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The Toho Headquarters fell silent two days after the incident. Black banners hung in mourning, the blood and the bodies having all been cleared and families of the victims notified. The patriarchs all returned once their incidents had been resolved. All except one, whose chair was now occupied by Gojirama Kiryu, back in his white suit.

"Thank you for coming," said Shisahara in his seat, "this is a dark time for the Toho Clan, and there is only one option left to us. A war is coming, and the Jinuchu have fired the first shots by not only threatening our Kaijurocho office, not only by assaulting the temple, but by the murder of our friends and colleagues."

"They played us like fiddles," a red cow sighed, "this cannot stand, this will NOT stand!"

"This doesn't just concern Kaijurocho," said a yellow-suited shark, "this concerns all of us."

"When do we march?" a white tiger rubbed his fist. "Do we have a plan?"

"I am devising one as we speak," said Shisahara, "but first we must discuss a few things, namely the funeral for Sanjin Obakimura. The funerals for our staff will be a private affair by me and their families, but there must also come an appointment. Kiryu."

They turned to the saurian, his head looking up when his name was called.

"As his former first lieutenant, you are now Patriarch of the Obakimura Family. Your diligence, your exceptional outreach to the community, your steadfast determination and your great survival against not just one, but three terrible fiends of the Jinuchu Clan, have marked you with our respect, and unequivocal support."

"Thank you," Kiryu stood up to bow, "I take the new position regretfully...but with honour, Shisa-sama."

"I'm sure you'll do well," Roberto Danzaki bowed to him, "you were always Varan-san's best worker."

"Yes. I was."

The look between them spoke volumes that none of the others could read. Cold dead eyes from Gojirama made Danzaki pull back and hang his head, before Kiryu sat back down.

"After the funeral," said Shisahara, "we shall muster an attack upon the Jinuchu, and reclaim Tokyo from their blood-stained claws. If any of you have any further discussions, now is the time to do so for next week."

No one said anything. Even Itsumi the rooster kept silent, his eyes burning through his talons with fists clenched in rage.

"Then we are adjourned." Kin stood up. "The funeral is tomorrow. I would deeply appreciate your presence, but I understand if other duties detain you. Dismissed."

They all bowed and took their leave, apart from Kiryu and Danzaki who were motioned to stay behind. Taken to the Fourth Chair's office which had been cleaned of shards, they met a golden dragon sitting on the couch.

"Let me say this," said Kin closing the door, "your manipulation of Danzaki will not go unnoticed. As such, I expect severe compensation from both you and him."

"I understand," said Rai Tanaka, "thank you for agreeing to see me."

"I'll accept any punishment," Roberto bowed, "I...I am deeply sorry."

"You will be."

Kiryu grabbed his former friend and dragged him to the desk, bending him over with a hefty slam that shook through his skull as Shisahara opened one of the drawers. He brought forth a thin box, then put a cloth underneath.

"C-CO, COMO?!"

"Just to not stain my desk, you understand."

In his struggles Danzaki tried to pull away but Kiryu held him down, grabbing one hand and pulling it out in front. Shisahara opened the box to reveal a small dagger with cherrywood handle, as Roberto's eyes widened in fear.

"W-wait, WAIT, are we really doing this?!"

"Please do not struggle. This will be over soon."

"B-BUT, NO MAMES!"

Roberto clenched his eyes shut, his long red fingers shaking on the cloth as he tried to ball them up, but Kiryu's palm forced them flat. The sound of steel scraped against his ears, carving against something to keep sharp.

"Which hand do you write with?" asked Kin.

"I-i-i...I'm...a-ambidextrous!"

"Oh that's good, makes this much easier. It's been years since we've had a betrayal this grievous, so please understand."

"Y-yes...yes, Shisa-sama."

Feeling Kiryu's body press against his back, his breath heaving against his cheek, Roberto tightened his beak to not whimper as he expected the worst. The blade kept chipping something, cutting, whittling as flakes of paper drifted across his hand to make him flinch.

"Are you ready for your punishment, Roberto Danzaki?"

"M-MMMH! Y-yes...f-forgive me, Shisa-sama. Forgive me!"

"Good. Now, open your eyes."

Danzaki blinked one open to look at his superior.

"Sign here, if you please."

The lion-dog held a wooden quill, with a sheet of paper on top of the cloth that had wood shavings covering the sides, a pot of ink to one side for dipping.

"W-wait...what?" Danzaki blinked. "You're not...cutting off my finger?"

"Oh gods no, don't be foolish," Kin rolled his eyes, "we're not savages in the Toho, it's customary to sign a deed of grievance."

"I...como? I never heard of it."

"Neither did I," Kiryu pulled back, "it's that rare to happen, but Shisa-sama told me all before we did this."

"So why the...grabbing and, the thing with my hand?!"

"Expectations," said the Fourth Chair with a grin, "the fear is part of your punishment, also forty percent of all your earnings rather than the usual."

"O-oh...huh," Roberto smirked feeling sheepish, "sure, alright."

He took the quill and scribbled his signature on the deed. Kin took it back in his drawer as well as the knife and cloth.

"Why not give him a pen?" asked Rai from his seat. "Is this part of a ritual?"

"The other custom of grievance," said Shisahara, "that quill shall be displayed next to his former family's emblem in the central office. It holds the mark of shame, you can see the kanji on its side."

"Meaning that...I'm going to be excommunicated." Danzaki gasped. "I remember one family had this quill, when I asked what it was, they just said Shisa-sama gave it to...their last patriarch."

"You are to be banished?" the dragon rubbed his chin.

"In our clan betrayal is severe," Kin shook his head, "those who commit such are severed from our bonds. Because Danzaki's crime remained in the Toho, he shall not be turned over to police. Instead, he shall be stripped of his title, in due course."

"Remarkable. In the Jinuchu betrayals are more frequent, and punishments more severe."

"Like the finger-cutting?" Kiryu sneered.

"No. My father did that, but my brothers tend to cripple and psychologically torture those who are dissident, especially in this age where prosthetics are available."

Roberto sat down on Kiryu's side of the table, who sat far away from him as possible. Rai sat opposite them, and Shisahara remained at his desk, with food already brought in as a small afternoon lunch of sushi rolls. All of them ate, except for Tanaka who drank vodka from his glass.

"Just to reiterate," asked Kin, "you are assisting us in the destruction of your brothers' empire?"

"Correct," the dragon tented his fingers, "I am aware of my brothers' movements, what weapons they have and how many are at their disposal."

He pulled out a small folder and placed it on the table, Kiryu reading it over with a growing surprise.

