Chapter 21 (R-18)

I'm honestly surprised Kunou hasn't jumped me yet.

Kuroka and I took our seats across from the two Kyuubi, and one of them was still simmering while the other looked on with a sly smile.

I get the feeling Kunou would love nothing more than to pack all that fire up into a ball and punch me in the face with it.

Yet I also get the striking feeling that Yasaka wouldn't let that happen.

Pretty sure Kunou knows that.

So, I wave at the bonfire princess, and simply state, "Toasty."

Kunou snarls at me, or at least I think it was supposed to be a snarl.

Honestly, it sounded more like a soft whine, but eh, I got the intention.

I turned back to Yasaka, bowing slightly to her, "I thank you, Lady Yasaka, for welcoming us into your home. And for allowing our brief time here to be so comfortable." I give Kunou the side eye as I say that.

She gets the message, huffing indignantly as she snuffs out the foxfire around her.

Yasaka's smile never wavers, even as she waved my words off, "It's no big deal, Lord Kusanagi, we aim to please. Isn't that right, dear?" She turns her gaze to her daughter slightly, her smile curving up even more so.

Kunou scowls and grumbles something like an affirmative.

Think I heard something about 'even for big jerks' there.

Cute.

Yasaka giggles lightly before turning back to me, "Now then," and then her look sharpens, and despite not even being the victim of the gaze, both Kunou and Kuroka seem to instinctively straighten their postures, "for what reason do we owe the pleasure of seeing you here today, Lord Kusanagi?"

Ah. No more playtime then? Damn

Well. For now anyways.

For my part, my posture remains relaxed, an easy smile on my face as I meet the older foxes' gaze.

No point in letting this drag out longer than need be, and besides, with Yasaka I might be able to confirm Uzume's suspicions about the cause of the Night Parade.

"I'm not going to continue where my father left off." I start simply.

Much to Kunou looking at me in sheer confusion, and Yasaka looking suddenly positively blindsided.

Blinking the look off her face, Yasaka eyes me curiously, "I…see. Is that all you came here to say, then?"

I shake my head, "No, if it was that simple I never would have showed up at all."

"Truly?" Yasaka hummed out, "Then since you showed up at all, I presume it's because you have a different idea?"

Now at that, I nod and give her a grin, "Yeah, I do. And I think it is one you personally would be most agreeable towards."

"Is it now?" Yasaka practically purred out, "Well, I was certainly curious before, now I'm interested. Your father's attempt at a kingdom, an all-new united Faction for Japan didn't stick, although it was fine for as long as it lasted. What do you propose to replace it with?"

"Peace," I state, "for the whole of Japan."

Yasaka merely stares at me. "I'm going to need a tad bit more than that, Lord Kusanagi." She responds curtly.

To which I hummed, thinking of the best way to articulate my current plans.

See. Unlike in canon, the Three Factions Peace Conference? The Kuoh Treaty? I have severe doubts that anything like it will happen soon.

This means I don't have a point of comparison to draw on when I pitch this, beyond maybe the Yokai's 'peace' treaties with the Clans.

Those treaties that the Clans already broke with the East Yokai.

Good job, morons.

Pretty sure they would have broken the treaties with the West too if they didn't all live in the same city.

Internally, I sigh.

Outwardly, I start with, "The Peace Treaties between the Yokai and Five Clans are like the half-measured version of the premise I speak of," I raise my hands, spreading them out as I continue, "peace, not in a mere 'we won't attack each other' sense. But in a form where all the supernaturals of Japan can get along together, help and support each other unbidden from conflict from each other."

I take a deep steady breath, "No more should the Clans hunt Yokai for sport, no more should the Yokai hunt humans for sport. My father tried to bring everyone together via force, and you saw what happened. As soon as he left, everything went back to as it was. But, if everyone came together willingly, then…" I trail off, eyeing the Kyuubi before me.

"Something might finally stick." Yasaka finished my speech with a murmur, "I see what you meant, this sounds made to appeal to me specifically, Lord Kusanagi. A pleasant dream, if nothing else~..." she trails off with a giggle.

