October 15 2023

The Foreigner from a Distant World

Chapter 14

Reunion

A thick dark fog hugs the vigilant justiciar like a mother cuddling her baby as it remains still on the calm water under the pale light of the full moon. Inside it, scores of sailors are making haste to plug the holes in the hull of the ship and remove water from the flooded compartments. The kaiju that attacked it circles menacingly - on its body visible above the water's surface were many wounds that it had sustained though much of it is superficial. Like many creatures in Teyvat, it can use elemental energy. This particular Kaiju can manipulate the water around its body to camouflage itself and also to make its wounds heal faster.

"That thing will come back for us once I undo the barrier." Hachiman, still in his Onmyouji priest cloth, says while informing the Captain and other officers inside a dimly lit room. His left eye glows white as he maintains the barrier. He is very frustrated that he cannot use his Hado Arts and ninjutsu since he is in the presence of many witnesses. He prefers to keep both abilities a secret. Beside him is Ritsu, her left arm covered in bandages after being wounded by debris sent flying by the beast. She is also no longer able to fly due to her injuries.

"How many hours can you sustain it? It has been around three hours since you invoked this spell." The captain asks.

Hachiman shakes his head, "Less than an hour left. Apologies, covering the entire vessel is quite the task."

The other men in the room all make a collective groan of dismay upon hearing his words. The beast is extremely territorial and will not stop until they are sunk. The barrier around the ship emits a negative field so the beast keeps its distance for now. For the next thirty minutes, they formulate a hastily made plan to deal a decisive blow to the beast.

Hachiman is at the helm of the ship when he deactivates the barrier and the creature off in the distance immediately heads towards them to investigate. Eight spheres of light appear above him, absorbing the light from the moon and linking with each other as they slowly start to spin and gather energy. It vibrates the entire ship and the loud humming can even be felt and heard underwater. Magic circles immediately expand from the spheres, each as large as the ship's broken mast and temporarily blind everyone who looks upon it. He struggles to contain the energy and waits for the right time to release it and the space around him warps and pulses as if he is at the centre of an invisible beating heart.

Just as he is about to fire the beam of lunar energy, a deafening horn sounds and breaks his concentration. The sound is deep and almost metallic. Everyone on the deck of the ship turns their heads left and right to look for the source until Ritsu shouts and points upwards.

Hachiman looks up and sees…something high in the sky.

"Is that...?" He mutters to himself.

They see several flashes of light from the thing. And then a heartbeat later, the water around the kaiju erupts like a volcanic geyser which instantly freezes and falls back on the water like towers. The barrage of explosions and cryo projectiles was enough to make the creature dive deeper. Several ice spears and spikes as long as a man are impaled on its thick hide. Despite that, the barrage continues by tracking the kaiju and predicting its course. The flashes underwater give away its position and Hachiman adjusts the firing angle and releases the beam. It evaporates the water on contact and impacts the creature's body, leaving an open wound which darkens the water as its blood pours out from it.

"Fuck! The water nullified it!" He had one shot and the magic circles started to dissipate. The artificial construct continues to fire its cannons as it descends until it is right above the ship. It is about twice as large and numerous ladders lower down on the ship, its massive wings blocking the moon from view. A figure jumps off of it and lands on the deck. A thin man of average height, fuzzy brown hair and pale skin stands up, his face grim and alert and around his shoulders is a long and thick white coat.

"Your ship is done for! Hurry and climb up the airship!"

The Captain of the ship quickly orders everyone to abandon the ship and climb as the men scramble chaotically for the ladders. Hachiman quickly runs back to his private quarters and retrieves his important documents. Then, he goes to the next room where Enri is sprawled on the bed still passed out. He carefully wraps her in a blanket while fixing her hair and taking her electro vision with her. She grumbles while being carried and nuzzles her face on his chest just like Fuyumi. When he arrives at the deck, he sees that the man from earlier is a Cryo user and has covered the water around the ship with Cryo mines and depth charges to deter the beast from attacking while the evacuation is ongoing. A disk of hardened light appears under his feet as he flies up to the opening bays of the airship with Enri. The crew of the airship who wore suits of power armour are startled when he suddenly appears in mid-air. Ritsu rushes over to them, wearing her inner cotton shirt and pants after discarding her heavy armour since it was too heavy to climb with only one good arm.