"All of the information I have gathered concerning my brothers is there. Use it as you see fit, I have also collated recommendations for which streets would be beneficial to your offensive."

"Even taking the new barricades into account?" said Shisahara. "But we still have no guarantee of your trust, for all we know you could be organising an even greater trap."

"If that was the case, why would I not have Danzaki simply kill Kiryu? He is not a fool, he is more than capable of it, and why would I have also warned Kiryu of the attack on you?"

"He's got a point," Gojirama slit his eyes, "I don't like any of this, but Tanaka had plenty of opportunities to get rid of us."

"He was very adamant about Kiryu not being killed," said Danzaki rubbing his wings, "all for this test apparently."

"To which Kiryu passed with flying colours," Rai nodded, "not only in surviving against Gihei and Mr. X, but also the test with Danzaki."

"Regardless of your intent, Tanaka-san," Shisahara leaned from his desk, "your actions are disgraceful."

"The needs of the many outweigh the few, Shisa-sama. After my decision regarding Obara's data, I considered the destruction of a friendship between two oath-brothers, to be an acceptable casualty in averting the death of millions."

"I still won't forgive you," Kiryu snarled, "but I can't argue against your intent, you're the only reason I was kept alive and Shisa-sama was rescued."

"Then why not save my friend?" Kin clenched his hands tight. "Why was my good friend Sanjin sacrificed on the altar of progress?"

"My apologies," the dragon bowed, "I had no knowledge of the Destroyer's plan, nor did my brothers. He never informs us on what date or method he uses, preferring to 'surprise' us in a theatrical display."

"Sounds like a pinche culero," the pteranodon crossed his wings, "that's the guy who died, yeah?"

"Indeed. With the death of one assassin and the capture of another, Doi will not waste time enacting his plan which he calls Project Emperor."

"What do you think, Shisa-sama?" Kiryu handed the report to him. "You think this is legit?"

The Fourth Chair read through the plan detailing the Jinuchu's offensive, how they would surround the Millennium Tower and what streets they were likely to pick. Crowd placements were suggested to lure them away, allowing a single assault at the front door.

"From what I'm reading," said Shisahara, "you want my forces to distract all the Jinuchu, so that Kiryu alone enters the Millennium Tower?"

"Correct," said Rai Tanaka, "too large a force will attract suspicion, and warn my brothers early. Kiryu has proven himself to be an exceptional warrior, whose sole strength is more than enough to face Gihei and Doi. I shall be there to assist Kiryu from the sidelines."

"I must admit, this is far too much work for the goal of ending our clan, and the framework of this is concise. I will however make some corrections, to best suit our capabilities."

"Very well," the dragon nodded, "I have also learned that Doi will enact his plan on November twenty-first, instead of the twenty-sixth."

"That...that's three days from now!" gasped Danzaki. "Dios mio that, that's-"

"Enough time to gather our forces," Kin stood up with bitter fists, "tomorrow we bury our dead, then we muster our troops. Then we attack."

"It's the best we can do," said Kiryu joining him, "it's going to be tight, do you know when this Atragon will be launched?"

"Eight o'clock," said the dragon, "two hours before the news at ten, so the media have enough time to compile their reports for the evening."

"Chinga tu madre," the pterosaur shot up clenching his fingers, "Shisa-sama, I know I screwed up, and I know you have no reason to trust me, but I will do ANYTHING you ask, we can't let them win!"

"Is that so?" Shisahara grinned. "Alright. Kiryu, Danzaki is now your lieutenant for the time being."

"Wha-QUE?!"

"Wait, what?" Goji repeated.

"You are clearly capable of keeping him in line, and if he wants to prove his loyalty, he will dare not cross you again. Until the end of this month, or the eradication of the Jinuchu, you will remain Kiryu's subordinate, and then you shall leave the Toho Clan."

"Ye-...yes, Shisa-sama," Roberto bowed turning to Goji, "I...I won't fail you again, Gojirama."

"I'll believe it when I see it," said the new patriarch, "as far as Sano and the others know, we're collaborating, but you do everything I say."

"Si, carnal-"

"Stop." Kiryu thrust his finger at his eyes. "I'm not your carnal, I'm not your hermano, I'm not even Gojirama. Until you've earned my trust again, you will call me Kiryu-san."

"Y-...yes...Kiryu-san."

Roberto looked down to his feet with shame, his talons curling out of his dress shoes to grip the carpet.

"Before I head out," Kiryu turned to Rai, "I noticed you didn't eat anything."

"Apologies," the dragon bowed, "I was not hungry."

"Yeah...I guess robots can't eat food."

Kin and Roberto looked at his growing grin, before turning towards Tanaka who cocked his head. There was something approaching a smile as the green suit leaned back.

"When did you suspect?"

"Since the dinner at Sha-Wujing," Goji stepped close, "you never ate a single thing, only drinking alcohol, which isn't too weird but then I remember a comment Doi made about you knowing the difference between flesh and machine."

"I am the director of a robotics industry," said Rai nodding.

"Then we had our fight, punching you felt like punching steel. Your scales aren't metal, or made of stone like Kamoebara was. I know your robots run on alcohol, I met one at a trade fair, he even mentioned you and a tennis match with Gihei."

"The Type-Three model, yes. Security protocols are still being worked on."

"W-wait, wait," Danzaki waved his hands, "I...yeah, you're right, I never seen you eat anything, is...are you serious, is, i-is Kiryu-"

"Correct." The machine stood up. "I am a replica of the original Rai Tanaka."

His arms suddenly clicked open, lengthening the limbs to reveal joints of glistening steel, whirring capacitors and soft glowing dots of green where energy coursed through his body. He tapped one of the horns at the far back of his head, a nub he flicked like a lock, to open his scalp and reveal a synthetic pulsing brain inside a very real bony skull. Danzaki gasped clutching his face, whilst Shisahara shook his head reeling back.

"Q-que...QUE DIABLOS?!"

"The director of Eight-Point is...a machine?!"

"Android," corrected Rai, "a machine does not have a mind, nor any sapience to form independent actions."

The dragon relocked his skull, clicking the scalp back into place.

"I am intrigued by your insight, Kiryu. You are the first outside my family, to know I am a replica."

"All this time I," Roberto sat down, "I been taking orders from a pinche robota?!"

"How...what?" Kin leaned on his desk. "Kiryu, what in the name of GODS is going on?!"

"I want to know more about our new ally," said the saurian approaching him, "and what ulterior motives he might have behind all those numbers he loves so much."

"I do not love numbers Kiryu," Rai shook his head, "I operate with them, and they help me understand future projections."