Ah, a dream?

"Is it truly just a dream when one of the Five Heads already supports my idea?" I ask rather plainly.

Yasaka stops giggling, her eyes widening slightly at me.

"Which one?" She asks, almost urgently.

"The Himejima." I state simply.

Yasaka's breath hitches at that.

The Himejima, after all, is known for being the most die-hard traditionalist of the Five Clans, even to this day.

"I am rather certain I can convince the rest to come on board with the idea," I continue, "either with words, status, or sword, I will." I intone.

I highly suspect I'm going to have to wave my sword around threateningly and quite possibly kill a lot more old men.

That thought really should make me feel something besides cold indifference, yet I know full well that nothing of value will be lost.

"That of course, leaves the Kami themselves, and the Yokai." I continue unbidden, "I have an idea or two for the Kami, but, as for the Yokai? Well—"

"If you can do as you claim," Yasaka interjects firmly, "then you have I, and the Wests, full support."

I blink at that, absolutely stunned, "...Just like that?"

"Just like that." She nodded with a small smile, and then her face fell as she sighed, "For the longest time, I have been trying to do something like you have described, albeit, not so connected as you are pushing for. But the Clans, always the Clans, kept pushing back on it. If you could handle them, then things might change for once."

Huh. I probably shouldn't be so surprised, out of all the Yokai, Yasaka is the most peaceful and cooperative by far.

Yet that sentence. Out of all the Yokai.

"And what of the other Yokai, the other factions?" I ask wearily. "What would they say to all this?"

At that, Yasaka grimaces, "The East can be convinced, but the others…" she trails off thoughtfully.

Ah yes. Others.

The Yokai situation in Japan is much less orderly than with the Clans.

Or I suppose to be more on par with the Yokai, I'll say humans instead.

With the human side of supernatural Japan, you've mainly got the Five Clans controlling everything, then beneath that there are the smaller exorcist families, beast keepers, Shinto artifact retainers, such as Holy Spirit Swords, and the like.

The only real outlier to all the above is the Bureau of Onmyō, who heed only the Imperial Family, but both strictly stay out of supernatural matters.

Otherwise, the Clans control pretty much everything. The lesser families heed them, and all goes on.

With the Yokai, however? Well…

Generally speaking, the Daiyokai, or Great Yokai, are meant to be the 'rulers' of the Yokai.

What instead ends up happening is several dozen different Yokai Factions spring up, all across the country, all claiming independence from the big Yokai Factions, while also all claiming to represent the entire species or group of Yokai they are made up of.

Needless to say, it's all a massive cluster fuck.

Leaders of these various groups change at the drop of a hat. Their ideology, goals, allies, and enemies change along with them.

And this isn't even taking into account the various smaller groups of Yokai, outright hidden villages and such, spread across the country.

The reason this happens is due to Yokai being so intrinsically different from humans.

They're more like Kami in that regard. Fleeting spirits of nature that stick to their roots. The human emotions, natural phenomena, or other various ways the first Yokai were created.

Some Yokai are perpetually tricksters. Some are forever horny. Some straight up need human flesh to live.

And everything I say right now isn't even wholly confined to these lesser groups, not even the big Yokai Factions are safe from this.

For instance, the East is a relatively new creation that came out of several smaller factions banding together.

There used to be a North and South Yokai Faction, but the South got Murica'd and scattered, while the North fell to fighting with some native mythology called the Ainu up on the northernmost island.

It's a testament to the stability the West has that Yasaka, its leader, went and raised a child in Kunou.

Some might even call it a miracle.

Yet, no amount of miracles will likely ever get one true Yokai Faction created. And it certainly wouldn't let such a thing ever stick.

In the end, the best that I could probably ask for is a good majority of the bigger factions being for it, and willing to join up.

Then, maybe, with cooperation, those Yokai who can't join due to extreme circumstances such as requiring humans for food, or their almost alien or fey-like thought processes, can eventually be included.

