[Chapter 15] Foxes V/s Wolves Part 5 ~ Flashbacks

[South Korea, Wolve's Headquarters]

[Night 11:30 pm] 

[Attack Commence on the Wolves] 

... 

Kitsune: "Tell me!?" 

He demanded, though it sounded more like a statement than a question. The unknown individual brush aside his rudeness and decided to tell him the full story of the secrets the fox's clan head hid and the atrocious schemes he has committed. 

... 

[~𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝘼𝙜𝙤~]

...

[South Korea, Fox's Headquarters]

[Afternoon 4:25 pm]

...

The weather was chilling on that fine afternoon. It was neither sunny nor rainy, but the sky filled with many gray clouds, blocking any gateway for the sun to blind in. The entire gray sky screamed gloomy, almost like the calm before the storm. Nobody, mainly Kitsune, was prepare for what to expect as nobody could've predicted it. 

Though the current unusual gloomy weather hinted to that as the entire week and month overall was clear and sunny. No room for any sort of sorrow, grief, and overall sadness. 

Kitsune stared at the weather through the clear blue glass pane window as an air of melancholy surrounded him. As much as he wanted to enjoy his favorite sound that only the rain could give up with each water droplet splintering wherever it lands, he couldn't. The lovely white noise that plagues his every thought every time he listens in on the rain felt like shattering ice, giving it a distinct disturbing sound he did not like one bit. 

Even so, he continues listening in on it as he had nothing better to do. Every fox member that spotted Kitsune's depressing state decided it was best to not to bother him today and quickly went on with their day. All but a little 14-year-old little red head standing at 165 centimeters who swiftly approaches his brother without hesitation. 

"Brother!"

He called out, startling Kitsune out of his depressing thoughts as he looked to the speaker, relaxing his posture once his eyes laid upon his brother, Zackary. 

"Zack," he called back softly, ruffling his fluffy light red hair affectionately as he giggles cutely before fussing to Kitsune for messing with his perfectly clean gelled up hair. 

"Zef!" He huffed cutely, puffing out his cheeks as his lips formed a pout. "I just got it styled!" 

"Is that so." He commented amusingly, still ruffling with his soft hair much to his younger brother's dismay. 

"Hmpt, know you should be honor to get special privileges to treat me like this." 

"And what may that privilege be?" He questioned teasingly. 

"Being my older brother of course!" He cheerfully announced, earning a small smile from the elder brother. 

"I suppose I can live with that." His replied earned an eyebrow raised from the little red head.

"Huh?"

"Nothing." He quickly responded before changing the subject as he didn't want his little brother to know what obsessive dark thoughts he was having as nobody but him should get the privilege of treating, in fact, getting close to Zack like he is. 

Talk about bro-con, am I right? 

Those happy thoughts went away as quickly as it came when he remembered what was today. 

The day his brother goes on his first mission and as much as he wanted to be excited for him, he couldn't. As this will be the day Zackary loses a bit of his innocence. The awakened world was never pretty. It still isn't. 

But he knows fully well that he can't keep sheltering his baby brother just because he's a bit protective of him. Scratch that, he's overbearingly overprotective of him but that's beside the point. The point is, he just wants the only remaining member of his family to be safe and sound. And that's something the awakened world cannot provide. 

It is times like this he wished he never bragged to Zach about how cool it is to be an awakener with powers. Teasing his brother over small mistakes that are quite funny if he does say so himself, to doing cool tricks with his flames. All in all, they were to satisfy his brother's curiosity and make him embraced his identity as an awakener. 

In spite of his current regret, he couldn't help but disagree. Seeing the little red fur ball full of sunshine smile and talk excitedly about doing amazing things in the awakened world. Before going on to say he wants to be like his big older brother who happens to be his hero, his role model, his everything. 

He smiles pleasantly at those memories, looking forward to what the future has in store for his little brother. And he couldn't wait to see it. 

Sadly, those are naive thoughts one should not have as an awakener. 

The world awakeners know of today aren't all sunshine and rainbows, but bloodshed and betrayals. 

That's something both brothers weren't prepare for. Not like they could prepare for it but expect it. One brother just so happens to experience it rather sooner than the other. Especially right on his first debut as an awakener. A 'proud' fox clan member. 

...

[~𝙵𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝙵𝚘𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚍~]

... 

It was time for Kurama's departure. 

Kitsune was certainly not ready for it, but in his head, he reminded himself that he cannot keep holding Kurama back. He needs to spread his wing and fly on his own without his supervision. The only thing he can do is trust his brother to return safety. 

