Chapter 12: Inanna's Request

(1 week later)

It's been a week since Serafall and Grayfia have started their training. They were making decent progress, but we decided to leave and head north. Serafall decided to stay in the village and continue her training. Since she was being trained by someone who knew nothing of the supernatural, she decided to just wait here and she would teleport to us every now and then.

Thus it was Ko, Inari, Grayfia and I that were making our way north, to Kyoto. Since Grayfia was learning from someone in the principle clans, she didn't have to worry about teleporting and could come with us and teleport back every day for training.

We could've easily teleport straight to Kyoto, but it's not a bad thing to walk, thus we made our way to Kyoto while either running or flying, mostly the latter. We would've taken our time, but we had to hurry as well since I wanted Ko to start training as early as possible. Thus after about two and a half days, we arrived outside of Kyoto.

I could feel the bounded field that separated normal Kyoto from the Yokai side, though it was hard to do, since it was well hidden. I looked at Inari, "How do we get through the bounded field? Most bounded fields once you enter their range, you are already in them, but I assume this isn't the same since there's a human and supernatural side."

She nodded, "You're mostly correct. They're are slightly different, this one you have to use some magic and think of entering the field and it will happen."

We nodded and did as she said. Our view shifted slightly, the streets were more crowded, the buildings were bigger and more modern, and more importantly, everyone in our vision had various animal features showing.

Inari decided to take the lead, "Follow me. Let's go meet a few of the leaders, we will go to the fox clan last since the woman you're looking for works for them." We followed her and met a few of the clan leaders, which most were amiable. There were some upset that we were there, but since Inari, one of their patron gods, was with us, they swallowed their complaints.

The clan with the most visible hate towards us were the wolf clan, though most of the regular members didn't seem to mind, the same couldn't be said about the elders and the leader. According to Inari, the daughter of one of their past leaders was kidnapped and raped by one of the devil king princes. It wasn't widely remembered by many, so the normal members didn't know much about it, but the elders, and especially the leader, remembered. I couldn't really blame them, especially since I knew it was only one of the many reasons devils were banned from Japan.

Shaking the thoughts out of my head as we arrive outside of the fox clan, we make our way in. When we get there, all of the members bow to Inari, which happened in every other clan, but unlike the others there was a large amount of reverence and affection when they looked at her. It wasn't unexpected though, since Inari is the fox goddess.

We walk up to the house of the fox leader, Asano Kato, and knock on the door. Opening the door is a beautiful blonde haired fox woman with large breasts and nine golden fox tails swaying gently behind her. She smiles seeing us, and then bows to Inari, who is next to me, "Hello Kami-sama."

Inari groans, "I told you to stop calling me that Yasara." The woman, who we now know as Yasara smiled mischievously, "I don't know what you're talking about Kami-sama."

Inari sighed, "Whatever, let me introduce you to Maara Valerian, he's the best! Ohh these are Lucifuge Grayfia, and Maara Kouko. Grayfia-chan is Valerian's fiancée, while Kouko is his sister." She said while hugging my arm and smiling brightly.

I give Yasara a tired smile, and she gives me a knowing one in return. I hold out my right arm, which is the one not held by Inari and Introduce myself properly, "Hello Yasara-san. It's nice to meet you."

She took my hand and shook it gently, behind her, a man, also with nine golden fox tails walked up behind her with a kind smile. "Hello Valerian-san, I'm Asano Kato, the leader of the fox clan, and this is my wife Asano Yasara. My daughter isn't here right now, she's out in town, but her name is Asano Yasaka." (I don't remember if Yasaka ever actually got a last name, I don't think she did so I just gave her family a random one.)

I greeted him as well, but I was mostly thinking about the fact Yasaka was already born. I knew she had been for a long time by the time canon started, but I didn't think it was this long ago. Then again, Grayfia and the others weren't supposed to be born yet either so I couldn't be sure she was any different.

We went inside and I told them our purpose for coming, and asking them if Inanna, the oni bodyguard, would be able to teach Kouko. Kato thought for a bit before nodding, "I don't mind if she teaches Kouko-san, but you'd have convince her to be willing. The only reason she serves us is because we took her in when she was exiled from her clan. I'll do my best to convince her though."

