"...Then I must have cared for Fumiko tremendously... I would have never used taboo magic..but..maybe she meant everything to me back then," Nobuo was thinking back to what his father had said about the prophecy, and now knew that it wasn't looking into the future but rather something that had happened in the past. He just couldn't grasp how he would fall in love with someone from another class, and especially Fumiko since he didn't like her enough to fall in love with her, or so he tried to conince himself. He took a deep breath, though the air seemed stale and he was tempted to return to the normal areas. Then he looked around once again before turning, "So these missions were something that started this.. I don't want to use taboo magic like I did in my past, but I don't want to remain stuck in this village forever. However, even if I did love Fumiko back then, I don't think I can do the same as I had before...so I wouldn't be hurting my father. Everything is different, isn't it?"

Though thinking back on it, Rie and Arata seemed relatively normal, despite having the creepy smiles. He didn't think they were that insane if they had been given the right situation. However, he still felt like punching their faces in, "Did we ever meet before? It feels like it might have been a bad first impression.."

“You were willing to defie everything for her, you took her away from the village and worked with the humans” she say gently nuzzling into Arata “You best hope that you can...” she say with a smile her eyes glistening a little as she spoke “If you don't she will once again be killed or be treated even worse than tarnished... she is only half Tengu as her father changed from Tengu to forest spirit before she was conceived” she giggle a little and pulled out a cinnamon stick and gave it to Arata “You've been quiet and let me talk... reward!” she exclaimed happily, it was how they were taught and so they done the same with one another.

“You wanted to do missions, she followed and instead of her coming back to face punishment, you flew away to a cave where her true remains still above ground, where the sword penetrated still apparent on her skull” she said licking one of her fingers “You came back, but you where distorted, four arms and had only hate and vengeance on your mind” she said letting go of her brother's hands and moved over to Nobuo taking his hand she tugged him down so she could tip toe once more “We can use Taboo magic with no backlash, we are already damned.” she whispered and walked back to Arata after she told their secret.

“We met once before, we where the ones that brought you back to the temple at the order's of the other elder's” she said gently, though she bit her lip “We must obey, we are treated well when we do as we are told, but if we anger the other elders... they get really mean and scary and... and..” she moved behind her brother, her free hand going to her left sleeve as she showed fear of the experiments.

Arata jumped with joy at the cinnamon stick, though after hugging it he broke it in half and gave the other half to Rie since it was rightfully earned by her to begin with, "For you." He chewed on the stick energetically while waiting to see if Nobuo would snap or break down.

Taboo magic without receiving backlash must have been something that was planned by the elders, Nobuo thought. And the thought of having four arms made him feel disgusted over himself, since that meant being something that was that much closer to an insect, and he hated insects. He shuddered from imagining the image, and turned around to face the two again. And of course, the thought of not being his father's son, at least not biologically, seemed to creep up on him. Nobuo touched the necklace and took it off, "So we are all damned, correct?" Nobuo shoved the necklace into his pouch, and would remove it once he returned to the temple. He turned around again and started to walk back in the direction where they had come from, "And you continue trying to live like that? You never fight back? Don't you have other hopes and dreams other than being tugged by a leash?"

Rei giggled seeing that half of the treat had been given back to her and popped it into her mouth happily sucking onto it as if it was a stick of pocky. “Biologically or not... he is your daddy and will always see you as his son Nobuo, blood means little to the spirit people, or that is what daddy is always telling us” she smiled grinning a little grabbing his hand “You're our big brother” she released her hand from Atara and prevented Nobuo taking the necklace off “Daddy would be upset, we mustn't upset daddy” she whispered.

“Yup, all damned and if we fuck up even once then we meet Mr. Death” she say looking up to him with sad eyes “If you leave, they will take her... they will torture her, make tarnished look like a high born” she say looking up to him “We were made in that temple, we do not have true parents...” she say her eyes closing “Daddy cares for us when no others would... if the elder of shadows had her way, we'd already be dead.” she whisper

“Without daddy we would become unstable, he has medicine that helps us” she nodded, “We are content in this life, because, although it is painful it's safe” she say but when he mentioned the other things she looked at Arata “We tried once... “ she looked down as tears began to merge from her eyes “we had a friend, they paid the price for our disobedience” she hugged onto Nobuo tightly “We hope never to meet Mr. Death and we do dream, but when we wake up it vanishes” she say contently giggling once more, her childish innocence showing to him.

Nobuo was not very happy with this news. All of his life, or at least what he remembered, he never had such severe punishments for going against the rules. And now he knew that there were even more things he had to follow to avoid such harsh penalties. He lifted the necklace and stared at it, and despite being told that he was accepted as a son based on his spirit, he still didn't think he fit in like he used to. Though he wondered just how much more upset he would be if he had any of his old memories. He sighed and allowed the necklace to rest on his chest, "So all we can do is follow and make someone else happy, just to protect our skins and those of the ones who are close to us... I'm sure there's a way out of this..." He tried to reassure himself with that fact, whether or not it was possible to change their fate, "Let's go back.. I'm sure there's a meal waiting.." After hearing all of what Rie had said, he had lost his appetite. Although he hoped that once he got back to the temple, that he would feel a little better.

“We are different from them Nobuo, and they will never let us forget it. You're lucky at least you have some link to daddy and that will keep you from the harsher punishments Arata and I get” she smiled, her eyes showed she was happy for him. It hurt to lose something or someone precious and though they were rivals they were also family and would never wish such things on him or her worst enemy.

