A day later Yami smiled lightly as he walked out into the street towards the kimono store. He was bowing and greeting everyone until he entered the shop. The owner bowed to him.

"My lord it's good to see you home!" he greeted as Yami waved at him.

"It's good to be home for a while," he said as the owner nodded and smiled.

"How may I serve you today" he asked as a handful of coins was dropped onto his desk.

"Can you make two kimonos, one for me and a lady friend of mine?" He smiled as the owner nodded. Yami described Kajima's size and measurements and the color and design hoping she would like it. He then described how he wanted black with a purple dragon and wolf on his and bowed once finished before going on with his daily business for the day. The owner also said he would do some extra trimming for free.

"Also if she comes to purchase a kimono ask her if she wants to try the one you make for her since I told you details of a bit of how she dresses and colors," He smiled as he remembered saying that to the owner. He was getting excited for the festival even though his role was important in the festivities as well, since he is the lord of the town but also a protector of this world unbeknownst to the group of men and women he traveled with except his brothers.

Assa smiled as he played with the children and heard Sora's proposal and blushed a bit.

"Of course, I'd love to go with you," He tossed candy to the children and smiled as they bowed and hugged him and his tails.

"Thank you, big brother Assa!" the kids chimed up at him as his ears twitched and his tails swayed softly brushing Sora's arm slightly.

"You’re very welcome children, now go to your mothers and stay safe in the streets," His voice was full of warmth and strength as he walked through the streets and pulled a fox mask from his sleeves.

Gekido chuckled as he followed Saiko from the inn and into the kimono shop. The owner bowed to him as they entered.

"Lord Gekido how may I help you?" Gekido smiled and told the owner to drop the formalities as he pointed to Saiko walking next to her

"Just here with her so she can pick a kimono out for the festival," he smiled as he already had a red kimono with the kanji symbol for Strength in his hands. He looked at Saiko.

"Pick out what you'd like, and I’ll pay for it. My treat," He smiled at her a grand smile that he never would share with others.

Kasai grinned as he dunked Shizue and laughed as he swam away quickly with a grin on his face.

"The water has always been a haven for me. It calms my mind when I get to thinking of the dark times I went through," he said as he looked up at the sky.

"I was picked on as a child myself, but I found out I was the son of a water goddess; and to my surprise water is my grand affinity," He smiled as he looked down at Shizue. He hadn’t wanted to share much in the library, but to this woman he could tell anything.

Rex was back upstairs and freaking some of the maids out with all the blood he got on the floor. He slammed his fist accidentally into Chikako's door as he stumbled from the blood loss.

"I'm so stupid!" he roared out to no one; huffing the whole time. He had slashed a pretty good gash into his arm and was sweating a bit as he sat against the wall across from Chikako's room.

"It's my own fault...I’m sorry Rin," he said as he almost blacked out before he saw a green haired beauty run towards him.

Zetsu panted as he got up his eyes were still purple, but he still felt like himself. He took a deep breath to calm down and couldn’t help overhearing that Amai wanted to go to the festival coming up soon. He smiled and undid his chains before leaving his room and knocking on the pink haired half-vampire’s door. He was hoping to maybe get to know her better, and he wasn't afraid of what she was. He was more afraid of what he was and was hoping she wouldn't fear him.

Kirai smiled as he looked into Kiyoshi’s eyes.

"I was wondering if you'd like to go to this festival with me," he smiled as he petted another cat getting a purr of acceptance from it and hearing a bit of a mew from her as he chuckled, he could be blunt sometimes and he blushed looking away for a minute thinking he pushed too far asking that.

Rindo looked down at Tsuki with golden eyes they were not the emerald they were when they met, and his hair was black and white now as well instead of its normal brown and blue.

"It's been a while Tsuki, and I survived because of my father," he closed his eyes as he saw that she was relieved he was ok, and he smiled.

"But I’m glad you’re safe as well Tsuki," he looked towards the village.

"We should go to the festival I heard it's nice every year," he said out of nowhere as he blushed.

While everyone was going about the preparations for the next few days, Ishi departed the group unknowingly and was already far away from the village to keep it safe. He had to free Yukina without the others knowing, and he would set a trap of his own. He couldn’t let the enemy know that he will be willingly captured. What could they do? He was tortured and tormented before, and nothing can break an already broken person since he is kind of dull in the group and doesn't like to talk much since he felt out of place. Sensing Yukina's aura he nodded as he sat against a brick wall and closed his eyes, feeling the ice-cold aura approach closer he thought back.

"I'd have to go white or black mage to free her of control and get her memories regained." he nodded to himself.

