《The Fox With No Tails- REVAMPED!》


 Chapter 1- The Zero-Tails

    The young orange haired girl ran through the sunset light path panting as she picked up her speed on top her head two fluffy orange and white tipped ears flickered on her head. The girl was a spirit fox, the young fox girl paused and looked around her surroundings "Where to hide?" she said as she hurriedly looked around "They''ll be here any minuet!" she panicked. The fox girl continued to look around until her ears flickered as they heard a noise it was faint, but, she knew exactly what it was it was the sound of running footsteps and they were coming towards her.


    The fox girl grimaced "Crap!'' she cursed and she looked around harder as the footsteps got closer she became more panicked "Where, where, where, where!?" she repeated as she circled around in place. The girl froze as she heard a voice "Hey, Zero-Tails, we''re going to get you!" came a young male voice the fox girl twitched "Oh no" she gasped. The first voice was fallowed by another which also belonged to a young male "When we catch you, it''s in the lake you go!" the second young male said.


    The fox girl was at her wits end "Oh no! They''re almost here!" she panicked she didn''t feel like being thrown into the lake as she knew of the water spirit that lived in the lake, and it was said not to be the friendless spirit when another spirit enters its territory. The fox girl swallowed hard at the thought "Got to hide!" she said that was the most important thing she had to worry about in that particular moment she then finally decided to duck into some bushes that seemed would hide her well.


    Without hesitation she made a beeline into them and nestled down to the ground and peered out from the convenient space to look out from at the bottom she stifled her breathing and stayed still. She heard the sound of two sets of running feet getting closer "Please, don''t let them find me!" she prayed. She waited a bit, then two figures came into view, they were two young boys and like her they had orange and white tipped ears on their heads but, unlike her the two boys had long fluffy orange and white tipped tails flowing behind them.


    The two fox boys paused and the began to look around one of the fox boys was tall while one a bit shorter, the tall one clicked his tounge in annoyance "Where in the hell did she go?" he said looking around. The shorter fox boy chuckled "Man, for a Zero-Tail, she sure is quick" the taller fox boy smirked "Heh, at least she has something going for her" the shorter fox boy laughed "Yeah, she may not have a single tail but, she sure can run away" the taller gave an smile of agreement "You got that right" he chuckled. In the bushes mere feet away from them the young fox girl watched and listened as the two fox boys talked badly about her.


    She grumbled, they were making fun of her again, the fox girl took a quick look at her backside, there was no tail to speak of, she had been like that ever since she was born. Most spirit foxes have at least one tail by the time they become 9 years old  but not her, the young fox girl had turned nine a few years ago and no tailed showed up. She looked away from her tailless backside and eyes the two foxes boys long flowing tails she was mesmerized by them. Looking at them made her remember that she herself had none which took her out of her mesmerizing state "Why, why don''t I have any tails" she said lowly her face turning sad the young fox girl shook her head and slapped the side of her face she had to focus.


    She couldn''t let her sight drift from the two fox boys she groaned lowly and softly to herself, the hard ground was starting to hurt but she knew she had to endure it otherwise, she''d be caught and she''d meet the nasty lake spirit personally. She watched the two fox boys as they continued to search for her she would breath a sigh of relief every time they''d pass her hiding spot but, she couldn''t relax and let her guard down on the off chance they''d find her which meant, she''s had to pick up and quickly run away. The taller fox boy grumbled in annoyance "She''s not her man" the shorter fox boy looked back from some bushed he had parted and was looking behind.


    "Damn, where did she get to?" he grumbled as he rejoined the taller fox boy "Maybe she ran further along the path" the taller one said looking straight up the path the shorter one groaned "I guess so". The two fox boys started to walk away and the fox girl started to feel relief as they moved away but then, she made a mistake she let a audible sigh escape her mouth which she quickly clasped her hands over and cursed herself for being so stupid. She then peered out hoping that she wasn''t heard, the fox girl froze in shock as she saw both of the fox boys ears twitching as they picked up the noise she let out. She let out a low ''Eeep..'' when she saw the taller one look directly towards her hiding spot she shook a little as she stared eye to eye with the taller fox boy.


    The fox girl knew that she had been caught now, there was no way she could get away in time so, she stayed low to the ground, still hiding herself in the bushed hoping that somehow the two fox boys would leave. But, when she saw that the taller fox boy smirk she knew he knew where she was and that he was toying with her, it was like he was waiting for her to make a move. The fox girl stayed put, she would try to wait him out, even if it took until night fell for him to give up she was going to stay put.


    The taller fox boy chuckled he elbowed the shorter fox boy who turned and looked at him "What is it man?" he asked the taller fox boy made sign for the shorter one to go quiet, which made a confused look scrawl across the shorter ones face but, he did as he was told. The taller fox boy made a simple move, he pointed to where the fox girl was still hiding, the fox girl swallowed hard a second time "Crap" she said under her breath as she saw the shorter one turn and looked towards where the taller one had pointed. At first it took him a while, then when he finally realized what was up he smirked and chuckled, the two fox boys looked at each other and smirked and laughed and they both looked with a smile to where the fox girl was hiding "Double crap!" the fox girl mumbled.


    The taller fox boy walked slowly over to her hiding spot, the shorter one fallowing behind him with a devious smile on his face. The fox girl backed up into the bush, she had to make a run for it, it''s what her brain was telling her. As the two fox boys approached she would etch further back into the bushes "Got to'' run" she said to herself, the two fox boys drew closer and she kept crawling further back. In the next moment, she would pick up and make a dash for it, she was waiting for the two fox boys to step a few inches closer then when the time was right she''d bolt. The taller fox boy stopped a few inches from in front her hiding spot which caused the shorter one to stop behind him. "Oh, Zero-Tails!" the taller one said in a singsong voice "We know you''re there Zero-Tails" he chuckled, the shorter one chuckled and chimed in "Don''t try to run for it, your caught!".


    The fox girl sighed, the two fox boys were right, she had been caught, and she knew she had to give up on her plan to run so, she decided to take her lumps. The fox girl begrudgingly, hoisted herself from off the ground she had been laying on for the past few minuets. Her chest hurt a bit, but she ignored the pain and stood straight up and poked her head out the bushes. The two fox boys smirked "There you are!" the said together with a chuckle the taller fox boy grinned, "Come on, come out of there" he commanded the fox girl sighed and walked out from the bushes and stood in front of the two fox boys.


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "Well, you caught me" she said in a defeated tone with an unhappy look to accompany it. The two fox boys looked at each other and smirked, they then looked back at the fox girl the taller one spoke "You know what happens now, Zero-Tails" the fox girl grimaced, she was going to answer before the shorter fox boy beat her to the punch, "Your going to take a nice, dip in the lake!" he grinned. The fox girl sighed, "Lake spirit, here I come" she was then taken by the arms and hoisted off the ground and the two fox boys started their way to the lake. When they arrived, the setting sun made the lake shimmer the fox girl though the sight was very pretty but, she didn''t have time to gawk at the beautiful scenery.


    The taller fox boy looked to her, "Ready for you dip?" he said with a wry smile the shorter fox boy chuckled. The fox girl looked at the lake and knew what was waiting in it for her, she groaned "Not really" she said with a deadpan tone. "Too bad" the taller fox boy grinned "Ready?" he said looking at the shorter fox boy who nodded "1,2..." they counted and the two of them paused, the fox girl stared at the still water she was about to be thrown into, "I hope, the lake spirit doesn''t like fox girls" she said to herself "3!" the two fox boys yelled and the fox girl felt them release her and her body fly forwards.


    She landed with a loud splash into the lake and because she couldn''t swim, she slowly started to sink to the bottom. As she sunk, she looked around at her watery surroundings, her lungs were on fire, she needed to breath but with her inability to swim, she knew she wouldn''t get it soon." I hate this" she said inside her head, "I hate that they do things like this to me" she went on "I want to make them pay.." she said, "I want to make them sorry.." she scowled with anger. She felt a burning sensation welling inside of her as her anger rose "I want to make them sorry for treating me this way" she said, at that moment a set of glowing eyes came into view and they were locked onto her, the lake spirit was there. She stared into the glowing eyes as a large shadowy figure started to appear, she felt anger well up inside of her again, she wanted to make the ones that teased her be sorry, she didn''t want her life to end before she did, she glared at the lake spirit, "I''m not going to let you get in my way" she said as more anger welled up inside her the burning sensation, increasing, then everything went black.


    As the fox girl drifted in blackness she could swear she heard a voice calling to her, "Mayako" said a older female voice. The girl moaned as she didn''t move an inch "Mayako! Get up!" the older female shouted angrily, this time the fox girl shifted and the blackness faded, when she opened her eyes she found that she was in her room, in her house, in her bed , and not in a lake with a nasty lake spirit staring her down. "That dream.." she said drowsily "Mayako!" yelled the older female louder this time, and in her ear, the fox girl jolted out of bed and looked around startled. She then spied and older fox girl looking at her with a displeased look.


    The fox girl grimaced, it was her older sister Yone Matsuyama, she had five tails swirling behind her, and the young fox girl herself still, even though she was now 15, still had no tail, she was Mayako Matsuyama. Mayako chuckled lightly, "Good morning, Yone-neechan" she smiled Yone clicked her tounge, "Honestly, how come on the weekends you can wake up just fine on your own, but when it comes to school days you have to be woken up" Mayako chuckled "Sorry, I just can''t help it Yone-" Mayako paused and her expression darkened, "Did you say school day? "Yone sighed "Yes" Mayako went silent, she creaked her neck slowly as she looked at her clock, when she read the time her eyes widened. "Oh crap!" she cursed loudly and she hopped out of her bed her leg getting caught in the blankets, causing her to fall flat on her face.


    "Ow" she groaned" as she sat up rubbing her head, another sigh came from Yone "That''s what happened when you rush" she said walking off "Get dressed, and get downstairs quickly" Yone ordered Mayako nodded, a small tear dripping down her cheek. Yone went down the stairs and Mayako picked herself up from off the floor, she dusted herself off, she stopped for a second, "Can''t believe I had that dream after so long" Mayako mulled. Mayako shook her head "Focus!" she shouted "Got to get ready!" Mayako took a breath she walked over to her closet and opened it, she pulled out a school uniform which consisted of a white blouse, a red blazer with cold trim, and a skirt that was black and red with a plaid pattern. Mayako quickly threw off her sleep clothes and threw her uniform on, she found a pair of clean white stocking and pulled them on her legs.


    She checked herself on her dresser mirror, she fiddled with her hair a bit, she made sure it was straight like she liked it. When she looked over her finished look, her ears on top her head flicker happily "Perfect!" she smiled she turned and in the reflection in the mirror she caught sight of her tailless backside and a sad smile appeared on her face. She stood there for a bit just staring, she then heard Yone call her from downstairs, "Coming sis!" Mayako replied and she looked away from the mirror and ran downstairs.


    Mayako saw her mother and father were in the kitchen "Morning!" she chirped as she walked in "Morning honey" her dad said with grin "Morning dear" her mother called, while she was looking at what she was cooking. Mayako looked around for Yone but didn''t see her, "Did sis leave already?" she asked "Yep" her dad replied Mayako frowned "Oh.." her father sighed "I''m sure if you hurry you can catch up to her" Mayako seemed to perk up, she nodded "Alright" and she started to turn "Oh wait! Are you sure you don''t want breakfast?" her mom asked looking at Mayako.


    "No,I''m good" Mayako paused, "Did..Did Keishi-nii come back yet?" her dad looked at her, Keishi was her older brother he was the oldest among the Matsuyama siblings. He was a seven tail, he was the second strongest spirit fox in Mayako''s family her father holding the number one spot, her father was a nine tails the strongest spirit fox, Mayako''s dad grumbled "No, not yet'' Mayako frowned "I see" and she walked out the kitchen.


    Mayako loved her older brother, whenever Keishi was around he''d drive away the other fox spirit kids that would pick on her but nowadays he was being called out to handle problems in her dads place as he was to be the next head of the Matsuyama family so Mayako rarely saw or spent time with Keishi. With thoughts of her older brother swimming in her head Mayako walked to the front door slipped on her shoes and grabbed her bag and started on her way to school.  [Chapter 1 END]

 Chapter 2- The First Tail

    Mayako walked down the stoned path to her school a sad look on her face "I wonder when Keishi-nii will finally come back" she brewded as of today it had made it 3 months since her brother left all she ever saw of him were pictures of the places he visited and letters. Mayako sighed these were all in good but, she really wanted her brother to be there in the flesh instead of in a picture or behind a written message Mayako let a third sigh espace her mouth as she looked up at the blue sky. The blue sky reminded her of the lake, the one from her dream she had earlier, it was so vivid, it was like she was reliving that exact moment but, one thing she couldn''t understand was why the dream went to darkness after she was thrown in the lake.


    She remebers that day like it was yesterday, the two fox boys had thrown her into the lake, she started sinking to the bottom, and she saw the lake spirit start to appear, and it''s glowing eyes settling on her. She remebers not wanting to die, not wanting to be stopped, then blackness, and the next time she opened her eyes she was on the lake bed. Her older sister and brother were beside her worried looks on their face she thought that they must have jumped in to save her but she noticed that neither of them were soaking wet like she was. Then she began to wonder how in the world did she get onto the bank as she thought on this her ears perked up as they heard the unmistakeable sound of running footsteps.


    Mayako focused her ears, "Two, Male, Fox Spirits" she groaned she knew who was comind towards her she stopped, and looked back "The Yumiya brothers" she grimmaced sure enough two fox boys were running towards her with grins on their faces. They were also staring right at her she sighed for the fourth time "Just my luck" she moped the two Yumiya brothers stopped in front of her, the two of them like her, had gotten older althought they looked different she knew them as the two brother that always picked on her when they were kids. The taller one was Muroku and the shorter one was Sanda, they looked the same as Mayako with the oragne and white tipped ears ontop their heads but, unlike her they had something she didn''t and they swirled behind the two brothers.


    Tails, Muroku had three, while Sanda had two but Mayako didn''t have the time to be gauking at tails, the Yumiya brothers were in front of her, and with the grins they had on their faces she needed to be focused. Muroku looked Mayako over "Well, Zero-Tails, looks like you sprouted since the last time we saw you" he jeered Mayako made a disgusted face the nickname again, ''Zero-Tails'' her label, a name she didn''t like whatsoever, and everyone including the Yumiya brothers knew it got on her nerves. She scowled angrily at Muroku "Woah! What''s with the hostile look, I gave you a compliment" he smirked Sanda chuckled Mayako gave an annoyed grumble Sanda cut in "She sure had changed bro but, one thing still hasn''t changed" Sanda sneered.


    Muroku looked at his younger brother "And what would that be Sanda?" Muroku ask with a curled mouth "She still is a Zero-tail" Sanda said pointing behind Mayako who groaned angrily. Muroku chuckled "Your right bro" he laughed out loud "She''s 16 years old and yet she still has no tails" he jeered Mayako shuddered with anger,they were teasing her again, even after so many years have passed, they still teased her for her tailessness which caused her blood to boil. The two Yumiya brother laughed amongst themselves as Mayako stood there shuddering with rage she wanted to hurt them, wanted to make them apologize, she was about to but then she caught sight of each of their tails that swirled behind them, she knew the first hit would be nothing but surprise,and that would be all she would get, she was no match for a Three-tail and a Twin-tail at the same time so, she decided against it and just stood there as the laughter of the Yumiya brothers echoed in her ears.


    "I''ll make them pay someday" Mayako mumbled to herself a smirked crossed Muroku''s face "Say Zero-tails" he said with a sneer Mayako flinched she didn''t like the devious smile on his face. She could tell he wasn''t thinking about anything pleasnt, and she new for a fact it had to do with her against her better judgement Mayako replied "What?". Muroku chuckled "How about a little dip in the lake for old time sakes?" he grinned Mayako shuddered to think after so long they would try to do something like this again. Mayako chuckled "Ah, no thanks, besides I''m in my uniform" Mayako gave a nervous smile "What are you so scared of?" Sanda cut in Mayako froze.


    "Don''t tell me after all these years you still can''t swim?" Muroku said with an obvious smirk of delight Mayako stayed quiet which confirmed Muroku''s question with that he bursted with laughter as did Sanda. "This is pricless!" he shouted "No tails, and still can''t swim!" Muroku choked "You haven''t changed at all Zero-tails" Mayako''s faces contorted with rage she felt her insides burning, wanting her to tear into the two fox boys in front of her for making fun of her. She fought against it, as she knew for a undisbutable fact, she would be no match for the Yumiya brothers she just, had to take it Muroku noticed her seething anger and nudged his brother "Look Sanda, seems Zero-tails here is a bit hot under the collar" he jeered Sanda chuckled "Your right bro, we should help her cool off" Sanda grinned.


    Mayako jumped to attention "Cool off" she said to herself that could only mean one thing, "They want to throw me in the lake again" she summed up "Say Zero-tails" Muroku etched towards Mayako "How about that dip in the lake we promised?" he sneered Sanda came forward too. "Yeah, a little dip might just cool you off" he joked Mayako took a step back, there was only one option, the one option she was always forced to do, run, run as if her life depended on it Muroku and Sanda looked at each other and laughed that''s when Mayako made her move she turn on her heel and shot off. "Hey!" Muroku shouted "Get back here Zero-tails!" Sanda shouted and Mayako heard the sound of them giving chase "Why does this always have to be my only option every time?" she asked herself all her life she had to run, she couldn''t fight, she could only run, and run, and run, that''s all her life consisted of running away.


    Mayako was sick of it, how many times did she have to go through this, why her? She had these thoughts and more as she ran with the Yumiya brothers close behind her shouting her title at her ''Zero-tails''. The burning sensation inside of her was growing with each meantion of it, how she hated that name, she wanted to put a stop to it but what could a tailess fox spirit like her do, she cursed her weakness, her inaptitude, the people who taunted her, the ones who said she''d amount to nothing, everything she cursed it. The burning sensation inside of her was getting stronger this time it felt like she had a fire inside of her, a fire that wanted to burst forth and burn everything in her way, as her anger grew so did the fire within her until all at once she felt the flames burst forth.


    Everything went black, in the blackness she could hear a scream, she then heard the sounds of fighting her body felt like it was on fire, somehow, she enjoyed it, it gave her a rush. Suddenly, the blackness faded and she came back to the color of the world, she looked around and was awestruck to see Sanda, on the ground out cold, she then heard the sound of someone gasping for air, Mayako looked around, she then realized the sound was coming from in front of her. Her eyes widened in shock, Murko was suspended in the air gasping for breath, a black furry object was wrapped around his neck and it was what was chockin the life out of him. "What is that?" she wondered Mayako took notice that the black furry object was long, and that it was coming from somewhere, she fallowed the long snake like object, her eyes widened in shock once more.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    What she was looked at, was a long, pure jet black tail coming out from her she didn''t believe it a first, Mayako started at the black tail, she then slowly outstretched her hand and was amazed when she felt the fur of the tail on her hand. "A tail.." she mumbled "My tail..." she mumbled again, she heard Muroku gasp for breath and that got her attention, she looked at Muroku with a smirk on her face, Muroku a three-tail, was suspended above her, being chocked by her tail, she felt happy seeing him casp for air, he outstrecthed his hand in a pleading manner. This gave Mayako even more satisfaction, finally she was getting back at them, she felt good, but at that moment she realized what she was doing, she was killing Muroku, that''s wasn''t what she wanted, Mayako came to her senses and released Muroku, he landed with a thud to the ground and coughed hard.


    He gasped as he sucked in air, after he was breathing properly he sat up and looked at Mayako, he had fear in his eyes as he looked upon her "Y...You" Muroku shuddered "What are you.." he whimpered. Mayako stumbled back a bit at these words Muroku then looked around and caught sight of Sanda laying unconcious on the ground "Sanda!" he shouted rushing over to his younger brother. "Sanda you alright!" he shouted shaking his brother "Sanda!" he shouted once more Mayako didn''t like what she was looking at, she turned and ran away, she had to get to school. As she ran, the black tail behind her swirled, she glanced back at it, even though what had happened was still fresh in her mind she gave a smirk "My tail" she said.


    Mayako made her way down the path to school, her school was specialized for spirits it allowed spirits to learn about the outside world before they tried to coexsist with humanity. It was a school made for spirits by spirits it was protected by a barrier that no human technology could find it, and it made it impossible to find it by accident. The school had no worries about be found out so everything was peacful that is, until Mayako walked into the school with the long pitch black tail flowing behind her. She heard the audible gasps from the students she passed by "Look...she''s got a black tail" she heard a female student whisper to her friend Mayako couldn''t help but giggle to herself as she moved down the hallway "They can''t get over that fact I finally have a tail" she chuckled but then a thought hit her "Why is my tail black?" she wondered she had been so overjoyed about finally having a tail that she failed to notice and question why it was black.


    Mayako shrugged her shoulders, she''d figure it out later she was still revaling in her having a tail after so long she giggled lightly to herself once more as she neared her classroom. When she entered the room all eyes fell on her, no sound was made Mayako looked around the room seeing nothing but wide shocked and surprised eyes. Mayako gave a small smirk, she just waltz into the room and found her desk and sat at it she still had all eyes on her and to her it was the greatest fealing in the world "This is the best!" she squelled under her breath she peaked back at the black tail behind her and smiled at it. She was so caught up in her own world that she barely noticed when Yone walked into her classroom, Mayako was giggling to herself like an idiot as Yone approached her desk.


    "Mayako!" she screamed Mayako didn''t react she was to absorbed into her world Yone grumbled in anger furrowing her brow she screamed louder "Mayako!" this made Mayako jumped and brought her back to the real world. "Nee-san" Mayako gasped as she finally took notice of her older sister "Would you care to explain what''s going on with you?" she asked Mayako raised an eyebrow "What do you mean?" Yone grumbled annoyed "I mean your apperance right now!" she shouted "My apperance?" Mayako said with a puzzled look "What''s different about it?" she asked. Yone sighed "You really have no idea what you look like right now?" she asked Mayako shook her head Yone palmed her face and sighed long and hard she dug into her skirt pocket and pulled out a compact mirrior "Take a look" she said handing it to her sister.


    Mayako took the mirrior and opened it, she put it to where her face could be seen and at first she was shocked, so much so she almost dropped the compact mirrior but she looked hard  and was surprised and amazed. She was looking at her face and she couldn''t help but notice her skin had gotten pailer, it was almost a ghostly white, the next thing she noticed was her eyes normally they were a bright blue, but now, they were a burning amber color that reminded her of the setting sun. She then took notice of one final thing her once bright orange hair, was now pitch black almost like the night Mayako couldn''t believe it somehow she had chnaged completley "But how?" she said out loud. Yone snatched her mirrior back from Mayako "That''s what I want you to tell me!" she shouted.


    Mayako looked at her older sister "I don''t know Nee-san" she said "Oh come on don''t lie!" Yone shouted "There has to be a reason how and why you look like that now" she gurmbled and crossed her arms "I don''t know nee-san, I really don''t" Mayako said "Don''t lie to me!" Yone shouted. This got Mayako a bit mad, she was telling the truth but her sister was insisting she was lying "I''m telling you the truth Nee-san" Mayako said a hint of anger in her tone Yone didn''t seem like she was going to believe Mayako''s words. "Your better tell my how you did this now, or I''m telling dad when we get back home" Yone said in a commanding tone Mayako growled and shot up from her desk her rage peaked, "I''m telling the truth godamnit!" she shouted and unconciously she moved her tail and it smacked Yone across the face. Mayako went silent as did the whole classroom Yone had a dejected look on her face, her hand held her face where Mayako''s tail had hit her.


    Yone turned her head and looked at Mayako, "What did you do-" Yone started but she stopped when she saw the pitch black tail swirling behind Mayako she eyed the tail as it moved, Mayako chuckled nervously "Uhm...Surprise" she chuckled again. Yone eyes the black tail and couldn''t hardly believe it "Ma..Mayako is that?" Yone said a bit in disbelief, "Yeah, it''s what you think it is" Mayako gave a smirk "A tail...My tail". [Chapter 2 END]

 Chapter 3- The Training Begins

    Mayako had no idea what was happening,she was just sitting in her desk at school just a few minutes ago but now,she was being dragged back home by Yone who was mumbling to herself which Mayako couldn''t make out. Her sister had been acting strange ever since Mayako revealed her tail to her, in her anger she had unconciously slapped Yone across the face with her tail. She felt bad about that, she had no idea that something like that would happen, "I''ve gotta get control of this thing" Mayako mulled as she looked at her tail.


    After that went down she and Yone had stared at each other, then after she showed Yone her tail she took hold of Mayako''s arm pulled her up out of her desk and out the classroom and now here she was. "Nee-san! Stop pulling me so hard!" Mayako complained it seemed to her Yone was in a hurry to get home with her Yone didn''t even look Mayako''s way she was dead set on getting home with Mayako. "I hope I''m not in trouble" Mayako wondered to herself soon, she saw her house come into view Yone pushed the front door open and when she stepped inside she shouted "Dad! Get over here there''s something you need to see!" the sound of talking could be heard in the kitchen. Her father and mothers laughter could be heard "Who are they talking to?" Yone mumbled to herself Mayako was wondering that as well.


    Who could her parents be talking to so happily with? "Mom? Dad?" Yone called the talking and laughter died down, then the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard  coming towards them. When the footsteps stopped at the hall enteranceway, Yone gasped and Mayako''s eyes widened and a huge grin appeared on her face when she saw who was standing in front of them. The male fox spirit with seven tails behind him had a smirk on his face "Hey" he said with a small wave Mayako wrenched free of Yone''s grip and she rushed over to the male fox spirit "Keishi-niisan!!" Mayako shouted as she knocked her older brother to the floor in a tackling hug.


    "Ooff! Hey Maya, How you''ve been?" her brother asked as he looked up at Mayako "I''ve been really well nii-san!" Mayako smiled Keishi gave a smirk "You''ve gotten bigger since I last saw you" he said looking her over. Mayako giggled "Yep, I hit my growth spurt!" Keishi chuckled "I see" Mayako couldn''t contain herself "Nii-san!!" she exclaimed as she snuggled her brother to death "Okay! Okay! Maya, let me get up if you don''t mind" her brother said. Mayako laughed nervously "Sorry nii-san!" Mayako apologized and she released her brother and she got off of him and stood up, she helped her brother up from off the floor "Phew, thanks" her brother said.


    "Now, let me get a good look at you" he said Keishi had a look of surprise in his eyes at the sight of Mayako "Wow, you changed Maya" he said "Your a bit pailer then I remeber" he said "And your eyes, weren''t they blue?" he went on. He then saw her hair "And your hair, it''s...pitch black" he said in wonder as he eyes her black hair "Are you...Going through some faze or something?" he asked "No, this is something else" Yone said as she walked up "What do you mean?" he asked "And shoudln''t you two be at school?" he said realizing that it was a school day. Yone pointed to Mayako "This, is why we came home early" "Dad needs to see this" Yone added "See what?" he asked Yone sighed "Show him" she said gesturing to Mayako who gave a nod "This" Mayako lifted her black tail into view which made Keishi''s eyes go wide with shock and excitment, "Is that, what I think it is?" he asked Mayako nodded "Yep, it is" Mayako said a huge smile cracked on Keishi''s face "A tail" Mayako smiled.


    As Keishi, Yone, and Mayako walked back to the kitchen where their parents were Mayako was sticking close to her older brother "When did you get back nii-san?" she asked "I got back a few minuets ago" he answered "What did you do while you were gone?" she asked "I was dealing with some rouge spirits" he answered "That''s cool nii-san!" Mayako exclaimed Mayako went silent their was one thing she had to absolutley ask. "How long are you staying home for?" she asked Keishi took some time to answer "I don''t know Maya,I never know when they''ll call me out" he answered "Oh..." Mayako said with a sullen look Keishi sighed "Look, lets not think about when I''ll leave again" he gave a smile "Lets just be glad I''m here for the time being" he russled Mayako''s hair which made Mayako smile and giggle "Okay nii-san".


    The three of them entered the kitchen, their father turned around "What are you two girls doing back so early?" he asked with a stern and not to pleased look on his face "Dad, before you start yelling" Yone interjected her father looked her way "Take a real good look at Mayako here" she said pointing at Mayako her father looked at Mayako with a studying look he then realized Mayako had changed since he saw her this morning "Mayako what happened to you?"her father asked Mayako didn''t say anything she knew the quickest way of explaining her apperance, she lifted her tail into view.


    Her father lept up from the table "Is that what I think it is!" he exclaimed Mayako nodded, he looked to Yone who nodded as well he then looked to Keishi who smiled and nodded her father the became estatic "Honey look at this!" her father shouted her mother turned around from her dishes and looked Mayako''s way and she gasped in shock "Oh Maya!" her mother ran over and grabbed her "Good for you!".


    Mayako smiled brightly her father walked over "So, it''s finally appeared, your very own tail" he said looking at the pitch black tail "Mayako" he said in a affirmative voice which caused Mayako to stand at attention she was released by her mother and she stared at her father "Yes" Mayako said "Now that you finally have a tail" he started "It''s time you finally being your training" he said placing a hand on her shoulder "Training?" Mayako said confused then she remebered that when her brother and sister got their tails they started training to harness their powers and now, it was Mayako''s turn it was finally her turn.


    Her father looked at Keishi and Yone, "You two know what to do" Keishi and Yone nodded "Yes sir" they answered with a nod "Good" their father smiled "I leave her in your hands" he took his hands off Mayako''s shoudlers "Nii-san and Nee-chan are going to train me" Mayako said looking at her older siblings who placed each a hand on her shoulders "Don''t worry Maya, we''ll help you harness your power, I promise you" Keishi smiled "Yeah, leave everything to us, we''ll wip you into shape before you know it" Yone grinned Mayako nodded "Okay, thanks nii-san, nee-chan" "Train well, and grow strong" her father said Mayako nodded "Come on Maya" her brother said "Okay nii-san" Mayako fallowed her brother and sister out of the kitchen.


    After they left, her mother walked up to her father, "Dear, that appearance, and that tail" she said her father gave a hefty sigh "Yes, I know, our little Mayako..is a Demon Fox Spirit" silence filled the room "The first one in 10 years" he mumbled. As Mayako fallowed behind her older siblings she was anxious to find out where they were going. They turned many corners and passed many statues of foxes, they stopped when they came to a big open area that seemed like nothing special. "Is this where we''re going to train?" Mayako looked around the area, there was nothing to indicate that the place was used for training "Yes, and no" Keishi said patting her on the shoulder "What to you mean?" she asked puzzled "You''ll see soon enough" he winked he then looked at Yone "If you''d please Yone" Yone nodded.


    "Watch closely Maya" Mayako nodded she watched Yone intently, Yone had closed her eyes and extended her arms and began to walk forward, her ears would flick occasionally. Mayako had no idea what her older sister was doing but, she was heeding her older brothers words and she continued to watch Yone do whatever she was doing. Yone suddenly stopped, and she seemed to smirk "Found it" suddenly before Mayako could even blink, a huge black hole opened up before her sister it expanded a bit until it was as big as the sun. Yone put her arms down and opened her eyes and she looked back at Keishi and Mayako who was surprised and amazed at what she saw "What is that?" she said aloud Mayako heard Keishi chuckle "It''s where you''ll be training from now on Maya"she turned and looked at her brother "In there" Mayako looked at the dark kind of menacing looking black hole.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Keishi could sense Mayako''s uneasiness "Don''t worry Maya, it won''t hurt you and, we''ll be with you" Keishi gestered to Yone who crossed her arms and nodded "Don''t you worry we''ll have you trained up in no time" Mayako nodded but still, she was still uneasy over the whole stepping through a black hole in space Keishi sighed "Watch" he said and he walked passed Mayako. He walked right up to the black hole and he waltzed right in and disappered "Come on in you guys" he called from inside the black hole Yone made sign for Mayako to come forward she did so hesitantly Yone looked at her hard Mayako could tell what Yone was saying without her saying anything so Mayako nodded and she watched as her sister walked into the black hole like her brother did and disappeared. Mayako took in a small breathe, gathered her courage and walked in,it felt weird at first passing through the black hole it felt like electricity tingling all over her body which made her hair stend on end then she suddenly came to and wide open black space she looked around in amazement where was she?


    "You finally made it" came her brothers voice she looked and Keishi was walking towards her the first words out her mouth were "Where are we?" Keishi smirked and chuckled "Were in a special relm space" Keishi turned "This whole place goes on forever" he turned back to Mayako "And it is where you will do all your training each and every day" Mayako looked at the sheer expanse of the special relm "How is this here?" she asked. "Simple, Dad made it" Keishi smirked "Of course" Mayako mumbled her father, a nine-tails, made something like this, she was both amazed and a bit scared, if her father could create a space like this what else could he do? Deep in her thoughts she suddenly was brought out of them by feeling a hand slap down on her shoulder it was Keishi, Mayako came to attention "Now, I think it''s time we get your training started" he smirked Mayako swallowed and nodded she was antsy she was ready to finally get her training started.


    Keishi made her fallow him a few feet into the relm she then saw Yone who was training up a storm "Why don''t you sit and watch a bit" Keishi said with a smirk Mayako looked back at him then back to her sister and watched intently as Yone ran around jump and spinning like someone was after her, then Mayako''s eye caught sight of a spark of blue, she foucsed on the blue spark then the spark became a flame, a blue flame, and then Yone threw it and it exploded on the ground into a tower of flames and it looked like Yone was controlling it. Mayako was mesmerized by this, she was intranced by the blue towering flames Yone then launched several more balls of blue fire they collied into the tower of fire and it made it deminish in size until it disappered Yone then went still and she wipped her forehead and had a triumphant smirk on her face she then heard Mayako exclaim "Wow" Yone looked and saw both Mayako and Keishi looking at her "How long have you been standing there?" she tried getting back to her serious demeanor.


    "What was that nee-chan?" Mayako said bounding up to her sister sparkles in her eyes "What was what?" Yone played stupid "That blue fire! What was that!?" Mayako beamed "It''s called Foxes Fire" Keishi walked up beside them "Foxes Fire?" Mayako looked back at her brother confused "It''s something all fox spirits can do" "Really?" Mayako raised an eyebrow Keishi nodded "Even me?" Keishi smirked "Yes, even you" he tossled her hair.