“You are still family, and from what I've seen of your scores you haven't changed any” she giggled, she was poking fun at him this was true, but she was doing it only in a playful way which one sibling would do to another, “Perhaps daddy should send you to a public school” she smiled, she read about them in books “Humans have them... they are where less fortunate people go... people like you would go to private boarding school” she started walking like one of the other noble Tengu. “Nobuo, you will only ever be an embarrassment...” she mimicked the shadow elders voice “How do you plan on keeping your tribe strong?” she continued, though only a joke the question showed she was curious on how he would run things when he became daddy.

“For the moment yes, Arata and I can only follow orders or something bad will happen to us...” she looked to him her ruby eyes twinkling slightly in the murky sunlight “You are not bound by such rules, you are daddy's heir meaning they have to treat you as such.” she bit her lip and sat down dragging him down with her and Arata “Daddy said “When an elder comes into another elder's home, that elder only holds the same authority as an heir apparent.” meaning right now you can not be harmed or ordered by another elder to do anything as you are the same... Then that mean to their children you have the same standing as an elder and they can be punished for not listening or trying to harm you” she giggled thinking about the boy that tried to harm him earlier

“There is a way out of this, but as of yet we haven't found it... and we've been looking” she smiled finishing drawing how the laws work when it comes to visiting another tribe land, in the hopes he would understand what she was saying, as soon as she thought he did she messed up the dust “We mustn't leave a trail or they'll know we've been here, and...” she paused and shuddered remembering the last time “Don't hate daddy, he didn't like he just altered things a little to protect you... Arata and I just believed you should know everything...” she looked up at him her eyes showing several different emotions “I never seen daddy so happy as when he found out you had returned, even if it's a lie...” she looked down and bowed “Please live it for daddy, I don't want to see him hurt again... I don't want to see him look to the moons once more and crying, wishing for a second chance” her voice was begging him to do this for her

"I would prefer to avoid any schools. I don't like them.." after listening to what else she had to say, he stopped. He felt as though he had more freedom beforehand, but now with this, his life was there to keep someone else from falling into despair. He felt that he had lost control over his own life within the past few minutes, "Living a lie.." Now he began to wonder just how many people he knew from the time he lived as Yuu. He didn't think there were many, but he felt that there had been a few here and there, "I don't suppose you know if there was anyone that I should know about, from the time where I took the name of Yuu?"

Rie bit her lip and stood up looking at him as she was asked a question “Umm... you knew someone called Kaito, someone named Ai, You knew Ken'ichi and Fumiko's reincarnated self who was called Toshi” she smiled contently as she walked off “Yuu was in love with Toshi, just as much as you are with Fumiko” she continued skipping forward a little.

“Yuu didn't care she was only half Tengu, in fact she was the one that done this to you both” she smiled happily, though the smile vanished as she heard the gates opening “Atara!” she sounded panicked as she spoke, her hand going to Nobuo to drag him off into a nearby house.

"Wha--?" Nobuo's words were cut off suddenly when he was dragged along. He remained quiet, to wait for whatever danger to pass by so that they could get out of there. His back pressed into the wall as though touching it gave him even greater protection.

Arata would have followed, pushing Nobuo a bit as he did. When they finally got into the house, he crouched low and covered his head as though the roof were going to collapse on top of them. He became deathly still.

Rie looked to Nobuo and placed a hand over his mouth to prevent any sound coming out, she moved in such a way she could see just out of the window. Looking to Arata her eyes in a panic, she hated seeing so many of them together it never ended well for them, although watched as one of them stopped where she had them kneel so she could explain how things worked when visiting another tribe to Nobuo, she found her heart racing pleading for the person not to look down.

The man stood at 6'5”, he had snow white hair and matching eyes, he looked down but not only did he notice that the dirt had been disturbed, but also there where three sets of foot prints. Rie breathed deeply and looked to Nobuo and Arata “We need to react quick if this is going to work” she whispered to them, the last thing she wanted was to go into the temple of torture again.

“Nobuo, you are going to have to act against your nature” she quickly whispered noticing the man had turned to look where they where hiding, she noticed he had caught the attention of a few other elders “You are going to have to act like a normal high born Tengu... You are going to have to act mad at us that you where sent to find us... you can be as rough with us as you want, and even yell at us... but you need to make it look real!” she exclaimed in a whispered urgency, her eyes showing how truly panicked she was

“Arata, we need to play along to what they expect of us, we even have to seem frustrated that we where caught in the area” she whispered to him, but she didn't know how plausable this plan would be, but she knew they had to try something or she and Arata would be going inside for more tests and they where painful, but they done things in there that scared them.

Arata nodded, showing that he understood. Anything was better than getting poked with needles and given strange substances ((he no want dat dope x'D)). He braced himself for whatever Nobuo was going to deliver.

Nobuo, even though he wanted to beat the two earlier, under the circumstances where he was actually forced into it just to get all three of them out was something he wasn't looking forward to. However, he agreed, and at least tried to act convincingly despite how much he protested against it internally. He whispered to both Rie and Arata, "I'm sorry.." Nobuo brought his arm back, and slapped Rie across the face, leaving a hand mark so that at least it looked like he actually meant to deliver a punishment, and he did the same with Arata. It pained his heart to do something like this, to hurt someone when they didn't deserve it. Quickly, he made a commotion by stomping around as though he were raging up against the two, and then grabbing the two by their collars and slamming them up against the wall, "Do you know just how much trouble I went through to find you two?! I wasted a part of my life to hunt you down!" Nobuo then pulled the two away from the wall, turned around and pushed the two to the ground to get them dirtied up, "You will get more of a punishment once we return to the temple! And I'm sure father will have a say in this!" He cringed at his own words, and even more so when he grabbed the back of their shirts, and started dragging them across the ground until they got outside, where he dumped them ungracefully into the street, "Get up! If you try to pull off anything funny on the way back to the temple, I just might take a few of your fingers!" Nobuo's head turned to face the group, appearing upset, not only from Rie and Arata, but also the group, "Are you searching for troublemakers too?"