"Take Enri, I'm going back." He says quickly.

"You wha-"

Before Ritsu could reply, he went back to the sinking ship to help the last of the stragglers. He finds himself side by side with the cryo user blasting ice at the beast underwater as it looks for an opening to strike and deal the killing blow to the ship.

"Priest! I could use some help!"

Hachiman nods, holding out his outstretched palm while being supported by his free hand and starts chanting:

"Ye Lord, mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, Ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams, unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!"

Blue and white reiatsu energy gathers on his palm and the wood under his feet cracks and groans from the sheer spiritual pressure being released. The Hadō spell he is invoking is similar in appearance to a cryo attack and thus he can use it without worrying. The man from the airship finds it difficult to breathe as the invisible force exerts its effect on his body. The kaiju, seeing an opening, jumps out at the water with its massive maw open intending to end things once and for all.

"Hadō #33: Sōkatsui!"

A massive wave of energy roars from his palm, hitting the kaiju between its eyes and slicing its head and half its body clean in two. The initial blast is so bright that it can be seen from the fishing villages and tall mountains in the surrounding islands. It is followed up by a similar torrent of cryo energy from the man as he freezes the beast in solid ice to prevent its regenerative abilities. Despite that, the ship was damaged from the two blasts and started tilting on its side before slowly starting to snap in half.

Unable to conjure another platform, the two of them climb up the ropes and are helped up once they get on the airship and the ship below them finally sinks to the bottom of the sea. They are welcomed with cheers and the hangars start to close and lights turn on above them. Hachiman collapses on the metal floor, completely drained and exhausted. His priestly robes and staff dissipate and are replaced by his standard Inazuman armour. The other man who climbed up with him smiles and pats his shoulder.

"You did well."

Hachiman nods tiredly as beads of sweat fall on his eyes. The crew of the airship in their mechanical suits tend to wounded Inazuman sailors. "Yeah." He holds out his hand, "Hikigaya Hachiman, Vice-Commissioner of the Tenryou Commission."

"Semyon Petrikov, researcher and archaeologist aboard the Asimov, attached to the Snezhnayan Air Flot." He shakes his hand and Hachiman feels his palm to be rough and calloused and rather cold. He pauses and searches through his memories in his head as the airship's name is quite familiar.

"Wait, is this the forward airship sent in advance by the 17th Fleet?" Hachiman says with wide eyes. Since he is one of the planners of the military operation to retake and consolidate the western lands and the one who recommended a mobilization to Her Excellency the Raiden Shogun, he is privy to many classified in formation. Specifically, the arrival of the massive Snezhnayan 17th Fleet who will support them in their endeavour sent by The Tzaritsa herself. Lord of Admirals Alexander Suvorov is the supreme commander of the Imperatorskiy Flot, one of the three most powerful men in Snezhnaya and answers directly to Her Majesty the Tzaritsa. He is also the husband of Touka and the father of Yuria and her many siblings.

"You are correct, my friend. It seems that you are the highest ranked officer here, come, Lord Kapitan Rihavein will explain.

The man in front of him is tall despite sitting down. His hair is brown and spiky at the ends and his eyes a piercing yellow and his shoulders are broad and over them is a large black cloak. The weathering on his face and the styled beard he wore made him look masculine and he is at the prime and peak of his life as a man. He extends a friendly hand to Hachiman.

"Kapitan Lucas Rihavein of the Asimov, of the Snezhnayan Air Flot."

Hachiman reaches and shakes his hand. "Hikigaya Hachiman, Vice-Commissioner of the Tenryou Commission." He pauses upon hearing the man's name.

"Lukas… I wonder how he's doing. Three years feel like a lifetime ago..."

Shaking away unnecessary thoughts in his mind, he leans back on his chair, donning the air of one of the governing bodies of Inazuma which he currently represents. "First of all, thank you for coming to our rescue, especially to Mr. Petrikov. Had you not come to our aid, we would not be speaking like this."

"We had to investigate when he saw flashes of light in the distance and we made all due haste when we saw you battling that kaiju." The Kapitan replies.

"About that…you are several weeks early. Why is that?"

