Everyone looked at me as Kurama and I walked through the streets towards the house I used to live.
"Why the heck didn't you just teleport us to my house, huh?!" I hissed, trying to avoid the malicious look the crowd is throwing at me.
These folks used to idolize me since I'm the rank 1 and on top of that, an S-class tamer, but then I ran away, neglecting my responsibilities.
"I'm so sorry, milady, but we really have to pass through the gates. That's the rule, remember?" Kurama mooed.
"Ah--yeah." My lips twisted.
"Oh! She's is finally here!!"
I saw Yosuke running towards me, the moment I entered the house, and gave me a tight hug.
"You really smell good, milady! Can you please let me taste your blood--and aww that hurts!"
Yosuke yelped when Ryuu smacked him in the head.
"How many times do we have to tell you to stay away from her?!" Tyler groaned and I chuckled.
They aren't from the same zodiac but they became really close with each other since the day I tamed them.
I mentally smiled. It's been a while since I've seen them complete, too. They did a good job by taking care of themselves even without me around.
Scott, the youngest, came from Aries' descendant followed by Kevin, from Taurus. Ten, from Gemini. Heie, from Cancer. Chad, from Leo. Greg, from Virgo. Yosuke, from Libra.
Lee, from Scorpio. Kurama, from Sagittarius. Ryuu, from Capricorn and Tyler from Pisces. So more likely, I'm taming Aquarius this time.
I'm supposed to tame Aquarius before Pisces but then something happened which I don't know and I don't care.
"We're glad you came back, milady." Lee sheepishly welcomed me. He's the most innocent one among them though he's one of the eldest.
"I wish I feel the same." I answered.
I could see the disappointment plastered on their faces which made me feel a little ashamed of myself.
They've always been so loyal to me since then even though I kept on pushing them away. I kept reminding them how much I hated this place and even the thought of it already makes my blood boil and since I'm here, they should have known how I'll react already.
"Your mother, thy highness, Lelith, wants to see you right away, milady." Greg spoke, breaking the awkward silence. "She's already waiting for you together with the other rulers."
"She's not and will never be my mother, Greg." I corrected, shooting him a glare before turning away.
"I have to change my clothes first and..." I turned to them. "Behave yourselves when we get there especially you, Yosuke!"
"Why me?" His eyes grew in circles, pooching his lips out.
"And stop acting cute. You're giving me goosebumps!"
"AHAHAHAHA damn! You really do look scary, Yosuke!" Chad chortled, teasing Yosuke.
"And that goes to you, too, Chad." I remarked.
"HAHA--I'm sorry, milady."
I mentally laughed. They're still goofy as ever. "Take care of the kids for a while, Kurama."
"Yes, milady."
I turned towards my room and changed my clothing into my usual attire I'm wearing in my battles.
"Black and red crusader surcoat really looks good on me though." I muttered as I eyed myself in the mirror.
"Your mother, thy highness, Lelith, wants to see you right away, milady."
I made an exasperated grimace when I remembered what Greg said.
That woman is not my mother! Never was, never will.
My lips curled into a frown without me willing the motion.
I never even remembered her showing even a bit of care for me and is the reason why I'm stuck with this oh-so-called duty which I never wanted to begin with. And because I'm her "daughter", standards and expectations are set for me to reach.
"What a drag!" I hissed, took my sword and sprinted out my room.
"Let's go now. C'mon!" I snorted and was about to head towards the exit when I noticed them not moving at all.
They're just standing in the living room, staring at me like statues.
"The heck are you guys up to?!" I exclaimed which snapped them back into reality.
Yosuke covered his mouth and batted his eyes as if he's going to cry.
"The way how you look right now is so nostalgic, I just want to cry. We missed you so much ahhh!" He moaned between soft sobs.
My lips parted. "What on earth are you guys been doing all this time?!" I looked at Kurama. "Is he eating properly?"
"A-ah yes, milady." Kurama stuttered and elbowed Yosuke's waist.
"I'm sorry it's just that--"
"Oh please!" Ryuu snorted and dragged him behind the others.
I mentally chuckled. Yosuke has always been the closest to me. I never even tamed him to begin with. He willingly surrendered himself and stayed with me all the time, that's when I left, he almost lost himself and created chaos here in Demon Realm which left Aiden with no choice but to let him enter the human realm, so could pay me a visit anytime he wants.
"Will you stop crying?! You'll make her mad!" Tyler groaned.
"Goodness!" Scott hissed when Yosuke reached his hand out, signaling to give him a handkerchief.
"Hmm... whatever. Can we just go to the Center right now?"
Kevin raised his hand. "Should I just teleport everyone in there?"
"Uhm..." I tapped my chin. "Can we just walk? I kinda feel like checking this place for a moment. What do you guys say?"
"We'd love that!!" Lee agreed and I smiled. I could see the happiness in their eyes.
They must have really missed me.
As we were walking through the streets, I could feel the captious eyes of the many measuring my existence.
"She's that tamer, right?! Why is she back?!"
"Is she still even allowed in here after what she's done?!"
"What an ungrateful being!"
"Yeah! She should be ashamed!"
I remained unmoved, passing through those pieces of shits like a boss with eleven god-looking descendants following me.
"Can I just break their necks? I'll be right back in a second."
"Oops! Hold your horses!" Ten grabbed Yosuke's collar before he could even attack them and dragged him beside me.
"Can you behave yourself?!" Kevin said indignantly.
"But did you hear what they just said to Tabitha?! Damn I can't just let them slide!"
"Just let them be, Yosuke." I whispered. "We don't interact with low-class beings."
"Ohh~" he grinned. "That's shady and I like it."
"Perhaps," I said. "Now, be quiet before you cause us any trouble and when we get in there, never leave Kurama's side. Got that?"
"Copy!" He raised a thumb up and we continued walking.
We turned right at the bottom into the Bottomless Street.
This might have been a dangerous route for weak tamers since all kinds of ruffians who once got away with their crimes, bred among the heaths.
"Uhm... May I know what are we doing here?" Greg scooted near me a little.
"I'm visiting an old friend."
"Oh!"
We passed through a filthy, narrow street and a right turn took us to a wider street. I stopped abruptly when I saw him outside an old yet neat-looking house, causing Heie to bump himself into my back.
I heard him curse and I almost chuckle. Heie is hot-headed and really had a big attitude for his height. He's an inch shorter than me to think that I'm only 5'4.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, milady." He immediately apologized when he realized it was me, he bumped into, but I wasn't able to answer him.
My eyes were locked at the man, cleaning his small backyard. He's only wearing a red loose shirt and a red pajama like a normal person.
"Why is he even here?" I asked in a soft tone.
"Since you left, he never stepped inside the Center neither in the Spirit Realm ever again. He blamed himself and cursed thy highness, Lelith, when he found out what happened." Kurama intoned.
All of the sudden, my conscience hit me. Before I left, I did blame him to why I became a tamer, but I know he's never at fault. It was just me being stupid enough for hurting him even though he's the only person who accepted and loved me for who I am.
I raised my eyes and gasped when I saw him already staring at me. He's rather surprised or sad when he ran towards my direction and pulled me into a tight hug.
"It's you! It really is you!" He cried.
I could feel his shoulders moving and his warm tears misting my back.