Kiyo and Kino

(Shangri-La)

"ZEUS, WHERE IS Proteus?"

 Sensing this was a private matter, Neptune, Triton, Oceanus, and Njord had departed, leaving them to talk.

 "Currently he's in a parasito form, in this world here." Zeus snaps his fingers and an image of the parasites in a jar appears.

 "If you knew where he was, why didn't you bring him home?" Poseidon asked.

 "Unfortunately when he infected this otherworlder Kino, it had an adverse reaction to Proteus's parasito form, causing both of them to not only fall into a coma, but his subconscious remains in her."

 "Huh." Poseidon stands there staring at the images. "Even in his current state, Proteus should still have his powers as a God, and yet he's in this predicament. Why?"

 "That's a matter we're looking into as we speak." Said Zeus.

 "We?"

 "Odin, Jupiter and a few other Gods."

****

(Kiyo)

 Outside the hospital, the place is abuzz with activity. An ambulance sits in front of the sliding glass doors – lights on sirens off – its crew off loads the stretcher – its occupant strapped down and wheels it towards the hospital's waiting staff.

 A mother and father hold each other lovingly watch with amusement as their child toddles ahead of them.

 Men and women in snapping dress wear – move at a clip pace – carrying leather briefcases – shoulder bags – or backpacks.

 Seated on a nearby bench, Abigail waits for her brother while sipping from her bottle of water she got from the vending machine, while scrolling through her phone.

 "You look familiar, do I know you?"

 Abigail looks up from her phone. "Don't think so; I would definitely remember meeting a girl with pink hair."

 "What's your name?"

 "You know it's rude to ask someone their name without giving theirs first."

 "Fair enough, names Rebecca."

 "Abigail." She said extending her hand — which Rebecca accepts. "Who are you waiting for Rebecca?"

 "My lover. What about you?"

 "My brother. Oh, there he is. Hey Kiyo!" Abigail calls out to him, waving a hand to get his attention.

 "Abigail, what are you… Why is she here?" I demanded, glaring at Rien/Rebecca.

 "How do you know Rebecca?"

 "I'm his lover."

 "No you are not!"

 "Um Kiyo, what happened to your face?"

 "I bet Kino kicked your ass didn't she." Replied Rebecca, with a big ass grin on her face, like a certain Cheshire cat.

 "You know damn well it wasn't Kino." I shout taking a step forward, balling my fists, causing Abigail to flinch, which I immediately regret. I take breath, "look… I… I just need to head home, and figure out what I'm gonna do."

 "Then let's go," said Abigail grabbing her stuff, "here take your own bag."

 "Thanks Abigail and I'm sorry for just taking off like that. You can head to class now."

 "Huh? Bro, look at the time school is about done for the day."

 "What?!" I look at my phone in disbelief. More confused than ever.

 Abigail starts laughing. "Relax, it was a half day."

 "Won't you get in trouble for missing school?"

 "I called mom and told her what happened; besides our school's curriculum as high schoolers is based around our career path.

 Each person's classes are tailored to help them succeed, eliminating unnecessary classes that have nothing to do with their career path.

 "Some high schoolers are even taking college courses, while some middle schoolers are already taking high school classes."

 "So what's your career path?"

 "Take a guess."

 "You make clothes for the drama club, so I'd say seamstress."

 "Close. I want to be a fashion designer. All my classes are based around that field of study." Explained Abigail.

 "Impressive."

 "Come on, let's go get our sisters."

 The duo start walking. Rebecca remains where she is watching them go. She pulls out her phone and messages someone.

 Rebecca:

 ℐ'𝓋ℯ 𝓂𝒶𝒹ℯ 𝓈𝓊𝒸𝒸ℯ𝓈𝓈𝒻𝓊𝓁 𝒸ℴ𝓃𝓉𝒶𝒸𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒦𝒾𝓎ℴ. 𝒲𝒶𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓃ℊ ℴ𝓃 𝓎ℴ𝓊.

 L:

 𝒪𝓀. 𝒥𝓊𝓈𝓉 ℊ𝒾𝓋ℯ 𝓂ℯ 𝒶 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓉𝓁ℯ 𝓂ℴ𝓇ℯ 𝓉𝒾𝓂ℯ.

 Rebecca:

 𝒟ℴ 𝓃ℴ𝓉 𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓇𝓎.

 L:

 𝒢𝒾𝓋ℯ 𝓂ℯ 𝓉𝒽𝓇ℯℯ 𝒹𝒶𝓎𝓈.

