(AN: Well, I said Thursday or Friday, didn't I? Yes, in today's episode of "How the fuck did I do that, I wrote an average Transfer chapter in five days! Honestly, it's part of a plan I wanna commit to in the New Year, which I'd love to discuss more but here I am in NY, first challenge of flying there passed, now my next challenge is to not catch that new covid variant cause I'm a paranoid fuck JDNNSJSN

Anyway, since I'm here, I won't return to writing until the 11th of December, which is why you all got this chapter SUPER early, and it's a good cutoff point since we got some BIG BIG happenings happening, so make sure to stay tuned!

Thanks to my friends for all the feedback last chapter, you guys are the OG, feedback always welcome blah blah, I'm turning my brain off for the next week, see you then)


"Espio-bocchama! Get up now!"

The chameleon turned over in his futon, body aching. After months of sleeping on the bed at Mobius U, he had forgotten what it was like sleeping on the floor, especially during the winter season. He wanted to stay in bed, but he knew that if the guards called him again, they would force him up whether he wanted to or not. As such, to not incur their anger, the fuschia chameleon slowly rose out of his futon as he stretched.

"Good… morning…" he said to the chameleon guard in his quarters, rubbing his eyes.

"Goodness, Espio-bocchama, have you forgotten what it was like to wake up at this time? Your mother won't be too pleased if you keep her waiting any longer," the guard said. "Come, you need to be dressed and ready to leave for Genshu now. The other Brides are waiting!"

In truth, Espio had already gotten used to waking up at the crack of dawn thanks to Vector's training routine. Of course, not like the guards needed to know about that…

But it was then that he remembered what his mother talked about last night, about how the other Brides wanted to discuss his suitor period. No doubt they were hoping that the upcoming New Year's festival would be the perfect way to find a future wife for him the moment he returned to Gojo come the end of his time at Mobius U…

Not looking to cause a fight, Espio started to remove his jinbei as the guard walked next to him.

"Please, allow me to dress you, Espio-bocchama!" he said as he got out another of Espio's tanzens. The chameleon knew he could dress himself, but it was always the guards or the nanny that helped him, his sister, and especially his mother dress when it came to important situations such as this. As such, Espio closed his mouth and allowed the guard to do his job, changing all his clothes from head to toe before putting his jibei and other clothes in a basket to be washed later. Now with his tanzen on, as well as his pair of tabi and setta, the same pair he wore to the Museum of Arty Art, Espio walked with the guard to the front door of the Dojo. There, he saw the Bride as well as a troop of six other guards waiting for the chameleon.

"Good morning, Espio," Bride of the Constant Vigil bowed. "I'm sure you remember why you're being woken up so early. Come, we don't have much time. We have much to discuss in Genshu alongside the other Brides."

"I understand,"

With no other choice, Espio stepped out of his home and put on his tabi then setta, walking alongside his mother and the guards as they began to march under the dark purple morning sky. With the guards holding torches as snow flurries down from the heavens, Espio walked by his mother's side, unsure of what to expect. This was arguably the thing he was even more worried about than his mother finding out about his exposure to the Outside World. In fact, now that it was happening, he STILL didn't quite feel ready. Of course, not like his mother had to know if yesterday was anything to go by…


After the almost hour long march from Gojo to Genshu, the gates to the normally closed off city were opened as a large garrison of ninja and samurai that protected the city stood to the sides, bowing as they let the Bride and her son pass by. Espio could see it in front of his eyes. Covered in snowfall was the Temple of Meetings, a temple only reserved for the Brides and their family during times of meeting or celebration. It had been some time since he last visited, the last time being during New Year's last year.

This time however, he knew his time in the temple would be far different than any other time he had gone.

As the group was led to the temple, two samurai opened the doors to the temple as another garrison of samurai raised their katana, honoring their service to the Bride. Mother and son walked down the halls as they soon were coming closer and closer to the main room of the temple. Espio could now feel his heartbeat increasing, racing faster and faster as he tried his best to mask his hitched breath.

And then, Constant Vigil opened the doors and the guards of the Shinobi Clan stepped aside, not allowing themselves to get closer. Espio could see three very familiar women from afar sitting together at the chabudai; Brides of the Conquering Storm, Rich Nights, and Endless Reach, the other Brides of the Historic District. He could see on the chabudai nafuda's of each of the Bride's names, the lone missing person clear from afar.

As his mother went to go join them, he was suddenly stopped by his mother extending her arm out.

"Espio… wait here," she said as she continued to walk to the Chabudai of the Brides. The other Brides looked up at her as Constant Vigil took her place, bowing in grace towards the other rulers. The other three did the same, and soon, they turned their attention to the chameleon man standing in front of them.

"Espio-kun…" began Bride of the Rich Nights.

"Bride of the Rich Nights-sama," Espio replied, bowing. "I feel honored to be in your presence after so long, Brides of our lands."

"As you should, Espio-kun… it has been so long since we last held conversation within these walls. Your mother has been informing us about your time in the Outside World and that school you are attending. We've been informed that you aren't performing to your mother's standards. We know that it must be hard traversing a school with such an archaic language, but you know better than to not shame your family when it comes to showing the infidels of the Outside World what you are capable of," Bride of the Endless Reach added.

"If I may, Endless Reach," Rich Nights added, looking over at the chameleon. "I believe that Espio-kun seems far more mature than when we last saw him. He definitely has seemed like he has matured more while in the Outside World. Whether for better or worse is up to you, but it's perfect for what we are about to ask of you,"

Bride of the Conquering Storm raised herself up, staring deep into the eyes of Espio. The chameleon tried his best to stare back, although the lynx always seemed like secretly, she harbored some form of disapproval towards him no matter what...

"You know more than we do what this meeting is about, Espio-kun. As you know, your suitor period shall be coming up soon, and it is time that you very much consider your future now that your twentieth birthday is coming up. As you are the first of the new generation of children between us four, we have very high expectations for when it comes to who you will be marrying, when it will occur, and your status as secondary ruler of Gojo," Conquering Storm said, looking over at Constant Vigil. " Constant Vigil, if you may?"

The chameleon woman nodded. "We, the four Brides of the Historic District, have discussed over the past weeks in regards to your suitor period, and we expect you to comply as well. During the New Year's festival, all of us, including the guards, will be on the lookout for you in regards to potential wives. We have selected various women from all the villages that are potential candidates, and we will see which works the best for you. After the night is over and while you are back in school in the Outside World, we shall continue to discuss who is the best pick to be your wife. By the time you return, our minds will have been made. Do you understand?"

Seeing that he basically couldn't say no, Espio simply bowed and nodded his head. "Yes, I understand."

"While you are also there, make sure you are on your best behavior," Conquering Storm said, staring daggers at Espio. "I do not wish to hear you talking about your experience in the Outside World to any of your potential brides to be, nor do I want to see you being antisocial during the festival. You know how important the evening of the festival will be for us all."

"But of course, Bride of the Conquering Storm-sama. I understand what I have to do."

But the truth of the matter was, the chameleon was only feeling more and more uncomfortable and nervous about tomorrow. No doubt all eyes were going to be on him tomorrow, all while he was still dealing with all these confusing thoughts, most of them being about Vector.

"If you understand, Espio-kun," Endless Reach said, the arachnid letting her arms rest. "Then you know what you have to do from here. You're old enough to not need our guidance for everything, especially since soon you'll be leading alongside your mother."

"Oh, if only Naga-sama were here to see you now, Espio-kun… He would be proud to see his first born child finally getting married and holding power under the Bride," Rich Nights said, hand on the bat's pink furry face.

"We will continue to hold discussion here, but since you know what you must do, we humbly ask that you wait for me so that we can return to Gojo together," Constant Vigil said, eyes closed as Espio bowed.

"Yes. I will leave you all for the time being."

With one final bow, Espio turned around and left the main chambers of the Temple. However, unbeknownst to him…

"Rich Nights," Conquering Storm whispered to the Yagyu Clan bat ruler, who turned to the lynx's direction. "When we are done here, there's something we must discuss. Something about the festival we must do…"


After waiting for almost the next hour, seeing the sunrise from the windows of the temple, the four Brides finally left the main quarters of the temple, the guards once again holding up their katanas as they allowed the chameleon woman and her son, the lynx, bat, and spider women past. However, throughout the whole walk back to Gojo with his mother and the Shinobi Clan guards, conflict was written all over Espio's face. Tomorrow was riding on so much, not only being in front of so many villagers who travelled to Genshu, but being with the Brides and their families for hours on end… And there still was the biggest factor of them all: the amount of women he knew the four Brides likely seeked out as potential brides-to-be. They didn't want him to be the old, in-the-shadows Espio, but the chameleon knew he couldn't let the more social side of him that developed in the Outside World out, otherwise he would attract suspicion.

