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>>39401193
In return, you told them to keep low and play dead, and that they would need to find at least two other members of Hauko's harem before he could become what he was meant to be. Helping them escape also gave you the opportunity for a little roughhousing, which ended in a couple of the pieces of furniture in your living room going to their final deaths. Since you wiped out all the furnishing in the Barrier, it wasn't entirely unexpected of course.

At least for you. Kiku-chan is studying the shattered chair that leans up against the wall, which is barely scuffed despite being the easy chair having been thrown by Akari-niji-chan herself. The coffee table is also a loss, but you had given orders to prepare to move out, though it's only been a minute or so since you entered the Barrier to them. Shoko lets Yui-niji-chan and Kiki-hime out of the kitchen finally, and your wife comes up behind you to rest her hands on your shoulders as she smiles uncertainly at you.

[] Oh, that was just horseplay – hardly even a fight.
[] I'm fine, really – you needn't look so worried.
[] Her turn for a hug!
[] Lean back into her a little, and put that tail of yours to work. No, the other kind.
[] Give your niji-chan another pet and give your worried wife your full attention.

>>39401200
Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/39259747/

Interlude: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/37879167/

Search for Title: Ryukuza on Suptg
Barrier Combat Guide: http://pastebin.com/rZLwzvGx
Twitter: @XsQuestmistress

Hebiki Akari's Tale: http://pastebin.com/3JjNVKbY

Kurao Yui's Tale: http://pastebin.com/qYJa4PwH

Kumatori Kiki's Tale: http://pastebin.com/pdjfAEEU

Akari's Lesson (R-18): http://pastebin.com/bnGavrhP

Kiki's Gift (R-18): http://pastebin.com/sLP3NcbC

Aniki, Senpai, and Me (R-18): http://pastebin.com/U1AxYhxK

A Few Sentences from Stage 64: http://vocaroo.com/i/s1AqiYYp1QXw

Kiku, the shortest, is 5' 1" for ever and ever. Lesbian submissive.
Akari is 5' 3", and has another few inches to grow. Sexuality is weird, switch, cosplayer.
Yui is 5' 4" and will only grow due to circumstances beyond her control (though she will be able to change her size, being Void oni). Dyke, switch.
Kiki is 5' 6", and is at full growth. Bisexual bottom.
Ryukusa is tall at 5' 8", but this becomes 6' in her true form. She is fully grown. Lesbian top.
Er Yin is the tallest at 5' 10" and is fully grown. Lesbian dominant.
Jinyuu is 5' 7" but persistently hovers an extra three inches above the ground or floor because of her nature as a seer. Straight.
Hinata-hakase is 6' 3". Sexuality is terrifying.
Hidesato is 5' 5". Straight.
Kushinada is 5' 8". Straighter.
Taisho Ryoga is 5' 9". Who knows.
Hyun Chisato is 5' 4”, and is fully grown. Lolicon with plausible deniability.
Rie is 8” tall or 5' 5”, and is fully cat. Her sexuality is cat.
Hagyu Genso is 12' 5” standing upright. He is by and large gay.
Mizumi Shoko is 7' 2”, is fully grown. Bisexual top.
Yuuhi is 4'11” and is fully grown. Yuuhi a cute.
Tokei Isusangi, Inau-san is 5' 3” and confused.
Reiha is 5' 5 1/2”, and is milfy.
Peta is 3' 2”. Peta is \>.</

>>39401200
>[] Her turn for a hug!
>[] Lean back into her a little, and put that tail of yours to work. No, the other kind.
>[] Give your niji-chan another pet and give your worried wife your full attention.
It's good to see you again, XS!

>>39401200
>[] Oh, that was just horseplay – hardly even a fight.[] I'm fine, really – you needn't look so worried.[] Her turn for a hug!

>>39401200
>[] Give your niji-chan another pet and give your worried wife your full attention.
>[] Her turn for a hug!
>[] Lean back into her a little, and put that tail of yours to work. No, the other kind.

>[] I'm fine, really – you needn't look so worried.

>>39401200
>[] Lean back into her a little, and put that tail of yours to work. No, the other kind.
>[] I'm fine, really – you needn't look so worried.

>>39401247
Fancy formatting anon!

>>39401200
>[x] Give your niji-chan another pet and give your worried wife your full attention.
>[x] Oh, that was just horseplay – hardly even a fight.
>[] Her turn for a hug!

>>39401413
WP8.1 can be weird with 4Chan's highlight copy on replies.

>>39401200
>>39401242
Supporting!

>>39401200
[x] I'm fine, really – you needn't look so worried.
[x] Lean back into her a little, and put that tail of yours to work. No, the other kind.

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Hi, XS, it's good to see you !


Hey, guys , I have been thinking of something:

Back when we freed Er Yin from Kiku's Barrier, we learned that several of Ryukusa's half-sisters tried and failed, because their personalities were unfit for the task (too compasionate, too destructive, etc).

Also, when I asked in a previous thread, XS did confirm that our spiritual growth, our increase in power and the way we heal is influenced significantly by Kiki's own Wood powers.

Now, who did watch us a lot during our time at school, thinking about how we were and how we made them feel, while they had little control over their powers and even less infos on them?

My theory is that Kiki helped us avoid the wrong pathes, probably subconciously, with her Wood powers.

Of course, I think that Akari's grounding influence, not to mention our encounter with Yui (which taught us both how terrifying we were when angered and what being merciful meant) also played a major role.


What do you think?

>>39401573
It could be, although would Kiki's influence really mold us just in a way as to help us get Er Yin out?