______________________________________________________________________________

Excitement was buzzing through the air. Tanabata, or the star festival, was starting in two days' time. This festival is observed on July 7 and can run on for a couple of days. As the date approaches, long, narrow strips of colorful paper known as tanzaku, vibrant ornaments, and other decorations are hung from bamboo branches, enlivening the decor of homes as well as brightening shopping arcades, train stations, and other public spaces throughout Yami's town. Before they are hung, tanzaku are inscribed with a wish, such as a child’s dream of becoming a famous magician or a parent’s hope for career success.

Children were running rampant through the streets and laughing while decorations were being placed. This put a smile on most townsfolk's faces. The smell of somen wafted through the air and Kajima took a moment to appreciate the noodles' steamy smell before entering the final dress shop in the town. An old man greeted her warmly from behind the counter. She nodded in reply before heading to the small section of kimonos that were left. Most of the town had already found their outfits for the festival. Kajima was starting to get a little discouraged as she looked through the rack. Not even one of the kimonos left in stock had caught her eye. The old man smiled secretly and walked up to her during her second perusal.

"Excuse me miss, but if I may I have a kimono that was specially made earlier this morning that looks like it might be your size. Would you like to have a look at it?" Kajima blushed and said she didn't want to impose, but the old man only scoffed and turned to shuffle through a door that led to the back. She stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do with herself for a moment until he backed out of the door with some silky fabric laying over his arms. Kajima's mouth popped open with a delighted gasp. This kimono was breathtaking. It was black with silver and crimson dragons entwining each other along the train, and cherry blossoms were scattered amongst them. The obi was crimson with black and gold flame patterns scattered throughout to accent the dragons. It was a warrior's kimono but made to fit any occasion in a pinch.

"It's beautiful...you said it was just made today? How much...?" The old man chuckled at her stuttering.

"Why it's free of charge my dear. My lord, Yami visited me earlier this morning to have it made just for you. Kajima's mouth popped open once again.

She had her dress. She had her date. There was nothing left for Sora to do for the festival but wait for it to arrive. She was currently sitting on a bench in a small park and eating tonkatsu smothered in a curry sauce with shredded cabbage, rice, and a bowl of miso soup. There was a storyteller just within hearing range from where she sat that was weaving his tale of the festival to a group of young children and she listened to it while she ate. According to the folktale, Orihime, a gifted weaver, and Hikoboshi, a hard-working cow herder, began to neglect their duties upon being wed. The couple incurred the wrath of the bride’s father Tentei, the emperor of heaven, and were exiled to separate ends of the Milky Way. They are granted a meeting each July 7 so long as they both diligently fulfill their celestial obligations during the other days of the year. So, the festival was about hopes, dreams, and love. Sora couldn't help but start to wonder what wish she would write on one of the tanzaku. Her arm tingled with the memory of Assa's tails brushing against it. She was too busy musing over her recent predicament to hear the second tale the storyteller was now weaving about a second festival that the whole of Fantazia celebrated.

Saiko had been pleasantly surprised when Gekido decided to accompany her to one of the dress shops and bought her the kimono of her choosing. The furious blush on his face when she had tried it on in the dressing room and had him scrutinize it had been worth it. Saiko chuckled at the memory as she carried her new package in her arms back to the inn. It was a short kimono. Her obi was solid gold and her dress was purple with golden stripes and checkers with big pink flowers adorning the cloth. A hint of red could be seen from her nagajuban. All she had left to decide now was decide how she wanted her hair to be. This excited her more than anything since it will be the first time that she ever had a reason to worry about her appearance.

Shizue was slowly coming out of her shell. She had swum and frolicked about with Kasai for a good hour and found out more about the man. Happiness was flowing through her now that she had someone she could relate to and was brave enough to float through the crowded town with him now as he showed her key points of interest. Kasai was taking her to one of the nearby clothing shops since he had all but asked her to come with him to the upcoming festivals earlier in the pool. This would be a new experience for her since she had grown up wearing tatty second-hand clothes and peered a little sadly down at her only faded black dress. It was the only clothing item she owned that she liked but she didn't want to ask anyone else for clothes. She had not ever had a job before and had no way of buying her own essentials. They entered the shop and Kasai nudged her to find one that she liked. Inexperienced in the art of shopping she fumbled around the clothing aisles a bit until he chuckled and directed her to the kimono section after realizing this was probably her first-time clothes shopping. Kasai made a mental note to get her size and buy her a few outfits later as he helped her with the specifics of sizes and whatnot until she found one that made her squeak cutely. It was a traditional furisode with long wavy tamoto and a flowing obi. Navy and sea blue were the only colors that adorned it, but little droplets of water shone throughout. They both left the shop together, pleased with their purchase, and excited for the upcoming days.

