Chapter 65: Light Festivities
Sin thanks Rogue as she gets out of the car walking into the house.
"Who's car was that? What the hell are you doing after school? Why are you so late?"
She glares at her older sister rolling her eyes, "There was another riot at the station and the Roman high students were at the mall with us so when the rioters caught wind that Roman high students were at the mall they started marching towards the mall.
"The station was closed off like last time we just got a ride from that guy who is one of the employees from the Palace they actually offered us a free night there."
Her mother just got off the phone with her best friends mom saying she was brought in by a Palace car because of rioters at the mall the lady from the front opposite house knocks on the front door.
Sin's sister opens the door letting her in.
"Sin, thank goodness I almost thought I saw incorrectly are the busses working again? Or the trains? Kira hasn't made it back yet and her phone died while we were talking, do you have any idea where she is?"
Sin shakes her head she last saw Kira skipping school in the morning lying and saying she saw her at the station could be detrimental.
"It's really a big school and we're not in the same class I'm not sure where she is we never really made it to the station we got picked up along the way."
Her mother cocks a brow, "Why?"
Sin gestures to her dress, "A Roman High boy bumped into me and gave me his card to replace my uniform he accidentally got me soaked went so far as to get it washed and ironed at the laundry in the under ground parking I didn't even know that was there."
She walks to her room getting on the phone chatting to her friends.
"Think we'll see Kai again?" She asks in the chat room and her friends already know what's up.
"They are at the Palace show up and we'll see."
Kai wakes up and sits up Rex and the others are all in here waiting on Roku who said he'd stop by after work. "Chinami, what the fuck was that huh!"
Chinami looks up dreading what everyone will say, "Sorry, I just didn't want us being at the centre of another crazy event. That Yu cop is still investigating us and giving her the ammo to keep digging is not on the list.
"Drawing too much attention to ourselves before camp will have us under tight watch at the camp we might not get the chance to find the Phoenix flower."
Roku walks in with Rogue.
Akali stares for a second before looking away getting introductions out of the way.
Roku sits down in front of the group sighing, "What I'm about to tell you I shouldn't, but after one hell of a scolding from Setsuno I will tell you guys if you promise it stays in the room with us."
Rex nods assuming it's about the flower.
Everyone stares at Roku with blank expressions after learning the truth about Yuno and the twins Kai scratches his forehead having the hardest time letting the information soak in.
"Those boys are my sisters kids?"
Roku nods, "You can't tell anyone or act like you know something. It's bad enough I'm sharing such valuable information with him." Roku glares at Rogue "But he needs to know he's our eyes and ears with the exorcists if he fucks up he dies anyway."
Kai stands up he doesn't know what to feel but he's relieved more than anything else.
"We have to go I have one other human thing to do today."
Kai walks out of the infirmary and stops in his tracks when he spots Sin talking to Jet walking her towards the reception. "Sin? What are you doing here?"
She lightly blushes not sure what to say she didn't think she'd find him here and wasn't even sure they'd let her in. "Uhm, I just thought I'd come see how you guys were doing I've been hearing a lot of crazy stories about what happened after I left I got worried."
Rex walks past her with Chinami going to grab a bite to eat, "Well, I hope you came on an empty stomach we're about to head out and grab a bite to eat I sort of overslept."
She nods walking behind him surprised to see the rest of the students eating together she thought the place had random lunch hours or something. "This place is beautiful." She looks around and Kai holds her closer to his chest.
"Careful, we don't want another accident again. Is your back okay? I'm really sorry about it."
She nods gently brushing the side of his arm, "You don't have to beat yourself up about it. I'm alright."
Kai opens her seat for her, "What would you like? They have everything here I'll bring it right back for you."
She smiles and stands up, "I'd like to see my options."
He smiles back taking her hand to the kitchen. "Just so you know, we're not allowed back here so if we get caught you got lost and I came to find you, deal?"
She looks around and giggles, "No way, you brought me in here to see the menu."
His eyes widen, "Sell out."
She puts her hand over his mouth, "You're too loud." She looks at him admiring his looks before walking ahead he's too slow for her liking.
Kai snickers watching her do her best to stay stealthy.
"This it?"