But that's so very far off from the here and now, isn't it?

For now, focus on the now.

"The upcoming Night Parade." I interrupt the fox's thought process as I speak up, "Am I correct in guessing that my reveal to the world was the cause? That these other Yokai called for it in response?"

Yasaka gave a solemn frown to that, "I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case. I can think of a few who might resent your father enough that it slid off onto you." She gave a tired sigh, "The one who originally called for it, Daiyokai Ibaraki Doujou, the Fierce God of the Oni, I could see him easily being one. He didn't take the beating your father gave him well, I heard," she chuckles lightly, "and the Oni especially are notorious for their pride and temperament."

I narrow my eyes slightly.

That name. I don't recognize it from canon.

And he's a Daiyokai too? Which means around Dragon King level at least?

In summary, Kuroka and I are fucked if we run into him.

Of course, she didn't outright say that this guy wanted me dead, but calling for an event that is historically known to be the Yokai equivalent of a crusade doesn't make me think this guy is open to talking.

Well. I might have a chance if the sun is up, but at least here in Urakyoto, there isn't even a sun to begin with.

Also, It's night by now, so I'd be fucked regardless.

I gave a weary sigh to that, "I would be very thankful if you could tell me who else might be interested in trying to kill me. For future reference, of course."

"It would be my pleasure, Lord Kusanagi." Yasaka nodded with a light smile.

Hmm, you know what? Just to confirm it.

I follow up rather blandly, "I'm probably going to have to beat back and kill quite a few Yokai if I want to see my idea through to completion, aren't I?"

"Most likely." She instantly confirms with an amused grin.

Joy.

Also, oi. Don't look at me like that. I don't find this fun at all.

Mostly. Besides the Daiyokai fight, maybe.

If I don't die instantly, which has a very high probability of occurring.

"Of course, defeating an opponent of significant strength, such as the Fierce God, would likely force the rest into submission." Yasaka adds on with a hum, "So it might not be so bad, who's to say?"

I deadpan at the fox milf for that, and she sends me a cheeky grin right back.

Slowly, Yasaka suddenly rises from her seat, taking everyone in the room by surprise.

Yet she still had that cheeky smile on her face, and her movement lacked any sort of urgency.

Kunou especially seemed surprised, though admittedly I wasn't following her expression before this so I couldn't say anything before now.

"Mother…?" She trails off inquisitively, almost, worryingly.

Yasaka waves her off for now and continues looking down at me intently.

"Well, it's been a long night, hasn't it Lord Kusanagi? I wouldn't call it heavy, but important talks like this certainly can't happen over one night, no?" Yasaka starts lightly.

Kunou, behind her, seems to be getting increasingly more pale and worried.

"Which is why I think it would be a good idea to pack it up for the night, perhaps continue tomorrow?" Her eyes narrow, beaming a smile with both her eyes and mouth down upon me, "And of course, I wouldn't be a proper host if I didn't invite you to spend the night!"

Ah. Back to playtime!

Kunou promptly gaped at her mother's back, fox ears pinned to her head, body shaking slightly.

I grinned, slowly shifting my body over slightly so I could look at her, right in the eyes.

She stops shaking, staring back at me pleadingly.

Sorry fluffy tails, no mercy.

I shift back into place, looking up at our most generous host, and nod to her curtly.

"And I wouldn't be a proper guest If I didn't graciously accept your kind offer, Lady Yasaka."

A low, whining cry emanates from behind her.

We, of course, ignored it.

"M-Mother…" Kunou picked up her voice again, "does this mean the m-meeting is officially over?" She stammered out, hope laced in her tone.

"Hmm…I suppose it does, dear." Yasaka affirmed after a second of thought.

Her smile turned rather amused, as her daughter poofed into a small nine-tailed fox and promptly booked it out the door in a blur.

Behind me, I could hear Kuroka's light chortling at the scene, and I chuckled a fair bit myself as I rose to my feet to stand before Yasaka myself.

