A talk between Father and Daughter-in-Law (Ketsu and Hanako)

Over a week from the incident with her powers has passed and with her immunity to spiritual pressure restored, Hanako began to see that there is a pattern in the series of events in her life. Like her mother, who was dragged away by her career as the JAF General and was soon killed by Mr. Caveman, Hanako can feel a strange force having a grasp over her like steel bindings that she cannot see or feel. Each time she would relax, another chaotic event happened and with a strange pull to face Mana, Eric and Hagokumo, it is clear that someone was toying with her life, throwing her into the wake of danger and adventure that she does not want any part of it. Is it all that hard to ask for a break so she could raise her five children; Hideki, Ren, Inuyasha, Alice and Hikaru?

Before arriving to the mansion under the red sky, Hanako sent a letter to Ketsu, letting him know that she is coming to visit him about her children’s future. It is hard for her to know the time other than to look at her smartphone that was suffering from a glitch or something as the clock was reading, “0:00 am/pm.” Few guards are walking about and when she approached them, they let her through because their leader is also her husband. Down, down, down the hallway that Hanako treads and closer, closer, closer she approaches the throne room of the Lord of the Demon Iramasha, the den of Ketsu Iramasha. Despite Koichi’s comforting words that Ketsu will not harm her, Hanako has some anxiety about meeting someone who is more powerful than her goddess state and is a being beyond her comprehension as the fear of power through the suffering she experienced with her own. From time to time, she reminds herself that it is for her children and it gives her the strength to press on. But still, she could not shake off the feeling that holds her back from fully realizing her potential as the Black Goddess.

Upon entering the throne room, Hanako can be seen as the petite, honey-blond-haired woman with well-developed body and bright bluish-gray eyes. Her light skin was healthy, and not very pale, showing that she has been outdoors most of her time or was within sunlight more times than being in the dark. Along with the pink ribbon over her crown to keep her long hair managed, she wears a more appropriate attire for the season; she wears a summer, cotton tank-top that is bright blue with pink hems that seems to compliment her ribbon, and a knee-length poodle skirt made of cotton that is colored matching with her tank top while having lighter blue poka-dots to add texture to the skirt, but only the belt around it was pink. Around her feet is a pair of ankle-socks inside a pair of comfortable converse shoes. It is an interesting choice of attire when meeting royalty, but Hanako was trying to live up her life by not sticking to her usual lifestyle and try something different once in a while.

“Hanako, Royal Consort of the King of Hellhounds hast cometh to thy audience, sire! Her soul waivers before thy greatness and yet she stands her place before thee.” Spoken an attendant who makes sure Ketsu is aware that someone is coming to see him, The attendant’s ability is to read emotions through souls, a useful trait that adds more security to each meeting with Ketsu. He does not technically read minds and thoughts, but when it comes to emotions, he can see it coming a long way away and can see through masking emotions. However, in regards to combat, he would cower to a safe place because he is one of the few who only holds a spear to look tough, but does not really have any training other than to look strong.

Despite her attire, Hanako approaches the throne where Ketsu would sit and assumes formality by curtsying. She shifts her left foot behind her right while facing it ahead towards the left. She pinches the fabric of her skirt and raises them only slightly to retain her modesty while without bending over, dips down a bit and keeps her eyes in contact with Ketsu’s eyes to both show that she is not his to dominate as well as she is his to respect at the very least. She straightens herself back to her casual stance and announces her topic, “Father, I wanted to see you because my own father is not helping me this time. My five kids are growing up and thanks to Kabuto, are healthy during my absences.”