Curse of the Bloodmoon- Chap 56

"A little to the left..." Mei instructed one of the Kasai boys as they were helping her set up a sign. She had asked Ace if the party could be at his compound, so that it wouldn't attract too much unwanted attention from the village. Mei had matured in in style as she had her hair tied up into a bun and wore a form-fitting kimono, highlighting her womanly curves.

"Mei-Ling Katorabe~" Ace smirked as he came outside with Deila following behind him. He hugged his old friend and looked her up and down. "Why, you look as beautiful as ever~"

Mei smiled at him and nodded. "Why thank you, Ace~ You're as charming as ever." She laughed softly before going to Deila and hugging her old friend. "It's so nice of you to let us use your compound for the party..."

"Think nothing of it~" Deila smiled. "We're glad to help. We have the space for all of us anyway."

Mei laughed and nodded. "Yes, and I'm not sure who's bringing whom...so the space is welcomed." She smiled.

"Of course. I cannot wait~ I love when everyone is together." Deila smiled.

"Did you know that this was all Zanten's idea too?" Mei grinned, keeping her voice low. "He's been saying it was me, but he was the one who brought it up. I can tell just how happy this is making him~" She giggled softly.

"Really?" She laughed. "He's impossible~"

Mei giggled. "We're even trying for another baby~"

"That's wonderful~"

"He's suddenly just got...enthusiastic." Mei smiled and shook her head. "I don't know why, but I really like this change of pace."

"I'm glad Zanten is active though, I mean with you. Because he's usually a statue."

Mei smiled softly, lovingly. "I feel special. I'm one of the few people he shows his emotions to." She touched her face. "He's just so romantic~"

“I have a hard time imagining that." Deila said.

Mei shook her head. "It's very true...He's just the sweetest man~"

“Well I'm happy for you.”

"Thank you," Mei nodded, smiling softly. "How have you and Ace been?" She asked, seeing Ace helping one of his clansmen.

"Very well. Never better, really. She smiled.

"Oh good! I'm so glad to hear that." Mei clapped her hands together. "Would you mind if you helped me in the kitchen? I could use some hands~"

"Of course not~"

"Thank you~" Mei took Deila's arm as they headed back inside to work in the kitchen.

"What's with all these get together's lately?" Rina sighed.

Kaito shrugged. "I'm not sure...Perhaps even with our immortality we're realizing that we're still mortals? We could perish at any moment." He said morbidly.

"Don't talk like that..."

"It's true...These last fifteen years, we were all terrified. We wouldn't have been brought back if we died, you know." Kaito breathed.

"You don't need to remind me." She rolled her eyes and left his side.

"Rina..." Kaito frowned and got up, going after her. "Rina, come back...I'm sorry."

"Forget it, Kaito."

"Rina, come on...Don't be like this." He shook his head. "It's supposed to be a joyous day, so forget what I just said, okay?"

"How can I? You've been morbid for weeks. You forget that I STILL blame myself for us being alive?" She growled at him. "Just... leave me be." She said as she went to find alcohol.

“Rina..." Kaito frowned and sighed before going back to get some wine.

Rina sighed as she wasn't watching and bumped into Ace.

Ace blinked before smiling down at her. "Hey, Rina~" He kissed her lightly. "There you are~ I've been looking for you~"

“Why?" She blinked.

"I haven't seen you in a while." Ace smiled. "What's been happening? Tell me everything~" He wrapped his arm around her.

"Nothing new really.. Kaito and I have been fighting..."

Ace frowned a bit. "Why? What's wrong?" He asked her.

"Nothing I guess..."

Ace blinked. "Nothing?"

"Just me being stupid I guess..."

"Oi...don't speak like that. Rina, what are you two fighting about?" He asked.

"He's just been... inconsiderate.”

“Have you two had sex lately?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"Not really..."

"Maybe he's...frustrated?" Ace shrugged. "I know I get moody whenever I don't get to do it."

"Yes, but you're a sex fiend."

"So? Kaito can be too~"

She sighed. "Maybe you're right...”

Ace smiled. "See? Just relax for today and enjoy the party...Maybe everything will just blow over and it'll be alright again." He rubbed her back.

"Thanks, Ace." She smiled.

He kissed her cheek. "No problem, my dear~"

"So, where's most of your clan?" She asked.

