《Silverstar: Kitsune》 Epilogue In a room painted a light blue with a castle and a rainbow painted on one wall a little eight year girl with her dark hair in a loose ponytail, in a frilly light green dress plays with her doll collection. She hears a kindly male voice outside her door. She immediately drops the dolls she is playing with and runs to the door, throwing it open. ¡°Uncle Iwoa!¡± She squealed, jumping up to him. The short man catches her in a hug ¡°Little Akiko!¡± He places her on the ground. ¡°Gather your things, we have to go meet your parents at the airport.¡± ¡°Okay Uncle¡± She said as she was running into her room. At the airport waiting in the car Iwoa quizzes Akiko on the basic strikes of the martial arts he is teaching her. ¡°What are the names of the eight basic punches?¡± ¡°Shuto is chop, nukite is spear hand, urukin is back fist, empe is elbow, taisho is palm strike, tetsui is hammer fist, Haito is ridge hand, kukon zuki is turning punch, oizuki is lunge punch.¡± Iwoa nods ¡°Very good. Now your kicks?¡± Akiko beams after receiving the compliment ¡°They are mi guri, soto guri, maewashi guri. Front kick, sidekick and roundhouse kick.¡± Iwoa smiles ¡°I will make you into a martial artist before long. Have you been practicing?¡± ¡°Hai, everyday like you said. Look Mommy and Daddy are coming. Can we get out?¡± ¡°Absolutely.¡± Iwoa stepped out and opened the door for Akiko. Akiko bound out of the car running towards her parents as they separated from the crowd of people departing. Iwoa caught up with her in three quick strides. ¡°Don¡¯t run, there are too many people.¡± Iwoa keeps scanning the crowd as they walk towards Akiko¡¯s parents. He notices a man in a coat easing away from the crowd towards her parents. ¡°Akiko, go back to the car and lock the doors.¡± he whispers to her. ¡°Why?¡± she questions ¡°Go now.¡± he says harshly, but still in a whisper as he lets go of her hand. Iwoa noticing the man in a coat reaching into the coat. Iwoa yells ¡°Anata no ushironi.¡± Akiko¡¯s parent¡¯s quickly step to their left. Iwoa rushes forward catching the man¡¯s arm as it comes out of the coat, he has a knife. Iwoa pulls the man forward off balance, pushes down sharply on his shoulder with one hand driving the man to the concrete. Iwoa¡¯s other hand locks onto the knife wielding man¡¯s wrist as he steps over the man¡¯s head dropping to a knee on the back and forcing the knife into the man¡¯s ribs. During the attack Akiko hadn¡¯t gone to the car, she watched it all. Once it was done she ran to her parents clutching her dad¡¯s legs. The police at the airport respond in less than a minute. An ambulance is called for the assailant, Iwoa is detained at the airport until they can review the video recordings, that is due to Akiko¡¯s and her parents testimony. Akiko¡¯s parent¡¯s take her to the car and move it to a parking area. ¡°Daddy is Uncle Iwoa going to be okay?¡± Her father¡¯s normally pale face is red with anger and his anger carries over to his response ¡°Yes, he will be okay. Sit back and be quiet as we sort this out.¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Her mother¡¯s almond eyes are bloodshot as she has been doing her best to hold back tears. She is more compassionate in her response ¡°Baby it will be okay, your father has it under control. This is just what has to happen. Iwoa did his job.¡± Akiko kept quiet as she was told, but had her hands locked together. Akiko and her mother were left in the car as her father took a shuttle back to the airport. A couple hours later her father returned with Iwoa. The car ride home was a tense quiet one. Once home Akiko rushed to her room and hid under the covers and cried herself to sleep. Later that night Akiko awoke from a nightmare of Iwoa being stabbed, she ran from her room to her parents room. The door was locked, she knocked. There wasn¡¯t any response despite her knocking for two minutes. Iwoa quietly eased up the stairs hearing the knocking on the door. ¡°Akiko¡± he called quietly. She stopped knocking and ran to him, hugging his knees. ¡°Uncle Iwoa, don¡¯t die¡± He hugged her back ¡°I have no intention of dying young one. Follow me down to the kitchen, I will get you a treat.¡± In the kitchen Iwao had Akiko sit at the table as he set out two bowls and spoons. Then went to the freezer ¡°I have found that ice cream helps me sleep after having nightmares.¡± He returned to the table with a pint of chocolate ice cream ¡°My favorite.¡± He placed two big scoops in each bowl. ¡°Go ahead and eat without me, I am going to get your gift, I have been waiting for the right time to give you.¡± A few minutes later Iwoa returned holding a parchment wrapped package. ¡°This is for you.¡± Akiko set the ice cream aside, half her bowl empty, chocolate stained her chin. She carefully opened the gift, inside she found a wooden mask. It was fox shaped, dominantly a glossy white, with coal black eye shadow, cerulean blue ears, mouth, whiskers, and three water drops rising from the brow towards the ears. ¡°A fox mask! I love it!¡± Akiko hugged it to her chest. ¡°It is more than a fox mask Akiko. That mask holds a guardian fox spirit called a Kitsune. Specifically Umi Kitsune. When you are scared, put that mask on and the kitsune will protect you.¡± ¡°Kitsune, I love it!¡± Akiko placed the mask on the table and sat staring at Iwoa with her brows furrowed. ¡°Akiko, is something bothering you?¡± ¡°Uncle, can I ask you a question?¡± ¡°Always, I may not always answer, but you can always ask.¡± ¡°Are you a ninja?¡± Iwoa smiled and allowed himself a little laugh ¡°I will answer your question after you answer one for me. What makes you think that?¡± Akiko stared at Iwoa ¡°You know martial arts, aren¡¯t afraid knives, and you have a kitsune mask. It is very similar to a cartoon I watch. They do all those things.¡± ¡°Fair reasoning, however a ninja wouldn¡¯t say they were a ninja. However I am not a ninja, my martial arts are different from that. Did you know that ninja actually existed?¡± ¡°Really!?¡± ¡°Yes, they began as farmers who were tired of the government taking from them. They began training in secret and they attacked their foes from the shadows. I think you could be a great ninja if we were in the past. You¡¯re small, brave, and sneaky.¡± Over the next two years Akiko¡¯s parent¡¯s business grew and they spent more time away. Iwoa taught her more of his martial arts, but he noticed his health beginning to fade. He knew his time was ending. After sending a message to her parents expressing his concern with his health, Iwoa was replaced with a team of security. He did stay on as a butler. Iwoa gave Akiko lessons on how to use a knife the summer before she left for a private High School. On her last day of summer vacation Iwoa had a bad day, where he was bed ridden. Akiko knocked on his door. In a raspy voice Iwoa said ¡°Come in Akiko.