

Xia Long snickered as Fang resumed his efforts to convince his panda to leave.

"It seems Fang forfeits the match."

"I don't give a damn about your stupid rules! If I kill you and this stupid bitch, then the stipulations of a match you made clearly in your favor become meaningless!"

"Very well. I won't lose a summoning battle against a little girl."

"This little girl has mastered all of the Huang family summons. Because I am a genius!"

Yukari thrust her fingers at the gatling gun plant.

"Hell Fire Snail! Burn that flower to ash!"

The snail reared its head back and spewed a gout of flame. Xia Long gasped, hopping away as his flower was reduced to ash in seconds. Shaking his head in disbelief, Xia Long pulled out another charm.

"Fire type, eh? Then I'll just bring out the water."

He slapped the charm on top of the ruby on his cane.

"Ludicolo! I choose you!"

A weird bipedal creature popped into existence near Xia Long. It had a duck bill, green hands and short, stubby green legs. A yellowish fur wrapped about its stocky body and a jagged green crown rested upon its head. Something like a brown coconut stuck out from the top of this crown with a tuft of yellow hair.

"If you keep summoning plants, then I'll keep summoning insects to destroy them."

Yukari whipped out a charm of her own.

"Beedrill! Hit that goofy looking thing with your sniper attack!"

A yellow insect with black stripes snapped into existence in front of Yukari. The creature with steel drills at the end of its limbs batted four gossamer wings to rear up and fire its stinger at the other summon.

Fang collapsed to his knees, drawing Kurumu's attention. She felt his hopelessness. How he felt useless. If he could summon Baihu, it would be two against one. Even Xia Long could never defeat that.

But Yukari was right. The summons he knew were not meant for battle. As terrifying as Long was, he was better for transportation than actual fighting. And Xuanwu was purely defensive. If Yukari had felt his other summons were of any use, she would have brought them out.

He was so useless. Even if he tried, he would most likely summon Dian again.

"Wow. That little girl is awesome. But is this okay? That must really hurt."

That was when Kurumu noticed what Routier meant. Yukari was bleeding from her ears and nostrils. There was also a trail of blood down her thighs, staining the leggings pulled up over her knees. Yukari's eyes were glazed over as she pulled out another charm to counter the latest creature Xia Long had brought forth to the battle.

Unable to do much more while holding control over Haitao, Kurumu threw Fang a warning. He gasped, rushing over to Yukari's side. The witch dropped her charm, going limp in his arms.

"Yukari!"

Xia Long chuckled, placing his hand on the pommel of his cane with authority. His last summon vanished in an instant as he let out a sigh of relief.

"As I expected. Summoning these creatures draws power from the summoner. I knew from the start that I would have more energy to spare than a little girl."

Fang lowered down to his knees with Yukari offering no resistance. He turned her about in his arms.

"I'm so sorry. I should have helped."

"Stop apologizing. Do what you do best."

"But what can I do? I'm useless! I have no talent! A family heir that can't even protect his friends!"

As Fang broke down in tears, Xia Long leaned over to pick up a pistol off the ground. He squeezed the weapon's grip, stalking over to the couple.

"It gives me no pleasure doing this Fang. But I have no choice."

"But you promised!"

Xia Long leveled the pistol at Fang's head as the young man continued to sob in self loathing.

"Sorry, Cousin. But I don't want to find out what happens if we fail."

Fang looked up with his face twisted in anger and sadness.

"I don't care about me! But spare my friends!"

"Pathetic. Perhaps I should shoot the girl-"

Xia Long staggered back in a spray of blood as Fang landed several paces away.

"I already told you my terms!"

Fang snarled, turning about to face Xia Long. He lifted his coin blade high as his left arm remained limp.

"If my death won't satisfy you, then you give me no choice!"

"Fine, you stubborn fool! I'll just take your life!"

Xia Long cried out, emptying his weapon upon Fang. But to everyone's disbelief, Fang was unscathed from the onslaught despite not moving at all.