    "Becuase that''s what your going to be learing how to do" he chuckled "Really, I''m going to learn how to do that!" she was referring to what her sister had been doing earlier "Well, you''ll be learning the basics, you won''t be doing things like Yone or me for a while" "Oh.." Mayako moaned she wanted to be like her brother and sister she didn''t want to still be the weakling a twinge of anger at herself flared inside her "Why am I always stuck beihind" she said to herself. "Maya?" she snapped to her brothers voice "What?" she mumbled "Everything alright?" he asked placing a hand on her shoulder Mayako could see the worried look in her brothers eyes she shook her head "Everythings fine" Keishi looked at her with a skeptical look "Alright, shall we get to it then" Mayako nodded.


    Her brother smiled, "Come over here then Maya" he jestered Mayako fallowed her brother to a certain area of the relm and stopped "Okay, step one" he but his arms to his hips Mayako nodded intent on listening, "Put out your hand" Mayako complied and raised her arm and extented it in front of her, her palm open, "Step two" Keishi continued "Close your eyes" Mayako shut her eyes, "Step three, Take a long deep breath" Keishi instructed Mayako did as she was told, "Step four, and this is important, visualize energy going through your arm, and collecting at your palm" Mayako visualized and she could sware she felt something akin to electricity going down her arm at a slow pace.


    "Now, step five, it''s as important as number four" Mayako gave a nod "Now, send your energy in small spurts to the collecting point" Mayako started sending her power to her palm, "Good, step six, as your send and gather energy, feel for the right moment, and release all the collected energy" Mayako stood still and supplied energy after a few minutes Mayako felt a tingle in her hand, she decided that was the sign and like her brother had told her, she released the energy that had collected in her palm. She heard a distinct woosh of fire and a affrimative chuckle from her brother, "Good job Maya, now, open your eyes" Mayako opened her eyes, it took a while for her eyes to adjust after being closed for so long but, when the did they focused on a blue orb of fire sitting in her hand flickering firecley Mayako cracked a smile "Nii-san!!" she looked at her brother he nodded "Yeah, you did it Maya, you''ve now learned the steps to summon your Foxes Fire".


    Mayako smiled brightly, she looked at the brilliant blue fire in her hand "I did it!" she cheered herself she turned "Nee-chan! I did it! Look!" she waved her arm with the blue fire in Yone looked her way and smiled "I see, good for you Mayako". "Alright Maya" came her brothers voice she turned and looked back at him "Now, you have to master conjuring your Foxes Fire" Mayako groaned "But, nii-san I already have it handeled!" she said jestering to the blue fire she held in her other hand. "No, Maya listen, you must be able to conjure you Foxes Fire at a moments notice" Keishi had a serious look on his face Mayako knew for a fact that ment her brother was kidding around anymore "You can''t take too long conjuring it, if you can''t produce it on a whim,it could be your end" Mayako felt a small chill go down her spine, her brother had been fighting alot of things since he left home, and she knew to take everything he said to heart.


    "Okay nii-san, I''ll master it" "Good" Keishi smiled "Because you''ll be working on this for five weeks" "Five weeks!" Mayako exclaimed she saw the look on her brothers face and sighed "Okay" she said defeatedly "Alright then,get to work Maya" he then walked off and began training of his own Mayako looked back at Yone, and she too was back at her training, Mayako looked back at her brother and back at her sister and then, to the small orb of fire in her hand "I gotta get better" she said to herself and so, that began Mayako''s training, the training of a One-tail. [Chapter 3 END]

 Chapter 4- The Second Tail Appears

    Mayako was gasping for breath, she was holding herself up on one knee, her clothes were dirty and tattered sweat dripped down her face she whips her forehead and stands up slowly she staggeres a bit but, she''s able to stand straight she lets out a sigh. "I can''t believe, it''s been only a few weeks since I started training" she groaned Keishi hadn''t told her how much of a tole summoning her Foxes Fire over and over again would have on her or, that if she gathered too much energy it would erupt and cause her damage which is why her clothes were in such a sorry state.


    Mayako had thought she made some progress when she was able to summon her Foxes Fire three times without incident but, it got to her head and made her start to mess up, this was the fifth time that her Foxes Fire erupted "Damn, I put too much into it again" Mayako kicked at the ground she was fallowing the steps Keishi had told her yet, she was failing, and she didn''t like that one bit. She heard the sounds of her brother and sister going at it, the two of them were training together, she saw Keishi toss several of his own Foxes Fire''s at Yone who threw out her own which negated some of Keishi''s but not all of them so, Yone dodged out of the way.


    Mayako stood and watched in amazement as she watched her two older siblings, she wanted to be like them strong, confident, and above all respected. Her brother and sister were very famous in school, she''d hear about her brother exploits from his teachers and Yone''s would sing praise of her Yone also had fallowers, a small group that liked to fallow her around and thought that Mayako wasn''t worthy of talking with her own sister.


    All she ever heard about at school was how great her older siblings were, and how she was a weakling that was making their name bad remebering all this caused a bit a anger to rise in Mayako, "Is it true.." she mumbled "Am I, really making their name bad" she mad a sad and hurt face, she had an odd habit of putting herself down, Mayako shook her head "No!" she shouted she clasped the sides of her cheeks "I''m not the same as I was then!" she told herself she stared back at the black tail behind her "I have this now, and everything will change". She made this thought circle around her head but, it was usless as the memories of being called weak, or pathetic, or a disgrace where far more potent, she could hear all of the voice shouting at her "Your nothing!", "A zero will always be a zero!", "Why don''t you just disappear!", "The weak will always stay weak no matter what they do!".


    Mayako gritted her teeth, her anger rising, "Shut up..." she mumbled but, the voices didn''t stop they continued and got worse, "Shut up..." she said again, the voices intensified, "Shut up...Shut up...", Mayako now had her hands over her ears she looked around and she imagined seeing many people shouting at her and giving her dirty looks, her anger continued to rise, "I''m not weak!", "Yes you are" said a collective of voices, "No!", "Yes", the collection of voices said. She glared at the images of the people shouting at her "I''ll show you!" she growled a fire started to form inside Mayako, the voices continued their onslaught "Shut up.." she said her face growing an almost killer intent, the fire inside her was raging just like her anger was.


    She then happened to glance over at her two siblings, "You''ll never be like them" the voices taunted she looked back to the images of the people "Watch me" she said in a low tone "You''ll never be like them" the voice taunted a second time, that was it something snapped inside Mayako at that moment, "I''ll show you!" she growled suddenly, the fire inside of her burst forth, and she blacked out, she could feal a new surge of power inside of her, and she liked it, it thrilled her, she felt just like when her first tail appeared, full of strength and power, so much power, so much so that she could make all the people that badmouthed her pay.


    "I could show them..." she mumbled "I can show them how strong I am..." she grinned "I should..." evil thoughts flooded her mind of what she could do "I can make them pay..", "I can make them pay for everything" she chuckled a bit, images of her annihilating all those who said anything remotley bad about her. But, when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she suddenly saw her brother, a concerned look on his face "Maya!" he shouted "Nii-san" Mayako mumbled suddenly she seemed to be taken out of another reality, and brought back to the real world.


    Mayako found she was still inside the training realm, but, she had move from where she had been, "Maya!" she her Keishi call Mayako looked and sure enough just like she had seen in the other reality her brother had touched her shoulder and he still had the same concerned look on his face "Nii..Nii-san" she shook her head "What happened?" Yone came up "Why don''t you tell us?" she crossed her arms "What do you mean?" Mayako said with a puzzled look. Keishi and Yone looked between each other "You..don''t remeber what happened?" Keishi asked Mayako shook her head the two looked at each other again.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    "What did happen?" Mayako asked Keishi sighed "Well Maya, you went crazy on us" Mayako gave a confused face "What do you mean?" Yone scoffed "While we were training, you came rushing at us" Mayako looked at her sister "I...What?" Mayako had a puzzled look on her face, "We shouted at you to stop but, you weren''t listening" Yone continued "You started fighting us, you went after Keishi first" Mayako looked at her brother, she went after her own brother, and she didn''t remeber it "Then, you came after me" Yone interjected.


    "Y..You as well" Mayako mumbled "I never thought you''d be such a challange, I thought I would be able to stop you but.." Yone had a displeased look on her face she then huffed and stopped talking "You see Maya, Yone here couldn''t stop you at all", Mayako''s eyes widened she had fought with her sister, a four tails, and she couldn''t do a thing against her. "Serisously, I thought you were going to kill me for a second" Yone complained "It wasn''t until Keishi touched you that you decided to stop" Mayako was confused even more, she had fought both her brother and sister, and she didn''t have any recollection of it. She heard Keishi chuckle "You were amazing Maya" Mayako looked at her brother she wanted to smile at his praise but how could she when she had no memory of what she did Yone sighed "I have to admit, you were pretty good if I say so myself" Mayako''s heart pounded in her chest her brother and sister were praising her yet she felt guilty for accepting it. "What happned.." she wondered to herself she remeberes training with summoning her Foxes Fire, then all the voice and the people shouting at her, calling her names, calling her weak, and among other things and then, nothing, and now her she was, being told she had fought with her brother and sister.


    Just remebering what happned caused her anger to rise, she felt her tails rise in anger, "Wait..." Mayako mumbled "Tails.." she mumbled, she looked behind her, and there were two pitch black tails swirling behind her, "What the.." she said as she watched them coil like snakes. Her brother and sister hadn''t noticed as they were talking about Mayako taking it to Yone "Nii-san..Nee-chan" she called they looked her way "What is it Maya?" her brother asked "Uhm..I think there''s something you should see" she motioned behind her Keishi and Yone exchanged a puzzled look. "What?" they both said "Uhm.. well, does this mean anything" she raised her two black tails into view Keishi and Yone were silent, "Well?" she asked a bit concerned "Maya!" her brother exclaimed "What!?" Mayako gasped "That''s a second tail!" Mayako looked at the twin black tails behind her "A second tail.." her eyes widened "A second tail!!" she exclaimed. Yone had a confused look on her face "But how, you just became a One-tail a few weeks ago!" Mayako gave a puzzled look.


    "Is it really difficult to become a Twin-tail?" she asked Yone furrwoed her brow "It took me several months to become a twin-tail" she grumbled "And you do it in just a week of becoming a one-tail" Mayako couldn''t help but chuckle, was her sister mad that she had done something she couldn''t. Keishi smiled "Well, let me be the first to say, congratulations Maya, for becoming a Twin-tail" he tossled her hair "You brother is really proud of you" he beamed Mayako blushed and smiled back "Thanks nii-san" she looked back at the two tails behind her "I''m a twin-tail now" she grinned happily "Come on, we have to report this do dad" Keishi said placing a hand on her shoulder.


    Mayako nodded, Keishi started walking off and she fallowed behind him and Yone fallowed them as Mayako was walking she felt like she was being watched by something, Mayako looked around she could feel that whatever was looking at her was inside the training realm out of the corner of her eye, Mayako saw it, a huge black nine-tailed fox looking right a her with what looked like a huge grin on it''s face.


    Before Mayako could say or do anything, the nine-tails vanished, and she no longer felt she was being watched at all,"What..was that?" she wondered at that moment an errie sense of dred came over her like something bad, really bad, had started. [Ch.4 END]

 Chapter-5-What you are

    While Mayako and her older siblings had been training inside the training realm her mother and father were sitting in the kitchen an air of seriousness surrounded them, Mayako''s father let out a hefty sigh "So, your saying that we should tell Mayako that she''s, different" her mother sighed with a sad face. "I know, it sounds bad, but, she needs to know what she is" her mother argued her father scratched his chin "I don''t know hun, she might not take it too well" "But still, she should know" her mother interjected her father sighed a second time "I don''t know..". At that moment the subject of their conversation walked into the kitchen which made the two of them stop their talk dry "Hey mom, hey dad" Mayako smiled as she walked over to them her father looked at her with a smile "Hello Mayako, your out earlier then usual" her father had told Mayako not to come out of the training realm until she had been inside for at least three hours.


    Mayako chuckled nervously "Ah, yeah about that, something came up.." she rubbed the back of her head nervously her parents looked between each other confused and puzzled "What happened Mayako?" her father asked "Well.." Mayako hesitated a bit "Mayako, did something bad, happen" Mayako shook her head "No, nothing bad happened!" she shouted she then chuckled nervously. "Okay, if it''s nothing bad then why do you seem so nervous?" Mayako swallowed hard she had tried to not look nervous she let out a groan, leave it to her father to notice, Mayako gave a smile "Mom, Dad, I''ve got something to show you" again her parents exchanged a look her mother smiled "Show us what dear?" Mayako took in a breath.


    "Well, this" she said letting her twin black tails come into view her father practically leapt up from the table "Tw..Twin-tail?!" he had a bit of a smirk on his face Mayako nodded "Is..Is it.." her father approached her "It''s real" her father was speechless he was in awe of his daughter. She had just become a One-tail a week ago and now her she was sporting two tails "How...When did this happen?" he wanted details, he needed to know how something like this was possible "Well,.." Mayako relayed her story from inside the training realm, she made sure to leave out the whole fighting and almost beating the crap out of her older sister part. After hearing her story Mayako''s father touched his chin and gave an affirmative ''Hmm..'' fallowed by an ''I see..'' he was now deep in thought until the sound of his wife clearing her throat got his attention, she had a serious look on her face "What?" she groaned "Tell her" her husband stood and eyes her.


    For a third time he sighed, "Okay, you win I''ll tell her" Mayako overhearing their conversation was curious, "Tell me what?" she looked at her mother, and then to her father with a puzzled look on her face, then Mayako had a small inkling of what was going on "Are...You hiding something from me?". A groan came from her father "Mayako,.." her father hesitated, he didn''t want to tell Mayako what he was about to tell her but, he thought it was better she knew now rather then later "It''s about what you are". "What I am?" Mayako was confused, she knew what she was she was a twin-tailed spirit fox, but the look on her fathers face, and the seriousness that hung on his words, she knew her father knew something she didn''t Mayako saw her fathers mouth open and she waited with baited breath, "Mayako, you are a-" at that moment they were interrupted by Keishi and Yone.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere."There you are Maya" her brother said "Nii-san? nee-chan? What are you two doing here?" "Well, we told you to go quick and show mom and dad your second tail and come back" Mayako laughed "Oh yeah, I was but dad was going to-" at that moment her fathers voice erupted "Keishi! Yone! Mayako!" all three siblings stood at attention "Yes sir!" the three of them shouted. It was rare for their father to raise his voice like that, "You two, go back to training" the two older siblings looked at each other confused "Okay, but why?" Yone asked "Just go!" her father shouted "Right!" she responded "Mayako, you stay here we haven''t finished our talk" Mayako nodded "Talk? What do you mean dad?" Keishi interjected "Nii-san?" "Keishi, I told you to go back to training" Keishi growled "Why!?, if you need to talk to Mayako then we can stay her and wait" a low growl came from their father "Did I stutter?".


    Keishi shook, his father had the scariest look on his face, "N... No sir" Keishi made a dejected face "Then do what you were told" Keishi nodded and he began walking out the kitchen Yone stood still a bit in shock her father looked over at her "Eeepp,Wait for me Keishi!" she then ran out the kitchen to catch up with him. Mayako was left, her father looked at her "Phew, can''t believe I had to scare my own kid "He takes after you" his wife commented "Does he now" "Uhm, dad, what is it you want to talk with me about again?" her father cleared his throat "Right, Mayako, what I''m about to tell you does now get let out to nobody, not even your brother and sister, promise?" Mayako was hesitant, what was her dad about to tell her, and why was it so secret not even her brother and sister, her own family, couldn''t know.


    "Mayako!" her father yelled "Yes sir! I promise!" "Alright, now, this may come to a shock to you but.." her father took a breath "Mayako, your not a normal fox spirit" Mayako laughed nervously "What do you mean dad? of course I am!" was her father messing with her? was he saying something like this because he knew she was thinking about it her father shook her head "No, Mayako your not" Mayako chuckled "Come on dad that wasn''t funny the first time". Her father sighed "Mayako.." Mayako was shaking, she didn''t want to hear it, she didn''t want to hear that she was different, "I''m...I''m a fox spirit..I''m..I''m.." all at once realization came to Mayako, she had know from the beginning that she was different, when she looked at how her brother and sister looked, and then back at herself she knew without a doubt, that she was different from them.


    She wanted to deny it, with all her  might, but with her father telling her himself that she was different she knew, Mayako sighed in defeat, "What..What am I?" Mayako wrapped her arms around herself "Mayako, you are a demon fox spirit" a long pause filled the air after those words, Mayako stood as if frozen, "I''m..I''m a what?" Mayako spoke softly "A demon fox spirit" her father repeated. "Demon fox spirit" that name rang through Mayako''s head "Are you sure?" her father nodded "Yes, of that I''m certain, your form, and those tails, you could be nothing else but" Mayako felt like a huge wave had crushed her she felt her father place a hand on her shoulder "Let me tell you more about what you are" Mayako looked at her father, she wanted to know more about herself, what she could do as a demon fox spirit so, she nodded "Okay, tell me everything, tell me all about what I am". [Chapter 5 END]

 Chapter 6- A Deal With Darkness

    Mayako tossed a huge ball of foxes fire, it careened down a straight line of the training realm after a while it slowly started to disipate until it fully vanished,Mayako redied another huge ball of fire, she was training but her mind was somewhere else. Her thoughts were focusing on what she and her father had talked about, about what she was,and what she could become Mayako mulled over it she then started to picture the exact scene that occured it was after she had told her father she was ready to learn what it is she was, her father gave a grin and told her to take a seat at the kitchen table.


    Her father cleared his throat as he sat down across from her "Now, as I told you, your not a normal fox spirit, you are in fact a demon fox spirit" he began Mayako gave a nod "So, what does that mean for me exactly?" Mayako gave a questioning look her father sighed, "Well, let me begin with what a demon spirit fox is" he crossed his arms "A demon fox spirit is a variasion of fox spirit" Mayako nodded "Unlike a normal fox spirit, which takes many years of hard training to become stronger, a demon fox spirit can become stronger much quicker".


    "A demon fox will take half the time it takes a regular spirit fox to become powerful" Mayako stayed quiet as her father continued "That is why Demon Fox Spirits are feared more then regular fox spirits" Mayako shuddered "F-Feared.." her father nodded "Yes, because they can become so strong so quickly most other demons and monsters fear them" Mayako looked down "And, I''m one of them..". Her father groaned "Listen Maya, you must not think of yourself as some monster" Mayako looked up at her father, "You are still my daughter, you are of the Matsuyama family, and nothing will change that" Mayako nodded with a smile "Thank you". Her father grinned then his serious face returned, "Listen Maya, it''s been a very long time since a demon spirit fox appeared" Mayako raised an eyebrow "What do you mean?" her father groaned "You see, only one demon fox is born each year,recently, one hasn''t been born" he then looked hard at Mayako''s black twin tails "Until now".


    Mayako cocked her head to the side, "So, I''m some kind of rare thing then?" her father nodded "The last demon fox was born ten years ago" he looked at Mayako "But now, after ten years you, a demon fox, has been born" Mayako sat still for a bit trying to let the information sink in then a thought dawned on her, "Is..is that why it took so long for my tails to appear?" her father held his chin "I guess that could be why" he started stroking his chin "I believe that the appearance of a demon foxes tails is different from that of a regular fox spirits". Then a thought came to his mind, "Maya, what happened when your first tail appeared?" Mayako thought back to when her first tail had appeared, "Well, I was on my way to school like usual" she frowned "That''s when the Yumiya brothers showed up" her father gave a moan "I see go on" Mayako nodded.


    "Well, they started teasing me like they usally do" Mayako remebered how the Yumiya brother had started taunting her, waving their tails in her face, and making fun of her tailessness Mayako started to become angry just remebering it, her tails started to shift about behind her "The teased me, they laughed at me, I wanted to fight them" Mayako frowned "But, at the time I knew that I would be no match for them" Mayako gritted her teeth her tails started to move more vigorously, "I started getting angry, I was mad at myself for being so weak, I was mad at them for teasing me, I was mad at the others who ridiculed me" Mayako clenched her hands. Her tails started to make loud swishing noises, her anger was rising as well, "I wanted to get back at them, I wanted to make them apologize" Mayako bit into her lip "My anger towards them rose, a felt a burning inside of me as well" Mayako paused for a second then she continued.


    "Then, as the burning feeling exploded from me, I black out" Mayako looked back to ground, "I felt amazing, like I was really powerful" a small smirk appeared on her face "Like I could make everyone that made fun of me pay" Mayako saw her refeletion in the table top and she frowned,she then cleared her throat and continued "After I came to, I saw the younger Yumiya brother out cold on the ground, and then above me" Mayako stopped herself she remebered the image in her mind. "I saw the older Yumiya brother, I saw a black object around his neck" her face darkened "It was chocking him, that''s when I saw that it was my tail" Mayako took in a breath "At first, I like it, seeing him held above me, then when I came to my senses I realized I was killing him".


    "I got scared, I dropped him, and then I ran" Mayako gritted her teeth again "I didn''t even bother to check if the younger brother was okay" Mayako''s nails dug into the palm of her hand as she tightened her fists "I just wanted to get away from there" Mayako sighed "And that''s when Yone-neesan found me at school" she looked to her father "And you know the rest" her father had his eyes closed and his arms crossed, he gave a affitmative moan and nod, "I see". He seemed to be in thought, "Dad?" Mayako said with a concerned tone "Mayako, do you not notice a pattern from your story?" Mayako gave a confused look her father sighed "Think, what is the one key thing in your story?" Mayako thought and soon she came to an answer. A surprised look appeared on her face "Anger..." she mumbled her father nodded, "Exactly, anger, it was the key to your tail manifesting".


    "It would seem, when your anger reaches a certain point, another tail will grow" a sudden realization came to Mayako "Th..the same thing happened in the training realm, I got really angry, then I had my second tail" her father gave another affrimative moan "I see, Mayako" her father said in a firm voice Mayako winced, "Yes?" her father looked at her with a seriousness in his eyes "Please refrain from getting too angry" Mayako gave a confused look "Why?" her father sighed "I think that if you keep growing tails so quickly, you won''t be able to contol yourself" her fathers words got to Mayako "I see" her father sighed again "I don''t want you to hurt yourself, or other for that matter". Her father took in a breath, "If someone found out you were a demon fox, and they informed the Elder Council.." Mayako shuddered the Elder Council, that was the organization that was made from the most strongest,oldest, and wisest of each monster clan. Mayako swallowed hard "If the Elder Coucnil learn I''m a demon fox, what will happen to me?" her father gurmbled "If the Elder Council finds out, they will want to have you, killed" the last word her father spoke felt like a stab in the chest "Killed, they''d want me killed" she started to hyperventilate.


    "Maya, calm down, don''t worry" her father rubbed her clenched hand Mayako looked at his smiling face, she started to relax she started to breath normally "Wh..Why would they want me killed?" her father had a sad look on his face "A demon fox is seen a really big threat to the world, as I said a demon fox can become strong fairly quickly, and if it could control all that imense power, the Elder Coucnil would fear that it would cause trouble" her father gritted his teeth "That''s why whenever a demon fox is born, and is discovered,they''d immediatley be killed, so that they wouldn''t become a problem" Mayako''s eyes widened. For the first time in her life, Mayako was glad she wasn''t born with a tail, if she had been born with her tail, she wouldn''t be sitting across from her father,and Yone and Keishi wouldn''t be her older brother and sister "So, what am I going to do?" Mayako whimpered.


    "Well, we''re lucky that no one has noticed that your a demon fox yet" her father sighed in relief "But, from now on, you have to be careful, especially around, your brother and sister" Mayako felt her heart twist "Wh..Why?Nii-san and Nee-chan wouldn''t.." her father shook his head and stopped her, "We don''t know that Maya, they may be your siblings but, you can''t be so sure" Mayako''s heart twisted again "I know, it''s hard to hear something like this, but, I just want to make sure your safe" her fathers eyes had a serious and firey look in them "I won''t let anything happen to my daughter". Mayako looked at her father with teary eyes, "You hear what I''m saying?" Mayako nodded "Yes,I understand" she wiped her eyes "I''ll be careful.." her father smiled "Good" silence came, until Mayako broke it "Is there anything else?".


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    "Yes, I want you to train double what you have been already" Mayako gasped "Double?! Why!?" her father grumbled "You need to become stronger, you need to have the ability to control the imense power that you will come to posses" her father gave a serious look, "You need to make sure you won''t lose yourself to your own power" Mayako let her fathers words sink in, she then nodded "Okay, I get it" her father smirked "Good, then I suggest you get to it" Mayako nodded "Alright" she then got up from the table and headed back to the training realm. Mayako launched her second huge ball of fire, it did the same as her first, it had been several hours since her talk with her father, now Mayako had gotten busy with her training, she decided that making huge balls of foxes fire would help her learn to control huge amounts of spiritual power, she could feal it was working as the second huge fire ball didn''t take as much time as the first. But, using so much power again and again took it''s toll on her as she panted, sweat dripped down her face "Th-This is hard" she huffed "This is going to take forever.." her fathers words came to her "You need to become stronger, you need to have the ability to control the imense power that you will come to posses" Mayako groaned.


    "Easier said then done" Mayako felt someone was coming towards her, she looked and she saw Keishi, he had a smile on his face "Hey Maya" Mayako nodded "Hi nii-san" Mayako still remebered what her father had said about her brother and sister, it made her a bit waery of them both "I see your training hard" he commented Mayako nodded "You can tell?" Keishi nodded "I can feal your spiritual energy from fifty yards away, I normally don''t" Mayako laughed "I see". "Why are you putting out so much energy?" Mayako started to get nervous "N..No reason" Keishi sighed "Maya, you wouldn''t be putting out so much energy for nothing" Mayako''s heart started to pound. "I told you it''s nothing" Mayako looked away "Maya, if you keep putting out so much energy repeatedly like that, your going to hurt yourself" Mayako looked at her brother he had a very concerned look on his face "Nii..Nii-san" she mumbled "Come on, tell me whats the matter?" Mayako wanted to tell Keishi what was going on,and why she had to train like she was, but, her fathers words swam in her head "It''s nothing, don''t worry about it" Mayako turned away.


    "Maya!" Keishi yelled Mayako spu around, an angry look on her face, "I said it was nothing! Now leave me the hell alone would you!" unconsiously, her second tail came out from behind her,and it went for Keishi, Keishi threw his arms up in front of him as he blocked Mayako''s tail a dull thud echoed in the training realm Kesihi slid back a bit from the impact. Keishi lowered his arms,and looked at his little sister, a look of shock and disbelief on her face, "Maya.." Mayako had an angry look in her eyes the then started to soften when she realized what she had done "I''m sorry, nii-san, just please, leave me alone, don''t bother me ever again" Mayako felt her heart turn she didn''t mean what was coming out her mouth, and the hurt look on her older brothers face made it harder for her to keep her facade. She then lowered her head, so she wouldn''t see his face, she then walked right passed him, and went deeper into the training realm, she heard a low "Maya.." come from her brother still, she did not turn or look back. She was so focused on walking and not looking back she hadn''t noticed that she was passing by Yone who spotted her.


    "Hey Maya, why are you coming so far out?" Yone called Mayako didn''t look her way, she just kept walking further into the training realm Yone shouted "Hey! Mayako! Answer me!" Mayako kept walking, it was like she made as if she didn''t hear her "Mayako!!" Yone yelled, that didn''t stop Mayako as she kept going further in, Yone growled "That brat.." she started to stomp angrily towards Mayako and give her a piece of her mind until, she felt a hand on her shoulder, she looked and it was Keishi "Nii-chan" Keishi shook his head "Don''t go after her Yone" Keishi had a concerned and sad look on his face, Yone gave a confused and concerned look "Why?". "I don''t know, she''s acting different, she just got back after talking with dad" Yone looked to where she saw Mayako walking but, she didn''t see her she then looked back at Keishi, "What do you think they talked about?" Keishi shook his head he had the same question but he had no answer "I don''t know" Yone looked back to where she had seen Mayako.


    "What''s happening to our little sister?" Yone said to herself, deeper inside the training realm, Mayako had stopped walking, she felt like she had walked far enough "I''m sorry,I can''t let you know.." she mumbled Mayako took in a breath, she slapped the sides of her cheeks "Enough moping!" she then got serious "Time to get stronger" she then continued with what she had started. After many hours passed, Mayako was now throwing three large balls of fire she panted like crazy as she let loose her fifth baragge "Th..Thi..This is..Working.." she huffed, she could feal that she was getting stonger with each passing minuet but, the speed at which it was happening was what she wasn''t happy about "I need to get stronger quicker" she panted "I need to get stonger much faster" she panted again. It was then, she felt she was being watched, she could sense that something was lookng right at her, Mayako frantically began to look around, she saw nothing but black, then in the blackness she saw something.


    She focused her eyes, and she could make out two small bright red orbs, "What is that?" she asked herself she focused more it was then she realized that the orbs were a pair of eyes then she saw a huge white fange mouth smile, Mayako shuddered as she realized what she was looking at it was a giant fox, and not only that Mayako recognized it right away as the one she had seen when her second tail appeared. It was jet black, it''s pericing red eyes were locked on Mayako, and behind it nine black tails swirled "Wh..What..Who are you?" Mayako trembled the black fox chuckled "It''s nice to see you again young demon fox" Mayako''s eyes widened "Oh, don''t worry, I''m not going to hurt one of my own kind" Mayako''s heart pounded "One of your own kind.." suddenly it clicked in her head. The fox in front of her wasn''t a normal one, "Your, a demon fox" the Demon Fox chuckled "Yes child, you and me are the same thing" Mayako couldn''t believe it, in front of her was a nine-tailed demon fox, "What, what do you want with me?" the Demon Fox chuckled "I want to help you young demon fox" Mayako gave a puzzled look.


    "Help me, why would you do that?" the Demon Fox grinned "Because, I heard you saying you wished to become stronger faster" Mayako''s body jolted, just how long had this Demon Fox been listening and watching her? "You want to help me get stronger?" the Demon Fox chuckled "Of course child" it smiled wide "Why?" the Demon Fox sighed "Your that apprehensive about trusting me?" it sighed again "Fine, If I told you it was because I wanted to help one of my kind" it smirked. It saw Mayako''s eyes show some intrest, "Would you turst me then?" Mayako thought a bit, she could tell from just standing in front of this nine tailed demon fox that it was very strong, if she would let this Demon Fox help her she could get stronger much quicker then she was. She mulled it over for a while longer, "Well, what is your answer?" Mayako took in a breath,she looked at the Demon Fox with a serious look "Okay, I''ll trust you" the Demon Fox smiled "Good".


    Mayako held her hand to it, "On the condition that you help me to become stronger very quickly" the Demon Fox grinned and chuckled "Don''t you worry child, I''ll make you stronger then you couldn''t imagine in just a few days" Mayako smirked she liked the sound of that "Alright, then, show me how I get stronger" the Demon Fox chuckled "As you wish" a thought then came to Mayako''s mind, "What''s you name?" the Demon Fox chuckled "My name, is Kurookami" "Kurookami" Mayako repeated the demon foxes name "I look forward to working with you" Mayako bowed "I as well" Kurookami laughed. Deep inside her mind, as she looked at the huge smile on Kurookami''s face, Mayako couldn''t help but feal like she made a deal with the devil himself. [Ch.6 END]

 Chapter 7- Pursuit of Strength

    Mayako panted hard, sweat dripped down her face she felt like she was about to keel over and die on the spot, she had her hands on her kness which was heling her not to fall right on her face she then heard a low chuckle, she peered up and saw Kurookami grinning at her "Don''t tell me your exsaughsted after only a few minutes" he gave another chuckle Mayako scowled "No,I''m good" she then straightened herself and took in a deep breath and exhaled "I''m ready to continue". Kurookami chuckled "Good" Mayako had been training with the giant black nine tailed fox for three weeks after he had shown himself to her and proposed to teach her and allow her to become stronger in a short amount of time but, she wasn''t expecting the training to be so regorose and tough. But, Mayako had to grin and bare it, if she wanted to get stronger in order to avoid losing control of her own power "Now, do what you just did once more" came the black foxes low toned voice Mayako nodded she closed her eyes, she put her hand a few inches apart in front of her and began channaling energy into the center.


    "Consintrate, let the energy gather in the center of both your palms" came Kurookami''s insturctions Mayako did as she was told she focused her mind, Kurookami told her to focus on the energy she was putting out, to order it to go where she told it to, "Go, go to where I tell you" she mumbled she could feel the energy bending to her, in fallowed her orders and soon, she felt it start to gather between her extended hands. She heard Kurookami give a satisfied moan, "Good,keep going" Mayako didn''t open her eyes she nodded and kept going like she was instructed she could feel the energy being gathered grow stronger it felt like she was waiting and eternity until she heard Kurookami shout "Now, release it!" Mayako opened her eyes and she raised her hands above her head, she cried out loudly and she threw her arms down and out from them came a torrent of blue flames. "Good, keep the flow going" Kurookai coached Mayako gave a nod she had only been able to keep the flow of fire going for a good two minuets she had to aim for longer, she started pumping more energy out which allowed the flow to keep going "Come on, come on, come on, come on" she repeated Mayako felt a bead a sweat start to come down her face.


    Her body was shouting at her to stop, but she couldn''t she had to keep going, she had to keep the flow going "Not yet, just a little more, bare it please!" she shouted at her body it shouted back, telling her to stop Mayako bit into her lip she wasn''t going to let anything get in the way of her training not even her own body so, she tuned it out. She kept pumping out energy she wanted to see just how far she could go as she did this she glanced at Kurookami who had a huge grin on his face as he watched her she still had no idea why he decided to teach her he had said it was because they were the same but, she felt like there was another reason all together. At that moment she had stopped focusing on what she was doing and no sooner she did that the steady flow she had vanished "Oh no!" she gasped as she saw the torrent of flame vanish from sight "No! No! No! No!" she screamed but it was to late the flow was gone. As she watched the last bit of blue fire burn own she gritted her teeth "Damn!" she then fell to the ground panting and sweating like crazy.


    She heard Kurookami chuckle "That was good, you lasted longer then you have before" Mayako looked up with an exsaughsted smile on her face "Re..Really?" Kurookami nodded "You lasted a few seconds more" Mayako scowled "Only a few seconds" Kurookami chuckled "Is that good enough for you?" Mayko growled "No,I was aiming for longer" Kurookami seemed to smile in surprise "Well now, aren''t we trying to be the little overacheiver" he chuckled. Mayako groaned "Don''t worry young one, you''ll get there eventually and you''ll go even further beyond" Mayako nodded "That is what I want" Kurookami let out a laugh "Great! That''s what I want to hear!" Mayako slowly got to her feet "I''m ready to continue" she gave a labored breath.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Kurookami shook his massive head "No, that''s enough for today young one" Mayako goaned in annoyance "I want to continue" Kurookami sighed "I appreciate the entushiasim but no, you''ll die if you exsuaght all your spirit energy". Mayako lowered her head "Alright" Kurookami sighed a second time "I know you wish to become stronger but, you need to know your own limits" Mayako nodded "I understand" Kurookami gave a affrimative groan "Now, you must go to phase two of your training" Mayako looked up and nodded she then crossed her legs, placed her hands in her lap and closed her eyes and started to breath in and out.