¡± She opened the door, tears already welling. ¡°Uncle, I don¡¯t want to go. Can I stay here, we both know you are very sick. It is time for me to take care of you as you have done for me.¡± Iwoa shook his head ¡°No, you don¡¯t need to see what happens to me. Know I love you as my daughter and have taught all I could with the time we have. But I do have a secret to tell you. He pulled the covers down to just past his shoulders, on his right shoulder was a tattoo of a kitsune mask with a dagger through the forehead. ¡°A long time ago, I worked with some bad people. I grew tired of doing bad things and left. I had to pay a high price to leave, one I will not tell you, the other was this tattoo. This tattoo was done in a way that it killed my Kitsune and poisoned me. I knew I wouldn¡¯t live a long time once I received it. But being blessed by having the opportunity to raise you as my daughter gave me peace. Know that I am happy. It does me good to see you grow into a young woman leaving to begin her journey in life. Your parent¡¯s do love you, they don¡¯t show it how you would like, but they love you. They never had much, so they want you to have everything.¡± Akiko was freely crying now, not racking sobs, but a steady stream of tears flowing down her cheeks. ¡°Uncle Iwoa, thank you for being here for me. I still don¡¯t want to leave you, but I promise I will make the best of my opportunities. I will message you while I am gone. I love you!¡± Akiko left that night and would never see Iwoa again. Servers Best Assassin Leaning in towards the monitor that displayed several characters moving about the screen avoiding orange markers cast from a giant, winged demon was a petite oriental woman wearing a color changing cat headset over her too long, bright blue, pixie cut actively biting her lip as she was quickly pressing keys on her rainbow keyboard with the sleeves of a well worn and stained sweatshirt bunched at her elbows. All of a sudden the Demon went down and she jumped from her computer chair ¡°Yes we did it! Six hours of his scaly, red face and we defeated him!¡± As a cut scene played and her friends congratulated each other, someone knocked at her door. ¡°Guys gotta go, pizza is here, just in time.¡± She walked to the door in grey sweatpants and a BB-8 sock on one foot and a Dr. Who sock on the other. As she was opening the door she said ¡°Hey Jeffery! Did you¡­ Oh, you¡¯re not the pizza guy.¡± At the door was a mailman in a blue polo and khaki shorts ¡°Not today I¡¯m not. I have a Package for Akiko Robinson. Is that you?¡± ¡°Everyday, all day.¡± ¡°Well then sign here and this box is all yours.¡± Akiko read over the paperwork ¡°Oh another package from them.¡± She signed and thanked the man and closed the door. She opened the box with a sharpened letter opener she kept near her door, a small replica of the Master Sword. Inside was a letter in her mothers flowing scriptThis text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°Hope this finds you in good health, we know you¡¯re doing well in school, you always have. I hope you love the gift and maybe it will help with the no boyfriend (ONLINE ONES DO NOT COUNT) issue you have been having. Send us pictures. Love you, bye!¡± DRY CLEAN ONLY!!! Akiko pulled out a bundle wrapped in a fragrant parchment wrapped by a silk ribbon. She cut the ribbon with the Master Sword and unwrapped the present. It was a pink silk traditional kimono with jade green ivy with white blossoms. After holding it up and inspecting it she tossed it on her small kitchen table. There was another knock on her door, she rushed to it, throwing it open. Outside it was the pizza guy Jefferey, a tall, lanky guy with short blonde hair who jumped back seeing her holding the letter opener ¡°Woah Akiko, I didn¡¯t do it!¡± She looked at him with her head to the side ¡°What?¡± Jefferey pointed at the letter opener. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m very serious about my pizza.¡± and she grinned at him evilly ¡°Just kidding...mostly¡± and she put the Master Sword away. ¡°Want a slice?¡± she asked after taking the box and placing it on top of the Kimono. ¡°Um sure, but isn¡¯t that dress kinda expensive?¡± ¡°Yep, fuck my parents and their boyfriend finding dress.¡± she said after handing him a slice. ¡°So how did it go against Asmodeus?¡± he asked, trying to change the subject. Akiko brightened at the mention ¡°We killed the red bastard. First on our server.¡± ¡°Dude BADASS!!!!¡± ¡°I know! I would love to chat more, but don¡¯t you have more deliveries? And I gotta get back to the fellow warriors. Be safe, bye.¡± ¡°See ya Akiko, congrats!¡± Larry Darkshield The next morning the sun was hidden behind the deep grey clouds, promising some snow later. At the local library Akiko is waiting in line to get in because some historical fiction war writer was signing copies of his new book. Larry Darkshield was his misnomer. Akiko was hopping from foot to foot both in eager anticipation and to keep warm, her black fox eared hoodie wasn¡¯t nearly warm enough for the winter wind blowing. Counting the line she was twelve away from being inside the warmth of the library. ¡°Are you okay?¡± a tall lanky man in front of her asked, his own hoodie drawstrings pulled tight. ¡°Yeah, just a little cold and excited.¡± She replied, trying to see around him. ¡°Right, Darkshield is amazing! Making history exciting! Did you know that all his battles are accurate almost down to the exact day. Even when world renowned historians check his stories they are amazed at his accuracy. To be that knowledgeable when only in his thirties. I¡¯m surprised they haven¡¯t published his works as text books.¡± The guy rambled on as Akiko paid very little attention nodding when it seemed appropriate. ¡°Okay move forward the line is moving.¡± ¡°Oh, right.¡± he turned back, suddenly quiet, catching her dismissal. Ten blessedly silent minutes later Akiko was in the library. To her right was the line and the ¡°famous, brilliant author¡± and a team of security. ¡°That is a bit weird¡± she thought. And the line that was growing longer by the second. To her left was the familiar, old Librarian with her silver wihte hair done in a tight perm, reading her copy of ¡°Silverstar¡±. ¡°Good morning Marian. Memorized the book yet?¡± Akiko asks cheerily now that she is warm againThis tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Good morning Akiko, no not yet. This may be the time though. I don¡¯t believe your new manga has arrived yet, I¡¯ll go look, give me a moment..¡± While she waited Akiko looked around the library. There wasn¡¯t much to see, she was very early. The line for Darkshield had finally stopped. The usual guy for the dungeons and dragons meeting was upstairs preparing the table, today he had on a red retro shirt with the cartoon from the eighties on it. The game seemed fun but she never could get into it, she liked her animations too much. She had tried with the group, but the system was just too slow. Marian returned from the back ¡°I¡¯m sorry my dear, it didn''t arrive with today''s shipments. Maybe the weather has it delayed?