Mama Mirajane!

by Crimzon Slayer

What happens, when Mirajane Struass finds an orphaned child in the guild hall storage room. Many adventures await Scythe, Mirajane, and the rest of Team Natsu and the Fairy Tail guild, as they bring this unknown child into their big family. May become M rated later on.

42. Tenjin-ya 2!

Mama Mirajane-42

---

~Kakuriyo-Bed and Breakfast for Spirits~

Things were busy at the annex building of the Tenjin-ya Inn, as Wendy, Jack, Kasuga, and O-Ryo, were helping Aoi finish up the last bit of cleaning, while Akatsuki was hammering in the sign for the restaurant, with Scythe holding it in place.

"Oh I get it, 'cause the restaurant opens at dusk." Ginji said, reading the sign. "So Moonflower makes sense."

"Mhmm." Aoi said coming out and standing next to him in a green work kimono. "Master Matsuba came up with the name."

"Akatsuki, you're hammering it in the wrong areas, we need it a little more to the right." Scythe exclaimed.

"By the way Scythe, I was wondering what happened to that Tannosuke guy?" Ginji asked.

It had been about two weeks since the incident with Suzuran's stalker Tannosuke, and nobody had seen or heard from him since. He didn't even show up to court, but the reward money Scythe and Wendy got for his capture was enough to pay off at least a quarter of Shiro Tsubaki's debt to Tenjin-ya, and that's what they did with it, seeing as they wouldn't actually need it.

"Well, he physically harmed a Celestial Knight, and by the code of the Celestial Knights, anyone who dares to assault or harm a Celestial Knight, is to be executed, as Celestial Knights are on the same authority level as a king." Scythe explained. "For now, he's still locked away in Jack's, playroom, in the Celestial Armory."

"Just a child friendly title for another torture chamber." Akatsuki said grumbling.

"Well, Jack is a wraith, so it's not all that surprising she'd have a torture chamber. I mean, wraiths are known to be some of the most vengeful and sadistic creatures the afterlife ever produced." Scythe explained. "An' given she's gonna be forever stuck as a child, it's only right to call it a playroom."

"Still creeps me out how she calls you and Wendy, Mommy and Daddy." Akatsuki stated.

"You'll get used to hearing her call us that." Scythe chuckled.

"All right, I think that's enough work for right now everyone. Come and help yourself to some food Wendy and I prepared." Aoi said, as the spread of food was brought out. "Thanks for your help everyone."

Everyone began to eat to their hearts content, O-Ryo though seemed to act a little weird when she saw the mayonnaise on the rice balls.

"Mayonnaise. It's mellow and rich, I think I'm in love." O-Ryo said.

"I think she might have a weird kink for getting covered in food." Wendy whispered to Scythe.

"I don't even wanna know what she'd do to get it off in the bed." Scythe replied.

"Hey, why aren't you helping me up here?" Akatsuki shouted to him in frustration.

"You think I'm gonna miss out on my wife's cooking? Keep dreaming pal." Scythe said, grabbing another rice ball, Wendy made and biting into it.

"Aoi, what flavor is in these yellow rice balls?" Ginji questioned the brunet.

"Oh, those are my special Curry Recipe." Aoi smiled.

"Ah, can't wait." Ginji said with a smile.

"Aw yea, curry is my favorite." Kasuga said.

"Give me one." O-Ryo said, racing to grab one, before the entire tray was removed from the table. "Hey, no fair what gives?"

"You can each have some, but Akatsuki deserves some food as well. He's been working hard, and he's done a lot more work than you O-Ryo." Wendy stated.

"Aw come on that's no fair." O-Ryo said.

"Too bad." Wendy stated as she held the tray out to the others as they each grabbed one.

"Mommy got you there Aunty Ryo." Jack laughed.

"They're everything I could hope for. So tasty." Kasuga smiled as they each ate one.

"Hey, what flavor is this one?" O-Ryo asked, pointing to another dish.

"You're just gonna have to try it and see." Aoi smiled.

"What? Tell us." Kasuga pleaded.

"I'm gonna eat every single kind." O-Ryo said.

"Rude. Better save me some." Akatsuki said.

"C'mon down web-brain before it's all gone. The sign can wait until after we're done eating." Scythe called to him.

"All right." Akatsuki cheered.

"Uncle Suki has been working hard hasn't he?" Jack asked holding up a plate of rice balls to him.

"Amazing." Kasuga said eating another one. "One more to try."

As they all enjoyed their food, they were alerted to Odanna coming to check on their progress. They all stopped and bowed to give their respects to him.

"Would you like to try some master?" Aoi asked bringing him some food.

Odanna grabbed the first rice ball with the seaweed added to it, and with one bite, he was amazed. Though he didn't let it show outwardly.

"Well?" Aoi asked.

"Hmm, I like it." Odanna smiled.

"Honestly, do you?" Aoi inquired.

"So, tomorrow's finally opening night?" Odanna asked.

"Yes. Aoi, Scythe, and Wendy have worked diligently to make this happen." Ginji exclaimed.

"Aoi. Aoi." A tiny voice called to her as a tiny Kappa came running up to her.

"Easy, now, Chibi. Where have you been?" Aoi asked, putting her hand down for him to climb up.

"I took a little dip in that pond over there." Chibi said, his face turned away from hers, while pointing to the pond. "If I don't replenish the water on my head plate, then I'll dry right out." Chibi explained before turning to look at her, revealing the large swell on his cheek. "Look, a carp tried to eat me, and bit my face."

"Oh no." Aoi said. "Well, maybe this will make you feel better?" Aoi smiled, holding up the basket with the last rice ball in it.

"All right, it's plumb and cucumbers. This will make me feel better." Chibi smiled, jumping into the basket.

"He's so cute and adorable." Wendy said, getting the urge to hug him.

"Wendy no." Scythe said, bopping her on the head. "Chibi is Aoi's pet, not yours."

"Okay." Wendy groaned.

"Hehehe, Mommy got scolded by Daddy." Jack laughed.

"Don't think you're out of the woods missy." Scythe said, bending down to look her straight in the eye. "I know you went into my trophy room last night to try and steal a sip of the Tengu Liquor Master Matsuba gave me. You know you can't drink any alcohol."

"Aw, but that's so not fair. I couldn't even get the jar open no matter how hard I tried." Jack complained.

"That doesn't matter." Scythe groaned. "Consider yourself grounded."

"Aw, no fair. No fair, no fair, no fair." Jack whined.

"Wow, he really does act like her father." O-Ryo said, sounding surprised.

"It's not really all that surprising." Wendy smiled, before turning to whisper to her and Kasuga. "I found his journal last night, turns out, he's been wanting to be a dad since the war between Fairy Tail and Phantom Lord ended. He's even had dreams of the future where he's taking care of me while I'm pregnant."

"Wendy." Scythe said, his face beet red. "Don't go spilling my secrets. An' how'd you even find it anyway?"

"Next time, don't hide your journal in the trophy room we share, all right honey?" Wendy snickered. "It was an interesting read, and the sketches of me were so good I'd have thought Reedus drew them."

"He gave me art lessons, so I got good." Scythe exclaimed.

"By the way, just how many do you expect me to carry when we're older?" Wendy asked, holding up the journal and showing a sketch of a grown up Wendy in her Celestial Knight uniform, with a bigger chest, and a big heavy pregnant belly. "Because it looks to me, like you fantasize about knocking me up with twins or triplets." Despite her teasing, it was evident by the blush on her cheeks, that she was not just a bit embarrassed by Scythe's imagination of the future, but she was also excited about the idea for when they were actually old enough for it.

"Give me that." Scythe said, snatching the journal away his face even more beet red, but it was too late, as the girls were already on him, after they saw it.

"Wow, that's so good. Do you do portraits?" Kasuga asked.

"For real, do you think you could do one of me to?" O-Ryo questioned.

"Daddy's gonna be busy doing art isn't he?" Jack asked Wendy.

"Hehehe, that's what he gets for bopping me on the head." Wendy snickered.

"Wendy, I am so getting you back for this." Scythe exclaimed.

All unbeknownst to them, the three kitchen aids were glaring in their direction.

---

~That Night~

"Damn, I never knew my hand and wrist could hurt that bad." Scythe groaned, making his way through the halls, as he just got done with the twelfth piece of artwork one of the Tenjin-ya staff commissioned him to make. He stopped when he noticed the three kitchen aid Darumas, leaving a trail of banana peels leading to the Moonflower building. "Ahem." He said startling them and gaining their attention. "Care to explain?"

"We're wanting to see that pathetic human girl slip and fall on those banana peels." One of them said.

"Yeah, slip and fall." The other two said in unison.

"There's no way in a million years she can cook food that tastes as delicious as our Chief Chef's does." The first Daruma said.

"Guess what, I had your Chief Chef's cooking. It's good, but it's not delicious. Aoi's cooking far surpasses his, because she actually puts her feelings into the ingredients when she cooks. She pours her heart and soul out into the food when making it, because it's her passion." Scythe said. "Now clean all these up, and scrub the floors of any banana oils on the ground. Did you even stop to consider the guests safety when pulling this prank on Aoi?"

"We don't have to listen to you." The second Daruma said.

"As a Celestial Knight, you do." Scythe glared. "Cause if my wife gets hurt from slipping on one of those peels, I'm gonna kick all three of your asses to hell, and let Jackie take you to her, playroom."

"Ah, right away sir. We'll get these cleaned up, pronto." The trio said, cleaning the mess in a hurry, none of them wanting to be in the same position as Tannosuke.

"Jeez. The old banana peel gag is the oldest trick in the book." Scythe sighed.

Scythe began walking back through the halls, before his ears perked, hearing a high pitched whistle.

In a flash of blue lightning, Scythe was in the courtyard of the Tenjin-ya, using his claws to block the strike of a sword that was aimed for Aoi.

Scythe glared at the attacker, and wasn't surprised he was dressed in an assassin's garb. He was rather tall, and from the look of his eyes, had reptilian features.

"Aoi, are you all right?" Scythe asked, holding the attacker at bay.

"I'm fine, he just grazed he with his first attack." Aoi said.

Scythe growled at the assassin, and used a kick to knock him back, before sticking both his pinkies in his mouth, and whistling as loud as he could.

In an instant, Jack came out of the sky, landing on his shoulders, with her feet digging into his flesh.

"You stay away from Aunty Aoi." Jack cried out.