Rie turned from the window and looked at Nobuo taking a deep breath she braced herself for what was going to happen to her. “We are too...” she whispered, closing her eyes as she felt his hand strike hard against her cheek and though it made her angry, she held her anger in check. Though seeing him stomping around she giggled quietly and helped him make a noise. Though when he stopped she made one more crash to make it seem like they had went crashing through a table.

Feeling her collar grabbed she let out a shriek “N-Nobuo” she cried out as she was pinned to the wall her hand going into her brothers “N-no, we d-d-d-don't” she stuttered out tears calling from her eyes as she imagined what would happen if this didn't work “W-we... we're sorry N-Nobuo” tears continued to stream from her eyes.

Being pulled from the wall and being pushed from the ground, she breathed deeply forcing herself to pant, and moved around on the dirty floor to make it seem more realistic hoping Arata would follow suit, if he didn't then this was going to go really bad “N-NO! D-D-D-DON'T TELL DADDY!” she cried out, her voice begging Nobuo, only to have the back of her shirt taken hold of, of course she tried to squirm making it seem more like this was actually happening.

Being flung onto the street with a little force she looked up at him and was ready to cry once more, she crawled close to Arata and hugged him close, it looked almost like she was in fact scared as she didn't move to her feet, “Arata” she whispered, seeing the others she truly was scared and it showed as she shook and tried to hide behind her counter-part.

The man walked forward after ushering his collogues off showing there was no need for them to worry about this situation. He looked down to the two children for a moment his white eyes analysing their injury’s “Take it easy on them, young prince... they are important to our race” he stated before looking to Nobuo “But to answer your question, no we where not looking for them” he would say calmly “Although I would like to know how you came to find this place as it is off limits to all but elders” his voice was emotionless as he enquired this

Arata was scared as well, though he remained as a shield for Rie. He shook, his eyes darting between Nobuo and the group, uncertain of the outcome. Tears welled up in his eyes as he started crying.

Nobuo couldn't stand the sight of them, nor the crying and knowing that they were suffering. Still, he tried his best to make his act convincing, "I don't know the details of this, but I know they are important seeing as how someone like me was given the task to retrieve them." Nobuo sighed as he appeared to calm down a little, "I had to ask people where these two had gone. All of the hints led me here, and I'm certain my father wouldn't mind my presence in this area if he wants these two back." Nobuo walked over to the two, grabbed their arms, and yanked them up to their feet, "Did your legs fail you? Let's go." His hold was firm, but gentle enough so that it wouldn't hurt the two, and he started walking to get out of there as quickly as possible. He had hoped that they wouldn't consider him a part of the experiments too, and only view him as the person he used to be.

The elder quirked an eyebrow looking at the two crying on the floor then to Nobuo “They have been hurt” he said as if stating a blunt fact as he walked over to them. Moved to his knees “Separate please” his voice was the same, emotionless but Rie knew better than to try his patience and moved away from Arata but, at the same time moved her hand into his and closed her eyes allowing the man to check her over, feeling his cold hands on her skin she shook and clenched her brother's hand tightly as for support

Once satisfied Rie was fine he stood dusting his robes off before taking the half pace to Arata and knelt once more to check him over. Once again satisfied he moved onto a side pouch and brought out a cinnamon stick each for them. Slowly Rie's hand went forward hesitantly for the treat almost as if she didn't actually want to take it, this was shown in the fear in her eyes. Taking the treat her head drooped “Th-thank you master Xashino” she whispered

Standing once more after the rewards had been taken he dusted off his robes once more and looked to Nobuo “If you know they are important then you should be more careful with them” he stated, his voice cold, but his eyes showed understanding on how he would understand the boy knew they where different and the treatment was to be expected.

The elder tilted his head on hearing that he had asked people on the location of the two children “Now you are lying, no one but the elders know of this place...” he then sighed a little understanding he was being a little to brash not listening to every word “My apologies..” he bowed his head slightly “I did not hear all words.” he finished as he raised his head “Yes, they can be a handful at times, but show me any child be they high born, tarnished or even those like these two who are not flighty when they are children” for the first time he smiled.

He watched as the children where yanked to their feet “Careful” he stated once more watching as their free hand remained holding to the others, though he gripped Nobuo's sleeve to prevent him walking off.

"Thank..you," Arata spoke softly. He took the cinnamon stick but did not make any attempt to move it towards his mouth. He knew better than to put full trust into the other elders. After all, it was because of them that they had been suffering through such gruesome experiments that they did not want to suffer through.

"At least I did not draw my blade on these two..nonetheless, they still needed some discipline to show them that what they did was not acceptable," he expressed himself with a little bit of anger, though inwardly he was terrified, knowing that their cover had been peeled back partially. Any more beyond that and they probably would have been in even more trouble. And worse, all three might be pulled into the temple of hell ((x'D)). Nobuo stopped in his tracks, his eyes moved down before his head followed, looking at the thing that was preventing him from moving forward, and then his eyes went back up to stare at the eyes of the one whom the hand belonged to, "You have something else you want to say?"