¡± ¡°Are you sure Marian? It¡¯s the series finale, I have been looking forward to it, and dreading it for so long.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry dear, it hasn''t arrived yet.¡± ¡°Care to suggest anything else? I don¡¯t want to go back out into that weather.¡± ¡°Always glad to help a fellow bibliophile. I happen to have my old copy of Silverstar with me, it''s a bit worn, but the story is the best.¡± ¡°Thank you Miriam, I think I will take you up on the offer.¡± ¡°Here you go dear, be careful not to lose track of time, this book will absorb you.¡± Akiko took the book and headed to her favorite corner of the library with three worn chairs next to an oil heater. She settled in, put on her cat headphones, and got started on the book. An unknown time later a guy in a very dirty and smelly suit passed by her holding his head. She had dove into the book, not expecting it to be so good. The princess and her step brother had just joined up with a caravan heading into the largest human settlement of that region. Which was scary for them, they were both of elven descent and the humans were persecuting elves. After the guy¡¯s smell had diffused from her area she dove back into the story. Shortly after someone screamed loud enough to be heard over her music. Looking up and pushing back her headphones she saw several people running towards the door of the library and all exits. Someone yelled again, this time she heard them say ¡°Bomb!!!!¡± She jumped up to run to the nearest exit. The homeless man bumped into her, hard and she fell back into her favorite chair bumping her head painfully on the arm. As she was getting up, she saw ¡°Silverstar¡± open about half way through, and it was all blank. The smelly man was running towards the corner nearest to where the author was signing. The author was circled by his security team as they tried to push their way through the crowd by the entry doors. As the homeless man passed the large open area not far from where Marian was trying to help a child that was cowering under a table get up and leave. Akiko swore she saw Darkshield grow elf ears and create a dark gray swirl of light around his hand. Then the homeless man jumped towards where a box of books lay open. Then BOOOM!!! All went into an ashy haze. New World She awoke under a ripped, scratchy, and foul smelling piece of cloth. Tossing it away she jumped up and was assaulted by the smell of rotten fish, rotting wood, and mold. Her hands impulsively covered her nose as she blinked away the sleep from her eyes. She could hear the soft patter of rain on the roof of whatever building she was in. Once the sleep was cleared from her vision she could see the room about her, it was dark with no light coming in, but she could see. The room was filled with rotting crates, broken glass, old, large pieces of cloth, and coils of rope. Okay, I¡¯m not in the library. Its dark and I can see, its smells awful. What do I do. She thought and was beginning to panic as the double door of whatever awful building she was in creaked open slightly. ¡°Where did that furry little bitch go?¡± ¡°I dunno boss, I¡¯ll check in the abandoned warehouse.¡± ¡°Yeah you do that, watch out for the ghosts. HAHAHAHA!!!!¡± Oh no! Shit I¡¯m trouble, no furry little bitches, but a cute girl. Damn! Get yourself together girl. What would Kitsune do? Get a dagger and stab that asshole in the back before he even knew she was there.¡± Akiko looked for anything that could be a weapon and found a rusty, but sharp knife next to where she had been laying. Hah, like the first level of a game, rusty dagger. Bring it on henchman. She found a decent hiding spot behind some stacked barrels and waited. A light from a lantern soon declared that the henchman had entered the building. ¡°Hey now girlie, we ain''t gonna hurtcha. You know we are the only ones you got, yeah boss gets to drinking and says some mean things now and again, maybe slaps us around a bit, but he ain''t ever really hurt noone. You¡¯re his treasure, he won''t be hurting you. What you seen back there was just the boss taking out the competition. Come on out and let''s go home.¡± the henchman, a heavy set balding man called out as he slowly walked around the right wall of the building, heading toward where Akiko had been sleeping. Okay, dumb henchman, gotta make a distraction and dispatch him. Then make a plan for the ¡°boss¡± so cliche. Looking around her hiding spot she found a half eaten rotted fish This is disgusting, but that henchman is probably worse. Sounds like ¡°boss¡± killed someone. She grabbed the half eaten fish and tossed it towards some boxes across from her. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The henchman jumped and spun towards the sound ¡°Come on out, we ain''t gonna hurtcha, I promise. And if that¡¯s them ghosts, I ain¡¯t scared of ya. No sir, Tiny Tom ain¡¯t scared of nothin, but the boss.¡± Tiny Tom crept towards the boxes in classic cartoon style big step onto the ball of his feet and eased to heel. It was difficult for Akiko not to laugh. The henchman crouched before the boxes taking a deep breath. As he jumped saying ¡°Ha I got ya!¡± Akiko jumped from her hiding spot and stabbed him in the back. The henchman rose to the tips of his toes gasping in for air, he crumpled to his knees and fell to his side. Akiko could see his face, his eyes wide open, mouth stretched as wide as possible. He shuddered and Akiko jumped back, putting her hands over her mouth to stifle the sound that came out. She eased forward and saw the pool of blood spreading from the body and dropped to the ground pulling her knees into her. Oh no I killed someone, shit what do it do? I have no idea where I am. Oh no, Oh no¡­¡­¡­ Stop this! You are Kitsune the most feared assassin, you just kicked Asmodeus¡¯ ass. This punk is just another unfortunate body in your way to the top. She repeated her last thoughts a few times and stood up, easing toward the still ajar door. Before she could go out the door lantern light began shining on it and she had to duck behind a crate not ten feet from the door. She heard the other voice she assumed belonged to ¡°the boss¡± ¡°Hey Jackass, get on out here if you got the mangy bitch. I¡¯m tired and wet, if you in there jumping at ghosts, I¡¯m gonna give you a real reason to be scared.¡± The door was flung open smacking against the wall and in stepped a large, barrel chested, large bellied man with an untrimmed beard. Holding the lantern high he searched the building, spotting Tom laying down he stomped towards him ¡°You lazy pile of filth, who in the right mind sleeps in a smelly shitstain like this?