That of course, didn't leave out the most pertinent detail…

"Valdez-san… " Espio said after breakfast upon returning to the Dojo, the blue chameleon by his side. "All four of the Brides seem sure about what they want to do regarding my future marriage. But I…"

He looked down at the tatami flooring.

"Valdez-san… I must be honest… I haven't told anyone yet but… I… I don't know how to feel now that my suitor period grows closer and closer. I already expressed my concern to you but tomorrow is when the Brides will begin their consideration. I… I don't know how TO feel knowing that the date of my wedding nears soon and that I won't even know who my wife is until I return in the summer."

Espio wondered if, at that moment, he should discuss the very strange feelings he has been feeling for months now to Valdez. The blue chameleon looked conflicted too.

"I suppose there comes a time where we all truly grow up, Espio-kun. I felt that way when I first entered the Outside World myself. Do you not think I wasn't lost, I didn't know a single thing that wasn't something I had seen from Gojo? When I started to learn more about it and began working as an educator for Foreign Exchange students is when I felt I properly grew up. You'll do the same once your marriage comes, and as I've said, you knew eventually this would happen. Everything will be okay, Espio-kun. Just focus more on how much fun it'll be during the festival tomorrow, and if someone does talk to you, don't be afraid. You've…"

Valdez looked around before crouching down to Espio's height, whispering.

"You've done so with your friends in the Outside World. Treat a woman you feel a connection with like you would treat Vector!"

Espio understood partially what Valdez meant, but… what did it mean when… when he felt like he would much prefer the opposite? For Vector to talk to him like a husband would to his wi-

"Espio-bocchama! Your mother has requested morning training!" A Shinobi Clan guard yelled from inside the Dojo. Espio sighed, realizing that he wasn't going to catch a break anytime soon.

" I'll be right back, Excuse me,"

With that, Espio bowed before entering the Dojo, ready to head into his quarters when he saw Shami coming from down the hall.

"Ah, Shami-chan! Do you have a minute!" Espio called out to his sister. The little chameleon girl turned her head over to her older brother.

"Hm? What is it, Espio-aniue?" she asked. Espio quickly ran to her, crouching down to her height as he whispered.

"Do… you remember what happened last night? You know… with-"

"Ah! The ma-"

"Shhh!"

Espio looked around.

"What else did I tell you last night?"

"...the walls have ears?"

"Exactly. I'm making sure you're remembering to keep your promise. You are still doing it, right?"

"Of course, Espio-aniue!"

"Good. I'm very happy you're keeping your word. Now, I have to go train before I make the guards-"

"ESPIO-BOCCHAMA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

Espio winced as he heard the yell of the guard.

"Never mind. It seems I have to leave now. Take care, I'll see you when I finish training!"

With that, Espio returned to his quarters for his morning training, much to the displeasure of the guard. As he took off his tanzen, knowing full well his training would cause him to work up a sweat, the chameleon closed his eyes as he tried to clear his mind of distracting thoughts. No Vector, no New Year's festival, no nothing…

But still… it hung at the back of his mind. Never before had there been a New Year's festival so stressful, not even the one that took place the year his father died was this stressful despite the Bride declining all public appearances due to his father's death for the remainder of the year.

"Espio-bocchama, you are not in the right state of mind. I can tell. If you cannot concentrate, how will you be expected to improve your training?" the guard said, walking forward slightly. The chameleon sighed mentally, knowing there wasn't much he could do but mask how he felt towards everyone, something he knew all too well.

"My apologies," Espio said, bowing. "I am now ready to begin."


THE NEXT DAY, 9:01 P.M.

After spending the day with the guards, Shami, the nanny, and his mother cleaning the entire dojo from ceiling to floor to invite the kami of his religion into their home, Espio sat with his entire family and Valdez within the Temple of Meetings in Genshu. There, at the large chabudai brought out on occasions such as these, were not just Bride of the Constant Vigil and her children, but all three other Brides with their husbands, and in the case of Rich Nights and Endless Reach, her twin daughters and two sons and daughter respectively. Espio looked around as it was currently time for the final meal of the year to be served; the New Year's osechi. In his best kimono (the same one he wore to the Museum of Arty Art), he looked as the various nannies and guards of the four Clan Houses began to prepare the Chabudai for tonight's meal, holding juubako that surely carried their dinner.

Thankfully, Espio hadn't had to worry yet about what the Brides had planned, as it was customary to eat first, enjoy festivities with their people, then wait until 11 for the start of the 108 bell strikes at the main shrine of Genshu. Unfortunately though, surrounded by this many people on what was arguably the most important night of the year had been stressing out the poor chameleon. Never mind the fact that the Brides looked at him from time to time, Espio kept flashing back to the night terror he had been having in bed the previous night.

He could recall it so easily. There he was, slurping on toshikoshi soba with tempura on one of the very few days of the year the people of the Historic District were permitted by the priests to consume meat, only fish in this aspect. He would feel warm inside, the sharp, rich taste of tempura and soba noodles and broth exploding his taste buds. And then, in the middle of everyone eating completely different foods from their juubakos…

DING!

His phone would go off loudly, ringing through the walls of the temple. Everyone, his sister, Valdez, all four Brides and their families, would stop what they were doing one by one. And then, slowly, they would turn their heads to the horrified looking Espio, whose phone continued to ding. Closing his eyes, Espio shuddered as he tried not to imagine such a scenario. Frankly, if it did occur, rather than face the anger of his mother and the other Brides, he'd rather run up to one of the guards and steal their weapon so he could commit seppuku right there on the spot. After all, better to die with SOME semblance of honor than none.

But it was a shame. He knew Vector would have loved to see Genshu, but combined with the amount of people in the village, and the fact that all four Brides were present, it may as well have been suicide. As such, he knew it was smart to not bring his phone to tonight's festival.

"Espio-kun? Are you feeling okay?" Bride of the Rich Nights asked. "You look ill."

"A-Ah!" Espio said. "No no, I'm fine. I suppose it's been some time since the last festival, and I'm just… doing some reminiscing."

He could see from the corner of his eye, Conquering Storm staring at him.

"I know you're thinking about how the final meal of the year was with your father still alive," Endless Reach said. "Naga-sama used to carry so many conversations with a bottle of sake by his side…" The spider proceeded to sigh as her meal was put in front of her. "Oh… if only he could be here now, he would see the first of the next generation grow up into becoming a true man."

"That is, we'd likely hear Naga-sama's thoughts on his son entering the Outside World first," Conquering Storm replied. "But you speak what we all wish could be true, Endless Reach. You must follow in your father's footsteps, Espio-kun. You'll soon see the hard decision making we Brides must make on a daily basis, and how you must work and study hard to help your mother lead Gojo to greater heights."

Espio listened to the lynx bride, knowing that Conquering Storm had this almost obsession-like view of how Espio would rule alongside his mother. However, knowing the anger of the Hirunotsuka leader, the chameleon simply nodded his head.

"I understand. I will use the beginning of this year to reflect on everything I must do until the day comes," Espio replied as his juubako and bowl of toshikoshi soba was placed in front of him. His mouth began to water seeing the multitude of food in front of him, a feast like this only reserved for days like this. There was everything from satoimo, kuromame, namasu, and konbu to more rare things to eat throughout the year, like bitter oranges, kazunoko, and tazukuri, burdock root, and that was just some of what was in front of the chameleon. Complete with obukucha tea, made from the fine tea leaves from the fields of Kaku meant to signify good fortune at the start of the year, the four Brides all cleared their throats as Constant Vigil began.

"Before we eat, we Brides would like to begin discussing our reflections over this past year. Since the start of this year, the four villages have seen new development from housing to business," she began. "Alongside that, Gojo has seen an increase in birth rates since last year, signifying that our village continues to maintain strength in spite of hard times."

Everyone began to clap for the chameleon woman, Espio, Shami, and Valdez included.