>>39401200
>[] Oh, that was just horseplay – hardly even a fight.
>[] Lean back into her a little, and put that tail of yours to work. No, the other kind.
>[] Give your niji-chan another pet and give your worried wife your full attention.

>>39401573
Given the divine heritage and shit I'd say Akari and even Kiki probably did somewhat help form Ryukusa, yeah.

>>39401597
>>39401649
They do make us as we make them. I feel Ryukusa grew as a person, matured, if you will, because of them.

[X] It's good to be loved, even if they worry too much.

You lean back and she moves forward, surprised and trying to support your weight....but she doesn't need to, really, because your tail slides around her waist and pulls her close. She sighs softly, and rests her cheek along your shoulder as you brush your horn against her soft hair. The scent of cherry blossoms is strong and she whispers softly to you.

“I was worried about you, Ryu-chan. I can't believe you would do something so dangerous.”

Oops.

Deliberately misinterpreting her worry, you laugh softly, while Akari looks up at you, resting her cheeks against your bosom her eyes sparkling with amusement. Yeah, you know it won't actually get you out of trouble, but you have to try. “That wasn't even a fight, just a little roughhousing, Kiki-hime. You needn't look so worried. Akari-niji-chan pulls her punches.” Akari doesn't say anything, but she doesn't really need to – her slight head-shake and the lowering of her face from yours tells you that she thinks you're ridiculous to even try and change the subject.

Despite that, it works a little; Kiki-hime sighs softly, and wraps her arms about your waist. You give your niji-chan one more stroke along her hair, brushing her horn, and Akari slips away, content and looking warm. She gently takes Yui-niji-chan and Shoko-san aside and speaks softly to each of them, giving them instructions on what needs to be done for Er Yin-sensei.

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>>39401704
You turn in Kiki-hime's arms and wrap your arms about her, enfolding her in the stylized gi of the Ryo Clan. Her expression softens, becoming more relaxed as you gather her close. She's soft, and very warm; her sky blue eyes look up into yours and she whispers softly to you. “I can't help worrying for you. Even though I know you are skilled, Ryu-chan, what you do....it is so dangerous....”

Twining your tail about hers, you slowly stroke her back with the vanes and fins at the end of it.

[] I have an important job. I take every – damn it, that's Ninja Scroll.
[] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?
[] I have to do these things. I've trained all my life to do them though.
[] You are allowed, you know. You can worry all you like.
[] As long as 'worry' doesn't mean 'get angry over them', that's all right for her.

>>39401716
>[] You are allowed, you know. You can worry all you like.
>[] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?

>>39401716
>[] You are allowed, you know. You can worry all you like.
>[] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?

>>39401716
[x] I have to do these things. I've trained all my life to do them though.
[x] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?

>>39401716
>[] You are allowed, you know. You can worry all you like.
>[] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?

>>39401716
>[] I have an important job. I take every – damn it, that's Ninja Scroll.
>[] You are allowed, you know. You can worry all you like.
>[] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?

>>39401716
>>39401724
>>39401733
>>39401777
Yeah, supporting this.

>>39401716
[x] I have an important job. I take every – damn it, that's Ninja Scroll.
[x] I have to do these things. I've trained all my life to do them though.
[x] As long as 'worry' doesn't mean 'get angry over them', that's all right for her.

>>39401716
>[] I have an important job. I take every – damn it, that's Ninja Scroll.
>[] I have to do these things. I've trained all my life to do them though.

Not even going to raise the possibility of regret, hers or ours.

>>39401716
>[x] I have to do these things. I've trained all my life to do them though.
>[x] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?

>>39401716
>[] I have to do these things. I've trained all my life to do them though.
>[] You are allowed, you know. You can worry all you like.
>[] I have an important job. I take every – damn it, that's Ninja Scroll.

>I love you, hime. I would face eight million dangers for one hour with you, with all of you. And thank to my family, I am strong enough to succeed.

>>39401814
>>39401787
>>39401777
>>39401747
>>39401733
>>39401724

Guys, we shouldn't take her for granted, but asking this about her feelings right now would means we doubt them. Also, we already asked her that not so long ago, if I remember correctly.

>>39401876
>but asking this about her feelings right now would means we doubt them
no it doesn't anon

>>39401193
>Why Go is Better Than Shogi.

I can think why Ryukusa would think that.


After all, shogi is all about sacrificing your pieces to achieve victory, while you can only win in go by having your stones work together to surround the opponents.

Also, for the curious anon, "Ryu-Oh" is a shogi term that designate the equivalent of the promoted rook in chess (aka, a pawn that become a might foe by crossing the board)

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[X] I have to do these things. I've trained all my life to do them though.
[XX] You are allowed, you know. You can worry all you like.
[XXX] Do you regret falling in love with me, hime?
[+] I love you.

You stroke her soft fuchsia hair, and smile gently, accepting her feelings even though they are troublesome to think about. “These are things that I have to do, Kiki-hime – I've trained all my life to do them. That they are for you only means they're that much more important to be successful at.” She starts to look down but you gently cup her cheek with your hand stopping her, and she looks up at you, her eyes swimming. “But you are allowed.” She looks confused and you run your fingers along the smoothness of her horn. “You can worry as much as you like, as long as it makes you feel better.”

The first tear falls, and you catch it gently on your fingertip, drawing the tear away from her cheek, removing the trail of it, as you barely caress her eyelashes. “Do you regret this, falling in love with me?” You phrase it not as a question of her regret or her sorrow for having done so, but to question whether she thinks it's a waste to have done so a waste of your time rather than hers, or perhaps that loving you is so far above her station that she is unworthy of it. You know she doesn't consider it a waste of her time – she told you weeks ago that she would make you see her in a different light eventually, prove to you that her love is real and as powerful as yours is.

