“We’ve both come a long way since then.” Lilith remembered that day less fondly than her sister, but appreciated the happiness it brought Ruby. “But if you’re certain we will not be away too long, how can I say no?”

“I promise. I ask only for your companionship, and perhaps a smattering of your knowledge.”

“Well, I don’t know about knowledge…spirits in Akashima differ greatly from those beyond our borders. Which is why I suggested that Neko join us.”

“Isn’t he your student?” Ruby raised an eyebrow as she polished off the last bit of pork. She wiped juiced from her chin.

“Once, yes. He has more than surpassed the master. I spent too much energy trying to save the world from the living and he is quite impatient with lessons.” Once Neko had started his studies, Lilith had little control over his inquisitive mind. Rather than teaching him all there was to know about the kami, she had only been the spark to his own blossoming genius.

“Then that is settled.” Ruby pushed the bowl away and set the chopsticks together atop it.

Lilith mimicked her sister’s observation of custom, but remained focussed on the sheepish expression on Ruby’s face. Though not as astute and untrusting as the spellsinger’s wits, their time together had taught her a thing or two about a woman’s penchant for asking favours in twos.

“Don’t make it so obvious you want something, Ruby-sama, it’s written all over your face.” Lilith pushed herself upright and adjusted her obi. She bowed then gestured for Ruby to follow her into the interior of the house. Ruby’s eyes lit up. “Yes, you can see what I’ve been hiding from you all these last few years.”

“I didn’t accuse you of hiding anything, Lilith. I just.” Ruby struggled to stand beneath the weight of her dragon scale lined dress. “You know. I’ve never seen where my dearest sister lives. It’s weird.”

“Bollocks,” Lilith spat. She turned halfway across the floor in her reception room and rested her hands on her hips. “It took me three years after I moved to Scara Brae before I saw your bedroom, and that was only when I picked your lock.”

Ruby frowned, stopped a few feet before the assassin, and wagged a finger at her accursedly.

“I blamed Duffy for that!”

“He’s done alright despite such scorn. Here we are.” Lilith gestured at the space they occupied. A perfect square with a sunken square at the centre, lined with mats and edged with oak planks that served as the house’s heart and seats for guests to remove their shoes. The ante chamber served as the last safe hold of western culture before the remnants of Akashima’s traditions took president.

“So if I’m here, that means I’m at least ‘extended family’, right?” Ruby struggled to remember the bewildering hierarchy Akashima held for accepting guests into a home.