"Of course, this could not have been possible without my leadership as ruler of Gojo and leader of the Shinobi Clan. We will continue to support our fellow villages in the other districts as we work together in harmony by ourselves and ourselves only. And I expect help from not just you all, but from my children as well."

Bride of the Constant Vigil moved to face her two children.

"Shami has recently begun her ninja training months ago. She has many more years to properly understand the fighting and espionage tactics our ancestors have established in Gojo, but there is much promise in her future as she trains to soon become the eventual Bride of Gojo. And Espio, my eldest son… as you know, he has recently ventured into the Outside World for the first time to study abroad. He has seemingly gained a lot of intelligence since then, and his drive to study hard will only do him good as he begins to enter his suitor period upon the end of his school period. We expect great things from you both, so for my sake, the sake of your fellow Brides, the sake of our villages, the sake of your people, and our ancestors who have protected these lands from the corrupt Outside, continue forward on your paths."

There was another round of applause for the two as the Bride soon finished her speech.

"Of course, I would like to end my speech with a memorial for my husband, and Espio and Shami's father. It brings me sorrow that Naga will not be here to see the marriage of his son, and his daughter's transition from ninja to Bride. As such, though my mind is clear for the New Year, we must not forget the sacrifice and work Naga has done for Gojo and for the Historic District."

Espio looked down at his steaming meal. It seems that even his mother, too, had been thinking about his father. With that, Constant Vigil allowed another Bride to make her speech, and soon Espio found himself having to wait for each speech to end. Each of them about the Bride's work on their village, their family, what felt simply more like a… like a pep talk than something genuine. It only caused his stomach to twist into knots as he imagined getting closer and closer to having to leave the temple and likely being accosted by potential brides-to-be.

Eventually, the speeches were all over as Conquering Storm looked over at the entire table.

"Well, if we are all finished, we may begin the final meal of the year, the final purification before we bring about the New Year. As I'm sure you all remember, the soba should be the very last thing you should eat, as you must make sure that it will give you a long, fulfilling life when it's the very last thing you eat, aside from the rice cakes provided by the Raijou Shrine," she said.

With that, the four Brides brought their hands together, making sure that everyone would be doing so at the same time, and leading everyone together at once…

"Now… itadakimasu!"


It was after the final meal that Espio found himself outside the Temple of Meetings, allowing the large meal to pass through his stomach as he looked at the celebrating village. From afar was where the commoners celebrated, while the children of the Brides got to be in the courtyard of the Temple, only allowed where the commoners were with a guard by their side. He watched as villager after villager walked to the Raijou Shrine, with children under twenty receiving a rice cake and them and their family receiving a cup of amazake for when the bell at the shrine was rung and postcards to send to friends and family to commemorate the New Year.

To his left, he saw Shami with Rich Nights and Endless Reach's children flying kites as commoner children watched in awe. There was so much around him that he couldn't even name, like elders playing sugoroku, a young beetle man wearing a theater mask reciting haiku to a small audience of families, among so many others.

As Espio looked around, he knew he had to do a blessing at the shrine before it was time for the bell to be rung. He walked past his sister and the guards, as he was the only one allowed to go out by himself due to being an adult.

"I wonder when mother and the other Bride's plan begins…" Espio wondered to himself. He hadn't left the temple for long, but he was partially surprised when he didn't have young maidens surrounding him like he had assumed the Brides would have done. It reminded Espio of the party he went to with Vector, where all the girls that the crocodile seemingly knew all surrounded and hugged him. He smiled at the memory, knowing that's what the Brides would have wanted had they not been from the Outside World.

As he waited for his turn to pray, the chameleon looked around as he heard a few whispers around him.

"Espio-sama is here?..."

"I hear he may be getting married soon. How wonderful!"

"We must not disturb him. It is rude to disturb omiai!"

Espio tried his best not to let the voices get to him, but it only sunk in just how much the villagers wanted him to get married, not just his mother and the Brides. But how could express to them as well that… he wasn't sure how he felt about becoming a husband?

It was ten minutes past eleven when Espio was finally able to reach the main part of the shrine, where the head priest almost gawked at seeing him.

"A-Ah! Espio-sama! Son of Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama! I feel incredibly honored to allow you to pray at the Raijou Shrine!" he said. "Please, purify yourself at the chouzuya first and then allow me to open your heart and mind to our divine rulers who shall bring you goodwill, luck, and harmony upon this new year."

With that, Espio walked over to said chouzuya, grabbing the chouzubachi as he did the purification ritual before he could pray. Cleansing his left and right hand, then his mouth and then the ladle, Espio walked to the haiden. With incense burning around the entire area, the priest followed the chameleon as Espio got on his knees, holding his hands together as he closed his eyes. He could feel the priest place something over his arms, no doubt prayer beads as he began to chant, Espio feeling the breeze of the priest's onusa waving past him as the chameleon recited his end of year prayer.

"May I be well, happy, and peaceful. May my sensei be well, happy, and peaceful. May my mother be well, happy, and peaceful. May my relatives be well, happy, and peaceful…" he recited to himself. While he prayed for the happiness of himself and his family, he thought about all his friends from the Outside World at that moment. Not wanting them to be struck with bad luck, Espio made sure to include them all in his prayers.

Soon feeling the swishing end as he opened his eyes, the priest looked at the chameleon.

"Please, Espio-sama, make your offering to the gods now," he said, guiding him to the saisen-bako of the shrine. Digging into his kimono, Espio realized that he had some coins provided to him by his mother for tonight's prayer, and taking a step back, placed the coins into the bako. He proceeded to grab a rope in front of the bako, shaking the rope and ringing a bell at the top with one final, brief prayer offered.

"The gods will surely bless you and your family, Espio-sama," the priest said. "Especially with what I'm hearing about how you are going to be suitor, may tonight's prayer guide you to finding your potential bride. Please, follow me and I shall let you part with gifts to further bless the coming year."

With that, Espio followed the priest out of the temple as they walked past a group of larger monkeys pounding mochi. There, the priest handed him a rice cake-

"To commemorate your new year, especially since you are still of age to receive one," the priest said.

A cup of amazake-

"For you to drink upon the first ring of the bell."

A kanai-anzen omamori-

"To bless you and your family, personally blessed by myself for further protection. If you want more, I have many others with me that you can purchase."

And several postcards-

"For you to write to your family and any others you haven't seen in some time that you are alive and well, and wish them well for the New Year."

By now, Espio's hands were becoming full of things. And that wasn't even the rest of it, as once Espio saw that he maybe only had about five postcards, he couldn't help but think about his friends back at Mobius U. Sure, all of them except Norris didn't know Japanese, but…

"Excuse me… I actually wanted to know… may I have more postcards?" Espio asked.

"More? Why do you need more?"

Realizing that he had to come up with a lie and quickly, the chameleon thought of the first thing he could think of.

"I wanted to give cards to some other family members and perhaps some of the guards of the Shinobi Clan."

"Really? Well, I'm sure there are some family you have in other villages that you don't get to see often. And you are the son of Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama… how many do you need?"

"Is there a limit? I won't take them all."

"We do have many, here, help yourself."

With that, the priest had given him a bundle of parchment, no doubt the postcards. Smiling, Espio bowed and thanked the priest as he began to walk off. However, the amount of things he held in his hands were starting to become too much, and as he tried to walk past the large crowd with his rice cake, cup of amazake, postcards, and omamori with his already wet hands-

He dropped the bundle of postcards onto the icy ground, some of them scattering around the area.

"Damn!" he said, realizing he didn't have enough hands. Espio placed his rice cake in his mouth and set aside the omamori and cup to grab all of the cards. As he did though, someone walked in front of him.

"Um… excuse me?"

Espio stopped as he grabbed one of the cards, looking up to see a light purple female bat, covered in a blue furisode, zukin over her head and shoulders, and mouth scarf. He realized that this bat was a guard from the Yagyu Clan.

"You…" Espio said, muffled, still with the rice cake in his mouth. He removed it from his mouth as he stared at the bat guard. "You're from the Yagyu Clan…"

"Someone as royal as you shouldn't be on the ground dirtying your kimono!" she said as she got on the ground. "Please, allow me."

With that, the bat grabbed the rest of the postcards as Espio went back to everything he put down.

"Thank you very much…" the chameleon said, bowing.