Kai shakes his head when she points at the second kitchen. "Nope,"
He opens the door to the in door restaurant. "The Palace has its own restaurant we have our own spot reserved for obvious reasons, but I'm a Lin so I get to get away with any sort of crap I want."
They sit at a table going through the menu having a casual chat learning more about each other.
"Dammit Kai, do you have to be such an ass?" Jet stops in his tracks when he sees the girl he brought with him, "Oh, my bad, sorry, I'll be back."
Kai chuckles, "See what I mean."
Sin shakes her head, "You're just lucky I'm here he was ready to toss you out he doesn't care if your uncle is Emperor or not."
"Probably, but my uncle will ring his neck and bring him back to life for messing with me."
"What if I mess with you?"
He smirks, "I can handle you myself."
Sin laughs ordering her meal and they eat together.
"You done? I have to leave soon."
"Yes, can we hangout sometime I really enjoyed your company."
Kai writes his name and number on a piece of paper. "Call me when you get home and we can talk from there." She smiles and he stands helping her out of her seat. "See you next time. Sin."
She nods leaving with a smile on her face clutching onto the paper with numbers written on it. "Holy crap I did it."
~
Yuno wakes up smiling at the twins Ken brushes Shinrin's cheek, "He looks like you even if he has my blue eyes and white hair."
Ken looks closely, "Mhmm I can see a bit of Red in his hair too look." Ken points to the tips of Sora's hair.
"Oh wow, such a unique colour I hope they don't get bullied for it."
Ken smiles, "Tachibana is a pretty frightening name I doubt anyone would be dumb enough to mess with my boys I'd have their heads."
Setsuno separates Yuno and Ken sitting between the two of them holding the formula for Shinrin. "How does it feel spending a whole day with them?"
Yuno smiles, "I wish it was like this every day I love just looking at them I could watch them sleep all day."
Ken holds Shinrin and feeds him while Yuno feeds Sora. "I'm sorry Yuno I know this isn't want you want to hear, but we can't risk it."
Setsuno shrugs his shoulders, "Why not? All we have to do is fake Senitsu's death and Yuno can adopt them or take care of them on her uncles' behalf no one would question it I seriously don't get what's so hard here, do you? Yuno."
Yuno shakes her head, "She gets in a bad accident and doesn't make it in time and with Izumi busy I am the one who takes them in and the sneaking around ends."
Ken looks at Yuno and Setsuno as they plan Senitsu's death who walks into the room with Tori and Xavier who smile at Yuno.
Xavier stops in his tracks surprised to see Yuno breast feeding the baby Tori stands in front of Yuno staring intently.
"Ken, how do I explain this?"
Ken shakes his head, "How do you explain they have two new baby brothers?"
Xavier furrows his brows when he turns to Ken, "No I don't, I don't want a new brother."
Setsuno picks up Xavier spinning him around, "Suck it buttercup you now have two new little brothers and you as the big brother must protect them okay?"
Xavier stands up straight feeling like the world is spinning after Setsuno puts him down. Snow jumps onto Yuno's lap cuddling up between her and the nursing baby.
"How is he doing that? I swear it's like he's weightless."
Sora looks into Snows eyes who closes his relaxing on top of Yuno.
Tori snatches him away so he can get a better view he's intrigued by what is going on.
"Here, you have this." Setsuno gives Tori his old bottle with juice and that seems to keep him content. "We'll leave when you're done."
Senitsu lies down leaving when everyone is ready Tori looks at Xavier they are wearing matching outfits.
"hurry up, let's get going." Senitsu pushes the stroller walking to the car driving to Setsuno's childhood home.
Yuno looks out the window as they arrive at the farm it's a lot bigger than Setsuno made it out to be.
Tori points at the big apple tree he's never seen a tree so big before.
"It's huge." Xavier runs for the tree the minute the car stops.
Tori slowly gets out of the car walking next to Snow cool as a cucumber as usual.
"Setsuno! Mom Setsuno's here!" The small boy throws down his paint brush running into Setsuno's arms, "Big Brother, you came."
Setsuno smiles nodding at his youngest sibling he looks around nodding his head towards the house for Yuno to follow.
Xavier comes down from the tree holding two apples. "We have to wash it first, Mom!" Xavier carries Tori using his wings to fly towards Yuno while Tori holds the apples. Snow prefers to catch up instead so he gives them a head start.