"Our contract business contract with the Geo Archon and the Liyue Qixing ended earlier than expected. The Lord of Admirals sent me here in advance to meet your Tri-Comission. I believe your government already knows of our arrival, although we are early."

Hachiman nods, "I am aware. How was your journey?"

"Inazuma is not the only one with kaiju problems. Liyue and Sumeru are infested with them and the 17th fleet has spent a great amount of time and resources to deal with them and clear the sea lanes. We drove them from Liyue but it seems that they retreated to Inazuma instead. The kaiju that you killed is quite common in southern Sumeru." Kapitan Rihavein explains and offers him red tea which Hachiman gladly accepts.

"And where is the rest of your force?"

"On their way from Liyue Harbour to Watatsumi Island. They will arrive at Inazuma City in around…two to three weeks."

"You are aware of the special status of Watatsumi Island within the greater Inzuman nation, yes?" Hachiman asks carefully. As a government official, he was taught of the Watatsumi issue and its judicial, legislative and executive rights granted to them by the Raiden Shogun. He is set to graduate two years from now and also another two from the military academy.

"Lord of Admirals Suvorov went to pay his respects to the Divine Priestess and to bring aid to the island. The fleet will circle Yashiori and Kannazuka Island and then make port at Inazuma City."

Hachiman nods, "I see. Then I must personally thank him when we finally meet. Inazuma has its fair share of problems and we are thankful to receive all the help we can get, especially from bigger and more powerful nations such as yours."

Kapitan Rihavein chuckles and pours him another cup of tea. "We are all pawns and playthings of Celestia, my friend. Mankind must be united and our petty differences set aside if we are to prevent another catastrophe like the Cataclysm and survive into the future. Is this your first time on an airship? I mean no disrespect but you seem very cool-headed, unlike your compatriots." The Vice-Commissioner laughs upon being reminded of the sight of his countrymen screaming and shaking with fear upon seeing the airship for the first time, even after getting on board and seeing how high up they were.

"No offence taken. My sense of amazement and awe far exceeds my fear and nervousness." He grins. "I have to admit that I feel a bit jealous. We are not as advanced and we do not have war machines such as this."

"Then you should come and see Snezhnaya for yourself. We have factories the size of islands working around the clock producing airships and warships. The wounds from twenty years ago are still fresh in Teyvat. Thanks to Her Majesty, we fared better than the rest of the other nations." Kapitan Rihavein says and Hachiman leans forward with interest.

"Sumeru in particular was horrifically devestated. The level of death and destruction is…I cannot put it into words. When the Air Flot arrived fresh and ready from our expedition in Fontaine and Northern Monstadt, it was like we entered a completely different world altogether. Our maps were useless and our compasses and navigation equipment were malfunctioning. Greater Lord Rukkhadevata died and the new one, Lesser Lord Kusanali is still a child and recovering." Kapitan Rihavein looks as if he aged by twenty Years just by recalling everything.

"That sounds terrible," Hachiman replies quietly.

The big man suddenly shakes his head and laughs dryly with an apologetic expression on his face. "By the Gods! Forgive me for dampening the mood! This is a nasty habit of mine!"

"No, it's alright. I learned quite a lot." Hachiman raises his hand.

"Apologies again for making you feel uncomfortable. I hope you don't mind me asking but how are you so young for a Vice-Commissioner?"

Hachiman humbly nods, "The Tri-Commission heads saw my potential. There is no grand drama or story behind my appointment I am afraid."

Hachiman finds the Kapitan to be wonderful company despite his intimidating exterior and the two talk until his eyes grow heavy. He excuses himself and goes to the quarters that he shares with Enri and Ritsu. Still feeling a bit disoriented and his Reiryoko drained from his excessive and sudden use of spells, he gets lost and finds himself in an open area on the airship. The wind is cold and the full moon shines brightly when he steps towards the railing to gaze at the sea far below.

"Hm, we're not as high as I thought…" He says out loud. Off in the distance, he can see a few of the thousands of islands which make up Inazuma. The number has changed over the years after the Cataclysm and he thinks that it may be time to map out the land soon. His thoughts soon go to his former world and his loved ones. He wonders if Komachi went to Sobu, how his parents are doing and which schools his friends went to college. He wonders if time flows differently there or even if Earth still exists. The latter is a horrifying thought that fills him with existential dread. Hachiman looks up to the vastness of the night sky, wondering if one of the countless stars twinkling light years away holds the Sol system. Sadness and longing occupy his heart and he makes a deep sigh of loneliness.