"Jack, playroom now." Scythe ordered.

"Yes Daddy." Jack said, before disappearing with the assassin in a flash of light.

"Jack sure is getting spoiled with her new, toys, coming about now." Scythe sighed, going to kneel down in front of Aoi, and examining her.

"Master Scythe, Mistress Aoi."

Scythe and Aoi looked to see a young looking Ayakashi in a ninja outfit coming to their side, as Scythe healed the cut on her cheek.

"Ah, Sasuke." Scythe said. "You're a bit laxed on your job tonight aren't you?"

"I'm terribly sorry. I don't know what happened, but I promise it won't happen again." Sasuke said bowing to them.

Scythe caught a whiff of something, and didn't seem to like it.

"Sasuke. Come here for a second." Scythe exclaimed.

"Uh, yessir?" Sasuke asked, coming closer, before Scythe started to sniff him.

"Just as I thought. Someone laced your dinners with a mild sedative, making you less responsive to situations like this." Scythe exclaimed. "Meaning whoever did this, planned it out carefully. Jack should get some answers out of Aoi's wannabe assassin."

"You could smell that on me?" Sasuke asked.

"Well yeah. I can smell the soy sauce you spilt on your undershirt during dinner, so I was able to smell the sedative." Scythe exclaimed.

"Oh… right." Sasuke exclaimed.

"Anyways, go report this to the Master. I'll be sure to take care of Aoi from here." Scythe exclaimed.

"Right." Sasuke said, before disappearing.

"Who was he?" Aoi asked.

"Who, Sasuke? During the day he's the inn's lawn and garden maintenance man. But he also serves as the security detail at night." Scythe explained.

"That is very interesting." Aoi said. "An' weird. A ninja, who's also a landscaper? I don't know what to make of it."

"I find it's best to just not think about it too hard." Scythe said as they entered Moonflower, finding Jack was already back, sitting beside Wendy as they were writing out the menu for tomorrow night.

"Welcome back. What went on out there?" Wendy asked.

"Nothing much, just an assassination attempt on Aoi's life." Scythe said. "Jack, did you find out who hired the assassin?"

"Some Thunder Beast named Raijū." Jack said, swinging her feet happily. "One look at my playroom, and he spilt the beans. He was a lame, weak assassin."

"That's actually saying something coming from someone who was once summoned as an Assassin Class Servant for a Holy Grail War." Scythe said.

"Shall I go and take him to my playroom?" Jack asked.

"No. We'll leave him be. A confession is something, but it's not enough evidence to convict someone completely. For all we know he could just be giving us the name of his former boss from when he had a day job, just to save his own hide." Scythe exclaimed.

"That's a fair assumption." Wendy said before her ears perked up. "Aoi, you might wanna move away from the door right about now."

Doing so, Aoi managed to avoid being rammed from behind by Odanna when he came running through the doors.

"Aoi. I heard what had happened, are you okay?" Odanna asked, seeming to be in a bit of a panic.

Odanna calmed down when he noticed no one was panicking and he had just barged in.

"I'm fine Master." Aoi said, calming down his nerves with her voice. "Scythe helped as soon as I blew the whistle he gave me." She held up a whistle shaped like a dragon's head.

"You gave her a whistle?" Odanna asked.

"It's temporary. Only for while I'm here. I figured with her being in the news, a lot of people would be targeting her since she's human." Scythe said. "It's an experimental item. It's supposed to ring at a frequency only I can hear, sort of like a dog reacting to a dog whistle."

"I see." Odanna said. "You did the right thing. Do you have any leads on who sent the assassin?"

"Only some Thunder Beast named Raijū." Scythe said.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was him." Odanna said. "He doesn't like humans. He thinks the only thing they're good for, is nourishment and sustenance."

"So he doesn't consider Aoi to be anything but…" Scythe paused his nose catching a whiff of something and turned to see Wendy reaching for her cup, where the sour smell was coming from. "Wendy don't."

"Huh? What's wrong?" Wendy asked, retracting her hand from her cup, before Scythe took it and sipped it. "As I thought. I smelt poison coming from your drink, and this taste confirms it."

"But how? I just made that sweet grape iced-tea from the grape juice that I ordered from the Eastern Lands of the Hidden Realm." Wendy stated. "I just had Iskandar pick it up this morning."

"Let me see the bottle." Scythe said, going behind the counter, and grabbing the bottle Wendy used. Opening the cork, from the bottle, Scythe smelt the same sour smell coming from it. "The entire bottle was poisoned. So sometime before Iskandar picked it up, someone must have poisoned the juice."

"Is it the same with the rest of the bottles?" Wendy asked.

"Let's find out."

Scythe grabbed the crate filled with bottles of the grape juice, and examined each one, before opening them, and sniffing each.

"No, as far as I can tell it was only the one bottle." Scythe said. "The cork does show signs of being tampered with. Like a needle was poked through it."

"What were the odds she'd open that bottle first?" Aoi asked.

"One in twenty. As that's the amount of bottles that came in this crate." Scythe said, sending the poisoned grape juice to the shelf in his trophy room.

"Why are you keeping it?" Aoi asked. "Aren't you gonna dump it out?"

"Not if I need an emergency power up." Scythe said, drinking the glass Wendy nearly drank.

"Wait don't drink that." Aoi said, smacking the glass out of his hand.

"Hey, it's okay." Wendy said as Jack went to go and get the cleaning supplies. "Poison has no effect on Scythe. At least no negative effects."

"It's sweet how you were concerned. But she's right." Scythe smiled, picking up the broken clay pieces. "Poison does nothing but empowers me, and replenishes my magic energy instantly."

"So… nothing would have happened to you?" Aoi asked.

"Aside from being unable to sleep later, it wouldn't have done a thing." Scythe smiled as Jack came out with the mop. "So don't worry. I'm gonna be just fine."

"That's a relief." Aoi sighed.

"By the way Master Odanna." Scythe said.

"What is it?" Odanna questioned.

"You might wanna have a word with your Chief Chef and the three Darumas." Scythe exclaimed. "Earlier tonight, I caught the three Darumas leaving a trail of banana peels in the halls of Tenjin-ya, that most likely lead to here. I got them to clean up the peels, but they should still be given a punishment for risking the safety of both the guests and other employees of Tenjin-ya. I'm assuming they were just wanting causing Aoi, some minor injuries, and prevent her from cooking for the Tengu tomorrow night, but that's no excuse for what they did."

"I wholeheartedly agree." Odanna said. "I'll be sure to have a word with them immediately."

"So that's why they came rushing here and then suddenly left." Aoi said.

---

~The following night~

"Welcome everyone. I want to thank each of you for being here tonight." Aoi said, greeting their guests.

"Because of you, Moonflower's open now." Wendy added.

"An' we hope you enjoy celebrating with us." Scythe finished.

Gathered in the Restaurant were all the Tengu who visited last time, as well as Rin, Shirou, Iskandar, Hercules, Jack, Saber, and Joan. Master Matsuba decided to get up and say something.

"Well my friends, here's to Aoi, and to the Moonflower's success." Matsuba cheered.

"May its prosperity never end!" Shirou added, standing up.

"Cheers." Rin finished joining them in standing.

"Cheers." The other attendants joined in cheering for them.

After that, the eating, drinking, and celebrations began anew, and everyone had a grand time, as Scythe and Aoi were cooking, while Wendy served the food and drinks, before playing music. Sometime during the festivities, Matsuba got roped into a drinking contest with Iskandar, and Matsuba lost, having to pay for Iskandar's tab. Eventually, Wendy had to excuse herself for a moment to put Jack to bed, so she wouldn't fall asleep in the middle of the festivities.

"I must say, you're doing a rather excellent job in cooking the food Scythe." Shirou smiled, praising his grandson.

"I'm liking it to." Scythe smiled. "Too bad it ends in about a month."

"It should be fine while you're gone. The reward money you got for Tannosuke's capture paid off a fourth of Tsubaki's debt, so you gave Aoi more of a fighting chance then she had to begin with." Rin smiled. "You know, I'm gonna miss that old codger."

"You knew her grandfather?" Scythe asked.

"Keep an eye on the tempura Scythe." Shirou said.

"Oh, right sorry." Scythe exclaimed.

"To answer your question, we did know him. Before your mother was even conceived, we met him, and we hit it off like that." Rin said snapping her fingers. "Becoming good friends with him. He drove us up the walls whenever he got so drunk he couldn't see straight, but he always knew how to liven up the night."

"I guess he was a party guy no matter who he hung out with." Scythe laughed, serving them their tempura.

"Oh my, that looks delicious." Rin smiled, before digging in. "Oh wow, so flaky and the perfect amount of crunch added to it. I think I'm in love with this tempura."

"Glad you like it." Scythe smiled.

"Oh, and sorry to spring this on you, but after you're done in the Hidden Realm, we have a couple missions for you and Wendy to go on before we send you both off for physical training." Shirou exclaimed.

"I'm not surprised in the least about that." Scythe sighed. "What's the first job?"

"The first is hunting down a dimensional hopping being that loves to feed on the souls of the innocent, and cause chaos as a way to 'season' his food first." Shirou exclaimed.

"The second actually involves you going to the past in Earthland. We've detected an anomaly that occurs in certain periods in time, and have deduced that your timeline won't actually happen, unless you take part in these specific events." Rin exclaimed.

"Got it, so destroy cosmic ghost, then go back in time, to insure that certain events occur. Got it." Scythe exclaimed.

"Two of the events in the second job, will be involving the first Master of Fairy Tail, Mavis Vermillion." Shirou exclaimed.

"That serious huh?" Scythe asked. "Do they have anything to do with the Fairy Heart?"

"One of them does have something to do with the early stages of it." Rin said. "Did Makarov already show it to you?"

"He did. He also explained to me the past behind it, and how it truly came to be." Scythe said. "I was saddened when I heard how it came to be. But if I'm to go through with a job that ensures its actual creation is done, then so be it. But I wasn't surprised to hear him say, he didn't blame Mavis from his mother's death."

"That's so like you, always with the big heart." Rin smiled.

"We're sorry to spring this on you during the grand opening. We just thought you should know so you could have time to mentally prepare for the missions." Shirou exclaimed.

"We're Celestial Knights. It comes with the territory to prepare for another job, while still working one we're already on." Scythe chuckled.