 Rebecca:

 𝒟ℴ𝓃ℯ.

 Rebecca puts her phone away and begins trailing Kiyo and Abigail.

 "I owe you an apology." Abigail suddenly said out of nowhere.

 "For what?"

 "When you said Kino's name back in your hospital room, I stayed quiet, we all did."

 "By 𝑤𝑒 do you mean Leon and Cory?"

 "Yes. We found it odd that you knew the name of a girl who transferred into our school a year ago while you were comatose." Explained Abigail.

 "They say that comatose people can hear their loved ones. Is it possible someone said her name while visiting me?"

 Abigail stopped walking, having remembered something. I stop as well.

 "What's up?" I ask her.

 "On one of our visits, we had the TV on. It was broadcasting our high-school track team. Kino had just set a new high-school record, solidifying her spot for Nationals. It's all anyone talked about for a while."

 "I see."

 We continue walking. I silently contemplate my next move.

****

 Later that day Leon and Cory return home after their clubs let out.

 "Hey Abigail, what happened to Kiyo at school today?" Asked Leon, walking into the living room.

 Abigail, having changed out of her school uniform into a pink t-shirt and black jeans, is sprawled out on the couch thumbing through a fashion magazine. Doesn't answer right away.

 "Well."

 She looks up from her magazine. "Kiyo thought that something happened to that Kino girl when he saw the ambulance at school today."

 "Why would he think that?" Cory asked, sitting down in a chair.

 "Because when I asked what happened I was told 'Someone on the track team collapsed, and KK was in the ambulance.' I told Kiyo that KK was Kino."

 "And where's Kiyo now?"

 "In the dojo."

 "Oh, I gotta see this." Cory gets back up and heads for the dojo, Leon follows him out. Abigail goes back to reading her magazine.

 In the middle of the dojo Kiyo is in the seiza position, Lulu is on the left and Alicia is on the right. They're copying their brother. After ten minutes of this Kiyo gets up and starts doing Tai Chi, the girl's start mimicking his movements albeit a bit clumsily.

 Normally he'd stay in the seiza position a lot longer, his sister's on the other hand aren't used to staying like that despite using zabuton pillows. Their little feet kept fidgeting.

 "Lulu, Ali, please move over to the wall so you're out of the way." I instructed — then pick up a Bokken made from white oak.

 "I wanna try it."

 "Me too."

 "Oh, alright."

 ""Yaaayyy!""

 "Let's see… here use these." I hand each of them a Bokken modeled after a tantō bō.

 "Okay let's start with the basic stance. Watch closely now; first put your right foot in the front and place your left foot in the back. And slightly lift the heel of your left foot like so."

 The girls mimic their brother.

 "Very good. Now your footwork; this is called Suri-ashi. It's a sliding movement. The easiest way to do this is to lift up both of your heels, like so."

 Alicia and Lulu attempt this, but lift their heels too high causing them to lose their balance.

 "Here, look closely at my left heel. Do you see how high it is?"

 ""Yes.""

 "I have it just high enough to slide a piece of paper under it. Same with my right heel. I want you both to practice this until you can do it with thinking about it."

 ""Okay."" The girls reply earnestly. After a bit of practice they get the hang of it.

 "Now this next part is the most important part, and the most difficult. Without it one can not do Kendo. To go forwards you must move the front foot first."

 I demonstrate this a few times. "Now you guys try."

 They do as they're instructed.

 "Lulu, you're dragging your back foot. Alicia, try not to move your left foot past your right foot." Both girls keep at it. Determined looks on their faces.

 After a while I begin my own training, while keeping an eye on my younger sisters, stopping whenever I need to help them. Time flies by.

 "How does it feel holding that in your hands?" Asked Cory, throwing me a towel.

 "Like riding a bike."

 "Muscle memory is an amazing thing ain't it." Comments Leon, handing the girls their own towel.

 "Hey guys, dinner will be ready in an hour." Abigail said from the doorway.

 "Thanks Abigail, that's plenty of time to shower."

 "Good cause you stink."

 "You're stinky." Lulu holds her nose, and makes a sour face.

 "Ewww, stinky." Giggles Alicia.

 "Oh, what about your smelly butts? I bet they stink too." I say tickling them both.

 Their pearls of laughter resounded through the dojo. Infecting everyone with smiles.

 "Come on you two. Let's get you guys in the bath." Said Abigail.

****

(Kino)

 Three days have passed and Dawn has been released from the hospital.