"Then since you're here, let's talk about you. What do you want out of this, and why do your brothers even have a robotic replacement of you?"

"Wait, YOU!" Kin jabbed his finger. "You had a presentation in the 1980s, you...now I think about it, your personality is much different than before, you were far more whimsical and affable."

"Because the original Rai Tanaka was killed in 1991," the dragon clasped his fingers, "the one who was sent to kill you, Mr. X, was hired by a rival company to execute our family. I was the only casualty, but my father after hiring X at a higher price, set to work in rebuilding me."

"But...we did not have that technology in 1991."

"You did not. But my company did. In our development of our MOGUERA models, we were establishing a new prototype AI that was capable of full sapience to the level of creatures. We never made that publicly available, largely due to how expensive it would be to mass-produce at the time."

"Until you got better with your Type-Threes?" Kiryu leaned against the wall. "That one seemed pretty smart."

"Yes, that is the end goal of our research," said Tanaka straightening his suit, "but every model needs a prototype, and I am that prototype. With each new generation, I became more aware as technology advanced. I developed new algorithms with the addition of enhanced microprocessors. The only part of my original body, is the skull, in order to best capture my expressions so they do not become, 'uncanny valley' as the Americans would say."

"This is fucking unreal," Roberto rubbed his head, "how the fuck did I miss this?!"

"I have learned to hide my history, Danzaki-san. Do not feel dismayed, no one but Kiryu has solved this."

"How horribly gruesome," Shisahara shook his head, "to think your father not only defiled your body, to parade your head on a robotic replica, but even hired his own son's murderer?!"

"I was not upset," said the dragon, "if only because I am as of yet unable to express emotion."

"Really?" Kiryu cocked his head. "You seemed upset when Doi was torturing Ojha-san."

"I understand emotion, and recognise it in others. I understand that raising one's voice with inflection evokes emotion in others. I understand when to empathise, and when to offer assistance. But I cannot shed a tear, nor smile by instinct."

He demonstrated the first smile they ever saw of him. It was the worst unphotographic face one could ever make, like pulling a slice of ham over a mask until one could see the sockets for the eyes. It made all three creatures reel back in disgust, before Rai slipped back to his neutral expression.

"I think...that will be all today," said the Fourth Chair stroking his head, "that was...a lot to take in, and we have more work to do."

"Yes," the android stood up, "thank you for your time, Shisa-sama. I give you my word I shall assist your clan."

"Do you swear it upon your assets in Eight-Point Industries?"

"Yes, if you wish."

Tanaka brought out a pen from his suit as they walked over to the desk, a new contract signed before they shook hands and Shisahara was satisfied. The dragon left with Kiryu and Roberto, Rai heading out the back in a discreet departure, whilst the patriarchs took a limousine.

"Welcome sirs," Hakura looked back from the driver's seat, "where shall I take you?"

"Kaijurocho," Goji nodded, "are you sure you're fit to drive?"

"Oh yes, the doctors approved, no concussion Kiryu-san."

"Heh...guess you were right, your hard yak head did save you."

"Nothing will stop me in my service to the Toho."

"I thought it was friendship," Kiryu smiled, "anyways, I need a private talk with Danzaki, if that's okay."

"Of course, Kiryu-san. Danzaki-san."

The yak rolled up the privacy screen between them and drove off down the lane. Roberto pulled out a vape and took a gentle drag, with Kiryu smoking a cigarette as they opened their windows.

"So, jefe," the pterosaur sighed, "what's our first move?"

"Get a layout of the land," said Gojirama, "the city's changed a lot with the barricades, I want to make sure we don't get caught."

"Yeah it's like, some sort of protest against the police?"

"Let's hope they don't get involved, we need to time this right. Hopefully Shisa-sama will have that dealt with."

"Any ground rules in your branch?"

"Keep in contact with me at all times," Kiryu pulled out his phone, "you go anywhere, you tell me."

"Got it," Roberto nodded, "can we go see Mosu-chan? I feel I should tell her some things."

"We do that tomorrow, after the funeral."

Back in Kaijurocho, the red gate welcoming them upon a rain-slick street, they waved Hakura off and headed to Azumi Finance nearby. From the limo Kiryu had taken a large black coat that covered his body, keeping out of sight from Jinuchu eyes. The office felt much emptier, colder with Obakimura's staff middling about as they cleaned papers and filed records from their desks.

"YO, Goji!" Sano rolled out his chair. "How'd it go?"

"Well...I'm now patriarch here."

Gojirama crossed his arms as everyone stopped. A crab, a kappa and a black spider all wearing Toho pins suddenly bowed along with Anguirou.

"Kiryu-san," said the arachnid, "we...um...even if your promotion came on the backs of tragedy...we're honoured to have you, as new patriarch."

"Thank you," the saurian bowed back, "alright, first things, Danzaki-san has generously offered to help us while we're short-handed, so he'll be taking over Obara's duties."

"Any news about him?" asked the crustacean.

"Still in a coma. But he's being provided for, and Varan-san's funeral will be the next couple days, so let your friends and family know, and make sure you all have your suits."

"Sir?" The kappa raised his hand. "What do we do about...Jinuchu? They...with respect, Kiryu-san, they fucking killed Varan-san, we can't just let them get away!"

"We're not," Kiryu pointed, "Shisa-sama wants the funeral first, he's planning a move on Kaijurocho by November twenty-first. But everyone keeps their mouths shut, Jinuchu can't know that we know what they're about to do."

"What ARE they about to do?" the spider scritched his head.

"They'll be taking to the streets," said Roberto, "after their assassins got stopped, they're all going out on that day, so we need to hit them back."

"Alright," Goji rubbed his hands, "I need all of you to prep for the battle. Heikemoto, go to Nagamichi Street and organise our businesses to shore up, and lock down the twenty-first."

"Yes Kiryu-san," the crab saluted.

"Kappajima, you cover East Shachifuku and the Champion District."

"Got it," the water imp bowed.

"Araki, you take Theater Square and West Shachifuku. Danzaki, I need you to fly over and get me aerial shots of every street, then send them to my phone."

"No problem," the pterosaur gave a thumbs up.

"Anguirou." Kiryu turned to his friend. "You're protecting Tenkaiju, any Jinuchu who come down here, you show them no mercy."

"Really?" the spikeback punched his fists. "Not gonna worry about cops?"

"They'll all be too busy, don't go looking for a fight, let them come to you so they know we're mad, and we're not giving them another inch."

"Hohohh fuck YEAH! Alright Gojirama, I won't let you down!"

