ã€ŠKitsune: A tale of a foxy womanã€‹


 Kitsune!

    ''Huh, why are you glowing?'', one of the skippers asked the mysterious young woman who had boarded their ship before they left China.

    ''I do not know, must be something in the air, she said in a warm comforting voice, then proceeded to cover her face with her shawl.

    ''I guess you right.'' the young na?ve skipper said , handing her the food and backing up.

    ''Thank you.'' she said

    And started hammering away at the meal, eating the chicken drum sticks with bone and all, the young skipper was left awe-struck by how such a beautiful woman, could eat in such a monstrous manner, he took a few steps, her skin was pale, yet beautiful, her blue eyes shone through the hair covering her face, captivating beauty indeed but unnatural and divine, could the rumours upstairs be true, could she be¡­

    ''Ahh, it seems, I had forgot to get you something to drink, I will go get it soon.''

    ''Mhmmm'', these are the only words she could muster during her intense labour, of supply herself with nutrients.

    He slipped away and brought abowl of water and placed it cleverly next to her, on the floor, knowing that she would have to look straight into the bowl in when she picks it up and there is enough light from the torch to see clearly, even if she is wearing a cloak.

    She soon took a break her disembowelling and decided the to have a drink, she bent down and froze at the instance of her reflection, looked up at the skipper, who was not terrified but rather mesmerised by the reflection of the snow white fox in the water but soon that all changed when his human tendencies kicked in, and the only words the woman could muster up was.

    ''Shimata.''

    He backed up slowly repeating the words ''Kitsune¡­.ki¡­kistune¡­kistune!'', he scream and ran to the dock.

    ''Ha, I though he might have been different, gosh, I am totally going to have to fight my way out, pity, I did not have enough time to suck all his spirt energy.''

    Not long after her source of food ran out screaming, the entire most of the crew rushed down to the lower deck, armed with their swords pitch forks, torches an bow and arrows.

    ''What is it you want here you evil spirt, do not think we suffer the same fate as the Shang empire, we will end you here!.'',Captain Soto said.

    The fox-woman''s ears twitched, her voice a blend of silk and steel. "I''ve harmed none of your crew. Why such hostility?"

    A grizzled skipper stepped forward, his face etched with lines of fear and anger. "Because you''re Su Da Ji! Pure evil incarnate!"

    She sighed, a sound both weary and dangerous. "Nature decreed my form, not my choices. I am what I am."

    Captain Soto''s knuckles whitened on his sword hilt. "Evil is evil, regardless of its source. It must be vanquished!"

    The kitsune''s eyes flashed, nine spectral tails materializing behind her. "If you insist on this folly, remember my warning: not all of you will survive the night."

    With fluid grace, she cast aside her shawl. The air crackled with otherworldly energy as a low, menacing growl rumbled from her throat.

    Captain Soto took a hesitant step forward, his resolve visibly wavering.

    The fox-woman''s lips curled into a predatory smirk. She spread her arms wide, an invitation and a challenge. "Well? What are you waiting for?"

    For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then, Captain Soto''s voice shattered the tension:

    "ATTACK!"

    The hold exploded into a frenzy of blood and steel. The kitsune moved with supernatural speed, her delicate hands now lethal weapons. She plunged her fingers through a skipper''s chest, the sickening crunch of bone drowned out by his final, gurgling scream. Another fell, throat torn open in a spray of crimson.

    Her face contorted, vulpine features emerging as she lunged at Captain Soto. Razor-sharp teeth flashed, and his head tumbled to the deck. But in her bloodlust, she''d grown careless.

    White-hot pain erupted in her side. The young deckhand, eyes wide with terror and determination, had driven his pitchfork deep into her ribs. The kitsune whirled, her eyes blazing with fury. She inhaled sharply, cheeks puffing out, and released a gust of scorching wind. The boy''s scream was cut short as his head simply... vanished.

    Panting, the fox-woman assessed her wound. "This is bad," she hissed. "Time to embrace my true form."

    In a shimmer of fox-fire, she transformed. Where the woman had stood, a snow-white fox now crouched, her multiple tails swishing anxiously. She darted up the stairs, paws barely touching the wood.

    On deck, chaos reigned. More crew members spotted her, nocking flaming arrows to their bows. The air filled with the hiss of burning projectiles as she weaved and dodged.

    A wicked gleam entered the fox''s eyes. "Fools," She thought. "Fire is my element!"

    Inhaling deeply, she drew the flames toward her. The fires swirled, coalescing into a massive, roiling sphere of destruction. With a triumphant yip, she released it.

    The fireball exploded across the deck. Men screamed, diving for cover as wood splintered and sails ignited. In the mayhem, the fox leaped over the railing, plunging into the storm-tossed sea below.

    Dawn broke over an unfamiliar shore. The kitsune, back in human form, stumbled from the surf. Her wound throbbed, her strength ebbing with each labored breath. The rising sun promised exposure and danger; she needed shelter.

    Summoning her last reserves of energy, she limped into the dense forest. The trees loomed ominously, shadows seeming to reach for her with grasping fingers. Suddenly, something seized her from behind.

    Too weak to fight, too drained to even cry out, the kitsune felt herself being carried deeper into the woods. As consciousness slipped away, a final, chilling thought crossed her mind:

    Had she escaped one threat only to fall prey to something far worse?

    The acrid taste of fear coated her tongue as consciousness slammed into her. Fragments of the past day flickered through her mind like a broken film reel, but the crucial pieces remained frustratingly out of reach. Her body screamed in protest as she stirred, each movement revealing new constellations of pain across her skin.

    Deep within, her vulpine alter ego snarled, hackles raised against the alien environment. Teeth bared, she fought to orient herself in the oppressive darkness. As her eyes adjusted, the walls of a deep ditch materialized around her, its sides stretching upward like the maw of some earth-born predator.

    The full moon hung low and bloated in the sky, its sickly light transforming the world into a monochrome nightmare. Every snapping twig, every whisper of wind through leaves sent jolts of terror down her spine. Was her attacker still out there, lurking just beyond the veil of shadows, waiting to finish what they''d started?

    Time stretched and warped, seconds feeling like hours as her frayed nerves threatened to snap. But even as fear clawed at her throat, an insidious curiosity began to take root. With agonizing slowness, she dragged herself from the ditch''s embrace, emerging into a claustrophobic maze of ancient trees.