"No way! Impossible!"

Routier gasped at Xia Long's sentiments.

"The mirror flower. Only Aunt Tian could do that."

"I am done apologizing for what I am not. This is the end for you."

Xia Long laughed nervously, dropping his weapon.

"I see. So the best part of you comes from my family after all."

"I'll give you one last chance to surrender, Xia Long."

Xia Long snatched a charm out of his pocket, slamming it against the pommel of his cane.

"But you will never get close enough to use your skills, Fang. I summon the thousand blade funeral flowers. It will slice you up before you can touch me!"

A huge plant reared up behind Xia Long with a myriad of thorns poised to tear up any adversaries. The vines curled protectively about him, flexing with anticipation.

"Wrong choice."

Fang sprang towards Xia Long whom laughed at the suicidal attack.

But when the thorn blades came down for Fang, they struck upon the steel carapace of a spider like creature that had appeared above Fang. Before Xia Long could register the failure of his summon, Fang thrust his coin sword through Xia Long's torso.

"No fair."

Fang swept up his bad arm to press two fingers to Xia Long's chest.

"Life isn't."

Xia Long was shot back, losing hold of his cane which caused his summon to vanish. He hit the dirt several paces away, rolling to a stop. The Miao family leader groaned as Fang whipped his coin sword down, splattering the ground with Xia Long's blood.

"It's over, Xia Long. Concede or I will kill you."

Routier cried out, crawling frantically over to Xia Long's side.

"Guess I had strength for one more summon."

Fang grinned as Yukari staggered up to her feet.

"Yes. I knew you would."

"Reckless fool."

Fang smiled warmly.

"I know. But you still love me."

Yukari coughed, turning her head aside.

"As if."

"Xia Long! Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

Xia Long howled when Routier put her hands on him.

"Yes! Don't touch there!"

Routier giggled, poking him in his chest again. Xia Long cried out again, batting her hand away but she did it another time.

"Why not? This is fun!"

"Fine! I surrender! Get this crazy wench off me!"

"I know that you like it!"

Kurumu giggled though her mind was still preoccupied. She cocked her head, regarding Fang.

"If we are done here, then it is time we deal with your uncle."

Fang sighed, nodding as Xia Long continued to beg for rescue from his cackling cousin.

"Yes. Time to finish this."

---

Kurumu shivered, sitting in the training room. As her school blouse was beyond repair, she had pitched it and changed into her black tank top and gray shorts. At least her lingerie and skirt only needed a good wash. Unfortunately there was no staff left alive to do that chore so she would have to do it herself.

"Cold?"

Yukari was sitting beside her. The witch had also changed into her pajamas which consisted of a white tee and sleep pant which were both patterned with yellow ducks.

"Not really. Just anxious. I don't know what we will tell them."

"We're only here to direct them to the main foyer when they show up, Kurumu."

Power had been restored shortly after Mrs. Han had arrived with reinforcements. The gateway to the mirror world was active. They were both reluctant to go inside there and fetch the others.

"We have to tell them something."

"This room is torn up with bullet holes. I think they will know without us having to say a word."

Kurumu sighed, dragging her purse up into her lap. She pulled her phone out, confirming that it was a little after five before stuffing it back inside. Less than four hours ago their friends had jumped into this portal for another session of training. Now the war between the Miao and Huang families was over.

"So we're going back to Japan."

"We don't know that yet. She wants to look at our futures first."

"That makes sense for my operation. But why does she want you?"

"I don't know, Kurumu. And she clearly had no intentions of explaining herself."

Kurumu sulked, disliking how people with information often kept her in the dark. They were supposed to meet Mrs. Shuzen at the Miao family headquarters tomorrow morning with their suitcases packed. She had not given them any updates on the situation with Moka or Fujisaki.

"It's like she doesn't even care that the Huang family was almost wiped out today."

"She has other concerns."