And besides, the mission is super safe. 

What could go wrong. 

"Alright now, be safe and don't-" Before Kitsune could finish, Kurama jumped up and flicked his forehead in annoyance. "I know, I know! You don't have to nag me brother. You told me a thousand times already." 

"Did I? I don't recall." 

"Zefron!" Zack whined, telling his brother to stop teasing him. Zef couldn't help but chuckle a bit before his eyes turn somewhat somber. "Please be alright." He begged, tugging on his little brother's sleeves ever so slightly before moving his hand along his brother arm to his shoulder before reaching up to caress his soft plump cheeks that turn rosy red due to the cold. 

"Hm, I know! Besides, I have the clan head and most of the elites by my side. Nothing could possibly go wrong." He spoke cheerily, calming his older brother's wariness even if it's just a little. 

But for some reason, he couldn't get what his younger brother said out of his head. 

'Nothing could possibly go wrong.' 

Don't get him wrong, he feels very reassured that the strongest members of the fox clan are accompanying him, but for a simple mission, it doesn't make any sense. As much as he wants to question his patriarch motives, he cannot. He's in no position to. 

Moreover, he feels like his paranoia will get in the way of Zack's debut as an awakener. That is something he cannot bring himself to do. Especially when he's been waiting his entire life for that day.

Which is begrudgingly today. 

And just looking at his smile full of excitement from afar, he can't help but smile to himself. Which is why he shouldn't interfere in his brother life that much because his needless worries will only get in his way and that's something he doesn't want.

To be a burden to Zackary. 

So, he made up his mind right then and there to be nothing but supportive of his brother. Even if a part of him is unsure about anything regarding him, he'll push it aside in support of his brother's future. Besides, as an older brother isn't it only right to trust your younger brother's abilities. 

Additionally, he's with the patriarch and many of the elites so nothing should go wrong, he reminded himself. 'Nothing could possibly go wrong.'

"Alright boys! If you're done with your goodbyes, let's hurry and get this mission over with." Kyro, the fox patriarch shouted, garnering everyone's attention as those assigned on the mission quickly made their way towards the front entrance.

They did role call and once they counted that everyone was there, they departed rather quickly than usual. Of course, nobody noticed but Kitsune but he once again, staying true to his thoughts, brush his needless worries aside in support of Kurama. 

Before Kurama managed to make a few steps outside their headquarters, he felt a hold pulling him back into a hug. Already use to his presence, he knows it's his brother Kitsune and instantly responded back to his hug. 

"You good?" He asked his slightly teary brother in a teasingly voice. 

"Hm, just wanted to give you one last goodbye." He spoke as quietly as a mouse but judging from his small smile sitting brightly on his handsome face, you could tell he's happy for Kurama and that this isn't goodbye, it's see you later. 

Catching note of this, it didn't take long for Kurama to reply back. "See you later too, hyung!"

With that all said and done, Kurama departed with the rest of the group. Kitsune stayed back, watching his back till he was no longer in his view. Turning around, he looked up to the gray sky and pray to god that his brother will return in one piece, even though he is far from being a religious person. 

Too bad his prayers weren't heard as the rain started to turn heavy, and it didn't seem like it will ease up any sooner. 

...

[Kurama's Pov] 

...

Today was the day of my first mission as a proud fox clan member. After saying my goodbyes to hyung, I quickly joined the rest of the recruits who were doing the mission which mainly consisted of the elites and our patriarch. I couldn't help but admired each of them. 

The elites were tall, muscular men who had a dignified aura surrounding them. Most of them don't talk much but I met few who gave me advice on how to behavior as an awakener and newbie all together. They were really helpful. Well, most of them as the rest were mainly about the cruelties of the awakened world. 

Though that did scare me a bit, I can't be discourage over such a little thing especially if my end goal is to be a World Ranker like the big guys. That way, Kitsune wouldn't have to worry so much about me, and I could probably support the both of us.

The first thing I have to overcome is this mission. Then it's to get my first kill and that is something I'm not really excited for as I don't want to kill unless it's necessary. But in the awakened world, I'm not naive enough to believe that you could survive in this world without killing. And knowing Kitsune, he has killed. 

Many at that.

If he can do it, why can't I? 

But that's something I don't expect to do on this mission as it is nothing more, but an errand run so there should be no battling. Even so, I'm not prepared to take someone's life. I expect to be ready to take one when I'm at least 16, which is 2 years from now. Hopefully within these 2 years, I can mentally prepare myself.

