Sibling Issues 1

The two sets of clashing blades rung throughout the entire Dojo. Fortunately, it was fortified enough by the owner to remain for a long time.

"Still not a scratch, huh?... I'm been completely defeated. The win is yours, Sara." Shinobu, who was forced into the ground, surrendered.

Unsurprisingly, the bout between the two electro disciples finished first.

"Your progress in the past few days have been remarkable, Kuki. I doubt this streak of mine will last long." The tengu replied with a smile as she lent a hand to help her sparring friend.

"Your tengu bloodline really is something else. I can't see myself defeating you at all." Kuki said with a wry smile.

"Don't be so sure about that. If I'm not mistaken... His Majesty, Raiden Lu, taught us all as equals. So we should believe in whatever reason he may have to do so." Sara tried to cheer her up, by using what she heard from her seniors tengus during one of her sessions with them.

"That actually makes sense... I hope so... 𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘨𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥..." The shinobi replied with a thoughtful expression.

"Speaking of which... How come you went back to calling Lu that way? You seemed to have gotten more casual with him lately." She immediately added afterwards.

"...Something on your mind, Kuki? You seem out of it most of the time, lately." Sara pried in worry. but she didn't receive an answer.

"Anyway, look around. That should give you enough hints on why I do so."

Shinobu took her advice and decided to survey the area. She easily understood the whole picture after finding a tough duel between two familiar faces on their far left.

"Lady Orihime, huh... I doubt she cared that much about formality though..." The shinobi murmured skeptically.

"She doesn't. But that doesn't exempt the fact that the Kitsune Saiguu is one of his Majesty's closest friends." Sara strictly berated.

"You really value his opinion of you that much? If I don't know better, I would believe that you have a crush on him." Kuki shrugged with a visible smirk.

She had been comfortable enough to remove her mask around her fellow students and a few exceptions.

"...Are you out of your mind???! You do know that he is our, the tengu's Great Ancestor right? He is still revered by the entire faction even to this day. And you're implying that I desire him?!!!" The flustered tengu shouted in response.

"I mean... I don't know how it works for your race, but you're not even related in the first place. So I don't see a problem with that... If anything, I'll do my best to support you-"

"Enough of that. We're going up front to greet them... And you better not utter such nonsense in front of her Eminence." Sara dragged the tired shinobi with her.

"Hai~ Hai~, Even I'm not shameless enough to do that. Now, let me walk on my own."

The two then moved towards the other arena with a strange atmosphere.

...

..

.

"Good work. The Kamisato Clan must be blessed with someone like you among them, Little Ayaka." Orihime complimented as their duel ended in an obvious conclusion.

"You overexaggerate your words, Lady Orihime. But I must say I am quite touched." The princess smiled in response.

"Did I really? I heard a lot of the feats about the current Yashiro Commisioner from Yae. But to think that his sister is also this talented. I guess Lu's teaching skills isn't just a fluke." The kitsune slyly implied.

"...I certainly didn't expect that your Eminence are interested in these kind of things. But I'm afraid that I cannot share such details... for this is solely a family matter." Ayaka came off a little aggressive by the end.

"Is that so? Then do forgive me for being insensitive. I was simply interested on why you looked quite stressed in my eyes." Orihime apologized with a slight bow.

"That was a wonderful battle, both of you. I am blessed for beholding such a sight." Sara tried her best to copy Lu on how to make a proper entrance. That definitely will not go well...

"What's with the heavy mood, everyone? Discussing a certain someone's affair?" Kuki for the rescue! Only to remind them of a grim revelation...

"A pleasant day for you too. We were just about to be finished so you two came at the right time." The kitsune greeted back, while Ayaka only nodded with a heavy sigh.

"Anyway... Don't bring him up again. I'd rather have a day free of thoughts about him occasionally." Orihime threatened both of them.

"I'm sorry but I must excuse myself for the day. There are responsibilities I can't leave behind, back in the clan." Ayaka tried to depart while she could. Yet...

"What's with the hurry, Ayaka? How about we go somewhere first to have a pleasant chat first? Of course, you two are invited as well." The foxy lady invited with a sly smile.

"I'm afraid that I must still decline, Lady Orihime. Maybe next time..." Yet Ayaka didn't relent.

"I see... Then, I bid you good luck in these issues of yours. May you have a calm heart when we meet again." The princess waited for her response to finish before leaving by herself.

"How about you two? Care for a chat?" Orihime repeated as they watched the frost maiden leave.

"Oh? You're hosting a party, Aunt? I don't know about these two but I'm definitely joining. Along with Yoshitsune here." Two flying tengus landed next to the three.

"I would love to join, Lady Orihime." Sara replied with sparkling eyes.

"I'll pass as well. The chief is calling for me." Kuki tried to leave as well...

"Which one? Can you enlighten me, Kuki?" Orihime questioned with the same sly expression, yet... she didn't receive a response as the shinobi left fast.

"That's too bad... But I believe we should still have enough people." The Kitsune murmured.

"That's right Aunt! Bring out all the sake we have, Sara!" Reizenbou exclaimed with a grin.

"Um... All of them was gone due to the festival, milord. Did you forget?" Yoshitsune was feeling a headache coming.

"Really?... Then just ask father. It's impossible for him to run out of things anyway." The Tengu Faction Leader suggested like she was stating an absolute truth.

"...I-I don't think that's a good idea-" Sara attempted to stop them but...

"That's a great idea~. 𝘠𝘦𝘴~. 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮. But Little Reizenbou... We're talking about what you called me later..." Orihime said with narrowed eyes.

***

Yo!

I should be done with all the relevant lore about Sumeru. And frankly, there's really not much to change.

So keeping the chapters stocked is a big F for me.

***

Gimme all the powerstones as usual. I'm using it as rituals for rolling in gachas LOL.