 "This is where you live?" Lilly asked, staring at the decrepit two-story house. Its paint fading, a small patch grass that makes up the front yard in need of mowing, cracks along the walking path leading up to the door.

 "Yes, but don't worry it looks a lot better on the inside."

 Dawn unlocks the door and goes inside. Kino and Lilly follow her in.

 "Sorry, I don't have extra slippers, can't afford them, but Kino you can use my ol…der… huh, my brother's slippers are gone."

 "That just means he's home. What's the big deal?" Asked Lilly.

 "But he should be at work, his shoes aren't here. Well whatever Lilly you can use my older sister's slippers, and Kino can use mine.

 "You can wear your own slippers, I don't mind being stocking-footed." 

 "Samezies" Said Lilly.

 "Where are your parents at?" I asked.

 "They were killed in an auto accident; a drunk driver blew a stop sign, t-boning their car. Both of my siblings dropped out of college to help take care of me. My brother Lee, who is the oldest, drives a taxi cab, and my sister ChiChi is a manager at the convenience store two blocks from here."

 "It must be hard for you guys to live like this." Said Lilly.

 "It's fine. As long as we're all together we can get by."

 Lilly smiles at this "Well tonight we're having a girls night at Kino's. Go pack a bag girl and let's bounce. Oh, but first, where is your bathroom?"

 "Just past the stairs on the left."

 Lilly heads for the bathroom, just as she gets to the door it opens. Out steps a slender man, with a towel wrapped around his waist. Their eyes lock.

 "Who might you be?"

 "L-Lilly, I'm Dawn's classmate."

 "Lee, Dawn's brother." Lee offers his hand which Lilly accepts.

 "Big brother, what are you doing home, and what happened to you?"

 "I was robbed while dropping off one of my fares. After giving my statement to the police I came home to shower and get a change of clothes."

 "Oh no. What did they take?"

 "Everything, my wallet, phone, cash box, they literally took the clothes I was wearing."

 "Your clothes?"

 "Yup, even my underwear. Had to borrow a blanket from the police."

 "Did they have a knife, a gun perhaps?"

 "Baseball bat. I was unloading my fair's luggage from the trunk when he ran up on us."

 "That's gotta suck."

 "Are you another classmate of my sister's?"

 "Kino."

 "Well Kino, you are correct it does suck. I got my ass kicked, I was robbed, and stripped naked of both my clothes and dignity."

 "And you're still naked, so put some damn clothes on already! You're embarrassing me!" Scolds Dawn.

 "This coming from the girl who always ran around the house naked until she was four."

 Dawn's face turns bright red from embarrassment.

 "Any chance you have pictures?" Asked Lilly.

 "Probably. Check the photo albums on the book shelf in the living room."

 "Not happening!" Shouts Dawn. "You get dressed, and you go pee."

 Dawn shoves her brother out of the bathroom doorway, and shoves Lilly into the bathroom.

****

(Kino's Place)

 "This is niiiccce." Said Dawn.

 "I know right." Agreed Lilly.

 "I can't believe you get to soak in this big ass bath all by yourself Kino. How many people can it hold at once?"

 "It can hold five total, Dawn." I replied from my bath stool, pouring shampoo into my hand.

 "How rich are you?" Asked Dawn.

 "I'm not. This all comes from my aunt." I say as I begin lathering my hair.

 "Does your aunt live with you or across the hall?"

 "She stays here sometimes when she's not traveling for work. My neighbor Mrs. Rin is a sweet old lady, who cooks for me on occasion." I rinse off, then join the girls in the bath.

 "Your aunt must be loaded. What does she do, besides travel for work?"

 "She's the CEO of Yui Conglomerate."

 "No freaking way!" Shouts Dawn excitedly standing up. "She's your aunt."

 "Yes. Now sit back down would you."

 "No, don't do that, I'm enjoying the view." Said Lilly, biting her lower lip.

 "Oh yeah. How's this then?" Dawn bends over slightly while looking back at Lilly.

 "Mmm, thank you."

 "Yeah I'm out. No need for a third wheel here."

 I step out of the bath, wrapping my towel around me, I say, "I'll get dressed in my room."

 With Kino heading for the door Dawn walks over to Lilly who reaches up and pulls her in, burying her face in Dawn's pubic region.

 "Nnngh…mmm…aaah!" Moans of pleasure escape Dawn's lips.

 I'm sitting on the living room floor, stretching. When Dawn and Lilly finally emerge from the bathroom, both slightly red in the face, and dressed for bed.