Hachiman senses a presence and turns to see behind him. He sees a pale young woman with long white hair fluttering with the wind. For a moment, he thought it was Yuria.

"It's dangerous to stay too close to the edge." She says when she gets closer and Hachiman gets a good look at her. He sees her sky-blue eyes when her bangs move with the breeze and her doll-like beautiful face. Unlike most of the crew, she wore no power armour but a long white and blue Snezhnayan dress and a black coat over her shoulders.

"Princess Rihavein," Hachiman bows low and goes on his knee. The young woman in front of him is the daughter of Lord Kapitan Lucas Rihavein, a Noble of Snezhnaya. He had been informed by her father but did not expect their first meeting to be like this. She did not meet him earlier because she was busy tending to the wounded. From what he heard from Lord Rihavein, she is quite the skilled healer and thinks of nothing when her hands are soiled.

"..." He hears her footsteps get closer until she stops an arm's length away from him. Hachiman sees that the edge of her dress has bloodstains and a portion of it still looks fresh.

"Raise your head, Lord Hikigaya." Her voice was cold and brought the chill of her homeland. Hachiman follows her order obediently and immediately, a trait that he gained from the Shogunate military. Her intense eyes unnerved him and he lowered his gaze.

"My Lord Father enjoyed his talk with you and has sent me to find you." The young woman says.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" She adds and her eyes wander all over his body looking for a possible injury to treat.

He shakes his head, "No, just a bit tired. Thank you for your concern, Princess."

"Think nothing of it, I am merely doing my duty." Her voice is neutral and serious, Hachiman wonders how long she has served in the military. Her tone is extremely blunt and straightforward, almost without a hint of friendliness in it. "You are the last person for me to check. I just finished treating your bird-woman comrade." She raises her hand and moves some of her silky white hair behind her ear.

Hachiman blinks and takes a moment to process her words. "Forgive me Princess Rihavein… Bird-woman...?"

The Noblewoman nods. "Yes, the one with black hair and four wings. I must say that she was very fussy when I was treating her." When he heard that, Hachiman took all of his willpower not to laugh but the strange movement of his lips did not go unnoticed by the Princess and her sharp eyes and she immediately called him out on it with a slight frown forming on her brows.

"Thank you for allowing me to explain Princess. That woman is a Yokai."

Princess La Folia Rihavein tilts her head at the unfamiliar word, something that Hachiman found quite adorable. Because of her white hair, he is reminded of Fuyumi when she also tilts her head when he tries to teach her a new word. He missed her dearly over the past two months and cannot wait to kiss and hold the baby in his arms once more and see how much she has grown.

"Yo-kai…? Is that a rank of some sort?"

"Princess, if you would allow me the chance to provide you an explanation…" He bows low again, eager to not offend or slight her in any way since he is quite unfamiliar with her customs and cultural background. After a few tense moments when Hachiman grew nervous with each passing second, the woman in front of him finally gave him her blessing.

He continues, "They are supernatural entities native to Inazuma. The woman you treated and her older sister is called Tengu and are identified through their two pairs of black wings and the distinctive and unique small mask on the side of their head."

Princess Rihavein pauses, "So those women are not human?"

"No, Princess."

"Is that so? That is the first time I've heard of such a thing…" The Princess adopts a thoughtful expression and puts a hand under her chin. Hachiman takes the time to observe her features more closely and she admits that she is quite beautiful. This is the first time that he has met royalty and he will make sure that he will make a good impression on her. Also, he has developed a fascination for those from foreign and faraway lands.

"How different are they from the Adeptus in Liyue?" She asks inquisitively.

He shakes his head and bows, "Forgive me Princess, but I am not as knowledgeable on that topic unfortunately."

She nods to herself, with the slightest frown on her blow. "That is in dead unfortunate. On the morrow, you will tell me more about this and your customs, is that clear?" Her tone is stern but not harsh and Hachiman instinctively nods and bows low.

"Yes, Princess."

