Chapter 5: Sealed With A Kiss - Part 3

The moment they tumbled through the portal, Heather knew things were about to get complicated.

Her encounter with the old hag in the yokai realm replayed in her mind - a moment of pure supernatural chaos that seemed almost comical now.

"Evil Spirits Disperse!" she had shouted, slapping the Ofuda talisman Rei gave her right between the hag's eyes. The result? Absolutely nothing.

The hag's toothy grin was burned into her memory. "Was that supposed to do something, little land god?"

Tomoe's elegant laugh had echoed through the tree branches. "Those only work for actual shrine maidens, you know."

"NOW you tell me?!" she had shrieked, ice crystals forming around her hands in pure panic.

But Tomoe had saved her, his fox-fire making quick work of the hag and the other yokai eyeing her like a potential supernatural snack.

Now, back in the human world, the drama was about to get even more intense.

Mamoru stepped forward, his hand reaching towards Heather. "We need to talk-"

Tomoe's reaction was instantaneous. A low, dangerous growl erupted from his throat - nothing human, pure yokai territorial instinct. His fox ears flattened, and for a moment, his eyes flickered with supernatural fire.

"Do. Not. Touch. Her." The words came out more like a wild animal's warning than human speech.

Mamoru froze, hand mid-air. The other Sailor Scouts took an involuntary step back.

Usagi stood vibrating with anger, her blonde pigtails practically crackling with energy. The other Sailor Scouts formed a tight semicircle behind her.

Tomoe, still holding Heather, raised one elegant eyebrow. "Interesting welcoming committee," he muttered.

"GET. YOUR. HANDS. OFF. MY. SISTER." Usagi's voice could have shattered glass.

Heather, still covered in yokai realm dust and sporting a torn sleeve from her tree-climbing adventure, looked utterly exhausted. "Not now, Usagi," she sighed.

Mamoru tried again. "We need to talk about what happened. About your powers. About-"

"No," Heather interrupted, ice crystals already forming around her hands. "We really don't."

Something mischievous sparked in her eyes. Before Tomoe could react, she grabbed his face and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.

"What-" Tomoe started.

"Congratulations," Heather smirked. "You're now officially sealed as my shrine familiar."

Tomoe's face went through several emotions: shock, horror, and then pure rage. "CURSE YOU!" he yelled, his fox ears flattening.

The Sailor Scouts stared in stunned silence.

Mamoru looked like he might explode.

Usagi's jaw dropped.

And Heather? She just smiled, adjusting her pink glasses.

The World Over Yonder had been wild. But human drama? That was a whole different kind of supernatural.