¡± Akiko darted for the door as he passed her, she didn''t make a sound. Outside in the rain she ran away from the building with everything she had. She turned down countless streets, heading she knew not where. She just knew she had to escape these bad men. She stopped beneath the awning of a house, just to get out of the rain and have a look around thanks to her enhanced vision. Looking behind her she saw ¡°the boss¡± running at her. She ran again, but tumbled after stepping in a hidden hole on the street. ¡°The boss¡± caught her quickly and yanked her up by what felt like the base of her spine, a sharp pain shot throughout her body. She screamed. As she came off the ground he grabbed her hard around her arm and punched her in the gut ending her scream in coughs. ¡°Listen here you little furry bitch¡± he punched her again ¡°I''m gonna beat the hell outta you for what you did to Tom¡± he yanked her hair back, and got his face next to hers. His breath was rancid. ¡°But I¡¯m gonna keep your pretty face intact. Gonna make good coin off you.¡± He licked her cheek. A door across the street slammed open and a square bodied, thick armed woman with short cut salt pepper hair stepped out holding a large, thick, wooden cane ¡°What the hell you doin out here with that youngin?¡± She strode forward. ¡°None your damn business woman! Go on back in and no one needs to get hurt!¡± the boss shouted back. ¡°Oh no honey, you goin to be getting hurt. You not gonna hurt that girl in front of Mama D¡¯s and walk away from it. No sir!¡± Mama D was now fifteen feet from the boss. The boss dropped Akiko, took out his dagger and squared off with Mama D. ¡°Old woman you aint got no business out here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m making that little one my business, now what you gonna do about it fatso?¡± The boss lunged at her dagger held over head. Mama D side stepped and punched the boss in the face with her cane, teeth crunched and his nose made a sharp cracking noise. The boss stumbled, dropping his dagger, and grabbing his face. The boss still on his feet turned to Mama D and started to say something, but she cracked him atop the skull before he could get out the first syllable. He fell like a sack of wet laundry. Mama D pointing at Akiko ¡°Hey little one, get yourself on inside and close the door, I¡¯ll be right there, gotta get rid of this scum.¡± Warm Welcome Akiko didn¡¯t wait to be told twice, she ran into the woman¡¯s house slamming the door shut. Once inside the adrenaline began to go away, Akiko then noticed the deep, aching hunger that brought her to her knees. She began weeping at the ache and emptiness. Knowing that she needed some form of sustenance she attempted to get to her feet and stumbled repeatedly. Once she found her footing and had settled the pain of her empty stomach away in the back of her mind she actually took in the small house. It was unlike any house she had even been in. Only one oil lamp on a desk provided plenty of illumination for her improved vision. The room in which she was in had one cushioned chair, a stool, a basket with sewing and knitting tools, further back was a table that had a vase with cooking implements, behind that was a cast iron stove that was providing ample heat for this small home. She didn¡¯t see any signs of electricity or current amenities she relied upon. Akiko used the chair to support her as she moved from the sitting room to the dining room/ kitchen area. As she entered the kitchen area she noticed a curtained doorway on her right. Using the chair as a walker she managed to get to the curtain, before she could pull the curtain back the front door was opened. In walked the woman who saved her, now seen in some light she had deeply tanned, leathery skin, and dark brown eyes ¡°Baby girl, why doncha have a seat in that chair you carryin around? I¡¯ll go about finding you something warmer and cleaner than what you got on. Just have a seat and let Mama D take care of you.¡± Akiko sat down in the chair slowly, not trusting her balance to her exhaustion. Once seated the lady ¡®Mama D¡¯ scooted her closer to the iron stove. ¡°Now go on and get them dirty rags off, we both women here. Stay near that stove and keep yourself warm.¡± Mama D ducked behind the curtain ¡°Once we get you dressed I¡¯ll make some tea for ya. Nothing like Mama D¡¯s tea to get ya back up and runnin¡¯. Now where did I put those dern pants at.¡± Mama D rambled on for a few more minutes before coming out with a heavy long sleeve shirt, woolen pants and wool socks. ¡°Here ya go sugah, put these on while I grab the kettle.¡± If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. While pulling the stained shirt she had woken up in over her head Akiko let out a small ¡°Eek¡± as she became aware that her ears were no longer that of a humans, but either vulpine or feline. ¡°You okay there baby?¡± Mama D asked full of concern. ¡°Um¡­ yes, I just didn¡¯t expect all this.¡± Akiko responded with a slight tremor in her voice. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it sugah, we women gotta stick together and help each other however we can.¡± Akiko had the warmer clothes on by the time Mama D had found her kettle and tea. As Mama D approached the kitchen she turned up the oil lamp, bathing the room in a light orange glow. ¡°There we go, I don¡¯t see so good in my later years it seems.¡± She then took a good look at Akiko. ¡°I will be darn, I ain¡¯t never seen a fox girl. Well, shoot honey. How did you end up here? Yall supposed to be far away across the sea.¡± ¡°I truly do not know, it feels like I¡¯m in a whole new world. I am quite lost.¡± Akiko began tearing up while expressing the truth of her situation. ¡°Now, now little one. Don¡¯t you be upset. Mama D will help you find your place in this scary world. But first let¡¯s get you some tea and some rest. We will face tomorrow together and get this all straightened out. Mama D took the tea pot off the stove just before it started whistling, poured the water in some of the tea in the cups, followed by a splash of whiskey from a flask she had hidden on her person. ¡°Just one second there, gotta add the final touch.¡± She came back with a small jar of honey and added a small amount with a wooden spoon and stirred it in. ¡°Here ya go sugah, sip it slowly and we will try to get you to bed.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mama D¡± as the smell of the strong tea and sweet honey hit her nose Akiko¡¯s stomach made a loud, rumbling protest. ¡°Goodness, look at me. Done, forget my manners, gotta have something to eat with some tea. When¡¯s the last time you had a meal?¡± Akiko blushed, ¡°I really don¡¯t know, it feels like weeks.¡± ¡°Hold on a minute, sugah.¡± Mama D walked into the curtained off room and came back with a half loaf of dark bread with tree nuts and dried fruit in it. She took off a small morsel and handed it to Akiko. ¡°Eat it real slow now. Your stomach is empty and we don¡¯t want it sending the food back up. Small bites and little sips, until it''s all gone. Then off to bed. It has been an eventful night for us.