The room had been rowdy up until this point. Some of the Dawn Squad had been drinking, guzzling wine by the jug. But poor Shen Ao and Ning Qi Zhi. Both of them had spit their wine out and coughed with surprise. Feng Ying, Bai Yi and Smiles' cheeks were flushed. So red that even Smiles' dress was a fair comparison to make between them. And it had become quite silent for a moment… However, Shen Ao was definitely drunk by this point.
"Ahahaha! Sister Feng Ying, when is the baby due!" Shen Ao laughed, stumbling against a pillar while drinking some more wine.
"Will you shut up!" Feng Ying said, punching Shen Ao in the face. "Just because Little Leiji said it doesn't mean you can say such things. Hmph!" She said, turning her face up and crossing her arms.
"Leiji, don't use reasons like that, in public. People will get the wrong idea." Yang kai said, attempting to do damage control.
"Oh? Why is that? Mother Feng and Mother Bai both used it. And what's wrong with finding the best possible partners to be with? Isn't that just how things go naturally? What's wrong with saying as much? Don't deny nature… It would get ugly if you did." I said. "For now though Mother Smiles is now Mother Smiles!" I added, with another big smile and hug.
"Yang Kai, you shouldn't continue fighting this. I've known about the deep sensory connection between you and Leiji. If he says your heart feels this way, it won't be easy to convince us otherwise." Bai Yi said, and then winked to Smiles.
Smiles then took her hand placing it underneath Yang Kai's chin. "I have undeniable feelings, ones of love. Even if you say no, I won't ever give up." Smiles said, kissing Yang Kai directly after.
Everyone watching could clearly tell that the kiss was not a simple reward. And it certainly wasn't one of passing fancy. The most undeniable thing was that while it may have been initiated one-sidedly, it was not a one-sided kiss. Yang Kai, having been put into this position, couldn't hold his heart's feelings back any longer.
"We have a couple of days before we have to head out. Why don't we spend it wisely?" Yang Kai said. "Leiji can explain the details about the mission to the others." He added.
"Sister Smiles, let's go and… indulge ourselves. You're in for a treat today." Feng Ying smiled.
"Little Leiji, make sure to check in on your idiot Martial Uncle over there…" Bai Yi said.
"No need to worry! I will make sure everyone is caught up to speed and ready to go." I said, with a confident pound on my chest.
Yang Kai, Smiles, Feng Ying and Bai Yi all left the room quite quickly after that. There was after all no more need of words. Though, the Dawn Squad was in utter shock.
"Did… Team Leader just… manage to get with one of the Old Ancestors? Little Leiji, what's going on?" Qi Tai Chu asked, slowly stroking his beard. His face was one of complete confusion, and respect.
"That's right! But Mother Smiles doesn't like being called Old Ancestor. So she is Smiles to everyone." I said, and then shook my arms. "But to me she is Mother Smiles or Mommy Smiles! None of you can take that." I added.
"Ahahaha, I don't think any of us have the stones to even attempt it. Now then, what is this mission that we have to prepare for? It must be important to send us out again right after coming back." Qi Tai Chu asked, with an old man's laugh.
"We are going on a really important mission. One that will take us to the No-Return Pass and then back to the 3000 Worlds. We leave in no more than 2 days. So party hard now. 2 days from now we will meet a bunch of dragons and phoenixes. So you'll need to have those game faces on." I said, downing a jug of wine.
~~2 Days Later. The Teleport Gate~~
The Dawn Squad had gathered by the gate. All members were present including the extra member of Smiles. Feng Ying looked around at the Pass with emotions in her eyes. She had been here with so many people for so long. And remembering all of the memories that had been made, both with lost and current friends. Until, Zhong Liang showed up.
"Take care of yourselves out there. The Dragon and Phoenix Clans can be difficult to deal with. They are prideful and strong. But most importantly, you must never divulge the secrets of the Ink Clan to anyone who doesn't have a need to know." Zhong Liang said… "I also wouldn't mind if you found a disciple for me…" He muttered. "But you should focus on yourself and your own ilk. When you return it won't be difficult to know what is going to happen. But don't worry about it. I'm positive that you will make a great mother, Feng Ying." He finished speaking
"Oh? Some interesting words you said just now, Little Zhong." Smiles smirked.
"Ahahaha, Let's depart at once. The Dragon Clan is expecting us now." Yang Kai said, nervously.
"Fine, I'll take you all inside my Small Universe. I'll let this matter slide for now." Smiles said, opening a door to her Small Universe.
Everyone of the Dawn Squad loaded into Smiles' Small Universe. Then the space gate hummed, powering up. Smiles walked through the portal giving a final glance towards Zhong Liang just before vanishing into the portal. There were several more jumps to be made before arriving at the No-Return Pass and Smiles had quickly managed to go through all of the gates.
~~No-Return Pass~~
Smiles came out from the teleport gate and stretched. "That didn't take too long. It's been a while since I've been here. Hasn't changed much." She said with a smile.
"Greetings Smiles, I am surprised to see you here. I thought that we were receiving Yang Kai and his son?" An Ancient Dragon said, greeting Smiles.
"There were a couple of other things that needed to be attended to and some other things that came up. So I tagged along. If it is convenient I'd like to speak with the Dragon Emperor as soon as possible." Smiles said.