    This, was phase two of her training, Kurookami called it Absorbtion Training, the basics of it was to pull in spirit energy Kurookmi told her that spiritual energy flows all around freely and this training was for her to practice to absorb it to replenish her own he told her it was good for when you were in a pinch and needed more energy. And so, Mayako felt around, sensing all the abundant spiritual energy around her, "Come to me" she said with her mind just like her own spiritual energy Kurookami told her to take command of the free flowling spiritual energy and make it do what she wanted it to do. Slowly, but surely she started to feel the spiritual energy flow into her and began adding it to her own and felt hers slowly start to recover.


    "Now, I want you to increase the absorbtion speed" she heard Kurookami command she nodded and she started to take in the spiritual energy a bit faster and her own started to recover a bit faster "Good" she heard Kurookami comment for several minuets she did this until she heard Kurookami say "Now, I want you to increase the absorbtion amount" Mayako nodded."Okay, give me a bit more now" she whispered she immediatley felt like more energy the before was going into her "Keep the same rate of speed as well" Kurookami commanded Mayako nodded she felt the rush of energy pouring into her all at once.


    It made her body hot, her brother had said once that it was bad to take in too much spiritual energy then you could handel but, she had to do this she had to grin and bare it and so she continued her body felt like it was on fire her spiritual energy itself felt like it was a raging inferno. Mayako started to shudder, her body was behing crushed by the amount of energy she was taking in "Shut up" she mumbled keeping the flow going her body barked back "Silence" she said in a low tone which seemed to make her body go silent. With that her body stopped shuddering and became calm "I have to become stronger, I have to, I can''t stop" Mayako felt that her spiritual energy was fully replenished but she wanted to go beyond that "I want to go further" she mumbled and she started taking in more then her required amount of spiritual energy she asked for more energy,she asked for it to come faster.


    It abided her and in a rush she felt the energy envelope her, the feeling she had was amazing it felt like she was stronger then anything, she like that feeling so much so that unconsioulsy a smirk started to appear on her face."Kid what are you doing!!" she heard Kurookami shout then in a split second she heard nothing, she felt a strange feeling take holed of her, a feeling of, wanting to destroy everything the smirk on her face then turned to a evil grin. [Ch. 7 END]

 Chapter 8- Overflow

    As Yone and Keishi were busy training with each other they suddenly felt a chill go down their spine which stopped them dry "Do..Do you feel that?" Yone looked around a nervous look on her face Keishi nodded, "Yeah, I do, where is it coming from?" he too started looking around as he did a bead of sweat started dripping down his face. Both Yone and Keishi were feeling an extremely powerful spiritual energy and it was making them nervous who and or what could be generating so much spiritual energy the two of them started to cautiously look around. Then out of the corner of his eye Keishi saw something coming towards the two of them he etched closer to Yone and bumped her with his elbow "Get ready, somethings coming" Yone glanced back at him and she nodded she then immediately conjured a foxes fire and waited Keishi did as well the two of them were ready to face whatever was coming their way.


    As the huge source of energy was getting closer the tension in the training realm was high Yone swallowed hard she like Keishi was also sweating it wasn''t every day that they felt such strong spiritual energy slowly the huge swell of energy kept coming closer Keishi and Yone were ready for a fight. It was then at that time a figure could be seen it was walking right towards them it''s arms were swaying side to side Keishi could make out a wide evil grin on the figures face "Get ready" he whispered Yone nodded as she looked at the figure coming towards them. As it got closer and closer features could be made out as Keishi studied them he soon realized something, he couldn''t believe it at first he blinked his eyes twice just to make sure he wasn''t seeing things "It can''t be.." Yone looked back at him with a puzzled look "What is it?"


    Keishi said nothing Yone growled "Keishi! What is it already?!" Keishi''s eyes were wide as he figured out who the figure coming towards them was "Ma..Maya.." Yone''s eyes grew wide "What, Mayako?!" she looked at the figure really good as soon as she did she gasped "It..it is her" Yone couldn''t believe it was the huge spiritual energy they were sensing actually coming from her little sister. "There''s no way" she had a baffled look on her face there was no possible way that her little sister was putting out the spiritual energy that she and Keishi were feeling "No, Yone look, it ''s her, without a doubt it''s our little sis" Yone looked back at Keishi then back at Mayako. At that moment both Keishi and Yone relaxed and both sighed in relief they were both thinking that some powerful enemy was coming their way Yone made her foxes fire disappear as did Keishi the both split apart. "Wow, she''s really putting out a lot" Keishi commented Yone nodded "Yeah, you can say that again" Yone smiled "She must be training really hard to put that much spiritual energy out" Keishi smiled and nodded "Yeah, she sure is" Keishi then raised his arm "Hey! Maya you''ve been training really hard haven''t you" he grinned but Mayako didn''t show no reaction to him.


    "What''s the matter with her?" Keishi shrugged "Don''t know?" he then put his hands to his mouth "Hey! Maya! Can you hear me?" Mayako again showed no reaction this started to get Keishi concerned as well as Yone "Hey, sis, is everything okay?" it was then Yone made the mistake of taking a step forward. It was then Mayako vanished Keishi and Yone jumped in surprise "Where''d she go-" Yone was cut off before she could finish as Mayako appeared right in front of her like a ghost which caused Yone to jump back "What the heck was that about!" she shouted. Then unexpectedly, Mayako''s tail came up from behind her and it swung at Yone who had no time to guard herself and was sent flying to the ground it hurt when she made contact with the ground she sat up and glared at Mayako "What the hell was that for?!".


    Mayako didn''t answer "Mayako?" Yone said in a worried tone a low growl came from Mayako which made Yone''s body go cold "Mayako?" she called it was then she took notice of Mayako''s face her face showed a bit of shock and concern "What the hell?" Yone mumbled to herself as she saw that Mayako''s eyes were gone, only the whites of her eyes were there and not only that they were glowing brightly. Keishi could see the look on Yone''s face, "Keishi, there''s something wrong with her" Keishi gasped "What do you mean?" Yone looked at him "Her..her eyes..are completely white.." Keishi looked at Mayako "Maya.." his concern then grew "Maya! What''s wrong with you!?" he then took a step forward. Like with Yone Mayako vanished and reappeared in front of Keishi where he could clearly see her face and finally saw what Yone was talking about his eyes went wide in shock "Maya.." he mumbled before he had Mayako''s tail slam into him and send him flying to the ground.


    Keishi was able to stop himself from impacting the ground by catching himself he then stared at Mayako "Maya..what''s happened to you?" another low growl came from Mayako which made Keishi''s bones shake and his skin go cold and the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, he couldn''t believe he was looking at his younger sister he couldn''t believe that she had just struck him without remorse his arm where Mayako''s tail impacted was throbbing. He scowled "Somethings wrong with her" Yone gave a confirming nod having come to the same conclusion "But, what is the mystery here" Keishi nodded "You could say that again" Keishi bit into his lip he needed to figure out what was causing Mayako to act like she was. In that second he remembered something his father had told him long ago, it was when his father was teaching him about the effects of spiritual energy he told Keishi that when someone absorbed more spiritual energy then they could handle something called an Spiritual Overflow would occur and the person would lose all sense of self and be engulfed by the spiritual power.


    His father even said that someone suffering from a Spiritual Overflow would attack anything and anyone regardless of connection that''s when it clicked in his head, it started with sensing the huge concentration of spiritual energy, then it was found that it was coming from Mayako, and now here she was having just struck her older brother and sister he had it, he knew what was wrong wit Mayako. Keishi looked towards Yone "Yone!" he shouted Yone looked at him "What?" Keishi gave a grin "I''ve figured out what''s wrong with Maya" Yone''s face lit up "Really!? What''s wrong with her!?" Keishi looked at Mayako "Dad told me about it, she''s suffering from a Spiritual Overflow" Yone gave a  confused look "Spiritual Overflow?" Keishi nodded "It''s a condition that happens when someone absorbs more spiritual energy then they can handle". Yone gave a understanding nod "So, what do we do?" Keishi sighed "Dad told me, the only way to alleviate someone of a Spiritual Overflow, you have to make them expend their spiritual energy" Yone''s eyes went wide "You mean we?" Keishi nodded "We have to fight Maya, until her spiritual energy had gone down to a manageable amount" something that Keishi wasn''t to fond of.


    Neither was Yone "We have to fight our little sister!?" Keishi sighed and nodded "It seems we do" Yone growled "Isn''t there some other way!?" Keishi shook his head "If we don''t, and she gets out of here, someone will.." Keishi paused "Someone will what?" Yone asked with a concerned look "Someone..will attempt to kill her" Yone''s eyes went wide "We have no other choice" Yone gritted her teeth she looked at Mayako "Sorry for this" she the  got off the ground seeing that Yone was ready to go through with what they were about to do he to stood up. "Alright, let''s do this Yone" Yone gave a nod and she conjured a foxes fire as did Keishi "Let''s no rough her up too much" Yone nodded she and Keishi kept their eyes on Mayako she just stood in place letting small growls escape her mouth. It was Keishi who took the initiative, he ran at Mayako who looked his way "Sorry about this Maya!" he then made his foxes fire envelop his fist and he threw a punch which was caught by Mayako''s tail and he was then tossed into the air and Mayako''s second tail came up at him he was able to dodge out of the way and land back on his feet.


    He took in a breath "That was close" Mayako was now focused on him she had a grin on her face "This may be harder then I thought" Mayako the vanished from sight Keishi quickly went into battle mode he started feeling for Mayako''s spiritual energy "Where will she come from" he said to himself as he scanned around he then felt her coming from behind he wheeled around and pulled his fist back but, she had already vanished again "What?!" Keishi shouted in surprise he then felt something impact him he looked and saw Mayako on his left and her two tails had slammed into him. He tumbled to the ground he got his footing back he then noticed Mayako was gone again "Where''s she go?" he searched around it was then she came up behind him ready to slam her tails into his back but before her attack could make contact Yone came rushing in and tossed a concentrated burst of foxes fire. Mayako jumped back and the foxes fire sailed into the distance Keishi then turned around "Thanks Yone" Yone nodded "Don''t let your guard down!" she joined Keishi''s side "Man, out little sister is something else wouldn''t you say?" Keishi smirked Yone chuckled and smirked back "Yeah, it''s kind of scary" Keishi and Yone then stopped talking and started to focus they had to figure out where Mayako was going to come from next.


    They then saw her coming straight at them, "Get ready, here she comes!" Yone nodded and got ready when Mayako got close Keishi threw a punch and Yone fired a foxes fire Mayako twirled she dodged the foxes fire from Yone and then she wheeled around and deflected Keishi''s punch with a kick Keishi jumped back and Yone got some distance, "Man, she sure hits hard" Keishi commended as he felt his arm throb. He then figured going at her alone wasn''t going to work, "Yone! Let''s work together" Yone glanced at him and nodded "Ready when you are" Keishi nodded the two of them rushed at Mayako, Keishi started throwing punch after punch which Mayako kept dodging that''s when Yone started to fire foxes fire after foxes fire. She was aiming where Mayako would be when she dodged Keishi''s punches at first Mayako was dodging both attacks but, when Keishi started throwing faster punches Mayako had a hard time of dodging them she narrowly avoided two foxes fires and narrowly avoided getting hit in the face by Keishi it was the she started to feel cornered it was then she decided to go full out.


    She put her arms out, Keishi raised an eyebrow but he kept attacking Mayako kept her arms outstretched as she kept dodging she then quickly gathered spiritual energy between her palms she sent a great amount into it and soon it was ready she then had a huge grin on her face which made Keishi sense danger he the started to back off Mayako but, before he was a good inch away Mayako let loose the torrent of foxes fire at him. Keishi gasped in surprise as the almost beam like foxes fire knocked into him, he threw his arms up to shield himself but the torrent of fire was pushing him back he was then engulfed by it he groaned in pain as the flames surrounded him. After a while the torrent of fire stopped smoke flowed off of Keishi his clothes were singed a bit on the ground a few small fires were left on the ground from the torrent Yone ran up to him "Keishi! You okay?" Keishi looked over at her "Yeah, barely" Keishi put his arms down Yone looked at Mayako "What the heck was that?" Keishi looked at Yone and shrugged as he had no idea himself. He looked at Mayako "I don''t know, but, if that attack was a few times more powerful, I''d be dead right now" Yone gasped "Where and when did she learn to do that?" Keishi shook his head "No idea" now Keishi was curious, where did Mayako learn an attack like that, but he didn''t have the time to worry about that as Mayako set her eyes on both of them.


    "Ready for round two?" he joked Yone sighed and grinned "I guess, lets get this over with" with that Mayako rushed at the both of them and the battle resume, while this was going on in Mayako''s mind, Mayako''s subconscious was floating around in the dark void that was her mind her eyes fluttered open "Wha...Where am I?" she looked around seeing nothing more then darkness. "Your finally awake kid?" came a familiar voice "Kurookami.." she looked around "Where are you? What''s going on?" Kurookami sighed "Calm down young one" Mayako calmed herself "Better?" Mayako nodded "Good, now, as to what''s happened" suddenly a flash of light shone through the darkness almost blinding Mayako "Wha?" she then looked and saw something akin to a screen. She then started to see an image, as it got clearer her eyes went wide and she gasped as the image filled her eyes she couldn''t believe what she was seeing "This..That..can''t be.." what she was seeing was herself, her older sister, and her older brother and the three of them were, fighting. Mayako floated to the screen and placed her hands on it as she watched the events unfold on it "What? Why? Why is this happening? Why am I fight nee-chan and nii-san?".


    She heard Kurookami sigh "Calm down, I''ll explain it to you" Mayako nodded "You see, you absorbed too much spiritual energy during absorption training" Mayako seemed to be surprised like she had no idea she had done such a thing "I did?" Kurookami gave a affirmative ''hm'' "Is..is that why I''m fight nee-chan and nii-san?" Kurookami sighed "Yes, you are currently suffering from what is know as, Spiritual Overflow" Mayako gave a confused look. "Spiritual Overflow? What''s that?" Kurookami grumbled angrily "Do I have to tell you everything" he sighed "Basically, it''s an affliction that is the result of taking in more spiritual energy then one can handle" Mayako looked at herself in the screen as she fought with her brother and sister. She took note of the huge grin on her face, like she was enjoying herself, a little too much she frowned "Don''t be too hard on yourself kid" Mayako couldn''t believe that she was watching herself, that the her she was looking at was so different from her she sat and watched as the her on the screen fought with her brother and sister.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    She could tell that the three of them had been going at it for quite a while as both her older sibling clothes were messed up, they were torn and had dirt and smudges all over them, she then noticed the bruises and dirt on her''s and her siblings face and the sweat dripping from their face "How much longer do we have to keep this up?" Yone shouted as she dodged out of the way of Mayako''s kick. "We have to make her expend her spiritual energy until she goes back to normal!" Keishi shouted back as he avoided a huge ball of foxes fire Mayako threw his way "That''s getting to be harder then we think!" Yone argued "She''s barely used her spiritual energy at all!". Keishi bit his lip, it was true all the while they had been fighting Mayako had only used her spiritual energy twice first with that huge torrent of flames she had hit him with and the huge ball of it that she had just tossed at him she had them on the ropes using just her own strength "We have to get Maya back to normal!" Yone gritted her teeth "I know! She''s just making it extremely impossible right now!" it was then Yone was struck by Mayako''s tail and sent flying back "Nee-chan!!" Mayako shouted in shock.


    Mayako felt tears come down her face as she watched her older sister stagger up off the ground "Nee-chan.." she mumbled then Mayako saw herself go after Keishi "Nii-san!!" she shouted having no idea that neither her sister nor her brother could hear her so she had to watched as she saw herself land multiple kicks on her brother forcing him back. A kick then connected with the side if his head and sent him careening to the ground he quickly jumped back up "Nii-san.." Mayako whimpered she didn''t like what she was seeing one bit watching herself beat up on her older brother and sister two people whom she cared a great deal for. She watched as her older siblings dodged her attacks, some connected and each time one did Mayako felt the pain as well she couldn''t help but cry as she watched the display "Stop.." she whimpered as she saw Yone fly to the ground once more and get right back up "Stop.." she cried as she saw Keishi get slammed in the abdomen with her tail crumbling to the ground but getting right back up holding his stomach.


    "Stop.." she cried again and again, tears flowed down her face like a waterfall as she watched the damage she was causing her older siblings "STOP!!" she shouted at that moment she saw something happen in a split second, she saw herself stop, "What?" she saw that Keishi and Yone were also surprised and they took the chance to attack her. But, as quickly as her body had stopped it started moving again and she punted Yone away and slammed Keishi to the ground with her tail "What was that?" she asked out loud "That, was your doing" Mayako gasped "I did that!?" Kurookami groaned "It''s your body, you tell it what to do" it took a few seconds for what Kurookami was telling her to click in her head. When it did her face brightened up "You mean I have to command my body like the spiritual energy!" a chuckled came from Kurookami "Exactly, now, command your body!" Mayako wiped her eyes clear and psyched herself up "Right!" then a sudden thought came to mind "How do I do that?" she heard and exasperated gasp come from Kurookami "Reconnect with your body! Get it back under your control!" she shuddered at Kurookami''s shouting Mayako nodded "Here goes!" she then started to focus.


    "Alright body, now your going to start listening to me!" she sat there for several minuets and yet nothing happened she just watched as her brother and sister were still getting beat on "Why isn''t it working!?" she panicked "Didn''t I tell you to calm down!" Kurookami sighed "Your feelings aren''t in it!" Mayako raised an eyebrow "Feelings?". "That''s right, your feelings need to be strong or your body won''t respond to you" Mayako groaned "What do I need to do then!?" Kurokami sighed a second time "Think! Why do you want to control your body!?" Mayako thought she looked at the screen of the battle going on between her and her siblings she saw how hurt and banged up the both of them were. "I..I want to stop my brother and sister from being hurt anymore!" Kurookami gave a affirmative groan "Now, think deeper on that feeling!" Mayako nodded "Stop! Listen to me! Stop hurting nii-san and nee-chan!" Mayako saw no immediate affect but, she kept going "Stop! I told you to stop hurting nii-san and nee-chan!" it was then Mayako slowly felt like she was reconnecting she smiled.


    "Listen to me! Your my body! I do what I tell you! and I''m tell you to.." Mayako took in a deep breath "Stop beating on my brother and sister!!" she shouted. Mayako felt electricity go through her, she felt like she had succeeded she looked at the screen and sure enough her body was at a standstill "I...I did it!" Kurookami chuckled "About time kid, now tell your body to expel the excess spiritual energy" Mayako was confused "How do I do that?" Kurookami grumbled angrily "You know how" it didn''t take long for it to click in Mayako''s head she smirked "Got it" she then closed her eyes "Alright, now listen to me..".


    Outside, Keishi and Yone were panting heavily they were a few inches away from Mayako''s body which was standing still as a statue "What''s going on?" Yone wiped her forehead of sweat "I don''t know" Keishi said with bated breath "Should we attack while she''s like this?" Keishi shook his head "No, lets wait a bit, I think somethings happening" Yone looked to Keishi then back to Mayako "Okay" she then relaxed that''s when they saw Mayako outstretch her arms Yone gasped "That stance, she going to use that attack again!" Yone was about to shoot off when Keishi stopped her. Yone growled angrily at him, "Why are you stopping me she''s going to attack!" Keishi shook his head "No, look closely Yone" Yone raised an eyebrow "Huh?" she looked over at Mayako and saw that she had turned away from them.


    Yone relaxed again, "I think, she''s gotten control over her body" Keishi smiled meanwhile inside her subconscious Mayako was telling her body to collect spiritual energy into the point she designated "More, more, more" she kept telling it to send more energy she felt the more energy she told it to send the more she was expel. When Mayako felt that enough energy was accumulated she shouted "Release!" and outside, the torrent of flames shot out from her hands it was massive, it made her body slowly get pushed back "Keep pumping out more!" she order and her body complied and started sending more energy into the stream of fire to keep it going. "Keep going kid, your almost there!" Mayako nodded and she started shouting and then the torrent of fire became even more massive she could feel it herself, the excess energy was leaving her body "A little more" Mayako thought "Just a bit more!" it seemed like she was doing it for several hours until she heard Kurookami shout "Alright kid your good!" Mayako nodded and she ordered her body to stop. All at once the huge torrent of flames stopped, the smalls fwips of flames snuffed out, Mayako let out a long sigh, "It..It''s done" she panted "Good job kid, next time, don''t absorb more spiritual energy then I tell you" Mayako grinned and chuckled "Right.." at that moment the blackness vanished.


    Mayako found herself back inside her body, she looked down at her hands just to make sure she was in control and it wasn''t an illusion, she even pinched herself to make double sure when she felt the pain on her cheek she smiled "I did it" "Maya!" she heard Keishi shout she turned and looked and saw her battered brother and sister running towards her. "Nii-san, nee-chan" her eyes teared up Keishi was the first one to reach her he gripped her shoulders tightly "Maya are you okay?" he had the most concerned look on his face Mayako smiled and nodded "Yes, I''m fine nii-san" Keishi sighed in relief "Good..". Yone then ran up "It''s good to have you finally back with us" Mayako looked at her sister and nodded with a smile "I''m happy as well nee-chan". Keishi had a smile on his face relieved that Mayako was back to her usual self but his smile turned to a serious look, "Maya, what were you thinking?" Mayako looked at Keishi seeing the serious look on his face she frowned "I''m sorry nii-san.." Keishi groaned "Sorry doesn''t cut it Maya" he crossed his arms.


    Mayako looked down, "How could you do something so reckless?" Mayako looked up "Well, I was training with Kuro-" Mayako slapped her hands over her mouth remembering that Kurookami had said not to tell anybody that he was teaching her if she did he would stop helping her "Maya?" Keishi said Mayako got nervous "Well, uhm..I mean!" she stammered "You said you were training?" Yone interjected Mayako looked at her older sister. She was grateful Yone had said that "Yeah, that''s right, I was training" Mayako then felt like she could role with a story "I was doing absorption training" Keishi and Yone looked at each other and then looked back at her "How did you learn about that?" Mayako froze "Uhm.." she was stuck in a hard place she then came up with a believable scenario "D..Dad told me about it!". Keishi and Yone looked at each other again, "Really?" Mayako was nervous again but she had to go with it Kurookami wasn''t anywhere to be seen but she could tell he was watching her she nodded "Yeah! He told me the basics of it!" Mayako grinned "I asked him before I came to train today" Mayako chuckled nervously Keishi and Yone exchanged glanced.


    Mayako was shaking a bit, she was worried her siblings wouldn''t believe her and grill her on who actually told her about it but, her siblings looked at her with a smile "Alright Maya, we believe you" her brother smiled Mayako sighed in relief "Thank god.." she said to herself that was a bullet in a half she just dodged. "So, continue" Mayako looked at her siblings "Well, while I was doing that, I kind of absorbed more energy then I could handle" Mayako looked at all the bruises and marks that her brother and sister had on them and she frowned "I''m sorry for what I did". Keishi and Yone smiled "It''s alright Maya, were just glad your okay now" Mayako smiled "Nii-san...Nee-chan" Mayako felt like crying she had beaten on her siblings with no remorse yet they were forgiving her "By the way" came Yone''s voice Mayako looked at her sister "What?" Yone crossed her arms "That attack" Mayako let out a small ''Eeep'' "What about it?" she grinned nervously. "Where did you learn something like that?" Mayako froze again "Uhm..Well I.." Yone was expecting an answer she had to lie again "I came up with it myself" a smiled formed in the corner of Yone''s mouth "Really? That''s amazing Mayako, that attack is really powerful" Keishi nodded in agreement having been hit by it "How does it work?" Mayako looked at her brother who had a smile on his face.


    Mayako was ecstatic her brother and sister were asking about something she did, she smiled brightly "Well, I tell my spiritual energy to go to the gathering point" she started she then extended her arms she indicated the center where her hands were separated "I tell it to gather there" her brother and sister nodded listening intently "Then, once I''ve gather enough energy, I release it" Mayako smiled "That''s really incredible Maya, to gather so much spiritual energy into one single point" Mayako laughed happily a bit honored by the praise. "I can even make the torrent of flames go one longer by sending out more spiritual energy" Yone gave a amazed smile "How long can you keep it going?" Mayako smiled "I can keep it going for two whole minutes" Keishi and Yone gasped in surprise "You can keep that attack going for two whole minuets!" Mayako nodded. Keishi chuckled "That''s pretty impressive Maya" Mayako nodded happily "Yeah, I don''t think I could accomplish something like that" Mayako''s heart pounded at her sisters words "Thanks, nii-san, nee-chan, it makes me happy that you-" it was at that moment that Mayako felt her body go heavy "Maya?" Keishi said with a concerned tone.


    "Nii-san..Nee-chan...I feel-" before Mayako could finish her sentence she fell to the ground, she was out cold "Mayako!" both her siblings shouted as they ran over to her.[Ch. 8 END]

 Chapter 9- Unrivaled Rage

    Mayako''s eyes slowly creeked open, when the light came into her eyes it stung for a bit she groaned she blinked her eyes to make the stinging go away she then slowly started to move she groaned as she slowly rose up she rubbed her right eye and then gave a big stretch, she yawned it took her a while to focus on her surroundings when she did she noticed she was in her room. She looked around confused as she remebered last she was inside the training realm right after she had succumbed to her Spiritual Overflow "Why am I in my room?" she then looked around just then she heard footsteps coming up the stairs to her room. She looked to her door as it slowly opened and in stepped Keishi when he saw Mayako sitting up in her bed he cracked a smile "Hey Maya, how you feeling?" he walked over to her bed "I''m fine nii-san" Mayako smiled which inturn made Keishi smile.


    "That''s good" he had a look of relief on his face, Mayako was curious "Nii-san, did something happen?" Keishi sighed "Yeah, you could say that" Mayako was even more curious "Why am I in bed?" Keishi smiled "Well, you kinda passed out" Mayako''s eyes went wide "What do you mean I passed out!?" Keishi sighed "Dad said, it was from you expelling so much spiritual energy at once" Mayako went rigged "You told dad?" Keishi had a concerned look on his face "Yeah, should I have not?". Mayako, seeing the concern on her brothers face shook her head "No, it''s okay" Keishi''s concerned face turned to a smile "So, how long was I out?" an unsure hum came from Keishi "Nii-san?" Mayako saw the look on her brothers face it was like he didn''t want to say anything "How long was I out?" Keishi sighed defeatedly "F..Five weeks" Keishi rubbed the back of his head.


    It took some time for her brother words to register in her mind but when the did, Mayako exploded "Five weeks!?" she practically jumped out of her bed, Keishi grinned and nodded "I''ve been out for five weeks!" Keishi chuckled "I''m really glad your better" Mayako looked at her brother he had the brightest smile on his face. It even made Mayako blush, "Nii-san.." Mayako shook her head then a though occured in her head "Nii-san,what''s today?" Keishi raised an eyebrow "It''s tuesday why?" Mayako''s eyes went wide for a second time "I''ve gotta get to school!" she then lept out her bed and started rummaging for her unifrom. Her brother gave an unsure sigh "I don''t know Maya, are you sure you should go to school?" Mayako was too busy searching for her uniform skirt to pay attention to what her brother was saying Keishi sighed "I mean, you''ve just woken up after experiencing a Spiritual Overflow" Keishi rubbed the back of his head "Shouldn''t you take it easy for a while?".


    Mayako gurmbled, "I already missed five weeks of school already! I can''t stay any longer!" she then pulled her unifrom skirt on and zipped it and began fixing her hair which was a mess form having spent five weeks lying in bed Keishi sighed "Alright, I''ll tell mom and dad" Mayako looked at her brother through the mirrior she was using to fix her hair "Thanks nii-san" she the refocused on her hair. Keishi smiled as he started to walk away he then stopped and turned "Hey Maya" Mayako''s eyes looked back at him "What is it nii-chan?" Mayako noticed the serious look on Keishi''s face which made her turn around and look at him herself "Nii-san?" Keishi smiled "Promise me something" Mayako gave a confused look but she nodded "Sure, anything" Keishi scratched the back of his neck "Promise me you won''t overexsert yourself today" he brother looked away.


    Mayako was confused as to her brothers behaviour, but she felt he was just overly worried about her like any older brother would be so she smiled "I promise nii-san" Keishi looked at her with a smile "Thanks" he then started to walk away again and Mayako was going back to fixing her hair but, Keishi turned around a second time "You gave me a real scare when you passed out like that" Mayako froze, she felt her heart twinge when she saw the sad look on her brothers face "I''m sorry I worried you" she saw Keishi smile. "I''m just glad your okay now" this time her brother finally turned and walked out her room and down the stairs Mayako stood still in front of the mirrior for a while she had worried her brother so much even though she had, hurt him, the events were still clear in her mind even after being out cold for five weeks she quivered a bit remebering every second. "I''ll never let that happen again" she whispered as she proceeded with fishing fixing her hair several minutes later she walked down the stairs to the kitchen where she found her brother, mother,and father sitting together "M..Morning" her father and mother looked at her.


    Both had a look of relief on their face, "It''s good to see you up dear" her mother smiled Mayako smiled back "I''m sorry if I worried you" her father sighed "We''re just glad your okay" Mayako nodded "Keishi just told us you want to go to school" Mayako looked at her father a nodded he sighed "Well, alright, if your up to going I won''t stop you" he then had a serious look on his face "Just don''t do anything to strenuious" Mayako nodded "I understand". Silence filled he air "Do, you want breakfast?" her mothers voice broke the silence Mayako looked over at her and gave a half smile "No, I''m just going to head to school" her mother gave the same smile back "I see, well then have a good day dear" Mayako nodded "Okay, bye" she waved and then walked out the kitchen the sound of the fornt door opening and closing was heard. Her father sighed "The poor girl.." outside Mayako was walking down the pathway to her school very slowly she was lost in her own thoughts thinking about what had happened five weeks before she gazed down at her hands "These hands.." she mumbled she then looked behind her at the two black tails swirling behind her "And these tails.." she gave a somber look.


    She walked like this the whole way to school,when she got there and was walking through the halls everyone was looking her way she would occasianally look and catch someone looking away, were they looking at her because she had been out for the past five weeks, as she was passing a group of students out of earshot she heard their conversation, it was about her. She made sure not to let them know she was listening in and she heard one of them say "They say, she went mad and started fighting her brother and sister" Mayako shuddered they were talking about what had happened "It''s ture! For a few weeks Yone-senpai came to school with bandages on!" Mayako felt a lump in her throat "Get this she also attacked the Yumiya brothers!". Mayako''s body jolted at the mention of the Yumiya brothers, she had completly forgotten about them after her first tail apperead she still remebered that as well she remebered having Muroku up in the air, chocking the life out of him and his younger brother Sanda, out cold on the ground.


    She then heard a third person speak, "They say, Muroku Yumiya said that his brother had been unconscious ever since she attacked him" Mayako stopped in her tracks when she heard this Sanda was unconcious, and she, was the one who put him like that just then she felt eyes lock on to her she glanced back and saw it was the group she was listening in on she quickly turned and started fast walking away.She could still hear the group talking, "That''s her?" one said the others in the group nodded "Yeah, thats her alright, you think she heard us?" she heard a chuckle "I wonder who she''ll attack next, maybe she''ll attack us?" Mayako picked up her pace until she was literally running down the hallway fighting back tears Mayako popped into the girls bathroom to calm herself. "Why do they have to be like that?" she asked she looked at herself in the mirror, "It''s not like I did it dilibritaley.." she then remebered the laughs she heard coming from the group talking about her "It wasn''t my fault..".


    Mayako stood and stared at herself in a small flash she saw the image of her from when she attacked her brother, the huge grin on pleasure on her face which caused her to jump back in shock when she looked back the image was gone and her own reflection showed she placed her hands on the sink and clenched them tightly. She heard the bell ring, she then took in a breath looked down then back at the mirrior she then walked out the bathroom and headed to class when he got there it wasn''t that much different from when she was walking in the hallway, she felt eyes on her, and she could her people mumbling she wonder if they were talking about her Mayako shook her head she had to get her mind off the subject, besides she knew the truth that''s all that matter she didn''t care what others thought. She made her way to her desk when she got to it her eyes went wide when she saw that something had been scratched into it she gritted her teeth as she eyed the word ''monster'' she heard a few chuckles come from behind her which got her angry.


    The ones that were laughing, they had to have been the ones who did this, her rage started to grow as she started to hear more small chuckles she slowly looked back "What''s so funny?" she said in an almost demonic tone this caused the chuckles to die down she then saw the looks on the students faces,they were scared seeing this, made Mayako feel a bit happy and out of eyesight she grinned. Just then, Yone waltzed into her classroom "Mayako!" hearing her sister made Mayako snap back to her normal self she looked at Yone "Nee-san" Yone smiled and walked over to her "So, you finally woke up" Yone had a look of relief on her face Mayako smiled and nodded "Yeah, I''m sorry that if I worried you" Yone sighed "Don''t worry about that, I''m just glad that your up and about" then Yone did something that Mayako didn''t expect she placed a hand on Mayako''s head and rubbed back and forth Mayako blushed, "Nee-san.." Yone smiled.


    Mayako felt her heart twinge again, just like with her brother, even after being the one that hurt them they were more concerned about her then themselves "You should get to class nee-san" Yone gave a surprised gasp she then smiled "I wanted to check on my little sister first" Mayako fought back tears "I''m glad your okay, but please, don''t do anything rash" Mayako looked at her sister and nodded. "Well then, I''m going to-" just then Yone happned to catch a glance at Mayako''s desk and what she focused on was the work carved into her desk Yone''s face contorted with rage "Mayako?" Mayako gasped at the anger in her sisters voice she then saw where Yone was looking and realized she must have seen the word ''monster'' carved into her desktop. Mayako panicked "Ah! Nee-san! That''s nothing to worry about!" Mayako gave a innocent laugh Yone grumbled as she started at the word etched into Mayako''s desk "Really! Nee-san! It''s okay it''s nothing!" Yone gritted her teeth "Bullshit it''s nothing" she clenched her fists in anger "These bastards..they don''t know anything" Yone bit her lip just then Yone felt someone grip her arm she looked and saw it was Mayako.


