"You're back?" Vector huffs as he finally got back to the village youkai inn. The scene before him was the usual now. Urumi making some fish related dish and having smoked ready river salmon. The past few days inside the village was calm minus the sudden poisoning. Vector secretly maintain a blood cleanse of the village. Expelling so much mass made him lighter than usual. The other was the young child god reciding with them for as long as he's been in new hell.

"Yeah, I went hunting for ferals earlier and caught two for a meal, the third was recently crossing over."Urumi heard of youkai becoming more human recently. After the famine massacre many assume the feral kind went extinct or went into hiding as food wasn't abundant or profitable to hunt down humans.

"Let me guess, it was another woman?"

"Another pregnant youkai, another chance at life. This kind of life isn't nice to the half ferals. I definitely would've killed her but..."Vector shakes his heard solenmly.

"Not worth risking a haunting. Ah well I heard there was a wide turn out of ferals in the forest recently. I'll check the road of death again tomorrow." Urumi nodded smiling to herself. Sometimes Vector is more energetic than a happy puppy, but when he gets rid of an significant amounts of power. He almost seems like a normal tired man. These moments she cherishes alot.

"So about the other half of you? Is he really a dragon? I heard the youkai innkeeper mentioned it."

"If was from the dullahan that recently met one of the sages. Then yes, mini me is indeed a dragon. Fire breath, the greed, the tail, definitely has the pipes to be one."

"Good to see you cracking jokes again."

"It's more about the coming climax of this old rodeo will determine whether we belong or don't. This place doesn't like people like me rocking the boat." Vector couldn't hide the widening smile on his face.

Exciting isn't it brother?

"Mama! Time to wake up!" Iku rustles sluggishly out of the quilted soft bed that was unreasonably comfortable for such an old bed. The indent that was Yuuka's was easily filling out to Iku's form.

"Auuuwwwnn ngh." Stretching out and smelling the sweeten air around her. The steady thumps of the young celestial caught her attention. The days were getting warmer making the oarfish even more sluggish and tired than before.

"You want some morning mochi?" Tenshi offered the other mochi in her left hand that didn't have a giant bite mark left on it. Iku took it slowly and savor the taste of it.

"Daughter?"

"Yes?"

"You was right about my disposition."

"Meaning?"

"I should see your friends as friends and not gods and nuisances. They're good people that have carved their way into you. If only I had seen that sooner."

"Well, you was always a bit of a push over mom. I'm sorry for dragging you places all the time." Iku look at Tenshi and the tinge of red on her face as she tried to look at Iku wasn't helping her case.

"Good morning Tenshi."...

"Mornin...Mama." With that Tenshi hurried away with the sound of the front door opening and closing.

"I should thank them properly soon. Tenshi has become such a fine celestial." As she finished the confectionary she felt her tiredness overtake her body again.

"Looks like...I can't stay for much longer Yuuka. Then again, we're nearing a new horizon for all of us. Let us pray for our children's safety and futures. Divine Dragon I hope you watch over them for us when we're gone." Clasping her hands together Iku silently worshipped the one dragon above them all as she has done many times before. The warmth enveloping her again.

Tenshi hurriedly looked for the Doll and couldn't remove the visible blush from her face. She couldn't get used to this feeling of embarrassment and awareness of her current status with Iku and herself.

"When did I get so sentimental?" Checking the small greenhouse that she built with the others. The iced lettuce was ready to be harvest. The distinct sound of treading feet.

"Tenshi you ok girl?" She sighs and turns towards Medicine with the basket of lettuce in hand.

"To think that I look forward to talking with you and the others, or to experience new things without causing problems."

"It's weird, few months ago you was all about proving your strength by bullying us."

"I don't hate it, it's just...a lot to take in." Tenshi walks and stamps her foot causing a keystone to appear underneath her feet.

"Oi!? Careful!" Looking down at the doll and waving.

"I'll be back after selling these." Tenshi was soon floating away quickly towards the village with her haul in hand. Waving back at the surprised doll.

