"Where is Master Saitama?" Genos asked when he finally walked into the fourth floor apartment with Kamiko at his side.

"They're in the bedroom with the other pets," Zenchu said from where he reclined on a couch. "Since you're here, I'm gonna go check on my girl and the nest. I'll be back in a few."

"Of course," Genos nodded and sat down with Kamiko pressing into him. Zenchu walked out and moved to the secured building that held the nest. He saw that Wind Crane wasn't there, and he figured she was likely scouting over the city. He walked over to study the two-foot tall eggs of a lightly oval shape. The four eggs were carefully nestled in the heated blankets to keep the warmth stable. He moved to run a hand gently over a light blue shell with an affection that only a father-to-be could give. It even seemed to shimmer in the light, and the other three eggs were various shades of light blue. It's like the wind in color. He was still surprised at the whole thing.

"I really hope that things will be okay. I'll do everything I can to raise you all right. Unless you already know things," he chuckled softly.

"Zenchu…?"

He paused at the unknown voice of whispery, operatic perfection. Blinking his black slanted eyes, he turned and stared in shock at the sight of a Geisha woman standing as tall he was. Her dress was covered head to toe in blue-black feathers. It even had a cloak with an underside of stark white feathers. It was much like Saitama's Wind Crane Clan cape. If he saw under the dress, he may have seen a delicately scaled tail with a cute tuft of feathers hiding underneath it. Her hair was a metallic blue-green and came down to her waist in a feathered way. She was incredibly well-proportioned much like Kamiko was.

Her arms were free to reveal a form of alabaster skin. He just barely saw that she was barefoot with lightly clawed, black toes to match what her draconic feet would have been. He caught a glimpse of scales in the form of an underdress, but he couldn't make out if it only started from her hips. When his eyes trailed back up, he saw how the dress was rather low-cut to expose her chest much like Mitsumi's fan dancing dresses were.

He found himself staring into her brilliant blue eyes amidst her gentle, lightly blushing face. He even noticed that her ears were a bit pointed like his were. Her nose was a touch beak-like, and her mouth was small, yet slender in form with slightly full lips of a coral pink in color. He was completely speechless at the sight of her, and he could only whisper softly, "Wind Crane? Is this…really…?"

"Yes…" she said softly and looked away. "Bright Bolt…he struck a chord within me. He was very correct that I needed to be in a human form from time to time now. I…do need to teach Mitsumi a few things. And it is easier as a human than in a bird form. I only…became this form once. When my original clan encouraged me to try. They were so speechless! I thought I was hideous…"

"No!" he said and moved quickly to her side to gently hold her. "You are absolutely stunning. You may have shocked them by this. You rival Lady Mitsumi with her beauty, too. As much as your natural form will always be beautiful to me, this form of yours…I'm struck dumb."

"I can't peck at you in this form," she chuckled softly and got him laughing.

"You could have left your prison whenever you wanted with this form. Why didn't you? Why did you let yourself remain trapped?"

"I vowed…that I would only leave it…when my clan started to come back…" she winced and shook her head. "I would have been alone. Hunted. Even in this form…it was risky. I would have been constantly pursued. And then to never die? Never grow old? It would have been too much. Too many questions. Humans are naturally curious and suspicious of the different and unique. I had to hide myself away. Especially when my clan was forced to leave me behind and die off slowly.

"I tried to reach what was left of my clan when they were gone for so long, but…they couldn't hear me. My fans were too far apart. Even when the last, final clan tested the power of the fans…they couldn't hear me! They couldn't balance out the power that used to be so easy to do! I thought I reached one of them…but she mistook it for another and disregarded it. So I forced myself into slumber.

"True, as the fans began to come together again after all these years, I began to wake. I found myself unable to shift from the weakness of intense hunger. I used the last of my strength to pull the fans together. To ensure they would all be found the moment they started to gather again. To urge Mitsumi to come to my rescue without even knowing. I gave her the thoughts to return to the field and discover my locked entrance. They had reserve power for me, but only so much.

"It was enough to reach out to you after I lightly took you over in the field of my prison. I not only reached you to send a message to rescue a fan set…but I was testing you, too. To see how strong you were against me. And with Saitama…well…I am glad that he was able to rescue Mitsumi from her fate. She truly is the very last of my clan. My long lost daughter finally returned to me. The true heir to my fans. And with Saitama able to balance out the power so easily just by himself alone?! I am truly gladdened in knowing that he will protect her and encourage her to grow the clan with me again."

