Some further details were discussed, though eventually it was clear that you both wanted to get back to your families.

"I gotta get going. I don't wanna keep my slaves waiting." You said.

"Indeed," Nicodemus agreed, "I'll be closing up for the day and use this time to catch up with my wives. I wish you the best, John Doe."

"Thanks, doc. It was a pleasure speaking to you."

"The pleasure is all mine." He smiled. "May Artemia bless you and all that is yours."

With how chaotic your life will become from the children you planned on having, you wanted all the blessings you could get.

<><><>

"Master? Master?" The calming voice of your most mature wife speaks to you, gently bringing you back to reality. "Master, we're here."

You stand up. And before you realize it, you're holding your kitsune's hand. "Alright. Let's go."

You shook off any lingering thoughts you had from yesterday. All this talk about hybrids and heirs reminded you of how important bloodlines were in anime. It wouldn't surprise you if a wife of yours turned out to be descended from some ancient monarch.

While wakes were usually held at night back in your old world, kitsune held it in the daytime. This tradition had something to do with the importance of their inherent pyrokinetic skill called Kitsunebi, otherwise known as Fox Fire, and its relation to the sun.

Groups of kitsune walk up some stairs towards a building on a hill. There is an arch that they pass through, which you recall is a shrine of some kind. You and Ayane join the silent procession, almost melting into them.

Along with the expected appearances of Hisashi and Eisho, the latter bringing his wives and children along, there were some unfamiliar faces which glanced at you— some with curiosity and others in calculated realization.

Entering the building, you see an open casket on the far end of another room. It is filled with food and other items that are doubtlessly somehow associated with the late Aneko. Everything had a surgical orderliness to it. You noticed shrine maidens and monks around the place, still as statues.

It wasn't a happy occasion, yet things weren't as somber as you expected. No tears were shed, and even Ai seemed to have a perpetually calm expression plastered on her face.
A sense of peacefulness prevailed, almost making you forget this was a wake.

You were wearing something subdued and muted in color. Some of the older kitsune were wearing kimonos. Many of the younger ones wore black suits and dresses, for the men and women respectively.

You were wearing...

>A black suit and tie. It was something that would be expected.
>A dark kimono sown by Bertha at Ayane's specifications. It was a yukata tailored to your size.

And Ayane...

>Wore a modest black dress.
>Was wearing a kimono, as usual. However this one had a more somber tone for the occasion.

You both planned on wearing these tomorrow, which was the day of the actual funeral, unless there was some last minute decision.