"Mommy, can you wash it for us? Please."
Tori gives the apples to Yuno while Ken and Senitsu carry the sleeping babies inside the house.
Yuno stands next to Setsuno talking to his mother they've met before it's only Setsuno's siblings she hasn't met yet. Tori and Xavier stand in front of the old woman holding their washed apples.
"Good morning." Tori and Xavier sing at the same time.
Mrs Suzuki smiles its way past morning it's about to be dark out.
"Uhh, I hope you don't mind me inviting the extra guest's mother, this is Ken Tachibana and this is Mrs Lin the Emperors wife, well about to be Emperor though I call him the about to be asshole."
Tori sits on a chair by the dinner table quietly eating his apple. Lorry and Snow are chasing each other around outside. Sora starts fussing.
Yuno turns her head in an instant, "He's been very jumpy lately I don't know what's wrong." Yuno smiles at Senitsu brushing the side of her arm in comfort.
Setsuno peers over Yuno since he towers over her in height. "Ehh, he's just attention seeking, you should get serious and quit being a momma's boy already it's so not cool."
Sora keeps quiet his eyes wondering around.
Yuno offers to take him but Lorry instead rests on top of the baby in his egg form absorbing the heat coming from the baby.
"Yuno step back the pest doesn't just take his egg shape Sora has to be radiating heat." Ken glares at Lorry.
Yuno sighs turning back to the table sitting between Xavier and Tori.
Setsuno looks up when another car pulls up in the drive way his sisters walk out holding the lanterns and spicy chicken take out.
"Setsuno, why are you late? You promised you'd be here three days ago."
He nods towards the house walking inside, "We had special passengers that are not flight proof yet."
Ken's eyes follow Setsuno's voice surprised when four girls walk in behind him.
"Hitori and Xavier? We've met them already they were staying at the hotel Cheyenne took us too yesterday they came by flight."
Setsuno turns his youngest sisters head in the direction of the two new born babies who just fell asleep.
"Ohhh." She replies softly sitting next to Tori who smiles brightly at the familiar face.
"Alright, everyone sit down for dinner food's ready." Setsuno's mom's says ready to chow down.
Xavier and Tori get out of their seats Xavier caries Tori up so he reaches the sink washing his hands first before he puts him down washing his own sitting back in their seats.
"Aren't they well mannered."
Setsuno nods, "Their mother is lowkey a hard ass she has this one mean looking glare that scares the living hell out of the Emperor himself. She gave me that look once and I was frozen for a couple of seconds they know better than to forget their manners."
Yuno washes her hands sitting down getting introductions out of the way. Ken finally sits at the table Setsuno snatches his sisters' phone she got out of the car and started texting and hasn't said a word to anyone since.
"Where's Cheyenne?" Setsuno asks his sister and she points up.
"I'm coming, I had to change out of those horrible work shoes." She chirpily sits at the table ready to dig in. "Thank you for the food."
After Dinner everyone hikes up to the top of the field behind the house.
Xavier turns his lantern on and off with his breath.
Tori and Snow are already sitting down relaxed and reserved.
"He's one cool kid." Setsuno comments giving Tori a lit lantern. A few lanterns are already up in the sky. "Just do what I do okay?"
Tori nods standing next to Setsuno who slowly lets his lantern go Tori does the same and smiles when it floats up in the air. Xavier let's his go and Setsuno ruffles his hair.
Yuno watches the lanterns holding her baby boy a camera flashes in her face and Setsuno sighs.
"Geez, you're so addicted to that thing that's rude you could've asked first." Setsuno deletes the photo and gives it back.
"Don't be a mean brother Setsuno I don't mind a photo." Sora sneezes and Ken's jacket catches fire.
"Great, another fire hazard." Yuno lightly nudges Ken he's just acting upset he's actually happy the boys have his ability considering they have strings that stop their magic from working as well as being detected.
Ken smiles down at Yuno before turning to Lorry who absorbs the flames flying between the lanterns going back and forth.
Xavier calls him back and he races back to Xavier. Snow catches a light breeze of Roku's scent. He starts howling and Roku hovers up in the direction of the howl.