"Saitama slapped me because of you," he muttered.

"I know. And…I did enjoy watching that," she gave a small grin to hear him scowl with dismay. "He resisted my call. You fell prey to it. He is…immune to me in so many ways! It's…very frightening…"

"It's like I always said. He can kick my ass and kill me. I can't even scratch him! If there's one thing that I'm glad I did…she wanted to sell her fan set of yours. Of course, we didn't know how important the fans were at the time. But it was given to her by her mentor. She was willing to sell them to keep us safe. To keep herself hidden. When I saw the case and what was in it…I asked about it. When I learned the importance of them on being a gift from her mentor, I hid them away," he said and continued to hold her to him.

"She was…going to sell them…?!" Wind Crane gasped.

"I know. But she didn't know they were needed to help you. When we discovered how the fans were needed…how rare and powerful they were! That they were part of a legendary clan of assassins! We were all very glad that we had them and kept them safe."

"When did she realize she could fight with them? I know she was clearly trained to use them, but…" she frowned.

"It was after she did a performance with basic fans in front of the main Hero Association. She was really dancing for Saitama, but they wanted to see it, too. She may do the same dance tonight with all of the fans, now that I think about it. Anyways, the association wanted to recruit her into S class ranking for being a hero after that. One of the board members recognized what she did. She was the only one trained left alive to perform such a dance.

"She definitely mesmerized and amazed with her performance. She was trained by the best of the best. But I knew that heroes needed to do more than that. She had to have a way to protect herself. I knew that she had us. And, yes, Saitama, too. But she needed something else to further prove that she had what it took to be in S class. Not to just be a pretty face, you know?"

"This is true. In complete honesty, there are fighting moves that I never taught my clan. I wanted to, but the girls under me were too weak for the more advanced fighting techniques. Mitsumi may be able to learn everything I can give her. And Saitama! Not only can he balance the power of the fans, but he can also use them! Inichi was able to show him how! He may not have the flexibility that Mitsumi has, but he can ground and remove any dangerous power buildup. He is crucial for her survival to learn and expand her power even more," Wind Crane seemed to shiver with a form of excitement.

"But now I need to ask you," Zenchu said and regarded her seriously. "What made you decide to show me this form of yours?"

"I…knew I had to try again. But…I wanted you to see it first," she admitted. "I figured…if you didn't like it…I wouldn't have to become it…"

"Okay, I'm gonna go the 'Inichi route' here," he grinned lightly. "I am absolutely amazed and enamored with this form of yours."

"Oh…" she blushed and looked away.

"Any other girl that I've seen in the past pales in comparison to you. Lady Mitsumi is the only other girl that can rival you. And she's my baby sister. I honestly don't mind dating her mom, but…what?" he grinned and laughed at her small pokes with a lightly clawed finger at his chest.

"I will make sure to peck at you for a full minute for that!" she scowled. "You could say I am a big sister to her now."

"I'm sure you will. And I can see that. But…we'd be brother and sister?" he grinned and laughed at the poking she gave him again. He sighed before gazing at her. "Okay, okay. Adopted family group, so we'll be fine. But I did have another question to ask you."

"What's that?" she asked softly.

"Wind Crane…now that I know you can become this…that we are going to have children together and even more of them…will you be my life mate in full?" he asked.

"Ah…!" she blinked with surprise. "You ask of this?! I mean…"

"I know. But…you even said you'd want to do this again. And with this form of yours? You know I'm going to want a bed in here," he said in full knowing. "So…?"

"Well…considering that we do have current offspring…"

"Yes. That we do."

"And you're the only one that can actually withstand being pecked at…"

"Hmm…?"

"And I know I said I'd want to do this again…well…"

"Yes?" Zenchu started to gaze at her with a bit of amusement.

"I'm sorry. My age is showing. What was your question?" she frowned.

"Stop it," Zenchu said to get her snickering softly. "You know what I asked. I need to know now."

"Why?" she mused.

"Because we will need to remodel and build a bedroom."

"Really? A nest isn't enough?"

"In your bird form, it's good for you. In this form? We need a bed."

"Whoever said I would lay with you?"

"Whoever said you wouldn't?" he countered. He moved his mouth close to hers and pressed a kiss on her now. "I need your answer."

"Let me ask this first. How do you really feel about me?" she asked and gazed at him. "Despite me being in this form."