Princess La Folia Rihavein acknowledges him, "Good. Now go rest, I can feel the sheer exhaustion of your body and soul just by your eyes alone." Just as quickly and suddenly as she appeared, she turned around and walked back inside the airship, leaving him alone except for the wind and stars and moon to keep him company. Hachiman watches her and notices that the ends of the back portion of her long dress also have blood stains.

"Amazing… We are so high up…" Yamazaki Enri mutters to herself as she gazes at the sea and lands far below the railing. At her side are Hachiman and Ritsu who have also come to watch.

"How is your head? Are you feeling fine?" Hachiman asks concerningly and puts his arm around her waist.

"I'll be fine, thank you for asking." She replies with a sweet and knowing smile before turning and scowling menacingly at her sister. "If someone didn't get me drunk, it would have saved me so much embarrassment."

Ritsu flinches and laughs bashfully. Her cheeks are red and swollen after being pulled and twisted by the two adults. "A-Ahahahaha…"

Enri sighs and softens when she sees her sister's injured left arm. Hachiman had recounted her deeds on the previous night and she feels proud of her for doing her best. She then turns to Hachiman looking very conflicted about something.

"So about what you said earlier-"

"Hachiman!" Ritsu exclaims and interrupts them, then she starts laughing while having a cringing expression on her face. "It sounds weird in my mouth. Hehehe."

Her older sister agrees, "I mean, are you sure? Calling you by your first name that is…"

"I don't mind. I'm a former Captain since the 88th Artillery Company merged with General Ken's forces after the battle of Byakko. And don't call me 'Vice-Commissioner', it feels too distant" He shrugs.

"I understand, but why? It's been nearly a year since Byakko, why did you only think about it now?"

"Well after I talked to Kapitan Rihavein last night I did some thinking and came to that conclusion. Like, why, are people still calling me that? Like, really? So just call me Hachiman from now on." His shoulder-length hair flutters with the wind as he talks with his two friends who he treats as family at this point. From the corner of his eye, he sees some of the crew of the vigilant justiciar also gawking at the breathtaking view but must remain inside the ship, still too afraid to look out.

This time, he turns his attention to Enri, "So, how does that bodysuit feel?"

The Tengu flexes her torso, revealing her toned abdomen and shapely back. The black bodysuit covers up to her lower neck, wrists and just above her foot. Its material on the surface has a glossy texture which makes her body appear eye-catching. There are also tiny slits on her back where she can make her wings appear at any time.

"I...quite like it. It looks more comfortable, flexible and durable than it appears. I feel as if I am weightless and the crew of the airship told me that they wear this under their armour which protects the skin underneath. These gloves feel a bit different but not unpleasant. It's surprisingly cool too and I don't sweat at all underneath."

"Nee-sama, don't you feel a bit embarrassed? I mean, especially your rear, front and chest… " Ritsu mutters and eyes her sister closely while poking her waist and abdomen with her finger.

Enri blushes a bit and shakes her head. "Well, I do, but it is supposed to look this way. It is a combat skin after all. And I do admit that it somehow feels liberating in it." She puffs out her chest proudly and puts her hands on her hips with a small smirk on her lips. The electro vision tied to a bracelet on her right hand shines brightly as if mirroring the emotions of its master.

"Well, you do look quite formidable in it," Hachiman adds which inflates her ego even further as he studies her with his scrutinizing gaze. "I think you should add an armoured skirt and some upper body armour and gauntlets too. Maybe borrow that helmet with a visor as well."

"Alright, I will try and consider that. But I am no fan of helmets, they are too heavy and pull me down too much." After some time enjoying the morning sun, the three head back to their room. As they were walking, they passed by Princess Rihavein coming out of the medical bay dressed in a white medical gown with a hairnet, gloves and facemask accompanied by Mr Petrikov. They can see some blood on her as well.

The three of them bow respectfully and are acknowledged with a simple nod and glance as she walks past them. Hachiman notes the metallic smell is quite strong around her.

"A fine day to you Mr Petrikov."

"Good morning Lord Hikigaya and to you ladies as well." He says with a smile, despite looking quite tired from his work in the medical bay. the dark circles under his eyes are made more prominent by his pale complexion. "I apologize for my undesirable appearance - there is still much work to be done in treating the wounded."

"Oh, about Princess Rihavein, did she keep you up on the previous night?" He adds.