Ace shrugged. "Around, though a lot of them went into town today. Since the bloodmoon is gone, they feel as if they can walk around a bit more freely." He told her. "We know we're not out of the woods yet, but it's nice having some peace." He breathed

"Yeah, it is." Rina sighed and nodded.

Ace kissed her head and hugged her tight against his side. "Just try to enjoy the party, okay? We've all been so tense these past fifteen years..."

"I'll try." She nodded. "But it's hard... Kaito and I haven't been ourselves since we were trapped in those fears..."

Ace frowned. "Do you...want me to help? I could sit down with both of you and talk."

"I don't know if it'd be worth it."

"Don't say things like that." Ace shook his head.

"Why not?"

"Because you two have been together forever." He frowned.

"Maybe... that's the problem." She sighed. "I feel wasted in this world..."

Ace shook his head. "You're not wasted...What's something you've always wanted to do?" He asked her.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure, really...  I was restricted to be a clan leader... and then when Hisao took the position, all this stuff with Fukai surfaced... I haven't had time to think..."

"Then why don't you stay here with me for a few days so you can think." Ace smiled. "Think of it as your first vacation in a lifetime~"

"I guess I could try that..."

"Yeah," he nodded, smiling, "I think it'll be a good idea."

"Alright..." She nodded.

Ace kissed her cheek. "We always have room~"

She smiled. "Thank you."

Ace nodded, smiling softly. "You're welcome." He rubbed her back again.

"I'm here~" Tsutara giggled as she entered the house.

Ria chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Easy, hunny, you haven't even had a drink yet~"

"I want everyone to know I'm here~" She winked.

Ria chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Yes, well, I'm sure they know~"

She smiled. "I wonder if there's any new babies to run around this time~ Like ours~" She winked as a girl poked her head from behind Ria's leg.

Ria smiled as he gently ruffled the girl's head. He picked her up and balanced her on his hip. "Yes, well, perhaps there will be. Otherwise, we'll have to entertain Jazu~" He kissed the little girl's cheek.

She smiled and nodded. "Ready to meet people, hunnie?" Tsutara asked.

Jazu nodded. She was five, a unique looking girl as she had snow white hair with a mix of her mother's purple hair. Her eyes were naturally pink. It was a weird combination, but Ria and Tsutara loved her.

Ria smiled as he held his daughter close. He just loved his daughter so much that it reminded him of his and Chiyako's relationship. The girls just couldn't resist him. "Come on, let's go find our hosts." He chuckled.

"Oh~ Look whose here~" Deila smiled as she tapped Mei's arm.

Mei lifted her head and smiled, her green eyes sparkling softly. "Tsutara!" She called for the woman, waving to get her attention.

Tsutara smiled as she grabbed Ria's arm and dragged him over. "Hey girls~"

Ria grunted as his direction was suddenly changed.

Mei got up and smiled as she went to hug Tsutara. "It's been so long~"

"It has~" She giggled.

Mei smiled as she spotted the girl in Ria's arms. "And who is this~?"

“This is Jazu~ She's our daughter." Tsutara smiled.

Jazu pressed her face into Ria's chest, trying to hide.

"She's adorable~" Mei smiled. "Zanten and I are trying for another too~"

"That's wonderful~" Tsutara smiled. "Where is that goof anyway?"

“Zanten? He went to tell Zinan and Yuuna in person." She smiled. "He insisted."

"Oh really? So he hasn't returned yet?”

Mei shook her head. "No, not yet..."

"Maybe he won't come." She chuckled.

Mei frowned. "I don't think so...He organized this, after all."

"He did?" She blinked.

 Mei nodded. "Yes, but he'll deny it if you ask." She giggled a bit. "He's so modest~"

"Always has been." She nodded.

"Yes, well, he's very sweet." Mei nodded. "And special...as I'm sure we all think our loves are~" She giggled.

"Of course." Tsutara smirked.

"Some more than others." Deila rolled her eyes.

Mei looked to Deila and frowned. "You're still not upset about Ace and Rina, are you?"

"Of course not." She blinked.

"Oh...okay then." Mei smiled.

"We're still missing so many people~" Tsutara whined.

"Well, it's not supposed to be everyone we know...Just those from the beginning and...well...the youngest kids~" She giggled.