    Their gnarled trunks pressed in close, as if trying to reclaim the small clearing where she''d lain. And there, nestled at the base of one massive oak, a bounty revealed itself: berries glistening like droplets of blood in the moonlight, alongside other edible treasures.

    Hunger erupted within her, primal and all-consuming. Without a moment''s hesitation, she lunged for the feast, her desperation momentarily overpowering her fear.

    "I''m glad you like them. I was rather concerned some of these berries might not agree with you," a voice purred from within the shadows.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    The fox''s ears twitched, her head swiveling as she tried to pinpoint the source. She spun in frantic circles, hackles raised, but the voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.

    "Up here," it said, amusement lacing its tone.

    She leapt back, a snarl forming on her lips¡ªonly to have it die in her throat. There, perched atop a gnarled log, sat the most magnificent nine-tailed silver fox she had ever laid eyes upon. His coat shimmered like spun moonlight, and his oceanic blue eyes seemed to glow with an inner radiance. Her panic melted away, replaced by awe.

    Mustering her bravado, she declared, "I''m not scared of you. It would be a shame to end such a striking nine-tailed fox."

    "You find me beautiful?" he asked, gracefully leaping down to land beside her. He began to circle her, his movements fluid and predatory.

    "I give credit where it''s due," she retorted. "It''s been a while since I''ve encountered a nine-tailed fox as beautiful as myself."

    He chuckled softly. "Quite proud, aren''t you, stranger?"

    "There''s nothing wrong with pride born of strength," she countered. "Though I must say, you''re rather small for one in their final form."

    His eyes glittered dangerously. "This isn''t my final form, little one. This is merely my base state. If I were to reveal my true form, you''d find breathing rather difficult."

    She scoffed, but a flicker of unease danced in her stomach.

    "And what do you mean by my strength and beauty? '' He continued, "All I see before you is a fox with a single tail and a coat as black as charcoal."

    "What do you mean?" Confusion coloured her voice.

    "See for yourself," he replied enigmatically.

    With a graceful flick of his tail, he traced a circle in the air. A shimmering pond materialized before them. Another wave of his tail, and the water''s surface froze into a flawless mirror.

    "Come, have a look," he invited. "By the way, what''s your name?"

    She remained silent, cautiously approaching the icy surface.

    "Well then, I''m Sasuke," he offered.

    As she gazed into the mirror, a blood-curdling scream tore from her throat, echoing through the forest and sending nearby spirits scattering.

    "Wait, calm down¡ª" Sasuke began, alarm evident in his voice.

    "Calm down?" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the forest. "I''m hideous! Powerless! My beautiful tails... they''re all gone!"

    Sasuke''s ears flattened against his head, but his voice remained soothing. "Let''s not make this worse than it is. You still have one tail. It''s quite thick and fluffy, actually."

    The fox''s hysterical laughter cut through the night air, tinged with a note of madness. "I am ruined, finished! SU DA JI, the great terror, reduced to nothing but an overgrown rat!" Her laughter dissolved into soft sobs, tears glistening on her obsidian fur. She tilted her muzzle towards the star-strewn sky. "I suppose those Indian gurus were right after all. We truly do get what we deserve in the end. Karma exists, and it has come for me at last."

    Sasuke''s tails twitched uneasily. "Well, it doesn''t take a guru to figure that out."

    Su Da Ji''s golden eyes narrowed. "Thank you so much for your words of encouragement," she spat. "No wonder you''re surrounded by so many friends."

    The silver fox winced. "First of all, ouch. Secondly, why not think of this as a new beginning? A fresh start to do something good, to repent, to clear out your bad karma. It''s a second chance to be something better."

    Su Da Ji turned towards him, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "Maybe you''re right."

    "Of course I am," Sasuke preened.

    "This is a second chance..."

    "Yes," he nodded encouragingly.

    "To be better than what I was."

    "Exactly!"

    Su Da Ji''s smile widened, revealing sharp teeth. "To gain so much power that I rise far beyond the level of a God!"

    Sasuke''s eyes widened in alarm. "Mhmm... huh... no, that''s not¡ª"

    "To transcend the transcended!" Su Da Ji continued, her voice rising with fervor. "So I can conquer..." She paused, her brow furrowing. "Where am I now?"

    Sasuke sighed heavily, his tails drooping. "Japan."

    "Japan!" Su Da Ji exclaimed, her eyes glowing with malevolent glee. "And from here, I shall reclaim my lost homeland by destroying the entire Shang dynasty!" Her hysterical, wicked laughter echoed through the forest, sending chills down Sasuke''s spine.

    Sasuke''s ears flattened against his head. "Um, I don''t know what''s happening here, but I still think my philosophy of redemption is better."

    Before Su Da Ji could retort, the air filled with rustling and whispers. Spirits materialized from the shadows, surrounding them on all sides. Their forms were diverse and otherworldly, some beautiful, others grotesque.

    A serpentine creature with glowing scales slithered forward. "Who is this you''ve brought here, Sasuke?" it hissed.

    "Can it be trusted?" A bird-like spirit with razor-sharp feathers chimed in.

    Sasuke''s tails twitched nervously. "This is... Nanashi!" he blurted out, realizing too late he didn''t know her true name.

    "It?!" Su Da Ji snarled, her hackles rising. "IT?!"

    "Calm down," Sasuke pleaded. "You''ll only make matters worse. My friends, allow me to introduce this¡ª"

    "This?" Su Da Ji''s voice dripped with venom.

    Sasuke stumbled over his words. "Oh, sorry, I mean¡ª"

    A spirit resembling a twisted tree trunk creaked ominously. "I don''t think we can trust it. Just look at her."

    "Hideous," another spirit whispered. "As black and ugly as sin itself."

    Murmurs of agreement rippled through the gathering, and Su Da Ji''s rage boiled over.

    "Why you¡ª!" she snarled, muscles bunching as she prepared to spring. "Come out of the shadows and face me, cowards!" Her fangs gleamed in the moonlight as she charged forward.

    "As you wish," a deep, rumbling voice answered from above.

    The other spirits tittered with malicious delight. "Now you''re going to get it," they chorused, their voices a cacophony of anticipation.