    "Mayako?" Yone had a surprised look on her face Mayako shook her head "I told you..don''t worry about it nee-chan" Mayako smiled "It doesn''t bother me, I know that I''m not.." Mayako paused she couldn''t finish her sentance as the image of her with the huge pleasured grin on her face as she was beating on her brother and sister popped into her head "Mayako.." her sister said somberly "Anway, I''m fine, I can deal with this" Mayako gave a smile. Yone had a worried look in her face, but looking at her sisters smiling face made her smile "Alright, but if this.." she motioned to Mayako''s desk "Gets any worse I will personally stick my nose in" Yone gave a serious look "No matter what" she then glanced back at the ones in Mayako''s class. Mayako felt a warmness in her heart "Thanks nee-san" Yone looked at her and smiled she then waved goodbye and walked out the classroom all be it while staring down some students that were looking Mayako''s way Mayako then sat down at her desk, she ran her finger over the carved word ''monster'' even though she told Yone it didn''t bother her it did get her angry.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Class soon began, it was hard at first having been away for five weeks, and having everyone in class avoid her whenever she asked for help when she got stuck her lunch period couldn''t come faster when it came time for it Mayako was sitting thinking about what she wanted to get as she had skipped out on breakfast "Maybe I should have stayed for brekfast" she complained. Suddenly, Mayako felt someones eyes on her but the feeling was different, Mayako looked around to see where it was coming from but she didn''t see anyone and she was starting to get scared so she decided to leave the classroom hoping she might get out of whosever line of sight it was. As she walked down the hallway Mayako suddenly felt a bit woozy, she held herself up on the wall "This is what I get for not eating.." she mumbled "Promise me you won''t overexsert yourself today" came her brothers words she smiled "Alright, I promise" she then decided since she was out and about that she would make her way to the cafetiria when all of a sudden she felt a presence around her. "Who..What is that?" she looked around cautiously she was feeling a huge spiritual energy and it felt bad almost angry and whatsmore it was coming towards her it was then she went into battle mode "Alright, gotta focus, I''ve gotta figure out who this is" she then hightened her senses trying to find a scent or hear a sound "Come one, come on" she mumbled normally she would have found something but maybe because she was out for five weeks caused her senses to dull a bit.


    "Just great" she muttered "Just when I need them too" she then got worried if she couldn''t tell who or what was coming towards her how would she fight it? Just then her question was answered as she saw a figure appear and it was coming towards her Mayako focused on the figure, when it got closer her eyes widened "No.." she knew who it was now, a chill went up her spine as she saw four orange and white tipped tails flowing behind the figure. There was no mistaking who it was, it was "Maroku..Yumiya.." Mayako utter the older Yumiya brothers name something was different about him thought from the usual he had an angry scowl on his face and his eyes flared with rage and they were locked on her. Mayako swallowed hard as Markou walked towards her "Hey there, fancy meeting you here Zero-tails" he smirked "But, I guess I can''t really call you that anymore now can I?" he grinned as he eyed the black tails behind her. Mayako was scared, Maroku wasn''t his normal self she had to be cautious, "So, Maroku, what can I do for you?" Mayako gave a harmless smile Maroku''s face twitched with anger. "What do I want?" he growled "What do I want!?" he shouted his tails swirled angrily behind him Mayako swallowed hard, as counted four tails, this was bad she remebered Muroku had three tails before but now, he was sporting four which ment he must have been training really hard.


    Mayako smiled nervously, "I see you''ve grown a tail" Maroku chuckled "You noticed?" he then eyes Mayako''s twin-tails "I see you''ve grown another since I last saw you" Mayako grinned nervously "Yeah, happened a few weeks ago" Maroku chuckled "I see, so both of us got stronger" he had a grin on his face now which quickly went back to being contored in rage "Now, you aske me what I wanted?" Mayako shuddered. Maroku gave a grin, "What I want is reavenge" he gave an almsot evil smirk "Reavange.." Maroku scolwed "Yes, for what you did to Sanda" Mayako''s eyes widened she then remebered the group she listened in ons conversation one had said something about how Sanda had been unconcious since her run in with him and Maroku when her first tail appeared. "Sanda, after you attacked us, I brought him home" Maroku started rembering that day "I though that he''d wake up after a while" Muroku clenched his fists "But, he didn''t, ever since that day.." Maroku gritted his teeth.


    "My little brother, hasn''t opened his eyes since" Maroku''s eyes flared with rage as they set on Mayako who was shaking "It''s because of you" Maroku growled "It''s because of you, that my brother is lying in bed not moving!" Mayako started to back away "So, I trained, I trained harder then I''ve ever done before" Markou looked at his hands "I trained until I was about to pass out" he then remebered all the hard training he had done. "I trained with one thought on my mind" he then looked angrily at Mayako "To get strong enough so that I could make you sorry for what you did to Sanda" Mayako shuddered "I''m..I''m sorry.." Maroku''s face contorted with anger "Sorry? Do you think that''s going to make it okay?" Mayako took a step back as Maroku came forward. "Sorry isn''t going to cut it, this time, I''m going to make you fell as much pain as I did" Maroku cracked his knuckles "Get ready Zero-tails.." he grinned "I''m going to beat you until you can''t move a single part of your body" Mayako turned to run but Marok cut her off and in the process her landed a punch into her abdomen which caused Mayako to crumble to the floor.


    Mayako was having trouble breathing,she clutched her abdominal reigon in pain she had gotten hit so hard in it it felt like she was going to vomit what little she had in her stomach "Come on, is that all?" Mayako slowly glanced up to see Maroku looking down at her with a grin on his face "Show me that strength you used to beat my little brother into unconciousnis!" Maroku then pulled his leg back and launched a kick into Mayako''s abdomen which made her skid across the hallway floor the damage was intense. Mayako gave labored breaths, her abdomen was screaming in pain as was her whole body she was in so much pain that she couldn''t get back up "Damn! I had to be out for five weeks..." Mayako looked and saw that Maroku was coming towards her "I..I have to fight back otherwise, he''ll kill me" just then the words of her parents and siblings came to her mind wishing her not to push herself. The sad and worried looks on their face, she then decided that she wasn''t going to fight she decided the best thing to do was, to just lay on the ground and take every hit and blow that Maroku was going to throw her way until he was satisfied.


    It was at that moment Maroku kicked Mayako and flipped her onto her back and in quick succesion he slammed his knee down into her abdomen Mayako gasped for air "Come on, fight back" Markou growled Mayako looked at saw the complete and utter anger and rage that Maroku had on his face he looked almost like a demon, that was here to take her life. Mayako felt a fist slam into her face which knocked her for a loop she was somehow able to stay concious and she looked back at Maroku "You little!" Markou threw another punch hitting Mayako''s right cheek "I said fight back!" Mayako just looked back at Maroku and said nothing a small trickle of blood came down from her lip. Maroku scowled "Don''t mess with me!" he threw a rapid barrage of punched making Mayako''s head bounce left to right violently blood flew from her mouth with each strike which collected on Maroku''s fists he then stopped to catch his breath "Fight back" Mayako didn''t look back at him this time she kept her head laying on the gound to the left blood from her mouth and nose dripped onto the floor. Maroku grolwed "Fight back like the monster you are!" when the word monster hit Mayako''s ears her heart learched she then looked at Maroku her eyes had the look of death in them which caused Maroku to be disturbed for a second.


    He then smirked "I see, so you''ll respond to that eh?" Mayako said nothing "Come on, what''s wrong with the monster?" Maroku grinned "Monster got your tounger?" at that moment Maroku was slammed by something sending him flying off of Mayako and onto the floor he sat up and saw Mayako''s two tails were what hit him he grinned "Good, so the monsters decided to fight back" he laughed. Mayako sat up and she looked at Maroku with the same deathly look as before "Shut up.." she said with a low growl "Aw, did I hurt the monsters feelings?" he chuckled as he got up from off the ground "I said shut up" Mayako growled her face contorting with rage. Maroku grinned "Why should I monster?" Mayako picked herself up off the ground she wobbled side to side a bit "I told you to stop" she growled "Aw, what''s the matter monster, is you want me to stop calling you monster, why don''t you stop me" Maroku smirked "You monster" at that moment Maroku felt something fly into his face.


    It sent him flying back a few feet, his cheek burned in pain and he could tell he had some broken teeth "Ouch, that really hurt" he smirked as he rubbed his cheek he sat up and spit out blood along with a few teeth "Damn, going to feel that tommrrow" he then chuckled "This is great, your starting to fight back, like the monster you are" he then looked up to look at Mayako when he did a shocked expression showed on his face. "What the?" he mumbled Mayako was a few feet from him she was staring at him with piercing eyes her face showed nothing but unrivaled rage "I told you" Mayako voice came out in a low tone "To shut up!!" a loud gutterel growl came from Mayako suddenly, the air started to get cold. Maroku shuddered as smoke came from his mouth "What is this?" he muttered he was feeling something, something coming from Mayako, something evil then he felt her spiritual energy start to spike up as it rose he could feel the pressure coming from it which felt like it was crushing him. Mayako growled and gritted her teeth, suddenly she grabbed her head and started shouting she let out something akin to a monstourous roar which shook Maroku to his core.


    That''s when he saw it, it started sprouting from behind Mayako, it grew longer and it started to twitch and twirl violently along with Mayako''s two tails after seeing this Maroku knew what it was "It can''t be.." he mumbled as he watched the black mass grow to be the same size as her other tails "A tail.." at that moment it was confirmed that Mayako had now grown to be a Three-tailed demon fox. Mayako let loose anothe roar, Maroku shook this was different then before and it gave him a very bad feeling, a feeling that he was going to, die, at that moment Mayako looked at him he shuddered in fear "I''m going to die" he mumbled as he looked into Mayako''s glowing white eyes. [Ch.9 END]

 Chapter 10- The Deadly Third Tail

    Maroku just sat on the floor of the hall, looking at what was at first a defensless fox girl but now, he felt like he was staring death itself in the face Mayako bright white pericing eyes were set on him she exhaled and smoke came out her mouth fallowed by a low demonic growl her tails waved viciously behind her like three mad black snakes waiting to strike Mayako took a step forward as she did Maroku felt like running by his legs weren''t responding to him at all as well as shaking. Maroku started to panic, he didn''t expect this, he didn''t think his taunting would bring something like this out of Mayako it made him feel like a idiot for even starting it "Please, I''m sorry! I didn''t mean all those things I said!" he placed his hands together and bowed his head in forgivness "I accept your apology from before!" Maroku was desperate he wanted to get away he was willing to do anything.


    He peeked up to see if Mayako showed any reaction to his words but, she remained the same looking at him like he was nothing but prey "I''m sorry I called you a monster!" he shouted Mayako''s ear twitched "Monster" Maroku shudder as Mayako stepped forward "Wait! Please! I''m sorry! I''m not mocking you anymore!" he then began to beg and plead for forgiveness. Mayako ignored him and cotinued to walk forward thats when Maroku started cowering he started to crawl backwards hoping he could get away from Mayako but in a blink, she was right in front of him staring right down at him "P..Please I''m sorry!" his eyes shook with fear Mayako groan lowly making as if she didn''t hear Maroku at all.


    She raised her arm and extended it towards him she put her palm in his face "Pl..Please, don''t kill me" he begged all Maroku''s begging wasn''t going to get through to Mayako as she was detached from her body, black fire started to form at Mayako''s palm at this time Maroku became frantic he started babbling and calling for help. Then Mayako launched the black flames onto Maroku he then screamed in agonising pain as the fire started to burn him he rolled and screamed on the hall floor trying to put the flames out somehow but, try as he might nothing was making the flames go away and soon after not too long of time his screams stopped and the fire consumed him.


    Then, all that was left of the fox spirit know as Maroku Yumiya was nothing but a pile of white ash on the ground a grin spread across Mayako''s face as she started at the ash pile then she recalled something, the classroom, her desk, the word ''monster'' etched into it, her classmates chuckling and laughing at her she grolwed with a scowl on her face, she knew where to go next she then started on her way to her classroom. The students in Mayako''s class didn''t see it coming when Mayako walked into the room the one that were inside looked at her when they saw her fear spread across each of their faces, Mayako walked up to the closes one and touched him, and like Maroku she set him on fire the black flames consuming him and turning him to ashes. After seeing this display the other students started to cry and panic some even made for the door but, Mayako wasn''t going to let them get free she appeared right in front of them and blasted them back with the black flames turning them into ash as well the other students froze dead in their tracks which allowed Mayako to turn them all into ash piles on the classroom floor.


    After that was done Mayako looked upon her work and grinned, she then remembered about the whole school, all of the students in her school thought of her as a monster she grinned wider as she knew what she had to do next she walked out her classroom and into the hallway which was filled with other students after hearing the screams coming from her classroom. When Mayako stepped out into the hallway the students just like the ones in her classroom had the look of fear on their faces Mayako looked at them and they were frozen in place that was perfect, she then vanished and one by one she started to reduce the students in the hall to ash. Some managed to find the strength and courage to run but, Mayako still caught them and made them into ash which lined the hallway of the school after her tewnty fifth student reduced to ashes Mayako looked further down to hall to see more students looking at her she grinned she had more to finish off. It didn''t take Yone long to figure something was going on she was in her class chatting with some of her classmates when she felt the huge surge in spiritual energy she could feel the malevolance behind it then and knew it was moving, thats when the screams reached her classroom without hesitation Yone ran out her classroom concerned for her younger sister she ran through the hallway.


    Suddenly, Yone stopped in her tracks when she saw dozens upon dozens of ash piles on the floor of the hall she started to get scared and worried hoping that one of them wasn''t Mayako she then steeled herself and started running down the hall to Mayako''s class where she found more ash piles when she saw this she began to worry even more but, a quick check of spiritual residue made her realize that none of the ash pile were Mayako which was a huge relief to her. Yone took a breath to calm herself "Okay, if she''s not here then where is she?" Yone then heard more screams come from further down the hallway with that she rushed out Mayako''s classroom "Wherever she is, I hope she okay". Far from Yone, Mayako was making her way down the hallway turning everyone that she came across into ash letting low growls escape her mouth her tails seemed like they were seeking out something then quick as a whip it lashed out and it grabbed a student that was hiding. It the presented the struggling student to Mayako who promptly turned her into ash ingnoring her pleas of sparing her after that, Mayako started off again she no longer saw anymore students but she still continued down the hallway, it was at this time deep in her subconcious Mayako started to wake up.


    "What''s going on?" she opened her heavy lided eyes and began to look around, she noticed she was back in the black space she had been in when she suffered her Spirtual Overflow "Wait..Why am I back here?" then she heard a famillar groan "That''s because you lost it kid" Mayako looked around "Kurookami?" she heard a aknowledgeing grunt "What do you mean I lost is?" Kurookami sighed "Exactly what I mean kid, you lost it" Mayako still didn''t understand, Kurookami sighed at that moement just like when she had her Siritual Overflow a thing akined to a screen appeared. Mayako looked at it and her eyes widened in horror at what she saw, it was her she had the same look she had on her face, the huge pleasured grin like she was enjoying every minute of what she was doing and she also saw the three black tails swirling violently behind her. Mayako swallowed hard "Th..That''s me?" a long sigh came from Kurookami "Yes, that''s you". Mayako felt a twinge in her heart "How...How did this happen again?" another sigh came from Kurookami "That boy, he caused this" Mayako gave a confused look "Boy?" at that moement an image of Maroku appeared on the screen like object "Maroku...Yumiya.." a grunt came from Kurookami.


    "This boy, angered you greatly, which in turn, caused your third tail to appear which greatly increased your power" Mayako gasped as she figured it all out "That''s right" came Kurookmai''s voice like he figured out what Mayako was thinking "The reason your like that" the image of herself on the outside flashed on "Is because in your weakened state, you couldn''t control the increase of spiritual energy thus.." Mayako shuddered "I entered into another Spiritual Overflow" Kurookami grunted. "And what a bad time to suffer from one" Mayako shuddered she hoped she didn''t hurt anybody but again, as if Kurookmai knew what she was thinking he sighed long and hard "You did hurt someone" Mayako''s eyes went wide "Who, who have I hurt?" Kurookmai sighed "The boy who made you like this, and a good number of students" Mayako shook "Are they.." she paused "Are they okay?" silence, "Kurookami?", silence again "Answer me! Are they okay!?" Kurookami sighed "No, they''re not, all of them are dead". A cold chill went down Mayako''s spine, "Dead...What do you mean they''re dead?" silence again, "Kurookami!!" Kurookami groaned "You, killed them kid, you reduced them to nothing but ashes" Mayako''s heart learched in her chest "I...I killed them.." she started to breath sparatically "I killed them..." she clutched her chest "I...I...I''m really a...a..monster..".


    Suddenly, like fuzz from a messed up video tape Mayako started to blink, "I''m a monster" she muttered and she blinked again "Hey! Don''t collapse on me kid!!" Mayako blinked again which cut out Kurookami''s yelling "I''m a monster" again she blinked "Damnit kid!" Kurookami growled then suddenly, Mayako hearded her fathers voice "Mayako!" she looked around "D..Dad?" she had a confused a puzzled "Remeber what I told you! Your not a monster!" Mayako shuddered "But Dad, I killed people, that makes me a monster.." her father grunted. "No it doesn''t! That wasn''t your fault! You weren''t in control of your body!" Mayako started to cry "But Dad, I killed innocent people..." her father growled "Listen to me Mayako! You are not a monster!" at that moment Mayako had tuned out her fathers voice "Mayako! Your not a monster! You my daughter! Your not a monster!" Mayako sniffled "Mayako!" it wasn''t doing any good Mayako was too far gone for her fathers words to reach her. "Mayako!!" her father shouted outside, Mayako was still walking down the hall she was now on the second floor of the school, she had found a few students and promptly turned them to ashes as she was making her way furhther, Yone arrived right behind her "Oh crap!" Yone cursed this caused Mayako to turn and look at Yone whos eyes went wide.


    "Ma..Mayako.." Yone couldn''t believe it, in front of her was her younger sister, Yone took notice of her face, it was the same as when she suffered from her Spiritual Overflow but now, it disturbed her even more when she saw the huge menacing grin on her face "Mayako.." she then saw the ash piles leading to her and it all clicked in her head "Th...This...you did all of this" Yone remebered all of the piles of ash she''d seen running around looking for Mayako and now, knowing that her sister was the cause made her stomach turn. "How could you do something like this?" no response came from Mayako Yone gritted her teeth "Mayako!!" inside, Mayako was blinking more and more but then, through the static surrounding her she heard her sisters voice "Nee-san?" Mayako looked at the screen her eyes were almost divoid of life and her face had marks from the tears that had run down from them. Sure enough, she clearly saw her older sister standing in front of her looking at her angrily "Nee-san.." then something clicked in Mayako''s head her lifeless eyes came back with some brightness "Nee-san!!" but cry and call as hard as she could it seemed like the last time her sister couldn''t hear her.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Yone was brimming with anger, she couldn''t beleive that her own sister was the one who killed all of those students whose ashes she passed by in the hallway "Mayako, you''ve gone too far" she gritted her teeth inside, Mayako saw her sisters rage contorted face "No! nee-san! I didn''t do this dileberatley!" Mayako sniffled "I''m not in conrtol of my body!!" Mayako continued to yell at her sisters image on the screen. Even though she knew that her sister couldn''t hear her, she was hoping that somehow if she kept shouting and yelling maybe, just maybe, her sister would hear her but, to her dismay her sister still looke the same, her face filled with rage. Fresh tears came down Mayako''s face "Nee-san..." her life filled eyes slowly faded back to the lifelessness and Mayako began to blink again, more rapidly this time, a displeased grunt echoed, Kurookami''s huge form loomed over the blinking Mayako "Damn, she came back a little bit" he clicked his tounge "There has to be something to get her to come back" Kurookami grunted quizitivly "But what?".


    Back outside Yone clenched her fists "I have no choice, I have to stop you" a bit of sadness showed on Yone''s face as she looked at her little sister remembering the smile she had on her face when she met her in class, the almsot sad lonely smile, "I''m sorry" Yone then steeled herself and she rushed at Mayako summoning her foxes fire. Mayako didn''t blink she stood and waited as Yone rushed at her as Yone got within her strike range one of her tails sprang out from behind her and slammed into Yone making her collide with the wall of the hallway. Yone staggered to her feet, the blow she just took damaged her a great deal, not to mention she was still recovering from when she had fought Mayako five weeks ago, "Ugh.." she looked at Mayako "This is going to be harder then last time" she took a breath and reincaged Mayako. Inside her subconcious things were getting bad for Mayako, she was starting to slip away if she allowed herself to fade all that would be left would be the out of control monster that she currently was Kurookami grunted angrily "Damn, don''t do this kid" Kurookami had been thinking the whole time as to what could bring Mayako back around. Thats when he glanced at the screen and saw that Mayako''s sister was fighting her, he grinned "That might bring her around" he then looked down at Mayako.


    "Hey kid, come on you''ve got to snap out of it! Your sisters going to be killed!" Mayako sturred she glanced up at Kurookami with her lifeless eyes "What?" her voice sounded like it was enveloped in static, "I said, that your sisters going to get herself killed! Look!" he jestered to the screen. Mayako slowly turned her head and looked at the screen, she gasped Yone was standing in front of her weilding her foxes fire, she had brusing on her body and blood was oozing out from a cut on her head along with giving heavy pants. Mayako lifeless eyes faded and light shone in them "Nee-san!!" a chuckle came from Kurookami "Good, your finally back" Mayako looked up at Kurookami "I have to do something! I don''t want to kill nee-san!" a grin formed on Kurookami "Then, you know what to do" Mayako gave a confused look but, in a split second she remebered the last time and nodded "Good, then get to work!" Mayako nodded a second time. She then closed her eyes, and started to focus, she had to regaing control of her body, "Stop! Listen to me! that''s nee-san! Don''t attack nee-san!" her body wasn''t responding to her which caused Mayako to get worried and panic "It''s not working!" Mayako cried.


    "Keep trying kid! If you don''t want your sister to die" Mayako''s eyes widened "You have to keep going! Try until you succeed!" Mayako gritted her teeth and nodded and she went back to focusing "Listen to me, you damn body, I won''t allow you to hurt nee-san" her body didn''t respond "Respond to me damnit! I''m telling you, obey me!" again no response just then she heard her sister scream in pain which cut her focus. Mayako looked at the screen, her eyes went wide as she saw that one of her tails was wrapped around Yone and was slwoly squeezing her, the pained look on her sister face made Mayako''s heart drop "Nee-san!" Yone was squeezed and she screamed in pain. Mayako''s face contorted with rage "Stop hurting nee-san! no response Mayako gritted her teeth "Goddamnit! I said to stop hurting nee-san!" Mayako took in a breath "Stop it!!! Stop hurting nee-san right now!!!" at that moment a jolt went through Mayako. She grinned, "Finally" she had finally managed to reconnect with her body she looked at the screen and sure enough her tail stopped squeezing Yone "Now, let nee-san go" it took a couple of seconds but her body responded and her tail loosened it''s grip on Yone and she fell to the ground Yone held her aching body.


    Mayako sighed in releief, "Thank god" outside, Yone looked up at Mayako a bit surprised that she had been let go "Mayako?" no response came from Mayako Yone jumped up "Mayako! Are you in there!" inside, Mayako heard her sisters call "I''m glad nee-sans okay" she took a minute of silence "Kurookami" Kurookami looked down "What?" Mayako looked up at him "Is there a way I can get a message to nee-san?". Kurookami grunted in thought, "Yes, you just have to project your spirit outside" Mayako raised an eyebrow "Project my spirit?" Kurookmai sighed "Yes, it''s simple will your spirit to appear out there" Mayako nodded as she understood what to do. She focused again outside, as Yone stared at Mayako''s unmoving body she saw a small light start to appear in font of Mayako "Wha..What is that?" suddenly the light shoned brightly which blinded Yone when she opened her eyes again they went wide. As she was looking at an astral image of her sister with a smile on her face, "Ma...Mayako, is that you?" the astral Mayako nodded "Yeah, its me nee-san" Yone coudln''t help but smile, "Oh Mayako..." Mayako smiled wider "Nee-san listen" Yone eyes showed a hint of surprise "I''m sorry about all of this" Mayako frowned.


    Yone frowned as well, "I''m sorry for hurting you again as well" Yone felt she was going to cry "Nee-san, I''m suffering another Spiritual Overflow" a shocked gasp came from Yone "Another Spiritual Overflow!? How?" Mayako gave a sad look "Well, I was in the hallway, and Maroku Yumiya, he attacked me" Yone''s eyes showed she knew who Mayako was talking about. "Why did that bastard attack you?" Yone gave an angry look Mayako sighed sadly "It''s because I put his brother Sanda in a coma" Mayako showed a hurt face "Mayako...you don''t mean?" Mayako nodded "Yeah, when my first tail appeared they were harassing me, I got angry, and I attacked them" Yone face showed concern. "I just ran after I saw him lying on the ground, I didn''t know I had hurt him so badly" Mayako face filled with anguish "I had no idea that''s what I did, so, when Markou attacked me earlier, I was going to let him beat on me until he was satisfied" Mayako recounted everything from her exchange with Maroku. "But then, he started calling me a monster..." Yone looked as though something clicked in her head "I couldn''t help it, I got angry, and it caused my third tail to appear" Mayako pointed to the third tail that was swaying slwoly behind her unmoving body Yone looked and gave a shocked experssion she hadn''t even noiced it before.


    "


    That caused an increase in my Siritual Energy, so much so that in my weakened state, I couldn''t control it" Mayako looked down at her hands "I lost myself" Mayako started to shake and sniffle "Nee-san, I killed him, I killed Markou like it was nothing" Yone had a hurt look on her face "Then, I started killing the other students.." Mayako looked at the ash piles on the hall floor. Yone''s heart twisted in her chest, hearing how sad and hurt her sister was about what she had done, "Mayako, this wasn''t your fault.." Mayako looked at her sister who had a smile on her face "This wasn''t your fault Mayako, this was something you coudln''t control, this wasn''t your fault" Mayako shook her head "No, I could have stayed home like you, mom, dad,and nii-san had told me" Mayako began to tremble "This wouldn''t have happened". Yone''s heart twisted once more, "Mayako..." Mayako sniffled and looked at her sister with a half sad smile "But, I''m going to fix this" Yone had a puzzled look on her face "What do you mean?" Yone felt something was bad about the way Mayako was talking "I''m going to expel all of my spiritual energy".


    Yone''s eyes went wide in concern and shock, "No Mayako! If you do that you''ll-" Yone was stopped as she saw Mayako smile "I know, I''ll die" Mayako gave a pained look Yone gritted her teeth "There has to be another option Mayako" Yone gave a pained look "You don''t have to do something like that" Mayako shook her head "No, nee-san, I have to, I''ve killed people" Yone''s eyes flared with anger and tears "That wasn''t your fault!". Mayako laughed half heartedly, she gave a weak smile to her sister, Yone started shaking her head "No, Mayako, it doesn''t have to be like this!" Yone saw tears roll down Mayako''s face which caused her own to flow down hers "No..Mayako.." Mayako raised her hand up "Bye nee-chan" Yone''s heart learched in her chest "Mayako!" she rushed to grab onto the astral projection of her sister but her arms went right through her she looked her little sister close in the face "Please, don''t do this" she sobbed Mayako gave one last bright smile and in a blink her astral image vanished in that split second Yone rached out for her little sister unmoving body.


    Yone''s finger tips had just touched Mayako''s arms but then, in a blink, she vanished and Yone was left standing in the hallway with her arms outstretched in that moment Yone dropped to the ground, "Mayako...Mayako..." she sobbed and hugged herself "Maya!!" she screamed and began to cry uncontrollably outside the school, Mayako appeared right outside in the courtyard no one was around possibly because all of them hand run off after she started killing other students inside her head, Mayako floated in the black abyss steeling herself for what he was about to do "Are you sure about this kid?" Mayako looked above her and she saw Kurookami looking down at her with an almost sad look on his face. Mayako smiled, "Yes, I''m sure" Kurookami sighed long and deep "Alright, it was nice to know you kid" Mayako nodded "It was nice to know you as well" Kurookami nodded and vanished into thin air, Mayako then focused on her task "Alright, lets get this over with" she took in a breath and extended her arms. [Ch.10 END]

 Chapter 11- The End?

    Mayako''s body responded to her commands, and lifted it''s arms like she had, "Alright, here we go" she closed her eyes "Send every last bit of spiritual energy out" Mayako felt a tingling sensation go through her, she could feel the spiritual energy start to collect between her palms "Good, keep going" as Mayako did this memories started to flood into her.They were the memories she had made with her siblings, she was recollecting what she had done with them throughout her life,a single tear came down her face,she knew that she would be sad not be able to see them again but, she had become determined to go through with her current plan "I''m sorry, nee-chan, Mom, Dad.." then Keishi flashed in her head, a big smile on his face, "Nii-san" Mayako smiled. She hoped that he wouldn''t take it so hard, or become really sad that she was gone, she remebered the releaved look on his face when she had woken up earlier in the day, would he not smile like that again after she was gone,what would become of him?


    At that moment Mayako started to wonder, ever since Keishi had come seen her when she had woken up in the morning, and how much concern he had shown for her, and now here she was thinking more about him then anyone, did she, did she, "Like nii-san?" she mumbled the question. Mayako chuckled, "Great, I find this out and this had to happen.." she sighed "Sorry nii-san, I love you" somehow, way back at her home Keishi was sitting in the kitchen with his fathe and mother everything was silent, then suddenly he heard "Sorry nii-san, I love you" his eyes went wide "Mayako!!" he jolted up from the table. His father and mother looked at him "What''s wrong dear?" he looked to his mother "I don''t know, I feel like I just heard Maya" his parents exchanged a glance "There''s no possible way" Keishi shook his head "No, it was deffantliy her, no doubt about it!" he keyed in on what he heard, "It sounds like something bads happening" Keishi felt his heart twist. That tore it, he didn''t have time to think about it, he rushed out the house "I''m coming Maya!" back at the school, Mayako had collected a great amount of spiritual energy "Almost there" she could feel that her spiritual energy was leaving her at a quick rate.


    Just then, she heard someone shout her name, she immediatley recognized it, "Nii-san.." the screen flicked on, and sure enough an out of breath Keishi stood in the school courtyard with her she felt a hard tug at her heart outside, Keishi was panting heavily, he started at Mayako''s unmoving body "Maya! What are you doing?" he got no response "Maya! answer me!" again he got no response, just then Yone appeared next to him, "Keishi..." he looked at Yone "What''s going on!?" Yone gave a sad look. She stayed quiet, Keishi growled "Yone! Tell me what the hells going on!" Yone sighed "Mayako,she, she had another Spiritual Overflow.." Keishi face grew concerned, he looked to Mayako "Maya..." Keishi started to walk forward but he felt Yone grab his arm, stopping him, "What the hell Yone!? We''ve got to help her!" Yone shook her head Keishi grolwed in anger. "You don''t want to help her?" Yone had a shocked look on her face, she scowled in anger "I already tried to help her!" she looked down at the ground "Keishi, Mayako..she, she killed some students Keishi..." Keishi''s eyes went wide, he was in complete disbelief, Mayako, had killed people, "There''s no way" Yone shook her head and Keishi shuddered.


    "It''s true, I saw it myself..." Keishi looked at Mayako, "Maya..." his heart twinged again, "Is she in control of her body?" Yone looked up at Keishi and nodded he sighed, "Good, then she must be planning to relese the excess Spiritual Energy" Yone''s face went dark "Yone?" Yone looked back down at the ground, Keishi heard her start to sniffle "Yone, whats the matter?" his worry was starting to come back, he was confused as well. "Yone, is there something else?" Yone sniffle and said nothing "Is there, something your not telling me?" he felt Yone''s body shudder he heard Yone choke back tears, "Yone tell me! Whats going on!?" Yone sniffled hard and looked up tears dripping down her face "Mayako..she, she plans to expell all of her spiritual energy at once" Keishi felt like something had pierced his heart, "What..." Yone sniffled "She told me..." Yone wipped her eyes "She told me that''s what she was going to do.." Keishi gritted his teeth "Why would she do that?" Yone sighed "She found out she killed people.." Keishi felt anoher pierce go thorugh his heart.


    "No.." Yone nodded, "Yeah, she believe it''s all her fault, she blames herself..." Yone''s tear soaked face contorted with rage, "It was that bastards Maroku''s fault.." Keishi raised an eyebrow "Maroku?" Yone nodded "Maroku Yumiya.." Keishi recognized the name, that was the name of the fox boy that always picked on Mayako with his younger brother, "What did he do?" Yone took in a clalming breath "He attacked her..." Keishi clenched his fists "Why did he do that?" Yone looked at Keishi''s face, she was shocked, she had never seen Keishi to have such an angry face. "Well, Mayako told me, that when her first tail appeared, that it was when the two Yumiya brother started messing with her" Keishi stood still and listened "She said that they made her really mad, then her tail appeared,and she attacked them" Yone took in a breath "She said, that Maroku''s brother,Sanda, has been unconsious ever since" Yone''s face filled with anger. "Then, he attacked her,at first she was going to let him beat her up" Keishi''s fists clenched tighter, "But, he started calling her a monster" Keishi''s eyes lit aflame with anger "Earlier, I saw that word carved into her desk.." Yone''s face grew more angry "She told me she was fine" her angry face broke and was replaced with a sad one.


    "If I had been more assirtive..." Yone started to sniffle again "If I had...this wouldn''t have happened.." Keishi gritted his teeth, "That bastard..." Keishi looked to the school "Where is he, I''ll make him sorry for what he did to Mayako, and everyone else" Yone shuddered "Mayako already killed him.." Keishi looked back at Yone, "He was her first victim..." Keishi shuddered "These bastards, how could they do something like this to her..." Keishi growled angrily. Yone could see the complete unbridled rage in his eyes, she sighed "So, you do love her don''t you?" Keishi gave a shocked look he turned his face away Yone chuckled "Don''t hide it, I could tell" Keishi looked back and smirked,"Yeah,I do, I love her.." just then a voice was heard. They looked where it came from, and saw an astral Mayako floating in fornt of her body, "Mayako!" both of the shouted and rushed over to her, "Hey nii-san, nee-chan" Keishi gave a sad smirk "Hey Maya" Mayako gave a sad smile "Hey nii-san" Keishi felt his heart cry in his chest, it hurt him looking at the sad look on Mayako''s face "I, I heard about what happened..." Mayako sighed "I know, I saw everything" she smiled.