I nodded, and we made some idle talk while were waiting for Yasaka and Inanna to get back. I learned that Yasaka was a few years younger than us at 14 years old. It took a few hours before they got back, but it didn't bother any of us since we were talking and getting to know each other.

Our talks were over when the sound of a sliding door opening and an extremely beautiful blonde girl with fox ears, four fox tails, bright golden eyes and a wide smile walked in. She was followed by an extremely sexy oni woman with Silver hair, red eyes, and not two but four horns. Two of them were the usual horns that oni had, but the other two were further towards the sides of her head and were much shorter, almost like they were still growing. She was standing behind with a slight smile when she looked at Yasaka, but when she looked at me and the devil girls, her face went colder and more serious.

(Picture of Inanna, though her clothes look different than the picture.)

Yasaka was surprised when she saw that they had guests, but she didn't loose her smile and came and stood next to her parents, bowing to us before introducing herself and sitting down next to her mother. Inanna followed and stood behind her.

We continued our talks for a little bit, mostly though it was Yasaka asking us questions and us asking some in return. She was still young, so she was energetic and excited to meet people from outside of Kyoto. Eventually she asked why we were here. I explained once again, and looked at Inanna. She, obviously, heard our conversation so she could guess what I was implying by looking at her. She still had her cold face, but also looked a little conflicted. The only reason she didn't flat out refuse is due to her being able to see how much trust and care Inari had for us.

"I don't know..." She said quietly.

"I'm not asking you to do this for free, you're welcome to ask for something in return." I say gently.

She looks even more conflicted, "How much sway do you have in the devil society?"

My eyebrow raised, "Quite a bit. I'm the strongest devil youth and my family has almost as much influence as the devil kings. Why?"

Her fist clenched as she looked in my eyes, "I will teach her, but I want someone dead in return... His name is Asmodeus Damaidosu."

Not just me, but everyone else, besides Yasaka, furrowed our eyebrows at her request. I took a deep breath before looking at her, "Before I even think to agree on that, I need to know why though. I'm not saying I can't, just not right now and I need to know why."

She shook her head, refusing to answer. I sighed and stood up, "Excuse us." I said and walked up to her, grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. "Now can you tell me, I understand if it's hard to talk about, since it clearly didn't just come out of thin air. I promise not to tell anyone." I talked to her in a quiet, gentle tone.

Being as close to her as I am, I could smell how nice she smelled, it was like fresh caramel. I pushed those thoughts aside so I could seriously listen to her. Her fist clenched once again, and tears formed in her eyes. She took a moment to calm her self before looking up at me and talking in a quiet tone, though it was loud enough for me to hear.

"I'm sorry, I can't tell you... If you can't accept my conditions, it's fine. I can still teach her..." she said while some tears slipped out of her eyes, I could tell whatever happened was really bad. I sighed and wiped the tears running down her face, causing her to flinch, but she stood still. "I can do it, but you have to wait, probably for quite a few years, maybe centuries." She lowered her head for a minute before looking up at me again with resolution in her eyes, "That's fine, I can wait. As long as he dies in front of me, that's enough."

Hearing that she wanted to be there when he dies caused me to pause. I wasn't sure she would be there, but I might be able to convince her to join my peerage once Ajuka finishes the evil pieces. "We can work that out later. For now, lets go back in with the others." She nods and we head back inside, though she keeps her head down since her eyes are still red from crying.

I sit down and look at Kouko with a smile, "Congratulations on finding a trainer Ko. You will start tomorrow." Everyone in the room paused and looked at me with wide eyes, since they all knew the price she was asking. I looked up at everyone and put my fingers to my lips with a vicious smile, causing Inari to chuckle and hug my head into her breasts.

Wanting payback, I move my hand up to her breast and finding her nipple quickly and pinch it, causing her to moan before pulling my hand away and burring her face in my arm out of embarrassment. Everyone in the room laughed at her expense and the atmosphere livened as we continued talking for the rest of the night, Inanna even joined in this time, her cold personality dispersing a little.