Heading out on the street he high-foured Danzaki in passing, who looked forlorn at Kiryu's friend before heading out himself to take to the skies. Gojirama headed upstairs and saw to his patriarch's room, checking Obakimura's effects to see what he could bring for the funeral.

He felt terrible looking through his drawers, but it was a custom for deceased patriarchs that he had to respect. Videogame consoles sat in cupboards, and posters of fighters hung on the walls of the small tatami-mat room. Sometimes he found receipts, sometimes he found porn magazines which surprised him.

"Woah," Kiryu cleared his throat, "didn't know that was your uh...type, Varan-san. Sorry."

With a set of boxes he began to move Varan's effects, clearing out the drawers and putting the more sensitive material in a box marked "Shisa-sama only" One drawer however had a large folder, tightly bound with the words " FOR MY LIEUTENANT" scrawled on the front.

"What the...is this, this for me?"

He opened it up, and found a collection of photos and financial records marked with mysterious dates, all relating to incidents of fraud. Amongst all this was a note in Sanjin's writing.

Sano

If you're reading this, I'm probably dead. Take this folder to Shisa-sama, and tell him to give it to the Chancellor of McNess University. It's about a kaiju called Dr. Manobu Date, or to give his real name, Mantarou Daija.

Daija is a vasher, a murderer and a fraud. He was the head of the Empire of Mu, back in Okinawa in the 1980s. He's also involved with the Jinuchu, but is right now a civilian working at McNess. Obara compiled most of this together, with a little extra help from me. Make sure Daija's arrested for what he's done.

This is my last request.

- - Sanjin Obakimura

Puzzled by the folder, Goji's eyes widened on realising the name he had heard as he pored over the texts. What surprised him however was that Sanjin seemed to know him well, with a shocking amount of detail concerning his fraudulent ways with some company connections, all of them printouts by Obara.

But the last pages were newspaper clippings, from the Ryukyon Chronicle which he didn't recognise, as well as the face of a turquoise dragon, both young and bald and smooth, and later old with facial hair and horns. Dates were scrawled in Varan's words, detailing specifics about an arson case, as well as that of a murder. But what truly surprised Kiryu, was an old photo of two creatures in younger days.

"It...oh gods. Is this...he looks just like him."

Pulling back, he wiped his eyes and put it in the box for Shisahara. An hour later he was done cleaning out the room, heading back downstairs to prep for the war ahead.

November 19th was the day of the funeral, as every patriarch returned to honour their companion. A grand hall in the lower floor of Toho HQ, with dozens of chairs lining both sides as kaiju of all sorts waited for the ceremony to start. Flowers covered his casket as Obakimura's face stared back at them, a portrait of himself in neutral frown wearing a black robe, with spikes popping out the shoulders.

"He always hated that picture," the ankylosaur snarled, "why can't they give him something nicer?"

"It's tradition," said Kiryu, "to give every patriarch the respect they deserve."

"That mean you have to wear something other than that suit, for once."

"Hmhm...ahh, this is going to hurt Obara when he wakes up."

"I hope he does," Sano sighed, "gods he...he didn't deserve this, neither of them."

"Hey."

Roberto sat down beside them, all three of the kaiju in black suits looking stiff.

"Itsumi's been real quiet," the pterosaur cocked his head, "I woulda thought he'd have a lot to say."

"Let's be thankful," Kiryu glowered, "we want this to go smooth as we can."

"Oh come on Goji," Anguirou nudged him, "you know Varan-san woulda wanted a ruckus at his funeral."

"Hmhaha, I'm sure he would, but we've had enough of a ruckus this week so, I hope he understands."

All of the Obakimura family were attending, a photo of Obara left on one seat in respect. The rest of the seats were filled by the other patriarchs, and once everyone was seated, Shisahara stood up before them.

"Thank you all for coming. Today, I do not speak on the loss of a patriarch, but on the loss of a friend. Sanjin Obakimura was a kind-hearted ruffian by day, and a reckless hero by night. Varan the Unbelievable, the crowds would chant, a wrestler who embodied the spirit of Okinawa, and he truly believed that. Yes it was an alter ego, but it was one that always lurked inside him, not one he ever fabricated.

"We came from different places in life, but through adversity in fighting the Vashers, and chasing them out of Okinawa, our bond became bloodied. At first he was an ally, but then he became a brother. And just like a brother, he would hoard my SuperTurboGraFX for five hours, playing nothing but virtual pinball."

A smirk of laughter rippled uncomfortably through the audience, the lion-dog turning to the portrait.

"Not all of you have siblings but I assure you, Sanjin was every bit a brother to me. Always ready to lend a paw, but you would never hear the end of it. He would bemoan whenever he wore a suit, he had opinions on videogames that I would end up arguing with, and he had something of a...problem in that. One time, we went to Hokkaido on a business trip. It took six hours, on a one-hour road trip, because every, SINGLE, stop, he always found a damn pinball machine!"

More chuckles came through as the crowd shook their heads, with Kin looking nostalgically frustrated.

"Many days I regretted bringing him to the Toho, if only because every trip we went, my spare change would run mysteriously dry in my wallet, could be anything I assure you!"

Laughter increased to a guffaw as the Fourth Chair clenched his hands.

"And don't get me started on his greasy foods! Whether it was Geiger King, beef bowls or pizza, I worried half the time he would start SWEATING grease out of him! It got so bad I would bring a towel for the seats! And when he had that stroke, not too long ago, you had no idea the IMMENSE satisfaction I had in telling him 'I Told You So'."

It was this that made Kiryu break, laughing a little too hard until tears came from his eyes. Not happy tears, but tears that helped relieve the pressure in his chest.

"What I'm saying is that family can be frustrating," said Shisahara, "but a family can also be there for you. When my father died, it was Sanjin who hugged me, helped distract me from the burdens his death would bring. When his closest friend died, I was there to hold him, and to be his Player Two for the games he enjoyed. We laughed at different things but we wept to the same sorrows, for Sanjin was the only creature I could ever call...my brother."

The Fourth Chair put a fist to his snout, and clenched his throat. He took a moment to stifle himself, a tear threatening to escape, before he swallowed it back down and let a trembling sigh fill the room. He brought out an old game cartridge from his pocket, Devil's Crush, that he slipped inside the coffin.

"Rest well...my hero." He patted the lid. "Play all you want...with your friend beside you."

The music began to play, an old 70s rock song with a throaty voice that some of the older kaiju started weeping at. Goji and Sano said nothing, bowing their heads and letting the ceremony pass, with a noticeable look of guilt from Danzaki.

