"...Huehh?"
Kunou didn't know how to react. From a barrier being suddenly erected to a sudden invitation to a very dubious organization by a girl younger than her, "Ummm... What?"
In the other room, Yasaka and a few of her subordinates felt the barrier and all perked up, "What's wrong!?" Yasaka asked the one who's tasked to watch over them.
"It seems to be an auditory and visual obstruction type of barrier. But aside from that, there's nothing else. Shinichi already confirmed that entry is not prohibited and the young miss and the guests are safe."
Yasaka was about to rush out but thought of something and turned her head towards Sakura. The moment she saw her awkward expression while trying to pretend to drink her tea calmly, some of the tension in her body left, "So this is also the children playing?"
"Mmmm... Ah... Yes... I'm very sorry for the commotion that this has caused. But I assure you, this is a 'very' common occurrence."
Yasaka sat back down and gestured to her subordinates not to do anything and to just continue monitoring, "I can't imagine how something like this could become a normal occurrence."
"My niece is apparently fond of copying those around her."
Yasaka took a sip from her tea, "I heard that your niece disappeared with Kisuke Urahara some time ago."
Sakura was not surprised since she knew she had some access to the Alliance's information and this is one of the reasons why she came with the kids, 'Even if I can't get anything important from her, it doesn't matter.' She thought while replying, "It's a habit that their group picked up since they didn't want any information about them getting out as much as possible after the unprovoked attack from Hades' and the Olympian Faction."
Yasaka thought about the instance where a sudden warrant for Kisuke was released after discovering a number of Devil corpses under his home, "I see... So you're saying that they wouldn't have taken the world stage if not for that attack?"
However, Sakura just shrugged her shoulders, "Who knows? Even as his mother, I don't exactly know what he's going to do next nor have any idea what's going on in his head. However, I know for sure that most of the things he does are either retaliating or preparing to retaliate."
"Preparing, is it?" Yasaka's eyes then became sharp, "So would that mean that he'll do anything?"
"Probably." Sakura was not affected, "As long as the threat warrants it, he'd probably even take over the world. Though I can't really imagine him sitting on the highest seat possible, because he'd find it a pain to deal with it."
A ridiculous claim. But if it was any other person, Yasaka would probably just brush it off with a laugh and never take it seriously, 'Despite his attempts to cooperate with the Alliance and him being a very important asset for the world now, they are still withholding such principal information from him.'
Yasaka didn't reply immediately and calmly emptied her cup of tea, 'Now then... I understand their concerns and fears, but this is a very important bet. I wonder where I should place it? Should I continue putting my trust in the Alliance that's very inefficient, or should I risk it on the boy that even the 'future' doesn't know.'
From then, as if the conversation from before hadn't happened, Yasaka and Sakura started talking about the kids instead and their daily lives.
.
.
.
Naturally, Kunou rejected the offer and Claire instantly became dejected, but only for a few seconds she bounced back and began asking Kunou about various things. Soon enough, Ophis and Lilith took down the barrier and Kunou also started opening up to her guests. Soon enough, laughter and shouting could be heard through the entire Yokai headquarters as they ran around, with Kunou in lead and the people around them watched with warm smiles while recalling their own childhoods.
At some point, Claire talked about her home in Greece and how she couldn't make any friends.
Kunou immediately hugged her new friend and patted her back, "It's alright! I'm now your friend! We can play anytime! Just call Kunou-neechan and I'll be there for you!"
"Umu!" Claire nodded her head gleefully and returned the hug. As for the others, they didn't want to be left out so they also jumped at the two and it became a group hug with the passersby giggling at the bundle of little girls.
"Ah... I remembered. I hid my 'treasures' and forgot to take them. Let's go get them." Claire suddenly declared.
"Get them? What do you mean?" Kunou asked with apparent confusion.
But instead of answering, Claire started running back towards where Sakura and Yasaka were. Kunou and the others followed her and they'd only just caught up when they saw Claire asking for permission.
"Aunty, I need to get something at home!"
"You forgot something in the mansion? I'll contact someone to bring it over. What is it?"
Claire shook her head, "I mean my former house."
"Alright. I'll go with you." Sakura was about to stand up when Claire shook her head, "It's a secret. I want us to go alone!"
"Hmmm? You know I can't do that. That's too dangerous. And aren't you bringing Kunou-chan along?"
Claire knew that she wouldn't get any permission for this, but she was also prepared for this outcome. Sakura saw Claire begin rummaging through her pocket and couldn't help but sigh, "Haahhh... She'll be taking that out, huh..."
"That?" Yasaka asked curiously.
Sakura wasn't able to answer her question as Claire had already found what she needed, a ticket. It looked like an ordinary ticket, but what was written on it was headache-inducing for Sakura.
"I'll use my 'Any Wish' ticket!"