Chikage had remained silent during the entirety of the conversation. It wasn’t that he didn’t have the will to choose a side to battle for or even that he was disinterested in their conversation, but it had more to do with the fact that he wanted to hear what Mishiko had to say. Hearing her strength would show everyone in the room that she was more than capable of joining him as the head of the household. He took a few more bites and then watched as Mishiko left the room.<br/><br/>He chuckled a bit and dabbed the corner of his lips before looking at everyone around the table and then settled on Kyo who’d been staring at his bowl. Kyo could feel the eyes of his Lord on him. They were cold and threatening. “You’d do well to look at me while I’m speaking.” Chikage muttered, everyone around them fell silent as they watched the two of them interact.<br/><br/>Kyo’s violet hues slowly lifted to meet Chikage’s crimson ones. There was a hint of fear that settled in them, but still there was an overwhelming feeling of distaste. He still did not agree with Chikage’s actions or persistence in protecting that woman. But he was a man, and a man faced his problems head on. Chikage could respect that out of his subordinate, but he could not respect the ill will against his future wife.<br/><br/>“Listen to me and listen to me well, I won’t have you disrespecting her. If you feel that way, then I can’t stop you from having those feelings. We have been together for many years Kyo and that is the only thing stopping me from killing you here and now.” Chikage’s voice was low but feral. The girls gasped and their fears began to filter into the room. They had never heard Chikage speak that way towards Kyo before. Amagiri and Kyo had been Chikage’s left and right hands.<br/><br/>Those two had been around for Chikage for many years. They had been there for him even before Natsu had come into the house. There was hardly a moment that they were separate and Chikage always spoke highly of them. But right then, they could feel the severity of Kyo’s actions. Chikage was angry.<br/><br/>And he had been angered in the worst possible way. “I know you have your doubts about her. But I want you to trust my judgment. Now, between now and the wedding if anything else happens to bother you, I would suggest you keep it to yourself. If you don’t know how, then I won’t have any qualms with her killing you. Understand?” Chikage smiled, but of course it didn’t match the look that he was giving Kyo.<br/><br/>Kyo’s face remained hardened. He clenched his jaw, his eyes never leaving his Lord’s. He stood from his place, the fear still in his eyes only slightly as he tried to mask it with a strength that he thought could overpower Chikage. Chikage rose from his place as well and began to laugh causing Kyo to give a perplexing look. Chikage slowly reached up and grabbed a hold of Kyo’s ponytail. He gave it a firm tug, causing Kyo to grunt and stare at his master wildly.<br/><br/>“I didn’t hear you. I’m sorry. I asked if you understood me.” Chikage raised a brow, his smile almost malicious.<br/><br/>“Yes m’lord.” Kyo breathed as Chikage removed him from his grasp. Kyo stumbled back and bowed quietly before scurrying out of the room.<br/><br/>The Oni exhaled and exhausted sigh before turning to the group. “I’m so sorry ladies, Amagiri. If you would excuse me, I need to see about my woman.” He nodded his head and the girls bowed until he became absent from the room. When he’d disappeared behind the curtain, they began to pick up the food and all the dishes in order to clean the area.<br/>Chikage moved rather quickly in the direction of Mishiko’s scent. Even if she had tried to mask it, he would find her just as he had before. He would never allow her to escape his grasp again. And he was going to do everything in his power to make sure that she was okay. He wanted her to be happy and if it meant that she wasn’t happy here in his home, they could make a new home with or without Kyo at his side.<br/><br/>This was exactly how much she meant to him. He had searched for her so long and now there was no way he was going to give her up again. There was no way he was going to allow her to push herself away.<br/><br/>When he’d arrived outside, he watched as she walked in silence. She seemed captivated by her own thoughts. He leaned against the opening of the back entrance and sighed aloud. “There’s never a moment’s rest around here. Who knew you’d have gained so many enemies upon your return.”