Enri visibly stiffens and the polite smile on her lips falters for a moment. Hachiman and Ritsu don't seem to understand the other possible meaning of Petrikov's words and the former answers normally.

"We started in the early morning and ended at midnight. She was quite thorough and very particular about lots of details and allowed me little time to gather myself or even go have lunch and dinner." Hachiman replies with a small laugh as he recalls his time with the Princess, teaching her about Inazuman customs. "She is quite intelligent and was hyper-focused the entire time."

"I hope you don't mind the Princess. Whenever something interests her she will not stop studying it until her curiosity is completely satisfied. In any event, I must go. I have not slept in fifteen hours and I feel like I am about to collapse…" Petrikov yawns and mutters tiredly before dragging his feet across the hallway. When he is out of sight, Enri suddenly reaches out and roughly twists and pinches Hachiman's side.

"Fuck!" He yells out and nearly keels over to the side. He hisses and rubs himself when she releases him. "Damnit woman! What has that for?!"

"Nothing. I just felt like making you feel pain. Hmph!" She turns away from him haughtily and walks off, leaving the two of them confused. Her boots were loud against the metal floor as the airship's engines rumbled in the background.

Ritsu helps him up after scratching her chin and looking at her retreating sister's back, "Why is Nee-sama mad?"

"I don't know. Damn her grip is insane..." He says and clutches his side, his eyes focused on Enri's rear intending to pinch and pay her back later.

"Did you two fight? It's rare to see Nee-sama mad." She tilts her head to the side in wonder.

"Not that I'm aware of… Is it her time of the month?"

Ritsu chuckles, not feeling uncomfortable about talking about this with him in the slightest. She finds it rather amusing in fact.

"We're not like human women who have that kind of thing every month. Ours lasts around two months and during that time females have mood swings and can get aggressive all of a sudden. Some, not me by the way , can get very sensitive and stimulated - in other words, their bodies get crazy hot and steamy and they get horn-" Before she can finish, her mouth gets covered by him to prevent her from continuing.

"Yes Ritsu, I am quite aware of that. No need to say it out loud…"

At first, it was a tiny dot in the sky, barely visible to the human naked eye. But as it grew larger, the people of Inazuma City started to look up and point at it in wonder. As the Asimov grew closer, they felt afraid of the unknown being with four massive wings and mass panic ensued. They thought of it as a demon from twenty years ago coming to enact its revenge. The officials from the Tenryou Commission descended upon the city from the Tenshukaku and instructed the Dounin to restore order.

Kapitan Rihavein directs the airship just outside the city because of the lack of flat surfaces to land. Several hundred Inazumans flock to the area to see the airship make contact with the ground and the platforms lower themselves to allow disembarking.

The Kapitan and his daughter are the first to set foot on Inazuman land and are welcomed with the hastily made preparations by the Tri-Commission. The people watched with awe as the great machine turned off its engines and tall outlanders in their armoured suits marched out in perfect synchrony flanking the Kapitan and Princess. The crew from the vigilant justiciar soon follow after soldiers with wide smiles and are just glad to be alive.

No one noticed two figures zoom through the air and land behind the trees and bushes. Hachiman instantaneously appears mid-step a split second after them, a faint and quick buzzing sound announcing his arrival. He makes a hand seal and a green-black butterfly appears from his closed right palm. Hachiman whispers some words and releases it towards the crowd.

"I am not fond of flashy entrances..." Enri mutters to herself and her two companions agree. She straightens her hair with her fingers and

"Me too, my familiar will inform Kapitan Rihavein in case someone looks for us."

"Oh! It's early spring! Look at the plants! It was way different in Kannazuka!" Ritsu exclaims and they observe their surroundings. Greenery is slowly starting to return in the area, it will not be long until the Sakura blossoms bloom into a beautiful pink and turn the city into a flowery landscape.

"Can I move back in with you and Nee-sama? I think it's not as cold now." She looks at the two of them expectantly.

Hachiman turns to Enri to hear her thoughts on the matter but she deflects and shrugs at him. "Sure, okay. It'll be nice to have you back."

The younger Tengu gleefully proceeds to pump her fist victoriously in the air. "Free rent here I come!"