Once the song was over, the family Obakimura would carry the casket to the cemetery, lowering it into the grave as prayers were made by the patriarchs. It was a nice little plot, somewhere in the sun where tombstones shadowed each other. Before Kiryu could leave, the red rooster Itsumi stood in front of him.

"Hey. I got something to say to you."

"...hm." Kiryu crossed his arms. "I was expecting this."

"I'm sure you were," the chicken strutted up with growing sneer, "I didn't wanna say this until after this was done...didn't feel right."

"You have a grievance left against my former patriarch?"

"I didn't like your boss, yeah I'll admit it. I'm not gonna mince words, I never thought he was good enough to run Kaijurocho. Always thought it weird that Shisa-sama gave the biggest red-light district, a fountain of wealth, to an island bumpkin. But he was still Toho. He was the Fourth Chair's friend no matter how much I hated it. And he did run Kaijurocho well enough it kept making good money...hell, I don't think it's ever lost money in profit."

"He was a good patriarch," Kiryu slit his eyes, "no matter what you say, nothing will change that."

"I know. That's why I say this." He offered his wing with feathered fingers. "You tell me what you need, I'll make it happen. We'll make those fuckers pay for what they did to Varan-san."

"Huh...alright." Goji shook his hand in turn. "Thank you, I appreciate it Itsumi-san."

"I may not have liked him, but he was still Toho. And nobody fucks with the Toho."

The cockerel smiled as they parted, the patriarchs heading back to their districts to prepare for the upcoming battle. Gojirama, Roberto and Anguirou all sat together in silence in the back of Hakura's limo, arriving back at their office as the small shrine containing Tsuchimura's picture, now had her patriarch joining it.

"Alright," Kiryu sighed, "Danzaki and I have to go to the temple, can you hold the fort down here?"

"No prob Goji-san," Sano saluted, "I'll see ya guys later."

==================

Several years ago, beneath the moonlight in the temple's garden, a moth stood facing her shadow. Her bright orange wings captured the night, a pale ethereal maiden who stood under the cherry blossom tree. Her shadow opened its deep red eyes, and walked forth to meet her.

Bare-handed they both took their stance, as Battram Ojha came for her first with a sudden leg sweep that she hopped over, striking for his head with an overhead chop. He blocked to grab her wrist, then thrust his knee in her abdomen, knocking her back before lunging with a backhand that she swerved.

The black moth spun his body with a sweep of his arm in a rising uppercut, Shoji guarding with her wing to knock him aside and spin herself halfway to elbow his thorax. In a stagger, Ojha jumped back on one foot before ducking with a low sweep to hit Shoji's leg, causing her to wobble before he struck her jaw.

Almost falling back, the white moth shot a string of silk that wrapped round Battram's wrist and forced him to reel back. Rushing forth, she grabbed his waist with one arm and swung him in a circle, Ojha spreading out his wings to fly free above her and land with his back against the tree.

"Good," she gestured to him, "now, it's time for weapons."

She brought out two sticks of bamboo, tossing one to Ojha that they twirled whilst circling each other. A war dance filled their hearts, their palpitations turning to drums with an ancient beat. Shoji wondered if it was her ancestor's blood singing to her, or if Ojha felt it too.

"Kalaripayattu," she said, "older than this temple, older than our ancestors, the root of all martial arts some have claimed."

"To learn it is to learn the souls of creatures," said her shadow, "the essence of the body...a doctrine of war and peace, spoken through every muscle."

"Show me your truth, Ojha-san. Show me the darkness of those who shelter from the light."

Charging towards her, Battram swung his short-staff for her head as she blocked with her own, sweeping it past her antennae to whack him in the side. He tried to cut from the left, but she grabbed the stick with two hands and spun Ojha away, the dark moth twirling to strike at her neck as she blocked once more with the stave.

Rebounding fast, they struck each other in a cross-guard, every blow countered by a thwack that rang sharp beneath the moon. Sometimes Ojha would break the pattern with an overhead swing, Shoji blocking with her wing before he stabbed his stick in the dirt, and vault-kicked with both feet to shove her back. The pale moth scraped backwards, her feet tearing the earth before she snapped open her wings and grabbed one of his feet.

His other foot wrapped round her neck, pulling her close as his wings reached above her head to keep aloft. He tried to spin and throw her head down, but Shoji planted her hands to resist and bounce free from his grasp, her leg swinging high to lock onto his shoulder. Their eyes met for a moment, mandibles inches from each other as they held their breaths, before parting once more.

He swung for her other leg as she blocked with her stick, sliding forwards to drag her staff across his arm and knee his abdomen. Battram guarded himself then gave two fists to shove her back, swinging hard with momentum to spin his body full with wings outstretched. Battering her twice across the face with his black veils, he made a low sweeping kick that she jumped over with a small flap, coming down hard with a strike for his skull.

He should have countered this. She had practiced this many times before, yet her eyes widened when her short-staff cracked his scalp, and he roared in a stagger. Many times she remembered this moment, and always wondered why he had not guarded this overhead. Was it her fault? Had she gone too fast?

The answer was worse. Slowing down in her mind's eye, Mosurakoto saw something dreadful glimmer in Ojha's eye. His fist shook beneath his head, and he had already lost when his rage boiled over with a piercing screech.

"OJHA, STOP!"

A fist cracked into her jaw, sending her flying across the garden before a crackling bolt of purple thunder would follow. She flapped her wings high in a mighty gust as the vicious scar of violet swept past her feet. One of the pillars was struck, causing chrysanthemums to burst into flames, a column of raging fire as Shoji hurried over.

"I...forgive me." Battram muttered rubbing his head. "I...I-i-"

"What, what happened?" she doused the flames with water. "You...you didn't counter it."

"I don't KNOW!" his golden frills turned a trembling orange. "I'm tired, let us stop."

"Yes...let's try tomorrow, so we keep fresh-"

"No. Next week." Ojha took his leave. "I must meditate on this-"

"Wait." Shoji grabbed his arm. "It's alright. I'm not upset, please don't be."

"I'm not. We will practice again soon."

"If you're feeling frustrated I can bring some sand in-"

"Stop." Ojha turned to her with seething eyes. "Please, leave me."

"What's wrong? Why have you been so-"

"ENOUGH!" His frills became brilliant ruby as bolts crackled in warning. "Is it not enough you pester me every moment that I breathe?!"

"You're to be my other half," she clasped her four hands, "I need to know what's wrong, no matter how slight it is, we are both to be Brahmanas!"

"I know well enough my duty, unlike SOME in this temple."

"Wait, what, what do you mean?"