"How do I…?" he paused at the question and let out a heavy breath. "I know this for sure. I'm in love with you. It was why I…was curious on offspring. Being with you. And now…I know it. Completely."

"Should it be…safe to say that I…feel the same?" she smiled. "Being in love? I mean…monsters shouldn't feel love like this…right?"

"You're not just a normal monster. And neither am I," he grunted and kissed her a bit more in a branding way. "I answered your question. Answer mine. I need to know."

"We'll have things to do, though," she said softly.

"I know. I didn't say we should…do things now. Definitely later. But we don't have to do anything now."

"Whoever said we shouldn't do something now?" she whispered.

"Only…if I have an answer…" he growled lightly with control.

"Does it have to be a bed? I know you like a couch…"

"We can have both. But…I need your answer…please…"

"From now on…my wind moves with your shadow…as mates would in life…" she said and got kissed possessively by him now.

"How long…can you stay like this…?" he mumbled through the kiss.

"How long do you think we'll need?" she murmured to get his blood boiling.

"We have twenty minutes. There's some fabric on the ground," he muttered before she rose up a hand to stop him. She used the wind right after to take them to an unclaimed apartment room that still had a bed. He found himself losing his resolve shortly after that.

Back in the fourth floor bedroom, Saitama and Mitsumi had just finished bathing and dressing. A small bed was being discussed for Bright Bolt, and he had agreed on a soft cushion to lay on with an area to comfortably stand if he felt the need for it. A small stool was even brought in for him to rest his head on while standing, much to his delight. "I like this! I can even stand outside. Weather never bothers me. As much as I can lay down on the pillow, there are times I prefer to stand to sleep. Much like other animals do."

"That's good. We get idiots that try to peer in. But, eh…don't shoot them down with lightning. Maybe warn them with that static feel," Saitama said. "If they attack, then attack back."

"I can do warning shots," Bright Bolt snickered. "I can even target any metal on their bodies. But, as you said, I'll send a warning sensation first."

"I would say the closer they get, the stronger the sensation of getting shocked," Mitsumi chuckled and moved to gently scratch between his horns. He shivered with complete delight on this and nudged into her leg gently.

"Let's get some food real quick," Saitama said. Mitsumi noticed that Blue Ripple's tub now had wheels on it, and she was able to push his tub out.

"I can get used to this," Blue Ripple chuckled. "Of course, I will need to be lifted in more traverse areas. Like stairs."

"We could make a series of ramps for those that can't use them," Mitsumi said thoughtfully. Kamiko rose up from where she was sitting and moved to help style her hair. "Thank you! Where's Zenchu?"

"He said he was going to check on the nest," Genos nodded. "King and Kianna will be here shortly."

"Ah! Okay. Is Orotsu here?" she asked.

"He was almost on his way. Tsuruga and Tanktop Girl are escorting him back. As well as Bane and Bomb. Bomb was curious of our home. I had him vow to be respectful," Genos said. Saitama sighed and seemed to shrug.

"I guess…" Saitama said. He waited for Mitsumi's hair to finish getting styled before moving to have her sit in his lap. He pressed a warm, loving kiss on her mouth and let her rest against him.

"I want to ask you," Mitsumi whispered in his ear. He looked at her to smile and nod slightly to continue. "Did you…want another back rub?"

"Hmm…" he thought with a small grin. He chuckled when she straightened his headband. "I do. The moment we get back."

"Do you…want to dance with me? You know some of what to do, right?" she grinned. He squeezed her and rested a hand over her belly.

"Inichi can remind me," he nodded.

"Oh. We're going to a place with lava. Could you…show me how you take a bath in it? I doubt I'd be able to bathe with you, but…" she grinned.

"Really?!" he asked her and got her laughing at him. "Eh…"

"Come to think of it, why did you run along the wall in that lava room at the temple? If you can just walk through it…" Kamikaze asked from where he sat with Tacki in his lap.

"I didn't want to burn up my clothes!" Saitama said with a small grumble. "You know how Tacki would have been!"

"He's right. You should know better than to ask that," Tacki chided her fiancée. Kamikaze looked at her and grunted. "And I fixed your door, Lady Mitsumi. What scratched it up like that?!"

"Our poor puppy didn't want to wait outside the door," Mitsumi said and let Overgrown Rover jump into her lap to lay over her and Saitama. "It was so lonely! It just wanted to be in the room with us and snuggle."