"Oh, your hands are full! Allow me to carry them for you, my lord."

With that, the bat guard held the postcards as Espio slowly handed her the omamori.

"You are far too kind…" Espio added. "It seems that you know me."

"How could I not?" the bat replied. "How could I not know my lord, Espio-sama, son of Bride of the Constant Vigil-sama?"

And she was familiar with him too, even though Espio's visits to the Yagyu Clan's dojo have been few and far in between.

"What are you doing with the commoners by yourself, less than forty minutes until the start of the bell ringing?" the woman asked.

"I was just doing my prayers at the shrine," replied Espio. "Besides, there wasn't much to do with any other people at the Temple of Meetings. Mother and the other Brides are the ones who make the most important speeches anyway."

"Oh, we guards know. We usually are the ones who keep watch over the children and stand aside for them."

"Try being a son of a Bride. You feel more like a footnote."

"Ah ha ha! I didn't realize you felt that way, Espio-sama!"

Even from her mask, Espio could tell the bat was smiling. He was surprised at how well he had been talking to this maiden of a guard.

"My lord, if I may ask, would you like to join me in making kadomatsu for the temple? Many of the commoners are working on making their own before the Raijou Shrine's bell rings."

"Join…" Espio cut himself off, nodding his head. "Ah! Well…"

The chameleon's face changed, he wasn't sure what to do. He knew a guard from the mostly female Yagyu Clan was likely one of the potential Brides-to-be, even though she appeared to be very nice and loyal. But… it wasn't like there was anyone else he could be with. The Brides were hoisted up in the Temple until the Raijou Shrine's bell rang, Shami and the children of the Brides were playing together, and Valdez was likely getting drunk off sake with the male guards from the four Clan Houses. As such, he nodded his head.

"I'd be happy to bless the shrine, however, I'd like to return to the temple and free my hands first, if you'd be so kind," Espio replied.

"By all means, Espio-sama. I shall wait for you here."

With the two bowing, Espio walked back to the Temple of Meetings with everything still in his hands. Slowly biting off pieces of his rice cake that he'd eat once he got back to the quarters he, his family, and the rest of the Shinobi Clan were staying at, Espio-

"Ah, Espio-kun!"

The chameleon stopped, turning around as he saw Bride of the Rich Nights in front of him. The pink bat held her transparent crystal ball in her hands as she slowly walked to where the fuchsia chameleon stood.

"Where are you going at a time like this? Surely you aren't going to hide in your quarters and not interact with your people?" she asked.

"A-Ah! No no, I wanted to put these back in my quarters. One of your guards is waiting for me as she wants to make kadomatsu with me," Espio replied.

"One of my guards?... Hmm… I see…"

The bat Bride stared at the chameleon's amber eyes, Espio wondering what she was doing.

" I know there isn't much time until 11, and one of my guards is waiting for you, but Espio-kun… would you like a personal fortune telling from me? As you know, my powers of clairvoyance are the strongest of anyone in Kaku, and I know you are slightly curious to know your fate for this upcoming year, no?"

"A-ah… thank you, Bride of the Rich Nights-sama, but I shouldn't keep your guard waiti-"

"I'm sure she'll understand if you tell her. Besides, I'd be happy to take your things back to your quarters so that you can spend more time with this guard."

"Well…" Espio stared at his setta before looking back at Rich Nights. "Okay… I won't deny that I am a little curious."

"Good. Now, I would move our location to somewhere else in the temple, but I know you don't have much time. Come, let's take a seat here."

With that, Espio and Rich Nights both sat on the floor as the Bride put her crystal ball on the ground.

"Tell me, Espio-kun, is there any sort of future you see for yourself?" she asked. Espio was about to open his mouth, but quickly shut it as he realized…

"What did I get myself into?"

The Bride wasn't wrong when she said that her powers of clairvoyance were the best in all of Kaku. So good in fact, that there was a very strong chance… she would know he's interacted with the Outside World. The chameleon felt his scales go cold and turn into a darker shade of fuschia, realizing he was in a situation he couldn't escape out of.

"Is everything okay, Espio-kun?" the Bride asked.

"Okay! Everything is okay, Bride of the Rich Nights-sama! Please, I'd like to begin," replied Espio in a rush.

"My goodness, I didn't realize you were in a rush, Espio-kun. But very well. Close your eyes and clear your mind, only think about the future you desire. When you think about it, I will burn two candles and incense, then, place your hand on the ball. I will put my hand over yours, then I will see what the ball says."

Espio nodded, trying his best to think about something other than the Outside World. He ignored the thoughts of his friends, all the memories he made, his desire to go back, he ignored the thought of… Vector…

"Okay… I thought of something…" Espio said as Rich Nights stood up, grabbing two candles from the temple and placing them next to the crystal ball. Then, getting out two incense holders, the bat Bride finished by lighting up two sticks of agarwood incense and placing them onto the holders.

"Now, place your hand onto the ball."

Doing what the Bride told him to do, Espio placed his two hands on the ball softly as Rich Nights put her warm hands over the chameleon's. Espio winced as he heard the Bride murmur one of the Yagyu Clan's incantations, trying his best to not think a single thing about the Outside World. Praying to whatever god would hear him, Espio begged the crystal ball mentally to not show the Bride proof of his defiance.

After the longest two minutes of his life, the Bride spoke up.

"Please, open your eyes, Espio-kun. I shall see what your future holds. Take your hands off the ball, now."

With that, Espio did as he was told, sighing as he stared at the ball and at Rich Nights. As he did, he could see smoke starting to form in the ball.

"Ah… it comes…" she said. However, all of a sudden…

The smoke went from white and gray… to a very light lime. And then… to green. Espio stared at the ball in confusion. What… was going on? Sure enough, he wasn't the only one to ask this.

"What?..." he heard Bride of the Rich Nights ask. Confusion clear on her face, Espio turned his head. Never once had one of her predictions been wrong. So what was going on now?

"This… shouldn't be happening twice. Unless…"

Espio looked at the bat.

"Umm… excuse me…"

Rich Nights turned to the chameleon, eyes wide.

"Oh! Ah… I… well… it seems very rare but… I'm having a very hard time finding a reading. This isn't the first time though. Clairvoyance is one of the hardest abilities from our lands to master, and even one such as me has difficulties from time to time. The sea of fate and prophecy is always swaying, so one can be taken off guard easily. I'm sorry if you're disappointed, Espio-kun. I've wasted enough of your time as is. Please, leave what you want back in your quarters and I'll clean up here and take care of your things. Enjoy the festival and make sure you don't miss out on the bell rings."

Espio was confused for multiple reasons. For his lack of a reading, from how the Bride almost wanted him gone. But not wanting to argue, he got up from the floor, grabbing his cup of amazake and leaving everything else with Rich Nights.


Unbeknownst to Espio, as Bride of the Rich Nights cleaned up after herself and grabbed the chameleon's gifts, going back from placing them in Constant Vigil's quarters neatly and then back to the hallway to grab her crystal ball.

However, as she went back and forth through the hall, she couldn't help but get the feeling she wasn't alone. Though the Yagyu weren't masters of the art of fighting like the Shinobi and Raiju Clans, their natural ability of sound left them as experts of being aware of their surroundings. As such, when the Bride grabbed her Crystal Ball and stood up, she continued to stand in the hall. Proceeding to close her eyes, she was very much aware of someone or something behind her. And she had a very good idea as to who it was…

"Conquering Storm… I know you've been standing there since I stopped Espio-kun in the hall," Rich Nights said. "Come out."

Sure enough, the pink bat turned around to see the Raiju Clan leader come out from behind a large column and vase. Conquering Storm had a look of anger as she walked up to Rich Nights, the bat's face unchanging.

"What is the meaning of this, Rich Nights?!" she exclaimed. "This is the second time you've tried to do a reading on Espio-kun, and there's STILL nothing! I'm starting to doubt your abilities of clairvoyance at this point!"

"Surely once would make sense… but twice…"

"Don't tell me you don't know! How can there not be a prophecy foretold in your ball?! You said it yourself multiple times, you and your clan have the ability to see through the sea of fate! If so, why can't you see Espio-kun's future?!"

Rich Nights was silent for a minute before looking into the angry lynx's eyes. "...I think something bigger is going on."