"When did she? Iku!" Medicine runs to confirm her suspicion of the Oarfish doings.

"Seeing Myouren himself? Surely, they must be having spring fevers?" Byakuren's worried face despite her small smile showing as she overheard the rumors growing recently. Shou tried to explained it away as just a coincidence of devout followers reaching nirvana. The other's didn't believed it either. But singular events that were outside the village started to arise of a "good Samaritan" appearing in something similar to Byakuren's garb. In haste Byakuren was constantly in prayer and singing sutras to calmed her mind. The group however, was certain she was wishing for her brother's return in secret.

"Namusan." Rising from her praying position and swiftly motion her hand to cease the burning of incense and candles around her. Her hair is dripping wet from the constant cleansing she's done since the rumors reached her. The rest watched silently as the usually serene monk had a troubled expression on her face despite the smile present in many situations. A small tilt of her head and the strands of hair clinged to her face in a vein attempt of not appearing unsightly. Her eyes squinting and redden from the water entering them. However, the crows feet appearing paints a different picture of the monk.

"To be cleanse of doubts, one must be ready to be questioned. If this spector is haunting me now. Surely, it is a sign from Buddha." Byakuren's reassurance wasn't compelling the slight shiver and shaking of her idling isn't the same as her confidence should be shown.

"Please, if I may?" Shou spoke up. Her face filled with the pensiveness of her thoughts.

"The reports and sightings are very much real and no sense of visual or memory tampering could be presented. However, there are heavy omissions on physical descriptions. The best we have is that he called himself Myouren. From outside guards and fisherman returning from the lake, to the contracted bamboo cutters. The same proclamations in every encounter."

"So the possibility of him being my real brother is?" Reluctantly Shou nods before being quickly drag to the cleansing ritual.

"Whoa!"

"MUST FILTER ALL DESIRES! EVERYONE TO THE CLEANSING AT ONCE INCLUDING JO'ON!" Byakuran's voice was booming and shaking the boards beneath her follower's feet as she used her enhancement magic to increase her vocal range. Everyone groan as the last time they were force into this ridiculous cleansing felt more like drowning.

"It's good to be back." I had a great rest notwithstanding a drunken but cute mind reader. Finally decided to take our leave back to the palace, but I need to get going back to the garden. Who knows what crazy stuff is happening up top. Satori eyes me in confusion.

"You wasn't staying over fully?" Not for this long when the garden still needs someone who can keep it maintained. That, and getting mogged every morning isn't all that fun. One of these nights I'll experience true loner bliss again.

"You're a weird one? But I can't lie, the thought of being alone fully would be a nice change of pace for myself. However, I supposed you're right. I need to get this messed of hair and hangover fixed." It's hard to believe that you enjoy hard liquor but after seeing you down ten sake party sizes at the festival. She blushes.

"It's not a crime when it's offered in fun." Yes. Though, in comparison my overly training ways are probably just as bad.

"Being so full of energy seems awful. I can only imagine how you cope with that wracking brain of your's."I stretch and nodded at Satori. I'll try to relaxed more and take more breaks but this body is more like I'm twenty years younger and thirty times less broken. I don't even get back pain anymore and I used to have it bad even when I was young. Her face scrunches up at me.

"Humans are weird, you're weird." Yeah, well so are you mindreader. We both smile.

"Okay, okay. I'll see you later then. Take care up there." Oh come on I'm careful. The incredulous look she gave me said everything as she smugly tried to hide behind the front door of the palace.

"No you're not."

*KLACK*

...No, I'm not. But that's ok.

"Phew!" Yesterday was exciting but waking up like that today so exposed and disheveled being draped over with the futon. I'm a wreck. Sliding down the door she just closed, reflecting on everything that has occurred over the week. The constant burning on her face that couldn't go away.

"Must've had some fun huh?" Finally looking at Orin standing in front of her. An unimpressed stare upon her face.