¡± Chosen Persona The next morning light streamed in through a small window above the bed Akiko was sleeping on. She awoke groggy, and with a splitting headache ¡°God what a crazy dream.¡± she spoke out loud as she stretched eyes closed. As she opened her eyes, she saw the room around her, a small metal basin on a wooden stand, a wooden wardrobe, and a coat rack full of coats that were several sizes too large. She screamed, then started crying pulling her knees to her chin In ran the woman she remembered saving her ¡°What¡¯s the matter sugah?¡± the woman slowly sitting on the bed near Akiko. Seeing that she was frightened Mama D tried to comfort her ¡°Those bad men ain¡¯t gonna bother you no more. We took care of that, we sure did.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care about them¡­I don¡¯t know where I am or how I got here.¡± Akiko spoke between sobs. ¡°Oh no sugah, how about I make something a little stronger than tea, and we eat some biscuits with fruit and a little sweet whipped cream I made this morning. Then we try to figure all this out.¡± Hearing of food had Akiko¡¯s stomach growling furiously, she quit sobbing and started laughing uncontrollably for a few moments. ¡°This is all crazy, but I cannot deny that food sounds wonderful. Thank you for helping me last night. I am scared.¡± ¡°Oh sugah, I can only imagine. But first let''s have a little bit to eat. That stomach of yours sounds like a bear after hibernation.¡± Akiko giggled a little bit. While Mama D was getting their breakfast together Akiko felt her ears, coming to a full realization that she was not human. It bothered her less than she expected, she did love her cat earmuffs, and headset. Although she was pretty sure that her ears were more vulpine than feline, either way she could manage. Then she inspected her tail just for confirmation, it was definitely a fox tail, bushy, red with a white tip. The fur was softer than she expected, she was stroking her tail as Mama D walked in. ¡°That is a pretty coat you have there, I cannot say I have ever met a beastman. I know it sounds terrible, but that is the common word for those that are human with some animal physical characteristics. Enough chat, gotta feed that grizzly belly of yours.¡± Mama D set the trays on the bed and poured something that smelled like coffee into some tin cups. ¡°Careful now sugah that¡¯s really hot. I added some honey to it to cut the bitterness. Let me know if you like it.¡± Akiko dove into the food with abandon, it was at that moment the best food she had ever eaten. Once the food was finished and the coffee pot empty Akiko was feeling like a person again and some of her fears were settled for now. Mama D scooped up the empty platters and started to head into the kitchen ¡°Alright now sugah, we done ate a decent breakfast, after I clean these we gotta talk out these fears. Get your feet beneath you.¡± Akiko nodded and began assessing her situation Okay Akiko this world is not your original world, well at least not the same time. Your name will be Kitsune and we will behave like our Kitsune would. We will become a badass assassin, we have already got one body under our belt, that should be the hard part. she felt tears starting to well in her eyes No! None of that, we are going to be a haderned assassin, the best in this world. A stupid street thug means nothing. She wiped the tears from her eyes. When Mama D gets back we will figure out where we are and get some info on this place, who runs it and where we can get some funds to find someone to train us. Shit, we gotta get rid of that street thug¡¯s body. Mama D will help, she has made one body disappear. Alright, plan made. We will do this. I am Kitsune. Mama D had not returned yet, so Kitsune decided to look around the house in the daylight. In the bedroom the only thing she had not noticed from the bed was a large, iron bound oaken chest secured with a large, heavy lock. That¡¯s interesting, a proper rogue would pick that and leave. However, I won¡¯t be evil to those that help me or are good. Rule one: don''t be an evil bitch. Be a bad ass bitch. With that room fully explored she exited through the curtain. The kitchen was simple, a painted sink set in a counter with some drawers,and a simple table with two chairs. Why two chairs? Figure that out later. Kitsune tapped the sink and it proved to be metal with a dull thud. She began easing the drawers open, keeping her ears peeled for the sound of Mama D returning. Inside the drawers was only simple, but well taken care of kitchen ware, some earthen bowls without cracks, sharp rust free knives, forks, spoons, a rolling pin, some different wooden utensils. Well that¡¯s all orderly, nothing sinister. She looked at the sitting room and it appeared rather normal, if a bit spartan. Just the cushioned wooden chair, a stool and the iron stove. Akiko decided to have a seat in the chair and await Mama D. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The wait wasn¡¯t too long, maybe five minutes. Mama D came in with two wooden buckets full of water. Kitsune hopped up to help her ¡°Oh no baby, I got this. Gotta keep up the work so I don¡¯t get old. An you still recoverin¡¯ from being half starved.¡± ¡°If you insist.¡± Kitsune stated as she sat down ¡°I do, we will put some meat on your bones before long trust me. Actually, since you¡¯re up, mind helping me clean the dishes?¡± ¡°I would love to.¡± After a few minutes Mama D began humming softly, Kitsune noticed it had a definite rhythm to it. ¡°What song are you humming?¡± ¡°I will tell you after we get you sorted out. I promise.¡± Mama D said, handing another wet dish for Kitsune to dry. Once they finished the clean up Mama D directed them to the table. ¡°All right, to begin, what is your name sugah?¡± ¡°Kitsune, and I apologize for this morning. I was disoriented and awoke in an unexpected place.¡± Kitsune responded in an almost cold business-like manner. ¡°Nothing to apologize for suga-Kitsune. You had at least one traumatic event. Do you know how you ended up with those fellows?