    Keishi went red, "You heard everything" Mayako nodded "I had no idea that you loved me nii-san" she giggled Keishi gave a smirk "Guess, the foxes out of the bag eh?" Mayako giggled "Seems so" Keishi took in a breath, "Maya, please, don''t do this" Mayako gave a sad smile "Sorry, I''ve made up my mind,I''m going to do this nii-san" Keishi clenched his fist and Yone sniffled "I didn''t think I''d see you two again so soon" Keishi felt tears welling in his eyes. "I''m begging you, please Maya, don''t do this..." he paused "I... I love you" Mayako smiled and giggled "I know nii-san,and I feel the same way" Keishi gave a smile "You mean.." Mayako nodded "Yeah, just now, I figured out I loved you" Keishi''s tears flowed from his eyes "Oh Maya..." he smiled wider "I''m sorry about this, if only I had found out sooner" Mayako gave another sad smile "Don''t say that!" he shouted."It can still work out! You just have to stop this, please" Mayako she her head "Sorry, no can do, I''ve already gathered almost all my spiritual energy in one place, and I plan to release it all" Keishi sniffled and shuddered "Maya..." he noticed a single tear come down Mayako''s face "I''m sorry, nii-san" Mayako gave a big bright smile "Goodbye nii-san, I love you" Keishi felt a huge hard tug at his heart, "Maya!" he shouted as he reached out to grab her but, she vanished before he could even touch her.


    Keishi sobbed, his heart was in pain, "Maya..." he looked at her unmoving body, he heard Yone start sobbing as well "Is there nothing we can do?" Keishi looked over at Yone, he shook his head "No, we can''t, she''s doing this from inside her mind,there''s no way we can stop her "No..." Yone fell to her knees. "Mayako..." she sniffled, inside her mind, Mayako was straing at the screen watching he brother and sister sobbing sadly, "I''m sorry..." she looked one last time at her brothers face, tears came down her eyes, she floted to his image on the screen, she leaned forwards and kissed his face, she saw Keishi feel his face where she had kissed him, it caused him to cry harder. Mayako took in a breath, the screen went away, "Alright, it''s time" Mayako could feel that almost all her spiritual energy was in one place, "Release" outside, Yone and Keishi sensed that Mayako was about to release her spiritual energy, they looked at each other and moved out of the way they waited and watched, as suddenly, a huge torrent of fire came from Mayako''s hands.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    The two of them stood there and sobbed, as they could do nothing but watch as their younger sister ended herself inside, Mayako was sniffling and crying, "I''m sorry..." she remebered once again everything she had done in her life, everything she had done with Yone, with her Mother,with her Father, and with Keishi, "Goodbye" she sniffled she started to feel that she was slipping, she could feel her lifeforce growing weaker, "Goodbye" then just as she felt that she was almost done and gone, she felt a cold touch on her shoulder, "Who are yo-" suddenly Mayako passed out, a figure held her in it''s arms, behind it nine black tails swirled behind it, "It''s not yet time for you to go kid" the figured smiled outside, suddenly Keishi and Yone saw the torrent of flames vanish, and Mayako''s body fall to the ground they rushed right over "Maya!" Keishi yelled as he held her in his arms, "Mayako!" Yone knelt down beside him,"What happened? Is she okay?" Keishi closed his eyes. He focused hard, then a smirk started to form on his face as he felt a small and weak spiritual presence, tears of happiness came down his face "What? Keishi, what wrong?" he shook his head "Yone, she''s alive, Maya''s alive" Yone started crying in happiness as well, "Really, how, how is that possible?" Keishi shook his head, "I don''t know, whatever happened, I glad Maya''s still alive" he hugged Mayako tightly Yone smiled "Let''s get her home" Keishi nodded.


    Mayako''s eyes opened, she found she was floating in darkness, "Am, Am I dead?" she heard a chuckle "No, your not" came a very familliar voice, "Kurookami?" she looked and right above her was indeed Kurookami, "What happened,how am I not dead?" Kurookami gurnted "No clue,guess fate decided it was to early for you to die" Mayako wanted to be happy,she was alive, that meant she could be with her mother and father, and Yone,and Keishi. But then, she remembered what she had done, "I''m a killer" she looked at her hands "Now now, don''t get all depressed on me again" Mayako chuckled "I''m sorry, I won''t" she gave a serious look "But, the Elder Council, when they find out..." she remebered her Father had told her that if the Elder Council found out she was a Demon Fox spirit, they''d want to have her killed. Kurookami sighed, "Yeah, you''r going to be hunted down" Mayako frowned "And Mom, Dad, Yone, and Keishi..." she closed her eyes "They''ll be caught up in it" Mayako could imagine that her mother and father, and Yone, and Keishi,espcially Keishi, would try to protect her, and they''d get hurt, "I don''t want that to happen, I don''t want anyone to be hurt because of me again" Kurookami nodded.


    "I see, then what are you going to do?" Mayako thought for a bit, she opened her eyes "I guees, I''ll have to go into hiding" Kurookami gave a skeptical look, "Are you sure? You''ll be on the run forever" Mayako sighed "I can deal with it" Kurokami sighed "You''ll never be able to see your family again" Mayako took some time to answer back, "They''ll understand" Kurookami sighed again "What about, Keishi?" Mayako felt a tug at her heart, "As long as he''s not hurt, I''ll be fine" Kurookami grunted. "I see your determined about this" Mayako nodded, "Alright, I won''t stop you, if you think this is best" Mayako smiled "Thanks Kurookmai" Kurookami seemed liked he was smiling, "No problem kid" he took in a breath "Well, if you want to go into hiding, I think the time is right" Mayako nodded and closed her eyes. Outside, Mayako opened her eyes, she sat up, she realized she was in bed, and she was in her room with the light off, "Everyone must be sleeping" she nodded to herself and slowly she got out of bed, quietly as she could she gathered some clothes, she found a medium sized bag and put them in it, she took off her dirty clothes and put on some fresh clothes. She picked up the bag of clothes and strapped it on her back she looked into her bedroom mirror, she found that somehow she had matured somewhat, she smiled and walked away and out the door.


    When she stepped out her room, she heard a snore, she stopped and looked and sitting against the left side of her door was Keishi, Mayako blushed, had he been planning to sleep there the whole night incase she woke up, Mayako smiled she knelt down and looked at Keishi''s sleeping face, "Thanks Keishi, and goodbye, again" she then leaned forward and kissed him on his lips, as she did a tear came down her face. She pulled herself away, she stood back up and smiled as she look once more upon Keishi''s sleeping face, she then stalked away quietly down the stairs, unbeknowst to her though, Keishi had woken up, he snorted, and stretched his arms. He immediatley noticed Mayako''s room door was wide open, "Maya!" he shouted lowly as to not wake the others, he rushed inside her room and was shocked to see she wasn''t there, "Where''d she go?" he rushed back out and looked around. Then he felt a sensation on his face, he looked and he saw water on his face, he gave a confused look "What?" he had no idea where the water came from, it wasn''t from him, then he felt another sensation, this time on his lips, he touched them, it felt like someone had, kissed him. Just then, it clicked in his head, "Maya!" he then figured out where Mayako had gone.


    He rushed down the stairs, he saw the front door slightly open, he didn''t hesitate, he rushed outside and down the ath from the house, as he ran down he could see a figure with a bag on it''s back walking down the path in front of him, three black tails swirled behind it, he smirked, he knew who it was, he quickly ran over "Maya!" he shouted. The figure stopped, and turned around, and indeed it was Mayako she was smiling, Keishi caught up to her and stopped, "Sorry, did I wake you?" Mayako chuckled Keishi gave a smile "Your up" Mayako nodded "Yeah" Keishi sighed in relief but, he had no time for that, "Maya, where are you going?" Mayako frowned, "I''m leaving Keishi.." Keishi felt a twinge in his heart, "Why, why do you need to leave?" Mayako sighed. "The Elder Council is going to come after me after they find out what I did" Keishi gave a confused look "Wait, why?" Mayako took in a breath "Because, I''m a Demon Fox Spirit" Keishi felt a cold wind go up his back, now he understood, how it was possible for Mayako to get so strong so quickly, "Maya..." Mayako smiled sadly "I have to go, if I don''t you, mom, dad, and Yone, will be in trouble" Keishi''s heart twisted.


    "No,Maya, I don''t want to say goodbye to you again" Keishi clenched his fists "I love you Maya!" Mayako smiled, she was happy to hear Keishi say that again, but, she had to leave "But, we''re siblings, we can''t" Keishi gritted his teeth, "Alright, since you told me your secret, I''ll tell you mine" Mayako gave a confused look "What do you mean?" Keishi took in a breath. "Maya, I''m not your real brother" Mayako''s face showed a shocked experssion, "What are you saying?" Keishi sighed "I''m not really your blood related brother" he sighed again "That can''t be true" Mayako argued but,Keishi shook his head "It''s true, your father,he found me wandering the forest alone when my real parents had been killed" Mayako''s eyes went wide. Keishi gave a smile, "He took me in and made me his son, and I became you and Yone''s older brother" Mayako couldn''t believe it. Keishi wasn''t her acutal brother, "Does nee-chan know?" Keishi nodded "She''s know the whole time" it took Mayako some time to take all the information in, "So, that means.." Keishi nodded "Our love isn''t wrong" Mayako felt her heart pound, "So please, stay" Mayako wanted to stay, she wanted to be with Keishi, but,she had decided her mind "I''m sorry, I know, I want to stay now too, but" she paused, "I don''t want you getting hurt because of me" Keishi''s face showed a hurt expression.


    "Please, Maya, reconsider this, I promise I''ll protect you, I won''t get hurt!" Mayako smiled and shook her head "Maya..." Keishi said in a hurt tone, "I''m sorry, again, I love you, and goodbye" hearing those words made Keishi remeber when Mayako had said the same thing when she was going to end her life, his hert twisted, "Maya!" he shouted and rushed over to grab her but, like that time she vanished, Keishi fell to his knees "Maya!!" he cried Mayako looked down at him from a tall tree. Her heart twisted in her chest as well, "I''m sorry" she then vanished again. Mayako sturred awake,she sat up, she looked at her surroundings, "Oh yeah, I decided to sleep in this cave" she felt a twinge of pain in her back "That''ll teach me to sleep on hard stone" she frowned "Can''t belive I dream all of that again..." Mayako sighed, it hade been at least five weeks since she had gone into hiding, "I wonder how eveyones doing?" she wondered what her parents were up to, and Yone and especalliy Keishi.


    Just then, Mayako sensed a spiritual enery coming towards her, she got up and streched her body "Guess it''s time to get going" she picked up her bag and she rushed out the cave. [Ch. 11 END]

 Chapter 12- On The Run

    Mayako walked down a dirt path, her three tails swirling behind her, she had a duffel bag strown across her shoulder, it had now been at least ten whole months since Mayako had left home to go into hiding in that time, Mayako had matured greatly she was able to do mostly everything for herself she wasn''t the young fox girl she use to be, being on the run from the Elder Council had made her change, she had to be strong, tough, and above all ready for anything. Mayako had no idea when or where operatives from the Elder Council would find her, so when she wasn''t preoccupied with running away from near capture she had Kurookami teaching her, he had started teaching her things that would help her survive, she was taught new techinques, she was also taught some new skills that Kurookmai said would aide her greatly. Mayako sighed "I wish I got get a nice bath.." she complained, Mayako had not gone into any towns or vilages as of late, the reasoning behind it was in each one she had passed through she saw posters from the Elder Council with her discription on it, stateing she was to be captured and brought to the Elder Council for trial for her crimes. Mayako was lucky that no one noticed her, but after ten months out in the wild on her own, she was missing life''s necessities.


    "Whats the matter with you, didn''t you take a bath in that river a few miles back?" argued Kurookami, Mayako grumbled "I miss ''hot'' baths" Kurookami groaned "Don''t be like that, wasn''t it you who chose this life?" Mayako groaned, knowing she couldn''t argue back as it was true, she had chosen to do this, she wanted to keep her family out of trouble, and she really didn''t want them getting hurt because of her. Just thinking of them got her mind wondering, what was her family up to, what had been happening back home in the ten months she had left, were her parents alright, what about her siblings, "Siblings..." she uttered the word, her mind drifted to solely to Keishi. What was he up to, was he coping with her being gone, she still couldn''t believe that he was in love with her and her with him, "I''m not your blood related brother" echoed Keishi''s words in her head, she also had to wrap her mind around that. All along, she had believed Keishi was trully her brother, but, he himself had revealed to her that he wasn''t, this made Mayako feel like all the things they did together was all a lie but, deep down she knew she couldn''t feel like that. Mayako shook her head, trying to knock out all the thought swirling around in it she couldn''tbe distracted, she had to be on gaurd at all times.


    There was no telling what could happen if she was one hundred percent focused, "Still..." she mumbled with a frown "I wonder how he''s doing..." Mayako continued down the dirt path in silence, that is until her ears twitched, she stopped dry, she foucused her hearing, she keyed in on the sound of footsteps, walking on the same dirt path she was. "Damn" she cursed had she been fallowed, Mayako had no time to think, she looked around for a place to hide, this had become part of Mayako''s life now, constantly running, and hiding, it wasn''t like she couldn''t fight, it''s that she chose to leave that as a last resort, incase there was no other options. Mayako spotted a thick bush on the side of the path, "Perfect!" she dashed over and hid inside she parted the bushes leaves and peered out at the dirt path, now all she had to do was wait until she saw whoever it was to pass right by so she stood and waited. While she did, she felt a nostalgic feeling come over her, she had done this once before, when she was really young, she remebered how she had to run and hide to get away from bullies, and now even though she was strong enough to fight back, she had to revert back to this tactic, running and hiding.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Mayako gritted her teeth, "Calm down kid" Kurookami commented "Don''t get so riled up" Mayako shuddered, "I know..." Mayako took in a breath, she needed to calm herself, she couldn''t risk herself getting angry and causing her fouth tail to appear which she believed would cause her to lose control of herself. Mayako took a few deep breaths, slowly she felt herself become calm, "Good, now use what I taught you" Mayako nodded, Mayako closed her eyes, she focused her senses, "Find the Spiritual Wavelength" this was one of the skills Kurookmai had taught her, he called it Soul Searching, it involved finding a person Spiritual Wavelength, which was the wave of energy that connected a person soul to their Spiritual Energy, finding it would allow someone to figure out who the person was, and how strong they were. "Got it" she slowly opened her eyes, her amber eyes were glowing, "Cat Spirit, Twin-tail, Spiritual Energy..." Mayako swallowed hard, "Massive..." this person was really strong, whoever they were, she was hoping a praying they weren''t after her. "Don''t worry kid, remeber what I taught you" Mayako took a breath and nodded, her eyes stopped glowing, "Got to hide my Spiritual Energy" Mayako foucused, she had to lower her Spiritual Energy to were it wasn''t able to be detected.


    This was another skill Kurookami had taught her, it was called Spiritual Erasing, which allowed one with extermly high Spiritual Energy to hide themselves, "A little lower" she mumbled, Mayako smirked when she felt she had lowered her Spiritual Energy enough "I''ve gotta thank Kurookami later" Mayako then went back to watching through the bush at the dirt path, her ears twitched, the footsteps were getting closer. Soon, a figured came into view, like she had found out, the figure was a male twin-tailed cat spirit, from the bush she could feel the twin-tailed cat spirits massive Spiritual Energy crushing her, "Man, I don''t want to mess with him" the cat spirit stopped. He looked like he was looking for something Mayako started praying that it wasn''t her he was looking for, she had no way of telling if he was an operative from the Elder Council. "Why isn''t he moving?" Mayako wondered, the cat spirit hadn''t moved and was looking in every direction then he did something Mayako wasn''t expecting, he looked straight at where she was hiding. "No way, does he know I''m hiding here?" Mayako shook her head "No,that can''t be possible.." but to Mayako''s dismay, the cat spirit was still looking right at her hiding spot Mayako stayed still, she still believed she was hidden and that the cat spirit must be trying to fool her.


    Suddenly the cat spirit spoke, "You can come out, I know you''re there, fox" Mayako shuddered, how was it possible that he found her, "If you don''t come out, I''ll make you" Mayako saw the cat spirits tails flare up and claws extend from his hands Mayako swallowed hard she had no choice she sighed, "Guess I''ve got no choice" Mayako walked out from the bush and into the light. The cat spirit sneered at her, "Wise decision" Mayako scowled "Who, are you? What do you want with me?" the cat spirit crossed his arms, "I''m with the Elder Council" Mayako''s eyes went wide, "Damn" she cursed, her worst fear had come to light, she was face to face with a Elder Council opperative. [Ch.12 END]

 Chapter 13- The Power of The Elder Council

    Mayako stared eye to eye with the Elder Council operative, he had a smirk on his face that got under her skin "So, your the fox the Elder Council wants" the cat spirit looked Mayako up and down he whistled "Its a shame I''ve gotta drag you in, your kinda hot" Mayako groaned in disgust, "How did you know where I was hiding, I hid my Spiritual Energy" the cat spirit chuckled. "Simple, I just used this" he pointed to his nose "I''m not one to boast but, I''ve got a good sense of smell" Mayako cursed "So, now that you found me what are you going to do?" the cat spirit scratched his chin, "Well, I guess I''m going to make you surrender, let be capture you, and bring you to the Elder Coucnil" Mayako gave a nervous grin "And what if I don''t come along quietly?" the cat spirit grinned "I''ll have to use force" he cracked his knuckles. "I figured.." Mayako started to sweat, she didn''t want to fight this cat spirit he was too strong, she decided she had no other choice with sutble movement she looked for a way to start running "Don''t think your going to run away" Mayako snapped back to the cat spirit who was grinning. Damn, he had figured her plan, but she had to still go through with it, "Well, nice meeting you, bye" Mayako ran off away from the cat spirit.


    He sighed "I said not to run" Mayako looked back and saw the cat spirit was standing still, watching her get away, she gave a smirk "Did he give up?" in a split second he vanished, Mayako gasped, then she felt a leg trip her she crashed to the ground. Mayako heard a few tounge clicks, she looked up and saw the cat spirit he was right beside her, with a smirk on his face, "Told you not to run, you won''t get far from me" Mayako glared at the cat spirit, she shot up off the ground and dashed away from him. "Now, if you please, come quietly" he put his hand out, Mayako shook her head "You''ll have to drag me there when every bone in my body is broken!" Mayako had no other choice, if she couldn''t run, she had to fight if she wanted to get away, even if she didn''t want to. The cat spirit sighed "And I so hoped you would come quietly" the cat spirit cracked his neck and got into a fight stance "It''s aganist my policy to beat on beautiful girls" Mayako clicked her tounge she hated being flirted with by the enemy.


    Mayako got herself ready, she threw her duffle bag to the ground, she put her fists up, "Lets see what you got, fox" the cat spirit smirked Mayako grumbled, the cat spirit was waiting for her to make a move first so, she happily abliged him she rushed at him and started swinging her fists. The cat spirit chuckled, he nimbly dodges out of the way of each of her pucnhed Mayako then threw some kicks into her onslaught even with that, he was still able to dodge all her strikes Mayako grumbled in annoyance she then kicked up the tempo and started swinging and kicking harder and faster.The cat spirit chuckled, he somehow was still able to keep dodging Mayako gritted her teeth "Stay still!" the cat spirit grinned "If you wish" he stopped dry and Mayako all be it a little confused decided to take the chance and threw a fast and hard kick, she was shocked when the cat spirit stopped it with his arm. "That''s all you got?" he tossed her leg away Mayako scowled and jumped back a bit, she wasn''t going to beat him with sheer brute force, she had to use more, she closed her eyes and focused.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    The cat spirit stood and watched, "What are you doing now?" Mayako didn''t answer so he decided to just watched and waited, Mayako exhaled a breath an suddenly a blue aura formed around her, the cat spirit had an intrigued look on his face, Mayako opened her eyes and they were glowing like fire, this was one of the techiques Kurookami had taught her, Spiritual Cloak, it intailed using your Spiritual Energy to create a force field of sorts around you, it serviced as a sheild to reduce damage done and it could be used one other way, as an offensive attack. "Hope your ready" Mayako smirked "Ready when you are cutey" the cat spirit winked Mayako''s eye twitched, she rushed at him, she started throwing punches again the cat spirit started dodging them again, "Is that just for show?" he commented Mayako smirked "No, it''s not" she threw another punch, the cat spirit went to dodge when he did Mayako unleashed a burst of Spiritual Energy and it connected with the cat spirits cheek. The cat spirit had an almost amazed look on his face, Mayako jumped back as the cat spirit brought his leg up and was able to avoid a kick to the chin.


    Mayako could see a small mark on the cat spirits face, she had just grazed him, the cat spirit touched it "Well, you surprised me with that one" he chuckled "I guess, I shouldn''t play around anymore" he smirked Mayako felt a chill go down her spine, he was just playing around this whole time, Mayako was worried if her was this strong when messing around, how strong was he when he was serious. Her questioned was asked when she suddenly felt his Spiritual Energy spike up, she readied herself as she felt his Spiritual Energy keep rising it got to a point where Mayako started to sweat, her body was reacting to the output of Spiritual Energy. It was telling her to run, but, her mind told her there''d be no way she could get away she had to fight, then during that find an opening to run, Mayako had a plan, she just hoped it would go off without a hitch or, her dying. [Ch. 13 END]

 Chapter 14- Coming of The Fourth Tail

    Mayako braced herself, the cat spirit had increased his power by a huge margin, he smirked "Hope your ready" he gave a wink Mayako grumbled in anger she raised her fists again, the two stared each other down waiting to see who would make the first move. Mayako decided to play it smart and wait for him to move, "Aw, your not coming at me this time" he grumbled Mayako groaned in annoyance the cat spirit smirked "Well, if you won''t come to me, I''ll come to you!" he then disappeared Mayako gasped and started looking around, she had to find out where he was attacking from. In a split second before he appeared Mayako had pinpointed his location, "Behind!" she wirled around with a punch sure enough, the cat spirit was behind her but, before Mayako''s attack could connect he vanished again throwing Mayako off. "Shit!" she cursed now she had to find him again but, before she could even do that a kick slammed into her back sending her careening to the ground, Mayako hopped up and the cat spirit was smirking at her "Almost had me" he chuckled.


    Mayako was ticked off at how the cat spirit was just toying with her, like he didn''t take her seriously, she was getting angry, so much so she glared at the cat spirit uncociously, "Woah, what''s with the mean look?" he taunted Mayako in a flare of annoyed anger rushed at the cat spirit which actually took him by surprise, as Mayako was too quickl for him to get out of the way Mayako landed a knee into his abdomen which sent him flying back, he caught himself and flipped back up right. He touched where Mayako had hit him, "Wow, that hurt a bit" he said through a pained look on his face Mayako smirked, she had actually been able to hit him, "Your full of surpirse aren''t you?" Mayako smirked "There''s more to me than just a beautiful face" the cat spirit snickered "You know, I like you, sad I have to beat the crap out of you" Mayako scowled. She refocused back on the fight, "But, I gotta say, the reports don''t match up" Mayako raised an eyebrow "Reports?" the cat spirit smirked "Yeah, the report says your nothing but, a monster" Mayako''s body jolted there was that word again, monster, the word that had put her in the situation she was in.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Mayako kept a cool face outside, but inside she was fumming, "You don''t say" Mayako tried to play it off that his words had affected her, but, it seemed the cat spirit knew, "Yeah, it said you were nothing but a killer" the cat spirit grinned evily, he was setting his plan into action, Mayako''s eyes went wide, she was labled nothing but a killer and monster, she clenched her fists tight. Her internal anger was rising, "Kid! Calm down!" Kurookami shouted Mayako was trying to calm herself down, she didn''t need Kurookami yelling at her, but it was hard after the cat spirit said "To think, a cute girl like you, killed almost an entire school of spirits" Mayako gritted her teeth "We had spoken with some of the survivours of your killing spree" he smirked. Mayako''s body started to visibly shudder from the anger inside her, "Each one told us how you were nothing more then a monster" he chuckled "They said you were even enjoying it" Mayako growled "They''re wrong!!" she shouted Mayako''s eyes flared with anger "They even said, that we should just kill you" Mayako bit into her lip, "Those bastards..." her body shook with anger the aura or Spiritual Energy around her started to shift.


    It started swiriling almost like it too was angry, "Kid! Don''t let him get to you! If you do you''ll regeret it!" Mayako wasn''t hearing Kurookami at all, she was too absorbed in her anger to hear him, she was more focused on that fact that people were saying she should die, that she was nothing more then a monster that needed to be destroyed. Did they forget that she was a girl, did they not see her as human anymore, did they see her as nothing but a monster, a killer, and they wanted her to die, how could they want something like that. Mayako''s anger rose,her Spiritual Energy aura was going crazy as her anger increased, her anger was getting the best of her, and unbeknowst to her, a fourth tail, started to slowly form and started to grow out from her, "Kid! Stop!" Kurookami shouted but, Mayako was to absorbed in her anger, "Damnit Kid!!" the cat spirit smirked, he had no idea what he was going to be instore for. [Ch.14 END]

 Chapter 15- Gaining Control

    As Mayako started down the cat spirit she had no idea that her anger was causing her fourth tail to form, she didn''t notice it until she felt the sudden spike in her Spiritual Energy, then out of the corner of her eye she saw it, the fourth tail swaying back and forth with the previous three "Oh shit!" she cursed this is what she was trying to avoid. The cat spirit snickered "I see your having a bit of a problem there" Mayako glared at the cat spirit "Did you know about this?" the cat spirit shook his head "No,but I think I like it, I can feel your Spiritual Energy increasing" the cat spirit had an amlost pleasured smile on his face."I like a strong girl" Mayako clicked her tounge in disgust just then Mayako could feel her mind start to slip, "No..." she whimpered she held her head, "No...please, not again!" she started to shake her head "I don''t want this!" being in this situation again, made Mayako remebre the other times this had happened.


    Remembering all what she did, ''Monster'', the word echoed in her head "No..." again the word echoed in her head,  "No,no,no, no!" she cried as she violently shook her head the cat spirit was a bit disturbed by this, "Whats going on?" suddenly, Mayako started screaming really loudly, the scream soon turned into a monstrous roar. At that moment, Mayako slipped away and was replaced her eyes glowed a bright white, her voice had a deep malestation to it, "You" came from her mouth and she looked straight at the cat spirit. The cat spirit seemed a bit surprised at the sudden change in his target, "She''s different somehow..." he started right into her glowing white eyes he scowled and started to sweat, "If I''m not careful, I could die" the cat spirit took a cautious stance. Mayako didn''t move, "What is she waiting for?" he waited a bit longer yet, Mayako still didn''t move or try to attack him he swallowed hard, something was off about the fox girl "Well, if you won''t come at me" he went into an attack stance, "I''ll come at you".


    The cat spirit took a single step forward, and Mayako vanished, the cat spirit gasped in shock "Where''d she go?" just then before he could do anything something slammed into him, as he crashed to the ground he caught a glimpse of what hit him, it shocked him greatly as he saw Mayako and he had just been struck with her tail. The cat spirit hopped up off the ground, he had an aching pain in his side, he winced as he touched it "Ow,I think that broke something" he looked at Mayako who was growling lowly "I think this just got harder" he took a deep breathe and walked towards Mayako who growled as he approached "Alright, shall we start round two?" he cracked his knuckled.


    In a instant he vanished, "Your fast, but lets see if you can match my speed" he started running around Mayako looking for his approtune moment to launch an attack, when he saw it he grinned and rushed in, to his dismay, he was meet with Mayako''s tail again, this time it slammed into his stomach the force was so hard and fast that he almost vomited. He flew back and smacked into a tree, he staggered up from the ground but feel to one knee he hacked and wheezed, "Man, that knocked the wind out of me" he got control of his breathing "Okay, your playing hard I see, then so shall I" with that the cat spirit released his full power.


    A wave of Spiritual Energy exploded from him, "Alright, round three" he smirked Mayako didn''t seem to be detered by his increase in strength at all, in fact, it looked like she was excited about it, "Here goes" the cat spirit vanished and like before he started running around Mayako "If you tought I was fast before, you haven''t seen anything yet" he taunted there was no one faster then him. But that theroy was blown away, as he saw Mayako, keeping up with him, "What the!?" he gasped he thought he was hallucinating, Mayako was fallowing him each step or move he made "This can''t be happening!" this couldn''t be real, someone was actually keeping up with him. He growled, he threw a punch, Mayako wrapped her tail around his arm and she picked him up and slammed him into the ground, the cat spirit groaned in pain yet he got back up he had blood dripping from his mouth, he wipped it and snickered "That, all you got?" he gave a weak smirk. He vanished again, and just like before Mayako was keeping up with him "Try this!" he started throwing punches and kicks, he also added some claw strikes he thought he''d get at least one attack in but, Mayako was dodging everything, not only that, but her blows were finding their mark.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    The cat spirit received a kick to the abdomen, he got a right hook to the cheek, he got a tail slammed into his side, if his ribs weren''t broken from that, then the second kick to his side must have he hacked up blood, his body was wracked with pain "If this continues, I''m dead" he thought as he recieved a direct punch to his face which sent him sailing to the ground. He weakly got up from the ground, "This chick''s a monster, thats for sure" at that moment, inside her subconcious Mayako had finally come to, she looked around with a shocked expression "No! Not this place again!" this was the last place she wanted to be, she looked behind her and she stared at her newly formed fourth tail, "Godamnit!" she growled "Kurookami!" she shouted "I''m here kid!" came his voice "Show me whats going on outside!" she heard an acknowledging grunt. The screen like object flashed open, Mayako gritted her teeth, she knew she would see this, her, with a grin on her face taking in the pleasure of fighting and beating on someone, she looked and saw that the cat spirit was in bad shape, he was holding his side and had blood dripping from his mouth.


    "Damn, this is what I didn''t want to happen!" she slammed a fist into the screen, "I let my emotions get the better of me" she slammed her fist a second time, "I''ve got to stop myself!" she started preperations to expell the excess Spiritual Energy "No kid! Don''t do that!" came Kurookami''s voice "What why!?" she looked at the screen if she didn''t do something she was going to kill the cat spirit, that''s something she wanted to avoid entirely. "If you expell the excess Spiritual Energy it will leave you vunerable!" Mayako clicked her tounge, Kurookami was right, if she''d release the excess Spiritual Energy it would leave her in a weak state, and that would allow the cat spirit to capture her. "Then what do I do then!?" she shouted "What other option do I have!?" Kurookami sighed "You, have to gain control of yourself" Mayako''s eyes went wide, "You mean, take control of myself with the increased Spiritual Energy?" an affirmative grunt came from Kurookami, "Your nuts!" Mayako shouted "The reason I''m in this situation is because I can''t control the vast increase in power!" Kurookami sighed.


    "You have to, it''s the only way so that you don''t get captured" Mayako clenched her fists, "I''m scared,what if I can''t control myself, and end up killing him?" a third sigh came from Kurookami, "You can do it kid, believe in yourself!" Mayako thought for a bit, could she really take control of herself with such vast power, she remebered all the times something like this had happened, how she was powerless to stop herself. She had the same situation going on in front of her, she didn''t want to feel powerless anymore, "Alright, I''ll do it, I''m tired of being usless" she heard Kurookami laugh "Good, you know what to do" Mayako nodded, "Listen up body, I want control back" Mayako steeled herself. "I won''t let you do what you want any longer" she gritted her teeth "Now, listen to me, give me control again!" nothing happened at first but then Mayako shouted, "Give me my body back!" then she felt a familliar jolt. She smirked, the next thing she knew she was looking at the cat spirit through her own eyes, the cat spirit seemed to notice the change in Mayako as he smirked.


    He wipped a drip of blood from his face, "I see your back" Mayako smirked "Sorry about that" she looked at her hands, she felt the vast amount of Spiritual Energy flowing through her, "So, this is what it feels like" she whispered, she never felt so much power coursing through her she clenched her fists and smiled, "Alright, shall we continue where we left off?" she got into a fighting stance the cat spirit chuckled, "Yes, I''d like that" he smirked and got into his fighting stance. Mayako and the cat spirit stared each other down, then something unexpected happened, the huge amount of Spiritual Energy coming from the cat spirit vanished, Mayako gave a confused look "What are you doing?" the cat spirit smiled Mayako gasped as she saw him raise his hands, "I give up" Mayako stood there flabergasted, "What!?" she shouted the cat spirit gave a weak chuckle, what was going on now? [Ch.15 END]

 Chapter 16- An Unlikely Companion

    Mayako just stood and stared at the cat spirit, her mouth was agape she was still in shock from what she had heard "What did you just say?" the cat spirit chuckled "I said, I give up" he held his hands up Mayako scoffed, "You really expect me to believe you?" Mayako stayed in her fighting stance, she would be ready if the cat spirit tried a surprise attack. The cat spirit sighed, "Your Dad did say I''d have trouble convincing you if a pulled a stunt like this" Mayako raised an eyebrow, "My Dad?" her face contorted with rage "Did you do something to him?" the cat spirit shook his head. "No, he asked me to find you" Mayako''s rage contorted face turned to one of shock "What? Why would my Dad ask an operative of the Elder Council to find me?" Mayako started to fear the worst but the cat spirit laughed.


    "Whats so funny?" the cat spirit smirked "Sorry, the thing about me being an operative of the Elder Council, that was a lie" a grin spread across the cat spirits face "What, a lie?" the cat spirit nodded, Mayako was confused if the cat spirit lied about being an operative of the Elder Council then, "Who are you?" the cat spirit smiled "I was hoping you''d ask" with that the cat spirit bowed his head. "My names Arita Shigeki, and I''m the son of a friend of your fathers" Mayako relaxed, "Your fathers friends with my father?" Arita looked up, "Yep,and your Dad asked mine to make sure you were kept safe while you were on your own" Mayako smiled.


    Her father was still worried about her, "So, why are you here?"Arita chuckled "My Dad''s kinda a busy man so he sent me in his place" Mayako nodded "I see" but then, Mayako''s face filled with anger "Then why the hell did you attack me just now!" Arita smirked "Well, I kinda wanted to see just how strong you were since the Elder Council is after you" Mayako grumbled. "You could have just come clean instead" Arita scrathced his nose "Well, I also wanted to check to see how capable you were in a fight" Mayako grumbled "You could have died doing what you did" Arita chuckled "Your right about that" at that moment he winced in pain, he held his side. Mayako sighed and walked over, "Sorry, that must really hurt" Arita gave a pained grin "You could say that" Arita winced once more, a concerned look came to Mayako''s face "Are you going to be okay?" Arita gave a smug smirk.