"You did all that on purpose, didn't you?" I accused her with a stupid smile on my face.

"I have no idea what you mean," Yasaka denied easily, "I was just being courteous, that is all."

That smile on her face soon broke into a small fit of giggles herself.

Her meager attempt at covering her mouth with her hand did nothing to stop us from seeing her laugh.

"Ah~..." Yasaka gave us a content sigh, "It's been so long since I had something to tease my adorable little girl with, and then you came along. Truly, aren't you the gift that just keeps on giving?"

She reaches over and pats me on the head, a pleasant smile etched on her face all the while.

It's during this time that I notice something I'm shocked I didn't see sooner.

Yasaka is about as tall as me, I'd say a hair shorter or so.

And in my old world's freedom units? I'm about six feet tall.

Everyone in this world is short. Damn.

Can't believe I just realized that.

It takes a second, but I find the words to respond to the woman before me, "Eh, don't think anything of it." I wave her off her words, not her hand though, it feels nice, "It was instinct to tease the fox princess."

Yasaka hums pleasantly at that before removing her hand from my head, much to my sadness, and clapping twice.

Suddenly. A small childlike kitsune girl just appeared next to us.

"Yes, my Lady?" She asks softly, barely above a whisper.

Hey. Wait a minute. Isn't this the same girl from earlier? That informed me that Yasaka was ready for a meeting?

Yasaka waves towards the two of us, "Please, show these two to a guest room won't you?"

The little kitsune bows deeply, "As you command, my Lady. It'll be done."

Yasaka patted her on the head, before turning to us once more, "I should probably go find my daughter before she gets into the kitchen in her Yokai form again…last time she did, she ate all the sweets in the pantry!" She recalls out loud.

Damn. Now she's just giving us free material. Aren't you supposed to be on your daughter's side? At least a little?

"If you need me, merely ask a servant for me," Yasaka's smile turns sly as she trails off, "although I doubt you'll need me tonight, hmm~?" Her gaze shifts between Kuroka and me.

I swear to fuck. If any of these perverted foxes try to catch a glimpse of us tonight I will…probably not try anything, because I likely wouldn't even know who did it.

If they ever did.

Fuck.

Although, for a split second, I did consider flirting back. See if I couldn't get Kuroka and Yasaka in my bed tonight.

Why?

'Hey Kunou, guess who railed your mom silly last night!'

Ultimately, I decided not to. As one, an impromptu threesome after a date night without Kuroka being involved in the decision is kind of a dick move.

And two, those jokes are basic as fuck. Completely unoriginal. I can do better than that!

I nod and give her a simple smile right back, "I think we'll manage, yeah."

Yasaka almost pouted at that, I could see it, like a reflex that she suppressed almost immediately.

Almost.

So that's where Kunou got it from, hmm?

"Very well you two," Yasaka nodded back, "try not to be too loud, okay~? Have a good night!" She waved off at us as she walked off in the direction Kunou bolted off in.

As soon as she left, the small kitsune turned to us and gave us an impassive stare.

"Follow along. I shall show you to your room." She stated barely above a whisper.

And as soon as she finished, she turned and strutted off unperturbed, deceptively fast for her size.

Leaving us to have to quickly dash forward to keep up with her, Kuroka quickly clung to my arm once more, a smirk across her face as she eyed me expectantly.

~ A New Sun ~

Huh. Well. This didn't take long at all.

"Nyah~...you really should have tried to get her to join us, you know~? Mmmm~!" Kuroka moaned into my neck.

I merely deadpan down at her, driving my fingers into her needy folds with spiteful vigor.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised you'd say that~! Horny cat~!" I held back a low grunt as Kuroka mewled lewdly against me, one of her glowing dainty hands wrapped around and stroking my shaft with just as much vigor, merely lustful instead.

I would love to describe the room we were lent for the night, but beyond the big bed, I can't honestly say I've seen much else.

As soon as we got in and the door closed behind us, Kuroka dropped her kimono and jumped on me.

And so, here we are. Kuroka plastered to my side, face against my neck, and her ample bust smashed into my chest.