"I know, but there's still a lot of people not here."

"They'll get here." Mei breathed. "I'm sure they will."

"Any idea if there will be other kids tonight?" Tsutara asked.

Mei shook her head. "No, I'm not sure...but there has to be more than just you guys with a young child. We are on the Kasai compound after all." She laughed softly.

"That is true." Tsutara smirked.

"Hey~" Deila smirked.

Mei lightly touched Deila's shoulder. "You should think about changing your clan's crest~" She laughed softly.

"We are strong like dragons." Deila sighed.

"Ain't that the truth." Suzu agreed as she showed up.

"Sis," Ria smiled and kissed her cheek.

Suzu smiled at them. "Hello everyone..."

"Where is Zander?" Deila asked.

"I lost him in the crowd." Suzu laughed. "I think he saw Ria."

"You two are hopeless." Tsutara blinked.

"He's the one who backed down." Ria shrugged, adjusting Jazu on his hip.

Tsutara rolled her eyes.

Suzu shook her head. "I'm used to it." She looked to Tsutara. "How are you? I haven't seen you much lately." She smiled pleasantly.

"Wonderful." Tsutara smiled.

"And Jazu?" Suzu looked over at the girl in Ria's arms.

"Good..." Jazu blushed as she looked over at her Aunt.

Suzu opened her arms as Ria handed over the girl to his sister. Suzu held her on her hip and smiled, gently stroking her hair. "You've gotten so big, Jazu~" She kissed her head.

Jazu blushed a bit deeper. "I-I wanna be a doctor too..." She stated, playing with Suzu's hair in her fingers.

Suzu smiled. "I'll teach you everything I know~"

"Hey," Ria pouted. "She's my daughter..."

Jazu smiled as she cuddled against Suzu and closed her eyes.

"What about you, sis?" Ria asked, smirking as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Have you told Zander yet?"

"Told him what?" Deila blinked. "Are you pregnant again?"

Suzu sighed but smiled. She gave a look to her brother. "I was supposed to tell Zander first, but Ria was being a pest."

Deila blinked. "Jeez, you guys have a lot of kids now, huh? The list keeps growing."

Suzu chuckled. "Well, not as much as you~" She made a face.

"Zu's always been feisty~" Ria smirked. "Doesn't surprise me she has a lot of kids~" He teased.

"I'm surprised Jazu was only your third." Deila smirked.

Ria blushed a bit before clearing his throat. "Yeah, well..." He looked away.

"Wasn't for a lack of trying." Tsutara pouted.

Suzu chuckled. "See? Now who's on the spot?" She made a face at him.

Ria rolled his eyes.

Jazu giggled. "Daddy~"

Ria smiled as he took his daughter back from his sister. He kissed her cheek and looked to Tsutara. "Well, I'm gonna go find some guys. Do you want Jazu?"

"I can take her if you want." Tsutara smiled and nodded.

Ria nodded as he handed over their daughter. "I'll see you two later~" He winked and kissed their cheeks before going to find other men to talk to.

Suzu laughed at her brother. "He does get quite uncomfortable around too many women~"

Tsutara nodded. "Not his kids though..." She smiled as she looked down at Jazu whose eyes watched her father leave.

"She's a Daddy's girl, isn't she?" Mei smiled softly. "I've always wanted a girl..."

"She is." Tsutara nodded. "I can barely pull them apart."

"That is so cute~" Mei touched her face lightly. "So precious..."

Jazu began to whimper softly.

"Sweetheart, your father didn't go far." Tsutara said.

"Daddy..." Jazu's lip quivered.

"Jazu~" Suzu tried to get her attention. "It's okay~ He'll be back~" She smiled softly.

Jazu sniffled as she looked at her Aunt. Her lip continued to quiver as she looked ready to burst into tears at any moment.

"Oh that poor thing~" Deila cooed.

Tsutara sighed. "Sweetie..."

"You want me to go and get him?" Mei offered.

"I don't know..." Tsutara frowned. "I don't want to take Ria from his fun..."

“He'll probably just take her with him." Suzu told her. "I'm sure he won't mind."

Jazu began to cry.

"Jazu..." Tsutara frowned as she tried to calm her down.

"I'll go get him." Suzu told her before heading out of the group to find her twin.

"Oh dear..." Mei frowned and turned around to grab a plate of cookies. "Would you like a cookie, sweetie?" She offered.

Jazu whimpered as she looked at the cookies.

"She's not big on sugar... oddly..." Tsutara said.

Mei blinked. "Oh...then...what does she like?"

"Crackers."

Mei blinked again. "That is...odd, but we do have a cracker and cheese platter floating around here somewhere..." She looked around.

"She'd love that." Tsutara smiled.

Mei nodded as she went to go find the plate of crackers. It didn't take long before she came back and held out the assortment to the girl. "Pick your favorite~" She giggled.

Tsutara had found a chair to sit down in as her daughter was still crying softly. She froze when Mei brought the plate as her eyes lit up.

Tsutara smiled. "Go ahead, sweetie."

Jazu sniffled as she hesitantly reached out to take a cracker.

Mei smiled softly and nodded. "I like the wheat crackers with cheddar cheese myself~" She laughed lightly.

Jazu nodded as she reached for a wheat cracker, putting cheese upon it.

"How is it?" Mei smiled, asking the girl.

She nodded.

Tsutara sighed. "Feel better?"

"Daddy..." She mumbled before stuffing the cracker in her mouth.

"Tsu?" Ria called for his wife as he moved through the throng of people with Suzu closely behind him.

"Daddy...!" Jazu cried at hearing his voice.

Ria came back and knelt down, smiling as he stretched his arms out. "Jazu~"

"Daddy!" She cried, dropping the other crackers in her hand to leap into his arms.

Ria scooped her up and held her against his chest. "Hey, sweetie~" He rubbed her back.

"You're going to have to hold her tonight." Tsutara stated. "I can't keep her calm... the crackers barely distracted her."

Ria nodded. "Alright, I can do that..." He looked to Jazu and smiled. "Come on~ You're gonna spend the night with Daddy~"

"Daddy~" She smiled and gave him a sloppy kiss on the cheek.

Ria chuckled and rubbed her back. "Yes, I missed you too, sweetie~"

...

"Sorry about that..." Ria chuckled as he returned to speak with Zach and Zero. "She's just a regular old daddy's girl~" He kissed his daughter's cheek.

Zero shook his head. "Nonsense, that's no problem...You're lucky to have a young one again~ Our last twins are all grown up...In fact, Zentaro should be around here somewhere." He chuckled.

"Yes, somewhere..." Zach sighed. "I'm surprised he and Ame haven't gotten a home of their own yet."

Zero chuckled. "Our son is a mooch, love~ Why not stay on a luxurious compound such as this?"

"I guess so." He nodded.

Zero rubbed his husband's back before wrapping his arm around his waist. "Do not worry about him~ He reminds me so much of myself at that age~" He chuckled.

Jazu smiled softly at Zero and Zach. "Hello..."

Zero smiled back at the little girl. "Hello~ You're so precious, aren't you~?"

She giggled and nodded.

Ria chuckled. "She is our little princess~" He kissed her cheek.

Jazu blushed and giggled. "Daddy~ I wuv you~"

Ria smiled softly as he held his daughter. "And I love you, Jazu..."

"I remember the day she was born~" Zach chuckled.

Ria chuckled and nodded. "Me too~ I delivered her." He laughed, rubbing her back. "I was the first one to hold her."

"As you should be." Zach smiled.

“That's the one thing I wish I could experience...Delivering my own child." Zero nodded. "Now that would truly be a miracle..."

"Next time we have a child, I can help you do that." Zach smiled.

Zero smiled. "That sounds wonderful~" He kissed his cheek..

Zach smiled.

"Daddy..." Jazu pulled his shirt.

Ria looked down at her and smiled. "What is it, sweetie?" He asked, rubbing her back.

"Pee..."

“Ah," Ria chuckled a bit. "I'll see you guys later." He said to Zero and Zach before going to find the bathroom.

...

"Wow...It sure has been a long time since I saw Ace's place. It's grown to ten times the size it once was..." Zinan whistled as they came upon the compound.

"Wow~!" Anzu's eyes lit up as she saw the magnificent mainhouse.

“That's Ace for you." Yuuna giggled.

Zanten nodded. "If I hadn't heard Deila or Rina go on and on, I'd say he was compensating for something..."

Zuchu blinked as he hung off of Zinan.

Zinan chuckled. "Yeah, but I think he just likes big things in general~"

"Like what?" Anzu blinked, looking up at Yuuna.

"Nothing, sweetie." Yuuna smiled, kissing her cheek.

Anzu giggled against the kiss as she wrapped her arms around Yuuna's neck, burying her face in her shoulder. "How many people will there be?" She asked.

"A lot." Yuuna smiled.

"Other kids too?" Zuchu blinked.

Zinan nodded. "I'd be surprised if there weren't other kids." He smiled. "We'll make sure we'll find you some new friends~"

"Okay." He smiled.

"Let's go find some people~" Zinan chuckled as they headed inside. There were so many people. "Wow...Ace has outdone himself..." He blinked.

"Doesn't he always?" Yuuna smiled.

"Mei?" Zanten looked around for his wife.

"She's probably with the other girls." Zinan smiled. "I'm sure if we find them, we'll find her."

He sighed and nodded.

Zinan chuckled as he clapped a hand onto Zanten's shoulder. "We'll find her," he smiled as they started to move through the crowd of people.

"Hey, is Lynari supposed to come?" Yuuna asked.

Zinan blinked. "Huh...I don't know." He shrugged.

"I miss her..." She pouted.

He chuckled. "You do? You two were never really close...In fact, no one was really close with her..." He frowned a bit.

"What are you talking about? We were close after we had our children so close... we just fell apart again due to distance."

"I hope she comes then..." Zinan frowned a bit.

"Zanten?" Mei had spotted her husband.

"Mei." He smiled as he saw her.

Mei moved passed the people in the crowd as she made her way to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "There you are~" She played with the hair on the nape of his neck.

He smiled. "I missed you."

"And I missed you too~" Mei smiled. "The party was such a good idea~" She whispered to him, giggling a bit.

"Are you telling people it was my idea?" He asked.

"No~ Of course not~" She smiled at him, caressing his cheek with her thumb.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Zanten~" Mei pouted. "Don't you trust me~?"

"With this... not really..."

Mei kissed his cheek. "Come on~ Let's go see people~"

"Fine..." He nodded.

Mei took his hand and led him through the crowd. She brought him over to the group she was just in with Deila, Tsutara, and Suzu. They had gotten the couch to sit on, relaxing as they all sipped wine, except for Suzu who was drinking water. "Look who I found~" Mei giggled.

"Hello, Zanten." Tsutara smiled

"Hello." He nodded.

Mei sat down on the couch, dragging him with her. She curled up beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Mm~ This is nice~ I like seeing everyone again~"

"Do you think Michi will come?" Deila asked.

"She was hestitant when I asked due to Lynari." Zantan stated.

Mei frowned. "This is supposed to be a happy time...Besides, that all happened years ago..." She breathed.

"Michi is a bitch that way." Tsutara said.

"Well, Lynari can also be a bitch." Suzu stated, shrugging. "Perhaps neither of them come."

"Maybe not." Zanten nodded.

Mei looked to him. "Anyways, how was your trip? Where did you leave Zinan and Yuuna?" She giggled.

"Leave?" He blinked. "They are somewhere in the other room with their kids."

"They have kids?" Mei's eyes widened as she smiled. "Oh that's fantastic!"

Suzu nodded. "I didn't think Yuuna could have kids again..."

"Oh. She can't. They're adopted.” Zanten said.

"Oh...Well, still, good for them." Mei smiled. "I just have to see their kids~"

"Have to find them." Zanten said.

"Then let's go find them~" Mei got up and smiled, pulling on Zanten's hand.

Zanten blinked as he stumbled after.

"Zinan~! Yuuna~!" Mei called for the pair, hoping to find them in this mess of people.

"Mei~" Yuuna called as she heard her name.

"Yuuna!" Mei squealed as she pulled Zanten along faster.

"Ugh..." Zanten groaned as he bumped into furniture.

Mei giggled before she wrapped her arms around Yuuna, careful of the girl in her arms. "It's so good to see you!"

"You too~ Mei, meet my daughter, Anzu~ Anzu, this is Mei."

Mei smiled at the little girl. "Oh, she is so precious~" She waved at the girl.

Anzu blushed as she waved back, clinging to Yuuna.

"And this is Zuchu, our son." Zinan smiled.

“Hello~" Zuchu grinned at her.

Mei smiled back. "You're precious too~"

He giggled and clung to Zinan.

Mei smiled at them. "Wow...You two have changed so much~ When did you decide to adopt?" She asked.

"It just.. happened... Zuchu came to us... and in the process of getting him, I spotted Anzu~"

Mei smiled. "That sounds like destiny~" She giggled. "They're so cute~"

"We love them." She smiled.

"Anyone would upon first sight~" She held out her arms. "Can I hold one?" She asked.

"Zuchu, you wanna?" Yuuna asked, seeing how Anzu was clinging.

He hesitated but nodded. He had bulked up in the few weeks he had been living with Yuuna and Zinan. He still had minor scars and bruises, but they appeared to be from normal reckless play.

Mei took Zuchu and balanced him on her hip. She smiled at him and brushed his hair from her face. "You're so adorable~"

He smiled.

"He was an abused child." Yuuna whispered as she leaned close to Mei.

"But he's such an angel..." She frowned softly. "How could anyone do that?" She nuzzled against his cheek.

Zuchu giggled. "You tickle~"

Mei giggled and smiled at him. "And you are just so cute~"

He giggled. "Nuu~"

Mei giggled and ruffled his hair with her free hand. "You're going to be so handsome when you grow up~"

"Really?" He blinked.

Mei nodded, smiling. "Yes~ I can see it~" She tapped the tip of his nose.

He smiled. "Daddy~" He faced Zinan. "Will I be handsome?"

Zinan nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I think so too."

"Yay~" He giggled.

Zinan chuckled. "He could pass for my biological son~"

"Of course, you're both Katorabe." Yuuna giggled.

"He acts like me too~" Zinan made a face at her.

She smiled.

Zuchu giggled. "I love Mommy and Daddy~"

"And we love you too." Zinan smiled at him.

Mei hugged the little boy. "He reminds me of Hibiki~ Oh he makes me want another child right now~"

Zanten sighed. "I miss our son..."

Mei looked to him. "Didn't you check in on him while you were at Kumo?" She asked.

"I didn't have the time...

Mei kissed his cheek. "Perhaps we'll go up together when Zinan and Yuuna go back..."

He smiled. "I would like that..."

Mei smiled. "We can take a little vacation~" She giggled and turned to Yuuna. "I might just have to take this little guy off your hands~" She teased.

Yuuna smiled. "Good luck~ It's Zinan you'll have to convince. I work all day~"

Zinan chuckled. "I'm quite attached to him."

“And he's attached to you." Yuuna smiled.

Mei looked to Zanten. "I want a baby," she pouted.

"Fine." Zanten nodded.

“So, has anyone seen Ace?" Zinan asked.

"He was just around here somewhere..." Mei looked around, though all they could see were heads and bodies.

"He's probably screwing someone." Zander stated as he walked over.

Zinan blinked as he looked over before smiling. "Well, well, there you are."

Zander nodded. "Miss me?" He smirked.

"It's been a while," he chuckled. "How have you been?"

“Very well... right now I'm trying to avoid Ria..." He sighed. "So whose these two?"

Zinan smiled. "They're our children. The boy is Zuchu and the girl is Anzu."

“Cute." He nodded. "I think Suzu wants kids again."

Zinan blinked. "Really? What makes you say that?"

"She's been just... dropping hints..." He sighed.

"Wow, they must have been major hints..." Zinan blinked.

"Well, pulling out baby clothes and telling me how much she misses babies might be a good hint." He stated.

Zinan laughed and nodded.

Mei nodded. "That's what I did with Zanten~"

"You seem like you don't want kids..." Yuuna frowned.

"It's not that... just that it causes hell with me and Ria each time..." He sighed. "He yells at me for knocking her up... again..."

Zinan blinked. "Really? Even after all these years? Geez..."

"He acts like the perfect brother in front of Suzu, but truth is, he harasses me a lot..." Zander sighed.

Mei frowned. "Oh dear...I'm sorry to hear that...Why don't you tell Suzu?"

"Causes fights I don't want to deal with." He shrugged.

"Well...they are pretty close...I remember growing up with them a bit..." Mei breathed, stroking Zuchu's hair, the boy having fallen asleep in her arms.

Zander sighed. "If I had to be honest, it stresses me right out..."

Zinan put his hand on Zander's shoulder. "You guys should have a talk. No yelling, but a talk. You two can both be very hot headed, so you both will need to keep your emotions in check."

He sighed. "Nah, I don't think it's worth my time."

“Well, if you get too stressed out, you should either have a chat with her or with him. This isn't healthy, you know..." Zinan told him.

"I've always lived like this." Zander smiled.

Zanten was silent as he gripped his twin's ear and dragged him towards Ria and Suzu.

"A-Ah! H-Hey!"

Mei sighed. "Oh dear..."

Suzu and Ria were having a nice chat about work. Suzu had a lot of paperwork she needed help with, and what better help than her twin?

"Ria. Suzu." Zanten said.

"Z-Zanten... please let go..." Zander pleaded.

Suzu blinked but smiled at her brother-in-law. "Well there you are, Zanten. I'm glad you made it."

Zanten narrowed his eyes. "You three need to talk."

"Talk?" Ria blinked, still holding Jazu in his arms.

"You're apparently harassing my brother behind Suzu's back?" Zanten asked, still not letting go of Zander as the man practically cried.

"I am not." Ria narrowed his eyes. "What has he told you? Making up lies again?"

Suzu frowned. "Ria...Please..."

"What's that supposed to mean? I don't lie!" Zander growled as Zanten finally let go of his ear.

"Both of you, stop." Suzu frowned. "We're at a party..."

"He started it." Ria gestured with his chin towards Zander.

"No, I'm starting it." Zanten narrowed his eyes at Ria. "Are you harassing Zander or not?"

"Hell no." Ria growled.

"Oi, isn't anyone listening to me?" Suzu crossed her arms over her chest.

"You liar." Zander hissed before pushing through the crowds.

Zanten narrowed his eyes at Ria. "Tell your sister. Tell her the truth, Ria."

Jazu frowned as she clung to Ria. She teared up, scared of Zanten.

Suzu looked to her brother. "Ria, what's going on? What are you and Zander fighting about this time?"

Ria shook his head. "I have no idea! Zanten just came over here as if he owned the place. I haven't said two words to Zander since being here!" He adjusted Jazu on his hip.

Zanten rolled his eyes. "Zander doesn't just blab things unless they're true."

"Well, I don't know what he's talking about." Ria stated. "I don't harass him."

Suzu sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Can't you two just...stop this? It's been years...I don't want another stressful pregnancy..."

"Perhaps you should talk to Zander..." Zanten said to Suzu.

Suzu nodded, frowning a bit. She quickly left and went in search of her husband.

Zander had found a chair to sit in alone as he had found sake to break into. He hated Ria so much...

Suzu found him easily and pulled up a chair to sit next to him. "Zander...?"

"Please... just leave me alone, Suzu... go enjoy the party..."

"How can I enjoy the party when you're miserable?" She frowned and gently placed her hand over his. "I don't want you to be miserable..."

He pulled his hand away. "What's it matter? You don't believe me."

She frowned. "Zander...I just..." She sighed. "I know Ria can be an ass, especially when it comes to me...He's always been that way..." She shook her head. "I don't know what to do about it, though...I tell him to lay off you, but apparently, it doesn't work...He doesn't listen."

"He's been harassing me while you're at work."

"Can you...tell me what he says or does?" Suzu asked.

"He's always coming over... telling me to stop knocking you up or... just checking to see if I'm sober... I only drink when he's around! And it's not like I've ever hit you or the kids!"

"Okay, okay..." She gently rubbed his back as she frowned. "I know you don't hit us...I didn't know that he came over just to say those things, though..." She breathed.

"He's an ass! I hate him!”

Suzu frowned and nodded. "I know...I'm so sorry..."

He frowned. "I can't do this stress anymore, Suzu..."

She frowned further. "What...are you saying?"

"I can't do this with Ria... I'm going home." He said as he got up. "I... Maybe I'm saying for you to choose..." He frowned. "Because I'm not going around Ria any longer..." He said before pushing passed her.

Suzu had a hand over her mouth as tears softly trickled down her face. This was not how the day was supposed to go. She placed her hand over her stomach as she sat there and cried.

