Shinobu put a few pieces of toilet paper into his nose even though it stung and hurt to do it. He knew his wounds would heal in a few weeks but it still hurt his feelings. He was always being beaten by his Kisinamo, but he didn’t think it was wrong. He thought she had every right, he wasn’t going to judge her, she was upset. When people are upset, they do things they do not mean after all. He shook his thoughts away and looked at the paper in his hand. 

He’d gotten it from an albino lust demon, Miriam's ancestor. He didn’t really know what to expect when he called, but what he did know is that he needed some kind of help. Life was getting harder on him and he didn’t really have anyone to talk to. He’d hoped that Miriam would come around, be a more loving partner as time carried on. 

 But that just wasn’t happening, he didn’t know when it was going to happen. He wasn’t even sure if he should wait for that day to come as eagerly as he had been for the last few years of their marriage. It hurt worse than oil or a punch to the face for him. It hurt in a way that he would never be able to deal with thinking about by himself. Calling the number, he listened to the voice on the other end breathing heavily. 

“Is this, Great Ancestor-In-Law?” he asked tentatively, he could not say Great Ancestor In Law's name, for Great Ancestor In Law was far higher ranked a demon than him. He could only say his titles, official or personal to he himself. 

“Yes it is, is this Shinobu Silver Web? I am Maze Fallen Blood” the voice on the other end asked, it slowly went from heavy and gruff to soft and airy like a lullaby. 

“Yes, it is. Can I ask why you gave me this number?” 

  “Of course, have you ever thought about the fact that your life is not your own? That you should have a greater destiny than simply sitting around waiting on Miriam to pay attention to you? Come now Shinobu, surely you don’t really think that all this misery she’s been putting you through is worth it? I can hear it in your pitiful little voice. Your nose is cracked into a million pieces and yet you are defending her? She beats you like a thief if you even look at her wrong! She is my great granddaughter yes, but even I would put that little bitch in her place if I was you.”  

He frowned again at this statement; he didn’t know how Ancestor In Law could tell his nose was cracked. Then again it did make him talk like cotton was stuffed in his throat. The damage from the supernatural cooking oil notwithstanding. “Miriam pays plenty of attention to me, you are over exaggerating. And as for the rest...I don’t...I don’t want to talk about it.” Shinobu stared ahead with a blank face. He couldn’t face that reality; he didn’t want to. 

Maze cleared his throat before speaking again.  “Meet me in the city square at the stroke of the depths of the night, long before the sun ever thinks of riding across Apollo’s wings. Then and there we will discuss your destiny.” 

Shinobu hung up the phone as the line went dead. He refused to believe such a thing was possible. He got up from where he sat and went to prepare the boys their lunch for the evening.  

Things with Miriam didn’t get any better, as he watched his children be abused by their mother. Every day she would force them to scrub the floors, she would shout at them, yell at them as they rushed around cleaning things even though she always found fault in everything that they did. Not matter what they did she hated it. No matter what they tried she scorned them for it. He was tired, oh so tired, perhaps Great Ancestor In Law had the answers he so desperately needed.