"I know that but-"

The watery surface shimmered, heralding the arrival of Ginei. The werewolf landed on his feet with a huge fanged grin. He cocked his head as Kurumu got to her feet.

"There you are. We were wondering what happened to our ladies designated to watch the provisions."

Kurumu smiled thinly, offering Yukari a hand.

"We had a major setback."

Miyamoto hopped through next, holding Otonashi protectively in his arms. He landed on his feet not far from Ginei. He laughed as he eased the swimsuit clad girl onto her tiny feet.

"There is one of our missing ladies. Though I can't say I was surprised with your absence."

"Fang and his cousin not showing up bothered us more but I think I have a clue what happened."

Miyamoto frowned at Ginei whom made a sweeping gesture about the room. Miyamoto's frown only deepened as Rubi fell through the puddle to land unceremoniously on the floor nearby.

"I don't understand-"

"The place has been shot the hell up, Haiji. You can't be that dense."

Otonashi gasped as Miyamoto let out a sound of understanding.

"Is the kid okay?"

Kurumu managed a smile as Yukari moved to help a whimpering Rubi to her feet.

"Yea. Fang and his cousin are both in the foyer. They are handling family matters and waiting for Master Touhou, his mother and his sister to arrive."

Ms. Hitori and the phoenix came through the portal next, using their powers to hover in the air. The couple drifted safely over to a corner.

"What the hell happened to this place?"

"Sounds like we are about to find out. Come on, Haiji. Have short stuff follow us to the foyer."

Otonashi huffed angrily as Ginei opened the door with a chuckle. Miyamoto grinned, nodding at her. With a pout, the siren walked out of the room with the two boys following on her heels.

Mrs. Huang was the next person to jump through the portal, causing Kurumu's heart to skip a beat. The mother landed perfectly on her feet. With a single glance about the room, the mother took up a fighting posture as her daughter hopped through the glimmering circle next.

"Why is this room shot up? Are we under attack?"

Kurumu waved her hands in a placating manner.

"The fight is over, Mrs. Huang. Your family is waiting for you in the foyer."

"Your husband is dead."

Mrs. Huang rushed for the door Ginei had left open, spurring her daughter to follow. Kurumu shook her head at Yukari before trotting after the two women, aware that the portal was shimmering with the next arrival. She quickly passed through the storage room into the corridor beyond.

It only took Kurumu a few seconds jogging down the halls to reach the main foyer. She had to hold an arm over her bosom though to keep her breasts from spilling out of her tank top. She heard Fang cry out for his mother as she entered the large space.

Fang hugged his mother, sporting a short sleeved, plum shirt with a mandarin collar. The black floral design was hard to notice. A pair of pristine white slacks graced his legs.

A trio had been tied to chairs in the middle of the foyer. Haitao scowled, struggling against his bindings which had been magically enhanced by his sister. Routier whimpered but kept still. Xia Long looked like he was dead with his head bowed and his clothing torn and bloodied.

Five men under Mrs. Han's command were dressed in black suits and black sunglasses, standing about the captives. The widow was garbed in a sleeveless dark orchid cheongsam with a yellow floral pattern and golden hem.

"Do you understand the situation?"

Mrs. Huang took in a deep breath, looking at Ms. Xinyi whom had asked the question. The young woman was still wearing her bloodied sports bra and shorts though her wounds were healed.

"Haitao betrayed us."

"Yes. He killed my brother and my husband."

"I'm surprised that you let him live."

Mrs. Han looked aside with her lip quivering and clenched fists.

"He still is my little brother."

Mrs. Huang stepped in front of Mrs. Han, placing a hand upon her shoulder.

"I understand. Do you wish mercy?"

"Fuck you, bitches. I am the true ruler of this family now. That little shit can't cast summons any better than I can. I own this family."

"He killed everyone, Mother. Mr. Gao. Mr. Liang. Everybody."

"Xiang?"

Mrs. Han turned her back to her brother.

