Chapter 63: Nya! I'm Kuroka!

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Issei let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping in resignation. He knew there was no use fighting it anymore. "Issei Hyoudou," he reluctantly revealed his full name, but couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the thought of sharing it.

"Nya! I'm Kuroka," she purred, her voice dripping with both mischief and seduction. With a sly grin on her face, she extended her hand towards Issei. "Pleasure to meet you, Issei."

Issei's internal lament continued to grow as he wondered why he even bothered introducing himself anymore. It seemed that no matter what he did, his last name always brought some kind of trouble or unwelcome attention.

"Alright then," Issei finally said, feeling a wave of irritation wash over him. He gently pushed Kuroka away, wanting to maintain his focus amidst the pressing quest at hand. As alluring as she may be, he knew that he had to stay focused and not let his guard down.

Kuroka emitted a melodramatic sigh, crossing her arms in mild petulance. She looked at Issei with a mixture of frustration and curiosity. "So, Yasaka-sama was abducted, I presume?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. "It's hard to imagine her leaving Kunou-hime alone. Any leads on her kidnappers?"

Issei shrugged, his expression growing slightly uncertain. "Not much... the girl mentioned that humans and a dragon were involved," he admitted, the details of the situation still unclear to him.

Kuroka's excitement seemed to intensify at the mention of humans and a dragon. Her eyes widened with intrigue, and a mischievous smile played on her lips. "Oh, that's quite intriguing," she responded, her voice tinged with excitement. "You might want to consider my assistance then."

Issei's annoyance resurfaced, and he shook his head in firm refusal. "I don't require your help," he retorted, his voice filled with determination. "Just go away, cat girl."

There was a slight edge to Kuroka's tone as she persisted, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Do you harbor a grudge against cat girls?" she inquired, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and defiance.

Issei's response was immediate and firm. "No more than I do against devils, angels, or anyone else who wants to involve me in their political mess," he growled, his frustration with the constant entanglement evident in his words.

Unfazed, Kuroka leaned in closer, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Are you aligned with any faction?" she asked, her voice carrying a genuine interest.

"No," Issei responded firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "And I intend to keep it that way."

A flicker of understanding passed through Kuroka's eyes as she revealed a glimpse of her own truth. "In that case, we share common ground," she admitted, her voice holding a sense of vulnerability. "I hold no allegiance to angels, devils, or fellow Youkai. I'm something of an outcast, too."

Issei's footsteps faltered as he processed Kuroka's words. He turned to face her, a quizzical look on his face. "Why's that?" he asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

Kuroka's ears twitched slightly, unable to hide her interest as their eyes met. "It's a lengthy tale," she began, her voice filled with a mix of determination and hope. "But I reckon aiding Yasaka-sama's rescue could earn me some favor, nya?"

Issei's curiosity only grew, and he couldn't resist probing further. "For someone who asserts detachment from devils, you carry the scent of one," he pointed out, his voice laced with genuine curiosity. "Are you a devil as well?"

Kuroka's surprise was evident, but she couldn't help but chuckle at Issei's perceptiveness. "Ah, you caught me," she confessed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yes, I am a devil. But a rogue one. I disposed of my former master."

Issei arched an eyebrow, finding her admission both surprising and intriguing. "Seems logical, I suppose," he mused. "It's surprising how forthright you are about it."

Kuroka's response came with an air of casual indifference, her feline tail swaying elegantly behind her as she offered her perspective. "You're probably familiar with the way devils tend to operate," she stated, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalance. "I've chosen a different path, one that allows me to escape the confinements of their hierarchical structure. Embracing this independence has given me a sense of freedom that I find truly invaluable."

Issei absorbed her words with a thoughtful nod, connecting on a deeper level with the sentiments Kuroka was expressing. "I can truly understand the significance of freedom and the power to think and act independently," he said, his voice carrying a genuine resonance. A faint yet heartfelt smile graced his lips, a testament to the common ground they were finding.

Kuroka's satisfaction was palpable, visible in the subtle twitch of her ears and the playful curve of her grin. "Listen, Issei," she continued, her tone shifting slightly towards a more sincere note while still retaining a trace of mischief. "I propose that my assistance could be invaluable to you. My mastery of Senjutsu holds the potential to greatly aid us in pinpointing Yasaka-sama's whereabouts. And I'll admit, it's not every day that a young man as striking as you graces my shrine with such convenient timing."

Issei couldn't help but feel a sense of wariness at Kuroka's charming attempts. He knew that he couldn't fully trust her yet, but he couldn't deny that she had been remarkably straightforward thus far. Besides, as a Youkai, she posed little threat to him.

Deciding to remain cautious, Issei dismissed her flattery and responded bluntly, "If you're serious about helping, I'll accept," he said, his voice firm. "But I need to know how your Senjutsu will aid in finding her mother."

Kuroka's eyes narrowed as she observed Kunou, her gaze sharp with concentration. "Their life forces share a strikingly similar aura," she murmured, her voice filled with a mix of determination and excitement. "I can amplify her daughter's aura to trace her mother's location and then teleport us there. But first, I'll need to examine the girl briefly, if you don't mind."