"Boo!" Roku scares Tori who runs to Yuno.
Setsuno takes Shinrin from her and she picks up Tori pecking his cheeks. "It's just Roku sweetheart, look."
Roku smiles and Rogue rolls his eyes, "I knew you were ugly I just never thought your face was bad enough to scare the crap out of kids."
Roku kicks him off the edge of the mountain. Snow just casually watches like its business as usual Rogue could've sworn the dog rolled its eyes at him.
"Dammit." Rogue pulls out his Exorcist sword commanding the flames it radiates to merge with his body and he propels himself up standing in front of Setsuno his shirt burnt off his lazy eyes turning to Roku cursing Rogue for his looks.
No lie he's a looker he has light eyes that you're naturally drawn too with the light touch of bad boy in him he has the body of a God not brooding muscles and all but chiselled abs strong arms and a dragon tattoo that spirals all around his arm.
Setsuno's sister shamelessly takes a photo she still hasn't said a word.
Rogue takes off the rest of his burnt shirt turning to Roku "Not cool dude."
Snow swings his tail back and forth a cool breeze hitting Rogue's back.
Roku whistles and the dog shoots ice into the air using his tail relaxing in the cool atmosphere. Lorry flies into Xavier's jacket poking his head out Xavier hugs him lightly as they watch the lanterns.
"Who's he?" Setsuno asks Roku pointing at the male next to him.
Rogue stretches his sword disappearing. "Excuse us ladies we didn't mean to leave our manners at home." Rogue apologizes and turns around watching the lanterns his stomach growls so Yuno takes her bag offering him a packed sandwich.
Tori screams crying the twins wake up and start crying along.
Yuno checks the name on the wrapped sandwich, "Sorry Bobo I'm not giving him your lunch."
Yuno pulls out a chicken mayo sandwich giving it to Rogue. "I'm sorry about that I didn't expect him to react like that."
Yuno sits in front of Tori giving him his sandwich. "I'm sorry Bobo I didn't mean to almost give away your favourite, am I forgiven?"
Tori gives her hug, "Yes."
"Oh wow, you guys look like your dad." Roku's voice cools their crying he starts singing a song he randomly made up to sing for the twins.
Rogue sits next to Xavier watching the lanterns Ken joins them ruffling Xavier's hair.
"Brother?" Xavier asks pointing a finger at the baby Ken has been holding the entire time he won't let go it's like his hands are glued to the baby blanket.
"Yes, and he'll look up to his big brother Xavier." Rogue watches Xavier brush the baby's head smiling.
Tori smiles when Yuno sits next to him trying to find his lantern up in the sky. Setsuno finds it surprised it's still in the air.
"The fire works will start soon. We should get back I doubt they will appreciate the noise." Setsuno's mother states.
Yuno shakes her head, "It's okay we'll go back alone you guys enjoy this there's always next year where you can make them pay for missing this year's fireworks."
Setsuno was going to stay with his family but his mother insisted he goes back down with them they are already walking down the hill about to disappear.
"Your friends are cool, so hot!" Cheyenne comments and he narrows his eyes no friends of his are allowed to ever attend this festival with him ever again except for Yuno.
He follows them back very curious about Rogue. "He knows where the Exorcists are and we were here to check out the base and honestly I'm worried about the boys they brought in the highest-ranking Exorcists to get that flower and if they get it before us our plan goes to hell."
Yuno pecks the top of Xavier's head. "How the hell did your mom manage to give all of you equal attention? It's so hard."
Setsuno smiles, "She didn't, the older we got we understood the imbalance in attention, but one on one time was always enough for us she has a special thing with each of us that the others don't know about it makes us feel special in our own right.
"It wasn't like that at first I once signed up my sisters for adoption so my mom could start acting like she remembers my birthday it's just complicated being a family of so many."
Ken turns around, "Watching the lanterns is your mother's thing, right?"
Setsuno nods, "I'd be caught dead putting any effort into sharing my mom."
Yuno chuckles, "She's their mom too."
Setsuno spins on his heels, "By accident, I'm pretty sure Xavier and Tori will one day be able to explain that to these two unplanned trouble makers."
Yuno steps on his foot, "Shut up Setsuno they were planned by fate."
"Well fate better start acting like it."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone