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Chapter 33

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"Ugggh...Do I have to drink this...?" I asked pointing at the gourd filled with sake.

"You must! This is to help with the pain later on!"

"Underage drinking..."

"You're of age within the clan!"

I pulled the cork out and I slowly began to drink. I'm already dressed in a pure white kimono, hair done in a simple manner with a gold kanzashi in my hair along with a few fresh flowers. As the Arcobaleno Pacifier couldn't be removed, it was tucked into a small pouch hidden within the folds of the chest area in my kimono. The parade is an actual parade...a demon parade. As humans couldn't be included, Michiru joined me in his actual youkai form. He wore an oni mask covering the lower half of his face. Most of the youkai are either those that respect me enough to participate or those who just respects the Aozora in general.

"Huh, Taiga, you're participating as well?" He's in his liger form, half the size of a normal one. "I didn't think that you would..."

"I respect you enough to participate. Some might not take kindly to it, but if you were alive during Kotaro's then you would have done the same." Taiga said nuzzling my hip.

"Thank you, Taiga." I said patting his head.

I took the first step...the paper lanterns being lit...the sound of the bells and drums used...the sky is cloudless...what a wonderful night. I barely noticed how my hair took on a golden-brown color beneath the lantern lights...how my ears became more pointed...how my eyes looked more like that of a beast than that of a human. There's silence in the town as people stood on the sidelines watching as we passed through. I spotted Reborn and the others. Haru looked ready to shout something, but someone covered her mouth from behind, shushing her. All eyes focused upon a crying infant and I silently approached. The mother stared at me fearfully and I merely reached out with a finger. I lightly tapped the child's forehead.

"Hush, this is a Hyakki Yakou...Humans must remain silent at all times...If not, we might consume you..."

The infant quieted down, falling into a slumber. I smiled at the mother, she bowed her head to me before I continued the procession. Taiga growled quietly, still at my side as Michiru gave me a stare, as if asking why I had done such a thing. I merely smiled, quickening my pace just a bit. The procession ended the moment we arrived at the main gates and only a handful of the members of the procession was allowed to enter. I was taken deeper into the mansion...to an underground cave lit by torches. The person in the center is Kotaro dressed in ceremonial robes, the tools needed at his side on a small table.

"Did you drink the sake?" Kotaro asked staring at me.

"Yes." I answered as I stood before him.

"Then we shall proceed." Kotaro picked up a pair of pliers. "Open."

"Aaah..."

He held up my head before taking out my top left canine first. The pull was sharp and fast, the pain only registering after it left my mouth. I shut my mouth, sucking in the blood that filled my mouth. Kotaro tossed the canine into one bowl as I spat out the blood in my mouth onto the ground beside me. This repeated three more times before Kotaro handed me a towel, letting me bite down onto it to slow the bleeding. The next part is that anyone who wishes to give me their fangs steps up and they chooses which fang they will give up. The top canines indicate desire to serve. The bottom canines indicate their desire to see me grow stronger.

"I will give up my fangs." Michiru is the first to step up, sacrificing all four of his fangs. I felt a bit jealous seeing his fangs regrow after a few moments. "Keep your head up, Tsuki-hime..." Michiru said as he backed down.

"I shall give up my bottom fangs." Taiga said to the surprise of many.

"You would give up all of them if you didn't do that for me, wouldn't you?" Kotaro questioned his brother.

"Tsukichiyo is an interesting child, too bad she wasn't born sooner." Taiga said before his fangs were taken away.

Ojii-san came up next, muttering how his grandkids keep beating him to the punch...but I could do without him sacrificing all of his canines for this. As a response to their leader's actions, everyone else who had no real urge to serve me or protect me only gave up their bottom fangs. Everyone. All of the bastards who didn't even think much of me because of my mostly human blood. Kotaro probably felt the same way as me judging from that look of disgust on his face and the fact he produced a second bowl for this. The second bowl was filled to the brim with fangs and I wondered what it will be turned into...armor or weapons? Something I probably would never use.

"Your dagger will be completed in a few months, we shall have it sent to your residence another day. As for the other part...it will take a year until it is completed." Kotaro said cleaning off the pliers.

"Understood." I mumbled into the towel.

Everyone retired for the night, but my fangs are aching the entire night. I was fed specialized foods...heavy in blood and heavy in nutrients for my kind. None of it human due to my mostly human nature, something Ojii-san, Michiru, Taiga, and Kotaro made sure of. We have no idea what human blood would do to me in this state, we couldn't risk it. I was allowed to return home after five days, my new fangs had regrown nicely...even if they were much longer now.

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"H-Hahi! Tsuki-san looks so much cooler since we last saw you!" Haru said hugging my arm.

"What kind of ceremony did you go through, Aozora? We were forced to leave after seeing that night parade and you've been gone a while." Yamamoto said looking at me curiously.

"Don't ask personal questions, you baseball freak! Tsuki-san, you're alright now, right?" Gokudera asked excitedly.

"You guys, you shouldn't as so many questions now that Tsuki is back." Souta, the voice of reason as always. "She must be tired." Souta said smiling at us.

"Tsuki-hime, are you sure you don't want to rest at home for another day?" Michiru asked in concern.

"Tsuki-chan!" Kyoko shouted running over.

"Oh, Kyoko."

"H-Hahi?"

"Good morning!"

"Morning."

"You were gone for a long time, are you alright now?"

"Yeah, I was back home for an important family event."

"Oh! That sounds nice!"

"Yeah, I guess so..."

"H-Hahi! Who are you?!"

"Eh? I'm Sasagawa Kyoko...who are you?"

"I'm Miura Haru! I'm Tsuki-san's future mistress!"

"E-Eh?!" Kyoko looked surprised at Haru's bold words. "T-Tsuki-chan!"

"I don't recall agreeing to such a thing."

"Hahi?! Tsuki-san is denying it even though you carried Haru like a bride the second time we met! You even met my mother!"

"You were suffering from heatstroke not to mention sleep deprivation."

"Tsuki-san!"

"Tsuki-chan! What is going on! Explain!"

"Eeeh...?"

I got involved in a tug of war between Haru and Kyoko for some reason. Kyoko is trying to get me to explain my relationship with Haru. Then there's Haru questioning my love for her. The boys wisely went on ahead, well, minus Gokudera who got dragged away by Souta and Michiru. I gave up halfway into the questioning, running ahead before either girl could catch up. They both shouted my name and I wondered if I should just declare a boy my boyfriend...who could I ask though?

"Hibari-senpai is out, Gokudera is out, Yamamoto is out, Souta is out, do I even have a male friend I'm close to...?" I questioned to myself.

I thought about it and I could safely say...no. I do not have anyone like that. I was suddenly rammed into from the side and I had fallen to the ground with a weight on my body. I muttered a few curses beneath my breath as I moved to yell at the person who rammed into me only for my breathing to stop. This boy...he looks very similar to...Rin? We stared at one another in surprise. I turned my gaze from his face to his clothing, he's wearing a changshan, a dark red one.

"Wuo tsuo luh!" Mandarin? "Ah, sorry. I keep forgetting I'm in Japan...I meant to say that I'm at fault and to forgive me."

"No, it's not...a problem..." He only resembles Rin...maybe he's a descendant of hers...or maybe I'm just imagining it. "Are you lost or something?"

"Yeah, no, ah..." The boy stood up first, helping me up. "I'm looking for my foster sibling. Have you seen a child with an egg shaped head, braid at the top, wearing clothing like mine?"

"Not that I noticed today."

"Really...that child's name is I-pin. If you see her then please say that Lin is looking for her!"

"Lin, okay, I got it."

"Xie xie!" He folded his hands together, bowing his head to me. "Then please excuse me!"

"Y-Yes..."

"I-pin!"

"What in the world...?"

That boy was like a whirlwind...Lin...sounds similar to Rin. I tilted my head curiously before I could hear two girl's voices behind me. Shit, I almost forgot about that. I continued running and while I can't avoid Kyoko's questioning at the school...I can at least avoid her. As in, I hid out in the reception room during lunch. Hana saved me after clearing up the misunderstanding once school ended, knowing full well that my preference leans towards men...but I could do without her asking to meet Taiga.

"Hana-san..." I placed my hands on her shoulders, bowing my head to her. "Give it up. Taiga's sole interest is in men." I said to her shock.

"N-No way...!" Hana said ready to collapse.

"So he's like that...Tsuna-san! If he tries any-Bwah!" Gokudera got smacked in the face with one of Michiru's textbooks. "T-Tsuna-san?!"

"We're relatives so there's no way that will work out." Michiru looked mildly disgusted. "Also, his tastes are pretty boys who have a strong personality. I'm sorry to say, Gokudera-kun...but you're more of his type than I am."

"W-What?!"

"Don't disturb the boy."

"I can't help it." Michiru is a bit more mischievous since we returned to school...I guess him returning to his all natural self and going out with some handsome males helped before he got forced back into the position of Tsuna. "Also I find it a bit funny."

"You're with Reborn way too much if his sadism is rubbing off on you."

"Meh."

"Huh?" I spotted a child nearby. "Give me a minute!"

"Tsuki-hime?"

"Pardon me!" The child stopped and looked towards me. Oh, so I-pin is a girl. She's pretty cute. "Lin is looking for you."

"Lin?"

"Yes." She said something to me that I didn't understand at all. I rubbed my temple, looking towards my group weakly. "Does anyone speak Mandarin?"

"Don't look at me."

"Nope."

"No."

"Doesn't Taiga speak like ten languages?"

"Of course he does, he's the brains between those two..." I called the house on my cellphone. "Ah, Taiga, is that you?"

"Yes, what is it?"

"I have a child who is from...well, she speaks Mandarin, can you help me out?"

"Sure thing."

Thanks to Taiga, I managed to inform I-pin that her brother is looking for her. I also found out that she's incredibly near-sighted and she was sent to Japan on an assassination mission. I rubbed my temple, asking for the name of her mentor only to get the name of the current Storm Arcobaleno. I made a face at this and I asked her to put her assassination on hold for now until we can contact him or her elder brother. She agreed and I brought her back to the Aozora manor...only for the next day to come and I obtained two more boarders. Fon sent me payment to care for his wards as the situation in Hong Kong is too dangerous for them to return to.

"...Is this seriously part of the Sky attraction thing or am I just doomed to house orphaned kids all my life?" I asked as Lin spoke with Taiga about their training.

"I'm pretty sure it's because you can't say no to kids in need." Souta stated giving me a bright smile.

"...You are enjoying this way too much." I stated giving him a blank stare.

"I can't help it. Also, you're gathering more people than needed in the last year than you have since your return..."

"...It's a sign of things to come. While it won't happen just yet...it will...and when it does...I have to be ready for it."

"Tsuki, where's Dame-Tsuna?" Reborn landed on Souta's shoulder...staring at me. "That no good stupid student of mine disappeared and I can't find him."

"Running an errand for Taiga. He should be back sooner or later."

I need to enroll Lin in the local elementary school...if not then he'll have to wait until the beginning of the new school year to go to middle school. I made a face when Mukuro returned home, a girl in tow calling herself MM. The girl gave me a snobby attitude saying she's only following 'Mukuro-sama' while she picked out her own room in the manor without so much as a 'thank you' or 'how do you do'. I pointed at the girl's back as I stared at Mukuro. I only received a laugh my look of confusion.

"Kufufufu, she's my newest follower."

"How bad are her problems?"

"Parents left their debt to her and loan sharks are chasing her."

"My house is literally a safe house for kids in trouble..."

"Can you blame them?" Taiga waved Lin off, pointing in the direction of the dojo. Lin took his sister with him, both looking very happy. "It's clear as day that you are someone who can protect and will protect anyone who chooses to side with you. You love to shoulder the burden and never ask for help in return. We have to discuss this, Tsukichiyo. It's not healthy."

"I don't have to share a burden with adults I don't trust with my life."

"Tsukichiyo..."

"Bwahahaha! I'm a monster!"

"Oh, Lambo..." Lambo is chasing I-pin through the doors and past us. If he doesn't stop, I-pin will use her Gyoza Fist on him. "Don't-Lambo!"

"Waaaahh!"

"What an idiot..."

"Such a big idiot..."

"To-ler-ate...! I can't!"

"Don't aim the bazooka at yourself every time you get hurt!" Even though we cut his hair to a manageable level, I still have no idea how the heck he pulls it out of his tiny afro! "It's dangerous!"

"I-pin!" Lin bumped into Lambo, knocking the bazooka away. "Are you okay?!"

"Ah..." I dodged to the right, but...it hit Taiga. In a second, he was switched with his 'older' counterpart...who is dressed in a yukata. "Taiga...?"

"Hic...? Wha...?"

"He's drunk!" I can smell the alcohol on him! "You, how much did you drink?!

"Ah! Hime!" I'm being lifted up by my armpits. He's really drunk, his face is bright red. "Hime~!"

"T-Taiga..." I can't handle drunks, they're loud and annoying...not to mention hard to handle since I feel bad if I had to smack them. "Hello..."

"Waaaii!" I'm being hugged now. "Huh...you don't smell very bloody, Hime...weird..."

"I'm the Tsukichiyo from ten years in the past. You got hit by the time bazooka!"

"Hm...?" Taiga put me down and he stared at me. "Huh, you're right..."

"This drunk..."

"Hime, I'm hungry."

"Then eat when you return..."

"..."

"W-Wha...Hmph?!" I got kissed...no more like...I got bit! "That hurts!" I smacked him across the head before he had a chance to use his tongue. "Why did you bite my lip?!"

"I took some blood~!" Taiga is sticking out his tongue looking way too proud. "Hahahaha!"

"You..." I'm glad that the normal Taiga returned a moment later. "Taiga, you are banned from indulging in anything that gets you drunk within this household."

"Huh?"

"Your future drunk self just bit me!" I pointed at my face, more specifically my cut lip. "How am I supposed to explain this cut to everyone?! My drunk gay uncle tried kissing me?!"

"I-I did that?!"

"You drunkard!"

"I-I only get drunk on catnip sake!"

"Then that's forbidden anywhere near this house!"

I had enough problems on my plate with new boarders, I don't need this idiot getting drunk and attacking someone...more specifically a skilled illusionist who will probably not hesitate to try to kill my uncle. If that happens, my mansion is doomed and Reborn will find out about the youkai...I do not need that! Taiga is depressed about the no catnip sake in the house rule, but I'm not going to budge on that! The next day, I got questioned by both Haru and Kyoko nonstop...ugh...this sucks! They came over to my house and it was impossible to stop them...and they just had to meet Kotaro who is visiting. Kotaro who forgets that we're family and there are certain things you cannot do when in human form!

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Chapter 33 Ends

Tsuki's too soft on kids her own age with problems. Lin is indeed related to Rin in a way, how will be explained later on. There will be a few surprises in the coming chapters so look forward to it~! Tsuki knows that while she's unable to stop being pulled into the underworld due to her original identity as Sawada Tsunayoshi, that doesn't mean she can't have her fun with it. She's merely biding her time until Vongola are incredibly screwed over and showing their desperation with needing an heir...that and to personally see the look on her bastard father's face when he realized just how much he screwed up...before she tries to kill him. She and Mukuro are going to have fun humiliating, destroying, and shaming the current generation of Vongola while also screwing them over as they're without an heir!

Mukuro and his group rarely interact with Tsuki's even though they live in the same house. He merely lives in the same home so unless he's bored out of his mind, he doesn't go out of his way to interact with them as they're 'weak minded' and he knows that Tsuki will take offense if he dares to touch the weaker ones. He tends to see Tsuki's and Michiru's current situation as a way to get a laugh or two as he does his own thing. He's weary towards Taiga and is on his best behavior because he has no interest in getting attacked or gaining Tsuki's ire for revealing the youkai.

I'm really loving Taiga and Kotaro. It's hella fun because they bring out sides of Tsuki you wouldn't normally see. Kotaro brings out her hotheaded temper and more childish sides while Taiga's got an enabler who can take care of him. That and Taiga will cheerfully mess with Tsuki's love life while also filtering out those he deems worthy of his niece. The next chapter will have this and it was a lot of fun to write! Nothing to add so I'll be going now~! I hope you all are in good health! Stay safe! Bye-bye~!