Kyuden Shika

"I hope they don't - after all of my effort to keep them out of the Crane-Lion war, I don't want them to have that tragedy bought to the fore because of them doing their duty."

He kissed her again.

They chuckled and snuggled against him. "I don't want them too, either, mostly so that Wattan-chan is safe, but, I mean... Raizo-san hasn't exactly kept his violent nature a secret."

"I have my faith in him to stay his blade - most likely because Aimi-san will probably just leave with him anyway."

"Yeah, probably. Tortoise are weird, anyway. Much too slimy... like a turtle. Don't know why they weren't called Turtle clan..."

A shrug.

"I don't know, honestly. But what I do know..."

He grasped Unsei by the lips with his, drawing them in close into a deep embrace.

"We did it."

As if years of burden had been relieved, youth seemed to return to the Kitsu as he began to tear up.

"We did it."

They sunk into the kiss and into his embrace, enjoying the feeling that now would never leave them.

"We did. We beat the odds. Nobody can stop us now." They whispered happily before wiping away his tears with a gentle hand.

"I'm yours and you're mine."

"Speaking of yours and mine,"

The Kitsu replied, smiling through his tears,

"Do you want to get that Kimono you were talking about yesterday, or do something else first?"

"I most definitely do want to buy you that kimono. Doesn't really have to be in Imperial colors, because I know I certainly don't wear them, but something that'll show that you are now a big, fancy Imperial." They said before rubbing the tip of their nose against his.

"As opposed to what, my little gorgeous pearl of an Imperial?"

He gushed.

"As opposed to a Lion and away from me, I suppose." They teased. "Though your beautiful hair will always give that away and that's okay."