    The forest fell eerily silent, as if nature itself held its breath. A massive shadow, darker than the night sky, descended from the canopy above. It moved with an unnatural fluidity, blotting out the stars and plunging the clearing into an oppressive darkness that seemed to swallow all hope.

    Nanashi''s heart thundered in her chest, her earlier bravado evaporating like morning dew. The air grew thick and heavy, carrying the sickly-sweet scent of decay. A primal instinct screamed at her to run, to flee this ancient evil, but her legs refused to obey.

    Suddenly, a shaft of moonlight pierced the gloom, illuminating a sight that would haunt Nanashi''s nightmares for eternity. Before her loomed a monstrosity that defied comprehension ¡ª an colossal arachnid, its bloated body easily the size of a small house. But where its head should have been, a woman''s face leered down at her, pale as death and beautiful in its terrible perfection.

    Eight eyes, burning with the intensity of freshly spilled blood, fixed upon Nanashi. Two flanked each side of the creature''s face, while six more were arranged in an unholy crown across its forehead. Each iris seemed to hold countless millennia of malice and hunger.

    From its maw hung curved fangs, long as swords and dripping with venom that hissed and smoked where it struck the ground. The acidic stench burned Nanashi''s nostrils, making her eyes water and her stomach churn.

    Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity as Nanashi''s mind struggled to process the eldritch horror before her. Her body trembled, every instinct screaming for flight. But as the creature''s baleful gaze bore into her very soul, something inside Nanashi snapped.

    A laugh bubbled up from deep within her, starting as a low chuckle before erupting into full-blown, manic laughter.

    Nanashi''s laughter subsided, replaced by a mocking grin. "Now, this is just sad. You''re absolutely hideous. I was depressed thinking I was the ugliest thing in this forest, but you''ve made me feel much better about myself. With a face like that, you could convert Oni into Buddhas. Your visage is an insult to anything with a face or bearing the slightest resemblance to one. It''s a crime against nature, I tell you!"

    The spider-woman''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "To think, I was considering sparing your life. Now, I''m just going to kill you."

    "Don''t worry, darling," Nanashi quipped, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "My soul has already fled my body after seeing your face. I''m just an empty shell now."

    "Die!" the massive arachnid roared, lunging forward with terrifying speed.

    In a flash of silver, Sasuke leapt between them. "That''s enough, Jor¨­gumo!"

    The spider-woman halted, her fangs mere inches from Sasuke''s face. "But she¡ª"

    "I know," Sasuke interrupted, his voice firm but understanding. "She''s... challenging, like swallowing bitter medicine. But we both know why she''s here, yes?"

    Jor¨­gumo nodded reluctantly, her multiple eyes blinking in unison.

    "Good," Sasuke continued. "Just bear with me a little here, okay?"

    "Fine," Jor¨­gumo hissed. "But keep her as far away from me as possible."

    A sly smirk crossed Sasuke''s muzzle. "Oh, I already have the perfect place in mind."

    Jor¨­gumo gave a nod of approval before addressing the other spirits. "We''re done here. Let''s go." With that, she melted into the shadows of a nearby tree, disappearing from sight.

    "Aww, you''re leaving already?" Nanashi called out, her voice laced with mock disappointment. "I didn''t even get your names!"

    "We don''t like you!" a spirit shouted from the darkness.

    "What an impolite and rude girl," another muttered.

    A third spirit''s voice creaked like old wood. "Youngsters have no manners these days, no different from the human ones."

    As the last of the spirits faded away, Sasuke turned to Nanashi, his expression a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "Well, it seems you''ve made quite the first impression."

    Nanashi shrugged, unrepentant. "I''m not surprised. I''ve always had a way with people." Her eyes narrowed suddenly, curiosity replacing her bravado. "So, what were you and spider lady talking about? And where exactly is this ''perfect place'' you mentioned?"

    "Her name is Jor¨­gumo, not ''spider lady,''" Sasuke corrected, a hint of reproach in his voice.

    Nanashi rolled her eyes. "Fine. Jor¨­gumo. What were you two talking about?"

    Sasuke''s tails swished thoughtfully. "We were discussing your new accommodations."

    "My new... accommodations?" Nanashi''s ears perked up, a mix of curiosity and wariness in her voice.

    "Indeed."

    "But why? This place seems perfectly adequate."

    Sasuke sighed, settling onto his haunches. "You may find it adequate, but you don''t exactly look ''fine'' to the other spirits. Besides, each forest spirit has their own territory. If I let you stay here, you''d be infringing on mine. And I prefer my solitude, thank you very much."

    Nanashi bristled at his tone. "No need to be rude about it. What am I going to do, steal dirt? Make it dirtier than it already is?"

    "With your apparent penchant for spite, who knows?" Sasuke retorted. He yawned, stretching his multiple tails. "Regardless, prepare for rest. We have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

    With that, Sasuke leapt atop a nearby log, curled up, and promptly fell asleep. Nanashi scoffed, muttering under her breath as she reluctantly settled into a makeshift den beneath some roots.

    Just as she was drifting off, a muffled thump jolted her awake. Her eyes snapped open to see a looming figure ¨C the same beast-man who had carried her earlier. Heart racing, Nanashi attempted to spring up, but the creature was faster. It exhaled a crimson mist that enveloped her den.

    Nanashi''s limbs grew heavy, her thoughts clouding. As consciousness slipped away, her last coherent thought was a mixture of fear and fury at whatever new fate awaited her. The forest faded to black, leaving only the sound of her own slowing breath and the whisper of leaves in the night breeze.

 Night hunt

    A wicked grin spread across Nanashi''s muzzle. "Well, well," she mused, her voice a low purr. "Not a bad setup at all. Simple folk, by the looks of it. Probably not too worldly ¨C the perfect marks for a bit of trickery."

    She inhaled deeply, her sensitive nose picking up the myriad scents of the village and its surroundings. "This place is teeming with spirits," she observed, licking her chops. "They''ll make for a delightful appetizer. And then..." Her gaze lingered on the unsuspecting villagers going about their morning routines. "...the main course."

    Nanashi''s tail swished with anticipation. "I suppose this little exile might not be so terrible after all. A quick reconnaissance tonight to survey the menu, then back to rest. No sense in wasting energy before the feast begins."

    As she retreated into the shadows of the forest, Nanashi''s eyes glimmered with malevolent glee.

