55. Kizoshi

Chapter 55

Kizoshi

T he next day, Kizoshi was talking with Kisano in the library when Vanra arrived.

He startled at the sight of the two siblings. "Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I can stop by another time if you'd like. I don't want to intrude."

She gestured for him to come closer. "No, please join us, Vanra."

He took a seat at the table with a word of thanks.

"I never visit without bringing gifts for Kisano." Kizoshi patted a stack of books. "It used to be the only way I could ever get him to talk to me."

Kisano flushed faintly. "Vanra has kindly been helping me get better about that."

"Has he now?" Kizoshi glanced over at Vanra in surprise.

The human rubbed the back of his head with a little laugh. "I come here a lot because I enjoy hanging out with Kisano, so I probably make him talk more than he's comfortable with."

"It is not uncommon for our conversations to last hours," Kisano said. "I still find it hard to believe myself. Fersen also visits me often. They both are tremendous company."

"Well, I am certainly impressed." Kizoshi smiled at her younger brother with pride. "Good for you, Kisano. It pleases me to hear you and Vanra have become so close. It warms my heart."

"I keep telling him he's the best, but I don't think he believes me," Vanra said.

"I still think you are being too generous with your compliments." Kisano's protests didn't surprise Kizoshi when he had lived centuries of solitude in the library, with only her and Kitaro for company.

"Luckily for him, I am happy to say it as many times as he needs to hear it to believe it." It touched Kizoshi to see how much Vanra supported her brother. Fate had made the right choice in bringing Vanra into all their lives. "I wouldn't be nearly as content here if it weren't for Kisano keeping me company."

Kisano's blush reached the tips of his pointed ears. "It has been most enjoyable having Vanra visit me."

"That is truly wonderful," Kizoshi said. "It makes me feel slightly less guilty for being so remiss in visiting you, Kisano."

Kisano waved it away. "There is no need for guilt. You are busy with your responsibilities, so I have never taken it personally when you are gone for long periods of time."

"That is because the longer I am in the Divine Realm, the more books I bring," Kizoshi told Vanra with a playful wink at her brother.

"No, that is not true at all!" Kisano protested as Kizoshi laughed.

"I am merely teasing, dear brother. I bring the books because I love you."

"That is why you are my favorite sister," Kisano teased.

Kizoshi grinned. "Mitsuki doesn't exactly make for tough competition. Although, that is true in any regard."

"Nasume might have beaten him for who was more foolish at breakfast the other day," Vanra added.

"Yes, I am satisfied that he is still licking his wounds." Kizoshi took great pride in it. "Every time I think his stupidity has found its boundary, without fail, he makes a further ass of himself."

"Kitaro must have been so upset." Kisano frowned. "I hate that Nasume still tortures him."

"He stayed cool and collected, as always." Kizoshi sniffed disdainfully. "I would rather have revenge, though."

"Your retribution tends to involve more bleeding than Kitaro's," Kisano said .

She flicked her long, red hair over her shoulder. "That is because I know how to do it with style."

Kisano chuckled. "You have always had a flair for theatrics."

"There is nothing wrong with wanting to put on a good show." Kizoshi pouted. "It is why Mitsuki being such a simpleton almost takes the fun out of putting him in his place. Almost ."

"That has always been your favorite hobby since childhood."

"I dare say I will never grow out of loving to do that. He could at least try to make it a challenge, though."

Vanra laughed. "I can only imagine what you've done to him over the years."

"There was more blood involved than tears," Kisano said to Vanra.

She arrogantly tilted her chin. "It is further proof of his stupidity that he never once learned not to take me on. He loses every time."

"And I've seen firsthand that he's a sore loser," Vanra added.

Kizoshi nodded. "That he is." She turned her attention to Kisano. "Would you be terribly offended if I borrowed Vanra for a little bit? I will return later if you are amenable to it."

"I would never tell you no." Kisano smiled at her. "I look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for coming to visit, Vanra. It was a pleasure, as always. "

"I'll come back soon," Vanra said. "I can't wait to hear all about the books she brought you."

"I wish a pleasant afternoon to you both." Kisano waved goodbye to them as they left.

When Kizoshi didn't immediately start talking as they started walking through the castle, Vanra spoke up first. "I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier, but you were amazing at breakfast yesterday."

"Not too bad, considering I had yet to drink any coffee," Kizoshi teased. "They both got off too easy."

Vanra glanced up at her. "You're so much different from what I imagined you would be."

"How so?"

He made an indecisive noise. "I thought you'd be a different kind of fearsome. Maybe more ferocious, I guess?"

"Oh, make no mistake. I am a deadly force to be reckoned with, especially when my opponent has earned my wrath."

"I hope this doesn't offend you, but you're also much funnier than I expected. Powers aren't exactly known for their great senses of humor."

Kizoshi laughed instead of taking offense. "You are quite right. My idea of fun is drastically different from most of the beings in the Divine Realm."

They sat in her living room, which was so bright and white, unlike the rest of the castle.

"Am I allowed to ask what the Divine Realm is like?" Vanra asked. "I've read a lot about it but obviously have never been." It was a place where only beings with Divine heritage could go. Not everyone who lived there was a Power. There were also Ascendants, Incites, and servants.

"It is much brighter. Everything in the Living Realm is so dreadfully dreary with all the earthen tones. It always looks so dirty here. Thankfully, the Enchanters can keep my things clean here."

He brushed his hand over the fabric. "Well, if your white couch is any evidence, it truly is a different place."

"It is nice having the comforts of home here."

"Did you grow up here in the Living Realm?" Vanra questioned. "You seem so close to Kitaro and Kisano."

"I did," Kizoshi said. "Father thought it was best for my education in battle. I trained alongside Mitsuki and Kitaro. Sometimes I miss the days where I regularly sent Mitsuki sailing through the training hall wall."

Vanra laughed hard. "Something tells me you did that as often as you could."

"With great pleasure, as a matter of fact."

"Sorry for getting us off topic," Vanra apologized. "What did you want to talk about?"

"I wanted to let you know I will be leaving tonight."

Vanra looked crestfallen. "Oh, really?"

She smiled at his sweet reaction. "Unfortunately. But the good news is, we will have occasion to meet again. You have something you must do first, though."

He was puzzled for a moment. "You mean going to visit Satsuma?"

"Yes, it is a journey you and Kitaro both must go on."

"But why?" Vanra's misery was present in his scent. "I'd rather stay here with Kitaro in this time, but Father says we must go."

"He is right. Fate brought you here for a reason. It is of the utmost importance to seek Satsuma out for the answers you need."

"Does anything good come out of it?" Vanra asked in a dejected voice.

"Your relationship with Kitaro will be even stronger as a result." Her gaze softened as she looked at him. "You have my word it will not be a wasted effort."

"That makes it slightly less awful, I guess."

"As long as you do as I told you earlier, all will be well."

Vanra reflexively touched the silver ring she had given him. "I'll always wear it like I promised, especially since your insistence on it scares me."

"Good." It pleased Kizoshi that Vanra listened to her. "Never doubt that Kitaro will always take care of you."

"Then that makes me the luckiest person ever."

A knock on the door interrupted them. A servant called out, "Forgive the interruption, Princess Kizoshi. King Tatsuki wishes to speak to Lord Vanra."

"We will talk upon your return from your journey," Kizoshi told Vanra. "Be well."

"Thank you again for everything." Vanra stood up to leave.

She got up and hugged the human on a whim. "Welcome to the family, Vanra." Thanks to him, the future would become much more interesting.