---

~Morning~

"No, I'll never leave." Master Matsuba shouted as the other Tengu tried to drag him out of Moonflower. Key word being, try. "You can get along without me, I wanna stay with Aoi, and Wendy. Stop it."

"Master Matsuba." Wendy said, giving him a stern glare.

"Yes what is it dearie?" Matsuba questioned, no longer screaming or struggling.

"Jack is in the other room trying to sleep still. Her soundproof ear-mufflers are already off, as the party has ended. So please be quiet and leave, so you don't wake her." Wendy said.

"I'm sorry Wendy. I didn't mean to cause a ruckus." Matsuba said, bowing to her, before he turned to leave.

"Scythe's not the only one who actually acts like Jack's parent. Wendy is just as guilty as him to." Aoi laughed.

"What was that about?" Rin asked.

"Wendy and I are considered his honorary granddaughters. So he's very passionate about treating us like family." Aoi said.

"Virgo." Scythe called to her.

"Yes young prince?" Virgo asked appearing out of nowhere.

"The rest of us are a bit sleep deprived, would you mind taking care of the dishes for us?" Scythe asked. "Be sure not to break anything either."

"It'd be my pleasure to serve you in any way you see fit." Virgo said, before she went about doing the dishes.

"Thank you." Scythe yawned as they were instantly done.

"Anything else young prince?" Virgo asked.

"No thanks. That'll be all. Go back to your punishment from your failure from the incident involving En and Wendy." Scythe said.

"As you wish." Virgo said.

"Why are you punishing her?" Aoi asked. "She did a perfect job."

"She's a total masochist who likes getting punished. So her punishment is more of a reward for her. The real punishment for her would be to deprive her of the rush and thrill of it." Scythe exclaimed. "I'm going to bed. Coming Wendy?"

"I'll be there in a second." Wendy said, yawning as she finished up writing down what they spent, and what they needed to replace. "Iskandar, I know you were partying with us all night long, but if you get the chance, could you get everything on this list for me?" Wendy asked, handing the tall redhead a grocery list.

"Not a problem. I will get these for you right away. Shall I get them from Earthland markets, or the Hidden Realm markets?" Iskandar asked.

"Better be safe and get them from Earthland." Scythe said opening the door to the sleeping chambers. "Less of a chance to someone to try and assassinate Wendy again."

"What he said." Wendy stated.

"Very well. I'll be back as soon as I can." Iskandar smiled.

"I'll be sure to put the ingredients away once he brings them back." Ginji smiled.

"Aren't you tired as well?" Aoi asked.

"I'll be fine." Ginji smiled. "I'll clean up what Virgo didn't clean, to pass the time."

"What is her punishment/reward anyway?" Wendy asked, looking to Scythe.

"Hmm? She sits on her knees on a jagged slab of stone, tied to a post, with a square slab of stone falling on her legs, each weighing about twenty five pounds. Four in total, and when all four have dropped, they restart and go again. Each one drops every fifteen minutes. So she feels about a hundred pounds of weight pressing down on her every hour." Scythe explained. "An' trust me, I'm pretty sure she's had to take a few, cleaning breaks, since it started."

"You've had her doing that over the past two weeks?" Rin asked, sounding surprised. "My, you are one sadistic guy."

"Don't go lumping me in as Virgo's S, and she's my M. She literally asked for it." Scythe exclaimed. "I'm going to bed."

"I'm going to bed to." Wendy yawned.

With the two in their beds, and the Emiya's and co, gone back to the Armory. Aoi sighed and said down on one of the stools.

"Man, I'm beat."

"At least you had Scythe, Wendy, and myself to help you out." Ginji smiled.

"That's true." Aoi smiled.

"I'd call your first night open, a complete success." Ginji said giving her a cup of tea.

"I couldn't have done it without the help of you all." Aoi smiled. "I'm so glad they enjoyed themselves. Scythe's grandparents seemed like nice people to."

"You know technically, they're Ayakashi." Ginji smiled.

"How so?" Aoi asked.

"Well, from what they told us. They had passed away nearly a decade ago due to a disease from Earthland that doesn't have a cure. So they're technically spirit Ayakashi, ghosts."

"Oh, nearly a decade ago? Then…"

"Hey, don't think of the negative stuff. Just stay focused on the positive." Ginji smiled.

"I guess you're right." Aoi smiled. "So they'll be back right? I would love to have some regulars."

"I'm sure Master Matsuba and the Tengu will be returning soon. An' the Celestial Knights and their servants seemed to enjoy themselves as well. So I'm sure they'll be here for more. Plus, Master Emiya is being kind enough to foot Moonflower's grocery bill while Scythe and Wendy are working here. So there's that." Ginji said. "They're even gonna spread word of our restaurant around town."

"An' I just gotta keep working hard, to keep them happy with their food, so they'll want to keep coming back." Aoi smiled.

"That's the spirit." Ginji smiled.

---

~A Week Later~

"Man, the rain is really pouring out there today huh?" Rin asked, sitting with Iskandar and Shirou at the counter.

"It hasn't stopped at all since it started up yesterday." Scythe said, putting her dumplings in front of her. "Enjoy."

"Oh, these look delicious." Rin smiled.

"So Scythe, how's being a business owner treating you?" Shirou questioned, after drinking some of his coffee.

"It's not so bad. The customers have really been a pain hitting on Wendy though." Scythe sighed. "It got so bad that I had to put up that sign out by the door."

"Oh, you mean the one that says, no customers are allowed to flirt with the staff; that sign?" Iskandar asked sipping some of his sake.

"Is there another sign out there?" Scythe questioned, looking at him with a deadpan expression.

"He's got you there Iskandar." Shirou laughed.

"So where's Wendy and Jack?" Rin asked, after eating a dumpling.

"Ginji took Wendy to a meeting with the head of the accounting office." Scythe exclaimed. "An' Jack is in her hammock, sleeping."

"Oh that's right, she's not very active or playful on rainy days like this." Rin said. "Not even some time in her, playroom, could cheer her up when it's raining."

"I completely forgot about that." Shirou said.

"Scythe, did you fix the leaks in the roof?" Aoi asked making some drinks.

"I fixed them yesterday after it started raining." Scythe exclaimed.

"So what else is on today's menu?" Rin questioned.

"Quite a few things actually. Hamburger steak, rice omelet, curry and rice, ramen. We even have some dishes from other countries, like premium cut steak, cheese burgers, pizza, mozzarella sticks, spaghetti and meatballs, and many more, and those are just our main course items. Wait until you get to the dessert menu." Scythe exclaimed.

"Sounds great, I'll take one of everything." Rin smiled.

"Are you sure grandma? Aren't you concerned about… you know?" Scythe asked.

"If you're referring to me being concerned about my weight, then don't be. The drawback of being able to spend so much time in the Hidden Realm without physical form, is it takes a lot of energy to do so, which can take up a lot of calories." Rin exclaimed.

"She's right. So we'll each be taking one of everything on the main menu." Shirou smiled.

"All right, one of everything from our main dish menu coming up." Scythe said.

"An' we'll take your best dessert as finishers." Rin smiled.

"At least we're not having trouble with keeping up with the bills." Aoi smiled.

"I'm back everyone." Wendy said, with O-Ryo following her. "An' I brought the Snow Woman with me."

"Hey O-Ryo? Come by for our leftovers?" Scythe asked.

"I'd love some, but I've actually got something else to talk to you about, if you're not too busy." O-Ryo said.

"We can cook and listen at the same time." Scythe said. "What's up?"

"I have a small favor to ask of you." O-Ryo said.

"Considering you don't have anything to really appeal to me, I'll give you a freebie on this favor." Scythe said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" O-Ryo asked.

"Normally, when you ask a Celestial Knight for a favor, you're indebted to them for life." Shirou exclaimed. "He's saying this is the one and only time he won't make you indebted to him.

"I really lucked out then huh." O-Ryo exclaimed, sweating a bit.

"So what's up?" Scythe asked.

"I need you to make a bento for a customer." O-Ryo said.

"Why would you need me to make a bento for a customer?" Scythe asked.

"Wouldn't he just be able to come down here for food if he needed it?" Aoi inquired.

"He's a regular guest, but he's kind of a nuisance. Although he is quite a popular novelist." O-Ryo said handing them an article the guest wrote. "He writes columns like this as well."

"Hakkabou's Diary?" Shirou inquired. "Now that I look at it, I am familiar with his work."

"He likes to stay at the inn sometimes while he's working. But lately, he hasn't been able to make much progress with it. So to compensate he won't eat." O-Ryo said.

"That doesn't sound very healthy." Scythe said.

"Not to mention, Tenjin-ya would he held liable for allowing one of their guests to collapse due to a lack of nourishment." Wendy added.

"Exactly, so I thought either one of you could make him a bento that nobody could resist." O-Ryo exclaimed.

"Well, I mean if he's so focused writing, then he could always eat food that doesn't really require more than picking up a toothpick to eat. Like takoyaki." Scythe said.

"That's a pretty smart idea." Rin smiled. "But nobody eats until we get our food. We're paying customers too you know."

"Hold your horse's grandma I'm almost done with the first serving." Scythe smiled, finishing the plates of mozzarella sticks. "Here. Twelve mozzarella sticks each."

"Anyways, he's gonna be here for a week, so I'm really needing you to make bento's for him until he's ready to leave." O-Ryo said.

"Well, he's gonna need variety for what he eats in his bento's so maybe a few rice balls with fillings to?" Aoi asked.

"The possibilities are endless." Scythe said.

"If you ever need a taste tester, I'm your girl." Rin cheered.

"You really like my cooking that much, huh grandma?" Scythe asked.

"Hey, no fair. If anyone should be the official taste tester, it should be me." O-Ryo complained.

"Well I'm Scythe's grandmother, so I overrule you." Rin snickered.

"At least she didn't flaunt her title as Celestial Knight around." Shirou smiled with an exasperated sigh.

~A Week Later~

"Man, am I glad that's finally over?" Scythe sighed. "My grandma can really eat. I had no idea she had a bottomless pit for a stomach."

"Just image what I experienced when she was pregnant with your mom. It was nuts." Shirou sighed sitting next to Scythe.

"Hey Grandpa, can I ask you something?" Scythe asked.

"Hmm? What's up Scythe?" Shirou inquired.

"When was the first time you and grandma met?" Scythe asked.

"Ah, I was waiting for you to ask me something like that." Shirou exclaimed.