    The moonlight cast an eerie glow on Nanashi''s obsidian fur as she stirred from her fitful slumber. Tonight''s hunt beckoned, an irresistible call she couldn''t ignore. She groomed herself meticulously, her tail bristling with anticipation, and rolled in nearby wildflowers ¨C a macabre perfume for her unsuspecting prey.

    Heart pounding, Nanashi slunk down the hillside overlooking the sleeping village. The scent of warm blood filled her nostrils, igniting a primal hunger deep within. Her keen eyes locked onto a solitary figure ¨C a woman clutching a basket, hurrying through the shadowy streets.

    Nanashi''s muscles coiled, ready to spring, when suddenly a chill ran down her spine. Another presence materialized from the darkness, blocking the woman''s path. Nanashi froze, her instincts screaming danger as a another figure burst on to the scene.

    An otherworldly aura surrounded him, his eyes gleaming with an unnatural light. A predatory grin split his face, revealing teeth far too sharp to be mortal.

    Before Nanashi could process the scene, the man exploded into motion. He vaulted over the startled woman, shedding his kimono with inhuman speed, landing in front of the women on all four displaying his goods in full view, but this was not the weirdest thing about this yokai, as he face planted himself and spread his butt cheeks to reveal, A large eye, which snapped open unleashing a blinding, searing light that plunged into Nanashi''s core, causing her stomach to convulse violently, vomit surging to her mouth. The woman''s terrified scream of "Shirime!" pierced the night, prompting her to shield her eyes and flee in horror.

    As the woman''s frightened footsteps faded into the night, Shirime collapsed in a fit of manic laughter, oblivious to the predator lurking nearby. Nanashi''s eyes narrowed, her body tense with predatory focus. The yokai''s grotesque form was seared into her mind, but now a primal hunger overrode her disgust.

    Shirime rolled onto his back, still chuckling as he gazed at the star-strewn sky. His guard was down ¨C a fatal error.

    In a blur of midnight fur, Nanashi pounced. Her fangs found Shirime''s throat with unerring precision. The yokai''s laughter turned to a choked gurgle as Nanashi''s razor-sharp teeth pierced his jugular.

    But she didn''t grant him a swift end. Instead, Nanashi''s eyes glowed with unholy hunger as she began to drain not just blood, but Shirime''s very essence. With each swallow, she felt raw power surge through her veins. Her form seemed to ripple and expand, growing stronger by the second.

    Shirime thrashed weakly, his once-terrifying form now shriveling like a flower in drought. His eye dimmed, the unnatural light fading as Nanashi consumed his spiritual energy.

    With a sickening crunch, Nanashi tore out what remained of Shirime''s throat. She savored the final morsels of power before dragging the withered corpse into the shadows. Tonight, she would feast ¨C and emerge as something far more dangerous than before.

    Morning came, and Nanashi received an unexpected visit from an old friend. "Good morning!" Sasuke called out cheerfully.

    Startled awake, Nanashi bolted upright, accidentally colliding head-on with Sasuke. The impact sent him stumbling backwards, while Nanashi remained oddly unfazed.

    "Ouch!" Sasuke cried out, rubbing his forehead. "What was that for?"

    Nanashi''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What are you doing, trying to creep into a lady''s home while she''s sleeping?"

    "Creeping in? I wasn''t¡ª" Sasuke protested, still wincing. "I was just checking if anyone was home."

    As he looked up at Nanashi, his expression shifted from pain to confusion. He assumed a defensive stance, eyeing her warily. "Wait a minute... what happened to you?"

    "What do you mean?" Nanashi asked, puzzled by his reaction.

    Sasuke''s brow furrowed as he struggled to articulate his observation. "You seem more..."

    "More what?"

    "More... I don''t know. Different."

    Nanashi tilted her head, growing impatient. "Just spit it out already."

    Sasuke gulped, then finally managed to say, "Bigger. You look... bigger somehow."

    "Are you saying I''m fat?" Nanashi growled, her voice reverberating through the air as she advanced towards Sasuke. Her fur bristled with radiant energy, white sparks flickering at the tips. From her paws to her tail, verdant vines wrapped around her body, enhancing her natural grace and power. Her eyes shone like twin stars, piercing his soul with their intensity.

    Sasuke backpedaled, his ears flattening against his head. "No, no! Not fat, just... larger," he stammered, then nervously began licking his paws.

    "What?!" Nanashi exclaimed, her patience snapping. She pounced, her powerful legs propelling her towards Sasuke.

    Just as her jaws stretched wide, mere inches from Sasuke''s face, he let out an explosive sneeze directly into her open mouth. Nanashi froze mid-attack, her entire body going rigid. She toppled to the ground, stiff as a frozen popsicle, a single tear trickling down her cheek.

    Sasuke''s eyes widened in horror. "Oh my gosh, I''m so sorry!" he yelped, his tail tucked between his legs. "I really didn''t mean to do that. Quick, close your mouth before flies get in and make it worse!" He glanced around nervously, then added, "I promise I won''t tell anyone about this. Ever."

    But Nanashi remained motionless on the ground, her mouth still agape, looking as lifeless as a statue. Sasuke''s ears drooped as he realized the gravity of the situation, wondering how he could possibly make amends for this disastrous encounter.

    "Close your mouth, sister!" He said once more

    Nanashi just shook slightly.

    Sasuke''s guilt gnawed at him, a tempest of remorse swirling in his chest. Suddenly, inspiration struck like lightning. He retreated a few paces, his form trembling with barely contained energy. Without warning, azure flames erupted around him, a dazzling inferno that consumed his vulpine shape.

    The fire roared, twisting and writhing in a mesmerizing dance. As it dissipated, it revealed a transformation that defied belief. Where once stood a fox now descended a vision of ethereal beauty ¨C a young man of such striking appearance that he seemed to have stepped from the pages of legend.

    His kimono was a masterpiece, midnight black silk embroidered with intricate patterns of gold that seemed to shift and shimmer with every movement. The fabric hugged his form perfectly, hinting at a physique that blended strength and grace in equal measure.

    Sasuke''s eyes were twin pools of liquid sapphire, deep enough to drown in, framed by lashes that would make the stars jealous. His face was a study in perfection ¨C high cheekbones, a strong jaw, and lips curved in a gentle smile that could melt the coldest heart.