"Do what you must."

"I'm sorry, Xiang. It seems your little brother died from jealousy and greed."

"Fuck y-"

Haitao splattered into chunks of gore with the flick of Mrs. Huang's arm. The back of the chair had shattered with much of his torso as his arms fell to either side of the seat.

Routier cackled with glee as bits of Haitao stained her frock.

"Serves that traitor right."

Mrs. Huang turned cold eyes upon the girl.

"You might be next, Miao Routier, if you don't watch your tongue."

Routier ceased her giggles, cocking her head. She peered at the mothers with a deranged smile.

"I don't care. My father has finally been avenged."

Fang stepped forward, touching his mother's shoulder.

"Wait, Mother. I spared these two because they promised a truce with the Miao family."

Xia Long chuckled, lifting his head to confirm he was alive.

"No. I promised those loyal to me would stand down. I can't say how many are since this family was never fully under my control."

"Then we should kill you both."

Kurumu shivered at the declaration from Master Touhou. The elder strolled over to Xia Long's chair, puffing a cloud of smoke in the young man's face. Xia Long coughed with a grin.

"I would expect nothing less from the ruthless man whom founded this criminal family."

Touhou huffed another gout of smoke into Xia Long's face.

"I know where your main compound is. I could kill everyone for this offense."

Xia Long chuckled and coughed, shaking his head.

"Is it so poorly hidden? Mrs. Shuzen gave me a similar threat."

"Mrs. Shuzen threatened you?"

Xia Long looked up, meeting Kurumu's gaze.

"Not directly. Said that if I launched this attack, I would come home to nobody."

"And you did it anyways?!"

Xia Long grinned, slouching back in his chair.

"I told her it was by order of the Masked King. She claimed that the Masked King would kill my family, but I knew that would only happen if I failed."

Touhou nodded solemnly, puffing on his pipe.

"We should keep you here for the night. Just to be safe."

"This war should have ended years ago, Xia Long. Will you finally stand against the Masked King?"

Xia Long breathed in deep only to cough. He turned a weak smile upon Mrs. Huang.

"I am in no position to do anything."

"I know this might be asking too much from you, but would you be willing to marry him?"

Ms. Xinyi gasped at Mrs. Huang's question. She shook her head vehemently.

"No way! I would never marry this murderous scum!"

Fang grimaced, placing a hand on his tense cousin's shoulder.

"I won't ask Xinyi to make such a sacrifice. Perhaps I can do this."

"Fang. No."

"But I am the heir of the family, Mother. My marriage to someone as important as Lady Routier of the Miao family could be the bridge to peace that we need."

Routier cackled, shaking her head.

"I'm not marrying a weakling like you."

"A weakling whom bested you after you nearly tore one of his arms off."

Routier pouted at Xia Long.

"You lost to him too!"

Mrs. Huang shook her head vehemently.

"No. You are much too young. I only suggested your cousin for this because she and Xia Long are both in their twenties."

"Not quite. I turn twenty in March."

Mrs. Huang frowned at Xia Long's correction.

"Fang is too young."

"But I can take multiple wives, Mother. This would be purely political."

"Oh my God, Fang! You can't be serious!"

Fang frowned at Yukari's protest.

"But it is common for a man in my position to do such things."

"That was your grandfather, Fang. And I can't say anybody cared for his lecherous ways."

"Hey now. I was quite fond of him and all of his wives."

Mrs. Huang and Mrs. Han both favored Master Touhou looks of disgust.

"What do you plan to do? Have her chained up like a pet?"

Fang laughed at Yukari's incredulous questions.

"Now that would be funny. I could make her bark for me when she wants to be fed."

"Please don't, Fang. It would be merciful to just kill her."

"It was a jest, Mother. I would treat Lady Routier with the utmost respect."

Xia Long sighed dramatically.

"If you think you can handle her, you have my blessing."

Routier's eyes went wide. She glanced over at her cousin.