"So, what happened?" Scythe asked.

"Well officially, your grandmother and I met when we were still both in middle school. But back then, she wouldn't even give me the time of day, let alone go out on a date with me." Shirou chuckled. "Though to be honest, I didn't really see myself having a future with her at the time."

"An' unofficially?" Scythe asked.

"I was her summoned servant. Though the summoning was far from perfect, and instead of pulling a servant from the past, she pulled one from the future." Shirou smiled "She summoned me. Though I played dumb, and pretended to have amnesia due to the imperfect summoning, and just went by Archer, due to the class I was summoned as. But during that time, I loathed myself, and wanted to stop the younger me from achieving his dreams of being a hero, because what it really means to be a hero, is choosing to lives of the many, over the lives of the few, and that's something I didn't understand, until I became a mercenary for the Holy Grail."

"I see." Scythe said. "Well, that's an interesting story I'm sure to tell your great grandkids when Wendy and I decide to have some."

"Don't you dare tell them." Shirou smirked, before they started laughing.

"Pardon the intrusion." A voice said, before opening the door.

Shirou and Scythe looked to the small, humanoid looking raccoon wearing a mask, coming into Moonflower.

"Hey, what's up? Can I help you with something?" Scythe asked.

"I'm here to see the two chefs who made me those delicious bentos." The Ayakashi said, removing his mask. "I'm Hakkabou. I'm a yokai, called a nyudo-bozu."

"Oh, it's nice to meet you. I'm Scythe, one of the chefs who made some of the bentos." Scythe exclaimed, getting up to greet him. "Aoi is out getting some fresh fruits from the main kitchen. Please, have a seat and I'll make you something. What would you like?"

"I'll have whatever this fine gentleman is having." Hakkabou said, sitting next to Shirou.

"All right." Scythe smiled, going behind the counter, and making another plate of food consisting of healthy greens, chicken, and a soft cooked egg, and handed it to Hakkabou just as Aoi returned.

"Oh, Mr. Emiya, it's good to see you again." Aoi smiled.

"Likewise Aoi." Shirou smiled, drinking some coffee.

"Hi there. I'm Hakkabou. You must be the other chef who made me those delicious bentos. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm a nyudo-bozu." Hakkabou said, hopping down and bowing to her.

"It's nice to meet you. I hear you're quite the novelist." Aoi smiled.

"Oh, I'm nothing special." Hakkabou said.

"Hey, sorry if this is insensitive to ask, but I thought nyudo-bozu were giant?" Scythe asked.

"We have both giant and human forms. But this is the form I most feel like myself. Yep." Hakkabou said.

'Looks like he's got a verbal tick.' Shirou mused.

"So tell us about yourself. Have you been coming to Tenjin-ya long?" Aoi asked.

"Yes. I've been visiting Tenjin-ya since I was little. As a matter of fact, I based one of the main characters in my first novel on the Master Innkeeper." Hakkabou said.

"That's not surprising." Scythe said. "I've read some of your work over the week, and I thought the main character seemed familiar."

"I wouldn't be who I am without Tenjin-ya. That's why I return here whenever I get stuck, and require a little extra inspiration, yep." Hakkabou said.

"I get that." Aoi smiled.

"But this time, I even met a few new friends." Hakkabou smiled. "If you don't mind, could you please tell me your full name, my fair bento maiden, and your species of yokai my fine bento master?"

"Oh of course. I'm Aoi Tsubaki." Aoi smiled.

"An' I'm actually a Celestial Knight, taking a shot at being a restaurant chef." Scythe smiled, before there was clattering as Hakkabou dropped his chopsticks in his plate.

"Tsubaki? A Celestial Knight?" Hakkabou asked before he began to shake and whimper, bent over the counter, just before he starts to scream.

"What the hell?" Scythe questions.

"I think he's just had inspiration." Shirou snickered.

"What's wrong?" Aoi asked.

"Nothing's wrong, everything is right." Hakkabou said. "You're the granddaughter of Shiro Tsubaki, and the Celestial Knight who's visiting our world. An' you Aoi are also the innkeeper's future wife."

"Huh? Okay?"

"I think I know where this is going." Scythe said. "He based the villain of his series off your grandfather."

"At one point in time, Shiro Tsubaki was the basis for a great many villains who appeared in my popular novels. One could even say, he was an anti-hero." Hakkabou stated, confirming what Scythe just explained.

"Really?" Aoi asked.

"His granddaughter is the Ogre-Bride? To think you will be the wife to his arch-rival, the master of Tenjin-ya. An' you work alongside her, most likely as a possible love interest." Hakkabou said.

"What the hell? Look pal, I'm happily married already so get that idea out of your head." Scythe glared.

"Alright then, so not a love interest, gasp, as a younger brother sworn to protect his elder sister's honor and safety to the very end." Hakkabou said. "I'm on fire. It's fascinating. What serendipity, I can see it now. It's so clear I don't think I could handle it so much, my mind is about to explode."

"For real?" Aoi questioned.

"There's no time to waste. Blank pages await me." Hakkabou stated. "My work beckons. I must answer." Hakkabou said, running out of the restaurant.

"Hey Hakkabou, come back. Your mask." Aoi called to him, but he was gone, just as Wendy came back into the building.

"What was that?" The bluenet questioned.

"That was Hakkabou. The author we've been making bentos for." Scythe sighed.

"I'll be sure to have a word with him about using you as a character in his novel." Shirou laughed.

"Thanks gramps. Your meal's on the house today." Scythe sighed.

"Nonsense." Shirou smiled. "I'm more than happy to pay for it. I'll be off to talk with him now."

"All right. Please come again." Scythe smiled and bowed as Shirou left.

"So, what was all that about?" Wendy asked.

"It's a long story." Aoi sighed.

---

~Several Nights Later~

"Thank you for waiting." Ginji said bringing an order to a table.

"Thanks so much for your patience." Kasuga said.

Both Ginji and Kasuga were helping Wendy with waiting on tables, and bringing orders out, as the restaurant was packed.

"Why are we slammed all of a sudden?" Aoi asked.

"I think it might have something to do with Hakkabou's recent article, or that blonde zashiki-warashi that came in last week." Scythe exclaimed, having just as much trouble as Aoi in keeping up with the orders.

"Hey Scythe."

Scythe looked over to the reserved seating area, and saw his grandparents.

"Wendy, my grandparents are here again, would you mind going to take their orders when you're done handing these orders to the customers who ordered them?" Scythe asked, handing Wendy a tray with food.

"No problem." Wendy said.

After hours of serving customers, Aoi and Scythe closed up the doors of the restaurant and cleaned up what was left of the mess.

"Thank you come again." Aoi said, escorting the last customers out the door, before removing the open sign, and turning out the light.

---

~Head of Accounting~

"Keep up the good work." A man with white hair, and a diamond shaped monocle said, opening a fan that had, Full House, written on it.

"So, why call me here Byakuya?" Scythe asked.

"You weren't here for the last meeting, your wife was. So now it's your turn." Byakuya stated.

"Fair point." Scythe sighed.

"Now back to business." Byakuya said. "Next month, and for the foreseeable future, I want you to keep bringing in the customers."

"Is that all you needed to discuss with us?" Ginji asked.

"No, I haven't broached the main subject yet." Byakuya said, lowering his fan. "A certain person read the column Hakkabou wrote, and sent us a request. It's straight from the Imperial Court."

"Wait, what? The Imperial Court?" Aoi asked, standing on Ginji's other side.

"From the royal family?" Ginji asked.

"Indeed. I would like you to cook a special meal for Master Nuinoin and his wife on their anniversary." Byakuya said.

"Hold on a minute. The Royal Family?" Aoi asked. "You want us to cook for those fancy Ayakashi?"

"Yes. Mistress Ritsuko, is originally from the Apparent Realm, actually. She heard about Moonflower's reputation, and she requested your cooking. I assume it's because she feels nostalgic at times, for the food from the realm of her birth." Byakuya exclaimed. "So Aoi, Scythe, will you accept this job?"

"I'm never one to back down from a challenge without a good reason to." Scythe smiled.

"I accept it to." Aoi said. "I'll do it, and I'll give it my best."

---

~The following morning~

"Cooking for Master Nuinoin and Mistress Ritsuko won't be an easy thing will it?" Wendy asked, sitting with Scythe to go over ideas for the anniversary dinner dishes.

"No it won't, and then there's the matter of when we're done. We'll be leaving two days after the anniversary dinner is over. I was not expecting I'd have to cook for actual royalty." Scythe sighed.

"What's the problem? You're friends with Princess Hisui aren't you?" Wendy asked.

"That's different. I've never had to cook for her before, the most I've done is turn down her affections for me." Scythe said. "What do you think Aoi?"

"Well, it's their anniversary, so I'm wanting us to serve them something that can bring back good memories, or at the very least, a dish that they'll remember fondly this time next year." Aoi said. "We still have a couple days until they come for the anniversary dinner. So we have a bit of time to figure out what to make them."

"Not that much though, as we still need to get the ingredients for the dishes. Oh I know, what if we went to the Eastern Land tomorrow? Ginji told me that the Eastern Land is home to the Foreign Delicacy Market." Wendy said. "I got my crate of grape juice from there."

"The foreign, what now?" Aoi asked.

"The Foreign Delicacy Market. It's a marketplace here in the Hidden Realm that sells ingredients and foods from the Apparent Realm, and other realms connected to the Hidden Realm. We'd need to get Mast Odanna's permission to go, but I don't see why we wouldn't be able to with a Celestial Knight or two guarding you." Scythe exclaimed.

"Perfect timing. If I can get there, then I should have no problem making western dishes." Aoi smiled. "Do you think we'd be able to go tomorrow?"

"As long as Master Odanna gives us permission." Wendy exclaimed.

"Mommy, Daddy look." Jack said, running into the restaurant followed by ghost like kittens. "I found Mr. Byakuya up the mountain playing and feeding with these kittens, aren't they just adorable. Can we keep them, please?"

"Whoa, I've never actually seen tube kittens before." Wendy smiled, as one curled around her and purred. "I've heard of them, but never actually got to experience them up close."

"I think it's safe to say this is a secret Byakuya wouldn't want to get out to the public." Scythe said. "Sorry Jack sweetie, we can't keep them. It's not sanitary to have pets while running a restaurant you live in."

"Aww." Jack said, sounding upset. "Okay, come on kitties, back to the mountainside."