    Nanashi, despite her predicament, found herself transfixed. The sheer radiance of his presence was enough to coax her head from the dirt, though her jaw remained stubbornly agape. Yet, even as she marveled at this transcendent being before her.

    "Now, you can close your mouth with the assurance that every germ which, I regretfully, The forest held its breath as Sasuke''s smirk widened, a look of divine mischief dancing in his eyes. "I know precisely what to do," he intoned, his voice resonating with ancient power.

    Sasuke''s hands wove an intricate pattern before his chest, fingers tracing sigils of forgotten lore. His eyes fluttered closed, lashes casting shadows on his perfect cheeks as he began to chant. The very air trembled with the weight of his words, each syllable a command to the primal forces of nature.

    An aura of cerulean brilliance exploded around him, pulsing with rhythms older than time itself. The forest responded to its guardian''s call ¨C droplets of pure, living water coalesced from the earth, the trees, the very air. They hung suspended, a glittering constellation of liquid starlight.

    Sasuke''s eyes snapped open, blazing with otherworldly power. The droplets surged towards him, drawn by an irresistible force. They spiraled into a roaring vortex that funneled into his mouth, accompanied by howling winds that bent the ancient trees like saplings.

    Nanashi watched, transfixed, her own predicament forgotten in the face of such raw, elemental might. Their eyes met, and Sasuke''s wink was both playful and terrifying ¨C a reminder that this awesome display was but a fraction of his true power.

    With deliberate grace, Sasuke took a single step forward. The forest floor trembled beneath his feet, recognizing the tread of its master. His chest expanded, and with a roar that shook the heavens, he unleashed his gathered fury.

    A cyclonic torrent erupted from his lips, a tsunami compressed into a laser-focused stream. It struck Nanashi with the force of a thousand storms, catapulting her backward through the forest. Trees older than memory were uprooted in its wake, the very landscape reshaped by Sasuke''s will.

    As the deluge subsided, Nanashi lay drenched and stunned, surrounded by the aftermath of nature''s wrath. Sasuke stood tall, the forest bowing before him, a living god among the trees he protected. His display of dominance was complete, leaving no doubt about the overwhelming power that resided within his perfect form.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

    "That should do it," he said, giving her a thumbs up.

    Nanashi shook herself dry, water droplets scattering from her fur. "Thanks," she replied, grateful for the help.

    "No problem. I just did what any friend would have done."

    She smirked. "Sure, but not every friend would sneeze into the other''s mouth."

    He groaned, exasperated. "How long are you going to hold that against me? I said it was a mistake, a mistake that somehow saved my life, mind you."

    "Fair enough," Nanashi conceded with a chuckle.

    His tone grew curious. "So, where did you get that luminous power from?"

    Nanashi hesitated, her ears twitching nervously. "I... umm... discovered it last night."

    "Because I know a spirit that used to¡ª"

    "Look at the forest," she interrupted quickly, hoping to change the subject.

    He blinked, confused by her abrupt shift. "Yes... it''s quite a sight, but it is no problem."

    Her eyes widened as she took in the full scope of the distorted and transformed landscape. "What do you mean, ''no problem''? Surely, the humans are going to notice this. I thought you said we''re supposed to be discreet about our existence and not do anything that draws their attention. But by the look of things, you did the exact opposite. How can you be the leader if you don''t follow your own rules, huh?"

    "Relax," he said, waving his hand in a nonchalant manner. "I can fix this in a second."

    "Sure you can," she said mockingly, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

    He raised an eyebrow. "Of course I can. And why are you saying it like that?"

    "Because I can," Nanashi retorted, a mischievous glint in her eye.

    He sighed, shaking his head. "Never mind. Just watch me finish this in one go."

    "I''m waiting," she replied, crossing her arms expectantly.

    With a smirk gracing his lips, Sasuke assumed a sturdy stance, his arms reaching over his head before gracefully descending them downward. As he lifted his hand and snapped his fingers together, an otherworldly energy surged forth. In a breathtaking moment, reality itself seemed to obey his command.

    In an instant, a mesmerizing display unfolded, returning everything to its pristine state. The transformation was a symphony of magic, a seamless dance of mystical forces that mended the disrupted fabric of existence, leaving an enchanting aura in its wake.

    "So?" he said, smiling triumphantly.

    Nanashi''s expression remained unimpressed. "I''ve seen better."

    "Sure, you have," Sasuke replied, rolling his eyes.

    She tilted her head, curiosity creeping into her voice. "Anyway, why are you here in the first place? I don''t recall you and I being close friends at all."

    Sasuke straightened up, his demeanor becoming more formal. "Well, as the guardian spirit who watches over all things in the forest¡ª"

    "Except for man," Nanashi interjected.

    He nodded, conceding the point. "Mhm, except for man. I, Sasuke, appointed by Inari herself, must ensure that everyone who resides in these lands is well and comfortable with their stay. If they have any issues whatsoever, I will immediately resolve them then and there," he said, puffing up his chest with pride and staring at the sky.

    Nanashi''s eyes narrowed, a mix of skepticism and intrigue in her gaze. "Guardian spirit," she said slowly, "you must be pretty powerful. I can''t help but wonder what sort of magic you possess?"

    "Why?" Sasuke asked, his curiosity piqued.

    Nanashi''s ears twitched mischievously. "Just, you know, since we''re friends and all. You know the rule of friendship - no secrets hidden from each other."

    Sasuke chuckled, shaking his head. "Huh, I wasn''t aware of that rule. But if I''m going to be honest, I myself don''t know the full extent of my abilities. One thing I am very sure of, though."

    "And what might that be?" she asked, taking a few steps towards him.

    He matched her movement, closing the distance between them. "I am way stronger than you."

    Nanashi''s grin widened, her body starting to light up again. "Really? How can you be so sure about that?"

    "Because I defeated you with a single sneeze," Sasuke replied smugly.

    "That can''t be true; that was an accident."

    His eyes glinted with amusement. "Was it, though? Even the temporary paralysis you experienced was an accident?"

    Nanashi faltered. "What, that..."

    "Oh, dear Nanashi, you still have a long way to go."

    She huffed, her tail swishing in irritation. "You''re a weirdo. Anyway, how long are you planning to stay? This is when I sleep, and I hunt at night. So if you don''t mind, if you''re done checking on me, you know the way home, I presume."

