In the morning, we were ready to return home again. Me and Zero agreed not to tell anyone about what happened last night. We are keeping our relationship a secret and the fact that Zero is Zephiel a secret as well. After what happened yesterday, everyone is suspicious of Zero but since he saved us all, people decided to not question him and ignore what happened. I plan to ask Soren how to seal Zephiel away without sealing Zero away. But...how am I suppose to tell him without letting him know the truth? In any case, I have to hurry because Zero is starting to lose control each day.
I also had my first flying lesson but no luck. Basically, Yoru pushed me off a cliff to force my wings out. He says that in ancient traditions, younger tengus learn how to fly by being in life threatening situations so it's either fly or fall. Yoru doesn't save me so I have to use what I learn from Grandpa and climb myself back up. Because of his training, I got pretty good at climbing but I still can't fly.
Before we left, Ruyjin says his goodbyes to Orochi.
Orochi: Ryujin, please..don't go. Now that Seiryuu is gone, you are the last surviving dragon and the new sacred beast of the west. We must protect you at all cost.
Ryujin: I'm sorry elder, but I made a promise to Seiryuu when he died. I swore to kill Zephiel and free the future from his destruction. In order to do that, I must travel with the reaper king so I can find Zephiel.
Orochi: (tearing up) I understand but-!
Ryujin: (sad smile) Elder...please...
Orochi: (tears rolling down face) Alright then..I will pray for your journey from afar.
Ryujin: Thank you elder....please watch over everyone while I'm gone.
Orochi: You have my word.
After that, Ryujin joined us and we left. Behind us, many Hebi's are grieving from Ryujin's departure.Yoru is also coming along with me since he said he would teach me how to fly. Karatsu flew towards Talon and relay his message from Yoru, he then flew back. The kitsune clan are happy that the 4 sacred beast are freed. Inari was especially happy to see them again. Aoi and Ena returned to the kitsune clan but Inami decided to come with us for some reason. It seems that Aru is becoming friendly with Inami which isn't a surprise since both of them are canines. Before we left, we filled our stomachs, especially Inami and then start traveling to the demon land.
Along the way, We saw two kittens collapsed on the ground. One was black with a white dot on it's forehead while the other is white with a black dot on its forehead. They were hurt so I healed them and once they woke up, they jump onto me happily.
Black and white kitten: Meow-meow! (Mama!)
Zelphi: Whoa there! Take it easy.
Black and white kitten: (purring)
Zero: (smiling) They seem to like you Zelphi. Well..that makes three of us.
Only I heard what Zero said and blushed at what he meant.
Zelphi: (blushing) Still, it's strange. I thought all animals don't like demons. Aru is a exception since Fenrirs are called demon wolfs.
Fauna: I-It could be that t-those kittens are d-demons. (Nervously) I-I'm not good with d-demon animals.
Inami: What?! Why not?! They're sooo cute!
Inami tried to pick one of the kittens up but the two kittens hid behind me and hissed at her. It seems that they don't like Canines that much but Inami seems to like them a lot. After that, we fed the two kittens the fish we caught. They were happily munching on it and then played with Fife. Once break time is over, we were back to traveling again and left the two kittens behind. But...
Zero: (smiling) Um...Zelphi, those two kittens still are following us.
Zelphi: Really? Hm..maybe they want to come along. Let's adopt them!
Kai: Princess we can't! Soren says not to pick up any animal while we're here. We already have Aruru but taking those two kittens along will be like adding fuel to the fire.
Zelphi: (pouting) Kai..who do you listen to? Me or Soren. I'm the king so I get to do whatever I want. Besides..
I pick up the two kittens and held it up close to Kai's face.
Zelphi: (sweetly) Aren't they just adorable!
Kai: (adverting eyes and blushed) W-Whatever you say. But don't blame me when Soren comes to nag you later.
Zelphi: Don't worry about it, I can handle him!
Suddenly I heard the trees rustle.
??: I finally found you meow~.
When we look towards the direction of the noise, we saw a girl with dark skin, light color hair, gold eyes, black tail and black cat ears with two piercings in them. She was standing on top of a branch with one arm against the trunk. She then jump down and approach me.
Black cat girl: Hello there meow~. I see you found the two kittens I was looking for. Thanks for finding them, it saves me a lot of time meow~.
Zelphi: Uh..who're you?
Black cat girl: My name is Anise meow~. I am part of an orphanage that houses lost cats. We rescued these two just a few days ago and they suddenly ran away today. But I'm glad we found them meow.
Inami: (cheerfully) Hi there!!
When Anise saw Inami, she jump high into the trees and grabbed onto the highest branch. Looking down, she hissed at her.
Anise: (hissing) Stay away meow!!
After Anise calmed down, she climb down the tree.
Anise: Phew...If you don't mind, I'll be taking them now meow~.
Zelphi: Oh..okay.
Fauna: P-Princess..i-is it alright if w-we go visit their orphanage. I-I'm sure there's lots of cats there.
Zelphi: Is it alright if we go Anise?