"But why?! Don't you know how much I love you?!"

"Even more of a reason to support this."

Routier began to sob like a little child.

"But I was going to be your bride!"

"You can't be serious. We're cousins. That was never an option."

"But I've only ever wanted you!"

Xia Long huffed, turning his nose away.

"You could have fooled most people with your shameless display with Fang earlier."

Routier's sobs ceased in an instant. She frowned.

"But that was different. My heart is yours."

"Fine. Fang. You can have her body."

Fang blushed, faltering back a step.

"It sounds terrible when you put it like that."

Yukari huffed indignantly, crossing her arms about her chest.

"It sounded terrible the moment you proposed marrying someone for politics."

"To be fair to my son, I was the one whom proposed a political marriage."

"Killing them both is still an option."

Fang laughed at Touhou's calm statement.

"Grandfather, please. They are helpless prisoners. This is a path to peace."

"And a loveless marriage is a long term prison."

Fang grimaced at the elder's remark.

"Despite her attempt on my life, I would cherish Lady Routier."

"Oh sure. I bet the moment you can, you'll marry Chiyu."

Fang puffed up at Yukari's accusation.

"There is nothing wrong with that."

"Sounds like the little lady whom I've grown to admire doesn't approve of this."

Fang sighed dramatically at Xia Long's remark.

"It can't be helped. Ms. Sendou is smitten with my manliness."

"I am not smitten!"

"I was honestly impressed. I imagine it was like how fighting your parents would have been. The great sorcerer protected by the formidable martial artist."

Mrs. Huang frowned, cocking her head.

"What is he talking about?"

Yukari blushed darker, turning her back to them.

"Fine! Marry them both, you lecher!"

Fang chuckled heartily, pounding his chest.

"I can't help that I'm popular with the ladies."

He turned about with a broad smile, stepping towards the frowning Routier.

"I only need your approval. Will you agree to this arrangement?"

Routier bit her lip, glancing at Xia Long whom promptly turned his head.

"Maybe if you agree to be my pet?"

"Absolutely not!"

Touhou chuckled in a puff of smoke, causing Xia Long to cough.

"There is a simple solution here. Ms. Kurono could adjust the girl's perspective of my grandson."

"Why would I do that?"

"We can't have any issues if these two are going to be a symbol of peace between the families."

"Grandfather, no."

"It's a suggestion. You don't want your son meeting an untimely end at a reluctant bride's hands."

Mrs. Huang frowned, glancing at Kurumu.

"But it would be like brainwashing. Changing whom she is."

"Wouldn't that be the same as killing her?"

Touhou chuckled at Xia Long.

"Only a tweak in her personality. We aren't asking her to replace everything."

"I suppose if you make it so that she can't cause my son harm-"

"But I like causing harm!"

"You are more than welcome to fix that."

Kurumu giggled at Xia Long's quick endorsement for that change.

"We can leave that up to Ms. Kurono."

"Are you all being serious? Can Kurumu actually change someone into an ally?"

Kurumu shivered at Tsukune's inquiry. She turned slightly to face him and nodded.

"If I really wanted to. But we aren't doing that here. This is just making a girl fall in love."

"Which Kurumu can effortlessly do."

Kurumu pouted at Yukari's statement. This suddenly felt like the situation with Chiyu all over again.

"Maybe I shouldn't."

"If that dummy intends to marry her, you better do it. I don't want his death on my conscious."

Kurumu smiled apologetically, turning about. She walked over to Routier whom suddenly looked up at her in terror. The girl's horns lengthened as she shook her head.

"No! Please don't take my love for Xia Long away! It's all I have left!"

"Please do, Ms. Kurono. I won't hold that against you."

Kurumu chuckled nervously at Xia Long's prompt blessing of her act. This felt wrong but so was letting this dangerous girl marry Fang. It might not even be that much of a change if she had been obsessing over Fang for years.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Routier. But I think this is for the best."