It yawned and licked her cheek to get rewarded with a hug. Saitama noticed it was pressing rather hard against his hand. He was still resting it against Mitsumi's belly, and he glanced at it. "What is it, doggy?"

It huffed and gave a yawning growl to start up an argument with him. Mitsumi laughed at this and glanced at Bright Bolt when he jumped up on his hind legs to paw at her. She smiled and asked, "What is it?"

"It's hogging up my cuddles!" he said to get her laughing. Saitama adjusted himself to let Mitsumi accommodate both small, strong monsters into her lap to get snuggled. When Blue Ripple whined a bit, Saitama groaned with complete disbelief. That got Kamikaze and Genos snickering and laughing.

"This is getting ridiculous!" Saitama groaned out. He sighed and found himself laughing softly at Mitsumi's cheery laugh of delight. "Okay. Serious time now. What are we to expect on getting to the lava place?"

"The one we need to find there. I know she loves challenging others to ridiculous tasks. But…you know what? You would pass them all. If you really are immune to the effects of lava, you'll be able to win her over. At least to get her to listen to us," Bright Bolt mused.

"Does she have a name?" Mitsumi asked and scratched at the tuft of hair under his chin. He stretched his skeletal neck out and closed his electric blue eyes with delight at the sensation.

"I don't think so. But…with her…let her pick a name for you to call her. Ooh! That feels good!" he nickered lightly and snorted. "Anyways, we almost ready to leave? Or are we still waiting?"

"Zenchu was checking in on Wind Crane and the nest. They have yet to appear," Genos frowned. Mitsumi blinked at this. When Fubuki walked in with Inichi hovering behind her, he rose up his hands to get their attention.

"They are…life mates now. I was just informed to give them ten more minutes. This is all I know," Inichi chuckled.

"Ah! Well, they do have offspring. I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. Although, it does make me wonder…" Bright Bolt tilted his head in thought.

"What?" Saitama asked.

"Are they in the nest?" the lightning monster asked.

"Ah…no. They're…in an apartment room?!" Inichi blinked at what he sensed. "I…see…"

"How would she have…?" Mitsumi frowned.

"She became human for Zenchu. Had to have done it," Blue Ripple chuckled. "They said ten minutes, right?"

"Just about," Inichi said and opened the door for Orotsu to come in with Anno and Takeda. Garou and Lily were quick to walk in after resting in their apartment to settle with them. King and Kianna were next to show up and sit with the others. At the sight of Bane escorting Bomb in, Saitama cleared his throat to get their attention.

"Be neutral. Be nice. Don't hurt anyone. Or I hurt you. Got it?" Saitama said in a neutral, yet stern way.

"I understand," Bomb nodded and sat down with Bane near Kamikaze.

"I'm sure he's good now," Mitsumi said and flicked Saitama's nose. He blinked at that and pressed a kiss to her temple. Orotsu moved to the kitchen to start preparing light snacks to tide everyone over for now.

"Sit here," Anno said to Takeda and brought her to a table with a stool for mild prep work. He was taking all precautions on her new condition.

"Anno, I can still help do something…" Takeda sighed.

"I know. I want you off your feet. Peel these shrimp? You can set them in this bowl of ice water when they're done," he gently instructed.

"Of course, Anno," she said.

"You should not be so strict with her," Mitsumi frowned.

"Hey. He's treating her like I would be with you. Once we know it's verified, of course," Saitama said. "He's just…protective."

"But she won't break," Mitsumi said.

"She's right! We won't break! Just get a little sick now and then," Tacki chuckled and finished making a set of fan holders for Mitsumi's new fans. "Here we go! This should work. Ah! Let me make two more sets!"

"Make four. Just in case," Blue Ripple said.

"Four?" Tacki blinked.

"I know we need earth and fire. We plan to visit fire. Earth will be summoned when we get back later tonight. I am unsure about plant. And we don't know who else will appear after that. When power gathers more…" Bright Bolt said to remind her. "It's just a matter of time now."

"And this won't summon some kind of super GOD monster, right?" Saitama had to ask. Bright Bolt blinked and looked at him. Even Blue Ripple looked at him before taking up a bit of water to spit at his cheek. "Hey!"

