A plan in place

"So we are in agreement that Aisling and Maureen will come to my home after the kids are at school. Then on Friday evening, the rest will arrive a few at a time. That way, no one will know exactly how many guests I truly have. We will treat it as just a casual visit . That way, the kids can try to get close to Kati to vibe the entity. " Aria gathers the list that Maureen gave her. Tomorrow they can walk around the market to gather ingredients. Waving bye to everyone, Aria portals back to her house. Everyone starts to leave; Lotus takes her younger sibling inside to put them to bed while her parents talk to Lilli and Shiro.

"First off, we are not upset about earlier. I'm actually happy your destined love is Shiro. He has been a part of the family for years and is already accustomed to us. I was just a little surprised that you launched yourself at him like that. " Astila looks at Lili as she blushes.

" I honestly found out earlier today when I was at Aria. Remi told me she found out years ago but that Shiro was afraid for you to find out. So she kept his secret . I'm happy for both of you, but I think some explanations are in order. I think it's time to explain why you had to keep such a secret. "Aisling nudges Shiro to explain.

"There is a curse associated with my kind. When we find our destined loves, they begin to have heightened senses and powers. To prove their love to show that the fox is worthy, they are required to give their life for the fox to become human. That is why we are not supposed to reveal ourselves before the age of choosing. The power of the fox could corrupt the soul of his love. I was afraid of corrupting your soul, and I never wanted you to sacrifice yourself for me. Morrigan says that since I sacrificed my soul orb to save her that my lover will not have to be sacrificed for me to become human. I still feared that with my powers added to yours that it could harm you, so I could not reveal myself . I'm sorry for deceiving you all these years. It was not my intention. When I met up with Shiro, I did not expect that he would bring me into your life so early. I love you more than my own life Lilli. I would have stayed close to protect you and not ever have been with you. I never want you to have to choose between yourself or me. I was relieved when I was told that you would not have to make that choice. I know how you have been trained to control your powers and that you have a pure heart . I have no worries about you getting my powers. " Shiro takes Lilli's hand and raises it to his lips.

"I love you in any form; I already knew of the curse, by the way. I read up on the legends of Imari and her foxes. When I learned of the curse, I asked Morrigan about it and later mama Imari. They both told me about how the father promised that you could spend your full life with your love. I would choose you over everything else. You and my family are more important than my life in my heart. " Lilli lays her head on Shiro's shoulder, wanting to be closer to him. Aisling elbows Astila to get his attention. Nosing at him, he clears his throat to get the couple's attention.

"We do need some ground rules. No more shimmering or using portals to see each other without permission. Especially until we see how Shiro's powers will affect Lilli, we already know your parents love Lilli but do not think she is proper wife material for you. So Aisling has already taken steps to rectify that problem. Your father wants you to marry someone with money and business connections. What he doesn't know is that Aisling is worth quite a lot and owns several businesses. She owns a rather large company in Japan that already has connections with your father's company. Yona placed many of your assets under Aisling's company so that when the two of you marry, you will be able to reclaim Mori investments and all of your previous life's holdings without suspicion. As the company's CFO, it was well within his power of things. To your parents, he is just an attorney, but in actuality, he has a powerful reputation in the business world. When the time is right, we will agree to approach them with a merger of families. " Astila informs Shiro watching him closely to see if he is upset with the idea. Seeing that he is not Aisling and Astila sighs in relief. Looking at his watch, Astila let's them know it's time to say good night. Astila and Aisling stand and go inside, leaving the couple alone to say good night.

Shiro looks at Lilli in the moonlight. Her eyes shining as she looks up at him.

"So now that I know that the man I met as a child is you . I'm happy beyond imagining; I was dreading the thought of someone else showing up and wanting to separate the two of us. I was going to tell him that I loved you and could not be apart from you ." Lilli stands on the top toe and softly kisses Shiro goodnight.

"Oh, and by the way, I loved it when your tails came out. I hope it happens a lot when we are alone. " winking at him, Lilli turns and rushes inside. Shiro smiles and begins to hum as he shimmers back to his place in England.

It's already daylight when he returns and time to attend class . Rushing to shower and change, Shiro happily goes to class . Not even feeling tired from being up all night. Aria watches as he rushes out of his housekeeping a close watch on Kati. Noticing the birds that have arrived, she whispers.

"Keep a close watch on him. Report everything you see . " Aria hears the caw of the birds before they take flight following Shiro. Going into her kitchen Aria presses a lever on the wall, and a secret room opens. Inside is a scrying pool. Picking up a pendulum of clear Crystal, she begins.

"Meld my eyes to those that fly show me what is in thy sight." Aria chants. The water in the bowl begins to ripple, and she sees Shiro making it to class just before it begins. She also notices that there is a girl staring at him. Looking closely, she notices that she has the mark of a silver fox on her neck. She is a female kitsune. Watching her, she sees that she is trying to mark Shiro. Luckily it is unsuccessful, but why can she not sense he is a fox just like her. Aria calls for a butterfly to carry a message.

"Ask the goddess Imari if I can have an audience. Tell it to her that it involves a fox." Aria sends the butterfly away with the message . Waiting for her visitors to arrive, Aria prepares for their outings. She notices that when she goes back to the kitchen that an envelope is on the table. Opening it, she reads

"My child

You will meet your love within the month; If you want to be happy, you must defeat Izeal.

Father" seeing the name she knows it's not familiar who is Izeal ? Aria wonders as she goes to greet her guests and start their ruse to trap Kati.

Aisling and Maureen arrive not long after lunchtime. The three ladies head for the market square and shops. They make a point of having Kati see them together every chance they have so she is not taken off guard on the weekend. They hear a bird caw from above and see Shiro heading there way down the street. Aria calls to him.

"Shiro come and meet my friends from America." Aria makes sure that Kati can hear her. Shiro's smile is bright as he crosses the street to meet the ladies.

"Aunt Aria I'm so happy to see you today. My father told me to make sure to visit you often." Shiro says loudly making it seem as if they are related. Kati glares at them. She was not aware that the Kaji family had any ties to anyone here. That will make her revenge harder. Kati turns towards her house nodding at the girl from Shiro's class. It's not obvious if they know each other or not but the three ladies took note of their actions.

"Shiro would you like to have dinner with us tonight?" Aria asks him.

"I would be delighted to have such charming ladies as my dinner partners. It can be my treat if you like you name the restaurant and I will pay." Shiro smiles at Aria waiting for her answer.

"Oh my dear that is not necessary. I have already started dinner come by in about an hour it will be ready. " Aria tells him as the three ladies move towards Aria's house. Shiro enters his building to get ready. When he entered he heard a noise coming from the kitchen. When he entered Imari was there waiting for him.