 "There's some milk in the fridge," I tell them, "regular, chocolate, strawberry, and fruit milk; help yourselves."

 "Thanks KK." Lilly heads for the fridge. "Dawn, which one do you want?"

 "Surprise me."

 Lilly returns with two fruit milks. "So KK, do you mind if Dawn and I take your aunt's room tonight?"

 "Just don't break anything, clean up when you're done, oh and feel free to use some of the toys in the closet." Came a voice from Kino's phone.

 "Hi auntie Yui, how are you?"

 "I'm fine Lilly. I gotta go. You girls play safe now." Kino's aunt ends the real time chat.

 "What the hell KK!? You could have warned me you were face-timing with your aunt. Do you know how mortifying that was to hear your aunt suddenly speak to me."

 "Technically I was on hold. And it's your own fault that she heard you." I point out.

 "What kind of toys does she have?" Asked Dawn.

 "Seriously?! you still want to, despite her aunt knowing what we're gonna do."

 "It may not be as hot because she gave us permission, but it's still just as exciting. It'd be even hotter if Kino would join us."

 "Sure why not. A three way sounds fun."

 Lilly drops her fruit-milk. Luckily it was still closed.

 "Pffft — ha ha ha!" I start laughing and stick out my tongue at them. "I'm joking. You two have fun. I'm going to bed. Alone."

 "We'll try to keep the noise down."

 "The room is damn near soundproof, Dawn. Feel free to be as loud as you want."

 "Want to pick out a toy for yourself? Maybe some anal beads?"

 "No thanks, Lilly."

 "Dawn is dead."

 "What?!" Kino shouts. "How?!"

 "Lee and ChiChi killed her. They were spies from another empire."

 Kino is stunned by this revelation.

 "And it's all your fault!" Lilly lashes out with her chain whip, catching Kino by the neck. "Now fucking die! Chain Cutter!"

 Each link around Kino's neck turns into small razor blades. Lilly pulls with everything she has decapitating Kino.

 "Aaghh! What the fuck?! These damn nightmares are getting ridiculous."

 I glance at my phone. Seeing it's just past midnight, I get up, and head for the kitchen to get some water.

 Half-way there I hear voices coming from the balcony. Moving closer to the balcony door. I recognize Lilly's voice, but the other one is unfamiliar.

 "Are you satisfied?"

 "I am. Thank you for doing this for me. I finally got the closure I needed."

 "Good. Then it's time to fulfill your mission Lilly."

 "I know don't worry. I'll hold up my end of the deal Lilith."

****

 (Character Bio)

 Name: Belphegor, Age: ?, Species: Nephilim, Gender: Female.

 Job: Personal Guard to The Royal Demon Family, Class: Healer, Subclass: ?, Rank: SS.

 Description: 176 cm, 55.3 kg, Stunningly Beautiful Woman.

 Appearance: Long Locks of Golden Hair, Blood-red Irises, Long Black Horns, Pale Skin.

 Clothing: Blue Overdress, Cream Blouse, Wine Skirt, Light Brown Shoes.

 Weapon: ?

 "Belphegor, I have a message for you."

 "Thanks Astaroth. Hmm this is most unfortunate."

 "What's wrong?"

 "Oh, Your Majesty, what perfect timing. Here read this."

 "Hmm."

 "How shall we handle this?"

 "Gather everyone and have them meet in the throne room."

 "Right away." With a nod of her head Belphegor departs.

 Fifteen minutes later Leo, Luna, Corym, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Lucifer, Satan, Levitation, Mammon, and Belphegor have gathered in the throne room. Abby is still gone, Alice is alive, but still recovering from playing host to a Goddess-spirit.

 "Belphegor, you may proceed."

 "Of course Your Majesty. For those of you who don't know, I sent a letter to S.I asking for help in studying the parasites I and the Goddess-spirit Menalam removed from Kino's head. Unfortunately the reply I received informs me that S.I is missing. Last seen sailing out of the Nihon Empire on a merchant ship two months ago.

 "Any idea what happened?" Asked Luna.

 "Unknown at this time."

 "So now what do we do?"

 "I have spread the word about these new parasites. It will only be a matter of time before they hear about them, and come to us."

 Just then the doors to the throne room are thrown open and in walks a silver fox. Literally a beastkin silver fox dressed in a butlers uniform.

 "Announcing Prince Teru and Princesses Abaddon."

 All eyes are on the pair as they enter the room.