Hearing her sister's words, Enri gets flustered and shakes her head from second-hand embarrassment while Hachiman just laughs. Utilizing her superior Tengu speed Ritsu bids them fare well and goes on ahead to gather her belongings from the place where she stayed during the cold winter months. Hachiman sees Enri looking down on the ground with a slight frown and decides to ask her about it. And be a little tease now that they are alone as well.

"What are you thinking about? Are you disappointed that we're no longer alone~?"

Enri blushes slightly and turns away from him. "You assume too much. In any event, where are we going? Do you want us to immediately go home?"

"No, let's have a little detour first."

Hachiman embraces the woman whom he has come to call his mother in this world. She tightly returns the embrace and goes on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek and rub her hands on his back. He had missed her more than he would openly admit after he felt her familiar warmth and touch.

"You should have told me that you arrived! I knew something was going on when I saw that airship in the west but I did not expect you!" Suvorova Touka exclaims and pulls away from him first and then hugs Enri as well. "And what's with that moustache?! Shave it off this instant! You look horrible! And your hair is long and unkept!"

His face goes pink when she reaches up and roughly pinches his cheek and twists his face around. "Touka-san, please not in front of Enri…"

"Don't talk back to me!" Using her free hand, she takes off her right slipper and uses it to slap his shoulder like a mother disciplining her naughty son.

The woman in question lightly chuckles at her maternal affection for him. "Oh please do not mind me. And it is not every day that I see you blushing like this."

"And Enri, what are you wearing? This is a Snezhnayan combat skin if I am not mistaken. Where did you get such a thing?" Touka turns to her with her hand still attached to Hachiman's reddened cheek while continuing to slap his shoulder with her slippers.

"We will explain later."

The woman of the house ushers them inside her home and Yuria appears from the top of the stairs. "Vice-Commisioner?!" Her eyes were wide when she saw Hachiman and Enri. The former grins at her reaction and motions for her to come down and she gets pulled into a hug which she returns awkwardly and red-faced.

"Ah, Yuria. Still so uptight and serious." He says with a chuckle.

"Of course I am. I will not change just within two months." She retorts and glances at Enri with astonishment in her people's eyes, "That thing looks like what my father wears under his armour - has he arrived? Has the 17th Fleet arrived in Inazuman territory?"

"No, not yet. I'll tell you more after this. Now then, where is Fuyumi?" says Hachiman with a wide excited smile. Yuria leads the three of them to her room where the youngest child of her family, Rika and Fuyumi are playing. They slightly open the door just enough for them to peek inside. Unlike most of her siblings, Rika inherited her mother's dark hair and eyes but received her pale complexion and nose from her father. The two children are playing with a ball and passing it to each other with numerous toys neatly placed in the corner of the room.

Hachiman observes that Fuyumi has grown bigger and can now balance herself while sitting up. Her hair is also still cut short which means that Yuria has been following his request obediently. He slightly opens the door wider and calls out to her.

"Fuyumi!"

When she heard his voice, she slightly jumped and panicked but then turned around and started crawling towards him as quickly as her little arms and legs could carry her. Hachiman squats and spreads out his arms eager to pick up and hold her once more after being away for two months.

"Dadadadada~! Aaah!" She squeals with joy when he lifts her off the ground and covers his lips and cheeks with kisses. Fuyumi does not seem to mind his unshaven stubble at all despite the last time they met and she kicks her little legs excitedly as her fluffy white tail wiggles here and there. Hachiman missed holding her soft and plump body and he realizes that she has grown heavier. The baby laughs giddily when he rubs his face on her belly so much so that tears form on the comers of her eyes. Rika also runs to him excitedly, she has grown to adore him like a big brother since he always gives her snacks and lets her borrow Fuyumi's toys whenever he visits.

"Achi!"

"Hehe, I missed you Fuyumi. You too Rika."

After settling in, and getting dragged by Touka by the ear to the garden with a razor, scissors and comb in her hand, Hachiman decides to invite them all to eat dinner to celebrate their safe return, as well as Eirin and the volunteers from the school and orphanage, Kujo Horimoto and his children, his Masters Kamuna Harunosuke and Iwakura Doukei, Kapitan Rihavein, Princess La Folia, Mr Petrikov and the rest of his friends and acquaintances that he grew to trust in Inazuma City. Of course, because of the sheer number of his guests, the dinner had to be scheduled two days ahead to accommodate all of them. But that did little to diminish the joyful mood when the day finally came.