¡± Mama D had seen this reaction before, putting a brave face on to bury the trauma. She wasn''t too surprised or worried. ¡°Not at all, I don¡¯t even know how I got here, or where here is." "Where we are is Mers Coast. Fabled to be home to merfolk. I ain''t never seen one though. This port is called Sirens Echo, not sure why other them damn merfolk tales. I am Deena, better known as Mama D around here. Would you tell me about where you came from? Your parents?" "I have never heard of Mers Coast or Sirens Echo. Deena is a pretty name, but Mama D fits you better. Where I came from was a place called Cloverdale, I''m sure it''s further than imaginable from here" Kitsune released a slight giggle "And my parents were never around much. Always traveling for business" Kitsune''s voice hardens out of anger "I was left in the best schools and they often sent gifts, but they have never had time for me." "Some parents are like that, they think material goods make up for time apart. We know now where you are and from. What is it that you want to do Kitsune?" "One thing I need help doing is disposing of a body. The jackass that you took care of had a helper. I snuck up behind him in an abandoned warehouse that I had sought refuge in, and I killed him." Kitsune paused and took a deep calming breath. "He was the fi¡­ first p, p, person I killed." A tear rolled down her cheek. "Oh honey, I will make sure you never have to do that again." Kitsune''s face went cold and serious "Mama D, I want to get better at protecting myself, foremost. This recent event has taught me that it''s a hard world. I need to be harder. I must be able to eliminate those who seek to hurt me or those innocent. Can and will you help?" Mama D scowled hard for several moments before speaking "Kitsune, you are asking to begin down a path that leaves more than physical scars. I walked it myself for similar reasons. If you are sure you want this path, I will help in every way I can." Seeing Kitsune ready to agree Mama D extended her had palm out "Hold on, the offer will stay, think on it after we dump what is sure to be a bloated corpse tonight." Later that evening after telling Mama D all she could remember about the warehouse. Kitsune and Mama D were on the streets with hooded cloaks searching for the abandoned warehouse. After Mama D with her brandished morning star persuaded a thief that they weren''t easy targets they found the warehouse. The sliding door was closed, but hanging off track. Mama D a solidly built woman grabbed the door and lifted it back to its track, releasing a noxious odor making both gag momentarily. "You stayed in there? Here take this rag I soaked in some mint tea. Should help." Kitsune nodded, unable to speak from the smell. "Well you have some fortitude that''s for sure." Mama D''s voice was muffled from the rag. "I wasn''t sure how I wanted to do this before we got here, but we are burning this rotten building down. Luckily no one has built near to this mess and it rained recently. So it shouldn''t spread. Where did you leave him?" "Umm, Mama D I can see in the dark very well. The body is over there. I forgot to tell you." Kitsune walked to her victim. He was face down and he was oozing out if the stab wound in his back. "Good hit, pure luck I''m sure. Luck is good to have though. Step back, it''s gonna get hot quick, ease the door a touch. Let me know if anyone is near." Kitsune did as was asked, no one was around and a light rain had started. She gave Mama D a thumbs up. Mama D didn''t start the fire. Kitsune realized her mistake after a moment "All is clear." She called quietly. She heard a cap unscrew and Mama D curse before a splashing sound then a lantern was lit and tossed. The light arcing towards the body to explode igniting the putrid remains and the nearby boxes and barrels."Run girl." Mama quietly ordered as she ran towards the door. Once outside they darted down nearby alleys keeping in the shadows. Mama D right behind Kitsune, trusting her night vision. After a few minutes Mama D called a stop, they were far enough away and she was winded. Let''s ease back home follow me. She took a long twisting route, just in case they had been seen and followed. Inside the house Kitsune blurted out "That was exciting!" Mama D shook her head. "I knew it." Kitsune cocked her head to the side "Knew what?" "That you''re the right kind of crazy." They shared a laugh, got into warm clothes and slept. First Day of Training The next morning before dawn Kitsune was awakened by the sound of wood clanging on an iron pot ¡°WAKE UP KITSUNE!¡± yelled Mama D, more clanging. Kitsune jumped up from her pallet beside Mama D¡¯s bed ¡°What the hell is the matter!¡± she yelled back over the clanging of the pot. ¡°Time to rise and shine, you said you wanted to be able to protect yourself. I only know one way to accomplish that, military training. From now until you can defeat me in unarmed and armed combat you will be awake before the sun, have 15 minutes to eat, then the rest of the day is training. It won¡¯t be easy and I won¡¯t be easy on you. Like you said it¡¯s a hard world and it¡¯s harder for us women. NOW GET MOVING! Breakfast is served, time is ticking.¡± Mama D had a wicked smile as she finished. ¡°Sir yes sir¡± Kitsune said with an equally wicked smile and a mock salute before she rushed into the kitchen. The food being served was boiled oats, boiled eggs and hearty black bread with coffee. There was honey on the table to be used. True to her word, after fifteen minutes had elapsed Mama D was clanging the pot again. ¡°Times up soldier, clean those dishes!¡± Kitsune jumped to her task. God what have I gotten myself into. I¡¯m going to be a badass though. After cleaning the dishes under Mama D¡¯s critical eye Kitsune was ordered to get dressed. ¡°We have a problem here¡± Mama D informed Kitsune after she was dressed. ¡°What problem?¡± ¡°You stand out, we cannot be having that. Do you want to be a target?¡± ¡°Absolutely not. How can I fix the problem?¡± ¡°We have to cover your ears and tail. Suggestions?¡± ¡°A cloak covers all of it, but I cannot always wear a cloak. Are head coverings permitted in doors?¡± ¡°Good thinking, and I was thinking the same thing. A simple cloth will suffice. What about your tail?¡± Kitsune¡¯s brow furrowed in thought ¡°We could tie it to my leg or wrap it about my waist and secure it with a wrap from tip to base.¡± ¡°Which do you want to do today?¡± ¡°Wrap it will appear to be a fur belt.¡± ¡°Get to it!¡± Kitsune found some ribbons of cloth and tied her tail to itself. Other than being a bit uncomfortable, it looked pretty good, she thought. Mama D helped with the grey cloth headband, adding an intricate knot for a little flair. ¡°That is a knot used by sailors, I will teach it to you. Now with me we have strength training to do.¡± Mama D put her through a series of stretches and calisthenic workouts for an hour. Once they were finished the headband was plastered to her scalp and her clothing stuck to her uncomfortably. ¡°Can you ride a horse?¡± ¡°Never have.¡± ¡°Beyond time to learn. Follow me and keep up, if I have to turn around and find you there will be extra training.¡± Mama D hid her coin purse and started for the door. Kitsune was on her heels. Mama D jogged at a steady pace, Kitsune could barely keep up. Her unused muscles protested every step, but she refused to stop. I will be a badass she kept repeating to herself. Ten minutes later they came to the market square that was beginning to fill, now that the sun was up. The jog became a walk due to the crowd. Thank goodness Kitsune thought to herself between much needed breathes. Her legs were wobbly already. It took fifteen minutes to pass through the open market. Once beyond the crowd they were jogging again, Kitsune was gulping air. Mama D kept the same pace the entire way. Ten more grueling minutes later Mama D made it to a stable, Kitsune was less than a minute behind her. ¡°Not bad for your first day, catch your wind while I talk to the stable master.