"And you think I don't know that?! Our plan for Espio-kun is clear; find a potential Bride, wait for him to return from that rancid world that is that school he goes to, plan and officiate his wedding, ensure he starts a family, and install him as a secondary leader to Gojo until Constant Vigil's youngest is set to become Bride. How can the ball not tell you that?!"

Rich Nights looked down at her ball. "You don't understand, Conquering Storm. There is a bigger picture that you're missing. After the first reading with that strange… green smoke, I began to look back at the scrolls written by my ancestors and previous Brides in regards to our methods of clairvoyance. As you know, different color smoke represents ways in which the ball speaks to the one performing the art. White smoke means that a future is clear, allowing one to see what the future predicts. Red smoke means that a future cannot be told at the current moment, or that a clairvoyant's power isn't strong enough to see into the future."

She looked at Conquering Storm again. "But… this green smoke… it's a very rare phenomenon… but according to my ancestors… green signifies that there is a disturbance in the sea of fate regarding the one whose future is being told. Almost as if two different futures are clashing with one another to come true…"

"Two different futures?! Espio-kun knows what he must do! He knows that he can only follow what we've planned out for him!"

Rich Nights shook her head. "But fate does not agree. This green smoke tells me… that even though we have Espio-kun's future spread out for what must occur the moment he leaves the Outside World, it seems like the sea of fate has other plans for him. Plans… outside of what we Brides desire for him."

Conquering Storm stared at her reflection, her face becoming darker as she stared at the crystal ball. She refused to believe what she heard, the idea that a different fate is set for Espio. One that neither of the Brides knew about, or that, worst of all… neither of them could stop…

What could it all mean?! What was there about Espio that was missing? She felt like the Brides couldn't interfere with whatever these clashing fates were.

...

Unless they did something about it first…


There was only about 4 minutes until 11, and all of the commoners and everyone of the four Clan Houses stood outside of the Raijou Shrine, awaiting the arrival of the New Year. Espio stood with the guard as they watched the head priest of the shrine walk towards the inner parts of the shrine, chanting as he was followed by his fellow miko and monks of the shrine. Holding lanterns and chanting alongside the leader, they all surrounded the bell as the miko and monks began to prepare for the priest to ring the bell.

"This is always my favorite part," the guard said. "I feel most cleansed when the bells ring."

"Likewise," replied Espio. "One must bring in the new year with a new state of body and mind."

"I've heard that my lord has visited the Outside World this year. It was news all throughout our villages. Do you pray that the hardship you've faced in that world will be washed away even though you are expected to be back?"

Espio stopped to think about it for a minute. Sure, he did miss the Outside World, he missed his friends, waking up in the dorm each day to Vector's smiling face, eating good food in the dining hall and getting to hang out with the crocodile, Knuckles, Mighty, and so many others… but there were negatives to his time. There were people like Connery and Jet, his immense struggle to understand English, getting arrested and his upcoming trial that no one except Valdez knew about, and that was just the start of it.

The chameleon knew there was only more that was to come, the biggest being his eventual wedding upon his return home.

But the second… the one he kept avoiding…

What… was going on… with him? What was going on with his mind… when he thought about Vector?

"My lord?" the guard asked.

"A-Ah… I'm sorry. I suppose… there was a bit on my mind," Espio replied.

"Please, the ceremony is soon to start, Espio-sama. Let the ringing of the bells and the taste of your amazake wash away the final bits of negativity this year has produced for you."

Soon, Espio could see the priest, monks, and miko prepare the large piece of bamboo used for striking the bell. With everything tied down and with only 1 minute to go, the group at the bell swayed the roped bamboo back and forth, with the priest reciting a prayer as his monks and miko repeated after him. This continued until finally, the priest shouted out, and with all of his strength, pulled back on his rope, colliding the bamboo against the bell.

DONG

There it was, the first strike. Espio and the guard immediately began to drink their amazake as did the crowd. The milky sake went down Espio's throat, much more palatable than normal sake to him. He could feel his blood rush cold and his mind slow down, allowing the rings of the bell to sound clearer to his ears.

DONG

Three strikes now. Espio closed his eyes, hoping that everything from this year would retreat. Like the sea swaying back and forth against a sandy oasis, the chameleon wanted that for his mind.

DONG

Four strikes. Espio didn't know what the new year would bring to him. Perhaps there would be more time to be with Vector before the end? Maybe he could learn more English… although… it felt futile considering his mother not wanting him to speak English.

DONG

Five strikes. It didn't even have to be English too. Maybe he could take up learning the Appalachian dulcimer so that he could start playing the koto for when Shami was old enough to be Bride. Maybe he could even draw the future portrait of Shami, her future husband and their children for them instead of getting someone like Suzaku-san to do it.

DONG

Six strikes. He could feel the eyes of the guard on him, staring at him as the chameleon tried his best not to look. However, he slowly turned to face the bat guard.

"Do you feel it, Espio-sama?" she asked.

DONG

Seven strikes.

"I… I realized… I don't know your name," Espio said.

"Reina," the bat said, bowing. "Very pleased to introduce myself properly, my lord."

Espio smiled. It was… a rather unique name, but one befitting of someone like her.

DONG

Eight strikes. That's right… this is exactly what the Brides wanted. Here he was, with a woman he knew the Brides would approve of. This was it… if all went well, then… then this woman… this would be the one in less than a year's time, he would be calling his wife. Espio stared at the bat some more.

DONG

Nine strikes. He could picture it now. In front of the Shijin Shrine, Reina would be dressed in a pure white shiromuku, a tsunokakushi adorned on her head as the chameleon walked past a sea of people. He could see his mother, Shami, and Valdez all by the side as he and Reina were set to begin their wedding.

DONG

Ten strikes. Had it already been ten strikes already? Regardless, it felt like the rings were showing him the future he was going to have. And it seemed like it worked. Not only was it clear what was to happen, but there weren't even any interrupting thoughts of Vector too. Had this been it? Was the bell rings all he needed to finally stop thinking about Vector in this… incredibly strange way that no one else had felt before?

DONG

And so it continued. Eleven strikes turned to fifteen. Fifteen strikes turned to twenty two. Espio's thoughts had been fully washed away, and for the first time ever, it felt like he had been free. Though he couldn't wait to see Vector, he was even more happy knowing that all these thoughts about him were gone at last.

DONG

Twenty three strikes.

And then, in what felt like a flash, the crowd disappeared.

Espio blinked, wondering what happened as the crowd seemingly… was back.

DONG

Twenty four strikes. There it was again, another flash. The crowd was gone again, but this time, there was someone or… something in front of him. Just like his thought of Reina, this person too, was dressed in shiromaku and sunokakushi. Who… was this?

DONG

Twenty five strikes. The person in the traditional wedding garb was getting closer and closer. Espio didn't know what to think. Was this person a yokai? Was this Reina?

DONG

Twenty six strikes. Another flash, and Espio could see the person right in front of him. His breathing hitched, starting to feel scared. Was the amazake getting to him? He was a lightweight if the party at Mobius U was anything to go by…

DONG

Twenty seven strikes. Suddenly, he could see the person in the wedding garb slowly turn around. He still couldn't make out who this was regardless.

DONG

Twenty eight strikes. Another turn, and yet Espio still couldn't tell. Now he was only getting more anxious… whatever the face of this person was… he didn't know who or what to expect.

DONG

Twenty nine strikes. Suddenly, he could finally make out a detail as the person turned around more. But as they did… Espio's face fell. His blood ran cold and his eyes widened, white noise playing in his mind as he realized something about this person.

They had… a snout. A familiar… green snout.

DONG

Thirty strikes. Espio knew who this was, even without him turning around. No… no… why? WHY?! He had finally gotten rid of these strange thoughts, strange desires that only someone of the Outside World would ever have! What was going on? Why was this happening to HIM?!

Sure enough, more of this person turned, and Espio knew that even if he couldn't see his face yet, he knew what to expect.

DONG

Thirty one strikes. And sure enough, much to his dismay, much to his horror…

Vector stood above him, dressed in the wedding garb of his lands.

DONG

Thirty two strikes. It was clear that the kimono was far too tight for him. It was even open where the collar was, revealing his large chest as he stared down at the chameleon. Espio could only stare in silence, starting to shake.

DONG

Thirty three strikes. By now, he could feel someone moving closer. He didn't even have to look to know that Reina was slowly allowing herself to hold the chameleon's hand, blissfully unaware that Espio could only think about the sight of Vector in kimono and tsunokakushi.