    Sasuke held up his hands placatingly. "No need to be so hostile, sister. I''m just doing my job. Anyway, I see you acquired a new power. But I wonder how you got it; it feels very familiar, kind of reminds me of a yokai called..."

    "You can think about it later," Nanashi interrupted, pushing him forward with her head. "A girl needs her sleep, I still have hunt at tonight, which is such a pain. So be off now."

    "Alright, I''ll be off," Sasuke conceded, taking a step back. His tone grew serious. "Just so you know, I will be back. And remember this - it''s a very important rule: you are not allowed to consume any other spirits or steal their power; it is prohibited, and the punishment for that sin is death."

    "Why are you telling me this?" Nanashi''s voice quivered with indignation. "Am I some kind of power-obsessed monster looking to reclaim a lost kingdom? No, sorry, you''ve got the wrong person. Be gone, you foul persecuting spirit!"

    As her final words faded, an eerie silence fell over the forest. Suddenly, a mesmerizing glow began to emanate from within Nanashi''s core, pulsing like a newborn star. The air around her shimmered, reality itself seeming to bend in the wake of her rising power.

    A radiant aura enveloped her form, swirling like a tempest of liquid light. It danced across her fur, transforming each strand into a thread of living starlight. The very earth beneath her paws trembled, responding to the surge of otherworldly energy.

    From deep within her being, a glimmering cloud materialized. It ascended from her diaphragm, spiraling upward through her throat in a hypnotic display of raw, untamed magic. The forest held its breath as the luminous essence reached the precipice of Nanashi''s mouth.

    Time seemed to slow as her jaws parted. In that heartbeat of silence, the world teetered on the edge of transformation. Then, with earth-shattering force, a surge of incandescent energy erupted forth.

    A great white blast, as brilliant as a supernova, burst from Nanashi''s maw. It illuminated the clearing with blinding intensity, casting stark shadows that danced like frenzied spirits. The beam hurtled towards Sasuke, a dazzling lance of pure, unadulterated power.

    The sheer magnitude of the attack sent shockwaves rippling through the air, bending trees and scattering leaves in its wake. Even Nanashi herself seemed momentarily overwhelmed by the intensity of her own power, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and trepidation.

    As the radiant force surged forward, cutting a swath through the very fabric of reality, the forest trembled in anticipation. This was no mere display of magic ¨C it was a cataclysmic event, a clash of mystical energies that threatened to reshape their hidden world forever.

    Nanashi''s eyes gleamed with a mixture of anticipation and dark curiosity. "Let''s see him walk away from that alive," she murmured to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hope his body is left. I could use the power he has."

    As the blinding light faded and the smoke began to dissipate, an unexpected sound cut through the eerie silence. A faint yawn echoed across the clearing, followed by what seemed to be someone casually dusting themselves off. Nanashi''s ears twitched, her body tensing as she strained to see through the hazy aftermath of her attack.

    When the smoke finally cleared, her jaw dropped in disbelief. There stood Sasuke, completely unscathed, a smirk playing across his lips. His clothing and fur were immaculate, showing no signs of the devastating blast that had just torn through the forest.

    "I always knew you wanted me," Sasuke quipped, his voice laced with amusement and a hint of cockiness. He stretched lazily, as if he had just woken from a pleasant nap rather than weathered an earth-shattering assault.

    Nanashi''s mind reeled, struggling to comprehend how he could have possibly survived unharmed.

    Before she could gather her wits to respond, Sasuke continued, his form starting to shimmer and fade. "I''d love to stay longer and see where this goes, but unfortunately, your visiting time is over. Bye-bye!" He waved at her with infuriating nonchalance, his body becoming more translucent with each passing second.

    Night fell once more, and with it came an insatiable hunger. Nanashi prowled the shadows, her eyes gleaming with anticipation for her next prey.

    ''I wonder what delectable power I''ll feast on tonight,'' she mused, a wicked grin playing across her muzzle. ''Anything''s better than that last one. Thank the spirits that freak''s ability didn''t leave me with an eye in an unfortunate place.''

    The village lay eerily quiet, not a demon in sight. Nanashi''s fur bristled with frustration.

    ''Clever little pests,'' she growled inwardly. ''That meddling visitor must have warned them. No matter. There are other hunting grounds.''

    Defying Sasuke''s warnings, Nanashi crossed the forbidden river. As she emerged on the other side, the air shifted, heavy with an otherworldly presence.

    In a moonlit meadow, an ethereal vision materialized. A woman of unearthly beauty danced, her shimmering garments swirling like mist. The very night seemed to awaken at her touch, responding to each graceful movement.

    Nanashi''s heart raced, her predatory instincts screaming. This was no ordinary being ¨C power radiated from her in intoxicating waves.

    "I can see you, you know," the woman''s voice rang out, childlike yet ancient. "Come out and join me. I promise I won''t bite."

    A chill ran down Nanashi''s spine. She had masked her presence perfectly. What manner of creature could sense her?

    Stepping from the shadows, Nanashi purred, "Oh, hello. I was just passing by when your mesmerizing dance caught my eye."

    "Thank you," the woman replied, her eyes twinkling with hidden knowledge. "You''re not from here, are you? May I ask your name?"

    "Nanashi," she answered, remaining partially concealed.

    The woman''s laughter cut through the night, only to die abruptly at Nanashi''s stony silence.

    "Forgive me," she said. "I just find it curious that your name means ''nameless''."

    "Is it not intriguing?" Nanashi countered, edging closer. "Even demons like yourself are drawn to mystery, are they not?"

    The woman''s eyes flashed. "Indeed. The unknown tantalizes all creatures. It''s what makes life... exquisite."

    "You speak as one who has lived many lifetimes," Nanashi purred, her mouth watering. "Who are you, exactly?"

    The woman smiled enigmatically. With a wave of her hand, the earth itself obeyed her will. Roots erupted from the soil, twisting into chairs and a table.

    "How rude of me," she said, her voice carrying an undertone of danger. "I am Princess Sarashina. Now that we''re acquainted, why don''t you step into the light and join me?"

    Nanashi hesitated, every instinct screaming both caution and hunger. This being was unlike any she had encountered before. A feast beyond imagining ¨C or a predator far deadlier than herself?

