Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Meeting one of the Principle Clans
I don't think the honorifics will be correct for this time period, but I'm using them anyways.
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The sun shined through the window right into Kouko's closed eyes, waking her from her sleep. On top of that, she felt something hard poking her stomach. It was scalding, but not unpleasant. Her eyes cracked open and the first sight that greeted her was her brother's lips, mere inches from her own.
Finally she realized what was poking her stomach and her face flushed and she started to get up without waking Valerian, which was unsuccessful. Cracking open his eyes, he saw his sister awkwardly shifting in his embrace with a red face. Smiling, he said, "Good Morning Ko." She stopped like a deer in headlights and slowly looked back at him, her blush intensifying. "M-morning."
Smirking, he leaned down slightly, causing his lips to collide with hers, causing her to freeze momentarily, before giving in and responding to his kiss. After the chaste kiss ended. They both felt movement from their sides, noticing that both Serafall and Grayfia were now also awake.
Serafall was pouting her lips waiting for her kiss, which he happily gave to her, before turning to Grayfia, giving her one as well. They all three looked at Kouko, who was still lying on Val's chest and Serafall spoke first, "Finally it took you two long enough. How long were you going to wait Val."
He shrugged, "You two might know and not care, but others would. Now, with that being said, I don't really give a shit what other say or think, but the same can't be said about Ko or my mother. I don't know how they would respond to people's opinion on incest. I'll talk about it more with her and mother when we go back to the underworld."
The two thought for a minute before reluctantly agreeing. Kouko on the other hand thought differently. "I don't care what other people think Valerian. I know for a fact mother doesn't either, since the two of us talked about it somewhat already. She found out that I had feelings for you a few years ago and came to talk to me. Though she didn't really care." She said with a muffled voice, since her face was buried in my chest.
"Well, that's something to worry about later, let's get ready. We have to meet the general and see if he knows someone who can teach you two to fight with your weapons." The girls nodded in agreement and went into the bathroom together to get ready. Valerian shook his head, changing quickly and making his way outside and back to the room where they talked with Himari the night prior.
Sitting in a sieza at the table was Himari and a middle aged man, with a Yua across from them. "Good morning. Thank you for allowing us to stay with you. and for allowing Serafall to be trained by Himari-san." Valerian said as he walked up and sat beside Yua.
The middle age looked at him for a second before speaking, "Think nothing of it. I was the one who invited you to the village, it is only fitting I also provide housing for you. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tanaka Asahi."
"Ahh right, My name is Valerian Maraa, ohh Maraa is my family name. The orange haired girl is Kouko, the Black haired one is Serafall, and the Silver haired one is Grayfia. They're my lovers." Valerian responded.
Hearing him, all three Tanaka's were surprised that the three women shared him. It wasn't uncommon for a man to have more than one wife at this time in japan, but they noted I said lovers, not wives. Ignoring it for now, he nodded and spoke again, "Now, if you don't mind me asking, what are you here for?"
"We're looking for trainers for the girls in their weapons. No one we know can use them. As you know, Serafall uses a Naginata. Grayfia uses a war fan, and Kouko uses a pair of Kyoketsu-shoge. Though I think she should learn to use one before she tries two. I wanted to ask if you knew anyone who could teach them?" Valerian responded.
Asahi thought for a moment, "I know someone who would probably be willing to teach Grayfia-san how to use a war fan. I also know someone who can use a Kyoketsu-shoge, but I'm not sure if she'd be willing to teach her, you'd have to convince her somehow. She lives in the city of Kyoto, if you can convince her then she would be the best to teach Kouko-san to learn from. Her name is Hangaku Aoi, she's the grand daughter of Hangaku Gozen."
(Valerian POV)
'Of course she lives in Kyoto, where the majority of the West Yokai faction is based. Well we have a ways to go, and we'll likely be stopped by the East faction after anyways.'
"Thank you. If it isn't a bother, I'd appreciate going to the one that can teach Grayfia today." I said to him.
He nodded, "Of course, now that things with the rebels have been dealt with, I don't have to much to do at the moment. Once you are ready, we can leave." With that we waited for the girls to be ready, which took close to an hour. Luckily I remembered to leave all of their things in the room last night.
They came into the room talking to each other merrily, before stopping and greeting our hosts. We had a meal with them now that everyone was awake before Himari took Serafall and Yua off to train, leaving Asahi, Kouko, Grayfia and I.
"Luckily, the one who I was talking about that can teach Grayfia-san is in town. She lives at a shrine about an hour away. She comes in every week to get supplies and visit some people. She should be coming over any time now." Asahi said to us as he sat down.
We join him and a few minutes later, a black haired woman with a scar running down her left eye all the way down the side of her neck. Seeing her, Asahi spoke up, "Ahh there she is now. Hello Nakiri-san."
Seeing us her eyes widened in surprise, which quickly warped into slight fear, but nonetheless, she pulled out her war fans, jumping back before getting into a fighting stance.
I was similarly surprised, before coming here, I was briefed on a few important figures in the supernatural side of japan, and the woman infront of me was one of them. Her name is Suzu Nakiri, the current heiress of the Nakiri clan. She was equal to a middle class devil in strength at the age of 22, which admittedly for a human is good. Though I'm still an ultimate class devil so it was nothing too impressive.
"Hello Suzu Nakiri. Ahh forgive me, I'm not from Japan, so I'm still not sure on honorifics. Either way it's nice to meet you." I said with a smile.
She looked surprised that I knew her name, but it didn't relax her any. I sighed, "You can calm down you know. I'm not going to hurt you. If I wanted you dead there's nothing you could do about it. But I promised to not cause trouble, so I won't."
Hearing me, Kouko elbowed me in the side before smiling at the Nakiri heiress. "Hello, my name is Kouko Maraa, this is my brother Valerian, and that is one of his fiancées Grayfia Lucifuge. His other fiancée, Serafall Sitri is also here, she's training."
She calmed down hearing our names and spoke up soon after, "I heard you four were coming, I just didn't think you were so strong already, so I thought it was someone else who wasn't permitted here... I heard you are all younger than I am, yet I can tell both of you are high class and Valerian-san is already at ultimate class. I apologize for acting rash." She said with a slight bow.
"It's nothing. To be honest, I was expecting a more hostile response, devils don't have the best reputation." I said with a shrug.
She had a grim expression on her face, but soon shook her head to herself before looking at me and speaking, "While that's true, Amaterasu-sama and Inari-sama vouched for you. Most were willing to look past the other devil's actions because of that."
Grayfia's eyebrow furrowed in suspicion, "Why would they vouch for us when they've never met us?"
I spoke up clearing her confusion, "That's not entirely true. Mom has been friends with them for years. I still remember when Inari came and visited us for a month when we were younger. She refused to sleep with anyone other than Kouko or I."
"I remember that... She was very clingy... But also very nice." Kouko said in a thoughtful tone.
"That sounds like Inari-sama. Very clingy and nice to those she likes, but ruthless and ferocious to those she doesn't." Suzu said with a sigh.
"Anyways, from what I heard you all were talking about me before I came in, what did you need?" She asked before coming and at an empty spot of the table.
"We need someone to teach Grayfia to use the war fans." I responded.
Her eyes widened before she looked at the silver haired devil with a curious look. "I though devils didn't like to use weapons?" She asked.
"Most don't, Mother taught Val to use a sword, and Val made us pick weapons to learn." Kouko responded.
"Ahh, That makes sense. Well, I would have to check with my clan first, but I might be able to teach her, though I would ask for a favor." She said.
"How about a contract?"
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