She shakes her head immediately. “No, no, Ryu-chan. I wouldn't ever think that.” You smile and gently paint her lips with the tear she shed, a taste of the ocean.

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>>39402431
“I would suffer in Yomi for eight million years for an hour with you. I would face eight million youkai, eight million demons, eight million hells, for that hour. My Important People make it possible for me to do those things, and my Precious Treasure....I love you.” The tears spill freely and you kiss her, taste the ocean in her kiss, share that tear with her, make it yours. She relaxes against you once you break the kiss, and you hold her as she sobs softly, stroking her back with your tail, keeping her safe as the others do their duties.

Kiku-chan gestures to you from behind her younger sister, clan gestures; she needs to discuss Yuuhi with you. You give her the slightest of nods and she slips into the hallway, leaving you and Kiki-hime alone in the living room.

[] Sit her on the couch, and let her cry it all out.
[] Just hold her. That's what she needs now.
[] Pull back enough to look into her eyes, and make certain she is really okay.
[] Take her into the garden in the yard; surround her with growing things and moving water.
[] Take her into the bathroom and clean up, let the others do their work without you two in the way.

>>39402449
>[] Pull back enough to look into her eyes, and make certain she is really okay.
>[] Take her into the garden in the yard; surround her with growing things and moving water.

>[] Just hold her. That's what she needs now.

>Water Eyes

>>39402449
[x] Just hold her. That's what she needs now.
[x] Pull back enough to look into her eyes, and make certain she is really okay.

>>39402449
>>39402516
Gonna back this, sounds good.

>>39402516
Also supporting this.

>>39402449
>[] Pull back enough to look into her eyes, and make certain she is really okay.
>[] Sit her on the couch, and let her cry it all out.
>[] Just hold her. That's what she needs now.

>>39402449
[] Water Eyes
[] Sit her on the couch, and let her cry it all out.
[] Just hold her. That's what she needs now.

>>39402516
Someone might see us if we're in the garden. Not that it isn't good for Kiki-hime, but if we do it, we need to make sure we're hidden by mist.

>>39402449
>[x] Pull back enough to look into her eyes, and make certain she is really okay.
>[x] Water Eyes.
>[x] Sit her on the couch, and let her cry it all out.

>Kiki cries more often than not
Man, we're one shitty husband.
We're suppossed to make her HAPPY, guys. We're suppossed to make her LAUGH.

>>39402864
She's emotional anon, what are we supposed to do?

>>39402864

We did that last time we had a moment.

Kiki is someone who had a pretty horrible life and our family is in a very stressful situation. We'll bring her smile back during our little trip.


Also, I suggest we go on a date with each of our wives, and then on one with all of them.

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[x] Sit her on the couch, and let her cry it all out.
[X] Just hold her. That's what she needs now.
[X] Pull back enough to look into her eyes, and make certain she is really okay.
[x] Take her into the garden in the yard; surround her with growing things and moving water.
[+] Water Eyes

You let her cry for a little longer, holding her close and letting her warm, soft body press tight against yours. She feels good against you, which is a little out of place maybe, but you really can't help it – she does, and that's all there is to it as far as your body is concerned. You hold her tightly, stroking her back with your tail, until the sobbing has dies down to a softer, less noisy crying. You open your Water Eyes, and pull pack just a little, just to look into her face, her eyes.

You see that she was terrified for your safety; you know that, but Water eyes shows you the ~depth~ of that fear, the horrific entirety of her worry that you might be hurt, alone, with no one to help you. Your frightening orders to not follow, meaning anyone who obeyed would be unable to help you. She'd almost made herself sick with the worry, her stomach in tight knots as the others started to get ready to leave. The gut wrenching fear as the metal case of explosives was pushed out, the horrific idea that bloomed: that someone might have gotten you, tried to assassinate everyone else without you to protect them.

Her love for you is very much real, very much a pillar of support for her, but at the same time, she's caught up in experiences beyond the pale, beyond her understanding of how the world worked, and they scare her. They're wonderful, and terrifying. She isn't envious of your other lovers – indeed, she's proud to be your princess, first among equals, and would do anything to protect and help the others. But losing you would be the end of the only good thing she thinks she's ever really had, aside from her sister.

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>>39403037
The depth of her feelings is mind numbing, almost overwhelming to you, and they're not even yours; you're not really quite sure how SHE manages it.

You close your Water eyes and gently guide her to the door. “Come outside, Kiki-hime. You need to sit in the garden with me for a while.”

She looks uncertain but your smile reassures her. You slap your tail onto the floor, and Akari-niji-chan walks out into the living room, apparently carrying a bundle of towels to Er Yin's room. “We're going into the garden for a bit. Well be back soon.”

“Yes, aniki. Shall I put Yui-niji-chan on overwatch?”

[] That won't be necessary this time.
[] If Yuuhi-chan is okay, she can take care of it.
[] Shoko-san can do it.
[] Yui-niji-chan it is.
[] Kiku-chan might be best this time.

>>39403059
>[] Yui-niji-chan it is.
No real reason to pick someone else is there?

>>39403059
>[] If Yuuhi-chan is okay, she can take care of it.

>>39403059
>[x] Shoko-san can do it.

>>39403059
>[] Kiku-chan might be best this time.

>>39403059
>[] Shoko-san can do it.