¡± Less than ten minutes later Mama D came back with a darkly tanned, short, spindly man ¡°This is Glenn, he runs this stable for the city guard. I was once employed by them and he has agreed to allow us the use of his fine horses for a fee that you will pay.¡± ¡°Mama D I don¡¯t have any money.¡± Glenn answered ¡°Well then young lady, you will have to tend some horses before and after each ride. ¡®Tis important to know the care of your animal, they ain¡¯t unthinking beasts. You treat them right and they will take care of you. Let¡¯s get started on your learnin¡¯.¡± ¡°Yes sir!¡± Kitsune replied in her best soldier voice. ¡°Got a good one I think this time Deena¡± Glenn tossed a wink at Mama D. Kitsune was given all the names and functions of a horses tack, shown how to properly clean a stall, introduced to all the horses, and how to properly saddle a horse. With the primary instruction done. She was ordered to clean all the stalls, one of the stable hands would assist with moving the horses as she cleaned the stalls. The stable hand helping her was a boy of around eight years old, dark haired and dark eyed. ¡°Ello, I¡¯m Trent.¡± he gave her a warm smile ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Kitsune. Nice to meet you. Let¡¯s get to work.¡± The horses were scared of her at first, but following the stable hands advice to give them a treat to gain their trust Kitsune was able to begin guiding the horses without the stable hands help. The hot sweaty work of cleaning the stalls was not appreciated after a morning of hard exercise, but Kitsune accomplished it as was requested of her. It took the rest of the morning to clean the stalls and tend the horses. Kitsune and the stable hand were rewarded with a lunch of thick sliced beef, hot bread, and hot tea. After finishing the meal the stablemaster escorted Kitsune to the riding carrol. ¡°This un here little lady is what we use for those fresh to the saddle¡± he pointed, indicating an old, grey mare not swayback, but getting leaner as horses do in old age that was tied to a post in the center of the corral. ¡°Her name is Gertrude, go on and get to know her. Once you feel comfortable with her, put a saddle on her and walk her about the carrol.¡± Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Kitsune walked slowly over to Gertrude, the horse noted her approaching and stood stoically. ¡°Hey Gertrude, I¡¯m here to ride you today. I have a treat for you¡± Kitsune offered her a small sugar cube, which Gertrude happily ate. After giving Gertrude her treat, Kitsune patted the old mare down talking to her soothingly. ¡°How about a little exercise girl, get those old bones moving about?¡± Gertrude just looked at Kitsune unblinking. ¡°Guess I would have to be crazy to expect a response.¡± Kitsune whispered to herself as she untied Gertrude, walking her over to the stables. Kitsune saddled the horse as she was shown all the while Glenn was giving her advice on how to use the reins and how to sit in the saddle while the horse was walking or running. Ten minutes later and with some tips from Glenn she had saddled Gertrude. ¡°I¡¯ll hold her while you mount up.¡± Glenn offered. Kitsune thanked him as she put her foot in the stirrup and gracefully seated herself in the saddle. Glenn whistled ¡°A natural.¡± he called to Mama D. Kitsune spent thirty minutes walking and trotting the horse about the carrol. At first sitting atop an animal and guiding it around was slightly disorientating, it wasn¡¯t like a machine. She could feel the horse''s response to her pull on the reins or nudge of her knees. The responses were not immediate, you could tell the horse took fractions of a second to think about what to do and if it wanted to. After thirty minutes of guiding Gertrude, Kitsune began to enjoy riding, but her legs were protesting. She walked Gertrude back to the post ¡°Okay girl, I¡¯m going to hop off and give you a break.¡± Gertrude just plodded over to the post, standing still as Kitsune swung her leg over and dismounted. Leaving the reins on the saddle, she hooked the lead rope to the hackamore and walked Gertrude in a big circle back to the stable to properly give the horse a cool off and to stretch her sore cramping legs. Outside the stable she took the saddle off, then took her into the stable for a brush down and some feed. ¡°Thank you for today, see you tomorrow.¡± Kitsune gently scratched Gertrude between the eyes before leaving. Glenn and Mama D were waiting on Kitsune outside the stable. ¡°Girl you did darn well for your first day. Now later on today I am expecting you to come back and clean the stalls again or you owe me five silver.¡± he gave her a wink. ¡°You did well Kitsune, however we have much more to do today. Follow me and keep up.¡± Mama D took off at a jog. Kitsune sighed and started after, her legs protesting the whole way. Kitsune was glad when they stopped a couple minutes later having arrived at a fenced area with several men in armor sparing with blunted or wooden weapons. ¡°This is the practicing area for the guards, occasionally the lords and merchants son¡¯s come out to show off for their lady¡¯s. Thankfully today I don¡¯t see any. I don¡¯t much care for the whelps, too full of themselves. Let¡¯s go see the head instructor.¡± Mama D took them to a tall, muscular woman with a thick, long braid of shiny, dark hair. She had a jagged, old scar on her cheek. Seeing them approaching she glared at Mama D ¡°Look what the tide washed up. What brings your sorry self out her Deena? Want another whoopin?¡± Mama D returned the glare ¡°Yidia don¡¯t let that mouth of yours get you a matching scar on the other cheek.¡± They locked stares for a few moments, then embraced. ¡°Good to see you Deena. How have you been? It¡¯s been too long since you trained.¡± ¡°Good to see you too, I have been well enough. I am enjoying retirement. I¡¯m not here for me today.¡± She pointed her thumb at Kitsune. ¡°This here is Kitsune. She wants to learn to protect herself and others. I have a feeling she may be a good recruit given a little polish. She certainly has the backbone for the job. I done put her through some strength, running, and riding drills today. We are gonna finish with some weapon instruction. I leave it to you. Maybe after we will have a little go at one another for old times sake.¡± Yidia gave Kitsune a critical look over ¡°Hello Kitsune, you seem a bit thin and spindly. We will work on that. What weapons do you want to use?¡± ¡°Hello Yidia, I would like to use daggers and small weapons. I do not believe I will ever be as strong as Mama D or yourself.¡± Kitsune gave her a big smile. ¡°Not a bad assessment, we will see how you fare. Using two weapons is more difficult than most think. Follow me and let''s get you started on some drills.