Our patriarch told me not to worry about such things as I'll be more than ready very soon. For some reason, I felt uncomfortable when he told me that. Personally, I don't believe I am anywhere near ready to have someone's blood on my hands and as much as I like to trust my patriarch's words, I can't. As I know for sure I am nowhere near ready to take someone's life. 

And though I told him this, he brushes my worries aside and said I'll be ready.

Whatever the heck that means. 

I mean, I'm not killing someone today so if he means finishing this rather easy mission swimmingly, then yes, I am more than ready for that. 

Speaking of accomplishing our mission effortlessly, the warehouse is right ahead. It had a tall frame with structures layer over the main building frame that led me to conclude that it was repaired recently. 

Once we were there, the second I stepped into the warehouse, it had this oddly disgusting filthy stench like this place wasn't cleaned for months. As I asked around what was that smell, everyone brushed it aside as my heightened senses messing with me. 

As much as I wanted to believe them, something told me they were wrong, and that I was right. Too bad I couldn't investigate where the awful stench was coming from till it was lights out. Meanwhile, everyone but some of the elites and our clan head were packaging boxes before loading them into a storage unit near the basement. 

While passing by the basement, I couldn't help but be curious about it as that was where I felt and sensed the stench was coming from. As I was about to question what was in there, I was pulled aside by one of the elites that gave me advice. If I recall, his name was Aaron. 

"Hey! What was that for?" I shouted to Aaron who shoved me into a close off corner with him. Kind of gay if you asked me, but that's beside the point. He looked at me with a sense of urgency as we stared deeply into each other's eyes before he started. "You do not want to say anything about that place." 

"What place?" I questioned, even though I had a slight idea of what he was talking about. "You know what I'm talking about! The basement." He said, fear laced in his tone which confused me greatly. 

"What's the big deal about it?" 

"I don't know, but it's better if you don't question it?" He replied authoritatively. But I wasn't done as I still had questions that needed to be answered. "But-" Before I could ask, Aaron cut me off. "Promise me!" He demanded which was so unlike his kind gentle nature from earlier when he gave me advice.

Silence filled the corner as I was deep in thought. "Promise me." He said once again, gentler than his tone from earlier. Coming to an agreement, I finally promised him I abide by what he wanted for now. "I promise." As soon as I said those words, he finally relented his anxious expression full of wariness and fear which was something I still could not comprehend. 

What was it that he feared about the basement?

Why did he fear it?

In fact, why does nobody talk about it at all?

Unfortunately, I knew none of my questions would be answered by anyone. Not even my own brother, Kitsune. So, I decided to take things into my own hands and investigate the basement when no one was watching. There was no perfect time then when everyone was asleep at night.

Once night arrived and everyone went to bed, he sneakily made his way to the basement. Upon reaching his destination, he tried to open the door but no surprise there, it was locked. He kept tugging and rattling the door in hopes for it to have a few loose screws, making room for the door to budge open but to no anvil, it didn't budge one bit. 

At the corner of his eyes, he spotted paper clips. He quickly retrieves them and swear to hope and god that his lock picking skills aren't rustle as he started to pick through the door's lock. None of them worked as each attempt broke all the remaining paper clips he found.

As he was about to give up, he heard a footstep. Not one, but many. Then he heard a voice. A very familiar voice. The one that told him he'll be ready. It was then that Kyro, the fox's patriarch came into view. Then many of the elites that he kept close to him. They mainly consisted of those who didn't participate in packaging and delivering the boxes, but nonetheless, the ones Kyro trusted a lot. 

He quickly hid himself in the dark corner that Aaron dragged him from earlier before any of them could spot him. There, he overheard them talking suspiciously as the fox's clan head got out a key to unlock the basement door.

"Do you think the subjects will be promising today?" 

"I highly doubt that." 

"If there were no change the previous year, what makes you think this year will be any different?" 

"I don't know, but this year's batch is uniquely different." 

"Let's hope so." 

They last said before entering the basement, closing it shut behind them, but not locking it completely. Seeing this, Kurama made his way to the basement, opening the door before quietly closing it shut behind him. 

He followed their path which was a doorway to a long set of staircases in the dark. Luckily for him, he has fire which is also a light source. Gently lighting his palm to create a tiny fire ball in his right hand, he used its light source to guide his eyes down the many staircases. 

Upon setting site on another light source, he abruptly dispels his fireball before following the light source. As he came closer, he heard the elites and his clan head's voice grow louder. As he turned the corner, his eyes set site on something his brain couldn't comprehend the horrors of. 

...

[End of Kurama's Pov] 

...