DONG

Thirty four strikes. He could now see Vector slowly hold up his hand. His breathing hitched even more, feeling his back sweat as he knew the mental image of himself would grab at it.

Sure enough, he was right, and eventually, thirty four strikes became forty. Forty strikes became forty four, and each strike slowly showed Espio grabbing the kimono'd crocodile's hand.

DONG

Forty five strikes. Suddenly, the image of himself and Vector were moving closer to… to the…

"No… no… not the shrine! Stop! I beg of you, whoever can hear me, STOP!" he thought to himself mentally, trying to keep his composure in front of Reina.

DONG

Forty six strikes. Espio didn't know how much more he could take of this. His mind showed the two reptiles inching closer and closer to the shrine with each ring, and at fifty five strikes, the two had reached the front of the shrine.

DONG

Sixty strikes. There were only forty eight more to go, and Espio already wanted to leave. He could see himself, dressed in the wedding garb for men as he stared into the eyes of the taller, stronger male crocodile.

DONG

Sixty one strikes. He could see Vector's right arm slowly raise up, and with each strike, more and more of it came upwards as once the sixty seventh strike came, his closed hand was in front of him. Sixty eight strikes, it slowly opened up.

DONG

Sixty nine strikes. Vector's hand opened to reveal a sakaki branch, used in one of the final acts performed during a wedding ceremony in Gojo. For a brief moment, in his free hand, Espio could feel like he too had a branch.

DONG

Seventy strikes. By now, he could hear a distant noise, the sound of sake being slurped, the very final act to commemorate marriage before one final bow to the gods. Espio bit his lip at this point, wanting everything to stop. He wanted to go back to the temple and hide like he used to, he wanted to go back to the Dojo, he wanted to go back to the Outside- no… no, not the Outside World! That's what started everything!

DONG

Seventy one strikes. Had… Vector corrupted him? Had he somehow cursed the chameleon with these thoughts so powerful, not even the 108 bell rings were enough to wash away those thoughts? Had it become so powerful that now he… he thought about marriage… marriage not with Reina… not with whoever the Brides threw at him… but… but with Vector?

DONG

Seventy two strikes. Unaware that Reina was looking at him, Espio closed his eyes, trying to exorcise himself mentally. He didn't even know why Reina continued holding his hand at this point. Here she was, wanting to get closer to the son of Bride of the Constant Vigil, and here he was, thinking about a man from the Outside World that could never even be a part of the world he lived in in Gojo!

This feeling of self pity, of shame, of despair, and of hopelessness continued as soon, the final, 108th strike against the bell was performed. He could hear the crowd chant, "Long live the Historic District!" as they all clapped, Reina included. But Espio didn't contribute. He simply kept his head hung, ashamed at what his mind produced for him.


For much of the night, Espio found himself in a depressive slump. Even after Reina left, he wasn't upset that she did and that other women from the four Clan Houses came to talk to him… he was upset that his mind was still impure. He knew he had to make conversation, but he was brief and almost dismissive.

Even as the Brides made their New Year's speech, Espio could only hear the sound of static in his mind, like the static from the TV in the dorm. He wanted to talk to someone about what happened… but he knew at this point, if Valdez wasn't already passed out, he was too intoxicated to speak with. And sure enough, before 1am, Espio would retreat back to the Temple of Meetings, sitting upon his futon in Constant Vigil's quarters as he ran his hands over his face.

"What's going on with me?! What's wrong with me?!" he questioned himself. "If there's someone who can answer me, please, help me!"

But no one came to answer.

This feeling of pity, now being joined with feelings of confusion, continued as Espio's stay in Gojo furthered. Even as the Shinobi Clan woke up to the first sunrise of the year, followed by the first visit to a shrine for the new year, even as the Shinobi Clan walked back to Gojo after parting ways with the other Brides, Espio was left in a confused, almost lost daze. Not just about what happened, but also reflecting on being with Reina. The bat guard of the Yagyu Clan had been nothing but nice to him, and there was a very likely chance she would be the one the Brides would pick as his wife. But even still… there was something… missing about his interactions with her that he didn't see.

"Espio," the Bride said after stopping him from entering the Dojo. "I want to speak with you very briefly."

Espio turned around, quickly changing his face so that the Bride couldn't see his lost, sorry appearance.

"Before we left Genshu, the Brides and I had a brief discussion with some of the maidens you've interacted with during the New Years festival. We won't reveal exactly our results yet, but we will further discuss our final option as you return to school in the Outside World. Once you're back, we'll reveal to you our final pick and allow you to properly get to know your Bride to be."

Espio bowed, but a frown appeared on his face while his mother couldn't see. His feelings of confliction still plaguing his mind, he raised himself up and nodded.

"I understand, mother."

With that, the Bride turned back into the Gojo as Espio knew it was time for his first training session of the year. However, just then…

"My goodness, my head hurts…" Valdez murmured to himself, rubbing his temple. "I had far too much to drink last night… even if it was fun to catch up with the other members of the clan… I just hope the nanny prepared ozoni for osechi ryori…"

Just then, Valdez passed by the fuschia chameleon, turning to face him.

"Ah, there you are, Espio-kun. Sorry, my mind is a bit blank today…" he said. Suddenly, his head turned "Are… you okay? You seem confused."

Espio turned his head, not wanting Valdez to see him. He knew he could trust his family's friend, especially since he had already been hiding the numerous secrets that Espio had brought into fruition since venturing to the Outside World. But that didn't mean Valdez kept EVERYTHING from his mother, and he knew what he felt would be reported, especially since his marriage was of high priority to the Brides.

"I'm fine, Valdez-san," Espio replied. "I've had a long night too."

"I can imagine, what with you finding your future wife. Did you become a ladies man like your father?"

Valdez giggled to himself but Espio didn't look amused.

"Ah, I'm joking, Espio-kun. Well, I'm going to get some rest before lunch. If you excuse me…"

Walking past the brooding chameleon, Espio looked at the blue reptile as he felt… jealous. Why was Valdez allowed to live such a carefree life while Espio was forced to suffer the need of omiai, all while juggling the strange, almost otherworldly like thoughts he had been having towards his crocodilian roommate? Added to that how his talk with Reina and other maidens had gone, there was something… missing. Something he couldn't put his finger on that he didn't know who he could talk to about.

The answer didn't come to him that day, nor did it come the next, when it was time for Espio and Valdez to return back to Central Mobius. With both the date of Mobius U's second semester and Espio's required return date to Central Mobius due to the court inching closer, it was after breakfast that Bride of the Constant Vigil gathered all the villagers of Gojo, including Shami, the nanny, and all the guards of the Shinobi Clan, outside the base of his home after the two chameleons had finished packing and were ready to return to the Outside World.

"Espio, we've all felt so blessed to be once in your presence after so long of not seeing you," his mother said. "Your return to the village as well as signs that you have not faced corruption means that our village can rest knowing that you are powerful enough to face any temptation the Outside World shall throw at you."

Espio bowed, almost finding it humorous that the village was completely unaware that he wanted to go back to the Outside World.

"Remember, I expect better marks from you as you finish up this year of school. The Shinobi Clan strives for total perfection, and even if you have difficulties, it isn't an excuse. You know what you must do."

"Of course mother."

"Valdez-san, I expect you to continue mentoring Espio during his time in the Outside World. I applaud your efforts for following what I've requested, and I ask that you continue what we discussed."

"By all means, Constant Vigil-sama. You know I wouldn't defy your word," said Valdez, bowing.

"I know that you will continue your efforts to resist the temptation of that foolish world outside where you are staying, but should the temptation grow larger and larger, the priest at the Shijin Shrine has provided me with this."

Constant Vigil walked over to the priest, grabbing something he had been holding that the two could barely see. Then, she turned around, holding a necklace decorated with…

"Jade magatama?" asked Espio.

" Made by our jewelers and blessed by our priest, make sure that you have this on you always to avoid all the evil of the Outside World. We present this to you as an offering."

Espio slowly grabbed the magatama necklace, examining the dark green beads in his hand as he put it over his head and then neck. It reminded him of when Vector put on his omamori before his football games.

"Please, allow me to give you one final blessing before you depart into the Outside World," the priest of the Shijin Shrine said, walking up to Espio. "Together now."