"Okay." The tube kittens said, following Jack.

"I'll make a meal for the Master to bribe him into letting us go, if he refuses at first." Aoi smiled.

"He does have that important meeting to attend tomorrow. It's so important, not even he can avoid going." Scythe exclaimed.

---

~The following morning~

"You managed to convince him to let you go after all huh?" Wendy asked.

"Well as soon as he learned that Scythe and you would be accompanying me. He didn't really see any reason not to let me go." Aoi smiled.

"Still, we might be Celestial Knights, but we're not all powerful, so there is a small chance that something might go wrong. So stay by our sides." Scythe said, as both he and Wendy, were dressed in their Celestial Knight Uniforms, instead of the kimono and robe they wore when cooking at Moonflower.

"I'll be sure to." Aoi smiled.

"An' that stone he gave you. It contains his Ogre Fire correct?" Scythe asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"If something does happen, and we're unable to find you, then it should alert him to your predicament and location." Scythe exclaimed.

"Huh, that's useful." Aoi said.

"So, you doing any better after the storm last night?" Ginji asked.

"I'm doing much better." Aoi stated. "Though during the storm, it was frightening to say the least."

"I didn't have the best time last night either." Wendy said.

"Hey you three." Scythe said, looking over the edge. "We're arriving in the Eastern Lands as we speak."

Aoi looked over the edge, and she was amazed at the view.

"Wow, it's beautiful. It's just like the oceans back in the Apparent Realm." Aoi smiled, seeing the waters bellow the flying airship. Beside the ship, came a rather large school of rainbow whales. "Well, except for the flying rainbow whales that is."

After docking down near the market, Aoi and the others departed from the ship, and went around the market place doing some shopping for groceries. Of course Aoi and Wendy were wearing their masks.

"Interesting, this place is so different." Aoi said. "The buildings are western, not like Ginten. Or Youto either. I'm kind of surprised."

"Hey Scythe, you know what this place reminds me of?" Wendy asked, Jack holding her hand.

"Port Town, Hargeon?"

"Port Town, Hargeon." Wendy smiled.

"What's that?" Aoi asked.

"It's a port town in our world. It's actually a very good place for fishermen and hunters to get good quality equipment for the lowest prices." Wendy explained.

"I've done a couple jobs there myself. We even stopped there on our way back from our honeymoon for a quick tour of the city, since we never really got to see it outside of work." Scythe added.

"Well, this place is also known as, the Land of the Sea Gate." Ginji said.

"Sea Gate, huh?" Aoi said, still in awe of what Wendy had said about Hargeon.

"The Land of the Sea Gate, is a harbor town with a history of flourishing trade from a whole menagerie of different cultures, religions, and lifestyles." Ginji said. "So you can see how the architecture has lots of influences."

"That's all so fascinating." Aoi said. "Though I can't help but notice there are a lot of fish shops here."

"Well we are near the ocean." Wendy said.

"She's right. Actually we get our sea food and Tenjin-ya from the market in this town as well." Ginji said.

"Oh I see."

"Ah, and there it is." Ginji said as they reached the market. "That's the building in which the Foreign Delicacy Market, is being held."

"Wow, it's pretty big." Aoi said.

Inside, Aoi went searching about, looking at the different food items and candies.

"This is great. Look at all this sweet stuff." Aoi exclaimed, looking at the candies. "Oh and they have a bunch of chocolate to."

"Chocolate isn't all that common yet. But it's quite popular among the wealthy." Ginji said.

"No kidding, just look at the prices for these. I could get a whole grate of this brand, in the Apparent Realm for how much they're asking for this single bar." Wendy said.

"An' we can't buy any of this now, we haven't gotten anything we came here for yet." Scythe added.

"He's right. Business first, fun later." Aoi stated.

"Well I can't argue with that." Ginji said.

"Have we decided on what we're gonna be cooking for the anniversary dinner?" Scythe asked.

"We're gonna be cooking some western dishes since Byakuya said that's what Mistress Ritsuko enjoyed having when going out to eat when she still lived in the Apparent Realm." Wendy said.

"We need to grab some ingredients for beef stew. Bouillon should be good, and I wanna make the sauce from scratch." Aoi said.

"Good idea, it'll taste a lot better that way than if it were made from a can." Scythe said.

"Let's head to the Western section, then." Ginji said, pointing the way.

Reaching the western section for the ingredients, Aoi was excited to see more of the food choices she grew up with in the Apparent Realm.

"Oh great, they have cake flour and bread flour." Aoi said excitedly.

"Flour is used in tons of different recipes. An' it looks like they have dry yeast, as well." Wendy said, looking around with Aoi.

"That's good. I'm wanting to make a special dessert for them to have a pleasant finish with their dinner." Scythe smiled, grabbing a jar of cake flour. "Now I just need chocolate powder and ingredients for icing."

"What's yeast used for?" Ginji asked.

"Usually it's just used for baking bread." Aoi said.

"Aoi, do you know how to make bread?" Ginji asked.

"Yeah. I read a lot about it when I was in high school, and never forgot." Aoi stated.

"Wendy and I know how to make it to. My mom did teach us how to cook after all." Scythe added.

"Could we still get some milk and butter if you contact our dairy supplier?" Aoi asked. "I was planning to bake some nice rolls to go along with the main course. It'll be great."

"Yeah, I bet. Good thing we have that dairy connection." Ginji said.

"Hey, over here. I found spices we could use." Wendy called out.

"Oh wow, these are some good quality spices." Scythe said. "I'll have to come back here before we leave to stock up on ingredients."

"Why stop there? I mean with our, you know what, we could come by and shop for groceries whenever we wanted." Wendy said.

"What are you talking about?" Aoi asked.

"Mommy and Daddy are keeping quiet about being Celestial Knights, while out in public." Jack said, whispering the titles Scythe and Wendy shared.

"Oh yeah, it could cause quite the panic if people found out about who they are." Aoi said.

"Oh, they've got curry mix here to." Ginji called out, alerting them to his location.

"Huh?" Aoi asked.

"I have to say, I was quite fond of the curry and rice that you made when you came back to the hidden realm." Ginji smiled. "I could eat a ton of it."

"He's right. That was some of the best curry I had." Scythe smiled.

"That's just because the curry roux was so good." Aoi said as Ginji grabbed more than a dozen boxes. "Do you wanna buy some of those?"

"Yes absolutely." Ginji smiled.

"What is he gonna buy out their entire stock?" Wendy questioned.

"Daddy I want curry for dinner tonight." Jack said.

"Alright. I'll see what I can do about that." Scythe chuckled.

"Hey, check it out." Ginji said, directing them to another location. "Look what I found."

"Sake." Aoi smiled. "That's the last thing we needed for the beef stew."

Purchasing the bottle, Aoi put the alcohol in her shopping basket, and they all went on their way to find more ingredients.

"I almost want to buy some for myself." Ginji smiled. "It's tempting since it's from the other realm."

"I take it you like alcohol then."

"I'd be lying if I said no." Ginji said.

"Just be sure to keep it away from this lightweight." Scythe said, putting a hand on Wendy's head.

"Yeah, good call. I saw how she acted that one night when you drank with the Tengu, before your trip to Youto." Ginji laughed. "What about you Aoi?"

"I've never had any." Aoi said. "I only recently became of age."

"Oh? Then why don't we all have a drinking party?" Ginji suggested.

"Wendy's not invited." Scythe stated.

"Oh come on that's not fair." Wendy complained.

"Someone has to stay behind and look after Jack." Scythe said.

"You're most likely gonna be gone by the time it happens." Ginji said.

Later on as the sun was setting, they had all just finished up with loading the ingredients onto the flying airship, and they were all ready for a good meal.

"I'm starving." Aoi said.

"Would you all like to have some of the delicious local seafood?" Ginji questioned.

"I could eat." Scythe said.

"Same here." Wendy smiled.

"I'm hungry too." Jack said with a smile.

After climbing back up the stairs to the main part of the harbor, they all looked out into the sunset.

"The ocean is beautiful." Ginji smiled.

"It sure is." Wendy agreed.

"It always reminds me of the time, when I lived in the Southern land." Ginji exclaimed.

"If I'm not mistaken, you worked at an inn there, right?" Aoi asked.

"Yes, it was a beautiful inn called, Orio-ya, constructed right by the seashore." Ginji said.

"Oh, wow. I might have to visit it someday." Aoi said.

"I doubt it's any better than Tenjin-ya though." Scythe smiled.

Continuing to enjoy the sunset, Aoi and Wendy both heard the sound of jingling. Turning to look where it came from, they were both surprised to see the blonde haired yokai that had visited them a while back, holding an umbrella above her head.

Feeling something come over them, neither could resist the urge to follow her, and they did just that.

"Hold on." Aoi said, as they ran after her.

"Aoi, Wendy." Ginji called out.

Ginji, Scythe, and Jack found that they were frozen in place, bound there by some sort of spell, as Aoi and Wendy chased after the golden blonde girl.

'My legs won't stop moving. Why am I running after her? Is Aoi in the same position as I am? It looks like it.' Wendy thought before they both succumbed to sleep.

Sometime later, Aoi and Wendy found themselves both in a dark place, with the sound of rain falling above them, and it wasn't a light drizzle either.

"Ow my head." Wendy groaned. "Where are we, what's that sound?"

"Raining?" Aoi asked, as they both picked themselves up. "Hold on, what? How'd I… how'd we get here?"

"It smells like the ocean." Wendy said. "If I had to guess, by how old these crates are, and how rotted out they smell, we're in an old abandoned storeroom under the streets."

"Maybe I can use Matsuba's fan to get us out." Aoi said, reaching behind her back to grab it, but found it wasn't there. "It's gone."

"It wouldn't have worked anyway. With how small this storeroom is, we'd be luck not to break our necks from the wind blowing us around in here. Same goes for my roar." Wendy said.

"Hello? Is anybody there?" Aoi called out, only to receive silence.

"Okay, nobody's gonna come and help us. An' I'm not wanting to cause a panic so I can't use Celestial Teleportation." Wendy said, before looking at her wrist. "Not that I could, looks like. I've got a seal written on my arm in marker. My magic won't return to me until I wash all of it, or part of it off."

"Okay then… GAH." Aoi cried out, throwing a large block of wood to the storeroom door, but all it did was shatter on contact, while the door remained in one piece.