    "Don''t worry, I heal pretty fast" Arita patted his side which wasn''t a bright idea, he held back a scream as the pain shot through his body "This just proves I won''t have to always protect you" he smirked Mayako grumbled, "I don''t need to be protected! I can take care of myself!" Mayako huffed "Look, you were just up against me, what''s going to happen when it''s you against two, or three, or four?" Mayako looked away. "How will you protect yourself then?" Mayako sighed, Arita was right, she could handle just one person but, what would she do with more then one, Mayako looked at Arita, "Your right, though, I hate to admit it" Arita smirked "See I told you tha-" Mayako cut him off, "But, if you help me the Elder Council will come after you and your Dad" Arita sighed.


    "I know, you Dad told my Dad that, yet, my Dad still agreed" Mayako rasied an eyebrow "Why''d he accept when he knew the consiqunces?" Arita scrathced his head, "Well, it seems my Dad kinda owes yours and he felt this was the prefect way to pay him back" Mayako sighed "I see, but, what about you? What do you get out of this?" Mayako stared at Arita waiting for his answer. He smirked, "Well, I get to travel and fight alongside a really cute girl" Mayako''s face flushed red, "Don''t joke around!" Arita chuckled "I''m not joking, you are really cute" Mayako turned redder. "If that''s your reason then just leave" Mayako said in a cold tone, Arita could see the seriousness in Mayako''s eyes, he sighed and scratched the back of his head "Well, my Dad told me a girl was in trouble and that bad people were after her" Arita looked away "I just couldn''t standby after hearing that" Mayako''s face flushed a dark red.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    "I, I see" Mayako coughed nervously, "Well, does that meet your standards?" Mayako nodded, she looked back as did Arita, "So, you know who is after me?" Arita nodded "And I guess you could see why?" Arita looked at the four black tails swirling behind Mayako. He nodded, he did see, greatly, why the Elder Council was after her, that power she had used while they were fighting, at that thought his body ached. "Do you, do you really want to protect a monster like me?" Mayako''s face filled with sadness Arita sighed, "Every monster needs a gaurdian" Mayako''s face lightened up a bit. Arita grinned, "Espcially, when the monster is a cutie like you" he winked Mayako turned the darkest red she could get. She turned around, putting her back to Arita, "Okay then, I guess it''s okay you protect me" she heard Arita chuckle "Good, then I''m looking forward to traveling and protecting you, Mayako" Mayako''s body shuddered.


    Mayako coughed, "Yes, likewise, lets be on our way then shall we?" with that Mayako nervously walked over to her duffel bag and picked it up and slung it aross her back Arita chuckled "Sure" Mayako took in a breath and she started walking. She could hear Arita walking behind her, her face was still red, she sighed "Great idea Dad, ask a friend to protect me, and then he up and sends his son whos my age" Mayako took a quick peek back at Arita, it was then she noticed he was walking rather slowly and was holding his side all the way. She felt remorse, it was she that had caused him to be like this, Mayako then stopped in her tracks she waited for Arita to catch up with her when he did Mayako matched his steps, Arita looked over and smiled and looked forward.


    Arita snickered, Mayako looked over, "What?" Arita looked over, "Oh nothing, it''s just" he snickered again, "Just what?" Mayako cocked her head in confusion "Oh, it''s just that I can kinda see your bra" Mayako at first gave a confused look, then she saw where Arita was looking,her ace went red, she let out a small shriek. Peeking out from a rip in her shirt, was her pink and blue polka dotted bra, Mayako quickly covered her chest "How''d this happen?" she then heard a nervous laugh come from Arita "Uhm, that''s my fault" Arita extended his claws and waved his hand. Mayako grumbled "Asshole, I really like this shirt!" Mayako swiftly kicked Arita in the shin, he stopped dry and bent down and held his knee as it throbbed "I''m sorry!" Mayako huffed, she turned and walked away.


    Arita groaned, "Wait for me!" Arita rose up and tried his best to fallow Mayako, limping, Mayako was walking in a fast and angry manner "Wait up!". [Ch. 16 END]

 Chapter 17- Looking for A Little Sister

    Keishi and Yone walked down a dirt path together, Yone was leading, her eyes were glowing a bright yellow color and they seemed to be focused on something, Keishi was antsy, "So, did you find anything?" Yone didn''t say anything she was busy concentrating on whatever her eyes were seeing Keishi groaned, "Yone! Do you hear me!" Yone jumped, and the light vanished from her eyes, she stopped in her tacks as did Keishi, she clicked her tounge and looked over at him with a scowl, "What the hecks your problem! You know I have to concentrate to keep it going!" the two of them stopped Keishi sighed. The ''it'' Yone was refereeing to, was her glowing yellow eyes that she had, before Keishi had broken her concentration, "You know that it''s the only way of fallowing her!" Keishi frowned and hung his head. Yone sighed, Keishi was always getting like this whenever Mayako was mentioned, Yone sighed "We''ll find her Keishi, just you wait and see" Yone looked back with a smile, Keishi gave a sad smile back.


    Yone grumbled, "You know if you keep acting like that Mayako won''t like you anymore" Keishi shuddered, Yone chuckled, that got his attention, "She''s going to think that your some clingy guy, and she''s not going to love you anymore" Keishi chocked. Yone smirked, another successful hit, "Cheer up, like I said, we''ll find her Keishi" Keishi looked up at Yone, his mouth started to form somewhat of a smile, "And then when we find her, you can protect her, and she''ll give you a kiss" Keishi''s face flushed with red. He grumbled, "Could you stop teasing me already!" Yone chuckled, she smiled, "That''s the Keishi I know" Keishi sighed, he had been played by Yone, "You need to stop being so mop[ and sad, you''ll ruin yourself if you continue like that" Keishi scratched the back of his head, Yone was right.


    Keishi sighed, "I know, it''s just" Keishi clenched his fists, Yone sighed "I know, I want to find her too Keishi" Yone knew how Keishi felt, she as well wanted desperately to find Mayako, she had taken it hard when Keishi had informed everyone that Mayako had left,her little sister was on her own, on the run from the Elder Council, that''s what made her work hard and in that time she had developed her Ghost Trail skill. With that, Yone reactivated it in mere seconds her eyes glowed yellow once more, she then started walking once more and Keishi fallowed behind her, the two of them had been doing this for weeks, using the Ghost Trail skill she had created they had been fallowing Mayako''s footsteps, trying to get closer to finding her. The skill was simple to activate, Yone just had to pick up on the desire persons Spiritual Energy, then focus on it, and then she was able to see a line that would tell where the person had gone and what they had done.


    It was a skill that garnered a lot of concentration, if her concentration was broken the slightest bit she''d lose sight of the line and she''d have to do it over again from step one, it was difficult at first because Yone had to get a sense for Mayako''s spiritual energy, when she did it was easy to use the Ghost Trail to trace her footsteps. Just then, Yone heard Keishi sneeze really loudly, she jumped and that caused her to loose concentration and that made her loose sight of Mayako''s ghost trail the yellow glow in her eyes slowly faded, she grumbled in annoyance and stopped in her tracks making Keishi stop as well, she glared back at Keishi, he could see that he had messed Yone up, he gave smiled nervously and chuckled, he rubbed the back of his head "Sorry about that" Yone looked away in a huff.


    Yone sighed, with that Yone got to work getting it going again, she took in a deep breath and began to focus, "Mayako.." she whispered, Yone searched for a sign of Mayako''s Spiritual Energy it was still difficult for her to find a trace of Mayako''s spiritual energy as she only had so much practice with finding Mayako''s. It took some time, but Yone finally got a hold of a small bit of Mayako''s Spiritual Energy, she keyed in on it, she then focused in on it, she smiled once she got a good feel of it. The yellow glow slowly started to come back in her eyes, slowly Mayako''s Ghost Trail started to reappear she smiled "Got it" she whispered, Yone then started to fallow the line she was seeing, Keishi seeing Yone was resuming walking he fallowed behind her, he hated how he couldn''t do anything but just be a follower. Keishi wanted to find Mayako quickly, he was worried about her, he hadn''t stop worrying ever since she left that night, even after his father said that Mayako would be fine and he had nothing to worry about, he still worried.


    Either it was his feelings for Mayako that was making him this way, or, it was his feelings as an older brother, all he knew for a fact was that he wanted to find out for sure that Mayako was fine and be there to protect her if need be. Keishi then remembered that night, when his father had told him and Yone what was going on with Mayako, he felt sick to his stomach, Mayako had suffered all alone, taking everything on herself, he hated his father for telling Mayako not to let him and Yone know, Keishi felt like a failure as both a man and a older brother, he had allowed Mayako the one he loved, and also his sister, to deal with such a problem all by herself. After Keishi had heard that, he felt like that if maybe he could have pressed harder, made Mayako tell him, he could have helped her and she wouldn''t be running for her life from the Elder Council. As Keishi fallowed behind Yone there was only one thing on his mind, and that was Mayako.


    Keishi and Yone walked in silence, they had been walking for about five hours since Yone picked up on Mayako''s trail again, Keishi saw a split in the path coming up as well as a cave, Yone picked up on a lot of Mayako''s spiritual energy stagnating inside the cave. Keishi could see Yone looking hard at the cave which got him curious, "What do you see Yone?" Keishi looked inside the cave but unlike Yone he couldn''t see all of the spiritual energy floating around that she could all Keishi saw, was an empty cave. But, It was staggering to Yone how much of Mayako''s spiritual Energy filled the cave, "It seems that Mayako spent a lot of time in this cave here and it looks like she may have left a couple days ago" Keishi gave a smile, that meant that they were on the right track but, Keishi wouldn''t be happy until Mayako was found.


    He was about to ask Yone if she saw anything else until Yone gasped, Keishi looked over and a worried look was on her face "What? What is it Yone?" Yone felt her skin crawl, she didn''t answer Keishi as she was looking at a second Ghost Trail, that wasn''t Mayako''s, that told her one thing and one thing only, Yone looked at Keishi the yellow glow vanished. Keishi saw the look on Yone''s face, he knew she had bad news, "What, tell me, what did you see?" Yone shuddered a sigh,  "I saw a second Ghost Trail" Keishi clenched his fists, Yone gritted her teeth "Someone started fallowing her from here" Keishi heard more then he needed, "Which way?" Yone jumped, she had never heard Keishi be so firm before.


    Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Yone looked back to the cave and concentrated, her eyes flashed yellow and the Ghost Trail appeared she fallowed it from the cave and found where it was leading, "That way" Yone pointed to the left path in front of the cave, "Alright, lets go" with that Keishi walked off down the left path Yone fallowed behind him, Keishi gritted his teeth and growled lowly, he hoped Mayako was alright, if she wasn''t he had no idea what he''d do. After walking for another hour or so another split in the path came up, Keishi cursed, he looked both ways frantically, he then looked back at Yone "Which way did she go!?" Yone jumped back, that caused her to loose concentration and the Ghost Trail vanished as did the yellow glow in her eyes, Yone grumbled, she glared at Keishi, Keishi gave  a sorryful smile "Sorry, which way did she go?" Yone nodded, she started concentrating once again.


    It didn''t take Yone long to find Mayako''s spiritual energy, she saw Mayako''s trail appear as well as the one she saw back at the cave, the one that belonged to the person fallowing her, Yone clicked her tounge, "Whoever''s fallowing her is right on her heels" Keishi heard enough. "Which way did they go?" Yone shuddered, she was a bit startle by how Keishi was acting, "Th-This way" she started down the right path Keishi fallowed behind her, as they walked Yone could feel Keishi''s spiritual energy spiking, the anger mixed into it made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. This is how Keishi got ever since Mayako left and he heard something concerning Mayako, it seemed like he was really worked up over Mayako''s being fallowed situation.


    The two walked down the path and another split path came up, Keishi growled in annoyance, "Which way did they go this time!?" Yone didn''t stop, she turned down the left path and kept going with Keishi right behind her, but, as they walked along the path Yone noticed something going on with the Ghost Trails, "Why are they getting smaller?" Keishi heard Yone''s outburst. Keishi walked beside Yone and looked at her puzzled, "What do you mean they''re getting smaller?" Yone couldn''t answer Keishi, she was busy studying the change in Mayako''s Ghost Trail, but, Yone had no idea what was going on, Mayako''s Ghost Trails she had been fallowing till now where big and wide, yet the one she was fallowing right now was narrow and small.


    It was almost like Mayako had deliberately lowered her Spiritual Energy as a ways to make it harder for the person fallowing her to track her, Yone felt that it was a good idea but, she became discouraged when she saw Mayako''s pursuers Ghost Trail. Yone sighed, it was a good plan she had to give it to Mayako, but, it seemed that didn''t work, Yone and Keishi continued down the path for what seemed like hours until, Yone suddenly stopped a shocked looked spread across her face as she saw something that took her completely by surprise. She was astounded by what she was seeing, "What the hell?" Keishi stopped as well, "What is it Yone? Why''d you stop?" Yone ignored Keishi, she was more intrigued in what she saw before her, "Why is there so much Spiritual Energy here" Keishi jumped, "What do you mean!?" Yone sighed. She "I mean, both Mayako and the person fallowing her released a lot of Spiritual Energy here" Keishi knew that meant one thing, Yone said the very thing Keishi had just figured out, "The two of them fought here" Keishi tightened his fists Mayako fought her pursuer, he hoped that Mayako was okay.


    Yone''s eyes went wide, "Woah..." she mumbled "What!?" Keishi looked at Yone with a concerned look, "There was a huge spike in Mayako''s Spiritual Energy" Keishi raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean a huge spike?" Yone swallowed hard, "It''s like when Mayako lost control at school" Keishi''s eyes went wide "You mean?" Yone nodded, "Yep, when her third tail appeared" Keishi knew what that meant. It meant that during her fight with her pursuer a fourth tail must have appeared, Yone growled "It seems like her pursuer fought with her while she was like that, I can see that their Spiritual Energy suddenly spiked when Mayako''s did" Yone clenched her fists, Keishi started to fear the worst, he remembered what had happened when Mayako lost control of herself, and what she had to do to regain control, "Maya.." he growled gritting his teeth.


    Keishi heard Yone exclaim loudly, "What? Did you find something else?" Yone nodded, "Yeah, but, I can''t really fathom it" Keishi was confused, "What do you mean?" Yone chuckled "That spike, Mayako had no control over it but then, all of a sudden it seems she got control" Keishi raised an eyebrow, "What does that mean?" Yone shuddered, "It means, that Mayako was able to gain control of the massive spike in her Spiritual Energy" Keishi was shocked yet at the same time, amazed. Mayako had done something he didn''t she''d be able to do, after seeing firsthand how Mayako was when she lost control when her Spiritual Energy increased so much all at once, and now to here Yone say that she regained control without having to resort to the usual method made him smile.


    Knowing that, meant Mayako was fine, but another question came to his mind, "What happened after that?" Yone looked at Keishi and then back at the open area, she focused and saw the vast amount of Spiritual Energy from Mayako and her pursuer appear before her again. As she looked Yone this time saw something that confused her, "What? Why? Why would they do something like that" she questioned for some odd reason, Mayako''s pursuers massive spiritual energy had lowered greatly. "What do you see?" Keishi asked, "It doesn''t make sense, why did both hers and her pursuers Spiritual Energy back to normal after Mayako gained control over so much power?" Keishi grunted in confusion, it didn''t make sense to Yone, why power down when your enemy''s power went up drastically? Yone couldn''t make head or tales of the situation, Keishi however was worried something had happened, something bad, he tightly clenched his fist a growled lowly.  [Ch.17 END]

 Chapter 18- The Cat and The Fox

    Arita tapped his foot as he stood with his back against a tree, "Can''t believe I have to wait here while a gorgeous women is changing" Arita looked into the wooded area behind him, Mayako had walked in there stating she was going to change her clothes and for Arita to wait where he stood. It had been at least seven minutes since Mayako had walked into the wooded area to change, "What is taking her so long?" Arita grumbled, he moved away from the tree and crossed his arms "Does it really take this long to change clothes?" Arita was a bit worried, "I guess it''s okay to go and see if she''s alright" with that he started off into the wooded area. Arita let his senses guide him, he could smell Mayako''s scent the further he went into the woods, "Hey, Mayako, where are you?" he called and he got no response.


    Arita grumbled, what was the girl doing, "Hey! Mayako! Your not dead somehow are you?" again Arita got no response, "Come on! Say something! If I go back to your father, and I say your possibly missing or dead he''ll kill me!" Arita shuddered at that thought, Mayako''s father made it very clear that Mayako was to be kept alive and safe as long as she needed to stay on the run. Arita hadn''t know fear until the day he met Mayako''s father, and he thought his father was scary, Mayako''s took the prize for scareist father, just thinking about what Mayako''s father, a nine-tailed fox, would do to him, that made him call out loudly "Mayako! If your not dead then answer me! I don''t want to die I haven''t had sex yet!" then, as Arita stepped into a clearing he stopped in his track.


    Arita swallowed hard, the sight before him was a feast for his eyes, before him stood a half naked Mayako, dripping wet, she was just pulling on a fresh pair of jeans, when she noticed Arita standing and staring at her, his face bright red, Mayako just blanky stared back. Arita''s eyes looked Mayako down, you wouldn''t be able to tell from the way Mayako wore her clothes but Mayako had a real feminine figure, she had nice curves that Arita''s eyes glided along, her waist was nice a slender and her stomach was flat and toned, that was probably from her training. Arita''s eyes flowed to the top of Mayako''s body which was just as exquisite as her bottom part, her arms were nice and slender with a bit of muscle defintion, Mayako''s chest wasn''t huge, but, she did have very big breasts. Arita swallowed hard, seeing Mayako''s breasts contained in her bra made him get hot, and the water slowly tricking down from them made something of his grow.


    Arita soone locked eyes with Mayako, her amber eyes were mesmerizing to Arita, they were like a blazing sun, and her pale skin made them pop out even more, and her long black hair went well with her eyes and skin color, Arita could see droplets of water rolling down from Mayako''s wet hair. Mayako''s ears twitched a bit, Arita shuddered, he didn''t need to think about it, he knew he was in trouble, "What do you think your doind here?" Arita stammered a bit, "Well, It was taking so long for you to come back and I thought something bad might have happened, so I decided to come and check on you" Arita laughed nervously, he rubbed the back of his head deep down he was hoping and praying with all his might that Mayako would forgive him and belive him. Mayako sighed, "Sorry, I found a lake when I came here to change, I couldn''t help myself" Arita was dumbfounded, "What? Why do you have that look on your face?" Arita chuckled.


    "So, your not mad?" Mayako raised an eyebrow, "Why would I be mad? You just wanted to see if anything happened to me right?" Arita smirked, he nodded he sighed in relief, he couldn''t belive how lucky he was. With that Arita turned and started to walk back the way he came, "Come back after your finished alright" Mayako agreed with a hum and she went back to finishing getting dressed, as Arita walked back from where he came his face was burning red. He still couldn''t get the image of Mayako''s semi nude body out his head, "Man, that was an eyeful" when Arita had first seen Mayako he noticed how much of a beauty she was but, after seeing her they way he had just now made her beauty skyrocket, Arita chuckled, he felt like the luckest cat alive.


    This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    Arita made it back to where he had been standing for the past seven minutes, he had his back against the tree and his arms were folded in front of his chest he didn''t wait as long as the first time as after a minute passed her heard the sound of footsteps coming from the wooded area. He chuckled, he turned and looked and sure enough Mayako was walking towards him in a fresh suit of clothes and her duffle bag strapped to her back, Arita stepped away from the tree and faced Mayako "Looks like you done finally" Mayako huffed. She stepped out into the light and Arita got a look at was she was wearing, he nearly had a heart attack, Mayako was wearing a tank top that was very tight around her chest, Arita could see clearly how big they were, and it was partcially wet and Arita could see some of Mayako''s bra.


    He looked down, and saw that she was wearing a pair of shorts, her pale slender legs flowed from the pant legs like water, Mayako could see that Arita was looking her up and down, "What''s the matter? Is this too much for you?" she gave a teasing smirk, Arita grumbled, Mayako was making fun of him. He cracked a smile, "Wow, your looking really sexy there Miss on The Run" Mayako grumbled. Arita chuckled, "Whats the matter? That get under your skin?" Mayako stared daggers at Arita she then smirked, "Your a really horny cat aren''t you?" Arita raised an eyebrow, he then saw Mayako was looking down, he fallowed her line of sight and blushed with embarassment. He quickly put his hands over his crotch, he sighed, Mayako laughed "Your so easy to read!" Arita grumbled, "Can we just get back on our way?" Mayako chuckled, "Aw, is the kitty a sore loser?" Arita groaned, "Lets just get going already" with that he walked off, Mayako giggled "He so is" Arita shouted back, "I''m going to leave you behind!" Mayako gasped, she looked Arita was a good ways ahead of her "Wa-wait for me!" she cried as she ran to catch up to him.


    This is how it had gotten between the two of them, after a week of traveling together the two of them had forged a friendship, the two of them trained together, they ate together, they did almost everything together, at first Mayako wasn''t really keen on having Arita with her, but, now after being with him for a week she felt he wasn''t so bad to have around. She chuckled to herself, and also in that time she had found it was fun to tease Arita, she''d tease him whenever she saw a chance, but, she''d always get a taste of her own medicine as Arita would tease her right back. All in all, the two had really formed a strong bond with each other in the week they had been together, it somtimes had Mayako thinking about times with her older siblings, like when she use to play with Yone before she started her training when she was younger, or how she would fallow Keishi wherever he went when he was home.


    As thoughts of her siblings swam through her head a frown formed on her face, Mayako had never once stopped wondering about her siblings, what they were doing, and their wellbeing were on her mind, she thought of Yone, was her older sister taking her departure hard, or was she somehow coping with it. Then her thoughts drifted to Keishi, she recollected the time she heard Keishi say that he liked her, she also recollected when he told her he wasn''t her blood related brother, that made Mayako wonder, what kind of life would she have had, if her first black tail hadn''t appeared, if she had been a regular fox spirit. Would she be at home spending time with her siblings, going to school with Yone, would she and Keishi be lovers? all these thoughts and more swirled around Mayako''s head. Mayako looked back at the four black tails flowing behind her and wondered, what would her life be right now, if she weren''t a demon fox spirit and she wasn''t on the run from the Elder Council. [Ch.18 END]

 Chapter 19- Looking for A Little Sister II-

    Yone and Keishi were continuing there way down the dirt path, fallowing Mayako''s Ghost Trail, both of them had a look of worry on their face as Yone had found something disturbing as they had continued fallowing Mayako''s Ghost Trail. Yone had found that the unknown Ghost Trail she had seen that signified someone fallowing Mayako was now appearing right next to Mayako''s, at first the unknown Ghost Trail was behind Mayako''s but now, the two were side by side, it was almost like the two of them were walking together. Yone just hoped that Mayako was with whoever the unknown Ghost Trail belonged to of her own will, if she wasn''t, that person would have to answer to her but, not just her, Yone looked back at Keishi he had a real furious look on his face, he had kept that look ever since she had informed him about Mayako possibly being with someone that she fought with.


    Keishi saw a spilt in the path they were on come up, "Which way!?" he shouted which made Yone snap her head forward in fear, she wasn''t liking the way Keishi was getting, she put that thought in the back of her head, the only thing important right now, was finding Mayako, hopefully well and okay. Yone saw the Ghost Trail''s take the left path, she signaled to Keishi to fallow her he grunted and nodded and fallowed her fown the left path, as they ran down the path Keishi suddenly stopped in his tracks. Yone stopped as well, she looked back at him "What is it Keishi?" Keishi didn''t answer he was frantically looking each and every way, it was like he was looking for something, "Keishi!" Yone shouted, that got his attention, he looked over at her "I...I smell Maya around here" Yone''s eyes went wide. Keishi went back to looking around like a madman, he would ocassianaly sniff the air and it seemed he was closing in on something.


    Keishi suddenly gasped, he looked at one particular area of woods, he smiled "Over there!" he quickly rushed off in the woods "Keishi! Wait for me!" Yone rushed after him, "Maya! Maya! Maya!" Keishi chanted as he rushed through the brush and trees, the stronger the scent got the faster he''d go, "Keishi wait for me!" Yone called as she nearly fell flat on her face after he foot caught in a tree root. Keishi didn''t slow down, all Yone could hear was him laughing like crazy and calling out Mayako''s name, Keishi''s heart was racing, Mayako was here, he had found her, he couldn''t wait to see her face come into view as he could tell by how strong her scent was that he was getting closer to her. Keishi rushed into a clearing and shouted "Maya!" but, his smiling face was wiped away quickly as he saw no sign of Mayako at all, "What the?" he looked around like a lost child, where was Mayako?


    Keishi knew for a fact that the scent he had was Mayako''s, there was no way he''d mistake it, yet, Mayako was nowhere to be seen and her scent filled the place, as Keishi stood there at a loss Yone finally caught up with him, she panted heavily, "You could have slowed down!" she growled, she looked at Keishi and was about to chew him out when she saw the lost look in his eyes. Yone''s angry face soon turned to one of concern. "Keishi, what''s the matter?" Keishi said nothing, he just kept looking at the empty clearing like a zombie, Yone''s concern grew, she grabbed Keishi''s arm "Keishi! Whats the matter!?" she shook him, she then heard him mumbled something she couldn''t quite make out, "What was that?" Keishi went silent again, Yone shook Keishi hard, "Keishi! What the hell is wrong with you!" just then Keishi looked back at Yone. Yone let go of Keishi''s arm and jumped back in shock, Keishi had a really grim look on his face, it made Yone nervous, "She''s not here" Yone shook her head, "What?" Keishi chuckled "She''s not here, Maya''s not here, but, her smell, it''s all over the place" Yone felt a chill go down her back.


    "Keishi, your scaring me" Keishi looked back at Yone, his face looked like the face of a broken man, "She''s not here Yone, Maya''s not here, then why is her scent all over?" Yone couldn''t take anymore, she wasn''t liking how Keishi was falling apart right in front of her, she rushed over to him and hugged him tightly. "Yone?" Keishi muttered as he looked down at the trembling Yone, "Please stop Keishi!" Yone sobbed, Keishi gasped, he covered his eyes, "How could I let myself get like that?" he mumbled he took in a breath, he uncovered his eyes and stared at the sobbing Yone, he sighed and he smiled sadly, he touched her head "I''m sorry Yone, stop crying, I''m alright" Yone''s crying stifled. She looked up at Keishi, a tear rolled down her cheek, "I''m fine now, stop crying, I''m sorry" Keishi smiled, Yone smiled back "I''m glad" she let out a sigh, "Uhm, you can let go of me now" Keishi remarked, Yone went red in the face, she looked and saw that she was still holding onto Keishi.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    She shrieked, she pushed herself away from Keishi, she looked away in a fluster "So..Sorry!" Keishi chuckled "Don''t be, you brought me back to my senses" Yone''s body shuddered, "What''s the matter?" Yone gasped, "Nothing" she didn''t look back at Keishi as her face was bright red, she let out a breath to calm herself. Keishi chuckled, "Wow, you know, it''s really been a long time since you cried Yone" Yone went rigged, she then turned her head and glared at Keishi "I wasn''t crying" Keishi chuckled "Uhm, but, you were" Yone growled, she produced a huge ball of foxes fire, "I wasn''t crying" she growled. Keishi jumped back, "Alright! Alright! You weren''t crying!" Yone grumbled and Keishi laughed and smiled nervoulsy, Yone huffed and the ball of foxes fire vanished Keishi sighed in relief. "So, if Mayako''s scent is all over here then that means she was here" Yone looked around that''s when she saw somehthing that made her eyes go wide, "Yone? Whats wrong?" Keishi asked in a concerned tone.


    Yone rushed off to a certain area of the clearing, she looked down at the ground,her fists tightened, she knelt down and to Keishi it looked like she was reaching down for something, Keishi walked over as he was curious "Yone? What is it? Did you find somthing?" Yone''s ears flickered. She looked back at Keishi with a concerned look on her face Keishi stopped in his tracks "Yone? What is it?" Yone gritted "Keishi.." Keishi could tell just by the tone of Yone''s voice she had found something, and it wasn''t something good. "What is it? What did you find?" Yone lifted her arm into view Keishi''s eyes were drawn to a white collar shirt that had a tear in it that Yone held in her hands his eyes went wide, "Is that?" Keishi started. He hoped that what he was thinking wasn''t right, Yone nodded howevere, "Yeah, this is Mayako''s" Keishi gritted his teeth "Are you sure?" Yone sighed and nodded, "Yes, because I''m the one that gave it to her" Yone''s gripped the shirt tightly in her hand.


    Yone''s eyes glowed yellow, she clicked her tounge, "The same unknown Ghost Trail is on Mayako''s shirt" Keishi gritted his teeth, he stared at the tear in Mayako''s shirt that made one thing clear to him, whoever was fallowing Mayako she had fought with them, Yone looked at Keishi with concern. "Do you..do you think she''s alright?" Keishi shook his head "Yeah, there''s no blood,so she must still be fine" Yone sighed in relief, "But, she still could be in trouble" Yone nodded, "Lets find her before anything bad actually does happen to her" Yone nodded. Her eyes went back to normal and she stood up "Come on, we should go back and fallow the path we came from" Keishi started walking off back the way the two came "Right, wait for me!" Yone rushed over to catch up with Keishi.


    But, when she realized she still was holding Mayako''s shirt in her hand she stopped, she stared at the shirt for a bit, she remebered how happy Mayako was when she gave it to her, the shirt had been one that Yone had worn when she was a bit younger and she hadn''t worn it in a good while. Then one day Mayako was in her room, Yone was busy studying and she hadn''t noticed that Mayako was going through her closet, when Mayako saw the shirt she pulled it out and asked Yone about it, after Yone told her about it Mayako then begged and pleaded with her to give it to her. Yone smiled, she gave it to Mayako because she felt she no longer had a want for it but, she had no idea that would make Mayako as happy as it did, after Yone said she could have it Mayako grabbed her in a hug and repeatedly thanked her. Yone chuckled, she softly ran her hand over the fabric of the shirt, she stopped at the big tear in the chest area, she gritted her teeth and her eyes were filled with concern "Mayako, please be alright" just then she heard Keishi shout "Come on Yone! I need you!" Yone jumped.


    "Co-Coming!" Yone looked at the shirt for a second before with a heavy heart, she let it fall to the ground as she ran to catch up with Keishi, as she ran she looked back at the clearing and smiled, "When we find her, I''m going to have to take her to get a new one" with that she looked forward and met up with Keishi. [Ch.19 END]

 Chapter 20- Closed In-Part 1

    Mayako and Arita stood outside the enterance to a small town, "Whats the matter with you? Why don''t you want to go into town?" Arita argued Mayako grumbled, "I just don''t want to okay" she huffed and turned away Arita sighed, "Look, we should really get some supplies, we don''t know when we''ll come to another town" Mayako groaned Arita grumbled. "Whats the deal with you and going into towns?" Mayako had decided not to enter any towns that spirits lived in as there would be posters with her name and face on them, as well as her phsyical discription which, wasn''t all that hard not to miss, Mayako grunted, she turned to Arita "It''s because every town I''ve been to before I met you has been visited by the Elder Council, they told people to be on the lookout for me, they even gave a detailed discription of me plus, they have dozens of posters with me on them!" Arita grumbled. He looked into the town and back at Mayako, "Alright, you don''t have to go in" Mayako smiled "Great, now if we just go the long way around we can-" Arita cut her off "Woah, I said you don''t have to go in but, I do" Mayako gasped.


    "Wait? Why!?" Arita crossed his arms, "Because, we need supplies, we can''t live off nature the whole time" Mayako frowned and grumbled Arita was right, living off nature was hard as she didn''t know how but,it beat risking going into a town and being discovered and being captured and handed to the Elder Council, "But.." Mayako started but she stopped herself. She knew there was no point in arguing with Arita plus, he was in the right they did need supplies like better food, at that moment Mayako''s stomach growled, it seemed eating fish and berries like she had been wasn''t enough for her stomach which was accustomed to real food, Mayako sighed in defeat "Alright, you can go" Arita smirked which got under Mayako''s skin "I knew you''d see it my way" Mayako grumbled "But don''t take too long! Understand, get what we''re going to need and get back here!" Arita sighed "Alright, I promise not to take to long" Arita smirked, "but, if a beautiful girl happens to catch my eye" Arita stopped. He could feel Mayako''s angry eyes on him, he chuckled nervously "So, yeah, I won''t be long" with that Arita ran into town leaving Mayako waiting for him at the enterance.


    Arita walked down the street from the enterance he looked at all the buildings as he passed them he saw no sign of any posters with Mayako''s picture on it he hummed to himself and continued on his way among the many buildings with signs out front Arita finall came across a sign that signaled a store he smiled and walked in the shelves were lined with almost everything that he and Mayako would need and then some while they traveled together. He chuckled to himself and stared towards the shevels of products he whistled as he parused the ailes, he would occasianally stop and pick something off one of the shelves and look at it, if he thought something was good he''d take it with him. He walked the aisles for a good minute grabbing things that would be needed and some extra things, mainly snacks and junk food, when he couldn''t hold anymore he decided to go to the register, he walked up to the cash out counter and dropped the arm full of products he had onto the counter top.


    The cashier smiled and raised an eyebrow, "Will you be buying all this sir?" Arita nodded the cashier grinned and started putting Arita''s stuff in bags while that was being done Arita dug in his pocket and pulled out his wallet and waited for the cashier to finish. While he watched the cashier put things in bags Arita decided to make some small talk, "So, uhm, I was wondering" the cashier looked up "Yes, what is it?" Arita scratched his cheek "I was wondering, if maybe by chance, operatives of the Elder Council had been here?" the cashier raised an eyebrow. "Why? Do you have business with them or something?" Arita laughed nervously, "Oh no, just wondering is all" he smiled nervously, the cashier still had a skeptical look on his face but he answered Arita''s question, "Well, no, I haven''t seen any Elder Council operatives in town" Arita grinned "Oh, really" Arita smirked.


    The cashier raised an eyebrow and went back to what he was doing, "So, they haven''t been here yet" Arita mumbled "That''ll be fifty dollars sir" Arita looked and the cashier had his hand out and all what Arita had picked out was in bags on the counter. Arita nodded and smiled, he opened his wallet and pulled out a fifty dollar bill and handed it to the cashier who took it, he inspected it and then put it in the register. Arita took the bags in hand and bowed to the cashier and walked out the shop, Mayako kicked the ground and sighed as she waited for Arita to come back "I wonder if he got anything good?" Mayako hadn''t had any real food in a while. She had been runnng on river fish and berries ever since she stopped going into towns she started picturing herself, finally being able to have some decent food, ones that didn''t look back at you while you ate them or, could be posisonous if they were a certain color, as she daydreamed her mouth watered, she smiled to herself, maybe having Arita with her had its perks.