    "If you say so," Nanashi replied, her voice steady despite the tempest of emotions within. She stepped forward, bathed in moonlight

    Nanashi emerged from the shadows, her form colossal and menacing. Her crimson eyes blazed in the darkness, twin infernos that pierced the night. She moved with a predator''s grace, each step a silent promise of impending danger. Her massive body eclipsed the moonlight, casting Sarashina in shadow.

    The princess inhaled sharply, her composure faltering for a heartbeat as she beheld the monstrous fox before her. She gripped the arms of her makeshift chair, knuckles white with tension.

    "My!" Sarashina exclaimed, her voice barely above a whisper. "You''re a fox. A rather... impressive one at that."

    Nanashi''s lips curled into a cruel smile, revealing rows of gleaming fangs. "I sense disappointment in your voice, Princess. Were you expecting something else?"

    "No, no," Sarashina backpedaled, clearing her throat. "I''m merely... surprised, for lack of a better word."

    The princess''s apparent naivety and reluctance to offend kindled a dangerous spark in Nanashi''s mind. Perhaps this being wasn''t as formidable as she''d first thought. After all, true power spoke without fear of consequence.

    "Surprised?" Nanashi growled, deliberately showcasing her massive canines. They glinted in the moonlight like polished daggers, promising swift and merciless violence.

    Sarashina''s eyes narrowed imperceptibly. "Yes, I was," she replied, a newfound edge to her voice. She paused, as if weighing her next words carefully. "Would you care for some tea?"

    "Of course," Nanashi purred, taking a deliberate step forward. Her muscles coiled, ready to strike.

    Sarashina exhaled slowly, turning her back to the predator. It was a calculated risk, one that played perfectly into Nanashi''s hunger-fueled arrogance.

    In a blur of motion, Nanashi launched herself at the princess''s exposed back. Victory seemed assured, her jaws parting to claim her prey.

    But in that fractional moment, Sarashina''s head snapped around. Her eyes, once warm and inviting, now blazed with an ancient, terrible power.

    A single glance was all it took.

    The world erupted into chaos. A maelstrom of flames exploded into existence, engulfing Nanashi in a howling vortex of fire. The inferno roared, a tornado of searing heat and blinding light that reached toward the heavens.

    Nanashi''s triumphant snarl transformed into a shriek of agony and disbelief. She writhed within the fiery prison, her fur scorched, her very being assaulted by flames that seemed to burn not just flesh, but spirit itself.

    As the fox thrashed in torment, Sarashina rose slowly from her seat. Gone was any pretense of fragility. She stood tall, power radiating from her in palpable waves. Her eyes, now glowing with an otherworldly light, fixed upon the creature she had so effortlessly trapped.

    "You should have accepted the tea," Sarashina''s voice resonated, somehow audible above the roar of the flames. "Now, little fox, let me show you what true power looks like.

 For we are not one but many!

    As Nanashi disappeared into the darkness, she exhaled heavily, her heart pounding like a caged gorilla. "Gosh, that was close," she thought. "I''m nowhere near capable of fighting her. I see now why Sasuke warned me not to venture beyond my territory. This place is bloody scary... but still, I''m hungry."

    Suddenly, Nanashi found herself engulfed by a giant fire tornado. Instead of being terrified by the scorching heat and wind that could rip her to pieces, she felt oddly content. She went with the flow, spinning with the wind and enjoying the warm breeze.

    Meanwhile, Sarashina mumbled to herself, "Ah, there goes another potential friend. I was really hoping to make one this time around. Too bad everyone is hungry for power, sexually frustrated, or just... hungry." She exhaled heavily, took a sip of her tea, and opened a book.

    As Sarashina began to read, she felt a surge of heat. The pillar of fire she had cast engulfed Nanashi, but it was short-lived. The flames dissipated quickly, revealing Nanashi unharmed and hovering in the air. She resembled a miniature dragon, with paws burning the grass below, a tail flickering like a torch, and nostrils emitting wisps of smoke. Nanashi landed gracefully, facing Sarashina with a smug grin.

    "Now, that was hot and filling," Nanashi said, stretching her front legs. "If I had stayed there any longer, I might have fallen asleep."

    "What?!" Sarashina shouted, jumping out of her chair.

    "What?" Nanashi asked, tilting her head to the side.

    "Interesting. You''re the first person to survive that. Now I have no reason to hold back."

    "Oh," Nanashi replied nonchalantly.

    Sarashina''s eyes transformed into an abyss of pitch black, with crimson veins resembling molten lava crawling across her face. Two imposing horns erupted from her forehead, and her fingertips elongated into formidable talons reminiscent of an eagle''s claws. Her physique expanded, becoming large and muscular, exuding an unsettling aura. The scent of decay permeated the air, swirling around her as an ominous testament to the profound metamorphosis taking place.

    "Koi! (Come!)" Sarashina said in a husky, deep voice.

    "Yeah... No," Nanashi replied. "I don''t fight on a full stomach. It causes cramps and nausea. But maybe next time. See you!" She turned around and walked away, waving her tail as she faded into the darkness of the forest.

    Sarashina was left in a state of utter shock and confusion, resulting in her falling flat on her backside.

    "What a strange creature," Sarashina said to herself, looking up at the night sky as tears slowly rolled down her face.

    Meanwhile, Nanashi wandered back home, listening to the sound of her wailing abdomen and swaying side to side as her stomach consumed the last bits of her energy. Suddenly, something caught her eye: a faint light coming from an old, run-down temple in the distance.

    "Well, there are no demons tonight. I guess an old priest will have to do. Forgive me, Sasuke, but desperate times call for desperate measures," she said to herself and ran towards the light.

    As she approached, Nanashi caught a faint smell of chicken. She saw what looked like a chicken being cooked, its shadow projecting against the wall.

    "Well, what do we have here? It''s not a priest, but some sort of bandit or thief," Nanashi mused. "You should thank me, Sasuke. I''m keeping this village you hold so dear safe from the scum of the earth."

    "Scum, you say? Are you not the real scum here, Su Da Ji?" a voice rang from inside.

    "Su Da Ji, the great terror!" another childlike voice shouted.

    "How far the great has fallen," a third, deep voice added.

    "Seems to me, no matter where I go, I have quite the fan base," Nanashi replied, amused.

    The loud voice chuckled before answering, "Still full of yourself, I see. Old habits die hard."