Xashino closed his eyes and took in all of the words that had been said as not to make the same mistake he had done just a few moments before hand “Then that makes you a remarkable child, as I doubt any of our children would show the same restraint when it comes to these two” he said calmly as his eyes moved to the two children

Rie quickly popped the cinnamon stick into her mouth feeling the gaze going towards them, the last thing she wanted was to make him feel insulted, her eyes looking to Arata 'They say we are important, so they wouldn't poison us... not till their bonds stronger at least anyway.' she said to her brother through their own bond

Xashino sighed a little at the boys rash words “Yes they do need discipline... The others are to harsh in what they think would be good, your father is a little to soft... of course this is my opinion.” he stated his voice showing this to be true, his eyes showing that he held respect for Nobuo's father for having the burden of the two children

“Yes I do have something further to say” he stated his hand coming from Nobuo's sleeve “Welcome back to us Nobuo...” he smiled contently (Twice in one day... this guy's going for the record XD) “Your father felt much pain at your lose... Keep well and be strong” he continued and with that he moved away from the three “By the way, do not come here again, it is off limits for a reason” he say walking out of the area without a further word

But this could be a new drug, Arata put the stick partially into his mouth, having it exposed like a cigarette. Nobuo stood there, reflecting on the words. So the word seemed to spread quickly, that he was back, and the fact that it meant a lot to his father was hammered into his head. Nobuo didn't bother to say his farewells to the man, and instead urged the two to move forward.

'A new drug? I never thought of that... but are you willing to make him mad? I know I'm not She sent back to him. Watching Xashino move away she pulled the cinnamon stick out of her mouth and flung it on the ground. She had made sure that the only thing that it had touched was her lips as she had to close her mouth.

“Nobuo, Xashino is blind... but he is scary” she say looking up to him her foot coming down on the would be reward “He is the elder of the snow tribe that live up in the snowy mountains” she say wanting to give him some back ground “But he is nice compared to his son... his son is a tyrant, and enjoys causing pain to others for no reason than his enjoyment” she say taking her brother's hand and walking off

Being urged to move forward she did so “Today we meet the elder's children for the first time as they will be our next tormentors... If we don't meet Mr. Death first” she continued as she walked “Daddy made us study stuff about them so we wouldn't feel so different... but we know they are going to treat us different, after all they are normal” she sighed, stopping to look back at the temple

'I wonder how many more of us they will try and make' she placed through their bond, but this time it also reached Nobuo's mind 'Until we can take that temple down, we will never be safe and even then we would have to take down the elders and their children.' she continued as she began to walk out of the area once more

"And I wouldn't suppose that son of his is the stranger who attacked Fumiko earlier.." Nobuo had a gut feeling on it, but then again he could be wrong on it, after all he was pointing fingers at someone who almost fit the description without further support. And if that was the case, they weren't going to get along very well. But whatever the case, he was going to have to meet the guy eventually, him and the others. But he sincerely hoped that it wouldn't be something related to being an elder for a day. It was too soon, especially after he had just been brought back. To him, it meant that his father was desperate.

Nobuo flinched with the sound of Rie's voice ringing through his head. At first, it surprised him, but he became unusually accustomed to it quickly, as though he had just tripped and got back onto his feet to go about his original business. Of course, he was aware that they wouldn't do harm to him or his father since the two cared about his father greatly, "Well it is obvious that something needs to change to stop this. Killing other people should be a last resort.."

Rei looked to Nobuo and shook her head “No, I am quite sure that he is the son of the dragon lady” she stated pretended to blow out fire but coughing, showing she thought that elder was full of hot air and old to boot “Xashino's son has snowy white hair, matching hair and is albino... he is like a ghost” she would explain, but then again his father was the exact same, it had something to do with their gene's she thought.

“The one you are looking for is called Alter... He's just as bad” she said bringing up her brother's top slightly to show a bruise “I bumped into him... But because of how we are Arata jumped in front of me and took the beating” she hugged onto her brother tightly “I should have shielded but we are not allowed to use ability’s in the temple... Daddy doesn't like it” she continued, she smiled contently as she continued walking, deep down she was glad that the one that cared for them done such actions, they just wanted to be normal.

Rei got the top thoughts of Nobuo's mind and blinked “Daddy set this up months ago... that's why everyone is here.” she stated looking at him “He wants us to try and make some friends and see how we would do if someone wasn't around to look after us” she closed her eyes tears welling as she thought of Mr. Death coming to meet their beloved daddy “That is the only method open to us... and this is what we will do, starting with the children... if we get rid of the next generation no more can be made to suffer” she stated her voice cold as she wiped the tears from her eyes

"Not even negotiations, huh?" Nobuo wasn't entirely against the idea of killing the other children, considering he had a bad run-in with one, but he wasn't entirely for it either. He thought about the other children, and that maybe not all of them were people who agreed to the torture and experiments that were going on...or...maybe not all of them were even aware that the experiments were happening, "All of them? And what of the ones who are opponents to the system?" It would have been a rare case, but there was still that chance in there. He didn't want to be a part of a killing spree and have it include innocent people.

“You are the only one who didn't know about it, the other's are raised knowing this” she stated coldly “That is the only negotiation we need” she stated her hand went to the sky “You have till the moons align at that point they are all dead” she stated once more, her voice showing she wasn't kidding about this, the moons aligned in three months which gave very little room for error “If you can prove even one is innocent, then we will make other arrangements to get this sorted, but considering what we have been put through do you really blame us for this course of action” her voice was colder than any blizzard, but her eyes pleaded with him to find just one child like him

Nobuo felt as though he would have done the same if he had memories of the brutal experimental treatments. Of course he didn't, so he wasn't as compelled to do it as much as Rie and Arata. He nodded, "And if there is no one, then you are welcomed to carry on your plans before the time. But I will thoroughly make certain that I know each one, enough to determine their fate."