Wendy grabbed a long piece of it and used it to knock on the door's underside.

"Someone, anyone. Is anyone there?" Aoi called out.

"Quiet." A familiar voice shouted, causing them to gasp. "I'm only keeping you down there for about two days. You know, until the Royal Couple's anniversary has passed."

"You what?" Wendy shouted as the voice turned into maniacal laughter.

"Hold on, why would you…?" Aoi questioned as the laughter continued.

As the laughter continued, the dark, cramped space began to give her flashes of when she was all alone, and her mother abandoned her in the dark apartment during the thunder storm.

"Aoi." Wendy said as the brunet fell to her knees, before turning back to glare at the door. "You assholes. I recognize your voice. Just wait until Master Odanna hears about this you damn Darumas." Wendy shouted.

Up above the Darumas were shocked to find that Wendy knew it was them behind their lockup.

"How did she know it was us?" One of them asked.

"I bet she's just bluffing. Her magic is locked up." Another asked.

"She said she recognized us by your voice." The third said, speaking to the second Daruma that spoke. "Oh well, not like she'll be able to prove it anyway. C'mon, let's return to Tenjin-ya and tell Chief Chef the good news."

The hours began to pass, and inside, Aoi was still feeling terrified, as Wendy was trying to do her best to help, and it was working if only a little bit. She wouldn't be able to wash the marker off. With spiritual energy put into the writing the ink would be twenty times harder to remove, nothing short of a magic cancelation spell could remove it.

But there was another problem that began to rise, in more ways than one, as the storeroom was beginning to fill with water.

"Wendy…" Aoi said, weakly.

"I know. It's so cold now, and to make matters worse, water is filling up this place faster than we would be able to call for help." Wendy said before she noticed a green light starting to glow from Aoi's kimono. "Aoi, the amulet is glowing."

"It feels warm." Aoi said.

"Aoi." Wendy said feeling her forehead. "You're burning up. This isn't good." She exclaimed, before she began to cough.

"You don't look like you're doing so well either." Aoi said.

"No I'm not." Wendy exclaimed. "We need to find a way out of here, right now, or we're either gonna catch pneumonia or drown as the room fills up."

Thunder clapped through the air, as the rain began to pour harder, causing the room to fill faster. The thunder clapping caused both Aoi and Wendy to become scared, not knowing what to do. As the room filled, Aoi and Wendy were floating to the top of the room, and Aoi pushed on the door, with all her might, but it was locked and even when both of them began to push on it, the door wouldn't budge. As they gave a final push, they lost their footing on the crates they were standing on, and fell down.

"Let us out. Someone please, let us out of here." Aoi called out as she and Wendy fought to stay afloat.

"Please, we have to be somewhere, there's something we have to do." Wendy cried out.

"I'm scared. We both are. Help us, please." Aoi begged as they both began to lose their strength. 'It's so dark. So cold. I can't breathe.' Aoi thought.

Right before they blacked out, the door to the storeroom was shattered to pieces as a fist was driven through it, and two pairs of hands grabbed them.

"Aoi. Can you hear me?" The muffled voice of Odanna questioned as he pulled her up.

"Wendy, stay with me. Hang on." Scythe's muffled voice reached the bluenet's ears.

"Darumas…" Wendy managed to say, before she succumbed to darkness, like Aoi.

---

~Tenjin-ya the following day~

'What happened? Am I dead? I hope Wendy's all right at least.' Aoi thought as she regained consciousness, seeing Chibi and Kasuga in front of her.

"She opened her eyes." Chibi said in relief.

"I think she's waking up." Kasuga exclaimed.

"You're such a lucky devil. I don't know how you do it." O-Ryo exclaimed, alerting Aoi that she was there to. "Humans aren't usually quite as tough as you seem to be, in your own way."

Aoi looked to O-Ryo before gasping and sitting up, realizing that something was off, and she needed to get started on the cooking for the anniversary dinner.

"No Aoi, don't." Kasuga said, stopping Aoi from getting out of bed. "You're not supposed to be up yet."

"What time is it now?" Aoi asked.

"You remember going to the Eastern land yesterday, right?" O-Ryo asked. "It's a little past noon on the following day. Don't worry about the meal, Scythe already got the meat for the stew cooking, it should be ready by the time the actual stew part is required, and the dish should be ready just in time for the Royal Couple's anniversary dinner."

"Tonight's the royal anniversary, I gotta…"

"No." O-Ryo said. "I think not, you almost died."

"The Young Master brought the news back here while Scythe was still out looking for you and Wendy. An' when the Master heard, he skipped the Hachiyo Night Meeting in Youto entirely, and joined Scythe in the search, just so he could find you, and rescue you, himself." Kasuga exclaimed.

"Oh it was him then." Aoi said, before she remembered. "What about Wendy? Is she all right?"

"Unfortunately, she wasn't in as good a shape as you." O-Ryo said. "She's been returned to the Celestial Armory for medical treatment."

"Apparently, she's never been sick a day in her life beyond when she was left at the village Cait Shelter was built on, that's partially due to her magic flowing through her and keeping her healthy." Kasuga said. "But with her magic sealed the way it was, her body was vulnerable to illness, and her immune system wasn't that strong to begin with."

"Scythe returned from the Armory late last night with the full medical report on Wendy's health." O-Ryo said. "Both her lungs have developed the early stages of pneumonia, she has a cold, her body is sweating profusely, causing her to become dehydrated much faster, and her throat is so swollen a tube had to be shoved into her lungs to help her breathe."

"Jack is there with her right now. While Scythe…" Kasuga trailed off.

"Where is Scythe?" Aoi asked.

"He's currently in a meeting with the Master, involving those that did this to you and Wendy. It was those three kitchen apprentices, those three dumb Daruma." Kasuga stated.

"Wendy said, that she recognized their voices. Why would they do this?" Aoi asked.

"Those reckless jerks locked you both in the market's underground storeroom. They said that they meant neither of you harm, but that room isn't used much, so no one knew that the cooling system was broken. Still what they did was very dangerous." Kasuga exclaimed.

"They should have known better, human girls are frail. An' now they're about to face the wrath of not just a pissed off Celestial Knight, but Wendy's husband to boot." O-Ryo exclaimed.

"Where's the meeting taking place right now?" Aoi asked.

---

~Odanna's Office~

Currently, Odanna was sitting in his office, with Ginji and Scythe at his sides, while Shirou was there as well. The three Daruma were behind the Chief Chef, as he was bowing to the two Celestial Knights, and his boss, feeling deep shame for what his apprentices did.

"My supervision was sorely lacking sir." The Chief Chef said. "I wouldn't dare ask you to forgive them."

"Glad to hear it." Scythe said, clenching his fist tight enough to where they all could hear his knuckles crack. "Because I don't."

"Calm down Scythe." Shirou said putting a hand on his grandson's shoulder. "I'm more than pissed, just like you, but we have to keep a cool head about this. I know it's difficult, but try to think of what Wendy wants."

"They're idiots, but I know they didn't mean to hurt Mistresses Wendy and Aoi." The Chief Chef stated. "They only did it in the hope that I would cook for the Royal Couple instead, and that if the Young Knight's wife went missing, he'd spend those days looking instead of cooking. An' so, with deep regrets, I must resign. I'll leave Tenjin-ya at once."

"Stop this. Now." Aoi said, barging into the room, before marching in front of the Chief Chef. "You can't leave Tenjin-ya Chief Chef, 'cause I refuse to let you."

"Uh… are you attempting to defend those who put you in such grave danger?" Odanna asked.

"Huh? No way, but the Chief Chef can't quit now. If he does, I'll never get the opportunity to try his full-course dinner." Aoi said.

"Uh?" The Chief Chef was at a loss for words at what she said, and why she didn't want him to quit.

"If you're gonna leave, then the least you could do is wait until I've had a chance to try your cooking." Aoi said.

There was a pause of silence, before Odanna began to laugh.

"Hey, stop that. You don't have to laugh at me in front of everyone." Aoi said.

"Aoi, aren't you the slightest bit angry?" Odanna asked.

"Of course I am, but not at the Chief Chef, only at the Darumas." Aoi stated, crossing her arms. "Ordinarily, I'd forgive and forget. But they hospitalized Wendy, by sealing away her magic. An' now, to top it off, they're forcing the Chief Chef to resign, and rob me of the chance to taste his special menu." As if on cue, Aoi's stomach growled, causing her to blush, before the Chief Chef began to laugh.

"She's so selfish. Frivolous. Her pointless arguments. She certainly is Shiro's granddaughter." The Chief Chef said.

"Fine, laugh at me if you want." Aoi said, before she began to wobble and feel light headed. She began to fall over, before Ginji caught her. "Oh, thanks, Ginji. I'm glad you and Scythe are okay."

"Don't worry about either of us. If anything, we're very sorry." Ginji said, helping Aoi to sit down. "We let you and Wendy down yesterday."

"What are you talking about? I'm here now aren't I? An' Wendy's gonna make a full recovery, I just know it." Aoi said.

Odanna reached into his sleeve, and pulled out the amulet that he had given Aoi, the day before yesterday, and returned it to her.

"This amulet lead me to your location, in the market storeroom." Odanna said.

"This thing? Come to think of it, Scythe did mention that since it has your Ogre fire, it would do that." Aoi said.

"The Ogre fire is like a familiar. I can find it anywhere, but this particular flame will soon die." Odanna explained, as Aoi put the amulet back on. "Ah, I found it." He said, pulling a pack of dorayaki from his sleeve. "Here Aoi, eat this."

"Do you always keep dorayaki in your clothes?" Aoi asked as Odanna handed her the food.

"Master Odanna." Scythe began. "I agree with Aoi. The Chief Chef should not have to suffer being jobless just because of his apprentice's decisions. He is not to blame, and had no clue what those three dumbasses were up to. That being said, I think he should stay as the Chief Chef of Tenjin-ya, while his apprentices are replaced."

"I couldn't agree more. But finding new apprentices would be a pain right now. So instead, they'll be put on probation, and will have to earn back my trust." Odanna exclaimed.

"Fine. I can live with that." Scythe said, unfolding his arms, showing that they were injured so bad, his healing factor was unable to keep up due to the lack of stamina he exerted. "But I wanna punch each of them in the face as my punishment to them."

"Be my guest." Odanna said.

"You three, Tenjin-ya gardens, now." Scythe ordered.

