"They. . . Ano, they said you wanted to talk with me?" Nanami asked cautiously, bowing her head and complying as Mizutama beckoned her to sit.

"I do, thank you, Nanami-sama," Mizutama said peacefully, smiling, "I wished to speak with you about Tomoe-dono;" she held up a hand as Nanami opened her mouth, "Tomoe-dono and . . . the Demon King - I knew them both, once, long ago. It was almost impossible to seek one and not find the other . . . even then - even now."

She shivered, shadows in her dark eyes, and Nanami was riveted before she even began to speak.