Arata didn't like waiting one bit. He wanted them all dead, but he had to play by the rules of the game that Rie had set. He leaned into her shoulder, "Can you play your pieces well?"

"This isn't a child's game. This is much more serious..with lives on the line," the two were still children. But two..very messed up children. They had been pushed to the point where they wanted to shed blood, and no child should ever be pushed into doing that. He lifted a hand and steadied Arata's face, looking at the giant red mark, "Before we return, let's take care of this. Medicinal ointments...do you know where they sell them?" It was the least he could do since he felt bad about slapping them just to make a show. He wanted to give them something to help bring down the redness and help soothe the pain.

“We will not strike before the aligning of the moons... wither you can find one or not. There is always a chance for a change of heart” she stated taking her hand from her brother's she moved into the near by forest and knelt down looking at the plants “I need your gifts, will you give me some?” she whispered to the plants her head tilting to the left her hand going to the plant she giggled a little in a childish innocence as she took what she needed.

Coming back she brought the ingredients needed for the ointment “Why buy what nature can provide?” she asked gently she looked to Arata's face and moved to him keeping her hand out with the herbs, her other hand going to her brother's cheek “Moon and sun, spirit and soul... we call to you...” she gave off a faint blue glow “misery has found us once again, we call for your gentle kindness, remove the harm that has befallen us” she whispered, the moment she finished the glow vanished and so did the markings on both their cheeks.

She listened to what her brother stated and looked to Nobuo “I hope he can” she whispered, it wasn't their fault they where like they where it was how they where born, raised and treated. The only one they would never hurt was their daddy as he treated them well and as if they where normal children even though he knew it couldn't be further from the truth.

“To us, this is nothing more than a game... We have done much worse as a game” she pointed to what seemed like ruins of another village “Kitsune use to live there, the game that day was to go in get a special item and kill as many as we could without being caught” she bit her lip and tears fell “We completed the game, we killed everyone in daylight... Every man, woman, child.” she stated pointing to the parchment out of the pouch “What makes you believe that the person that wants harmed isn't innocent?” she asked quietly

For some odd reason, Nobuo felt like he went through this before, completely deja vu like...and stuff. Nobuo was a sheltered...sheltered child and watched them with fascination when they used the plants. But then he frowned when they talked about the story of the kitsunes. A lot had happened while he was gone. He was no fan of the foxes, since they often were pranksters, and shuddered when a sudden image of being teased flashed in his mind, as though he were imagining being in place of one of the lesser tengu since he knew the high borns never stopped them from having their way with the lessers of their tribe, "Amazing...kitsunes are tough to battle. They have stronger magics than us tengu, and even I would have trouble fighting them if I moved with a group. But still.." Everyone, dead. He only heard stories of such things happening, but he was standing before what was clearly proof of it happening, so it was his first time getting this close to something like it to his knowledge, but what he had memories of did not match the way he was feeling. He lifted his arm, as if reaching out, and then clenching as if crushing something in his hands, and for a brief moment he felt something warm and wet running between his fingers. It was like a horrible scar left behind, "I didn't do something like that before...did I?" He hoped not, but the two seemed to know more about him and the village than he did, "And this friend you talked about earlier...was he a kitsune?" Nobuo brought his hand down and sighed, sitting down on the ground.

“You?” she shook her head “Nope, you don't have the ability to take out a Kitsune tribe by yourself, however...” she paused for a second and looked to him her hand coming down “You and your reincarnated self can easily take down Kitsune... but then again this was with the taboo magic of past” she said as if going off into a dream world, sighing she smiled a little.

“As it stands at the moment you couldn't take down a Kitsune village even if your life depended on it” she giggled a little “And besides nothing is tough to battle if they don't see it coming” she smiled brightly knowing that fact was true “You done more than take down a Kitsune Village, you took down a Tengu village in the same night” she grinned brightly at him as she pointed to two villages on the horizon “Your home village and your tormentors village” she smiled gently “Yuu got tormented a lot though pure blood, he was raised as a tainted to protect him from Mr. Death” she say gently

Hearing him enquire about their friend she nodded “He came from that village” she whispered her smile fading and being replaced by one of sorrow “We met him a few times and he didn't mind we where different, he was glad in fact” tears began to well in her eyes “But because we fought back... because we didn't want to do this any more... “ she started crying and fell to her knees and hugged into herself, they blamed themselves for the death of their first and only friend and it still ached as if it happened only a few hours ago.

"Taboo magic which I hope still isn't active," whether or not it made him stronger, he still didn't like the idea of being some sort of freak, or at least more than he already currently was after the experiments. He brushed his sides to make sure he wasn't growing any extra arms and sighed with relief. He stopped, looking to where Rie was pointing. He froze, trying to avoid thinking about how he even did it, and all the bloodshed, but it was no use. The thoughts of a blood stained village flooded his mind, "I...so then there is no one left from that village? Was I...Yuu doing that as part of an order from someone else?" He felt disgusted and wanted to avoid it, but at the same time he wanted to learn more about the time he was Yuu. Then, Rie started crying, with Arata following suite and crying into Rie's shoulder. Nobuo stood up and knelt down, embracing the two within his arms to comfort them. He couldn't say that he could completely understand the pain of the loss of a good friend, but he at least knew it had to have been very painful.