    It was then she heard Arita call out her name, Mayako looked and saw him running over to her with bags contaning all what he bought Arita stopped in front of him and she looked at what was in the bags she saw bags of candy, chips, drinks and many other snack foods. Her mouth watered at the sight, "You got some really good stuff" Mayako wipped her mouth as she continued to devour the goods with her eyes, Arita grinned "Ha, just seeing real food after so long gets your mouth watering huh?" Mayako grumbled and glared at him. Arita chuckled, "Sorry" Mayako huffed "Whatever, you got some stuff now we can take the long way-" Arita cut Mayako off again "No, we''re going to stay in this town for a bit" Mayako had a dumbfonded look on her face that went to shock and then switched to anger. She grumbled "What do you mean we''re going to stay for a bit!" Arita sighed "You know I don''t want to go into towns!" Arita grumbled "I know, but listen, the Elder Council hasn''t been here yet, that means no one here knows about you yet!" Mayako gasped.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    She was excited, a town where no one knew about her however, her excitment soon faded as all kind of scenerios came into her head, Arita could see the look on her face and sighed, "Whats the matter now?" Mayako rubbed her arm "What if someone in town does recognizes me from a poster in another town, or what if theres an undercover Elder Council opperative, what if-" Mayako started to mumble on more ''What If'' scenarios her body shuddered, Arita sighed put a finger to her lips to quiten her. He gave a warm smile, "Look, I know your scared of being caught, but, this town has no idea about you, you have nothing to be scared of alright" Mayako gave a sad look, Arita sighed he felt like he wasn''t getting through to Mayako but then, he thought of something, something that could turn Mayako over, he smirked "You know, this town might have a bath house" Mayako''s ears flickered a bit. Arita grinned, he could see he was winning her over, "I know you must be tired of bathing in rivers, wouldn''t you like a nice hot, refreshing bath?" Arita grinned wide Mayako eyes shimmered at the tantilizing thought of a hot bath.


    Mayako hummed in thought, Arita chuckled to himself he knew he had her where he wanted her, Mayako smiled "Alright, we can stay a while" Arita pumped his fists into the air "Alright! Chalk one up for the Cat!" Mayako giggled "Shall we go in Ms. Runaway?" Arita teased Mayako grumbled she gave a smirk, "Yes, Mr.Pervy Cat" she smirked as she walked passed him Arita grumbled "What did you just say!?" Mayako giggled and started to run off. Arita chuckled, he smirked "Wait up!" he shouted and he ran after Mayako when he had caught up with her the two of them casually walked down the road they had bags of snacks in there hands, Mayako giggled everytime she placed a chip in her mouth the taste was one she hadn''t had in a while which made it taste one hundred times better. She was so glad to finally eat something that wasn''t bitter or tasted of fish, Arita was busy chewing his way through a bag of jerkey Mayako giggled as she watched him struggled to tear the piece jerkey.


    Arita looked over at her as he chewed a piece he was able to tear off "What?" he said with a mouth full Mayako groaned in disgust, Arita gave an apologetic smile and he chewed a bit more and swallowed "What?" he said with a empty mouth "Nothing" Mayako looked away Arita gave a puzzled hum and shrugged his shoulders and went back to chewing on jerkey. As Arita finished chewing another piece he looked over at Mayako "So, what do you want to do first?" Mayako looked at him with a puzzled look "Come on, this is the first town you''ve gone into since how long? There must be something you want to do?" Mayako thought. She smiled, "I want to take a nice, hot, bath" she mimicked the exact way Arita had said it and she giggled, Arita grumbled but, he smiled seeing that Mayako was actually enjoying herself for once "Alright, the princess wants a nice, hot, bath" Mayako chuckled and nodded "Alright then, lets find the princess a bath house shall we?" Mayako smiled brightly and nodded.


    As the two went on the search for a bath house they had no idea a group of thugs were watching them, there was three of them one was tall and looked really strong and  looked to be the boss of the group, the other two looked to be like low level henchmen one was of medium height and was shifty looking he also had  a knife strapped to his side the other,  was  almost as tall as the apparent boss but not by much and he was a bit goonish. The three had been tailing them ever since the tall henchmen saw Arita in the store, "Is that him?" the boss asked the shifty one chuckled and nodded, "Yeah boss, he''s the one alright, but it seems he''s not alone" the tall goon eyed Mayako, he whistled "Damn, that''s one fine piece of tail" the shifty one eyed Mayako as well and chuckled in agreement. The boss grumbled, "Look, I don''t care about some pretty piece of ass, all I care about is that guys wallet" the boss stared at Arita who was chuckling and grinning while he talked with Mayako "You should have seen it boss, that guy bought fifty dollars worth of stuff like it was nothing and, look what he''s wearing, he''s obviously loaded" the boss chuckled and grinned.


    He eyed the two of them "Alright, here''s the plan, we fallow them, we wait until the girl''s all by herself, we harass her a bit and we demand him to hand his wallet over or we hurt his little girlfriend" the two henchmen chuckled "Good plan boss" the tall goon commented. They saw Mayako and Arita take a turn down a road "Lets go get us some money boys" the boss grinned the two henchmen nodded and the three moved out from where they had been hiding and watching Mayako and Arita from. [Part 1 END]

 Chapter 21- Closed In Part 2

    Mayako and Arita walked down the streets of the town, in search of anything that resembled a bath house "Do you see one yet?" Mayako looked over at Arita who looked back and just shook his head Mayako sighed, "How long have we been looking?" Arita grumbled and scratched his head "About Two minuets" Mayako groaned in frustration "Are we ever going to find one? Is there even one in this town?" Arita stopped and groaned. Mayako stopped as well, "Do you want to keep looking?" Mayako hummed "I don''t know, what if we''re just wasting our time?" Arita crossed his arms and grumbled he looked at some of the businesses that lined the road they were on "I could go ask someone about it?" Mayako groaned "Sure, if you think it''ll help" Arita chukled. He could tell that Mayako was fed up with the whole searching for a bath house shitick, "Okay, you stay here, I''m gonna go ask in there" he pointed to a building that was most likely a reasturant he handed Mayako the bags of snacks and she took them with a not to please look.


    Mayako sighed as Arita walked over to the resturant, Mayako was now standing alone in the street holding the bags in her hand "I hope he comes back with good news" as Mayako waited alone she had no idea that she had three pairs of eyes on her, the eyes of the three thugs that had been fallowing her and Arita.The tall goonish one chuckled, "Look boss, the girls all alone" the shifty looking one sneered "This is the chance we''ve been waiting for" he proceeded to pull the knife he had at his side out. The boss grinned, "Your right boys, lets play with out new ''friend'' shall we?" he chuckled evily his two henchmen nodded in unison, they then came out from the alleyway they had been watching from and mosied their way towards Mayako. Mayako''s back was turned to them but her senses alerted her to their approach, she didn''t turn around right away, she didn''t want them to realize she had noticed them, "Three of them, all males" she whispered she cursed under her breath "What do they want with me?" sudden fear came to her face, "Are they with the Elder Council?" Mayako redied herself "Arita better hurry it up in there" she thought.


    As the three men got closer and closer to her Mayako started to curse under her breath, "Wait? What am I doing!?" she asked herself, if these guys were with the Elder Council then she shouldn''t be letting them get so close to her. Mayako was about to wheel around and sick her tails on them but before she could, she felt something poke into her back she cursed, she heard a chuckle "Don''t move, I''ve got a knife pointed right in your back" Mayako gritted her teeth "Fuck..." a goonish chuckle fallowed "Don''t try anything alright, if you do as we say we won''t hurt you" Mayako cursed the heavens. Mayako was about to speak but a deep gruff voice stopped her, "Well, Well what do we have here?" a chuckle fallowed, "A little fox all by herself" the two that spoke before laughed Mayako grumbled, "What do you want?" the one with the deep voice spoke "Oh, nothing much just a moment of your time" Mayako scowled "Are you with the Elder Council?" the three said nothing.


    "The Elder Council? What''s that?" came the goonish voice, "I don''t know, do you know boss?" the one who had the knife to Mayako''s back asked the one he refered to as boss grunted in confusion, "No, not a clue" Mayako soon realized that she had been worried for nothing. The three men behind her weren''t with the Elder Council, with that notion she sighed in relief but then a grin appeared on her face, "If these guys aren''t with the Elder Council, then they''re just simple thugs" Mayako smirked while the three were distracted with her earlier question Mayako''s tail slammed into the one who had the knife at her back. She heard him groan in pain as he flew back and collieded with a wall of a building "Holy shit!" the goonish one shouted Mayako didn''t stop she wheeled around and extended her leg and kicked the goonish one in the head and sent him sailing to the ground Mayako smirked as she stared eye to eye with the one the two were calling boss.


    The big man looked at his two knocked out henchmen, "You little bitch!" he glard at her and he cracked his kncukles "I''m going to make you pay for that!" Mayako dropped the bags of snacks and her duffle bag "Bring it" she gestured, the big man growled and ran at Mayako who smirked,she stepped out the way and extended her leg the big man got tripped up and tumbled to the ground. Mayako circled around and grinned, "Is that all you got? Boss?" she mocked the big man growled and he hopped back up "I''m going to fucking kill you!" he shouted and ran at Mayako who ran at him. Elsewhere, in the resturant Arita had gone into, he was just finishing up talking with the owner "So, you go further down the street, take a right and you''ll be at the bath house" the owner explained Arita smiled "Thanks, you just saved my ass" the owner chuckled "Don''t mention it man, I know how it feels when you want to pamper your girlfriend" Arita blushed and chuckled nervously. "Uh, she''s not my girlfriend" the owner chuckled "Whatever you say sonny" Arita rubbed the back of his head and smiled "Uhm, well thanks for the directions" the owner grinned "Sure, how about after your trip to the bath house you bring your girl here" Arita blushed harder "I said she''s not my girlfriend!" Arita grumbled and the owner laughed loudly.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Arita flushed with embarassment as parteons looked at him, he palmed his face and sighed "Thanks again" the owner had a huge grin on his face and nodded and Arita went on his way when "Alright, gotta get back to Mayako" as Arita walked what the owner of the resturant had said stuck in his head. He blushed a bit but quickly shook his head, "She''s not my girlfriend, she''s just a girl I''m protecting because her scary ass dad asked me to" images of him and Mayako spending time together flashed in his head, he shouted out loud in exsaperation "What the hell is wrong with me!?" Mayako was a really beautiful girl and she was fun to be around. Arita shook his head, "No, I''m just protecting her!" try as he might though images of Mayako smiling and laughing swirled in his head he blushed again "She is a great girl..." he whispered "I really wouldn''t mind if after this is over..." just as Arita was about to finish his sentance he heard the sounds of fighting. He looked and saw Mayako being chased around by a big guy that was yelling and cursing at her he duffle bag plus their bags of snacks were on the ground, he also saw two guys out cold on the ground.


    Arita scowled, "Are they with the Elder Council!?" wasting no time Arita rushed off, Mayako was chuckling as the big guy tried to keep up with her, he was huffing and panting and he was covered in brusies and dirt "You really should just give up" Mayako proposed. The big guy gritted his teeth and kept after Mayako who sighed, "Alright, you can blame yourself if you get really hurt" the big guy growled and started to swing his huge fists.To Mayako the punches were in slow motion, she moved out of the way of each of them she felt it was because of the training she had been doing plus, the fact she was able to now control the vast power that she had with her four tails. Mayako was about to knock the big guy out when she heard Arita''s voice, she looked and saw him running towards her with a angry look on his face "Hey you! What the hell do you think your doing to Mayako!" the big guy stopped in his tracks and looked at Arita and grinned "Well, if it isn''t the man of the hour" he chuckled Arita grumbled "So, you Elder Coucnil bastards know about me!" Mayako palmed her face and the big guy had a confused look on his face.


    "What is this Elder Council you two are talkin-" the big guy didn''t have time to finish his sentance as Arita''s fist slammed into his face and he was sent flying back Mayako moved out of the way before he crashed into him. The big guy groaned as he stayed on the ground, Arita had a flabbergasted look on his face "Wait? how come a operative of the Elder Council is so weak?" Mayako stomped towards Arita "Because he''s not with the Elder Council you dumb cat!" Arita gasped "Really, then why was he fighting you then!?" Mayako grumbled annoyed. "He and his friends here were just some thugs that picked a fight" Arita felt like a big fool, "I see, I assumed since they were fighting you they were" he looked at the big guy who wasn''t moving he groaned "I hope I didn''t kill the poor fool" Mayako palmed her face "You hit him with full power didn''t you!?" Arita jumped back.


    "I''m sorry! I thought he was from the Elder Council!" Mayako grumbled "Great, now you might be a murderer" Arita panicked "No! I''m too young to go to jail! I haven''t done it with a girl yet!" Mayako groaned in disgust, Arita ran over to the big guy and knelt down and started shaking him "Hey! Come on buddy wake up! Your not dead are you!?" Mayako sighed and walked over as she did she didn''t notice that the thug with the knife she had blasted into a building was concious. He was dazed at first, slowly his mind became clear he groaned, "Agh, god damn, that hurt" he rubbed his aching neck and moved away from the building he chuckled "Man, girl hits harder then I expected" as he looked around he saw this tall goonsih friend knocked out on the ground "Shit!" he then grew concerned for the boss. His eyes went wide when he saw him laying knocked out on the ground and Arita kneeling next to him he grumbled, "How dare you do that to the boss!" he then took his knife in hand and ran towards Mayako.


    Mayako heard the thugs stomping footsteps behind her, but when she turned around to combat him he had already closed in on her he had his knife brandished above his head Mayako was too caught off gaurd to move, "Shit!" she cursed and started to throw her arms up but, the knife was coming down faster then her arms were going up. [Ch.21 Part 2 END]

 Chapter 22- Closed In Part 3

    "Shit!" Mayako cursed as the knife slowly came down at her, her arms weren''t going to make it in time "Shit, I''m going to die..." she thought as the knife grew closer Mayako shut her eyes and waited but, she heard something zoom past her then a scream fallowed by a shout of pain. Mayako opened her eyes and couldn''t believe what she was seeing, Arita was standing before her he had the thug by the throat and was chocking the life out of him, "Let me go please!" the thug begged in chocked breathes Arita growled, he squeezed harder on the thugs throat. The thug gagged, he still had the knife gripped tightly in his hand, his arm shot up and quickly came down "Arita!" Mayako shouted Arita clicked his tounge and threw his arm in front of him the knife stuck into his arm Arita had a pained look on his face but,he endured it the thugs hand loosened from the knife handle and fell to his side.


    "Arita!" Mayako shouted and she rushed over to him, she pulled the knife out his arm and ispected the wound she sighed in relief when she saw the knife hadn''t gone that deep she then heard the thug gagging harder she looked and saw that Arita was tightening his grip on his throat. The thug had tears rolling down his face, his eyes were turning red, his eyes drifted to Mayako, they seemed to be calling out for help that combined with the constant gagging made Mayako grumbled. "Arita! Let him go! Your killing him!" Arita didn''t even budge, it was like he was in his own world, "Arita! Do you here me! Stop!" again nothing happened, Mayako growled and she looked at Arita she was about to yell at him to stop until she saw the look of utter rage on his face. It was no question about it, Mayako was scared of Arita, his face contorted in rage paired with the gutterel growl coming from him.


    Mayako felt she wasn''t looking at Arita but, at a monster, Mayako growled "I said let him go god damnit!" she then layed a loud smack of a slap across his face, his head slowly turned back and he eyed her, when he saw the angry look on Mayako''s face the rage on his face vanished and was replaced with that of relief. "Mayako, your okay" he smiled Mayako grumbled "Yes yes! Now''s not the time for that you need to let him go!" Arita raised and eyebrow "Let him go?" Arita soon felt the weight in his hand, he looked and gasped in surprise when he saw the thug gagging and gasing for breath. Arita dropped the thug to the ground and he preceeded to hack and wheeze as air filled his lungs once more, "What the hell?" Arita seemed to be put off by what he had seen "What the hell happened?" Mayako clicked her tounge "That''s what I want to know!" Arita looked at Mayako and then at his hand that was around the thugs throat.


    As he stared at his hand it slowly came back to him, "I was checking the big guy, I heard you shout, I looked back and I saw the bastard coming at you with a knife.." Arita looked at Mayako "I...I saw that you wouldn''t be able to defend yourself, I don''t know what came over me, by the time I knew it I was up and running towards you" at that moment it all came to him. Arita gritted his teeth as he remebered it all, "I didn''t want to see you die, I didn''t want him taking you away from me" he clenched his fist "I got angry, I blacked out, the next thing I know you slap me across the face and I''m chocking the life out of the bastard" he looked at the thug who was breathing regularly. Mayako''s face softened "Arita", Arita looked at her "I didn''t want to lose you" out of nowhere he grabbed Mayako in a hug, "I''m so glad I made it in time!" Mayako gasped "A-Arita!" her face turned red.


    She tried to wrench herself free but Arita would hug her tighter, Mayako had no idea why, but for some odd reason she liked having Arita hold her, it sent her heart pounding having him hold her so tight her face grew redder, but, then something crossed her mind, Keishi. Mayako snapped out of it and started pushing Arita "Okay! Okay! Let me go!" Arita gasped and he turned red when he realized her was hugging Mayako "Sorry! he let her go and turned his back to her Mayako sighed "It''s alright, I don''t mind" Arita looked back "Re-really?" Mayako nodded "Yeah" she smiled. Wait? What was going on, she should''t be alright with Arita hugging her like that, she had Keishi yet, why did it feel so good to have Arita wrap his arms around her, why was her heart still pounding? Arita could see the distressed look on Mayako''s face, "Hey, you okay?" Arita touched her shoulder which made Mayako jump.


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    She saw the concerned look on his face and her face flushed red "Yeah, I''m okay", what the hell was she doing? Why was she blushing at just his touch? Arita smiled, that sent Mayako''s heart pounding she didn''t understand, why was her heart pounding as she looked at Arita''s relieved smile? Mayako''s mind was and heart was a warzone, two names were fighting for a place, Keishi and Arita. Arita was about to say something when suddenly they heard a shout ring out "Attention citizens!" a look of surprise came to their faces, "We are with the Elder Council!" Mayako and Arita cursed at the same time "We are on the search for a certain monster" Mayako gritted her teeth. "Monster..." she whispered, Arita grumbled "Let''s go" Mayako looked at Arita he could see the anger in her eyes "I know, you want to go beat their asses" Mayako''s face showed that Arita was right "But, we have no idea how strong they are or how many there is" Mayako groaned, she hated to admit it but Arita was right.


    Mayako sighed, "Alright, lets get out of here" Arita smiled but it was soon erased by what they heard next, "We got word that the monster was in this town and have operitives surrounding the town!" Arita grumbled "Surrounded..." he muttered, "What are we going to do?" Arita saw the concerned look on Mayako''s face. Then they heard the worst thing they could hear, "The Elder Council is willing to reward anyone who presents the monster, here is what it looks like!" Mayako growled she knew that would get the townspeople to look for her, Arita grumbled "We have to hide! Fast!" in a flash Arita took hold of Mayako''s wrist and started running leaving her no time to grab her duffle bag she had thrown to the ground, "Woah! Arita wait!?" Mayako shouted as she tried to stay upright. Arita ran down the street pulling Mayako with him, he was looking everywhere for somewhere to hide in so that they could come up with a plan he saw an old house that didn''t seem to have anyone living in it he gave a smirk.


    He ran over to it and he busted open the door, he threw Mayako inside and he shut the door and started to look for things to block the windows as he did this Mayako was panicking, "What are we going to do! The whole town saw us! They know what we look like!" Mayako started to tap her foot. Arita was busy looking for things to block the windows as he did he spoke "Don''t worry, we''ll hide here and come up with a plan" Arita found some old pieces of wood and had fixed them in the windows. Mayako groaned nervously, "But Arita, what if they find us, I don''t want the Elder Council to get me!" Arita turned to Mayako,a serious look on his face, "Don''t worry, I''m not going to let them take you!" Arita pointed his thumb at his heart "I promise, I''ll get us out of here, I''m not going to let the Elder Council have you as long as I live!" Mayako blushed.


    There it was again, the same feeling she had earlier, that she wanted Arita to protect her, something was telling her that Arita would keep her safe but, Keishi entered her mind, what was going on with her? Mayako unconciously nodded, "Alright, what''s our plan?" Arita smiled but then his smile tunred to pain, he held his arm that he had gotten stabbed in. "You okay?" Arita heard Mayako say, he looked and she was looking at him concerned "Yeah, I guess my adreniline wore off, I''m starting to feel the pain" great, not only were they in a town surrounded by Elder Council operarives but Arita was also hurt "We better come up with a really good plan" Mayako said to herelf. [Ch.22 Part 3 END]

 Chapter 23- Closed In Part 4

    Arita and Mayako sat quietly in the abandoned house as they heard footsteps run by, they waited a bit just incase there was more they sighed in relief when the heard nothing, in the time they had been in the abandonded house coming up with a plan of escape the Elder Council operatives and some townspeople had run by making hard for them to finish planning. Arita and Mayako looked at each other and got back to it, "Okay, so, we''re going to go out the back of this house" Arita started, he had found a back door that lead to an alleyway when he was looking for a way to get outside to go and find the exit. He felt that it would be uselful in there plan, "Once we get into the alleyway, we''ll naviagte our way to the exit" Mayako had a displeased look on her face, "What? you don''t like the plan?" Mayako shook her head "No, It''s a good plan but, what about getting my bag that a certain dumb cat didn''t let me grab before he started running off with me!?" Arita grumbled "Look! I said I was sorry! We had to get outta sight before the Elder Council started running through the streets!" Mayako grumbled.


    Arita sighed, again Mayako was going on about having left behind her bag, "Maybe if you wouldn''t have thrown it off you would still have it!" Mayako clicked her tounge, "Besides, we run the risk of getting caught if we try to go back for it" Mayako huffed "Yeah, you say something like that because your a guy!" Arita grunted "What''s that suppose to mean!?" Mayako sighed "I''m a girl! I can''t wear the same clothes for however long we''ll be on the run!" Arita palmed his face "Really, clothes? Thats why the bag is so important?" Mayako grumbled angrily. "I''m not going to go around with the same clothes that''s going to start falling apart!" Arita sighed "Come on, whats a few little tears in your clothes?" Mayako huffed but then she got an idea, "Oh, I see, you want that to happen" she smirked Arita blushed "What the hell are you implying!?" Mayako snickered "Oh, nothing, just you want me to be wearing clothes with holes so you can see my body, right?" Mayako smirked Arita''s face got darker red. "N-no, I just think that its not a big deal" Mayako chuckled to herself, she could see her plan was working, "Oh, then your not going to mind when my shirt falls apart and my breasts" Arita put his hand in Mayako''s face stopping her.


    Mayako didn''t need to finish, he was already imagining it in his head, he blushed hard "Alright, we''ll get the damn bag" Mayako smiled victoriously "Thanks" Arita grumbled knowing he had just fell for Mayako''s trap, "Anyway, back to our plan of escape" Mayako put on a serious face, "We go out the back, we navigate our way to the exit" Mayako grumbled a bit, Arita sighed "And along the way, we can get your bag" Mayako smiled. "Then, once we get to the exit we''ll see how many Elder Council operatives are there" Mayako nodded "If there''s not too many we''ll sneak by" Mayako interjected "What if there is too many?" Arita thought for a bit, "If there''s too many we''ll find a way around them" Mayako moaned unsure. Arita smiled reassuringly "Don''t worry, we''re going to get out of here" Mayako sighed and for some reason she smiled, something was telling her to trust what Arita was saying this sort of thing had started to happen ever since Arita had saved her from getting stabbed.


    Mayako didn''t have time to decern what this feeling was, as there was a more pressing matter at hand, getting out of the town without being spotted by the Elder Council "Alright, but what do we do if we come across some operatives?" Arita sighed "If they don''t look that strong we''ll fight them" Mayako was a bit hesitant, she was a bit scared to fight operatives from the Elder Council. Again the feeling came back, it was telling her she''d be okay with Arita by her side, she took a breath and nodded "Alright" Arita smiled "Okay, so we''re both in agreement on this plan?" Mayako nodded "Okay, lets put it into action shall we?" with that the two rose and headed to the back of the house. Arita went first, he slowly pushed the old door open and poked his head out and looked for any sign of a Elder Council operatives or townfolk, when he saw the coast was clear he walked out and Mayako fallowed behind him, Arita felt that they were lucky the town happened to have lots of alleyways that were perfect to sneak around the unknowking Elder Council.


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    "Alright, lets go find your bag and then get the hell outta here" Mayako nodded she then started to locate where her bag was by finding her scent, when she picked up on it she looked at Arita who nodded and she lead the way. The two ran through alleyway after alleyway until they came to a stop as a Elder Council operative ran passed them, they hugged the wall and breathed a sigh of relief at not getting spotted "That was too close" Arita commented "Get your bag quick and lets go" Mayako nodded she poked her head out and spotted her bag laying where she had left it. She didn''t see any Elder Council members around, nor the thugs that had messed with her, she ran out into the street and grabbed her bag and quickly ran back into the alleyway she looked at Arita and smiled triumphantly.


    Arita sighed and nodded, "Alright, lets get out of here" Mayako nodded and strapped her bag to her back and fallowed Arita back the way they came it didn''t take Arita long to navigate the alleyways as he had found the right path before hand. He stopped Mayako when they got close it, "Let me see how far it is" Mayako nodded Arita peered out from the alleway and saw that the exit was a few feet away "So, how many are there?" came Mayako''s voice. Arita scanned the area around the exit and counted twenty operatives standing guard and on the look out he cursed, he slinked back into the alleyway "Well?" Mayako asked Arita looked at her "We''re about a good two feet away from the exit" Mayako grumbled "How many operatives did you see?" Arita chuckled "Uhm,about twenty of them" Mayako sighed disheartened.


    "Hey come on, the exit was possiblity one, we''ve got a second" Mayako nodded, "Alright, time to find a way around" just then as they were about to walk off they heard a voice "Oh, so this is where you were hiding" the two froze and cursed under their breath, they had been found but how,  and by who? That question was answered when a figure jumped down from ontop a building and in landed front of them. The figure before them was a boy that looked to be about Mayako''s age, when Mayako got a good look at him her eyes went wide "It..It can''t be.."she mumbled the boy had four orange and white tipped tails flowing behind him, he had a angry look on his face as he eyed Mayako. Mayako knew who the boy before them was, even though he looked diffrent she knew, it was Sanda, Sanda Yumiya, "S-Sanda.." Mayako mumbled his name, Sanda grinned and chuckled "I finally found you, the monster that killed my brother" Mayako shuddered as Sanda''s rage filled eyes stared at her. [Ch.23 part 4 END]

 Chapter 24- Clash of Four Tails

    Mayako backed away a bit as she stared at Sanda, "What, What are you doing here? How are you here?" Sanda chuckled "I guess you heard from my brother about me being asleep?" Mayako nodded Sanda chuckled again "Yeah, I was asleep, but, as you can see.." he spread his arms "I''m wide awake" he sneered Mayako''s body shuddered. There was something way off about Sanda, "And you know what the first thing I heard when I woke up was?" Sanda stepped forward Mayako stepped back shaking her head, "The first thing I heard was, your brothers dead" his eyes filled with rage and his face contorted in anger. Mayako began to tremble, "Do you know? How I felt hearing that my brother was dead?" he took a hard step forward "Knowing my brother died while I was asleep?" he took another step "And you..." he growled "Are the one that killed him..." Mayako shook her head as she started to back away as Sanda got closer.


    Sanda growled in fury, "Your the monster that took my brother from me!" Mayako froze in her tracks, Sanda was right she had killed Maroku, Sanda had every right to want revenge on her, she should have expected as such. Sanda chuckled when he saw how scared Mayako was, "Aw, is the monster scared?" Mayako gritted her teeth, she wanted to slug Sanda but, her fear and regret was keeping her from doing so "Your scared, just like my brother must have been when you killed him" Mayako started to hyperventilate. Sanda chuckled, "I trained non stop once I was able to stay on my feet" he grinned sadistically "The only thing on my mind, was getting stronger to kill you" he started to laugh manically "Now, I''m going to tear you limb from limb until there''s nothing left!" his eyes showed Sanda had snapped. Mayako was frozen in place as Sanda slowly walked over to her laughing, "Just stay right there, make this easy on yourself" he grinned Mayako couldn''t move she wanted to run.


    Sanda started to get closer and closer to her, but then Arita threw his arm in front of her Mayako looked over in surprise "A-Arita?" Arita smiled at her and then glared at Sanda, "Hey you" Sanda stopped and looked over at Arita "Who the heck are you?" Arita smirked "I''m the guy that''s here to protect her from creeps like you" Mayako blushed. Sanda growled in anger, "Your going to defend that monster?!" Arita nodded Sanda gritted his teeth "I''ll have you know your little girlfriend killed dozens of students at her school, including my brother" Arita had a shocked look on his face. He had been told by Mayako''s father that something bad had happened at school but, he had no idea that was what happened he looked back at Mayako "Is that true?" Mayako''s heart sank, was Arita going to be scared of her now? Was he not going to want to protect a monster? Mayako saw no reason to lie.


    She lowered her face and nodded, "Yes, it''s true, I killed a lot of people, I''m nothing but a monster like he said" Sanda started to laugh "See? I told you, she even knows she''s nothing but a monster!" Arita was in disbelief "Mayako..." he muttered Mayako didn''t look up at him, she was shaking "I should just die..." she mumbled. Arita gritted his teeth, there had to be more then what was being said that had gone on, there was no way Mayako would kill someone so easily, with that Arita glared back at Sanda and stayed in his position. Sanda growled "What the hell? Why are you still protecting her!?" Mayako looked up and sure enough, Arita was still right in front of her his arm out stretched in protection, "Arita?" he looked back and her with a bright smile "Don''t worry, I said I''ll protect you, and I''m going to keep my word" Mayako blushed.


    Sanda growled lowly, "How can you say that? You heard it from her what she did!?" Arita scowled at Sanda "I don''t care! I''m going to protect her no matter what she did!" Mayako''s heart started to beat hard, "But why?" Sanda scowled "Why would you protect her knowing what she is!?" Arita scowled harder "What she is? What she is, is a girl that''s being chased and hunted down for something that wasn''t her fault!" Sanda growled. Mayako was amazed, she had thought once Arita had found out about what she had done he wouldn''t want to protect her anymore but, it seems her fears were wrong she sighed in relief, "Wait? Why am I relieved that he''ll still protect me?" she asked herself. Sanda started to laugh manically, "I see, so your going to protect the monster no matter what eh?" he smirked evilly "Then I guess I''ll have to kill the both of you!" with that Sanda rushed at them.


    He was too quick for Arita to react, Arita was roundhouse kicked into the side of the house they were between "Arita!" Mayako cried she glared back at Sanda who was snickering as he set his eyes on Mayako "He didn''t last long did he?" Mayako growled "You son of a bitch!" she roared with that, all the fear she had before vanished. She threw her bag down and rushed at Sanda and punched him in the face and sent him flying back crashing into a wall, he groaned in pain blood trickled from his mouth, he staggered to his feet he smirked, "I see you much stronger then before but.." he chuckled "This won''t be like last time, you won''t beat me that easily" he started walking towards Mayako. Mayako went into a fighting stance, "Your going to pay for what you did to Arita!" in her mind Mayako was confused, why was she so angry after seeing Arita get attacked like that? Why was she brimming with anger when moments ago she was scared to death? Sanda chuckled "Aw, does the monster not like that I hurt her little boyfriend?" Mayako scowled.


    She roared in anger as she ran at Sanda who smirked, "Too simple.." with one small move he was already in front of Mayako who''s face filled with shock and surprise "What the!?" she gasped she wasn''t able to throw up her guard and Sanda landed a kick into her stomach which sent her flying out of the alleyway. Mayako groaned as she held her stomach, just one kick had done this to her, just how hard had Sanda trained in order to get revenge? How strong was he now? "Get up kid! He''s coming!" shouted Kurookami, Mayako bared the pain in her stomach and got to her feet which she was lucky she did as Sanda was already on her. Sanda threw a punch that she was ready for, she ducked down and came back up and kneed Sanda in the chin he fell back a bit but he regained his footing and went back on the attack. He circled around with a kick that Mayako caught with her tails, Mayako then picked Sanda up before he could get free and slammed him into the ground twice before Sanda was able to somehow get free, Sanda wiped his bloody mouth "Your not a monster for nothing" he smirked Mayako growled and ran at him.


    Sanda smirked, again Mayako had fallen for his provoking he rushed at her which Mayako wasn''t expecting and his knee connected with her abdomen, it knocked the wind out of her as well as knocked her to the ground before she could get up Sanda was on top of her. He rained punches down which Mayako had a hard time blocking, each blow was heavy and filled with anger and was matched with the anger shouts and growls Sanda left with each punch. He started to laugh crazily each time he hit Mayako, "Hahah! This is what you get! This is what you get for killing my brother!" Mayako could feel her self slipping with each hard blow was this how she was going to die? "Don''t give up kid!" came Kurookami''s voice Mayako clung to consciousness. "Fuck off!" she shouted and as Sanda was reaching back to throw down another punch Mayako was able to strike him with hers which sent him flying off of her with that Mayako was able to get to her feet.


    As did Sanda who had a fist shaped bruise on the bridge of his nose which was dripping blood, "You just don''t know when to quit do you!" Sanda growled Mayako smirked "What can I say? I''m harder to kill then you think" Sanda gritted his teeth "That''s it!" he shouted that''s when a blue flaming aura surrounded him. Mayako was pushed back a bit, "What the hell?" she gasped Sanda''s spiritual energy was going up at a crazy rate that it was almost unbelievable, Sanda chuckled and glared at Mayako "I''m not going to hold back anymore" Mayako shuddered what Sanda had been using up till now wasn''t his full strength. Sanda''s eyes went bloodshot "This time, you won''t get back up" Sanda then vanished before Mayako could try to track him Sanda''s leg connected with her back and sent her flying and she smashed through a house.