"I might not like him, but if he got you like this... I suppose I'll wait and see." Satori thought about reading her but was unnecessary as she felt it wasn't her business to pried the obvious from her. Getting up, Satori sighs before dropping most of her emotive face to the blank stare except for a small serene smile. The tired eyes casted slightly down looked more refreshed recently.

"Isn't it abit late to go back to normal now?"

"It's hard to returned to my normal mannerisms after everything that has happened. It's been an exhilarating and exhausting new experience. Orin." Satori wasn't exactly tall like Utsuho or Rin so her outstretched arms reaching upwards meant that she wanted to go for petting behind Rin's fluffy ears. Rin bowed and soon the ruffling of her master's hands began.

"Master. I just want to know why?" Satori's hands went slower to think of the right answer. This jealousy was nothing new to her.

"If you believe you're not good enough for my love? That is a lie Orin. You and Okuu are my family. I don't asked much beyond accepting me as your master, your friend, and your family. All of you are family."

"But what is he? He isn't a pet is he?"

"He is a person, with his own family, his own goals, his own wishes like the rest of us." Satori wonder if the resistance she felt from Rin was because of "that".

"Must you housed a cruel person like that?" There it is.

"Cruelty would've persist even after death. He lost alot of that feeling and finding out that such actions he feels guilty and knows he must be punished however, I feel like all the events around him are punishment enough."

"Meaning?" Satori recended her hands as Orin finally rose from her position.

"Everyone should have a chance at being loved Orin. But the love we shared is vastly different from the love I share with him. It's something personal to us both, something that can be easily broken and hard to repair, it takes alot out of us both to uphold that love. So when he shows up, he's giving his all and I should give my all to him in kind." Satori was aware of the customs of gensyokian prayer. Clasping her hands together she look at her ceiling.

"May the dragon watched over us." She felt abit clearer after announcing it aloud.

"I didn't think you cared about that nonsense." Smiling at her pet, Satori had alot to think about.

"I had my doubts but I have a feeling that with dragons coming back. Saying prayers is all I can do now. It's not like I don't believe in a god. I know better than that Orin." Belief...is a powerful thing here in Gensyoukyo.

"You're telling me you gave her powers back!?" So much for a good nap not too long after Iku close her eyes she heard the shrill cries of the doll. Her hair a complete wreck as she sorted it out in the mirror.

"I think it's the best I can do for Tenshi, she has much to learn down here. I understand you're upset but Tenshi should take care of herself a little better now." Medicine huff in annoyance.

"Fine, but if one keystone lands in the garden so help me." Turning to face the doll she absentmindedly began brushing the blonde unkempt curls that were forming.

"Just like Yuuka, you both haphazardly ignore your hair." Medicine fruitlessly tried to pry the oarfishe's working arms.

"Stop struggling, it'll be over soon."

"Dammit! Stop it!" Iku pause and the heavy blush adorn on Medicine's face only made her appear more childlike and Iku froze.

"What?" Iku got out of her stupor and return back to the desk mirror.

"Medicine, it's ok to open up to people, we have our differences but I see now that pushing away is more a reactionary thing rather than anything rational for you. I know you're worried about Yuuka being alone but this will pass over with no incident or harm. Besides, Yuuka is the strongest youkai of my time. There is nothing that can stop her." Iku's reassurance was built from rumors and tales of the flower lover's exploits. Everyone from the garden is or was a rebel with extraordinary strength to them. Born of earth, for earth, by earth. Iku is convinced that not many can truly oppose the 4 seasons youkai. But, these two and Tenshi have felt that power in real time. Iku felt her old habits resurfacing again, it's not everyday you have someone that can turn the heavens to dust. Her hands shaking from the built up electricity inside her veins.

"You ok?" Snapping out of it. She smiles at Medicine.

"Yes child, just let me fix your hair." Reluctantly Medicine step forward and Iku began her brushing again.

"So messy."

"So how come Venus left so late?"

"Your brother had some obligations to attend to in the underground."