“Only a priestess would know, and the only one we know that is close enough to that is Fumiko” she continued to cry, feeling her brother's warmth she moved her harms around him and continued crying into his chest. Feeing Nobuo's arms around her she pulled back and sniffled for a moment before crying into his chest. Though he said nothing the fact he wanted to try and comfort them was more than enough.

'Only ones of the village where left unharmed, where, the elder, his heir and Yuu's half brother Kaito and the tainted, everyone else was killed... As for the Kitsune village no one survived... It wasn't an order, Yuu kept getting hurt and eventually snapped, you woke up and took over the form and destroyed the problem.' she stated into his mind which seemed far calmer than her body was, it was almost as if she could run on two different levels so it was hard to see if the crying her was only an act, but then again their eyes proved this was no act

Nobuo tried to convince himself that whatever actions he did back then was done because of the taboo magic rather than his true feelings. He didn't think he'd be the type to snap and lash out at everyone. But more importantly, he wanted to take care of the two in his arms, since they were victims. And since he, as Yuu, was a victim himself then he was sort of in the same situation to a partial extent since he couldn't remember the events. Nobuo rocked back and forth and hummed a lullaby that his mother used to sing for him when he was upset. He hoped that it would work for these two, "When this is all over, you can live like all the normal tengu. You'll be free. And you'll be able to make lots of friends."

Rie looked to him and sniffled, she had cried so much she started to look tired “You won't tell them we cried will you? We aren't allowed to show weakness.” her voice was low and her eyes mirrored the worry in her voice when she spoke, though hearing the lullaby she yawned and hugged into him, her eyes closing slowly, soon her breathing was so soft, they crying and sniffling had stopped as she fell asleep, before she could even hear his words.

Ken'ichi came walking down the path and seen the three and bowed slightly to his three superiors “Your father is worried about the three of you” he stated quietly noticing at least one of the younger two where asleep, though he noticed they puffiness around their eyes “Young Lord Nobuo, what is going on?” he enquired, wither or not he would get a reply he knew depended on his young lord, but waited for the moment, as he knew if he wasn't on alert, then if the younger male was awake then he likely would be.

Nobuo now sat straight up, glaring at Ken'ichi almost as if whatever problem they had was Ken'ichi's fault. Ken'ichi wouldn't tell him everything earlier, but at least now he knew some of the truth and believed that whatever Ken'ichi knew was not the result of a taboo spell. Then he relaxed and sighed, "These two were playing around too much and tired themselves out.." Again, he lied. Nobuo hoped he wouldn't make a habit of it just to save his own skin and to keep the two safe. Then he stood up, being careful with the two as he allowed them to sleep on the ground, "Father didn't have to send you out. We would have returned to the temple eventually."

Ken'ichi looked at the glaring Nobuo and sighed looking to the sleeping twins, then back to nobuo “Young Lord Nobuo, I know your lying” he stated simply walking forward kneeling next to the three “Their red, puffy eyes and wet cheeks give it away” he stated kneeling next to Nobuo, holding out one of his arms to take one of the children.

“You have changed a lot since this morning” he say his voice sighing a little “I am sorry I didn't mention anything, I am back to being the shield of the main family once more, and if I do anything to displease your father my training can and will increase” he closed his eyes and looked around the forest “But as we are alone, I can answer any questions the twins couldn't, so longs as you do not tell your father.” his voice was respectful but slightly stern on the matter at the same time.

Ken'ichi sighed once more looking to Nobuo “You and I both know how your father works.” he said looking up to the boy “You are his one and only heir, and these two he worrys about in case one of the other elders come across them” he stated looking down at them with love filled eyes, they were the eyes of a father, and sorrow filled as he knew they must have been in pain to cry like they had.

Nobuo did intend to stall him, since as the two said that getting caught crying was not allowed for them. At least the time spent answering the questions would have helped the two look normal by the time they would arrive at the temple, "So long as you don't tell anyone that these two have cried. You have my word, I will not tell my father of any knowledge you give me in this place."

He didn't think there was much of a change in himself until Ken'ichi brought it up. It was all due to being hit with a lot of shocking information. Anyone would have come out acting differently, he assumed. Nobuo watched Ken'ichi's face, changing in expression towards the two children, "It is strange...Fumiko became your daughter in this lifetime. But it must be hard for you to know that Fumiko will never acknowledge you as her father unless someone tells her that you are the one who raised her." He looked to the ground, and then back up, "Is it that important to avoid telling her how you feel? That she's your child?"

Ken'ichi blinked “Not my place to tell on my superiors” he stated stroking the children's cheeks “The only one I would tell is your father and that is if he asks, he is worried about the development of the two” he sighed gently showing he agreed to the promise under Nobuo's terms “I agree young lord Nobuo” he stated kneeling contently on the earth awaiting the questions. “Though why would it matter if children cry, it happens all the time... You where quite bad for it as a child” he stated with a chuckle, showing he was only being playful with his young lord.

He looked up to Nobuo once more with deep jade eyes as he spoke “It is hard, but she choose this path...” he sighed his eyes now going to the sky above “It was inevitable the moment she met you reincarnated self” he stated calmly “She hated the Tengu so much she refused part of herself, and managed to seal herself with little effort” his voice was distant as he spoke “But as it stands with her current mindset she isn't my daughter, she is a memory of the past using my daughter's body as a shell” he stated, his voice wasn't cold as it was more hurt on the fact.