¡± Yidia led her to a weapons rack with blunted steel weapons. She grabbed a shortsword from it and handed it to Kitsune. ¡°I know you said daggers, but those are not honorable warrior weapons. Those are backups for special use. I want to start you with the shortsword. A good reliable weapon for most any foe.¡± Kitsune took the shortsword and got a feel for its balance remembering Iwoa¡¯s instructions. ¡°I am ready for your lessons.¡± Kitsune¡¯s voice carried a deadly calm to it. Yidia nodded to Mama D ¡°She does have backbone.¡± For the next couple of hours Yidia put Kitsune through a series of drills utilizing different strikes and movements. Kitsune picked up the instructions quickly, they were similar to the teachings from her beloved uncle. While completing the forms she had to choke back tears caused by the resurfaced memories. Yidia, noticing the tears, called a stop to the training. ¡°Something wrong Kitsune?¡± Kitsune, glad for the reprieve after a gruelling day so far, wiped the sweat and tears from her face. ¡°All is well, just doing this training reminds me of time spent with an uncle I loved very much. He taught me how to fight some and the use of knives for defense. He passed away years ago.¡± Yidia nodded ¡°That would explain why you picked up the forms so quickly. You can place the weapon back on the rack and have a seat. Deena and I will have a match so you can see how true warriors fight. Ready Deena?¡± Mama D already had a padded mace and shield at hand ¡°Just waiting on you to quit blabbing and get your weapon ready.¡± Yidia grabbed a spear and shield and squared up with Mama D. Yidia did a quick stab that Mama D blocked with her shield. ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m gonna go easy on you Deena just because you¡¯re old.¡± Mama D circled waiting for the next strike, Yidia quickly stabbed forward again, but turned her wrist pushing the point wide as Mama D started to raise her shield, Yidia rotated her hips back and pushed her arm down causing the point to circle down arcing at Mama D¡¯s legs. Mama D saw the feint for what it was, she hopped over the strike to her legs closing the distance to Yidia, using her momentum she sent her mace on course for Yidia¡¯s head. Yidia blocked the strike with her shield. Her shoulder receiving the brunt of the force began to tingle as numbness set in. ¡°And don''t ya think that just because you¡¯re teaching my disciple that I won¡¯t ring your bell.¡± Mama D yelled as she struck the shield. Mama D pressed her advantage being inside the spears range she sent blow after blow crashing on Yidia¡¯s shield. Yidia accepted the blows while constantly trying to create distance, she couldn¡¯t feel her left arm. As Yidia stepped back she felt her balance go and started to stumble, Mama D seeing the stumble slammed her shield in Yidia¡¯s. However there wasn¡¯t any resistance behind the shield and the forceful blow had Mama D hopping to keep her balance. Yidia when she felt her stumble coming tossed her shield towards Mama D and did a back roll, she came to her feet with a two hand grip on her spear. She began twirling it like a staff advancing on Mama D. Mama D caught off balance barely got her shield up to block the rapid strikes of the spear. Knowing she couldn¡¯t out maneuver Yidia, Mama D barreled forward into her, jamming the spear as it struck. Yidia, expecting the rush, allowed her arms to collapse on the shield so she could press off. Doing so she delivered a heavy kick to the bottom of the shield, forcing Mama D¡¯s momentum down. As Yidia landed she stabbed her spear forward using all of her reach. Mama D accepted the kick and change of momentum to dive into a roll over her shield swinging her mace out wide as she came up, it caught the spear thrust sending it wide of her, she raised her shield to swat the spear up before Yidia could pull the thrust back. Mama D lunged under the rising spear, changing her grip on her mace to just under the padded head, she punched a hard straight right into Yidia center knocking the wind from her. Yidia hopped back leaning her spear as she caught her breath back. ¡°You win this round Deena.¡± Mama D patted Yidia on the back. ¡°You almost had me with that shield decoy. Same time tomorrow?¡± Yidia smiled, ¡°I¡¯ll be here.¡± ¡°Time to go. Kitsune you have stalls to clean or tac to tend.¡± Mama D called to her Kitsune, not wasting any time, started to jog immediately back to the stables forcing Mama D to catch up. At the stable Glenn set Kitsune to work cleaning the stalls and feeding the horses. This took much less time than it had in the morning, once she finished Glenn showed her how to clean and maintain the tac. By now the sun had dropped considerably. Mama D had to intervene on Kitsune¡¯s cleaning. ¡°Glenn, we gotta get back and start making our dinner or this one will have nothing to eat tonight.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t be having this pupil starving, no ma¡¯am. Alright girl get on outta here.¡± Kitsune and Mama D jogged to the market where Mama D purchased some sausage links and vegetables for their dinner. Making Kitsune carry the sack with the food, they jogged home. Once home Mama D questioned Kitsune on her ability to cook. Kitsune assured her she wouldn¡¯t burn the house down. Trusting Kitsune Mama D took her buckets to get more water from the nearest well. When she returned Kitsune had the sausage and vegetable chopped up and frying. ¡°Goodness Kitsune, that smells wonderful! Have you ever made biscuits?¡± ¡°I have not, are we making some tonight?¡± ¡°Oh no sugah, we would be up much too late. In the morning I¡¯ll wake you and you can help me. It will be a more pleasant wake up than this morning I assure you. Take that water and get a cold bath in the tub out back. The cool water will be good for your muscles.¡± ¡°What about someone seeing me?¡± ¡°The fence will keep anyone from seeing you.¡± Kitsune took the buckets that Mama D had brought and carried them out the front door to behind the house where an area just big enough for her to set the buckets down and have walking space around a copper tub was fenced off with eight foot tall wood posts. The water was shockingly cold, she used soap and a sponge that was inside the tub to scrub clean the day¡¯s grime and sweat. When she returned inside after bathing and draining the water, Mama D had their food on plates and a metal bucket of water heating on the stove. ¡°What¡¯s the hot water for?¡± Kitsune asked. ¡°My washing sugah. These old bones don¡¯t do well with cold plunges.¡± ¡°A warm bath sounds amazing!¡± Kitsune shouted. ¡°We will see about tomorrow you gettin¡¯ one. You gotta carry the buckets though.¡± ¡°Maybe it can wait until I get used to this rigorous schedule you have me on.¡± Kitsune and Mama D shared a laugh. Then they sat down to a meal. After cleaning the items used for the food Kitsune fell onto her pallet and was out.