The two bowed once, clapped twice, and bowed once again, a very common prayer of the religion of the Historic District.

"May the gods shine upon you, Espio-sama."

Next was the nanny of the Dojo, who had given Valdez and Espio the two remaining osechi ryori for today and tomorrow, requesting that the juubako be returned the next time Valdez returned to Gojo. The next was his old sensei from the ninja academy, who had happily given him a case filled with kunai and shuriken, even though Valdez had taken the case and looked at the fuschia chameleon with a look of anger. Finally, Shami walked up to her older brother, holding up a page from the coloring book.

"Um… Espio-aniue…" she said. "I had the nanny help me out…"

She showed him the page, where written in crayon…

"あなたがいなくてさびしいです, エスピオ兄上。"

Complete with a crude drawing of the two chameleons in a field both with kunai. Espio held the page and then looked back to his little sister, who looked sad to say goodbye to her brother.

"I promise I'll be back, Shami-chan. I won't be gone for long," he said.

Shami looked down at her feet, then back at Espio.

"...will you bring me back another gift?"

Espio smiled, nodding his head. "I promise."

He knew he could bring her back something better. Maybe he could even get Mark to help get him another Omochao manga.

"Well, we should be leaving soon. We have a long day of rest since Espio-kun's next semester starts tomorrow. Thank you once again for allowing us within the Dojo, Constant Vigil-sama."

The two chameleons bowed as one of the guards walked forward.

"NOW, LET US ALL EXPRESS OUR FINAL MESSAGE TO ESPIO-BOCCHAMA!" he yelled out as the villagers all began to clap and cheer out for the son of the Bride.

"We'll miss you, Espio-sama!"

"Please return to us safely, Espio-sama!"

"We shall pray and give offerings to the gods in honor of you, Espio-sama!"

It felt like his arrival to Gojo all over again, where he was being treated like a god. Espio was sad to depart with his people, but he knew this wasn't goodbye forever. He turned around, looking back at his mother, his crying sister, the nanny, the guards of the Shinobi Clan, and the villagers of Gojo as he and Valdez soon made their way out of the village. The guards all raised their wakizashi's as they held their heads up high in honor of Espio Chameleon, son of Bride of the Constant Vigil.


THE OUTSIDE WORLD

But even as Espio returned to the Outside World, the feelings of confliction that he had never went away. In fact, as he heard the radio in Valdez's car, he only could think about everything that occured since his return as he stared past the city.

"Espio-kun, you've been even more silent than before we returned to Gojo," Valdez said. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

"I'm fine, Valdez-san… I just…"

"Espio-kun… you know you're always free to talk with me. I told you before you don't have to keep secrets. We already do enough of it as is."

But Espio remained silent. Valdez went from staring at Espio then at the road as he sighed, realizing he wasn't going to get an answer. Espio continued his silence through the entire trip, only staring blankly out the window.


But unbeknownst to Espio, Valdez was deep in his own thoughts. As he continued to focus on driving, the blue chameleon's mind raced.

"You aren't like this at all, Espio-kun…" he thought to himself. "You've been a quiet person… but ever since the New Year's festival, it's like you've become a different person and not in a good way… What's going on? What happened during the festival? Do you not want to get married that much? Or… is there something else? You're hiding something from me… but… why?"


12:03 A.M., December 3

Espio lay across the futon in Valdez's living room back at his apartment in Central City, staring up at the dark ceiling. As he felt the softness of Mighty's bathrobe and the warmth of Munch's blanket on his scales once again, the chameleon's mind had been rushing with reflections on his time to Gojo. Even though he had tried to spend all night trying to distract himself, like cooking dinner together with Valdez, playing more of Alan's gifted dulcimer, reading through the first volume of Megami Ibunroku Persona that Mark had gifted him, to even writing all his New Year's postcards to all his friends, even spending the time translating all their names from English to readable katakana.

But, even still, it wasn't enough. He kept twisting and turning, his mind playing back the scene at the Raijou Shrine, all those images of the two together flashing rapidly in his mind.

"Mind… why won't you let me sleep? Why do you keep feeding me these images of Vector?" he thought to himself, another flash of Vector in wedding garb appearing in his mind. He almost wanted to throw Buck's pillow at the TV and scream, but he knew better than to not only not ruin one of his friend's gifts, but also wake up Valdez.

And so, Espio slumped back into his futon, grunting out of frustration and anger as he didn't know who to go to. He couldn't talk to Valdez, he couldn't contact any of his friends, and while he had texted Vector after the two chameleons returned to the apartment confirming that he was okay, he was sure that the crocodile was asleep. Not to mention, Vector was possibly the VERY last person he wanted to talk to about this.

That's when Espio turned to his side, looking at his school bag, filled with all his notebooks, textbooks, and some of the gifts he had gotten. With some of the bigger ones sitting by to be taken by the two chameleon's up to the dorm in the morning, there was one gift that Espio took intense note of.

The laptop from Valdez.

If he remembered what the blue chameleon said and from his experience using a computer in places like Environmental Studies, he could use the internet to look up anything he wanted. In fact, he even tried to explain what the internet WAS to Shami back in Gojo, much to her confusion. Of course… Why didn't he think about it before?! Maybe all that was going on may not have been something Valdez or the others had to know, but his laptop could give him the answers he needed to finally figure out what was going on with him.

Looking around in the darkness, hearing the sound of cars and sirens from the window, Espio crawled out of his futon and to his laptop. He opened it up, the bright lighting burning his retinas as he held his hand over his eyes. But quickly, he got adjusted to the bright light and logged in, looking at the default desktop background of a green hill with a loop in the middle. There were a few things he remembered; namely, how to get online, and how to use a search engine.

As he did the steps slowly, Espio found himself staring at the main search engine, the one that Valdez told him he should use when it comes to searching anything. But now the next question was… what SHOULD he ask the search engine? How could it solve how he felt?

"Let's see…" he asked himself, typing, "I am weird" into the search engine and seeing the results. However, he didn't seem to get very far, as all the results seemed to be a bunch of quotes and shirts.

"This isn't it…" Espio said to himself, remembering that at that moment, Valdez had set up a keyboard similar to that of the one on his phone, allowing him the ability to use an English and Japanese keyboard. Realizing that must be the key to a more clear answer, Espio ran his finger over the trackpad of the laptop to the right corner of the screen. Doing the steps Valdez told him clearly and slowly, he changed the keyboard to Japanese as he looked at the search engine. If writing, "I am weird" in English wasn't enough, maybe that wasn't it. Maybe he… needed to be more specific enough!

Espio rubbed his chin, wondering how he could make, "I am weird" more specific. But when he thought about it more… what was it that made him weird?

Well, it WAS Vector mainly. The thoughts of Vector, these desires, these wants, the thought of him rugged after a long and hard football game, the memory of those strange undergarments he took a picture with that Espio saw on his phone or his Halloween costume, how warm he made the chameleon feel, and that thought back in Gojo and Genshu respectively… that desire of wanting Vector to treat him like a husband would his wife. That thought of him wearing wedding kimono in front of his religion's shrine…

And it wasn't just that. He thought back to the wrestling match Mighty invited Espio and his friends to, seeing the armadillo, Munch, Storm, and their red mouse friend in those skin tight outfits (whatever they were) that he had seen at that match for the first time in his life. He thought about how strong each man was there, grabbing onto one another as they tried to grapple and pin one another onto the mat. He thought about all the Badniks games, how Vector and all his teammates looked in their uniforms, with pants that showed off their powerful legs and the rough personality the Badniks and their rivals had while playing finished with a sea of happiness when Vector won. He thought about the orc he had to marry during the game with Mark and his friends, imagining this green, muscle bound monster as Vector, who asked for his hand in marriage. He even thought about the men in the anime and manga Mark let him borrow, some of them depicted as either pretty and polite, others rough and rugged, all with distinct features.

Men… men…

What was it about men that tied into all of this? What was the connection?

That's when Espio had two epiphanies.

The first was that… was…

Were men the reason why he felt strange?

Espio didn't understand. How could men make him feel strange? Sure, there were all these circumstances, but how could men as a whole make him feel strange? In terms of men like Mark, Norris, Buck, Sonic or Manic, even fellow classmates like Gadget from Creative Drawing, they didn't make him feel strange. Not even his professors, nor Vector's two sports coaches made him feel strange and that was just people he knew from the Outside World…

Even in all his time in Gojo, never ONCE did he feel this before. He was surrounded by men, like the guards of the Dojo, the other villagers, even his late father too... In fact, there were athletes like Vector, Bow, and the like within the Historic District!