Anise: (happily) Sure meow! (Hissing) But canines aren't allow meow!
Inami: (depress) Aw man...
After that, we followed Anise to a abandon building deep in the forest. Here, there were cats everywhere and Inami had to wait a few meters away from all of us. Just then we heard a voice.
??: (happily) Look Doyle! Anise is back! She even brought visitors with her too!!
There was a man sitting in a large window holding a peach color cat wearing a Red Cross. He had blue hair, a long blue tail, golden colored eyes, and blue cat ears. There was a small gold bell wrapped around his scarf and he had a large grin on his face. The man then disappear out of thin air and then reappear next to me while grinning.
Blue cat guy: (happily) Hellllo here! I'm Nova!!
Zelphi: H-How did you get here so quick? You must be very fast.
Nova: Nope! I'm a Cheshire Cat, I can teleport!
Zelphi: I see, that explains why you're smiling. I heard that Cheshire cats smile when something bad is about to happen to someone.
Nova: (happily) Haha!! That's what everyone says! But I'm just one happy cat!
Zelphi: (Unconvinced) Riiight...
While I was talking to Nova, Fauna seems to be having a fun time playing with all the other cats. Once again, all of them seems to dislike me besides the two black and white kittens.
Zelphi: It's strange, why is it that only these two kittens are attach to me.
??: It's because those two cats are special.
I looked up and saw a girl with hazel colored eyes, black cat ears, black tail, and silver hair that is covered by a hood. There was a large yellow button sown into her hood and she had a dull expression on her face.
Nova: (happily) Oh Heey Hazel! Perk up for once! We've got visitors!
Hazel: Nova, I am a nekogami, I can never be as optimistic as a Cheshire Cat...not that I want to either. Anyway, as I was saying, they are called Shiranui.
Zelphi: Wait, which one?
Hazel: Both of them.
Zelphi: Huh? Why would you name both of them Shiranui.
Hazel:...That's because it's their name, they are the same cat. In ancient legends, Shiranui had both an angel and demon's power. It is said that they were born as a sign of peace between the two races. Of course, that didn't last long and Shiranui split into two separate cats. But even thought they were split, the two kittens are still bound together. If they are separated from one another..both of them will die.
Zelphi: I see..they are one of a kind.
Hazel: Yes, they are special. There is one Shiranui that exist in every generation and in all these years, they never became one. Now that we found Shiranui, we plan to protect it. Now then, I'll be taking them now.
Hazel took the two kittens that were in my arms this whole time. But once she did, the two kittens squirm out of her hands and climb onto my shoulders. She tried again but then the two kittens jump from place to place as if it doesn't want to be caught. It then jump towards me and I was carrying them in my arms again.
Both kittens: Meow-meow! (Mama!)
Nova: (happily) Haha! How cute! They're calling you mother!
Zelphi: R-Really?
Anise: Meow~. This isn't good Hazel. The kitties are getting attached meow~.
Hazel: (dull sigh) I was afraid of this happening. But it seems that we have no other choice. You'll have to take care of them.
Zelphi: Sure, I was planning to do that from the start.
Fauna: (happy) Kittens..we get to keep them. P-Princess..l-let's name them.
Zelphi: But don't they already have a name?
Fauna: T-They are called Shiranui when they are one. B-But they are separate now. W-We should name them.
Zelphi: (looks at the two kittens).....Okay! (Points to white kitten) I'll call you Kuroh. (Points to black kitten) And you are Shiroe.
Kai: Um..Princess, isn't it the other way around? (Note: Kuro means black, shiro means white)
Zelphi: No, the white one is Kuroh, and the black one is Shiroe. Don't you see the black and white dots on their heads?
Kai: Yeah but-!..(sigh) never mind..
We stayed the night at the cat orphanage with the two kittens snuggled besides me. Inami and Aru had to sleep outside but they don't seem to mind since they practically live out here. The next morning, we were ready to travel back home along with two new kittens.
Hazel: One more thing before you go. Do not let those two be five meters apart from each other or else-
Zelphi: I know..I was listening yesterday.
Anise: Meow~, take good care of them Meow~.
Zelphi: Yeah, I will..bye now!
After that, we left with Kuroh and Shiroe on my two shoulders. After awhile, Zero spoke to me.
Zero: Um..Zelphi, that cat Mister is following us.
Zelphi: What?
I turned around but no one was there but then once I turn back, Nova was there with a large grin plastered on his face. I flinched when I saw him. I didn't scream and I wasn't scared! But...after looking at his smiling face for awhile, it kinda looks creepy now.
Nova: Haha! Gotcha!
Zelphi: What are you doing here?! Why did you follow us?
Nova: Dunno! Must be my animal instincts kicking in. It's telling me that something is about to happen around you! Hope you'll put up with me cause I'll be following ya for awhile!
Zelphi: (nervous) Okay but..stop smiling. (It's starting to get creepy)
Now I'm getting nervous, with a Cheshire Cat following me with a grin on his face. That can only mean that a terrible misfortune will soon befall me.