- Lucifer's side -
As the group got closer to the snow-covered border of Han'ei, Sabu asked Shiri a question.
"Did you know of any female red-haired yuki with one white eye?"
Shiri looked confused. "No, that sounds like a more recent generation of yuki. Why do you ask?"
Peter joined in, "We killed one during our last mission. Sabu wasn't supposed to ask."
Shiri shrugged, showing no offense to the question. "Unfortunately, I'm not that well connected with the female side of my kind that isn't in Hell."
Lucifer looked out ahead while the others continued the conversation. He noticed Amaterasu waiting by the border, pouting with what seemed like impatience. He flew faster, leaving the group behind as he went. He gave a signal to Lao and Yvere to be cautious. He landed across from Amaterasu.
Amaterasu was wearing a white-furred cloak over her kimono. Her right arm was tucked into the cloak. She looked passed Lucifer, staring at the approaching uništi. Mist poured out of her nostrils with every sigh she made. She went to speak but was interrupted by Lucifer.
"Where's Death?"
Amaterasu's expression drooped with boredom. "He's entertaining my mother and father. The Grim squad is with him as well."
Lucifer had received a call from Death prior to getting to the border that confirmed Amaterasu's words. He could also tell that there wasn't any malice behind her eyes. Before he could follow up on his question, she interrupted him.
"What's with your eyes?"
Lucifer tilted his head jeeringly. "Things change. Your right hand, for example."
Amaterasu's expression shifted to irritation. "Watch yourself."
"Or what?"
"You think I need both hands to remind you of your place?"
"I think you need four arms and an ambush just to singe my feet."
Before Amaterasu could yell at Lucifer she noticed the rest of the group had caught up to him. Her eyes quickly scanned each member, stopping when she noticed Shiri. She turned around and waved everyone over, speaking to Lucifer as she walked.
"I'll be escorting you to where the Grim squad is staying. After that, we can thankfully part ways. However, should you find yourself wanting a lesson on how to use fire properly, you can come find me."
Lucifer rolled his eyes. "Maybe when you earn the right to have both hands again."
Amaterasu chuckled. "As I said, come find me."
While Amaterasu and Lucifer exchanged more jabs at each other, Shiri leaned next to Peter and whispered.
"No disrespect meant but I think Lucifer might be overestimating himself."
Peter sighed. "He's always like this with fire gods. I think it's good for him though, especially when the god in question is such a cu-"
Lao tapped Peter on the arm with his fist. While Peter was rubbing his arm, Shiri walked over to Sabu.
"I shouldn't have taken this bet..." he handed Sabu a pouch of coins.
Sabu pocketed the coins. "To be fair, the bet was for one hour. It taking less than one minute is your own doing."
- Death, Izanagi, Izanami -
Death was laughing. He held up his cup of clear liquid to the other two beings that were sitting with him. Everyone tapped their cups together and downed the liquid in one gulp. Death put his cup down.
"I think Lucifer would love this drink!"
The other two beings laughed. One was a male with a black mustache and chin-beard, with thick black hair to match. The woman next to him had pale white skin with long black hair. The man spoke with a hearty laugh.
"Nami's always had a talent for finding the best alcohol. She even contacted the Helio god--what was his name?"
"Bes," Izanami answered.
Death held his cup out, signaling for another drink. A woman with hair longer than her body poured more of the clear liquid into Death's cup. The woman's hair seemed to flow around her feet as she offered the other two a refill.
"No more, Lord Izanagi?"
"No no," Izanagi laughed. "I know better than to try to keep pace with Death."
The woman nodded and stepped away. Death's eyes stayed on the woman as she left. He took a sip from his cup.
"Interested?" Izanami leaned forward with a grin.
"Hmm?" Death turned his head. "No, I just don't have much experience with yokai. I should have read up on the territory more before arriving."
Izanagi stood up. "I'm grateful you didn't. I think life is better with surprises," He sighed. "Now if you two will excuse me, I have to get back to seeing," He put his hand on Izanami's shoulder. "Sorry, you know how it's been lately."
Izanami put her hand on Izanagi's. "I know, dear husband. Go."
Death waited for Izanagi to be out of earshot before asking his question.
"What has he seen this time?"
Izanami made a painful grin. "A thousand paths, one is bound to be filled with thorns," She sunk her head down slightly. "The thorns have been a bit more common lately than in the past. I think it's wearing on him."
Death looked concerned. "Anything I can help with? Anything at all?"
Izanami seemed surprised by the offer. "No...this isn't the type of thing you can help with. You seem different from the last time we shared drinks, no offense."
Death looked down into his cup. "I'm trying to be more involved with the world again. Hopefully, with the experience I've gained from my travels, I can handle things cleaner than I used to."
Izanami stood up. "You're already doing enough for our territory. I shan't burden you with more work. Come," she motioned to Death. "We've taken enough of your time."
- Julius and Salim -
Julius and Salim were sitting on top of a rock that was speeding its way across land. Julius was using his magic to steer the rock's direction with one hand while speaking into an echo with the other. Salim was draped over the edge of the rock, watching the landscape pass by through the gaps in his hair.
"It's not a short trip," Julius said.
Salim lifted his upper body partway. "You sure you don't want me handling the call?"
"Yes," Julius turned his head to Salim and then back to the echo. "It's good practice for control."
Salim lied back down and mumbled to himself. "Just don't crash again."
- Lucifer and Xiao -
Shiri had split off from the group to meet with the demon envoys. Xiao had his team meeting with Peter, Lao, Sabu, and Yvere while he had a conversation with Lucifer. The two were sitting in a flower garden, drinking tea. The light sound of a shamisen drifted throughout as they discussed the state of things.
"Nothing's changed," Xiao groaned. "Whoever, whatever is leading the oni, has their absolute loyalty."
Xiao finished his cup of tea in a single gulp. He poured another cup, blew on it, and finished it instantly, burning his tongue slightly.
"You can just eat the sugar," Lucifer said. "I'm not going to judge given the circumstance."
"Thanks," Xiao picked up the container of sugar and tipped it into his mouth. "Wass goin' on wit yer eyes?" he spoke as he crunched the sugar in his mouth.
"Demon stuff," Lucifer shrugged. "It's not important."
"Mmm," Xiao swallowed the sugar and looked over at the staring servants. "You mind if I smoke just once? I'll be out of here by tomorrow."
The servants looked at each other and then nodded. Xiao pulled out a small box containing multiple small cylindrical sticks of grounded-plant filled paper. He held out one stick to Lucifer.
Lucifer lit the stick. "How have the cravings been during battle?"
"Not important," Xiao took a long drag off the stick. "So," he exhaled with a face of pure relief, "are you sure you want to stay? Death and my team are more than enough to deal with the current situation."
Lucifer shook his head in disagreement. "I'm not leaving Lao with you until I know exactly what is going on in this territory."
Xiao took a few more puffs off the stick. "And what exactly are you planning on doing when we're in other territories doing this kind of thing? You planning on joining the squad with him?"
"This is different," Lucifer's eyes narrowed slightly. "Or at least it feels different. Just think of it as selfish paranoia."
Xiao took a quick puff and sighed, "I'm grateful for the help. I just want to make sure you understand what it means for Lao to be on my team?"
"Of course I do," Lucifer leaned back. "You're lucky to have him."
Xiao chuckled. He finished off the stick and put the embers out by crushing it in his hand.