Unfortunately, I didn't want to pound her into the bedsheets because Kuroka has a thing for being loud. Even if I covered her mouth.

Fortunately, Kuroka had the solution.

Her glowing hand signifies her use of Demonic Power. I don't know what specifically she's doing, but it's making her hand very soft, very slick, and very warm.

Of course, seeing this, I instantly stole it and copied it.

Using my Holy Spirit Power to make my hand hot, it was very easy to simply reach down behind her, find the lips of her womanhood, and return the favor.

Mostly because Kuroka is very short. I have nearly a foot over her.

Almost a shortstack. So very close!

"Myah~!" Kuroka sticks her tongue out, breathing hotly against me as she shivers, "Not, horny, just curious~! Mmmh~! Weren't you? Just a little, nyah~?" She gives my neck a nice slow lick, prompting me to shiver as well.

"You know, curiosity killed the cat~..." I reply gruffly, reaching over with my free hand to cup and play with one of her plush breasts.

Kuroka moaned softly into my neck, "Mhmm~...but come on, Nori-kun~...weren't you wondering~? Just how does that fox keep those big juicy melons up all the time~?" Slowly, she goes up to my ear, her handle on my length quickening, "You can't lie and say you weren't~, nyyaahh~!"

In response, I roughed up her insides just a little bit harder, cursing my inability to make my fingers just vibrate.

Now that would really mess her up.

"Kuroka~...!" I groan out from a disheveled breath.

"C~Come on, think about it~!" Kuroka continues unperturbed with a lewd smirk, "Getting to inspect those things, right up close~! You know she wasn't wearing a bra, just like me~! Then just to m~make sure, you could shove your nice fat cock, right up between those mounds~..." she practically moans that into my ear.

"K~Kuroka~...!"

"Have her squish them together," she continues softly, almost in a pleading-like manner, her hand no longer pretending like it's trying not to milk me, "and let you pound away into them, just to make sure they aren't illusions or anything of course~!"

"F~Fuck~!"

I tilt my head toward her and capture her lips with my own. A low, yet very loud groan passes through my throat at just that moment as Kuroka gets what she seems to want, my cum.

Unfortunately, unlike my groan which I used Kuroka herself to muffle, my seed shoots out of my rod unbidden, like a water fountain or hose, yet nowhere near as voluminous.

At the same time, Kuroka's body quivers into her own climax and she moans loudly in response to my fingers finding purchase in her deepest parts.

Slowly, I pull back from her lips and look her right in the eyes, "And here I was, thinking after a night like that you'd appreciate some alone time, hmm~? Then you have to go and suggest that~..." I give a fake dramatic sigh.

Kuroka winks at me and continues lightly stroking my hard-on, which of course refuses to go soft. With a small flex of her power, the little mess around her hand and my lower abdomen vanishes.

She gives my cheek a small peck, "I appreciate the thought, nya~! But still~!" She whispered sultry, "It is rather hot, isn't it~?"

My member responded for me, twitching and heating up in her hand, prompting Kuroka to let out a lewd giggle as she continued to try and rub another one out of me.

"Besides~!" Kuroka continued with a purr, "The past three days, with training from sunrise to sunset, and your nights being taken up by the redhead, I figured I could use a bit of help to relieve your backup, nyah~!"

"Hmm~?" I reach over, petting her head, scratching behind her ears, "Well now~, someone's trying to earn the title of good kitty~..."

"Earn it~!?" Kuroka whined in indignation, even as she leaned further into my touch, purring sensually, "I already am a good kitty~! No~! Best kitty~!"

I huff, "No, Shirone is the best kitty, you're a naughty kitty." I refute her easily.

Kuroka stops and blinks, before smiling softly, "That's not fair, using Shirone like that!" She faux whines, "I'll have no choice but to concede that, nya~!" Then she slowly smirks, sitting up to move down my body, dragging her mounds down my chest, my abdomen…before finally settling at my cock.