Yet another meeting ends and Hachiman leaves the operational and strategic council for the military operation. As the one who recommended the mobilization in the first place, he now has many responsibilities and duties to streamline the plan and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Her Excellency had attended and though she said little, her silence was approval enough.

As he is walking down the Tenshukaku Castle, an explosion startles him. His frown intensifies when he squints and sees that it came from the Tenryou Commission given the trail of black smoke. The castle bells start to ring loudly as a signal.

Hachiman jumps down from the terrace onto the nearby roofs until he steps on solid ground. Soldiers were hastily amassing around him readying their weapons and armour for the threat.

He takes one step - and arrives at the foot of the castle.

And another - he steps foot on the entrance of the perimeter.

And another - he is beside the barracks of the outer castle.

And another - he is on the top of the gate of the first wall

And another - he is on the grounds of the Tenryou Commission.

Five steps, and each one brings a faint low buzzing sound which goes with his presence.

He runs to the commotion and the source appears to be just below the balcony of his home overlooking the cliff where there is a flat area where trees and shrubs grow. He gives commands to the guards in the area to secure the place and jumps down where two figures are in combat and are obscured by the foliage.

When he saw who they were, his eyes widened with surprise. They fired arcs of electro and Yōkai magic at each other, their clothes torn and their faces bitter and grim as they battle, neither one appearing to have the advantage over the other.

"Enri? Yae?"

Feeling furious, he releases his spiritual pressure for the first time in months. The Kitsune and Tengu instantly freeze and clutch their chests at the intensity of it before falling to their knees.

"STAND DOWN! BOTH OF YOU!" He yells at the two and goes over to them and then seals away his reiatsu.

Yae Miko, dressed in her torn garb looks up to him, still breathing heavily. "Hikigaya...?"

He is speechless for a moment and unable to believe his eyes. His best friend who he has not seen in nearly three years is now suddenly in front of him. "Yae? Is that you...?"

Despite her rough and dirty appearance, a mischievous smile forms on her lips.

"Of course it's me. There is no other Yae Miko other than myself after all. I just arrived this morning from Seirai." She gets up after some difficulty and pats the dust off her shoulders. Her smile disappears when she sees Enri walking towards them. Hachiman sees this and goes between the two of them.

"Why the heck are you two fighting?! Explain yourselves!"

Seeing Miko raise her nose and turn away from them, Enri decides to speak first.

"Well, this woman sneaked into our home as an intruder and when I confronted her about it, she tarnished my honour and provoked me." The Tengu explains while still in her uniform fresh from the military training grounds of the shogunate. Her face is neutral but her eyes are cold as she studied Miko.

Hachiman turns to Miko incredulously, "Yae, is this true?"

"..." She says nothing with her face in the other direction.

"...I'll take that as a yes then…" He sighs and shakes his head, cursing whatever cosmic being that caused this whole mess. This time, he turns his attention to Enri. "Yae…sometimes sneaks inside to hang out when she's free from her shrine duties but she prefers going in through the window. It's okay."

Enri narrows her eyes at him, "You never mentioned that before..."

He winces at the look she's giving him. "Yes, I know. I'm sorry that's my fault. In any event, I'll introduce you to each other again and I hope we forget and put this behind us."

"Enri, I'd like you to meet Yae Miko. She's a shrine maiden and my best friend." He says to her and then gestures towards the black-haired Tengu across him.

"Yae, this is Yamazaki Enri of the Tengu Corps and a military instructor. She and her sister are the ones who took care of me after the Battle of Byakko and they also moved in with me." The Kitsune eyes her up and down and then a small smirk appears on her lips before chuckling lightly behind her band. Enri's left eye twitches with irritation but she seals her mouth.

The two of them give each other a stiff bow with reluctant faces, and Hachiman senses that the following weeks and months are going to be quite lively.

Hello again it is me Ivanov117

I don't have much to say this time honestly. Well, except for saying that Yae Miko is finally back and that so far, no one in the reviews has noticed that the Raiden Shogun has already appeared at Chapter One much earlier than Yae Miko.

Reviews are welcome and I'd love to hear your suggestions and opinions.

Until next time!