So why now? Why was it only in the Outside World that he felt this?

Because it tied into his second epiphany, what he had realized when he thought about Vector while being with Reina. All this time, he wondered why even though the Yagyu guard and other maidens from all five villages who had talked to him gave him this feeling of… well, nothing. In fact, when he thought about it harder, he realized it: These maidens all talked to him in the hopes that they would be the lucky woman to marry Espio.

And the chameleon felt… nothing towards them.

It all tied to men in the very end...

There was only one thing he could do. With the Japanese keyboard turned on, Espio typed slowly, his palms starting to sweat as he finished typing what he felt may have finally given his answer.

"なぜ男と一緒にいると違和感があるのか?"

The first two answers weren't anything unusual. But it was the third answer that he saw that… initially caused him to turn his head.

"Transgender… the difference and meaning of… gender identity?" he said, confused. He had NEVER heard of this first word before, written in katakana. It clearly was a word introduced to Yurashia from the Outside World. Could… this be it?

Curious, he clicked on the link. Instantly, he was taken to a descriptive site with information all in Japanese, with the only sort of English at the top of the page. English… he had seen before.

"LGBT"

"I've seen this before…" Espio mused to himself, trying his best to think. Where… where had he seen this?

That's when it hit him, it was the day of the university club meet and greet, the day Mark met Connery. Before they had met with the horse, the chameleon and tapir stopped by a group called… um… the LGBT… something? He didn't remember what it was, but he remembered specifically this word in their name. What it meant… Espio didn't know. In fact, as he read the article, it talked about the difference between sex and gender identity, and rights of a group of people he hadn't heard of in Yurashia and debunking misconceptions, which, while an interesting read… it didn't describe him. He felt male for as long as he could think of, and it didn't at all describe what he was feeling towards men…

That's when, under recommended articles…

"LGBTとは?意味を正しく理解しよう."

" What is LGBT? Let's getting the meaning right!" Espio said in awe. This… this was it! Finally, was THIS finally going to explain just what his strange feelings were?! Was this FINALLY going to explain if this LGBT thing he had heard of had something to do with his thoughts and desires towards Vector?! Espio quickly clicked on the article, excited to finally get an answer.

The first paragraph talked about nothing he was familiar with, so Espio moved onto the next thing, the meaning of this… LGBT thing. The L had to do with women, which didn't apply to him, but the second…

"ゲイ/男性同性愛者"

Espio looked confused. The katakana, gei, he hadn't heard of. But what confused him more was the kanji.

"Otoko… dou... ai sha?!" he repeated to himself. If gei was confusing enough, this was something he would have to figure out character by character. Otoko obviously meant male, dou meant same, ai meant love, and sha was one of several kanji for person. But it was this kanji, 性, that confused him. He hadn't seen this one before. What did it mean?

Thankfully, one thing Valdez installed besides a keyboard was an extension for people in the Outside World trying to learn Japanese, where all they would have to is hover the clicker over any kana or kanji and it would tell them the pronunciation and what the chatacter meant. And so, he hovered over the kanji, and what he learned it meant…

"Sei. Sex, gender, nature"

...wasn't quite what he expected.

"So if this is right… otoko-sei-dou-sei-ai-sha... Male sex… same sex love person? What?"

His head hurt and even after finding out what each character meant, it STILL didn't explain how he had been feeling. Still, there was notably, a emphasis on the second bit of kanji. 同性愛, same gender… love?

He went to go type that into the search bar to see what this could mean. What he saw was… surprising. He saw images of two male overlanders hugging on one of what looked like the seats in the A building. Another had a set of mobian dogs holding hands, both men wearing the fancy suits his fellow Creative Drawing classmates, just to name a few. Espio felt his stomach turn in a funny way. Why did it seem… calming? Why did it seem like… a calling of sorts?

He proceeded to click the first link, and what he read next, only made his eyes widen and his breathing hitch.

"Homosexuality refers to sexual and or romantic love between males or females, or sexual orientation toward the same sex. People who identify with these characteristics are called gay or homosexual. While homosexual is sometimes used mainly for gay men, some consider it a derogatory term due to its historical context of being used in a discriminatory manner.

This section is a general overview of homosexuality. See "Homosexuality in Yurashia" in the same section for more information."

What… was this? It was the same thing as he translated… romantic… love between the same sex? Then…

Espio thought back to his time in Gojo. All the stories he had heard, man and woman loved one another. Being a passersby for various weddings at the Shijin Shrine, and there was even his parents too… All his life, he assumed that was it.

But one… one could be a man… and… love another man?

Espio put his hand over his mouth. Love was a VERY strong word, almost dirty like in the Historic District. You almost never heard someone use it, so the fact that this was so open to talking about loving the same gender…

He continued reading.

"Sexual orientation is a concept that indicates what kind of person a person's love and sexuality is directed toward. Specifically, in terms of heterosexuality, where the object of love and sexuality is the opposite sex, homosexuality, the object of love and sexuality is instead, the same sex…"

Espio could feel time stop as his voice got cut in his throat. This…

This finally explained everything.

And instead of rejoicing, instead of feeling relieved that he found his answer…

Espio started to tear up. This… this was why? All these feelings about Vector, this desire, this longing for men over women compared to what was expected in his village, same gender love… he… he was this?!

It became too much, so information he shouldn't have known about. Espio put his hands to his face, and for the first time since his father died…

He cried.

This was the answer he wanted, he learned why he felt this way towards Vector. Same gender love… no wonder this described him, because… he loved Vector like husband and wife loved one another. But he didn't feel happy. He felt ashamed, dirty, and like he should have NEVER learned about this. What would Vector, all of his friends, Valdez say if they learned about this? What would his mother say?! She expected him to marry a maiden, but how could he went the one he felt a genuine love and care for…

Was Vector, a man from the Outside World?

Espio choked on his tears, realizing that he was even more broken that he thought. Never once was he told about this, and surely, no one like him could EVER exist. Sure, there may have been the people at that club, but how could they ever understand? How could they understand the plight of a man from a world different than theirs, completely unaware of such a thing until today? He felt alone, even more so than usual…

But then he looked up, realizing one more thing he was looking at.

"Homosexuality in Yurashia."

Espio wiped his eyes to click on the link, taking him to a new article, which he read as he tried not to wake up Valdez.

"Records of homosexuality in Yurashia date back to ancient times. In the past, male homosexuality was described with words such as "nansoku", "shuudo" and "wakashuudo" in ancient samurai society, and "inma" in the world of Kabuki theater. There are many unanswered questions about female homosexuality in ancient Yurashia, however.

Prior to the arrival of outside influences such as zones from Central, West, and East Mobius over 150 years ago, there were no laws restricting homosexuality in Yurashia, and in some places and situations, male homosexuality was almost openly practiced. While there was no law against homosexual intercourse, historians wrote that people tended to regard the same sex as sexual objects…

At the beginning of the Yurashian Pre-Technology Era, due to the influence of religious societies from zones around Yurashia, homosexual acts were declared illegal until abolished by the Yurashian Imperial Court three years into the Pre-Technology Era."

This was even more of a mind blow to Espio. He had remembered one lesson from his mother how the Outside World attempted on multiple occasions to gain political and social control over Yurashia. But this… this was even bigger news to him. There… there was people in his home… just like him? They too also loved the same gender, just like he loved Vector?

Then why…

Why did his mother, or any of the Brides never tell him this? This was Yurashian history, no, this was HIS history! How could they never once talk about this?! How could they leave him in the dark of people like him?!

Soon, his tears turned into legitimate anger. It wasn't enough that he felt ashamed and guilty about how he felt, about how Vector and the others would feel if they found out he loved men instead of women, about how the Brides would learn if their heir to Naga… had no desire to become a husband…

No, it was that his mother, and the Brides, four people who cared so deeply about preserving the history of their ancestors that they continue to shut away from the Outside World, not seeing the beauty of it for what it was…

They hid their own history. They hid the fact that people like Espio existed centuries ago.

It was that they lied about it… about… possibly everything…

END OF CHAPTER 24