Smart girl will know what to do, I trust her 100%

>>39403059
>[] If Yuuhi-chan is okay, she can take care of it.

>>39403059
[] Yui-niji-chan it is.

>>39403059
>[] Yui-niji-chan it is.

>captcha: helpm
Yes, HELP!

>>39402449
>[] Just hold her. That's what she needs now.
>[] Pull back enough to look into her eyes, and make certain she is really okay.
>[] Take her into the garden in the yard; surround her with growing things and moving water.

I think we overuse and abuse the water eyes, and that there's no need for them here, but that's just me.

>>39403255
I have bad news, anon.

>>39403255
It's not a costly ability anyways.

>>39403255
>>39403267
That's what I get for actually trying to participate from my phone instead of lurking. Guess it's time to shut up again.

>>39403286
I think anon meant more that using it in social situations is like cheating. Don't want to overuse it, and it can be argued it's unfair to use it (which obviously doesn't matter when it's really important like in combat or the like, but more so here).

>>39403312
It's fine, anon. Long-time phone user here, just copy-pasta and post if you don't have swype.

>>39403059
[x] Yui-niji-chan it is.

>>39403312
>Considering you were a tie breaker, I'm all for your participation.

>>39403286
Eh, it's not about the cost, at moments like this it just feels so unnecessary and almost out of character, and there are times when it just feels like meta-gaming, which normally I don't give a shit about but this quest is different.

It's really just a personal preference thing, a little nag that I've had for a while, nothing serious.

>>39403402
>>39403359

Well, if you say so, I'll try my best.

>>39403402
What tie did anon break exactly?

>>39403059
>[] Yui-niji-chan it is.

>>39403410
Yeah, it does. The stupid thing is that it's a great way to get to the bottom of what we're doing, but it might be a good idea to stop using it. It can clearly be manipulated or blocked, as we can see from Wood and Void.

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[X] Yui-niji-chan it is.

“That would be fine, Akari-niji-chan. We won't be too long. I'll leave the preparations to you.”

“Okay.”

NNGGggghhhNNNgghhrrrrr. You'd fuckin' think you'd fuckin' learn by now.

Walking Kiki-hime out the door, you sweep her off her feet, and she gasps and throws her arms around your neck. You smile, and touch your nose to hers, a kittenish Eskimo kiss; she smile wanly and rubs her sleeve across her eyes. With that you leap off the balcony, to the wall, then down and back to the apartment walls, returning to the outer wall one last time before landing in the courtyard.

You don't concern yourself with where Yui-niji-chan will be; you trust Akari to do what needs to be done properly. Instead you concern yourself with a layer of fog between the courtyard and the gate. It doesn't need to be much, just enough to obscure what little line of sight there is. The face that there is a water feature nearby helps – people will be more likely to mistake it for a dose of dry ice in the pond.

You set Kiki-hime onto her feet, and she smiles; rather than take her hand, you link your arm in hers, then lace your fingers with hers, keeping her close to you. Sealing the deal, you wrap the last part of your tail around the last of hers, and walk her to the bench in the courtyard. Being in the garden is already having a dramatic effect on her; she is smiling, and her color is much better. Her eyes are still watery, tears still ready to be shed, but as you lead her to the bench and sit with her, she blinks them away.

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>>39403799
Reaching up, you wipe her face clean of the tears and gently pull her close. She leans into you, her head resting on your shoulder.

“Ryu-chan....”

“Yes, Kiki-hime?”

“You're unwholesomely tall.”

With a sigh you rest your head against the top of hers. “Yes, but that just means I get all the pretty girl's faces resting on my breasts when they hug me.”

She giggles, but rather than swatting you or making fun, she snuggles a little closer to you, relaxes against you. That's much more reassuring than a playful slap, to be honest. You sit there, in companionable silence, and you can feel the energy slowly seeping back into her body, feel her blood move faster and her heart beat a little more strongly. The adrenaline is washing out of her blood too, leaving her tired and far less distraught. “Do you really think you can win this, without resorting to....you know....that?”

It's a little vague, but sadly you know exactly what she's asking.

[] No, Kiki-hime. That's not my destiny.
[] I'm going to try, hime-chan.
[] Yes, but I'm lying.
[] ….depends on if I can break fate over my knee.
[] Does it matter to you if I can't, Kiku-dono?

>>39403484
couch vrs garden

>>39403832
>[x] ….depends on if I can break fate over my knee.
>[x] Does it matter to you if I can't, Kiku-dono?

>>39403832
>[x] ….depends on if I can bend fate over my knee.
>[x] I'd practice with Kiku-chan but it would probably be too easy.

>>39403750
>>39403410
>>39403325

Water Eyes are an increased form of our normal perceptive nature. I only vote to use them when we really need to know something, and let's be honnest, not only our wives are great at hidding things that they don't want to tell us, but they also keep to themselves things that are dangerous, toxic or simply heart-wrenching. Heck, Kiku nearly had a destructive stress episode and we wouldn't have noticed how close she was from the breakdown without our Eyes.

I'm all for us to work toward making them more open and more willing to tell us what bother them, but I don't think we should stop using Water Eyes.

>>39403832
>[] I'm going to try, hime-chan.
>[] Does it matter to you if I can't, Kiku-dono?

>>39403855
Oh, I thought we'd already decided based on the previous update.

>>39403832
>[] Yes, but I'm lying.
>[] I'm going to try, hime-chan.

>>39403750
I don't much mind that, the strengths and weaknesses of water eyes pretty well balance out so that we almost always gain some type of advantage in the situation. My problem, well, not really a problem, just a peeve, is that the Ryukusa in my head wouldn't use them in social situations as often as we have her use them, if at all. Especially when it comes to her family and those we protect, like Chisato (sp?).

But again, it's really just a matter of some slight dissonance between my head-cannon and the actual character, which is pretty natural when there's 5-10 people controlling that character.

>>39403832
>[] I'm going to try, hime-chan.
>[] ….depends on if I can break fate over my knee.

>>39403832

> I will win against all my foes, Kiki-hime.
>The thing is... "that" isn't a weapon for me to win a fight with. It is a ceremonial tool to accomplish my duty.

>>39403832
>[] I'm going to try, hime-chan.
>[] Yes, but I'm lying.
>[] ….depends on if I can break fate over my knee.

>>39404048

Well, I can understand you're bothered by the dissonance, but why exactly do you think Ryukusa shouldn't use her Eyes as much?

>>39404048
I agree in principle, but we need to make sure our wives are more open with us on this trip, because >>39403931 really got it. And who says we can't throw in a dash of Ryo training to build our team's total trust to fix that?

>>39403832
>[x] I'm afraid I might have to use...that!
>[x] But I'll do my best to avoid using...that!
Sorry XS but you basically asked for it.

>>39403832
>[] No, Kiki-hime. That's not my destiny.

>>39403832
[] Kiki, this isn't about me becoming someone else, it's more like something else becoming more like me.
[] But, for you, it depends on whether I can break fate over my knee

>>39403931
>not only our wives are great at hidding things that they don't want to tell us, but they also keep to themselves things that are dangerous, toxic or simply heart-wrenching.
Same goes for the girls that aren't part of the harem, but still live with us. We need to them what we told Kiki, that we wouldn't mind hell so that they don't have to.

>>39403931
Actually, this is a good point, and now that I think about it, I can't really deny that there have been times when using water eyes either socially and/or with our family has been, if not exactly necessary, then at least very helpful.

I guess it really just comes down to not abusing it, IC and OoC. It's a useful tool, but I would hate to see us devolve into, [+] Water Eyes, for every little bump in the road.

>>39404148
Honestly, in my head it goes something like-

Blahblahblah she doesn't need them, blah blah have to trust our family, blah blah blah it's a little invasive, blahblah-something about being in the moment, something something-powergaming.

Honestly >>39403931 has a really good point, and I don't really have any solid criticisms, just annoyed moans that the community-controlled MC doesn't match up exactly with the one in my head.

>>39404359
Maybe ask XS if there's a danger in that? Ryukusa does shut it down pretty quickly when she's decided she has enough information to work with. We never have to ask for that.

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[X] ….depends on if I can break fate over my knee.
[X] Does it matter to you if I can't, Kiki-dono?
[+] It's a little more complex than that, to be honest....

You draw your headband off with one hand, the other still gripped firmly in hers, and toss it ~Nowhere~. “Well, I suppose I could have Kiku-chan set them all on fire, but that would be the easy way out.” She giggles and you smile your free hand moving to lightly stroke her bare thigh, using the back of your nails....no, claws; and then your fingertips....no, talons. You wonder if she's all right with that, the fact that all you have are jewel-like talons on both hands now, talons you can't sheathe or hide without gloves. The light squeeze of her other hand reassures you and you continue, slow back and forth strokes.

You consider seriously and then admit the truth. “It really depends on if I can break destiny and fate over my knee. Supposedly what my sister saw in a vision can't be chanced, but she's tried to change it. I'm working my hardest to change it. I'm even taking the most unpredictable, least understood spirit-children as allies to confuse the issue as much as I possibly can.” She shifts her head to look up at you, but you have to reach up and draw your hair away from your face to look down at her. Once that's done you stroke her thigh once more, marveling at the fact that you can feel her soft skin and warmth through those strange claws.

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>>39404741
“Besides....'that' isn't really a weapon, you know.” She looks confused, but patiently waits for you to explain. “It's not really a case of me becoming something else....but more like something else growing to be part of me. I've always been me, and I'll always be me. My mikoto may be different than I thought it was, but it's still just a part of me, not the other way around. I think that's what confused the people who tried to put me in the situations I'm in now.” You consider and then smile suddenly. “It's my tamagushi, my prayer stick. It's something to help me fulfill my own sacred duty.”

She smiles. “Somehow I don't think it's the same, Ryu-chan....”

“No, you're right, it isn't. But really....if I am to escape the problem 'that' will cause, I have to do some pretty drastic stuff, I suppose. And for you, for our family, I'll do that in a heartbeat, of course.” She snuggles closer, resting her head against your shoulder once more. You hesitate, the idea of asking her something so personal a little strange to you still, but you ask the question anyways. “Does it matter to you, if I can't manage it without 'that', Kiki-hime?” You rest your hand on her thigh and she covers your hand with her free hand – the other still held with hers, fingers laced together, warm between you

“No, Ryu-chan. You won't use it to hurt anyone if you can help it. You wouldn't do anything like that without knowing there was no other way. Even if it's dangerous, you always....try to fix things.”

Well, she has you pegged.

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>>39404760
“I know it's going to hurt a lot of people. But I was more asking....well...because I know you don't want to.” She hesitates, and you patiently wait. When she continues, it's in a softer, thicker voice, her tears threatening again. “I don't want to see you hurt because you have to do something terrible either, you know. You suffer so much when any of us get hurt....I can guess how you'd feel if you do something so....widespread, that really is your fault....” you smile at her implication that them getting hurt isn't your fault. It's not, not really, but you still hate it happening.

[] I'm not worried. You'll protect me.
[] That's why Akari-niji-chan is with me.
[] Er Yin-sensei and Jinyuu-onee-sama will help me when that time comes.
[] Yuuhi-chan isn't the only one that Kiku-chan is going to counsel.
[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

>>39404788
>[] I'm not worried. You'll protect me.

>>39404555
I'm honestly not really worried, XS has always had a very strong grasp of who Ryukusa is and we just nudge her in certain directions. If it ever gets to the point of being out of character I trust XS to put us back on track, either by taking a strong hand outside of the quest and refusing to write it in or taking the more subtle approach and either making it detrimental to use or writing in a small sub-plot regarding overuse.

Long story short, I basically trust everything to XS, I'm just here for the ride.

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>>39404788
>[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

>>39404788
>[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

>>39404788
[x] I'm not worried. You'll protect me.
Awwww

>>39404788
>[] I'm not worried. You'll protect me.
>[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

>>39404788
>[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

>>39404788
>[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

>>39404788
>[] I'm not worried. You'll protect me.
>[] That's why Akari-niji-chan is with me.
>[] Er Yin-sensei and Jinyuu-onee-sama will help me when that time comes.
>[] Yuuhi-chan isn't the only one that Kiku-chan is going to counsel.
>[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

Everyone pitches in, we are a family after all.

>>39404788
>[x] I'm not worried. You'll protect me.

>>39404947

In that case, you forgot Yui.

>>39404969
She's very forgettable.
Sorry anon, can't resist the bully.

>>39404788
>[] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

>>39405037

Too late. Now Yui will have to bully Ryukusa extensively to make up for this.

>>39405235
Oh no, how terrible!

>>39404969
>>39405037

I can see it now,

>"But what about me Aniki?!?"
>Take out her male nurse uniform
>Give her plenty of rope/ribbons
>"You're in charge of taking care of us niji-chan."
>Watch her blush
>Watch Akari blush
>Watch everyone blush

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[X] I'm not worried. You'll protect me.
[X] I trust my family to take care of me, no matter what.

“I have absolute faith that you'll protect me, hime-chan.” She giggles, and looks at you, and you smile at her, beatifically, calm.

Serious.

Her own smile fades and she looks confused. “I'm....I'm not sure....”

You gently interrupt. “Kiku-chan is there to guide me and keep me sane. Er Yin-sensei and Jinyuu-onee-sama to show me what I need to know. Akari-niji-chan is there because she understand what it means to be what I am too, and to keep my feet on the ground.” You turn and slip your hand out of hers, gently tracing her lips with the ruby talons of your right hand. “You are here to protect my heart and remind me that I am loved.”

Kiki's eyes glisten and her smile is soft and warm. Then she looks confused. “What about Yui, Ryu-chan?”

“She already taught me what I need to know. Yui-chan showed me the truth of me, and she reminds me of everything that I am fighting for now, just by being here, and not anywhere else.” Because when Er Yin-sensei told you where she would be if you didn't keep her safe, you believed her. As long as Yui-niji-chan is here, she reminds you that you're fighting to keep them all alive and safe – because Yui-niji-chan wouldn't be either if she weren't with you. “She's not here to help me. I'm here to help her.”

Understanding dawns in Kiki-hime's eyes; she sits up so she can kiss you slowly and deeply. You kiss back, reveling in her warmth, her love. Loving her.

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>>39405531
You reluctantly break the kiss, breathing hard, and she's breathing ~very~ hard. “Do you feel better now, Kiki-hime?” The feng shui of the garden has certainly helped her gain her center, and you don't need Water Eyes to see she's feeling better than she has in a while.

“Yes, Ryu-chan. But....we should go help pack.” You smile, knowing Akari-niji-chan has everything taken care of. A couple of gestures, and Yui's cloud descends from the heavens.

Kiki-hime smiles at Yui, who bows her head. Kiki-hime immediately bops Yui-niji-chan on the head with the side of her hand, only to immediately gasp and shake her hand to restore feeling to the nerves in her hand. Yui looks up, blinking mildly. “Huh?”

“Never mind Yui-niji-chan. Take the princess up to the apartment. I'll be there shortly. Also, ask someone to heat up some sake for me, I'll probably need it.”

Kiki-hime looks alarmed. “Ryu-chan, you shouldn't-”

You hold up your hand and shake your head. “I need to make arrangements with the Landlord. I also have to ask her for a bigger suite. It can't be helped, so I have to do this.” You don't WANT to do this at all, but it's been inexorably coming, this moment. You take a deep breath. “you go, and take care of our family. Yui-niji-chan.”

“Hai, aniki!” She helps Kiki-hime onto the cloud, and they float up quickly.

That just leaves you....and the Landlord.

[] No time like the present.
[] See if you can't draw some extra strength from the garden too.
[] Call Akari-niji-chan, see if she's taken a few minutes to write out the invitation to the Mill Pond Demon.
[] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.
[] ….check for Rie. It's been too long.

>>39405564
>[] ….check for Rie. It's been too long.
and then if there's no kitty,
[] No time like the present.

>>39405564
>[] No time like the present.
>[] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.

>>39405564
What happened to seeing Kiku from earlier?
>[] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.

>>39405564
>[] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void

>[] See if you can't draw some extra strength from the garden too.

Could be great.

>[] Call Akari-niji-chan, see if she's taken a few minutes to write out the invitation to the Mill Pond Demon.

>>39405564
>[] ….check for Rie. It's been too long.
>[] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.

>>39405564
>[] See if you can't draw some extra strength from the garden too.