"Yes sir." The three Darumas said in unison as they left the room.

"Aoi, you take some time to recuperate from this ordeal." Scythe said, bowing to her. "I was unable to help you and Wendy when you needed it, but know that the Anniversary Dinner is going to go perfectly. Leave it to me."

"Thank you Scythe. I'm glad we were both asked to do this dinner, otherwise I don't think I'd be able to make it before they left." Aoi smiled.

---

~Near the Anniversary Dinner 6:25~

"All right I have everything set and ready to go. I can't believe I let the beef for the stew overcook, rookie chef mistake." Scythe said, as he finished preparing the dishes to serve. "Oh I'm nervous."

"You'll do fine Scythe." Shirou said, dressed in similar robes to Scythe's. "I'm sure the stewed pork belly will be just as good."

"I hope so, I followed Aoi's recipe the best I could. An' thanks again for volunteering to help with serving the food grandpa." Scythe exclaimed.

"Who do you think taught your mother how to cook, certainly not Rin." Shirou laughed.

"Shhh, here they come." Scythe said, hopping over the counter to stand beside Shirou by the door, before it opened, showing the king and queen of the Apparent Realm. "Welcome to Moonflower. We hope you found it easily, and enjoy your experiences your majesties. Please right this way."

"Thank you, we enjoyed the walk." Nuinoin smiled.

"I must say, today's been an interesting one so far. First three Darumas went flying past our ship, and then we find the courtyard in a bit is disarray." Ritsuko exclaimed.

"You don't say." Scythe said a bit nervously.

"Where is Ms. Aoi? Is she not feeling well today?" Nuinoin asked.

"Unfortunately, due to an attempt on her life, along with the life of my granddaughter-in-law, concerning a storeroom by the ocean, she is in recovery and won't be able to attend to your dinner tonight. She wishes that you not feel discouraged about this news, and requests you enjoy your evening as you see fit." Shirou exclaimed.

"Oh dear. I hope she gets better soon." Ritsuko said, sounding a bit concerned.

"Now dear, I know how you feel." Nuinoin said as Shirou lead them to their table. "But we must respect her request to not worry, and enjoy the night."

"Yes, you're right." Ritsuko agreed, taking her place at the table.

"For tonight, we have a very special menu choice picked out for you and we hope it's to your liking." Shirou smiled.

"I'm sorry I didn't say this earlier, but we appreciate all of this. I know we didn't give much notice, but we're all the more grateful."

"It is our pleasure to serve you." Shirou smiled. "Your kind words humble us."

"Grandpa, the first appetizer is ready to be served." Scythe said, coming up to their table, and setting down a dish filled with vegetable slices. "For the first appetizer, we have cucumber, with okra drizzled in plum-miso mayonnaise."

"Wow, Nui did you hear that?" Ritsuko asked. "He said it's dressed in mayonnaise."

"I haven't eaten that in ages." Nuinoin smiled.

"I hope you enjoy. In fact it was the Hostesses idea for this dish to be the appetizer." Scythe smiled.

"Um pardon me young chef." Nuinoin said, before Scythe could turn and walk away. "You called the server, grandpa. Are you by chance the grandson who's married to his sick granddaughter-in-law?"

"Yes I am. I'm his only grandson to be honest." Scythe said, keeping a smile on his face, but talking softly.

"How is your wife doing, if I may ask?"

"Nui." Ritsuko said, scolding him. "I'm sorry about my husband's prying. He's just always concerned about his subjects. You don't have to answer him if you don't wish to."

"Thank you, but if you must know sir. She's in critical condition. Her magic was locked away, and being in a refrigerated storeroom filling with water, has left her rather weak." Scythe said.

"Then why are you here now? Instead of with her?" Nui asked, sounding rather surprised.

"Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do but wait. Not even my magic has any effect on her current condition, so I just have to have faith and pray she makes it through. An' knowing her, she wouldn't want me to be sitting around, pulling my hair out worried about her, I'd never hear the end of it." Scythe chuckled. "She'd want me to keep my mind focused on other things, and off her bedridden condition, at least most of the time. I still can't help but worry about her. Oh, please don't let this news discourage you of your evening. The mayonnaise is homemade please enjoy." Scythe said, bowing to them in apology before turning to go and prepare the simmering main dishes.

After a bit, Scythe put a tray on the counter, and Shirou took it, dropping it off at the Royal Couple's table.

"Thank you for your patience. Here we have another appetizer recommended by our hostess. Fried eggplant with grated daikon ponzu." Shirou smiled, placing the dishes down in front of them.

"Wow." They said in unison.

"This looks incredible." Ritsuko said, before turning to Shirou. "Sorry, but if you don't mind me asking, what's your opinion on your grandson's mental state right now?"

"Ah, I had a feeling you would ask." Shirou sighed. "To be honest, he's an emotional wreck right now. But, he's not the type of person to just drop everything and take care of himself. He wants you both to enjoy your anniversary to the fullest. He'll only take care of himself when he's either forced to, or he thinks he's able to."

"I see." Nuinoin said.

"His heart is too big for its own good." Ritsuko added.

"Indeed." Shirou sighed. "So, shall I get either of you some tea? There's a nice cold pitcher of grape flavored sweet iced tea my grandson's wife made the other day before the incident."

"That would be lovely." Ritsuko smiled.

After pouring the tea, Scythe finished up on the final touches of the main dishes, and with Shirou carrying the tray, Scythe slid the door open, a bright smile on his face.

"Thank you both for waiting. Your patience is much appreciated." Scythe exclaimed. "Here is the stewed pork belly."

Ritsuko seemed to be a bit nervous, and her hand wouldn't stop shaking as she brought the food up to her lips to eat. When she did, she began to cry.

"Um… madam, if the food's not to your liking then…"

"No, I'm sorry. It's just the taste brings back memories." Ritsuko said. "I never imagined that I'd have stewed pork belly in the Hidden Realm. I'm so overwhelmed."

"Oh my love. Is it a dish from your hometown in the Apparent Realm?" Nuinoin asked.

"I'm sorry to startle you like that young man." Ritsuko said.

"Mm-mmm." Scythe shook his head. "It's perfectly fine, and completely understandable. I'd feel the same way."

"It was all very delicious." Ritsuko said. "The pork belly tastes like home. I come from a town called Nagasaki. To think that, even at my age, a flavor still has the power to make me feel homesick." She said picking back up her chopsticks.

"Perfect, every bit." Nuinoin said.

"Yes it is indeed." Ritsuko smiled. "Pardon, but could I trouble you for some white rice?" She asked, looking to Scythe.

"Of course. I'll be but a moment." Scythe smiled.

Later, as he was mixing up the ingredients for the side dishes that went perfectly well with the stewed pork belly.

"This just keeps getting better." Nuinoin said.

"I think it's about time for seconds." Ritsuko smiled.

"My stomach says no, but my taste buds say yes." Nuinoin chuckled.

"All right, time to prepare dessert. I wasn't able to make that cake, but Aoi's idea for it is just as good, if not better." Scythe said.

Finishing up with preparing the dessert, Scythe and Shirou brought it to the royal couple as they finished up their food.

"An' for the final dish of the evening. I've prepared a fruit salad for you to enjoy." Scythe exclaimed.

"It's so pretty. Almost looks like jewelry." Ritsuko said. "Don't you agree Nui?"

"Yes it does. I wonder what this one is." Nuinoin said, examining the fruit salad.

As the royal couple enjoyed their dessert, Scythe sighed as he sat on one of the stools, and letting out a breath of relief.

"Scythe, you should really go to Wendy now. You've done more than enough, I can take it from here. You're working yourself ragged." Shirou said.

"No, I can keep going." Scythe exclaimed.

"Scythe, as your grandfather I will not take no for an answer." Shirou said sternly.

"All right, fine." Scythe sighed, before he disappeared in a flash of light, returning to the armory, now dressed in his Celestial Knight uniform. He reappeared in the medical treatment area of the Armory, right beside Wendy's bed, seeing her lying there was heartbreaking for him.

"She's going to be all right Scythe." Rider said, her purple hair tied up to keep it in check.

"I know she is. But I don't understand, why isn't my magic having an effect on her like it normally does?" Scythe said.

"It's due to the seal on her arm." Rider said. "It's preventing her magic from flowing through her, but it's also nullifying your magic as soon as it enters her body."

"Just great." Scythe sighed.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you know a Devil from the Sorcerer Realm of your last job, who is indebted to you for life?" Rider asked.

Scythe's head snapped up when she mentioned that and he was gone in a flash, returning shortly after with En's cousin Noi, at his side.

"What the? Where am I?" Noi asked.

"You're in the Celestial Armory, originally I was planning on asking Kawajiri to find you and bring you to me for your help." Scythe said. "But it was just my luck I appeared near where you were."

"Why should I help the man who murdered my cousin?" Noi asked.

"En assaulted and harmed a Celestial Knight, the same Knight that lays in this bed. By Celestial Knight Code, he sentenced himself to execution by harming a Celestial Knight." Scythe explained.

"What do I get if I help you?" Noi asked, forcing herself not to act on instinct to use her magic on Wendy.

"Anything you want so long as it's within my power." Scythe explained.

"I want my cousin back." Noi said. "Bring En, back to life."

"That's doable." Scythe said.

"Then step aside." Noi exclaimed going to Wendy's bedside.

Pulling the breathing tube from Wendy's throat, Noi inhaled a deep breath and covered Wendy in black smoke, before it was absorbed into Wendy's body. Instantly, Wendy's vitals became better, but she was still asleep.

"Wait, why isn't she waking up? Did I do something wrong?" Noi asked.

"It's fine." Rider said. "She was medically induced into a coma, so she wouldn't suffer from having the breathing tube in her throat."

"Thank you Noi." Scythe said.

"All right, I held up my end of the bargain, now it's time you held up yours." Noi exclaimed.

"I'll be back in a minute." Scythe said, before disappearing in a flash of light.

---

~Underworld~

"Pain, Panic, be honest with me, I mean do these new threads make me look fat?" A tall grey skinned man, with blue flames for hair, said looking himself over in a mirror, while two small demons were standing behind him, as he was modeling new robes.

"Oh, no sir. You look rather fetching in those Hades your lordship." The small red demon said.

"Pain's right sir, you look very handsome in those robes. In fact they look very slimming." The thin teal demon said.

"I do seem rather thinner don't I?" Hades smirked.