"If you want comfort you shan't get it from me, ask one of those filthy beggars you brought in instead!"

"WAIT, BATTRAM!"

He tightened his jaw and hurried back downstairs. Shoji stood agasp at his words as she looked over to the flowers round the burnt pillar. Black and wilting.

=================

On the day of Obakimura's funeral, Shoji was meditating in her morning ritual. The memory of that night would haunt her, the first time she had seen her friend's fury in a frightening display. Of course she knew the truth now, but her hands clenched as her antennae drooped. Was he truly this terrible? Or did someone lure him away from her side?

She rubbed her head and clapped her cheeks, waking up fresh to get some tea before settling down to watch Kamen Spider. The multi-armed heroes in spandex suits battled in a quarry against fiends with over-elaborate costumes, that had so many blocky parts they almost resembled living cubist paintings.

With daring kung-fu moves and "ultimate powers", they blasted soft lasers in a controlled environment despite over-exaggerated falls from the villains. Sometimes she did little moves of her own, sitting in her room with tiny baps of her fists when she got caught up in the action.

"I never understood these shows," said a voice outside.

"OH!" she turned stiffening her antennae. "good, good morning Biyante-sama!"

"Shoji-sama," Ukyo leaned against the door, "is this your morning routine?"

"Well yes, have you ever watched Kamen Spider?"

"No, I don't enjoy pantomime."

"Aww, a pity," Shoji grinned, "it might look silly at first, but is it any stranger than theatre?"

"I don't like theatre either, hence my mention of pantomime."

"Gosh you must have been a fun child. What did you enjoy then?"

"Hmmm...pocket circuit cars." The doctor grinned swishing their coat.

"Whaaat?" the priestess clapped her face. "Ohohoh that's adorable!"

"It's a very technical pastime!" they walked over to sit beside. "To devise a machine that's capable of turning corners at a high speed without losing traction, is a complex feat requiring balance, precision and memorisation!"

"Oh no no I'm not teasing, I think it's wonderful you have a hobby! I am just surprised, I would have thought you would like gardening."

"I only do that while I'm here," Ukyo stretched their arms and tentacles, "I still have my models hidden away, for when I return to society."

"I hope that comes soon," the moth bowed, "I'd love to come down and watch you race."

"Thank you. How was your meditation?"

"It was fine."

Her smile was forced as Kuribayante stared right through. A brief battle of wits, but on this occasion Shoji was more tired than usual to resist.

"I'm worried about Ojha. You remember him yes?"

"I do," said the doctor, "he's become something of a zealot?"

"He was the one responsible for...the attack. I don't know why he would do this to me, I think he's lost sight of who he was."

"Or perhaps he's found sight of what he truly is."

"I don't believe that."

"Or you do not want to believe-"

"Stop it." She put up a hand to their snout. "I don't want to deal with this today."

"You have to," Ukyo slit their eyes, "the war is coming, and if Ojha is on the side of Jinuchu, you will have to face him."

The High Priestess palmed her face, a groan filling her lungs as the sentai show went to commercial. Left with time to think, her thoughts became troubled as Kuribayante clasped their hands.

"If he has thrown his lot in with Jinuchu, there are only two options left for him. Death, or prison."

"I know," Shoji winced, "regardless of his reasons he did a terrible thing, but I need to know his reason!"

"And you will, but first you must accept he is beyond your reach."

"I just hope it's not too late," she shook her head, "I would rather he serve his time in prison, in penance so one day he can return to me."

"Why do you care about him?" the doctor stroked their chin. "Are you that close as friends?"

"We grew up together. It may not seem like it now but we were good friends, we shared a lot of interests and we were both trained to be Brahmanas. We spent every day together, our lives in sync until one day it just...it wasn't."

"Some flowers are never destined to grow in your garden. No matter how good is your soil, or how much love you give, they will not thrive the way you expect."

"He WAS thriving! He just...he's just lost. Someone has to bring him back before he gets worse, and it has to be me!"

"If that is your wish," Ukyo nodded, "I shall keep the temple safe, if you must leave to find him."

"I hope not, but...no telling what this war may bring so...thank you, Biyante-sama."

Kamen Spider came back on, much to her relief as she sat up bracing herself for the next instalment. Just as the plot kicked up again, another younger voice came from the door.

"Hey mom!"

"SHHH, Spider Red is talking!"

"Oh, sorry!"

Leonardo giggled seeing his mother all aflutter, when the hero made a righteous speech about justice for all that made her sigh. Their faces were almost exact, despite his shorter stature with darker wings showing amber and jade, as he sat beside his mother whilst wearing a green hoodie.

"Hey," he waved to Ukyo, "Dr. Kuribayante, right?"

"Yes," they nodded, "I was just leaving, enjoy your sentai."

"Thank you," the moth elder smiled, "we'll talk later, yes?"

"Of course, Shoji-sama."

Taking their leave, Kuribayante went back to their room, the son shuffling closer to his mom.

"What'd I miss?" he asked.

"Spider Green got kidnapped! They had to save him from Firongi who trapped him in a mountain!"

"Aw jeez, he's like allergic to lava!"

"I think most things are dear, have you been keeping up?"

"Nah, sorta fell off six episodes back, but I don't mind you keeping me up to date. Did Spider Pink ever find his sister?"

"Ohohoh noooo no, that's still ongoing, Starburner's been hinting that the whole season the BASTARD!"

"PFFT, mom, we're in a temple!"

"Oh it's fine Leo," she hugged him close, "how are you?"

"Great!" the young Shoji kissed her cheek. "Excited for college, still thinking on what to study."

"I thought you were learning Ecology."

"Yeah but it's like a whole module, I need to figure out my major."

"Ohh yes, sorry I never went to college, I myself studied in-"

"The School of Life," they both said with a knowing chuckle.

"You learned a lot in the temple anyway," said Leo leaning back, "it's pretty cool being Brahmana right?"

"I would say so yes," his mother rubbed his arm, "everything alright at the waste plant-slash-political office?"

"Oh yeah, yeah it's cool I mean, gonna be something I can put on my CV, hah!"

"How many jokes you get about how similar sewage and politics are?"

"TOO MANY, THANKS." The son gave her three thumbs up. "Speaking of, uhhh I came to tell you something. You know all them barricades being put up in the city?"

"Yeeees?" she eyed him carefully.

"There's...a big protest coming, on the twenty-first against the police, you heard about that corruption stuff?"

"I did, but...are you...Leo." She turned to grip him carefully. "What are you involved in?"

"What, no lemme explain-"

"Are you involved with an extremist group?"