“Even if someone was to tell her she would never accept it, in her mind she was raised as a tainted and that is all there would be to it” he stated, even Nobuo would know that it was a fact, being raised one way, that would be the only truth in life, it's not exactly an easy story to believe, he guessed that all low born, had a dream that they were really high born, but to actually be given the news they would just go into denial.

“I do not wish her to know, it would only confuse her” he stated, his eyes closed ans he moved his head down as if almost bowing, his hands clenched showing that that one request was hard on him, he hated that he had to ask such a terrible thing but he didn't want to make matters any worse for her. “Yes it is that important for her not to know.” he snapped a little, he wanted his daughter to be happy and safe, but as things stood he knew he couldn't help in either one.

"The children don't want to be caught," Nobuo said, using his own sleeve to wipe off whatever dampness was left on the two's cheeks. It was no surprise how these two ended up with such personalities, after knowing what they went through. But still, they were still just children caught up in something bad. Though, Nobuo was annoyed to hear just how stubborn Fumiko was. He wondered just exactly compelled him to love such a person in the first place, in his past life and as Yuu, "The Fumiko and I are vastly different. I was told about some of my past. While I don't like how it went, I accept that it happened. I feel fortunate that they are turning a blind eye to what I've done when I was Yuu. I must have turned into a horrible person after everything they've done." He thought, maybe if he did go insane, then it was plausible that he did fall in love with Toshi. Though, Nobuo blinked at the reaction, "Alright, then I'll do my best to avoid telling her. After all...I don't know if she'll decide to throw scrolls at me again..." Yuu rolled his eyes after remembering that. And actually, he felt more compelled to avoid Fumiko altogether despite agreeing to have her help him with his studies to avoid the harsher tutors. At least the tutors would be predictable, and Fumiko being the one who was unstable if he said anything out of the ordinary.

Ken'ichi blinked almost in surprise “They don't want to be caught crying... that could stunt their growth as children and as adults...” he stated as he looked to the two “It's going to make them unstable and very unpredictable” he finished watching how Nobuo treated them both, a smile came to his face “You are much like your father young lord” he say his voice was warm as he spoke that statement.

“My little girl is named Toshi, she was raised in an oriental type household. We lived in complete balance with nature and turned none who needed help away” he sighed gently, his hand came up and pointed to a small house out of the way of everything “Her brother Ai loved her so much he delved into dark magic to possess her no matter the cost.” he continued, his eyes closing “The magic took out the two obstacles in his way... myself and his mother, but the backlash also killed him and anyone else in the household.” he continued “The house looked like a murder scene, and the only one left alive was my dear Toshi... who had been protected because of two reasons, the runes in her room where stronger than anywhere else in the house and the fact of her obsessed brother's love” he finished

“She was still very young at the time, only thirteen or fourteen years of age... so she tried to wake myself and my dearly departed wife up, this of course covered her in blood” he began once more “her betrothed paid a visit, as was normal at that time of the month... Seeing all the destruction and her being the only one alive and covered in blood, he though the worst and hung her” tears fell from Ken'ichi's eyes “Because of the magic, she couldn't move on and Ai was given his wish” he continued “When Yuu arrived at the household, he was in very bad condition.. she tended to him, and he protected her... Then Yuu's half brother came and started picking on him, so they decided to leave, but before they did, she gave you my family's weapon, the one you think is creepy and wanted to sell as it had twenty five spirits within it, that are all sworn to protect you.” he continued, wanting to give him as full background of what had happened up till now.

“You ended up a near by town, and came across Yuu's biological mother's tormented spirit and the spirit of another, who he is I do not know... All I know is he wasn't dead mearly projecting his spirit” he stated “Through joint efforts, Priestess Lunia was able to find peace and the man's projection was broken...” he said but sighed a little, his eyes going to the children as they shifted a little. “Though he seemed interested in Toshi as her Tengu form is completely white, this includes, hair, mask and clothing” he finished for a moment allowing all he said to be taken in before he began once more.

“Going to her Tengu form caused her a great strain and made her extremely tired as it was only the second time in her life she had ever been in the form, but she still kept her kind heart even in that form that surprised even myself” he was calm as he continued speaking “A few days after Ai and Kaito came to the same inn they where staying at as Toshi wasn't well enough to continue travelling. During this time you began to steal trinkets and such for her as gifts, the small purple jade cherry blossom Fumiko has is one of the trinkets Yuu got for Toshi during that time. In a panic Toshi moved youboth to Midosi Forest where you met her guardian Ira, but you where both tricked by Kaito and Ai into leaving and thus ended back at the household” he continued hoping this was going to answer all the questions all in one go.

“During this time they planed on breaking you both down, by punishing you both for any little matter, but Toshi made a compromise that allowed Yuu to live like another Tengu, but it placed herself in a state of humiliation. Yuu the one whom loved her and whom she loved had to treat her as a tainted, to add further insult to injury Toshi also had to eat from the floor as an animal.” his hands clenched to the point that they drew blood, if it wasn't love and devotion that drove his daughter to such extremes he would like to have known what did.

“After a few months, Rie and Arata were sent to get you both, which they did using Toshi as the bait to lure you out... for their size they made short work of you both.” he stated closing his eyes, a sigh quickly following “It was at this time Yuu met your father, he seen how much pain your father was in and it also hurt him... Yuu even came in and tried to interrupt my training and almost got himself killed” he stated with a slight chuckle, he knew the boy's heart was in the right place “I made sure no harm came and your father made sure that punishment followed later in the day” he stated looking up to him once more.

