Teen Titans New Gen Presents – Tokyo Knights –

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Chapter 24: The Difference Between the Ridiculously Wealthy and the Moderately Miserable

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Aya waited outside with Iyori as Reizo got off the phone with a caller. One that could determine the outcome of this school. Ami stuck by as she was told about the now missing director and how Inari was told to butt out. He was apparently in a way, very connected to the missing Headmistress. The entire school was deviled and even the new teacher was dabbing her eyes and wondering what went wrong when they'd been under a full-scale attack. Saturday started to pack and Auden knew something was very amiss.

"Where are you taking her things? Ami, list –

"You can't take her back…she's not safe out there! The demon –

The girl was pressured to stay back as Haru and Kaede defended their charge. The door opened and Iyoro was there in her travel clothing with suitcases being packed up. "I…Ami, I cannot be –

"Tell him you won't do it!" Ami yelled out in exclamation at her new friend. "Saturday….if you cared, she'd be here. We can do this. I don't its right to pull her out of school."

"You are not the master of our mistress. Her father decrees that she ne sent back to Kyoto for furthering her academics to live away from the dangers. Under truly trained Onmyouji-

"That's wrong! She's not safe, though! Her curse..."

"Is better protected by our clan." Reizo sniffed. "You've just gotten her out of more danger and her degree of ethics slipping terribly. I had beloved my future partner, safe…"

Iyori blushed and didn't say a thing.

"Yes, she is, arranged to take my hand. I'm not related to her family but my role as her protector was clear the moment we met. And your family….has shown that this place will put us in even more danger. Her magic is fragile, you all treat it like some trinket!" He bashed Aiden as the boy sputtered out a retort.

"Ami is a protector and has done more than you are trying to right now. Our entire family is working together, but you can't face whoever is hurting your family all alone. You may be close to Iyori, but I bet she doesn't even want this. Right?"

Iyori put her head down abd saddened as her supposed betrothed crossed his arms with cell in hand.

"It's true. At first. I had to stay, do so to keep others around me from getting hurt. Yet, I can now see that this isn't possible. Where I should be, is home. Where I belong."

"Iyori sama." Aya stood up taller and did not bow to Reizo. She knew he reported to a man who was always to cruel with Iyori's needs. "I would summon the forces if my very life to see you safe, yet I feel. That beyond these walls, may only walk more danger. I will go –

"No, not anymore."

Iyori looked to Reizo with the others. "Iyori, unbind the contract you have with grandfather's choice of spirit. She is obviously too weak to stop any threat by her size alone. She nearly lost sight; you are a fool to think you could become something more."

"You press on the weak." Eiji growled from a few feet off. "I smell a temper on you that you can't have dtay hidden, but not at her. Boy."

Reizo flinched, cleaning his throat as he dismissed the attitude and pulled Iyori improperly to the hall to go. "Saturday will transport your bags for us."

"Brother, I…I can't leave her."

Reizo glared at Iyori as Aya's elven ears perked up. "She has been with me since mother was still alive. Sge was contracted to me as…a friend, not a –

"YOU are a Dairenji." The older man boomed back. "She will only hold you back from continuing to realize that father, that our fates are dictated by his plans. You will stay on that path or you'll be cast out as nothing. You have magic that could have killed this entire –

"But she didn't." The face of Kazuya emerged as he frowned from around the corner. "I cannot permit this without the proper authority."

"Father has sent the forms in triplicate."

"She's a person, not a pet." Kazuya said. "If you love her unto death, do you part, why are you also trembling?"

"I…" Reizo let go as he eyed the curious director. "I will be taking over for Miss. Kotori. It seems she has been spirited off somewhere. Our best magi are on it. Yet, Iyori? Is this really what you wish?"

"We have no say, as he says." She recited back and turned from them. Her long dark hair abd eyes masking uncertain times ahead. "Aya, you'll stay and become a new familiar to someone else-

"I won't, Lady Iyori sama!"

"I SAID. TO STAY ." Iyori lifted her hand as Aya had to fall to her knees by that command. Her heart ached as she nearly fell over by the curse taking its toll.

"No…. what…whatever curse it is, we can stop it."