Wherein, she wraps them around my length, her bosom squishing around my hardness like marshmallows.

"...And show you just why I'm naughty kitty, nya~!" Slowly and methodically, Kuroka starts bouncing her chest up and down, squeezing them together around my shaft as she does.

With a wink, her tongue flicks out, licking the tip of my rod, before eventually, her entire mouth comes down upon its head, gobbling it up.

I don't even respond to her beyond a low grunt, just letting her do one of the things she does best.

Originally, I wanted to talk with Kuroka about the day. I noticed that during the talk with Yasaka, Kuroka didn't say or do anything, and I wanted to ask what she thought of all this.

But now I realize something.

I seriously doubt Kuroka herself cares about any of that stuff enough to have legitimate thoughts beyond how cute Kunou is, or how ridiculous Yasaka's chest is.

Also, she's right, I am a tad backed up right now.

The talk went fine, it was a tad on the short side, but that's fine considering how late we showed.

Don't know how Yasaka plans on giving her support, but we can hash it out tomorrow.

For right now? This is a good way to end the night.

Yeah, I don't think anything can ruin this, things are going just fine.

~ A New Sun ~

We awoke to the Palace shaking.

I sat up, ramrod straight, in an instant.

After Kuroka practically drained me dry, I decided to sleep with her properly, cuddle, and all that. Cute couple shit.

What the hell is going on!?

Kuroka groggily gets up beside me, rubbing her eyes as she does so, "Hmm? Nori-kun~? What's the matte—"

Kuroka stops suddenly, her face rapidly going pale.

It takes a second until I feel it, but when I do, I join her.

A thick, malevolent spirit, nearing Yasaka's own in power yet completely opposite in nature, crashes through the palace like a bloody tidal wave.

And with it, a singular roaring voice, that shook the palace once more with its sheer hatred and wrath.

"Where is he!?"

Somehow, I get the feeling he's talking about me.

But holy fuck do I hope he's not!

Suddenly, the doors busted open, and I just about grabbed my blade and started slashing until I saw who it was.

Kunou?

Huh. White pajamas. Cute.

Damnit Nori! Not now!

As soon as she saw us, whatever she was about to say died in her throat as her mouth, which was open, suddenly clicked shut.

She stared at us dumbly, her face beginning to glow red.

Ah. Right. We're still both very naked.

After a brief moment, Kunou found her voice, kind of "W-Why are you naked!?"

Albeit, it came out as some sort of low squeak rather than an actual question. Still, at least it was understandable.

"Why aren't you?" Kuroka answered dryly.

I snorted at that, as Kunou yipped indignantly.

Then the palace shook again, this time violent enough to throw objects to the ground, and nearly made Kunou herself hit the floors.

I shake my head to them both, "We don't have time for this." I state solemnly, getting up on my feet and grabbing my sword, which was propped neatly against my side of the bed.

I walk over to Kunou, who quickly covers her very flushed face as I do.

"I presume you're here to lead us out of here, right? Some sort of secret passage or some such?" I ask her plainly, to which Kunou nods her head rapidly.

"Neat. Take it yourself, and get out of here."

With that said, I turn, and prepare to head on out.

I see Kuroka blink at that off to my side, bewildered.

A moment later, I hear a squeaking, "W-What!?" behind me, before something grabs my sword.

Truly, it was nowhere near physically strong enough to stop me, but I halted so I didn't drag the poor girl with me.

I turned, looking dead at her, just as she began speaking.

Shockingly, she managed to look me in the eyes, even though her face resembled a tomato over flesh.

"Are you crazy!?" She starts, "This is the same guy Mother mentioned earlier, and although Mother is the strongest, the Fierce God is still strong! You'll be pasted before you can draw your sword!"

"Ok? And?" I bite back.

Kunou flinched at that, a scowl crossing her face, "W-What do you mean 'and' you stupid jerk, you'll die!"

"So what?" I repeat like a mantra, "This guy, he came here for me, right!?"

Those Oni that were just walking around the city. The same Oni that looked at me all pissed off, they told him about me, didn't they?