"Oh, so it was to see Satori?" Trying to be subtle is hard when it's about relationships in this tiny place.

"I think it's nice that he worries about her and wanted to see her so soon after winter. However, I believe he's trying to do everything that's expected of him considering his position. I wish you kids acted more...well your age." Iku blink rapidly as she felt the instant surge of magic that could only come from one source.

"What is it?" Iku continue her brushing until the knots were fix.

"Do you naturally grow hair?" Iku swore the hair felt tougher and longer like it aged during winter.

"I don't know. Maybe?" Worryingly, Medicine began her meticulous checking of her hair.

"It doesn't feel any different." Iku didn't want to jump to a conclusion until she was certain of two things.

"Iku?"

"Sorry, it's best to say that you've been glowing recently." Medicine look weirded out.

"No, seriously what's the issue?" Before Iku could explain the front door being open interrupt her. The silent closing of the door meant only one person.

"Venus!?"

Walking inside I found a rare sight of Medicine being in Iku's lap. Getting off the oarfish her demeanor change until she ran into my arms.

"Welcome home." I wasn't gone that long was I? Returning a soft hug to...?

"What's wrong?" I swear my hands sink a little into her back. Like...skin. Without much thinking I knelt down and force Medicine to crane her neck to the left and usually she has a ball joint socket here. Instead I'm looking at muscle connections.

"WHAT'S WRONG!?" I let go and her face seemed even more human than usual. The blacken hole inside her open mouth and glassy look was very much gone.

"Medicine I think you lost your tsukigomu status and became a lower level living youkai." She looks lost for a moment before taking off. I was shocked too so I stood thinking of the possibilities.

It might be because of me, or just how youkai are.

"I must ask you to go after her. Even I didn't notice her change it must of happened fairly recently." I exhale exasperated at everything happening. I nod and headed to the only spot she would be.

I hope she's alright.

Medicine is a poisonous doll, she's immune to all types of toxins and being back in the field of white flowers and seeing her standing in the open clearing at the top.

"Go away!" It's a very scary thing. Becoming what you didn't think was possible. Walking up it I started to see Medicine was already casting her spells around her.

"I'm warning you!" Finally facing me and seeing the blackish streaks coming from what I guessed where her destroyed eyes. She clawed them out.

"Don't blame me for whats next!"

*Fwish*

Randomly throwing poison like this is like a temper tantrum. Dodging it was easy even without me using magic naturally seeing her arcs and the pain behind it. She probably doesn't know it's me with her being blind. So standing a few inches from her as she seems exhausted and opening her empty eyelids cause more bleeding of that black substance. Reaching out to her gently I wonder if I'll get paralyze again.

"Please, go away." Medicine froze as I cupped my hands over her eyes. I don't care if you're doll or not. I don't care if you have skin now or not. You're my little poisonous sister who swears like a sailor and hates being alone. Struggling to remove my hands from her face.

"I DON'T WANT TO BE LIKE THIS!" I release my hands and seeing her grey blue eyes again made me happy.

"I'm not Medicine anymore." No, you're melancholy as ever.

"Doll!?" Hey Tenshi, I move away as Tenshi came over seemingly tripping over herself.

"Augh!"

*Fwump*

Ooooooh. I winced as Tenshi sprang back up with clear irritated skin from touching the stuff.

"I'm ok!" Finally the three stooges of this place is back together again and I can't believe I actually miss Tenshi.

"You ok?" Medicine's worry for the growing rash on Tenshi's face and legs seem to not bother the celestial.

"I'm fine it's you I'm worry about doll. I thought someone was ruining your flowers or something."

"Stupid."

"Yeah and what does that make you? Dumb ass doll."

"You're testing my emotions chicken."

"So fuckin what, you got skin now and real eyes. You still bleed this black stuff so to me you're still just a doll." Medicine scoffs.