"You need puppy to clean that?" Mitsumi asked with a small grin. Overgrown Rover huffed and leaned up to get Saitama sputtering at the heavy face licks now. He finally had to lightly shove his eager-to-please monster dog back to glare at it to stop. It whined and panted with a cute tilt of its head.

"Enough, doggy," Saitama said and glared at Kamikaze's laughing form with Bane. Bomb was still unsure what to think of the whole thing.

"Where do you plan to go next?" Bane asked.

"We need to find another GOD monster. Of fire. And lava. Then we come back home after talking to her," Saitama said and wiped off his face with an offered towel by Anno. "Mitsumi, I may want Fumio to stay here. Safety reasons and stuff."

"He does have schooling to focus on," Mitsumi agreed. Inichi thought to Fumio and gave a small nod.

"Masaki will protect him and teach him a few lessons. He is well-versed in such literature studies," Inichi said. He looked over at the doorway when Zenchu walked in. When Wind Crane followed him in, Mitsumi gasped with shock.

"Wind Crane Clan Mother?" Mitsumi asked softly.

"My dear daughter…!" Wind Crane said and now moved to gently hug her with relief. The monsters in Mitsumi's lap made way for this easily. Saitama only nodded at this and looked at Zenchu.

"So…you're married to her mom now?" Saitama asked with a small grin.

"I made the same comment…" Zenchu sighed. Garou died laughing with Bane and Kamikaze. "But I'm still Lady Mitsumi's brother. Wind Crane agreed to be seen as an older sister, but…you know what? Screw it. I'm still her brother. Monsters are different in various ways."

"I have…so many questions…" Mitsumi whispered and shivered with small tears of relief. Wind Crane just nodded and sighed.

"I know, my dear. We will talk together the moment we get back from our journey to the lakes of fire. I shall reform into my true self to help with travel. I will definitely reform human so we can talk at length," Wind Crane promised.

"Okay," Mitsumi said with a small nod.

"Time to go?" Saitama asked.

"Yep! Oh, here. Put these on for the fans," Tacki said and helped Mitsumi fit the new fan belt sets on. "I may be able to have this look like an extra skirt. I'll be studying how it moves on you."

"Okay," Mitsumi nodded and hugged her gratefully.

"Hmm. Sweet Mask was requesting to join, but I informed of where we would be going. He'll wait until we get back to appear. Miss Tatsumaki will wait for us at our destination with Rendor. Let us depart," Inichi said. Saitama rose up to head out of the apartment with Mitsumi in his arms. When they got outside, Bright Bolt trotted down to the arena area and shifted to his full height again.

"Jump on!" he said with a small whinny.

"Ah!" Mitsumi beamed with delight. Blue Ripple was levitated from his tub to settle in Mitsumi's lap after he removed the water from himself. Inichi planned to transport his tub with the others. Now they all watched Wind Crane crouch down under her cloak of feathers to hide herself. Her form grew, and she was stretching out her wings to their massive height before standing tall on her hind dragon quarters. She clacked her beak before looking at Zenchu to peck at him.

"Ow! Oh, come on! After everything we just…stop! Ouch! Quit it!" he gasped to get them all dying with laughter. He winced after a full minute of it and sighed hard. "Yeah, yeah. You kept your word on doing that!"

She warbled and watched the fans from both her and Blue Ripple settle on Mitsumi's belts. Bright Bolt flicked his skeletal tail with the small tassel of hair on the end before focusing to charge up the air. He began to hover and glow, but Mitsumi was fully protected with Saitama and her pets. Saitama was seated with his legs splayed out to buckle down on each side of Bright Bolt's back. Mitsumi was seated in a side-saddle way across his lap for him to hold her close with the other two pet monsters. Tacki looked over and asked, "Do we need to make a saddle later?"

"We should be fine. We'll see if it comes to that," Mitsumi chuckled. "My fans will ensure we don't fall off, too."

"Need help?" Black Sperm asked when he appeared.

"I think we're okay. Please protect Fumio?" Mitsumi asked with a smile.

"Okay!" Black Sperm nodded to wave and head back in.

"Ready to find another ultra-strong, possible pet GOD monster?" Saitama grinned and pressed a kiss to Mitsumi's mouth.

"Yes. I am," she blushed and held on to him as Bright Bolt pawed at the air. Clouds were quick to form at his mild thought to surge together and form a thunderhead cloud that lit up with lightning buildup. Electrical static now seemed to appear to form a bit of a road for him to run on, and he began the journey to the fiery land with the others following close behind.