"Suzu...?" Tsutara blinked. "I... bumped into Zander as he left the house... what's going on?"

"I-I'm surrounded b-by assholes..." Suzu cried, trying to wipe her eyes.

"What do you mean?" She frowned. "Don't cry... what about the baby?"

“H-He still d-doesn't know..." She shook her head. "I-I haven't g-gotten to t-tell him yet..."

“No... I mean because you're crying..."

Suzu shook her head. "I-I'll be o-okay..." She sniffled before looking at her sister-in-law. "H-He's making me ch-choose, Tsu..."

She blinked. "What? Why?"

"H-He's had e-enough f-fighting..." Suzu whimpered. "I-I have to ch-choose between h-him or R-Ria..."

"I don't understand. Did they have a fight?"

"Th-They're c-constantly fighting..." Suzu told her. "A-Apparently Ria harasses Z-Zander...”

"What do you mean? Do you mean when Ria goes to your place?" She asked.

Suzu sniffled. "He doesn't come to my place..."

"Yeah he does..." She blinked. "He goes over all the time. He tells me he's going to see you."

Suzu shook her head. "I'm usually working until late hours..."

"Then Ria has been lying to me..." She blinked.

Suzu frowned. "And Zander is telling the truth..."

"Ria has some explaining to do..." Tsutara sighed.

Suzu nodded. "Yes. He does." She wrapped her arms around herself. "I...I can't take this fighting anymore..."

"Stay here... I'm going to go find him..." Tsutara sighed.

Suzu nodded as she sniffled a bit. If she wasn't pregnant already, she'd be hitting the sake hard.

Soon after, Tsutara returned with Ria with their daughter still on his hip.

"I don't understand what's going on." Ria said before anyone else could speak. "This was supposed to be a party meant to catch up with old friends. However, he has to go and make it all about himself."

Suzu whipped her head around and narrowed her red eyes at her twin. "Don't you DARE say anything bad against my husband right now. You aren't so innocently pure." She growled.

"You haven't gone to see Suzu at all, Ria. Why do you tell me you're going to see her when she's at work?" Tsutara asked.

Jazu had fallen asleep in Ria's arms.

"Oh come on, is that what this is about?" Ria rolled his eyes. "I haven't done that in years. Besides, I was going to see Suzu, but she was never home. I was just making sure if she was alright." He explained. "The bloodmoon was still active and I was worried on my days off."

"Really? You've been telling me you're going to see Suzu as early as last week. I don't believe you're serious about this, Ria. Confess." Tsutara said.

Ria sighed. "I don't go there to harass him, Zu...but yeah, I do keep an eye on him."

"Then what do you do? Zander is pretty stressed out." Tsutara frowned. "He just left here giving Suzu an ultimatum."

Suzu's eyes instantly turned blue as she was on the verge of tears.

Ria frowned. "I just...sometimes I pretend to come see you...and other times I would just...watch the house. And that's only when he's home. If he's on a mission, I don't bother..." He breathed.

Suzu shook her head as she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"They haven't been together long enough for you to realize he's a good guy?" Tsutara scoffed.

"Y-You're crazy, Ria..." Suzu started to cry. "H-How can y-you do this to m-me...?"

"Zu, I just want to protect you..." Ria frowned. "I don't want you to end up like Mom..."

"What, happy?!" Suzu yelled.

"No! Dead!" Ria yelled back. "She was killed by her own lover!"

"How can you hate Zander so much when he's saved your ass when we were all ANBU?" Zanten asked as he appeared beside Ria, his eyes hard, though it wasn't much more intimidating than he usually was. What made him scary was the reddened eyes he carried.

"I never said I hated him. I don't trust him." Ria breathed. "As I don't trust myself."

"No, what you're really saying is that you don't trust Dad." Suzu's eyes switched to red again.

Zanten narrowed his eyes further. "If there's one thing about my brother, it's that he's protective, loyal and strong. I'd be dead if it wasn't for him." He turned and left quickly.

Tsutara sighed as she sat down in a nearby chair looking at her nails. "You're in this alone, Ria..."

Suzu shook her head. "I...I-I can't believe this..." She teared up. "I...I know my choice..." She cried as she quickly ran out of the house.

"Suzu..." Ria frowned.

Tsutara just sat there, shaking her head. "Ria..."