"So this is what the Lord of the Underworld does on his days off?"

Hades, Pain, and Panic turned around to see Scythe standing there, an amused look on his face.

"Who are you?" Hades asked.

"Name's Scythe. I'm a Celestial Knight." Scythe said. "Sorry to bother you on your day off, but I'm in need of immediate help."

"Hi, name's Hades, Lord of the Dead, very nice to meet you my finely dressed fellow. What can I do for such a powerful being such as yourself?" Hades asked, sounding all chummy with him now, most likely to stay on his good side. "Can I get you anything to drink, perhaps a nice comfy seat to sit in and rest your weary busy body?"

"I'm needing a soul for reincarnation, as I'm sure his body is too far gone for resurrection." Scythe stated simply.

"Certainly, certainly. The paperwork will take a minute to fill out. Might I get you that drink while you wait?" Hades asked.

"I could use a drink, thank you." Scythe smiled.

"Pain, Panic, get our esteemed Celestial Knight an ice cold drink, on the double." Hades practically shouted, giving his orders to the two small demons.

"Right away sir." They said stumbling over themselves before leaving the room.

"So, whose soul are you wanting to reincarnate, and from what world?" Hades asked, producing the paperwork in a burst of flames. "I'm hoping it's not Precht from Earthland, he plagiarized my name for crying out loud, that rotten jerk. If his soul wasn't devoured by a demon I'd be torturing him right now."

"I'm not wanting to reincarnate the man who destroyed my home and slaughtered my family." Scythe exclaimed.

"Oh, I apologize." Hades said, sounding rather nervous, as Pain and Panic came back with a tray with the drink, but it wasn't ice cold, in fact the liquid was boiling. "You simpletons, that's not ice cold, that's boiling hot."

"It's fine." Scythe said, reaching out his hand, a cold mist emitting from it. The instant he grabbed the drink, frost formed on the glass and the drink was instantly ice cold.

"Right of course." Hades said. "So, whose soul would you be wanting for reincarnation?"

"His name is En, he's from a realm where Sorcerers and Humans are divided." Scythe explained showing Hades, En's picture. "Has a bit of an obsession for mushrooms."

"Oh, him. Yes please take him. No matter what we do, we can't seem to stop him from turning my underworld staff into mushrooms. He tries to eat them, but as a disembodied soul, he can't, so it's a waste of my staff." Hades said. "Would you like him to retain his memories during his reincarnation or come back with a clean slate?"

"Clean slate if you don't mind." Scythe said, finishing his drink, just as Pain came back with another.

"All right, just give me a second here… and done." Hades smiled, making the paperwork disappear, and having a bottle take its place. Snapping his fingers, Hades made En's soul appear before them.

"What am I doing here?" En questioned.

"You're being given a second chance at life pal. Don't waste it." Hades said, before opening the jar, and instantly it sucked En into its confines.

"Thank you, how much would that cost?" Scythe asked.

"Normally I'd charge two Silver Pegasus Coins, but considering this is your first time, it's on the house." Hades said. "I should actually be thanking you for helping me get rid of him."

"An' you're sure he won't retain his memories?" Scythe asked.

"Absolutely I mean, he was a psychopath who cannibalized himself by eating people turned into mushrooms, but hey we all have our dark side right?" Hades asked. "Anyways, the point I'm making is the purple bottle ensures clean slate reincarnation for whichever woman drinks his soul and gets knocked up with him. If I had used a blue bottle, he'd retain his memories from his past life, and he would be set on a revenge path. But in order for it to work, the woman who drinks his soul, has to already have a freshly fertilized egg within her womb."

"All right. I appreciate the help, thank you so much." Scythe said.

"No, thank you." Hades smiled. As soon as Scythe disappeared, Hades let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and collapsed in a chair that appeared out of nowhere. "Glad that's over."

"Boss?" Pain asked.

"Why do you look so drained?" Panic inquired.

"Do you know what would have happened if we had pissed him off boys?" Hades asked, to which the two demons shook their heads. "He would have destroyed us, and put someone else in charge of the underworld."

"So what is a Celestial Knight?" Pain questioned.

"They're a taskforce that can travel through time, and to other worlds. An' they're stronger than the gods when they reach their full potential." Hades sighed. "But at the same time, they do and do not exist, as they are beings who reside outside of the timeline."

"I don't get it." Panic said.

"You know that weird guy who came up with a theory involving a cat, a box, and a thing of poison?" Hades asked, feeling a headache coming on.

"Schrödinger?" Pain asked.

"That's him. Think of them like Schrödinger's cat, they exist yet they don't exist, because it is unclear, when or where their kind first manifested. But they've been around longer than the Gods themselves, since the dawn of time." Hades said. "Add to the fact they have a weapon capable of slaying the Gods, and they're a force not even Zeus or my Father Cronus would dare to risk fighting against."

"Oh, that is scary." Pain and Panic said.

---

~Celestial Armory~

"Where is he? He said he's be back in a bit." Noi said.

"He's only been gone ten minutes, have some patience." Rider said, as she finished removing the rest of Wendy's breathing aids.

"I'm just excited, I'll get to be with my cousin again." Noi said. "Ever since En was killed, I have been in charge of the En Family and the companies my cousin ran."

"I wouldn't get your hopes up Noi." Rider exclaimed. "En's body is most likely too far gone to be resurrected. Scythe's only option might be he's gonna have to ask the ruler of the underworld for his soul to be reincarnated."

"I don't care so long as I have him back in my life. I miss my cousin." Noi said.

"Then you're gonna have to wait a bit longer." Scythe said, reappearing behind her, bottle in hand.

"Young master. Welcome back, I trust everything went well?" Rider asked.

"Everything did Medusa." Scythe said. "Noi, I apologize, but resurrection isn't gonna be an option for bringing En back."

"So reincarnation it is then huh? Which woman is gonna be bringing him back to the world? Let me know so I can be part of the kid's life." Noi said.

Scythe chuckled, before holding the bottle out to Noi, a smirk on his face.

"In this bottle, resides En's soul. He's going to be given a second chance at life, a clean slate, no memories or anything from his past." Scythe explained, putting the bottle in Noi's hands. "It's gonna be up to you, and your partner to bring him back from the dead. The only problem is, you need to be pregnant already, before his soul can take root, and be reincarnated as your child."

"Me? But I'm no good with kids. I mean I even trained to be a devil at one point." Noi said.

"That shouldn't matter." Scythe said. "You've got a big heart, and you've got good instincts. So you'll do just fine."

"But why me?" Noi asked.

"I figured you'd want to keep him in the family." Scythe smiled. "Oh, before I forget, once you're pregnant, you have to drink the contents of the bottle, meaning his soul. Good luck."

Patting her on the shoulder, Scythe sent Noi back to her world, and returned to Wendy's bedside, where she was sleeping soundly.

"She's gonna be all right." Rider said.

"I know. I just wanna stay by her side now." Scythe said.

---

~Tenjin-ya, the following day~

"Are you sure you can't stay any longer?" Aoi asked.

"I'm afraid not. My grandpa was very clear and specific about his conditions regarding our stay and employment at Moonflower. But that time limit was reduced after what had happened with you and Wendy." Scythe said. "I'm glad you're feeling better. I guess my magic worked on you."

"It did. I can't thank you enough for helping me to recover faster." Aoi said.

"Listen Aoi, try to give Master Odanna a chance. I've seen the way he acts around you, and he didn't even consider his own healthy when he joined me in looking for you, running around in the rain." Scythe exclaimed. "I know it sucks, and I do wish I could do something about it, but he does seem like one of the kinder Ogres."

"I guess you're right." Aoi sighed. "I suppose I could give him a chance. He is sweet, and thoughtful, if nothing else."

"That's the spirit. I'm sure we'll meet again someday Aoi." Scythe smiled, as his body began to light up. "Probably when there are some tiny ogres running around the place."

"W-why you…" Aoi said, a blush evident on her face. "Just shut up and leave already. An' give Wendy my regards."

"Take care Aoi." Scythe smiled, before he vanished completely, returning to the Celestial Armory.

Once there, he stretched out, still feeling tired from staying up until Wendy opened her eyes. But since she was back to normal, he didn't have to worry anymore, but she did spend a few hours scrubbing the seal off her arm, and just managing to do so before daybreak in the Hidden Realm.

"Scythe, glad to see you're back." Rin smiled. "How were your goodbyes?"

"Pretty good. The staff at Tenjin-ya were sad to see me go, but I told them I'd be back as a guest some time. Even Odanna looked sad to see me go." Scythe said.

"Well, that's good to hear." Rin said. "Come to the war room, Shirou will explain in further detail what your next mission entails."

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH."

"Jack playing with that assassin again?" Scythe asked.

"Both the assassin and Tannosuke." Rin exclaimed. "She tore out Tannosuke's voice box, so he can make a sound when screaming anymore."

"Got it." Scythe said, before he and Rin went to join Wendy and Shirou in the war room. "Hey Wendy, how are you feeling?"

"Much better now, thanks to your help." Wendy smiled.

"I'm glad to hear it." Scythe smiled.

"All right, now here's your mission you two." Shirou said. "We've managed to track a chaotic spirit to a world where the supernatural, is considered as nothing but fiction. So be careful when using your abilities. This world's government isn't familiar with how Celestial Knights work, so they get a pass on the death penalty if they attack without knowing you're Celestial Knights, or if they do, but aren't aware of the death penalty."

"All right. So what's our objective with this mission?" Scythe asked. "Eliminate or capture?"

"Capture would be preferred, but elimination is allowed." Rin stated handing him a folder with the details of their targets and their mission. "This specter gives off a very unique magical signature, meaning he's very powerful. As Shirou mentioned a couple weeks ago Scythe, he loves to cause chaos in the worlds he visits, as seasonings to cooking, before devouring the souls of those he kills."

"So he's dangerous. All right, who would be the kind of vessel he'd prefer to use while hiding within this world?" Scythe inquired.

"Tycoons. Greedy and heartless business men. We've found he's got an accomplice. His name is Velhallen Beo. We don't have much intel on them, but what we do know, is that Velhallen Beo is originally from Earthland. Which means, there's a high chance he's quite powerful when it comes to wielding magic." Shirou explained. "Any questions about your job?"

Scythe was silent as he looked over the folder before closing it, and handing it to Wendy, looking back up at Shirou and Rin.

"When do we start?"