Fuck!

"W-Well, yeah?" Kunou stammered out.

"So I'm just supposed to run away? Let someone else fight my battles for me!?" I practically snarl out.

Right before Kunou could start yelling something back, a plush and soft body gently pushed into my side.

"Yes," Kuroka muttered, taking my free hand, my gaze snapped to her, but before I could even say anything a finger went to my lips, "you'll die, darling. Not even I would be able to save you. If you don't come willingly, I will drag you out of here myself."

I click my tongue and grit my teeth.

"Besides," she boops me on the nose, "didn't you promise Uzume we'd run if something like this happened?"

My eyebrow twitches, and I give a deep, long sigh.

"Fine." I turn back to Kunou, "Let's move."

Slowly, Kunou lets go of my sword sheath, "I-If it makes you feel any better, my Mother is the strongest!" She states resolutely, "She'll be fine, the city will be fine, this isn't the first time he's come here and gotten…uhm…rowdy."

I hum absentmindedly to that, slinging my sword over my shoulder.

Then I reached over with my now free hand, and patted her on the head, prompting her to freeze completely at my touch.

"Thanks, it does," I confirm slowly, "at least a little bit."

Kunou blinks up at me dumbly, her eyes slowly moving down my form, before shooting back up to look at my face as she starts batting the absolute hell out of my hand.

"Stop! That! And put on! Some clothes!" She quickly cries out after each bat.

I snort, turning to Kuroka, "Clothes us, and let's get moving."

With a quick application of her magic, our clothes are thrown haphazardly onto us, and still very red Kunou leads us away.

Kuroka clings to my back like some sort of super horny backpack, this time she confirmed that she is indeed masking my power with her own.

Kunou led us out of the back of the palace, and all the way there, the place seemed eerily empty.

Out back, there is a secret entrance and exit from the city, used exclusively by the East's leadership, her servants, guard, and so forth.

A swirling portal of deep purple and black energy, or Youki as both Kunou and Kuroka called it, hidden in the haunted and empty-looking traditional Japanese outback.

But of course, as if leaving can ever be so simple.

Just as we reached the portal, the entire courtyard shook, and behind us…seemingly coming from right out front of the palace, a massive column of black and red power erupted into the sky.

Within it, a figure.

Or, no, it's more apt to say the column of power was the figure, coalescing into one.

A mountain of a man, bigger than the castle-like structure of the palace itself, he towered over it.

Crimson red skin, five bony horns crowning his head, and angry golden eyes, burning with ferocious power.

He looked over the palace, no, the whole fucking estate, a low growl on his lips.

Until he saw me.

And I knew he saw me, because the moment he did, the moment those eyes landed on me…

It felt like the world slammed down onto my back.

As if the very world wanted me dead, wanted to crush me like a can beneath its foot.

I heard voices, I think, to my sides. But they were muddled, I couldn't make out who was who.

I could only stare up at those eyes that promised death, that wanted me dead.

And yet, I smiled. My legs started to buckle, the metaphorical weight physically crushing me.

Yet I smiled with glee.

"F-Fuck you, you molding tomato bastard," I bit out through clenched teeth, I could feel sweat forming across my brow, "taking it all out on me because my dad was too much for you…how pathetic is that."

The talking around me ceased.

The Oni's eyes narrowed.

Maybe he's good at reading lips, or maybe he got the spirit of what I said.

Doesn't matter. The point is, he got it. I know he did.

A purple aura seeped from his skin, but before it could do anything, a fiery blue explosion blossomed right in front of him.

The weight lifted from my shoulders, and I gasped for breath I didn't know I so desperately needed as I fell to my knees.

The next thing I know, I'm being pulled into the portal, watching on as a giant nine-tailed fox forms from the fire, longer in width but smaller in height, and promptly pimp slaps the Oni in the face with its paw.

And so begins the Yokai Kaiju battle.

Shame I won't be there to see it.

Now.

How the fuck am I supposed to kill that thing!?