"You can't stop it. Her death would be on your hands. Failed protector." Sniffed Reizo as Iyori never looked back. "Whatever my future betrothed has here, it shall be retrieved at a later date. Take care not to move her things before then."

Kazuya really was useless as Kaede finally snapped once the two were out of view. "You…fucking prick! You knew she was not obligated to leave on her own! Why??"

"Without the true director in her seat, I am truly powerless. And truly…truly, sorry "The man – God sadly pushed off to find the seat he'd be glued to until his incarnations found the old director. Had he only told them that he was her Shinigami in a way.

There was not, as Ami's big blue eyes were the only confirmation that he had needed.

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They took the suv out. Black tinted windows as the TV screen in it flashed on. ~ She was retrieved. Iyori. ~

"Father." The girl looked coldly back to her only protector now. ~ Your mother never stared at anyone so disrespectfully. ~ Kohaku noticed. ~ If you are to be a proper bride and fortify the future you've had set out for you since birth, I expect you to be more accommodating to those whom you should show such respect. ~

"I, AM VERY SORRY, Dear father….it was my fault that this became your concern. I won't be learning magic from these novices. They are too uncooperative. Please, I beg you not to be upset towards…"

Reizo seized up as a reprimanded had him look away.

~ You are to marry and expand your branch of the family. Your mother's father's words are foolish dribble. You intend to learn magic? Run a shrine that is destitute? You have the crest of the Dairenji…and I will not be told not to punish those that cannot respect our ways! You do not tell your father who should be spared. I know what is best, you do not. ~

" I …apologize, sir…I wish only to try over again to right any wrongs I might have caused."

Reizo felt truly sick as he heard the ceo of a toy and game company yell at his own kid and badmouth her other half if the family. That was the side that had determined that she needed him, and now…this outsider had come into the picture to make matters even more difficult.

This day and age did not apply as their father had put it, to the statistically wealthy. Bloodline, support and bond were theirs to know. Iyori's mother had not been these things, yet she'd had him as a different person before her birth. Since then, Iyori was blamed for her mother's passing because her curse…the Abe line in her blood. Her mother's blood. He said she had brought had brought that omen of death; that if she was never conceived, then Fuyumi would never have died. Never would have been sacrificed like a victim that she wasn't.

Her grandfather had been banned from speaking to Iyori or his future grandchildren. The old man had told Iyori not to lose hope. Hope? She was wedding her…her fake family! He was adopted to be outside their bloodline and to have non magical babies…she'd be so useless and her shares would still belong to her father and maybe her first born if he allowed that!

"Grandfather trusted you to care for us. I just hope. I might do as they expect of me in your family. Not as a failed conquest

-~ You'll be punished as soon as you are to the manor. I won't have your back talk. ~ Snapped the girl's father.

~ My future grandchild won't have that foul a mouth. ~ Sneered the adult. ~ They won't be so free spirited as well. You are not to leave without my consent. That is final . ~

Iyori's mouth clamped shut as the older man looked to Reizo. The boy also, was hiding his shame as Mr. Kohaku huffed.

~ My ancestor supported this family since before the Meiji era. We have stayed in power, yet you believe it right to both relieve yourself from your duties as the next to take to stand beside their position. You will…NEVER be accepted. I brought you into this time, I gave you back what was taken so long ago…I deserve that respect from you both. Go back to the manor and, shall join in a matter of hours. ~

"Yes, Kohaku – dono…" Reizo bowed his head, hoping that he could try to calm down his future wife. "We'll be arriving, post- haste."

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Ami stomped outside as the three; Eiji, Kaede and Haru transformed into their animal selves and trailed off behind. Ami made her way to the stone walk that lead to the base of the mountain here in Osaka. She took a deep breath and started one food down, before she had her footing and paused. The normal spot for a god to walk…

She didn't. She walked to the side, not where Amaterasu hime would-

Ami thought she had slipped. A fall that far would fracture so much, but her spirit. The Astral self she saw wasn't a demon, but a moth.

A witch, called Ageha.