“Toshi hated the Tengu race so much she was willing to deny part of herself and as I stated earlier bound her Tengu form and magic, but even with the binding in place, she still managed to tap into the magic.” he said his voice showed he was surprised that she managed to accomplish such a feat “But this is how you ended up being yourself and she ended up being Fumiko” he finally finished with the history lesson.

Ken'ichi chuckled a little “They don't know that it was you who destroyed the villages, they believe it was an evil spirit that came to purge the unworthy and weak” he stated, as he gently brushed Arata's cheek with a father-like smile in his eyes “Even if they did know, I doubt they would care. After all only the strong survive, this is the Tengu way” his voice showed that this was just a matter of fact, as he closed his eyes once more “And as far as I know the only tribe that care about the other races is this one as it believes all life is sacred” he say gently moving his hand to a side pouch and brought out a bag containing some food and held it out to Nobuo his head lowering.

“In her defence, the only reason she threw a scroll at you was because you where going to sell her family's ancestral weapon” his voice was quiet as he spoke on the subject, as he knew better than to speak out of term with his superiors no matter what age they were. “She is a sweet and quiet girl, just eager to please... This is why she offered to teach you in what little time she has to herself” he finished, this time though he remained silent allowing everything to sink in.

Nobuo's jaw dropped. Their life, as their reincarnated selves, was far worse than what he originally thought. And for the time being, he was glad that he didn't have any recollection of it actually happening. It was like some horribly twisted story that someone had created ((thumbs up to us x'D)) rather than reality. He gritted his teeth, "I can't bel...Something like that happening is almost unreal.. I apologize for my behavior earlier. If I had known all of that...I..." Nobuo shook his head, wanting to say that he was going to follow Rie and Arata's plans for wiping out the heirs and the elders to put an end to the misery and system, but he knew Ken'ichi was loyal to the elders and would most likely go against the idea. At the least, he found some comfort in knowing that he had Ken'ichi's shoulder to lean on in case anything happened concerning the past that he couldn't remember, "Ken'ichi...do you value your memories? My father told me that your memories of that...of having Fumiko..Toshi as your daughter was from taboo magic. He's planning on rewriting your memories so that you forget." He felt it was best to warn Ken'ichi about it, so that he would be prepared for it.

Ken'ichi watched his young lord ad he took in all that he had said, and was worried about the backlash it would leave on him, but was actually quite surprised that he was taking it all rather well considering how bad his life as Yuu was. “My every word is true, I am forbidden to lie to the head family” he stated simply standing, he dusted off his trousers “I wish it was all just a story made to frighten you but it isn't” his voice was calm as he stood up and looked to Nobuo a gentle smile on his face as he did so.

“My young lord, you have no need to apologise to someone in your service, let alone when you had no idea what was going on” his voice mirrored his eyes showing this was truly what he thought of the matter and so that subject was closed. “You are now more clued in than Fumiko, she got defensive about the sword and doesn't understand why, if fact she is scared that she can sense the spirits within the blade.” he knew, Nobuo would know that it never ended for tainted with such abilities, they were always seen as threats.

“Of course I do” he stated a gentle smile on his face “Memories are the things that make us who we are” his voice showed conviction in what he spoke but hearing the warning he sighed a little “He has every right to do such, I am of the branch family and thus his property” his voice showed that this was a plain and simple fact and would follow it if and when it happened without a fuss. “I ask that when it does happen, that you look after her my young lord” his eyes and voice pleading with him, even though he knew he had no right to do such a thing.

While he didn't have the same feelings towards Fumiko as the story protrayed, it was the least he could do, to make sure that his daughter was well. Though he stood next to Ken'ichi and growled, "I can't believe you..talking about people being property.." He was also thinking about the two children when he said that. He wondered just how many people were made to think that they were just property instead of another living tengu with feelings and a will, "I will promise you that I will watch Fumiko..but you.. You had led a free life away from the head family at one time. You should take it back and lead a free life again." But then there was the issue with Fumiko. Nobuo was certain that Ken'ichi would mention that and would refuse to leave because of her, and Nobuo couldn't leave Fumiko because of the promise he just made, "Maybe I can get my father to allow the three of us to live outside the village, so you won't have to worry about having to bow down to him."

"Young lord Nobuo, do not growl at me... you are not an animal” he say poking his head lightly, as he released a sigh “I can't believe I'm calling you lord again, let alone calling myself property and my daughter tainted but here we are” he say with a small shrug “It is Tengu tradition, if twins are born, the youngest is placed into a secondary family, this family becomes a branch family and becomes subservient to the head family” his voice showing this is how it was and it was really pointless to try and fight it, when in Tengu society.

“You are right I did have a life away from the head family, I had a beautiful wife and daughter, but both where taken from me, my young lord” his voice started off gentle, but got harsher as his sentence came to an end. “I thank you for making the promise” he said bowing a little, his voice showed it meant everything to him, slowly he stood straight once more. “I couldn't go to my free life again, if I wanted to, I am dead and my spirit bound to the sword that you wished to sell; besides, and before you say anything... No, I can't go into the sword again, since I came out in the temple I have physical form once more” he say anticipating a question that could have arisen.

“I think you woke up on the wrong side of the bed..” he began hearing what he was going to ask his father “I am in his servitude, he would never allow it, it would make him seem weak in the eyes of the other elders... He would never allow you out of the village or Fumiko because of the fear of what happened last time will happen again” his voice showed this as a matter of fact once more. “Besides, the moment you both leave the other elders will do to you both, what they done to the children, but they will not be as kind to you both” his voice showed he wasn't playing around on this subject, he didn't know all the details and to tell the truth he didn't want to.