"I don't know how this happened. Why now did I break free from wood and iron? Harden joints and craftwork so immaculate that I was practically perfect?" I think you're still Medicine but hey, she's soft now so whenever I get glomp it's not like piece of wood hitting me. But something was off about the skin and muscle connections. Though define there were small concaves when she turns. So without much of her hesitation I began to turn her head a full 360 around.

"Venus! What are you doing!?" I see...the skin and connections are probably from a very specific source. I let go and watch as her head whip back in place. She realizes what I was implying and tested her leg turn radius and it too was a full 360 of turning before snapping back as well like it was a spring.

"Alice?" It's very possible given her M.O. If Alice is dabbling in higher tier types of materials human skin,bones, any flesh isn't out of the question.

"We were all here though for awhile so unless she enter uninvited the only way she could do this would be?" The material Alice used during the body repair. She enchanted it and wanted her head on a new body. It's not out of her wheel house. What a scary obsession.

"So are we going to attack the dollmaker?" No? Nothing and no one was harm but I can't rule out myself but technically Medicine is an undead. I shouldn't be able to cause skin to grow.

If you want input kin, no it's not possible. I have tried many times to revive my fallen comrades, and familials. Even I am impressed by this witches skill.

If it was from Alice then she must have a reason. Just having Medicine's used parts and a day of repair meant she was prepared for that moment.

Alice...

"So what's the plan?"

"Nothing Tenshi, I'm not hurt and I'm still a freak. I was afraid I actually became a human or something. Alice invaded my privacy and tricked me into her insane plans.But without her, I'd be limping around with a wittle down stump for a leg. I probably fell asleep and Alice activated the spell and none of us notice cause of how crazy it's been. I also felt more tired after meeting the dream eater." I think we should head over just to be sure. I didn't hesitate in flying towards her house and with the other two in tow the day was still starting.

"I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask because I can't believe it, and if she did do it. Why?" Alice was conveniently watering some flowers and keeping her back turned to us.

"Alice!"

"Don't yell, the fairies will come a knockin." Turning around she look up and down at Medicine. You didn't.

"My my Medichan" Getting closer and examining her supposed handiwork.

"I really outdid mother. Now I can complete the next part."

"Next part?"

"Yes, a meat puppet of myself built from my very essence after I found traces of a substance that was like blood and bone. It reacted to my hair, skin, whenever I put myself into it it began to form." Alice walk over to a shed to the right and the creaking sound of wheels and grunting.

"Heeeaaavy girrrll, I decapitated her and kept the head under now I just need the perfect pilot."She turn around the trolley and other then the cloth covering it the head stump was cleanly cut. What the fuck Alice? Something told me that it wasn't just luck that got her here.

"Medicine I covered the limbs and joints in my DNA and enchanted it to grow a thinner layer of skin and some muscles don't you feel stronger?" Alice to me wasn't this weird, obsession with making a living doll meant she wanted to create life like her mother Shinki. This wasn't what I thought it'll be like. Alice was open mouth awed at her accomplished beheaded clone.

"For a dollmaker, playing with dolls is one thing, but this is a new layer of creepy." Tenshi looked disgusted at the thing.

"Alice, that thing is an abomination. Coming from me that is ironic. Destroy it and go back to being a normal dollmaker." Alice looked less manic, like she's...defeated?

"I can't...I can't destroy it. It regenerates even at a cellular level. I can only keep it frozen. However, I have you Medi-chan. If I put your poisoned infused flesh it'll be able to merge with you." Medicine grimaces at the thought before running up and shoving her fingers into her mouth.

Don't tell me.

"BLLLEUUGH!" Alot stuff fell into the opened hole and Alice didn't stopped her. Hopping off and stumbling around, you ok Medicine?

"HOWWS that foooorr an answer bitch?" Dopey eyed Medicine emphasise bitch with a pointing finger at Alice shakingly. Alice sighs and wheels the decaying body away. Coming back wiping the purple vomit from her hands.

"Well it was worth a shot to ask you. But I'll keep it here in case you change your mind."

"Hell no! Now take this skin off me!"