>>39405564
[x] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.

>>39405564
[] See if you can't draw some extra strength from the garden too.
[] ….check for Rie. It's been too long.
[] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.
[] Call Akari-niji-chan, see if she's taken a few minutes to write out the invitation to the Mill Pond Demon.

We should also ask the Landlord about Ulthar. We promised Rie, after all.

>>39405564
>[] See if you can't draw some extra strength from the garden too.
>[] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.

>>39405635
We prioritized Kiki first. And she needed it.

>>39405967
Yeah, and now we have time for the next thing on our agenda, why not see her instead of put it to vote?

>>39405996
Because we might see her after the landlord.

>>39406080
Yeah but I'm asking why is the landlord suddenly equally urgent when before we had to calm Kiki it wasn't even a topic.

>>39406130
Because Kiku's deal isn't immediately urgent?
If Ryukusa considered she couldn't wait she would've gone to her immediately instead of wondering.

>>39406130
>>39406160

I think it's because we're currently in the garden, which is near the office of the unnatural landlord

>>39406130
Priority by proximity. Kiku would have let us know if it was urgent. Gathering strength gives us time to talk, even while we prepare to cope with the landlord. Besides, everyone else is packing so this way we're only stealing one or two pair of hands at a time.

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[XXX] Call Kiku-chan down by means of the Void.
[XX] See if you can't draw some extra strength from the garden too.
[X] ….check for Rie. It's been too long

You clear your mind and reach for your sister-in-law....right, you're never using those words ever again. Nevertheless, you concentrate on Kiku-chan, her bright, violent spirit, her insulting manner, her-

(Hai, aniki?)

….you're getting frighteningly good at this.

(Come join me, please.)

(Yes, aniki.)

It isn't really words of course, more like....the impression of what you want, and receiving the impression of her curiosity and assent. You sit seiza in the middle of the grass, and take slow, deep breaths, feeling the water circulating in the water feature, the slow transpiration of the flowers and bamboo, the dampness in the earth. You reach out to the slow breeze that drifts from the front gate, around the complex, to the back gate, the eddies and twists of the breeze. Clean, clear, calm. You open your eyes and Kiku-chan lands before you, dressed in a more casual yukata, and looks at you with those lovely golden eyes of hers.

“You wanted to talk to me about Yuuhi-chan.” You continue to gather your strength, knowing that you're definitely going to need it, and she nods.

“Your fox is broken, aniki. Her phobia is very deeply ingrained. I was able to cleanse the fear and turmoil from her, but she needs actual therapy. Whatever the iron shadows showed her was very....” You blink, not used to Kiku-chan being at a loss for words. “....very evil.”

>>39406355
Poor Yuuhi.

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>>39406355
“That's kind of a strange word for you to use, Kiku-chan. I thought one of the tenets was that there is no evil.”

She shrugs expressively. “I can't think of another way to put it, aniki. What they did to her was beyond reason, beyond torture. She might never fully recover. I don't think she even understands how bad it was.” That's not good at all. “I can help her, counsel her, but the cleansing will help keep her stable for about a week, maybe a little more. Less if she has to deal with it.”

“I'm tempted to go hunt them down and give them a piece of my mind.” by which you mean slaughter them all, but the look on Kiku-chan's face is pretty alarming, because she's frowning mildly. And that's all.

“I think you should, aniki.”

[] BWAH?
[] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?
[] That's....that's pretty harsh coming from a Shinto priestess.
[] More explanation please.
[] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of nuclear holocaust youkai?

>>39406414
>[x] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of nuclear holocaust youkai?
>[x] More explanation please.
>[x] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?

>>39406414
>[] That's....that's pretty harsh coming from a Shinto priestess.
>[] More explanation please.

>>39406414

>[X] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of nuclear holocaust youkai?
>[X] More explanation please.

>>39406414
>[] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of nuclear holocaust youkai?
Going to kill manifestations of mankind's willingness to destroy reality itself in pursuit of hatred.
Good luck.

>>39406414
>[x] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of nuclear holocaust youkai?
>[x] More explanation please.
>[x] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?

>>39406414
>[x] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?
Who could we even get to play therapist for Yuuhi?

>>39406414
>[] More explanation please.
>[] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of nuclear holocaust youkai?
>[] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?

>>39406414
>[x] BWAH?
>[x] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of
nuclear holocaust youkai?
Kiku no mercy!

>>39406414
[] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?
[] That's....that's pretty harsh coming from a Shinto priestess.

>>39406414
>[] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?
Go figure. I thought nuclear initiations are the only mortal weapon that could kill body and soul.

>>39406648
In that case you wouldn't be able to make a youkai out of it

>>39406414
>>39406453
supporting

>>39406414
[] That's....that's pretty harsh coming from a Shinto priestess.
[] More explanation please.
[] Is there something more I could do to cleanse them?

>>39406414
Yeah, I'll support this.
>>39406453

And we might even consider killing them to be part of Ryukusa's duty, to clease this type of spiritual taint.

>>39406948
Honestly, they'd be Youkai obsessed with destruction. Created from it and maddened by it. I think Hakou could give us a few pointers on their strengths and weaknesses.

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[XX] Um. Did you just suggest I kill a bunch of nuclear holocaust youkai?
[XX] ….I'm sorry, who are you and where did you put my loli-dragonette?
[X] More explanation please.

You stare at her for a moment, bewildered by her simple response. “Kiku-chan....did you just suggest I go and destroy the youkai born of a nuclear holocaust?” The very idea of fighting youkai is, while not frightening, a little bizarre. Certainly you've fought lesser youkai, recently even, and you could potentially fight a strong youkai, but generally the duty of the priestesses and priests is to appease and lessen their influence, or if necessary, bind or exorcise them.