"NO, No no no no no!" he waved his hands. "I'm not starting anything and I'm not with extremists, can I at least explain?"

"Alright." Mosurakoto took a deep breath. "Tell me."

"You remember a police officer called Murata? Turtle guy with big tusks?"

"I do yes, I heard he was suspended for that awful business on the Meishin."

"Well I talked with him last week." Leonardo rubbed his hands. "He...he got arrested, because he found out his boss is covering up some real bad stuff, he escaped with a friend and he's out of the police fully."

"What?! Leo, are you serious?!"

"That's why the barricades are up, the protest is gonna happen two days from now and I'm gonna be right by him with Royama-san, who's also putting himself behind it."

"Are you telling me that...you, your boss, and a former police officer, are going to stand together, against a chief of police?"

"Yes." Her son nodded. "Don't worry, we're just making a statement, Murata-san's told all of us not to start a fight, no matter what."

"That...that's still quite dangerous, I assume he has evidence."

"Totally. It's really bad stuff, mom."

"You realise this could endanger your college application." She frowned severe. "If something happened and...you got arrested, that could-"

"I know," Leo gripped his hands, "but this police chief's collaborating with a criminal gang, and no it's not the Toho, they'd never do that. This is a really bad group from out of town."

"And what if you get hurt?! I couldn't bear anything happening to you."

"Murata-san'll keep me safe. I can't back down from this mom, I can't just ignore corruption happening right in our city, in our district! I'm sorry, I know you're worrying but I'll keep you updated, it's just right down the road."

"...alright." The priestess hugged him. "I know it's important to stand against injustice, and I also know if I said no, you would still do it anyway."

"You know Spider Red would never let corruption slide."

"Oh that's not fair," she chuckled petting him, "don't you use the sentai on me."

"It's true though."

"Hmhmhah...fine, just promise me one thing. The moment a fight starts, you come straight back to the temple. Not because I don't believe in you, but if what you say is true, then I cannot trust the police to protect you."

"Got it," Leo kissed her cheek, "thanks mom. I promise, I'll come right back if anything happens."

"Good." She kissed him back. "Besides you promised me a cake for my birthday, and by gods if you don't deliver I will ground you so hard."

"Hahahaha, okay okay, double promise. You want any help while I'm here?"

"Well, since you're offering, the classroom needs a good sweeping up."

Standing up with a crick in her abdomen, they headed downstairs with a pair of brooms to clean up the rooms. Dusting the walls down and sweeping the floor, the Shojis bantered about their favourite shows and upcoming events, mostly around the High Priestess' birthday and where to buy decorations. As they were finishing up, Kiryu and Danzaki came peeking from the doors.

"Oh, Kiryu-san! Rob-chan!"

The moth elder rushed up to them with a big hug, all four arms wrapped round their sides as they blushed.

"Shoji-sama," said the saurian, "hope we're not disturbing."

"Oh no no, we're just cleaning up."

"Hey Kiryu-san!" Leo waved. "And uhhh, Danzaki, right?"

"Si," the pterosaur waved, "howsit going uhhh, Shoji-kun?"

"Ahhh pretty good, you hear about the protest coming up in two days?"

"Yeah, I heard but, wait you said in two days?"

"Mmhmm, you joining in? It's gonna be pretty big."

"Uhhhh, what you think Kiryu?" Roberto turned to him. "Sounds important."

"It does," Gojirama nodded, "but right now we came to make prayers."

"Of course," the priestess bowed to them, "let me take you there."

"Nice meeting you Shoji-kun," the pterosaur bowed, "stay safe, alright?"

"Sure, no prob," the young moth waved.

Taken to the prayer room in the back, the walls were covered in photographs, flowers and personal belongings of those departed. Both Kiryu and Danzaki clasped their hands and kneeled with Mosurakoto, who sang her song to the heavens and called to the voices beyond, guiding their thoughts with an ethereal shimmer.

Kiryu still never believed in gods, but even he would confess that in this room there was a touch of the unknown, the barrier between life and death gently parting. Roberto gave his prayer in Spanish, which surprised Kiryu for having never heard such words in a grave tone. Once their communion had passed, they went upstairs to where Goji found McCartin in a guest room, huddled over a book sniffing back tears.

"Gordon?"

"AH, G-goji." He wiped his face looking back. "How, how are you?"

"I'm fine...is something wrong?"

"I-i...I-"

"I'll leave you two be," Shoji bowed to them, "Rob-chan and I need to discuss something."

"Mmm si," the pterosaur looked to her, "we go to your room or-"

"I think we should go see the garden. We'll be back soon."

Leaving the two lovers, the priestess took Roberto to the roof of the temple. The garden was still resplendent, the cherry blossom tree still standing stall, and the columns showing the scars of the fire on either side of them. Walking through the grass they stopped near a section of flowers with the sagiso, resembling a white phoenix birthing anew from golden flames.

"Still here huh?" Roberto chuckled. "Looks more beautiful every day-"

"Why did you betray Kiryu?"

The question cut his words like a silver knife.

"I know Kiryu would never lie to me, but why did you?"

"I never lied to you," he said, "I was the one who warned you to keep an eye on him-"

"YOU were there, you put a knife in his stomach, I saw the wound!"

"Alright, alright...I was forced to, by someone else who wanted to test Kiryu."

"Test him?" She shook her head. "Did they hold someone hostage, force you?"

"They...they beat me in a fight. I couldn't say no."

"Or they would kill you?"

"No...they just proved they were stronger and," Roberto rubbed his neck, "I couldn't say no to someone like that."

"...you idiot." Shoji shook her head with stiff antennae. "You...utter, complete, absolute...what is with you yakuza being such imbeciles, every time one of you comes here you invite trouble."

"This is the life we lead, this is exactly why we broke off."

"And how has that helped?! The Jinuchu come storming in, kidnapping Aosu-chan-"

"But your son is safe isn't he?! Speaking of which, why'd you tell Kiryu?!"

"Because you betrayed him!" she stomped her foot. "I needed to prove to him that you weren't a selfish creature, that was my proof!"

"Didn't really work did it?" Danzaki sneered. "He still hates me, and not saying he shouldn't, but you didn't have to do me like that."

"You have no right to ask for respect," Shoji jabbed his beak, "you should be thanking me, considering it was I who begged Kiryu not to cripple the father of my son."

"Alright, alright." The pterosaur palmed his beak. "Mierda, I'm getting it in the neck from everyone."

"I could have treated you far worse considering you left me with an infant, even when you joined the yakuza when Leonardo was seven, I never hated you for it because you kept your word."