An image of a brown-haired young man ran through Chikako's mind as she slammed her door open after hearing a thud upon it, saw what was going on, and flew towards Rex. She wasted no time tearing off a piece of her sleeve with uncanny strength and hurriedly wrapped it around the deep gash in Rex's bleeding arm.

"Don't fall asleep!" She warned him as she lifted him up, pulled his good arm around her shoulders and flung an arm around his waist to drag him down to the nursing station. She quickly relayed what she had observed to the frazzled nurse and handed him over to her to take care of him before slouching down in a nearby chair with a huff. She didn't know Rex very well yet, but she knew enough about what he had said about his past to have an idea of what he may have done. It was still a stupid thing to do and she would give him an earful once he had healed up enough. There had been too much death already, and she wasn't about to see someone else die on her watch. She settled in to wait on a report and keep him company. Lord knows he needed it right now.

Haruki opened the door to find Zetsumei standing there.

"What do you want?" She rudely asked, placing one hand on her hip. Amai rolled her eyes and told him to ignore her and come on in as she gently removed her sister from the doorway. Zetsumei scratched the back of his head with an awkward chuckle and headed on in, closing the door behind him. He mentioned that he couldn't help but overhear them talking about the festival and assured Haruki that he didn't mind getting to know Amai's vampire side if he had permission to take her to the festival with him and keep an eye on her that way. Amai's eyes had lit up at this suggestion but Haruki was still skeptical about the whole thing.

"I'm not comfortable with any of what just came out of your mouth. Amai alone with someone of the male species just screams bad news no matter which form she's in. Long story so don’t ask. I'm also obligated to be near wherever she's at for several reasons and I don't do crowds." Amai and Zetsumei gave her identical pouts. He pondered for a bit until an idea came to him.

"Perhaps I could tempt you with some bribery then. What if...I bully Sukai into going with you and we all kind of do a double date thing so you can still keep an eye on Amai and he has to buy you everything you want during the course of the event, including but not limited to any food, souvenirs, and even clothing items if needed?" Haruki stared. Amai stared. Zetsumei shrugged nervously.

"Well then. You got guts to do something like that I'll give that to you at least," Haruki finally said as she crossed her arms and looked at her sister for a moment.

"Fine. Sukai's not an eyesore at least so I'll agree just this once. If you can get him to agree that is." Zetsumei didn't have time to reply before Amai squealed happily and knocked him over with her tight hug.

Kiyoshi was dancing around her inn room giddily. She had a date for the upcoming festival and a dress to wear to it. She couldn't believe her luck. No one had been interested in even getting close to her before and now here she was feeling like the luckiest girl in the world with a hot guy wanting to take her out. She had blushed and nodded shyly when Kirai had asked her to go with him in the alley earlier. She didn't think anyone could have smiled bigger than he did at that time. Kirai had offered to help her find an outfit for the event but she had refused saying she wanted to surprise him. Kiyoshi glanced at the ruby and gold kimono with a crane in flight adorning the tamoto hanging on her door and squealed happily. She couldn't wait to see Kirai's reaction to her all dressed up in a couple of days.

Tsuki had chatted with Rindo for a while before they had to part ways. She had agreed to go to the festival with him for one reason. It was only when she was around him that she could be human enough to be around other people without scaring them off. A short, simple black kimono with white trimmings and a few colorful designs going across it already covered her body snugly. She had the power to change her own clothes into whatever she fancied so she had no need to buy any. Her heart pounded with excitement and happiness to finally be with Rindo again.

Yukina sighed as she thought back over the task Raiden had laid out for her as she paid for a room and walked upstairs. She had been ordered to disguise herself to blend in at the upcoming festival in a couple of days and 'get close' to any one of the members she had encountered the other day of her choosing. She was then to dispose of them by any means necessary. This would make things easier for him he had said. The icy hearted woman frowned as she placed an illusion over herself. Her hair remained the same color, but she made it longer and straighter and her eyes went from icy blue to sapphire. Her full hourglass figure also became taller and leaner. She appeared to be a few years older than she was. With that done she walked out into the crowded streets and put a fake smile on her face to keep up appearances. Yukina didn't run into any of the people she was supposed to meet but she did stop and find herself a plain white kimono with a solid, light pink obi. She debated on a fancier looking one with snowflakes falling all around it but decided against it since it might give her away. She was ready to start her mission.