Near the Miyazaki clan's mansion, a group of guards had settled down. The members of the group roared and licked their eyes when they saw what was happening in the territory of the hated clan. Everyone in the group trembled with the desire to join the teenager, to spill and taste the blood of the vow breakers, but none of them dared to disobey orders.
They watched the boy and the woman leave the estate, wanted to talk to them, congratulate them, have a drink. But the order was clear: not to reveal themselves, to observe. The order was not broken, and the group saw the women picking up bodies and body parts throughout the night.
They also saw the fighters return early in the morning and begin to help the women. They saw a helicopter arrive at dusk, carrying a gray-haired man in his forties with a tired face, and how respectfully he was addressed by those around him. The surveillance team missed nothing that the Ayakashi could see from more than three kilometers away with special military equipment.
***
Night. A fancy palace in the old style. Fryers with colorful, not hot lights, incense smokers. A beautiful young woman with black hair and a Japanese face suddenly opens her eyes and looks at an even more beautiful woman whose Japanese roots are barely visible.
— Madam, blood has been shed.
— What did you see?
— Not much. Very little. But I feel it came out better than it should have...
— I feel it too... — the young woman laid a thin, graceful hand on her chest. -...as if breathing were easier.....
— This is not the end, Mistress... — the black-haired woman spoke softly, cautiously. — We cannot stand idly by...
— I know. And I remember. — The mistress of the palace suddenly turned into a lord known for her power and wisdom, her voice harder than rocks. — It's not worth discussing, Vakana, it's already decided.
— Forgive me, mistress. — The black-haired woman bowed deeply.
— It's alright. — The mistress waved her hand lightly and transformed again. — Dorogumo are always like this, especially active ones like you, Wakana. — The mistress smiled friendly and looked out of the wide window at the starry sky.
The black-haired woman bowed once more, unable to bear the shame of her old decisions to leave the world, to walk away from her duties. And now that she had taken up the task again, and was being praised for it, the Spider Woman felt only responsibility and old duty.
***
At the same time, a beautiful young girl with brown hair sat on the porch of her new home. She had not slept that night. There was a wild mixture of sadness and happiness in her heart: she wanted to yearn and laugh joyfully at the same time. Maya didn't know what that meant, but she couldn't take her eyes off the especially bright stars. The young kitsune spent the night looking up at the sky and humming a simple tune that came to her.
***
The Neko family had good, peaceful dreams. They slept in a nice house, they were fed, healthy, and most importantly, they were all together. What more does a friendly, strong family need?