Susumu does his best to be discreet, branching off from the other Spider. He doesn't skulk. Skulking is what Father and Machiko did. He was tiptoeing. Completely different.

He scratches lightly on the door. "Rei-san, are you there?"

A few moments pass, but movement can be heard from inside. Finally, the door slides open.

"Good evening, Susumu-san." she smiled, then stepped aside so that he could enter.

"Thank you Rei-san." Susumu enters, shutting the door behind him. "I'm afraid that the time that I thought we might have to stay here together is no more. I will need to return home as soon as possible to relay the dangers we've encountered."

He looks down, and gulps, betraying the feeling of guilt snarling in his gut. "I wanted to offer a proper goodbye before then, with the hopes we will meet again"

"We will." she assured him. "But, I am pleased that I get to see you now."

"And I you" Susumu plants a soft kiss on Rei's lips. "Are you headed home as well?"

"Not yet." she shook her head after the kiss ended. "There is much that needs to be done here still. My mother needs to be fully informed. I need to bring back whatever details I can about what we face and what we are planning. The plans for defending the Spirit Realms, in particular."

"I see" Susumu entwines his arms around Rei's waist offering another kiss. "I worry my problem will not be getting help, but preventing Hisomu-sama from racing too fast to arrive. Will you be headed back South, or will you stay?"

"I will remain here for a time, then return home when possible." she said. "Mother and her abilities will be vital in learning what may be happening in the the other realms. I'll be needed to oversee the clan."

"Will you return to the front lines?" Susumu's lips find Rei's neck as he whispers into her ear. "Or will I need to travel to see you again?"

"It is impossible to say." she replied. "We cannot know yet where this war will be fought or how we will do so. Given the opportunity, however, I will fight. The Harbinger tried to use me. That was a mistake."

"I believe that. I pity anyone who takes you too lightly Rei-san" Susumu's hands begin to ...wander, and he is curious at Rei's reaction. "If there is one thing that our two Clans have in common, it's that we do not suffer Jigoku lightly. I have no doubts that we will be working toward the same goal there, if at different directions. All the more reason to keep those embassies open and ready for visitors" Susumy tugs playfully at Rei's clothing

She doesn't resist, but she does appear to be considering something. Then, she kisses him again.

Susumu pauses and pushes his robe off of his shoulders, the clothing handing from his waist.

/Cut to black, wail of jazz?

With that, whatever she had been considering seems to have been settled.

/the jazz plays on...

As they lay, Susumu gently strokes Rei's hair, feeling a pleasure mix of sweaty, spent and peaceful.

"Hmmm..." He seems to be studying the woman. "Yes, you really do look lovely from every angle"