But to ~destroy~ such monsters that were born from the war....and to be told it is a good idea by a fully fledged Shinto and Koshinto priestess....that's way, way beyond simply dealing with spirits.

“Hai, aniki-dragon.” She bows her head, hands on the front of her yukata.

“Where is the real Kiku and what have you done with her?” you stare at her hard.

Her hair bursts into flame and she shouts at you. “Baka dragon! I'm being serious!”

“...okay, okay, I believe you...but you're going to have to give me more to go on. I mean, you're not just saying I should fight them or asking me to help you exorcise them, if that's even possible, you're telling me I should destroy them. Destroy them as Ame-no-Horobi-no-Mikado.” She looks down, but her expression isn't ashamed or confused or worried. She's utterly serious. “Now, why?”

Kiku takes a slow, deep breath, and releases it. “Aniki, I think....I think they're not youkai. I think they're demons. Real demons.”

You stare at Kiku-chan, and wonder when you graduated to demon slayer.

>To be Continued.

>>39406690
Perhaps you could. An initiation only kills you immediately if you are lucky.

>>39407088
Thats, quite the response!

Thanks for running! Its always a good day when I get to read your quest!

>>39407088
Thanks for running! That certainly complicates things.

thank you all for reading and playing, and I hope you've enjoyed. I'll stay for a short while for questions.

As a side note: Yes, overuse of Water Eyes can be dangerous, but more because it affects the user's view of people. The user becomes more arrogant and deludes themselves into believign that they know everything there is to know about people's natures and how to mainuplate and control them.

Ryukusa sees Water Eyes as a sense just like her sense of smell and taste - remember, she can sense certin things that humans cant (smelling innocence, for example). It's an augmentation of her perceptions, but she is aware that overuse can distort her senses. But when her loved ones are in turmoil, she considers it better safe than sorry - the Japanese are notoriously close mouthed about their suffering.

It also serves the QM in allows the players deeper insight into the motivations and thinking of Ryukusa's family - the players are pretty good about using it only in times of duress, as opposed to constantly.

>>39407088
>“Aniki, I think....I think they're not youkai. I think they're demons. Real demons.”
Welp. Guess it's time to bust out the red greatcoat and the twin pistols.
wait, we use a magical katana. Make that a blue greatcoat.

Excellent thread as always, XS.

>>39407088
Well, if she's right then it's a lot more understandable. No wonder poor Yuuhi is so traumatized.

>>39407088
Welp, time to go and look up Japanese demons.

>>39407203
Thanks for writing.

>>39407203
Honestly, that's all I needed to hear, thanks for addressing that XS.

Next thread when?

>>39407239
Remember that it was caused by the US and the Christian god is considered a Kami. Thus, Christian demons get a back door/if the bombs that were dropped were 'blessed' by the Christian devil, well...

>>39407266
Should be Monday or Tuesday.

>>39407203
Thank you for running, XS.

>>39407203
Thanks for running

>>39407203
What can you tell us about the iron shadows? Are they tortured spirits seeking vengeance or real evil spirits that want to torture people?

>>39407284
But there's nothing really mystic about nuclear initiations, not even their apparent ability to destroy spirits. The bombs weren't dropped in the name of God or any other deity, they were dropped so that the war would end (and a number of other mostly geopolitical reasons)

>>39407203

Thank for running!


Oh, XS, you sly devil. I know where it's going, and I like it.

>>39407439
It depends how different this world is from that world.

I know from the research of several people and recently declassified documents that the bombs were dropped to see what they would do (and perhaps show everyone what they could do), along with studying their effects on cities and people.

The Emperor had already asked to surrender ~15 hours to several weeks before the bombs were dropped.

Tokyo was originally the site for a third bombing, but the Admiral in command of the pacific had visited there once and felt that Japan wouldn't survive its destruction.

As for any sort of land invasion, we'd bombed the crap out of them before-hand.

>>39407505
Clearly you must inform the rest of us anon!

>>39407439
What Ryukusa knew abvout the iron shadoes was that they were a form of tortured spirit, not necessarily ghosts but the spirits left by a disaster. Yuuhi believed them to be youkai, but apparently they were both wrong. Ryukusa does know, and it has been verified by Yuuhi, that they chase their victems through the streets and show them horrible visions of the bombings. It's said that a number of suicides result from iron shadows terrorizing people. they do seem to prefer younger people, however.

>>39407550

but that would be spoiling, anon. And I wouldn't want to destroy this opportunity

All I can say is that the answer is in this thread:

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/37352150/

>>39407529
>The Emperor
He was denied by whatever was left of the Japanese army command, I presume? That's the direct descendant of the Kami, denied by humans.

And then other humans, a FOREIGN power, no less, attack Japan with what's basically Amaterasu getting angy. Those events must have caused some turmoil in the spirit world.

>>39407653

In many ways, the bombing is when Japan... lost. Before ? A people going to literaly insane length for war and conquest, never shying away from performing sacrifices or the worse attrocities.

After? Japan was told by one of its gods: "we cannot win. Let's go home."

>>39407855
>Japan was told by one of its gods: "we cannot win. Let's go home."
By that you mean the Emperor, yes? Ammy didn't have anything to do with the bombings.

>>39407653
No, he sent out the request, the US dropped the first bomb, then the second, and accepted his surrender. They didn't even let him stay as a figurehead, like the British have.