~ Funny finding this little a magus in my domain. ~

~How…where…??~ Ami noticed herself floating as Ageha took out a long pipe and began to blow rings off into the air of another spirit plane without a face. All a haze, this had to be a spiriting session. She was called here, but it wasn't Jorogumo and her lair, but her lackey's …

~ Why did you rip me from my reality? You're not allowed past the gates –

~ Demons cannot come and go, little miko. I however…~ Ageha puffed out a wisp of silvery air as Ami tried not to take breath in. Should it be miasma that had her. ~ I, am a spirit, once mortal long before Jorogumo, yet about as young as Iyori's only family. My demands are simply this for bringing you to my void; I want to meet, to have you accept a way that may save Iyori – sama from her fate. The cost will be great, your soul. Loyal, and to our covenant –

~ Why would I sell anything to you? ~

~ You care, little miko – chan. You, are love and light upon the grey world that became of our dear Edo. I was once of ancient Chinese blood of the Han, and moved. I sought comfort and Jorogumo gave that up. All of her body is felt on another plane and cannot access this one layer through the veil if time. ~

~ Then, she shouldn't have to leave it. Stay away, and let me go. Iyori…I'll find another way –

~ Why? ~ Pointed the goddess to a hole in her perfect illusion. The gap widened as it did. The Truth was hard to spot as Ami felt her eyes shutting. She could not fall to the smoke as it willed her to cough.

~ You won't find any other answers here. You must go to Kyoto, but what of it then? Her father is quite cruel to the child. I was aware of her for a very long time. ~ Sighed out the demon, creepily. ~ She has one ancestor that might be useful. I can give you a head start before the clock ticking out of your favor, my child. ~

~ Why…are you doing this? ~ Ami gulped as her lungs started to itch. ~ Iyori, everyone says her powers are locked away like mine were. Why is she so dangerous? If you know all the answers, what did you do to my partner to hurt her like that? ~ Ami sniffed. ~ I –

~ Oh, speaking of which…~ Wondered the daemon with a blink of her long lashes, ~ I recall coming into contact with a boy. Two years apart in the city of London…I freed him from doubt. Had him give all of his troubles back to live as he liked. If you don't meet and discuss what I want…we could always do a trade. You, for him. Only temporary? ~

~Huh? ~ Ami slipped away as the coughs got harder to manage. Her eyes burned from how much smoke was trapped in this space. ~ Wh…who? ~

~ Why, a God you stole from our side of the realm of the uncanny. He was a red king with much promise, and your magi ally was not fond that we were working together in the past. That poor child…~

Ami saw in her mind's eye, Lilith. This was the same, so she brought up her hands with all the strength she could. ~ If I meet with you, it will be to get answers, not sell myself short. ~

~ I love how you shimmer for me, future lady! ~ Squealed the godless butterfly. Her wings wafted as a stream of specks from the large wings she carried, pelted Ami and nearly made her see only darkness.

~ The red-light district. Now, a time where night reigns….do not bring your Foxes, or I will know it…~

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Ami found herself at the very bottom of the step. Looking down, was Eiji as she licked in on his gaze and nodded.

Tonight. It would be a trip to add to her list of places to visit before passing on.

"There, I see …Ami?" Aiden panted down the steps as the girl turned from him almost coldly. "I have to go back to Yumi's this week. I'll let Kazuya handle it from here."

"Ami-

The foxes bounded over to her as they walked together. Her aura of disappointment was too hard not to sneeze as Eiji took one good look.

The wings of a butterfly, or no. An eight legged's thread was hanging from Ami's silhouette in the late hours of the day.

"Yumi…she is the Yuki – onna, which looks over your dwelling place?" He asked.

"She's like our big sister." Kaede scratched the side of her face and replied. "She houses us when we go from place to place and are not on call, so like a wayward spot – I wouldn't call it home though."

"I was talking about your, Yumi."

"Ah, that." Kaede bit her lip. "You may have met, actually. She's the half child of Lady A from the other plane. The one we were told never to question?" She teased.

Eiji sniffed and walked on ahead while rest of the group felt out of some large loop. "I…wait. Didn't you say someone came to visit, Am's?"

Visit, and who had been stuck with no way home until Grayson jumped back to their world through a portal in Yumi's kitchen.

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Jackie flicked on her screen and sighed. A guest, while being ignored, she groaned. There was a knock at the guest room door as she put down her device and laid down onto her side.