"Yeah, the payments. I just didn't want Leo to follow me, because I knew I wasn't going to be better than this."

"Did you know you'd be yakuza when we first met?"

"Honestly...yeah." Roberto sat in the grass. "Kiryu always had this way about him, makes me wanna follow him everywhere-"

"Oh shut up," she sat with him, "you're not complicated, Roberto, he beat you up because you bulled him into it, and you shamed yourself into being his friend."

"Still, I knew whichever way I was going would be involved in something bad. We did petty crimes when we left the orphanage, scrounging, odd jobs, I just...Leo deserves a better dad to look up to, and it shouldn't be me."

"Fair. Not like I could stop you, being I was a lower priestess at the time I could hardly report you for not staying with me."

"Well he wasn't planned," Danzaki cringed, "also, you know, the whole out-of-wedlock thing."

"My former Brahmanas were very kind not to ask questions," she clasped her hands, "in most Hindu temples I would have been banished but...the Airenas Temple has always been attuned to the needs of Tokyo's poorer creatures."

"Well, all I know is that I can't be a good father, but I can be a good provider."

"I know." Shoji patted his knee. "All I ask is you take responsibility, for everything you do."

"Ni modo," he sighed, "I'm going to make it up to him...there's a battle happening in two days, the Toho are taking the fight to Jinuchu."

"Two...days?" she gasped.

"All I tell you is this. Anyone needs help, you give them help. If things get too bad, close the doors and keep your head down."

"Do you...do you know if Ojha-san is involved?"

"If he's in Jinuchu then yeah, he will be."

"...I'd like to ask you a favour." Shoji took his hands. "A favour you owe me for your scheme with Kiryu."

"Yes," Roberto squeezed her soft fingers, "I'm sorry, Mosu-chan. If you want me to make it up to you, then I will, anything."

"Thank you. I don't want to lose another friend this week...Roberto."

She pulled him close for a kiss. Their eyes closed as he felt her mandibles along his beak, slowly parting to let their tongues dance for a moment. It was a cruel warmth that they struggled to pull free, as Shoji took a deep breath and asked him her favour.

With the High Priestess upstairs, Goji sat with Gordon who shivered in a growing panic. The student sniffed back his tears and did his best to compose himself, his textbook marked with stains.

"I...I-i scared," he began, "I don't want to leave."

"You don't have to," Kiryu shook his head, "I'm here."

"B-but, Daija, D-date, whoever, he want deport me! I-i can't study, I can't go to school, he threaten me!"

"Alright, alright," the kaiju wrapped an arm round him, "once this stuff with Jinuchu is over, I'll help you-"

"NO!" McCartin stood up clutching his head. "Wh-what if you die?! THEY ALMOST KILL YOU BEFORE, AND I HAVE NO ONE!"

"They won't kill me," Kiryu stood up with him, "I promise you that, too much has happened for me to give up."

"But they, k-kill your boss! They paint my store, they blow up temple!"

"And we're both still here, together. We have friends Gordon, if worse comes to worse, the Toho will protect you."

"But I'm not criminal! I no want to hide, I want be good, I want be citizen of Japan, learn ocean stuff, but I show my face out there, I GET DEPORTED, HE CALL ME NOTHING BUT A BEAST, I LOSE EVERYTHING I WORK FOR, //BECAUSE MY TEACHER A FUCKING VASHER!//"

Gordon clutched his face with a heaving sob, shuddering in his native tongue as Kiryu pulled him close and let him weep in his shoulder. The kaiju hugged him tighter, squeezing him hard as he could until his whimpers started to fade.

"Gordon. Listen to me." Goji pulled back to stare at him. "I promise you, no matter what happens, no one will force you to leave Japan. You are the bravest, most pure-hearted kaiju I know."

"I, I-i-wait...k-kaiju?"

"When you faced those bigots, you didn't back down, you stood up against them no matter who they were. You're more a kaiju to us than any vasher in this damn country, because you stood up for us, stood up for all creatures. Now it's our turn to stand up for you."

He placed his hands on Gordon's shoulders.

"I'm here for you, along with Sano, Shoji-sama, Biyante-sama, and both Sa-Rhees. We stand together. We're not going to leave you behind."

"...thank you."

McCartin leaned up to kiss him, as Goji bent down to meet his lips. Their tongues crept along each other's, fluttering breaths turning to moans as their hands wrapped round their bodies.

"I...can I ask...before you go?"

"Of course," Kiryu whispered.

"Before you fight...would you...w-would you sleep with me?"

His eyes widened as Gordon's earfins twitched.

"I need you. I need...your warm, your heart....beat with mine. Please...I need you, Gojirama."

"I...of course." The kaiju stroked his neck. "I'll let Shoji-sama know, I'll see you tonight at ten?"

"O-oh...here?" gasped Gordon. "But is a temple."

"Hindus are more...open about this sort of thing, plus it's Shoji-sama. Tonight, and I have my phone again so, call me if you want."

"Okay." The beast grinned with a giddy smile. "I see you...tonight."

Kiryu left once Danzaki returned, heading back to the office and preparing for war until it was 10pm. As promised, Gojirama went to the temple under cover of night, Gordon waiting in his room with crossed legs in just a pair of undies. A curtain was drawn over the door as Kiryu undressed, not saying a word as the beast savoured the view of his lover's body.

For the first time they saw each other fully naked, slipping under the sheets of their futon and cuddling up close. Gordon's face turned more red than his eyes when he felt Kiryu's hands slipping down his back. The student's fingers trembled along the thigh, stroking the kaiju's thick dark scales as they moaned together with a kiss. A moment of peace in the hailstorm of society, their minds unclouded and their thoughts but a whisper from the fury outside.

They found sanctuary in each other's warmth, as Gordon felt Kiryu's heart beat against his ears. The kaiju explored the beast's body, with gentle lips, softened hands, and a deep rumbling pleasure within. Neither of them had made love in years, but with such passion fuelled by adrenaline, it felt like each other's first time, a whirling typhoon that fogged their senses and swarmed their hearts with a buzzing crescendo. Gordon slipped back into his Irish tongue, but Kiryu understood him well enough from the gasping cries of his name.

From the other side of the hall, Mosurakoto sat with a smile as she had her evening tea. A sigh of relief came to her on hearing Kiryu's voice rise in bliss, assuring her doubts for his mental state. McCartin's voice joined his in tearful gasps, almost crying in rapture as the walls briefly shuddered. Her mind drifted back to Roberto, a shudder from her breast that turned bittersweet until the lovers would cease. Kiryu did not leave the temple, falling asleep in Gordon's arms, as they drifted together to another place.