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Mayako layed on a pile of broken wood and groaned in pain, the blow she had just taken was much stronger then the ones she had taken before Mayako''s back was on fire and her body was wracked with pain, through her pained expression she could see Sanda was coming towards her. Mayako quickly got up and she decided to start fighting seriously cause she felt if she didn''t, she would really be dead Mayako focused her spiritual energy and she  rushed at Sanda who smirked and did the same. Mayako vanished in a flash and he chuckled, "Cute..." with that he too vanished and took Mayako by surprise with a clothesline and slamming her into the ground, Mayako wheezed as Sanda applied pressure to her neck a huge grin on his face. Mayako fought for air but she couldn''t get Sanda''s arm off her neck desperate, she lifted her knee and she felt it connect with Sanda''s stomach she smirked and focused her spiritual energy and blasted Sanda off of her.


    Mayako sat up to catch her breath, she didn''t have time to fully get her breath however as Sanda was already up clutching his stomach Mayako clicked her tongue and stood up as well Mayako wasted no time, she wasn''t going to let Sanda make a move she rushed at him with enhanced speed. Sanda was to slow to guard and got a punch to the cheek that sent him falling to the ground but, he didn''t fall like Mayako wanted and he was gearing for a counterattack when Mayako decided to twirl around and slam two of her tails into him. Sanda however, blocked them and smirked and was about to throw a punch when Mayako made a third tail slam right into is stomach fallowed by the fourth which sent him crashing to the ground. Mayako was hoping that was enough to put him down but to her dismay Sanda stood up again blood dripped from his mouth the fight continued on it was at that time that Arita had come to, he was laying on broken pieces of wood and his head was on fire "Ah, man, my heads killing me" he groaned "What happened?" it was then everything flashed into his head "Mayako!" he gasped.


    Arita jumped up and he winced in pain, his body was a wreck, he could tell that he had some broken bones but that didn''t matter, the only thing that did was "Mayako" he grunted and he slowly got up and staggered out of the hole that he had been sent flying through. Arita saw the big hole in the building to his left "Whoa" he gasped what had he missed while he was knocked out, he shook his head this wasn''t the time to think about that! Mayako was fighting alone, he had to go and help her with that he started walking out the alleyway as he did he could hear the sounds of battle he gritted his teeth, even though his body was screaming at him to stop he didn''t listen, he wanted to help Mayako. When he stepped out the alleyway he was meet by the most shocking sight, he say Mayako, she was bruised and was panting hard, blood was dripping from small scratches on her body "Mayako!" he shouted but Mayako didn''t look his way, it was like she was more focused on something else.


    And that something was the four tailed fox spirit that she had called Sanda, Arita looked at him and saw the damage he had taken, just like Mayako he had bruises all over and blood was dripping from his mouth and nose as well as many cuts on his body. It was then Arita saw the destruction around them, houses were smashes, building had human sized holes in them, some parts of the ground were smashed up as well as had holes the size of a person. Arita couldn''t believe it, the two of them had caused so much destruction in such a short time, "So,this is what happens when two evenly matched beings fight" Arita felt worthless, seeing the scene before him made him believe there was no chance for him to jump in. Arita decided that it was best to just watch, at that thought his hand trembled in anger, he was suppose to be the one protecting her, he even went and said he would in front of Sanda, "I''m all talk..." he mumbled.


    Not knowing that Arita was now conscious and watching them Mayako and Sanda kept at it, Sanda rushed at Mayako with a punch and she narrowly avoided it and then counter attacked with her tail, slamming the broadside of it into his stomach Sanda didn''t go down he caught his footing and went back at Mayako. This time he used a feint, he made as if he was going for another punch and Mayako started to move just like he wanted, with that Sanda smirked he then vanished and before Mayako could react caught Mayako in the face from behind with a punch. Mayako stood tall, she then wheeled herself around as Sanda was gearing for another attack and caught him with the heel of her foot in the cheek sending him sailing to the ground.


    Sanda growled as he got back up and lunged at Mayako who received a swift kick to the gut, Mayako layed on the ground for a bit but, not too long as she got up quickly when she sensed Sanda coming in for another blow it was then Mayako noticed something. Something deep inside of her was causing her to enjoy the fight so much so, that she unconsciously smirked she which Sanda and Arita noticed "She''s, enjoying this?" was their collective thought. Sanda smirked, he too was enjoying the fight, he didn''t want it to end, but, that was when the two of them were surrounded they snapped their attention to the dozens upon dozens of people surrounding them. "Who are these guys?" Sanda wondered he looked at Mayako and she had a look of displeasure on her face which confused him, Arita who was seeing the whole scene cursed, the people that were surrounding Mayako and the Sanda guy were none other then the Elder Council operatives that he and Mayako were trying to avoid.


    Sanda growled "Who the hell are you? What do you want?" he growled a bit, "Are you trying to get in my way?" the people surrounding them said nothing that was when a man stepped forward, he had long blonde hair and his eyes were a piercing red. He looked over at Mayako and he then took out a piece of paper and looked over it, he looked at Mayako occasionally after a bit of that he looked up with a smirk "I see, so it is you" he turned the paper to where Mayako could see. Her eyes went wide, it was a poster with a drawn picture of her, the Elder Council sigil was stamped on the corner of it as well, the blonde chuckled "Though it seems you changes a little bit" he looked at the four tails swirling angrily behind Mayako. Mayako growled, "Either way, you''ll be coming with me" he smirked Sanda growled "Bastard!" the blonde looked over at him "Oh, who might you be?" Sanda grumbled "I''m the guys that''s going to deal with her, who the hell are you!?" the blonde gave a sarcastic gasp "I''m sorry, I didn''t introduce myself" he bowed.


    "My names Yumito Kurosawa, I''m an operative of the Elder Council" he rose up and looked at Sanda with a smirk "The Elder Council!?" the blondes smirk turned into a evil grin "Yes, and I''m here to take her into custody" he looked over at Mayako who glared at him with a fire in his eye. [Ch.24 END]

 Chapter 25- The Fox vs The Pheniox

    Mayako scowled as Yumito smirked at her, "Now, you''ll be coming with me" he stepped forward Mayako braced herself "I don''t think so" a bead of sweat rolled from her forehead, her body was sensing the immense power coming from him "Like it or not, your going to be coming with me, even if I have to break every bone in your body" Mayako shuddered, the look in Yumito''s eyes made her feel uneasy. Yumito started towards her, her body was telling her to run, that the man walking towards her was bad news, it was then Sanda shouted "Hey!" Yumito stopped in his tracks and looked back and Sanda who was scowling angrily at him. Yumito chuckled, "Yes, what can I do for you?" Sanda grimaced "I want you to get the hell out of my way" Yumito hummed with amusement "Boy, do you not know who we are?" Sanda grumbled "I know, but I don''t care" Yumito smirked "So, your going to go against us even knowing who we are?" Sanda nodded.


    Yumito chuckled, "I see, you must be very stupid for doing something like this" Sanda gritted his teeth "No, I''m not going to let someone take this from me" a small smirk appeared in the corner of Yumito''s face "I need this, I need to get revenge" Yumito hummed again "Revenge? Revenge for what?" Sanda grumbled. He glared at Mayako "She killed my brother" Yumito chuckled in amusement "So, your brother was a victim of this monster?" Sanda nodded "Well, ever the more that you let us handle this" Sanda gritted his teeth as Yumito chuckled and smirked. "No way, I''ve been looking forward to this, I''m not going to pass it up because some asshole told me!" Yumito chuckled snobbishly "Come now, just look at you, it would seem to me that your having trouble getting your revenge" Sanda growled.


    "I was just getting started! If you assholes didn''t but in I would have killed her in no time!" Yumito sighed "This is why I hate dealing with idiots" Sanda grumbled "Don''t you insult me, I don''t care if your Elder Council or God himself, I''m not going to let you get away with getting in my way" Yumito grumbled. He set his anger leaded eyes on Sanda, "That''s it, I''ve had it with you and your senseless babbling" Sanda shuddered a bit, "If your not going to back down..." a sinister smile appeared on Yumito''s face "I''ll have to break you down!!" with that Sanda and Mayako felt Yumito''s spiritual energy skyrocket. His power was so heavy is was causing them to get crushed by the weight, Sanda''s bones trembled and in his mind he realized, he had messed up, big time, just then Yumito vanished a surprise Sanda barely had any time to search for him before Yumito reappeared and axe kicked Sanda''s head into the ground.


    Yumito smirked, Sanda layed motionless on the ground which made Mayako start to shake, she had so much trouble getting Sanda to stay down yet, this guy that was slowly looking at her with a menacing look and aura, had done it with just one kick. Mayako started to grow fearful, if this man could do that to Sanda what could he do to her, Yumito walked towards her the closer he got the more Mayako skin crawled "Now, that the disturbance is out of the way" he chuckled lowly "We can get back to our little piece of business" Mayako backed away but she looked back and saw the other Elder Council operatives were still surrounding her. She clicked her tongue and looked back at Yumito, "Now, be a good little monster, and come with us" Mayako grumbled "No way" a look of displeasure appeared on Yumito''s face "So, you wish to do this the hard way" Yumito cracked his knuckles.


    Mayako swallowed a bit, she could feel the immense power radiating from Yumito, and it seemed like it was getting stronger and stronger the more he got closer "If I''m not careful..." Mayako mumbled to herself "I could wind up dead" a smirk appeared on Yumito''s face. It was like he could tell Mayako was scared of him, then in a split second he vanished Mayako had no time to search for him as he quickly reappeared behind her and she got a kick across her back that sent her flying through the Elder Council operatives surrounding her. She fell to the ground and could feel a stinging in her back that felt like hot fire, "That was just a simple kick..." Mayako mumbled before she could recover Yumito had appeared right in front of her with a wicked smile on his face. If Yumito''s power was crushing her anymore then it was she felt her bones would start to break, it was then Yumito raised his foot and he forcefully drove it down onto Mayako''s arm a sharp crack could definitely be heard.


    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Mayako screamed in pain as she went into a fetal position and started holding her now broken arm close to her, Yumito chuckled "Aw, does it hurt?" Mayako shuddered she looked up at Yumito and her eyes went wide, what she saw was herself. "So, is this what I looked like to people?" Yumito chuckled "Yes, it uncanny looking from the inside out?" Mayako shuddered is this what the people at school saw when she went on her rampage. Is this what they felt? the fear that they could, were going to die? "I really am a monster..." Yumito chuckled "Yes, you are" it was then as Mayako was distracted Yumito stomped on her leg, a loud snap echoed which was fallowed by a scream of pain from Mayako. Yumito chuckled, "It''s my job to make sure monsters like you, are dealt justice" Mayako breathed in pained breathes as she looked at the manic smile on Yumito''s face again,she saw herself.


    A single tear ran down her cheek, "Just kill me..." she whispered, Yumito raised and eyebrow "What was that?" Mayako looked at Yumito with a eyes filled with tears "Just kill me..." Yumito hummed in amusement, "Now, why would I do a thing like that? You have to stand trial" he grinned Mayako shook her head. "I don''t need to have a trail, I''m guilty, I killed all those people, Its like you and Sanda said..." Mayako sniffled "I''m a monster..." she sniffled again "I don''t deserve to live..." Mayako started to cry "Just kill me right here" Yumito chuckled "I liked to dear but, I''m under strict orders to bring you back alive" Mayako sniffled Yumito smirked, there was no question about it he was enjoying the situation. "Well, I have to bring you in alive, they didn''t say anything about your body being broken" with that Mayako''s other let was stepped on and this time, Yumito pressed his foot hard onto her leg and then he relieve the pressure and the press hard again, he grinned happily as Mayako screamed in agony as he did this.


    In one swift motion, he pressed on her leg and this time the loud snap of her bone echoed, this caused Mayako to scream louder Yumito didn''t stop there, he stepped right on Mayako''s hand and started to drag his foot over her hand. At some times he''d stomp down hard and Mayako would scream, she looked at Yumito''s face once more and could tell he wasn''t going to stop until he was satisfied, as this was going on, in desperation Mayako mumbled. "Help me..." again she mumbled the same thing "Help me..." she then began to plead "Someone, help me..." Mayako sniffled. It was then something inside of her was screaming at her, it was telling her who to call out for, "Arita!!" she screamed. Suddenly, the weight on Mayako''s hand vanished she looked up in confusion and her eyes went wide as she saw Arita, his eyes and face full of rage, and his fist had connected with the side of Yumito''s face which made him fly back, Arita growled as he eyed Yumito "What the hell do you think your doing to my Mayako!!" Mayako felt her heart throb, "Arita..." she mumbled and smiled. [Ch.25 END]

 Chapter 26- One Pissed Off Cat!

    Mayako heart hammered in her chest, she was so relieved to see Arita had come to her rescue she tired to move but and intense pain shot through her each time she tried to move her arm or legs. "Arita" Mayako called as pain shot through her, Arita looked over at her and saw the pained look on her face and his fists tightened he looked over at Yumito who was getting up from the ground. "You bastard" Yumito had a small trickle of blood coming down from his lip and he whipped it and it smudged on his hand he chuckled a bit, then he looked at Arita "Well, it''s been a long time since someone drew blood from me" Arita scowled "Your going to be bleeding more soon" Yumito hummed in amusement.


    "I see, so your going to help this monster" Yumito looked at Mayako who''s eyes shuddered Arita growled "Damn right I am!" Mayako''s heart started beating faster, what was it about Arita that was making it do that? Yumito chuckled "Another fool wishes to go against the Elder Council" Arita gritted his teeth "Look, I respect you for drawing blood, so, why don''t you just give up on the idea of helping this monster" a dark look came to Yumito''s face "And I won''t have to kill you" Arita smirked "Not on your life phoenix boy" Yumito grinned. "So, you know what type of spirit I am?" Arita nodded "Yeah, I can tell just by your smell" Yumito chuckled in amusement "I see, you know what I am, and still you intend to fight me" Arita nodded "I don''t care what you are, I''m not going to let you hurt or take Mayako" Mayako''s eyes shimmered.


    "Arita" she mumbled Arita looked at her, he smiled "Don''t worry Mayako, I''ll get you out of here" Mayako nodded, Arita chuckled he then looked back at Yumito with a scowl who chuckled "I guess there''s no helping it then" Yumito cracked his neck "Looks like I''ll have to bury you" Arita readied himself. Yumito chuckled and vanished, Mayako gasped but Arita seemed to not be disturbed by it "How is he so calm?" Mayako wondered it was then in a split second that Arita moved his head and right at that moment Yumito appeared and Arita threw a punch right at his face. Yumito was surprised so much so, that he jumped back causing Arita''s punch to miss Arita chuckled "Whats the matter I thought you were going to bury me?" Arita grinned Yumito gritted his teeth, was it some sort of coincidence that Arita had looked right at him right as he reappeared?


    There was no way that someone could fallow his movements, he calmed himself, "Well, I don''t know how you did that but, it won''t happen again" with that Yumito vanished again, again Arita didn''t move a muscle and in another split second he turned his head just as Yumito was rushing at him with a fist. Arita wheeled around and let his leg fly, Yumito saw this and tried to move out of the way but Arita scored a hit on him, Arita''s leg collided with Yumito''s arm and sent him flying to the ground. Arita chuckled, "That all you got?" Yumito quickly rose off the ground, he growled in rage as he glared at Arita "Don''t get full of yourself!" Yumito screamed and in a blink he vanished again, Arita sighed "The same trick..." he turned and met face to face with a surprised Yumito "Won''t work forever!" Arita threw his fist and it connected with Yumito''s face. "This is for Mayako!" Arita shouted as he put more force behind his blow and sent Yumito flying back, blood flowed from his nose and mouth


    Arita let loose a flurry of punches, he started to shout and yell loudly as he threw each punch as it connected with Yumito''s face, he then threw in some kicks, he was throwing everything at Yumito, this guy deserved it for what he had done to Mayako he even threw in a clothesline and slammed Yumito into the ground Arita then started to stomp on Yumito "Hows that feel!" he shouted as he continued to stomp, "Does it feel good you prick!" all Yumito could respond with was gasps of breath. Mayako couldn''t believe what she was seeing, she had never seen Arita so vicious before "Wait..." she mumbled, she had, it was when she was about to get stabbed, Arita had acted the same way, for some reason, she didn''t like it when Arita acted like this, a feeling welled deep inside of her and she shouted "Arita!" Arita stopped stomping on Yumito and looked over at Mayako who had a sad look on her face "Mayako?" it was then at that moment that Arita remembered why he had even run in to the fray, it wasn''t to beat the ever living crap out of Yumtio, it was to save Mayako, he shook his head  "I need to get her out of here" as Yumito gasped for breath on the ground he ran over to Mayako "Time to go!" Mayako gave a puzzled look that changed to one of surprise when Arita picked her up and held her in his arms. Mayako gasped, "Whoa! Arita! What are you doing!?" Arita chuckled "What else, I''m getting you the hell outta here" Mayako''s face went red Arita grinned "Alright, hold on it''s going to be a little rough" Mayako raised an eyebrow "Wait? Hold on? Why?" it was then a smirk appeared on Arita''s face, he set his feet and looked straight ahead it was then Mayako could see what Arita was planning on doing. Mayako started to get nervous, "Wait, Arita, your not planning on.." before Mayako could finish Arita sped off, Mayako started shouting and yelling as Arita picked up speed, in a second flat they had made it through the town exit and kept going and Arita increased his speed again.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    It was at this time Yumito got up from the ground he coughed, his face was a beaten mess with bruises and gashes that were oozing blood, and his body was racked with pain all over he could also tell some bones were broken, he looked over and saw Arita running off, he gritted his teeth "You bastard, you''ll pay for this!" meanwhile, Arita was still running like he was being chased by the devil with his mind focused on running to get Mayako away safely he had no idea that he had made it clear away from the town. Not until Mayako shouted at him, "Hey! Arita stop!" Arita snapped back to reality and slowly came to a stop he panted heavily and was sweating like crazy, he looked around and then down at Mayako "How''d we get here?" Mayako sighed in exasperation "It was you! You dumb cat!" Arita blinked in a puzzled manner "You mean you don''t remember!" Arita shot a nervous grin. Mayako sighed "Look, you picked me up and just started running" it slowly came back to Arita, "Oh yeah, that''s right" Mayako grumbled it was then Arita smiled "I guess I really wanted to get you out of there" Mayako blushed and her heart beat hard "I...I see..." Mayako looked away, she still had no idea why but, whenever Arita smiled at her her heart would go crazy. And why was it she felt so safe being in his arms, Mayako swallowed a bit "Tha.." Arita hummed "Tha?" Mayako grumbled "Than..Thanks" Arita''s face went red, "What?" Mayako grumbled again "I said thanks! I''m thanking you for saving me you dumb cat!" Mayako turned her head to face Arita it was then she noticed how close her face was to his.


    She blushed, and he did too, "So, uh, thanks" Mayako blushed harder "D..Don''t mention it" Arita said as he blushed harder as well the two had no idea but, their hearts where beating at the same time but it seemed they didn''t notice because they were staring at each other. It was then Mayako let out a gasp, "Whoa! What''s the matter!?" the blush on her face vanished, Mayako grumbled and glared angrily at Arita "You didn''t grab my bag!" Arita had a blank look on his face "Your bag?" Mayako nodded "Yeah! how come you didn''t grab it while you were running you idiot!" Arita grumbled the blush leaving his face as well "There was something more important then a dumb bag!" Mayako grumbled. "And what would that be!? That bag was important! My clothes were in there!" Arita growled "You were more important!" Mayako shut up dry, Arita sighed "All I thought about, was getting you away safely" Mayako blushed "I wanted to get you away from that guy, I didn''t want him taking you away from me" Mayako blushed harder "Your clothes can be replaced, you can''t" Mayako''s face went a red as it could. Her heart pounded in her chest, what was it about Arita that was making her feel like this, "I see..." she looked away "I''m sorry" Arita blushed "It''s alright" silence fell, and after a while it was broken as Arita opened his mouth.


    "Uhm, we should keep moving, there''s no telling how much distance we put between us and the Elder Council" Mayako was still looking away but she nodded, "Yeah, lets do that" Arita simply nodded and then he started to walk off, at that moment for some strange reason Mayako held onto Arita a bit tighter despite the pain coursing through her. Mayako still had no idea why, but, she felt the strangest urge to kiss Arita but, the urge was cut short when an image of Keishi came to her mind, what was going on? Why was it that whenever she had these feelings for Arita, she''d picture Keishi for some odd reason. What was going on in her head? [Ch.26 END]

 Chapter 27- Mending The Wounds

    Arita slowly walked down the road still carrying the beaten Mayako in his arms, his face was red as having Mayako''s body rubbing up on him all the while he held her was starting to get to him, having her so close to him, for some reason it felt right to him just then Mayako gasped in pain, Arita snapped his attention to her "Hey, you okay?" Mayako had a pained expression on her face "Yeah, my arm moved and it hurt like hell" Arita looked at Mayako''s shaking arm. He gritted his teeth, this was because of what that bastard Yumito had done "That fucking phoenix..." his face turned soft "I''m sorry Mayako" Mayako gave a confused look "What do you have to be sorry for?" Arita sighed "If I would have rushed in to save you sooner you wouldn''t be like this" Mayako stayed quiet "If only I didn''t stand and watch" just then Mayako raised her head and conked Arita''s. Mayako breathed in pain, Arita scowled "What was that for!?" Mayako grumbled "For you acting so pathetic!" Arita grumbled "What do you mean?" Mayako smiled "Even if you didn''t rush in right away, you still came to my rescue" Arita blushed which caused her to blush, nervously she cleared her throat "What I''m saying is, you still saved me, that''s all that matters" Arita smiled "Thanks" Mayako blushed harder.


    "D..Don''t mention it!" she looked away nervously, "So.." Arita started "So what?" Mayako replied "So, what do you want to do now?" Mayako looked at Arita the blush gone from her face "What do you mean?" Arita sighed "You know the Elder Council won''t let us get away now that they found us" Mayako grumbled, "And they could be fallowing us right now, and that Yumito guy will be there" Mayako frowned "And your in no condition to fight someone like him" Mayako chuckled. "You can say that again, legs and a arm broken, definitely not a match" Arita chuckled lightly "I''m glad you can still make jokes but, we have to figure something out" Mayako grumbled "Your right, but what do we do? there''s no town for miles and I''m beaten to shit" Arita grumbled in thought it was then he saw something. What he saw was a small grass covered dirt path that lead into a wooded area at the side of the road seeing this he stopped, "Arita? What is it?" Arita didn''t answer Mayako he just walked over to the path and fallowed it "Hey! Where are you going! Arita!?" Mayako received no response. Arita saw the path continued into the wooded area and proceeded to walk in, as he walked through the trees he could see a building that looked like a home come into view.


    As he got closer and closer he walked faster, after coming out of the line of trees a huge grin appeared on his face, ''I don''t believe it!" Mayako had a look of surprise on her face as well "Is that?" Arita nodded, and both of them just stared at what stood before them how lucky were they, that they find an abandoned house in the woods. Arita chuckled, "This is perfect!" Mayako looked at him "What do you mean?" Arita looked down at her with a smile "We can hide here!" Mayako raised an eyebrow "Are you sure about that?" Arita frowned "What?" Mayako sighed "How far behind to you think the Elder Council is?" Arita grumbled "But.." Mayako sighed once more. "Think about it Arita, they''ll be searching ever square inch from the town to here" Arita said nothing "They''ll find us and their won''t be any way we could fight them off" Arita sighed and nodded, "Your right, and I forgot about phoenix boy" Mayako frowned, "If only there was a way I could heal quicker" Arita grumbled "There is" came a familiar voice in Mayako''s head. "Kurookami!" Mayako absentmindedly said out loud which caused Arita to look at her "Kurookami? What''s that?" Mayako laughed nervously "Oh, nothing!" Mayako away and grumbled lowly.


    Arita sighed "Well, like it or not, we''ll have to stay here" Mayako looked at Arita "Why?" Arita gave a nervous smile "Well, I don''t think I''ll be able to keep carrying you for much longer" Mayako''s face contorted with anger "What do you mean you don''t think you can keep carrying me?" Arita started to sweat "Well.." Mayako grumbled "What? Are you saying I''m to heavy for you?" Arita swallowed "No, it''s just..." Mayako growled "Just what?" Arita sighed. "It''s just, I don''t think I''ll be able to handle you being so close to me much longer" Arita blushed as did  Mayako "Okay, we can go in the house" Mayako looked away nervously "Ri...Right" with that Arita walked over to the house. He reached his hand out to grab the door knob while trying to hold up Mayako with his other "Please be unlocked" Arita mumbled as his hand held the door knob, he twisted it and heard the lock click a smirk came to his face he slowly pushed the door open, "Hello?" he called even though the house looked abandoned Arita still wanted to be sure. Arita inched the door wider, he looked all around for any sign of inhabitants after a through sweep of the inside he concluded there was no one inside, he sighed in relief and pulled the door open all the way and stepped inside.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Both Arita and Mayako were amazed, there was a bed by a window that had fresh sheets on it, there was a sink and a kitchen area and what looked like to be a small sized bathroom "Who built this place?" Mayako wondered as she looked around Arita was wondering the same thing but, there was something more pressing to attend to he eyed the bed and walked over to it. He then slowly laid Mayako down onto it, Mayako winced in pain Arita panicked "I''m sorry!" Mayako looked at Arita''s concerned face and smiled and blushed "I''m fine" slowly and surely Arita placed Mayako on the bed "Thanks" Mayako smiled Arita blushed "Don''t mention it" silence filled the home. "Uhm, I''m going to check around" Mayako nodded and Arita wandered off when Arita was gone Mayako sighed, "Alright Kurookami", "Sorry about that kid" came Kurookami''s voice "It''s alright, now, what did you mean by you knew a way for me to heal faster?" Kurookami grumbled "Well, it won''t heal you all the way, but, it will allow you to walk" Mayako smirked "That''s all I need" Kurookami sighed "I see, then I''ll tell you".


    Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Mayako, Arita had come back from looking around the house and was now standing behind a wall and was hearing Mayako talk, "Who is she talking to?" Arita looked out from behind the wall and looked to where Mayako was her mouth was moving like she was talking with someone but Arita saw nobody. Arita tried to see if he could make out anything Mayako was saying but he couldn''t it was then he heard one familiar word, ''Kurookami'', "That''s what she said outside" Arita started to wonder "What, or who, is this Kurookami?" Arita in intrigue decided to stay hidden and watch. "So, your saying with this technique I''ll be able to heal my legs and arm?" Kurookami grunted in confirmation "Yes, you''ll be able to move them but you won''t be at full fighting strength" Mayako smiled "That''s better then nothing" Kurookami sighed "So, what do I have to do?" Kurookami cleared his throat "First close your eyes" Mayako''s eyes closed "Take in a deep breath" Kurookami continued. Mayako took in a deep breath "Now, focus on the Spiritual Energy flowing around you" Mayako focused "I got it" she mumbled Kurookami grunted "Now, slowly draw it into yourself" Mayako nodded, she slowly could feel the spiritual energy flowing into her "Now, direct it to where your bones are broken" Mayako did as she was told.


    As she did she could feel a burning tingling sensation spread throughout her body, then she felt a sharp pain in her legs which caused her face to contort in pain, "Bare it kid! The pain is a sign it''s working!" Mayako nodded her face still showing great pain. The pain grew in intensity, Mayako was biting into her lip and causing it to bleed then as the burning sensation in her legs started to fade it went to her arm and did the same, "Almost done kid" Mayako was sweating bullets then all at one three loud clicks and snaps were heard, Mayako cried out in pain the burning sensation faded and the pain subsided slowly. Mayako was breathing raggedly, "That was intense.." Kurookami chuckled "You did it kid" Mayako gasped and sure enough she moved her legs and there was no pain in them as well as her arm, she kicked her legs a few times and waved her arm and felt they were no longer broken. Mayako giggled to herself, she sat up in the bed and edge to the side of the bed and placed her feet onto the floor, she slowly stood up and stood still "It worked.." she mumbled "It worked!" she shouted she jumped up and down in place but, she winced in pain "Oh yeah, I forgot I was still beaten pretty bad" she chuckled.


    Even though her body was still beaten Mayako was glad that her legs and arm where better, now she wouldn''t be a burden to Arita anymore it was then she heard footsteps coming towards her she looked and saw Arita walking towards her with a surprised look on his face "Mayako, how did you do that?" Mayako face turned nervous, had Arita seen the whole thing? [Ch.27 END]

 Ch. 28-Revelation

    Mayako stood still as Arita stared at her, his question hung in her head as well as the air "Mayako, how did you do that?" Arita repeated Mayako chuckled nervously "Uhm, Arita how long have you been standing there?" Arita sighed "Long enough, now tell me, how did you do that?" Mayako played coy, "What do you mean Arita?" she flashed a smile. Arita groaned "Don''t mess with me like that Mayako, tell me" Mayako chuckled "I don''t know what you mean" Mayako looked away Arita scowled "You had a broken arm, and both your legs were broken..'' Mayako stiffened "And now, somehow, your walking on legs that should be broken" Mayako didn''t say a thing. Arita grumbled, "Come on Mayako, tell me" Mayako sighed deeply she looked at Arita "Okay, I''ll tell you" Mayako took in a breath.


    "Well..." she started but, before Mayako could continue she heard Kurookami shout "No, don''t tell him!" Mayako scowled "Why can''t I tell him?" Arita had a confused look on his face, "Mayako who are you talking to?" Mayako didn''t answer Arita as she was still arguing with Kurookami. "Come on, I have to tell him" Kurookami grunted "What do you think he would say if you told him you had a nine tailed demon fox giving you advice?" Mayako paused for a second, maybe Kurookami had the right idea, Mayako shook her head, "No, I''m not keeping anything from anybody anymore!" Kurookami sighed. "Look, I know you trust him but it''s better to keep me a secret" Mayako grumbled "Why, I think he deserves to know, he''s been keeping me safe more then you have" Kurookami grumbled "I seem to recall, a certain fox girl, who was about to die and, a certain demon fox, stopped her from dying" Mayako grumbled as she knew what Kurookami was refering to.


    "I didn''t ask to be saved by you" Kurookami sighed "You didn''t want to die either" Mayako clenched her fist, it was true, at that time when she knew she was going to die, Mayako didn''t want to, she had too much in her life to let go, like Keishi, "Look what keeping secrets did to my siblings" Kurookami said nothing. Mayako took Kurookami''s silence as a sign that she was clear to say what she was about to say, with that Mayako took in a breath and exhaled, she then looked at Arita with a serious look on her face, Arita jumped to attention "So..." Mayako began, "So.." Arita responded, "Where should I start?" Mayako chuckled nervoulsy, Arita cracked a smile, "I think that you should start with how your walking on two broken legs" Mayako laughed half heartedly. "Right.." Mayako then refoucused herself "Well, the reason I''m walking on two legs that were obviously broken not that long ago is, I healed them" Arita raised an eyebrow "You healed them?" Mayako nodded, "How did you manage that?" Mayako smirked "Well, I used a techinuque that healed them to where I could walk on them, but, their not fully healed though" Arita hummed in thought.


    "So, how long have you had this little, healing technique?" Mayako stuttered a bit "Not long, would you believe me if I told you today was the day I learned it and used it" Arita scrathed his head "So, you just learned this techinique today and used it for the first time" Mayako nodded. Arita nodded to himself, "So, are you going to tell me how you learned about this techinique?" Mayako knew at that moment it was the right moment for her to tell Arita everything, "Well.." she startede but, before Mayako could go on there was a noise outside the cabin, Mayako turned towards the door "Did you here that?" she looked to Arita who nodded. Mayako looked back at the door, "It seems like we have visitors" Arita commented "Do you think the Elder Coucnil finally found us?" Arita shurgged his shoulders, "Do you think that pheniox bastard is out there?" Arita could see that Mayako was trembling a bit as she said this. He walked over to her and he put a hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him, "Don''t worry, I won''t let that sonovabitch near you" Mayako blushed a bit, her heart started to hammer in her chest, "O-Okay..." Mayako could feel a warmth flooding her chest as she saw the serious look in Arita''s eyes it was then she could feel a tightness on her shoulder.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Uhm, your kinda squeezing too hard" Arita looked at his hand that he had put on Mayako''s shoulder and saw thathe absentmindily had held a little bit too tight, Arita pulled his hand away, "Sorry" he blushed Mayako blushed as well "It..It''s okay" she looked away a bit as did Arita, "So..." she began, "So..." Arita responded they looked at each other "What are we going to do about our visitors?" Arita''s blush faded and his serious face returned. "Well, I''m going to go out there, while you stay in here, and greet them" Arita pounded his fist into his hand for emphasis Mayako scowled a bit, "Wait, why are you going out there alone and I have to stay in here?" Arita blushed a bit, "Well, if the pheniox bastard is out there he''ll have to go through me to get in here at you" Mayako blushed hard and her heart hammered hard in her chest, "I see..." silence fell between the two of them. "Alright, just, be careful out there" Arita''s face turned a darker shade of red, "Ri..Right, I will" Arita turned to the door "Alright, you stay in here and no matter what you here stay inside" Mayako nodded and Arita slowly walked to the door and pulled it open and walked out and closed it behind him.


    Mayako''s heart was beating hard and fast, she was worried about Arita going out alone, what if something bad happened to him, what if he was killed, what if he was captured, what if she''d never see him again, Mayako''s heart ached with all of the things that could happen to Arita while he was out there confronting the enemy while she was inside. Then, she heard a cry of pain, she immediatley recognized it as Arita''s her heart raced and her feelings out weighted her instincts and she ran out the cabin, she didn''t care that she was going against what Arita had said but, she dreeded the thought of losing him. As Mayako ran out she could see three figures a bit aways from her, two afully famillair figures standing in front of Arita who was on his knees, bleeding badly, Mayako scowled her tails riled up behind her and she started towards the the three of them.


    Mayako focused her eyes on the two standing in front of Arita, they were the ones that did that to Arita, they were going to pay, they were going to feel every ounce of pain that they gae Arita, and she was going to give it to them. As Mayako got closer, Arita happned to catch a glimpse of her and a shocked look came to his face "Mayako no!" he shouted the two figures in front of him seemed to jump when her name was said. It wasn''t until they both turned around to where Mayako could see them, and when she did the anger that had risen in her faded as did the anger in her eyes, her tails lowered down. Now, Mayako knew why the two figures seemed so familliar to her, "What are you two doing here?" the figure on the left smiled "Mayako, it really is you" a female voice that Mayako immediatley recognized, and then "Hey Maya, good to see you again" came a very, very, famillair male voice.


    Mayako looked at the two figures standing before her, she was a bit shocked, she never thought she would seem the again, "Yone-neechan.." she said as she looked at her older sister, "And Keishi-niisan" she said looking at her older brother who was smiling just as much as her older sister was. [Ch. 28 END]