~ Jacks? May I come in?~

Dick was back. Whoo hoo. She turned her head and grumbled out a 'sure,' which he heard plenty of. Dick twisted the know and slowly pulled it away. "Hey, good news. I just got a message from Aiden. He made it to the school and…Ami's headed back as soon as she can by tonight. We'll see her in a few hours."

"So?"

"Ah….look." Dick slumped his shoulders and seemed beaten to the quick of this argument. Cy was going to get pissed if Jackie came home less ambitious than earlier. She'd planned an entire week for her girlfriend, and Ami had ditched the teen for, what? A grand adventure and a big one conspiracy as her excuse to blow the smartest one off?

"When you see her, tell her the truth. I get it I was worse than her, once. As Robin, I did have the chance to perfect my martial arts after I lost a fight against Kitarou. He was acting as if he had everything abd I had nothing. No wits, no skill. So, I dug through my stuff and went all the way to rural China up to a big mountain to find the True Master. They were known go only teach those worthy of their life's work. Training warriors for decades. I had to see why Kitarou was do good, so I went and . .. turns out, I didn't know how much Kori really missed me back home at the tower." He grinned. "She and the others had raided my room and were wgen I finally hot home, trained and stopped a bad guy that had fibbed about a lot more than I'd have to question, the entire team was dressed. As Robin."

Jackie raised her eye and her neck craned over as she rose from the bed. "Say, what now?"

"Y..yeah, Kitarou had only told me he was that good because he'd been rejected as the True Master's pupil, so he used me as a way to pass her tests and then went ahead fir himself to face her and gain her favor. She-

"Whoa, that part you left out." Jackie blinked. "Who was 'she?" A young grasshopper shifu or something? And why did the Titans mess up your stuff like that? What were you guys even doing off the xlock??"

"Haay, calm down. We didn't have anything to worry about. Ah, here." Dick pulled out his cell and scrolled over to a photo app he'd kept with every last image going back…uploaded.

"This is her. And them."

She saw the titans, even her dad and found it handled not to chuckle at the bright red, gold and green – Cy's chest popping out of the vest the hero had in multiple numbers like a woman or fashion bug with a monstrous show closet. "What? Did you make this to wear all the time? Like a gag joke, that is just messed up. Oh! She's…."

"Chui – hui." Knowledge. She had been on that land for a long time. The statue I first saw when I got to the farm she was pulling up root vegetables from was where her family first got started, and after that her great, great great, great-

"Got all a that. So you went away and they missed you. But she'd be coming home fir a different reason than seeing her girl friend. We may have ta take a break until her new mission is done or something. I just…don't wanna feel like I'm here waiting forever, and she can tell me when she feels ready ta start again. I won't judge."

"That'svery mature of you, Jax. But the point of this story was that no matter the distance, even if I was just well, at war with my enemies on some planet other than earth, I never stopped wanting to see my friends and Kori again. I just had to steel away my emotions and power through, or else others would get hurt. All part of being a hero. You know it, you can still use Erebus's gift and techo magic, right?"

"Sometimes. Only when I have to. No sense in wasting my powers on eavesdropping or getting hurt by any of the demons you are still fighting." She said. "How, is Raku?"

"Still, not altogether." Dick leaned into the wall and put his phone back away. "John is on a warpath to save his pupil and to find Jorogumo's lair. We think it is between voids and not directly on top of this one but below it. I think it's more complicated than that. When I was there, it looked like a dead place. Dark, dusty. Like a tomb."

"She was originally human, I thought."

"She was, and she got corrupted and became…that. She used to be a part of the courtiers that plotted to get rid if Abe no Seimei. She failed and he banished her, so the story goes. She also had a connection to Roku….when he was, Roku."

"So he knows Abe no Seimei, then? Iyori's ancestor?" Jax corrected. "We could try to dig s big deeper." She looked over her bed and pulled out her laptop from her suitcase beside the frame. "I can do some research on every possible demon or deity that Seimei ever cane into contact with. Don't worry. This is my golden week, so I can chill here and help –

"You and Ami are still going strong." Smiled the cop as he thanked the girl from being a good friend all this time to his youngest. "She'd be a dope not to see that."

" Don't I know it, Uncle Richie."

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So, this next part is all horror all the time . Make way! Midnight in Red Lights – Winged Terror on the ground floor, coming up!

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