The Yazumèi estate stood proudly in the sunlight, a sprawling fortress of old-world craftsmanship and silent grandeur tucked into the hills outside Tokyo. Its gates creaked open slowly as Kazunai stepped through, flanked by the low rustle of trees swaying in the night breeze. The familiar crunch of gravel beneath his shoes stirred up memories long buried under months of tension and conflict.
Kimara was the first to greet him. Dressed in her usual midnight-blue hoodie, she beamed like she had been waiting there all day.
"You came back, for good this time right" she said, voice light but edged with relief.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world" Kaz replied with a grin, ruffling her hair. "Kinda missed the smell of home. The incense. The faint gunpowder. And the never-ending family drama."
Behind him, Amy slipped her hand into his, lacing their fingers. "It really is beautiful here, babe."Kaz grinned. "Wait till you see the koi pond. It has three fish named after bullets."
They crossed into the heart of the estate where warm lantern light poured from within. Vali stood near the open doors of the main hall, fresh from training, his shirt clinging to his chest and a towel thrown lazily over his shoulder.
" Well if it isn't little kazi," he called, tossing the towel aside. "Didn't think you'd show up all grown and hand-in-hand with a your girl, thought you would have scared her off by now."
"Well, this grown man brought home a goddess," Kaz said, pulling Amy forward. "Vali, meet Amy. Amy, this is Vali, the living tank."
"Hi," Amy said sweetly. "Nice to finally meet the Yazumèi bruiser."
Vali chuckled. "She knows a thing or two, this one's a keeper."
Jamie stood by a pillar further down the hall, arms crossed and an unreadable smile on his face. "Looks to me like your got taller" he commented. "And you brought Amy, I've heard good things about you." Jamie says stretching his hand forward to Amy who shakes it firmly "Kaz talks about his family alot so ofcourse I know who you are Jamie" She says with a warm smile "What can I say he's always been a big baby, more of a calm and collected toddler these days if you asked me" Jamie blurts out with a big laugh "Compliment accepted," Kaz said, rolling his eyes.
Dinner was a full family spread. The table overflowed with grilled eel, delicate sushi rolls, miso soup, tempura, and more rice than an army could finish. They sat like old times—Seamus's chair still vacant, but his spirit heavy in the room. There was laughter, even when the stories got ridiculous, and warmth that wrapped around Kaz like a blanket.
After dinner, Kimara nudged Amy under the table. "Time to go shopping."
Amy caught on instantly, they've been sneaking off to train together, determined to help kazunai fight regardless of if he wants their help or not. "Right, that thing. The...uh, anti-aging cleanser."
Kaz squinted. "Anti-aging cleanser? Y'all aren't even old. What kind of cleanser is this?"
Kimara stood, tugging Amy along. "Top Secret girly stuff, it's like our secret weapons, Kaz. Just know you'll be jealous."
"Secret weapon huh, fine," he said, grinning. "Bring me back something cute."
"You're already dating something cute,aren't you Mr" Amy winked as they disappeared through the door. Left alone, Jamie clapped his hands once, sharply. "Alright. Now that the girls are out... I propose a challenge."
Vali raised an eyebrow. "What kind of challenge?" "Test of strength. No powers. Just brotherly brawn."Kaz cracked his knuckles. "You're on. But when I win, you both owe me sushi for a week."
They headed to the courtyard where training dummies lined the edges and soft grass stretched beneath the moon. The air was cool, just enough to make every breath visible.Jamie gestured to a line of stones. "First challenge: handstand hold. Last one upright wins, lets see if you boys got endurance."
Vali flipped effortlessly, arms planted as his body stretched upward in a perfect line. Jamie followed suit with military precision. Kaz kicked up, wobbling a little before finding his center.The world inverted. Blood rushed to their heads. Minutes passed in silence save for their measured breaths. Jamie toppled first, groaning.
"Too much sake at dinner," he muttered.
Vali and Kaz lasted another minute before Kaz's elbow trembled and he tumbled into the grass."Vali takes round one," Jamie said, pointing smugly.
"Fine," Kaz said, panting. "Next challenge: sparring. First to three hits."
They squared up in the center of the field, barefoot and focused. Vali launched forward with a tight jab. Kaz ducked, sweeping low. Vali jumped, spun, and clipped Kaz's shoulder with a backhand.
"Point," Jamie called.
Kaz grinned. "Not bad."
He surged forward, tapping into his speed. A blur of limbs, a quick feint to the right, and a palm to Vali's chest.
"One-one," Jamie confirmed.
The next exchanges were a ballet of violence, dodges and weaves. Kaz dodged a knee and landed an elbow to the ribs. Vali followed with a shoulder bash that nearly knocked Kaz down.
"Two-two!"
Breathless, Kaz narrowed his eyes. He darted forward, feinted a hook, and twisted mid-step to land a fist on Vali's sternum.
"Three! Kaz wins!"
Vali stumbled back, laughing. "Okay! Okay,I see somebody's still got hands." They collapsed onto the grass, panting. Jamie sat down with a heavy sigh beside them ,a can of cold tea resting in his hand."This,my brothers" he said, looking around. "This is what it's about."
Kaz nodded, wiping his brow. "Yeah. It's easy to forget how peaceful things can be in all this madness."
Vali looked up at the stars. "Whatever's coming, let it come...it doesn't really matter. We'll fight and kick it's ass together anyways."
Back inside the estate, Kaz found Amy's jacket on the couch. He smiled softly giving it a big smell, tracing the fabric with his fingers. He didn't need to ask where she really was. He trusted her. And Kimara. More than anything. Family. His reason to fight. His reason to win.