"I can't, it recognized your composition and copied it. The stuff was found during the famine. I was so curious and got excited and now I have a clone filled with poison from your hollow stomach."

"So you deliberately designed everything that way so I didn't get hurt but what about this body?"

"Oh the joints are desolving as we speak and probably bone is replacing it in a doll like fashion."

"You're saying this skin stuff is keeping me from falling over right now?" Alice nods.

"...Shit."

"You'll probably be extremely flexible and will have kinda light bone structure." Light bone structure?

"So, I can do all the stuff I do no problems?"

"Yes, but you'll have higher strength so I recommend you get exercise."

"Am I human?"

"No."

"A doll."

"Yes."

"The fuck?"

"I can make you regular body or do you want one of my human size body replicas of me."

"How?"

"Your head skin and hair are not the same as the body. I can easily put it on other doll bodies. As long as you have a soul and core intact I can easily move it to a new one." Medicine looked at her hands.

"You are creepy."

"Yes and I apologize."

"I'll take a new body."

"Not a problem. Just cut your mid section open and reach into the skeletal core." Alice already had a dagger ready and Medicine lifted the top part of the skirt and with a quick precise cut Alice reach inside and pull hard.

"EUUUGH!" Medicine fell down or rather what was left of that medicine body and in Alices hands dripping and shaking from the rapid decay happening to her was a glowing purple orb.

"This is Medicine. This is her everything. This is what I couldn't show you Venus." That's great, now can I have my sister back now please?

"That's fucked up man, are those extra bodies like...tall or something?" Alice quickly left. This looks like a crime scene. With two dumbasses standing around the body after witnessing a murder. Now I know who was used.

Vector.

"Today is filled with surprises. Though, if I had known that's how the doll works. It would be so easy to kill her." Yeah... I stare at the thing I always saw as Medicine, but I couldn't lie. She was built, not born. No point chasing after Alice. I felt sick and pick up the body.

"Yoooo! Who died!?" Hey Marisa. Her smile faded when she saw who it was.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry for your loss Venus." Well she isn't dead. However, I gave Tenshi a stare and we decided to wing it.

"Why the Celestial here ze? Better yet if you're both here does that mean she got broken beyond repair this time."

"Oh? The Doll was defending her flower field and got rough up by some pretty mean ferals before we both could get her fixed up. Lover boy was out with his mindreader doing gods knows what and dragoning his ass back this morning only to come to a funeral."

"Dammit! When aye find the next pack of ferals aye'll give'em a wallop for sure an' fried their asses to kingdom come! I might've not like the ol gal but dammit, we're all livin here together like an extended family and aye would hate ta lose ya'll ze."

"I'm back." Hey Medicine. Man, there's always something that happens to you. Of course Medicine was about as tall as Marisa now which was still shorter than Me or Tenshi. Same blonde hair, but her glass eyed expressions looked more dead inside.

"What the hey!? Are ya fuckin with me!?" Kinda...yeah. All three of us snicker at her dumb face and laugh. Today was absurdly stupid.

"Atleast tell me what happened."

"Yeah, I "died" and now I'm in this body. The other got too raggedy and...fleshy." Without much hesitation all three of us pitch in burning the old body. Goodbye Vector genes. See ya never.

"Youkai are weirdos." Marisa look dumbfounded at the three smiling at the flames.

"I'm a youkai Marisa. It kinda just comes with the place."

"Now Alice, aye didn't mean you exactly but-!?"

"Oh really? You called my hobbies weird, which means my livelihood is also weird, which makes my mother weird...if you mean all of us together then you should go see a mirror." They're ruining our moment.

"Lets just go." Way ahead of you Medicine.

"Bye...Bitch." Classy.

Author notes: Thank you waiting patiently and yes, the last part wasn't exactly planned but I couldn't stopped writing it. Probably a mood killer and it's not the usual reaction. Maybe because you just get used to the craziness and you embrace it. Also, the boys all gathering next two chapters. Funny thing...today is my birthday.