    "Come out here so I can show you just how full of myself I really am," she said, baring her fangs and starting to glow.

    "With pleasure," all three voices replied in unison.

    As the temple''s shadows stirred, an otherworldly presence emerged, plunging the surroundings into an impenetrable darkness. A bone-chilling dread crawled up Nanashi''s spine, her instincts screaming of imminent danger. In the pitch-black void, she sensed an unseen menace hurtling towards her with terrifying speed.

    With a sudden, primal surge of self-preservation, Nanashi ignited her fur. The ethereal glow flickered against the encroaching shadows, momentarily pushing back the darkness. The creature, caught off-guard by this unexpected illumination, let out a blood-curdling shriek that echoed through the night. It staggered backward, its full, horrifying form now revealed in the wavering light.

    Nanashi''s eyes widened in revulsion at the abomination before her. Sprawled on the ground was a monstrosity beyond her darkest nightmares - a massive, hairless entity that resembled a grotesquely oversized infant. Its skin was mottled and blistered, as if it had been subjected to unspeakable torments. The creature''s face was a twisted mockery of humanity: a patchy beard and balding pate framed features that seemed to have been sculpted by a madman''s hand.

    Most disturbing of all was its mouth - unnaturally elongated like a beak, yet unmistakably human in its grotesque flexibility. The eyes that stared back at Nanashi gleamed with a predatory intelligence that sent shivers down her spine

    "In all my centuries of being alive, I''ve never encountered a creature as hideous as you, except for Jorogumo," Nanashi said, feigning nausea. "Just what the hell are you?"

    The creature rose to its feet, towering at nearly seven feet tall. It looked down at Nanashi and opened its mouth, revealing three heads peering from within its throat. All three heads spoke simultaneously, their voices blending into an eerie harmony.

    "We are not one, but we are many. We are¡ª"

    "Legion! One of the seventy-two lesser keys! Am I right?" Nanashi interrupted with a smug smile.

    "No," the creature replied flatly.

    Undeterred, Nanashi continued, "I heard about you being cast into pigs, then running into a river. They said you drowned, though. How can this be? Well, who cares about the details, right? This is going to be a major power-up for me. I might even get my human body back!"

    "I said NO!" the demon roared, its patience wearing thin. "Don''t you listen? This is why people hated you. I am not Legion. I am Onmoraki, the shadow and shapeshifter demon." It announced with pride, sucking in its stomach and puffing out its chest.

    "Okay," Nanashi replied nonchalantly, picking something out of her teeth.

    "Let''s kill this piece of crap," the childlike voice said from within the demon.

    "Agreed!" the other two voices chimed in unison.

    The creature lunged forward with savage ferocity, its cavernous maw stretching impossibly wide. From within the nightmarish orifice, three entities emerged, each brandishing a lethal weapon that gleamed with malevolent purpose. A sword, a spear, and an axe ¨C instruments of death poised to rend flesh from bone.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    The air itself seemed to recoil as the unholy trio surged forth, their blades catching what little light remained and transforming it into wicked gleams of promised violence. Time slowed to a crawl in that breathless moment before the onslaught, the world teetering on the precipice of chaos.

    But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

    In that fraction of a second, Nanashi''s body convulsed with an involuntary reaction. A thunderous belch erupted from her throat, and with it came an inferno. The very same fire tornado that Sarashina had unleashed earlier now poured forth from Nanashi, engulfing her attackers in a maelstrom of searing flame and howling wind.

    "Aaah, all talk and no bite makes for a boring fighter," Nanashi lamented, her voice tinged with disappointment. Then, realization struck. "Aaah! My food is going to be ash!"

    In a display of childlike futility, Nanashi blew at the raging tornado as if it were a stubborn birthday candle. Her efforts were in vain; the vortex of flame continued its relentless dance, consuming all in its path.

    When at last the fiery tempest subsided, not a trace of Onmoraki remained. The battlefield lay scorched and barren, devoid of any sign of the fearsome demon or its tripartite manifestation.

    Nanashi tilted her head skyward, her eyes glistening with unshed tears of frustration.

    "This is the worst night of my life," Nanashi muttered to herself.

    "I wouldn''t say so," a deep voice rumbled from the darkness.

    "The worst is yet to come," added the childlike voice, its tone unnervingly playful.

    "I wouldn''t be so happy if I were you," the female entity chimed in ominously.

    Nanashi''s ears perked up. "Are you not happy to see me too?"

    "NO!" All three voices shouted in unison.

    Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes and what sounded like grunting caught Nanashi''s attention. She turned towards the source of the noise.

    "You guys better not be doing anything funny in there," she warned. "I really don''t like salty food."

    The sound of leaves and twigs crunching abruptly ceased. Three dark silhouettes emerged from behind the shrubbery and sprinted away in separate directions, likely hoping to disorient her. However, Nanashi''s innate night vision allowed her to keep a close eye on their movements.

    "Seems like something stinky is about to hit the sword," Nanashi quipped. "Even though mine don''t stink. Are you done changing into your kimono yet?"

    In chilling silence, her unanswered call hung in the air. Suddenly, a deadly response materialized in the form of a hurtling axe. Swiftly evading its deadly arc, she instinctively lowered her gaze to the ground. To her horror, an ominous force lurked beneath the surface, poised to emerge. With adrenaline-fueled agility, she leaped just in time. True to her premonition, a colossal serpent head erupted from the earth, its razor-sharp fang aimed to pierce her. Desperation fueled her resistance as she frantically clawed at the monstrous assailant. Upon contact, the creature disintegrated into a pool of inky darkness, evaporating into nothingness as the black substance seeped into the ground below.

    "Got you!" a voice cried out, followed by a massive fireball hurtling towards Nanashi.

    Unfazed, Nanashi merely licked her lips and inhaled deeply, sucking in the entire inferno with one swift motion. The fireball disappeared into her maw as if it were nothing more than a wisp of smoke.

    "Told you she was a fire elemental, Kiba!" the woman''s voice shouted, inadvertently revealing her location to Nanashi.

    "Just shut up, Kira!" Kiba hissed back. "Be quiet, or you''ll give yourself away!"

    "Boys are so stupid," Kira muttered, exasperation evident in her tone.

    "I know, right?" Nanashi chimed in, her voice laced with amusement. She turned her head slightly, pinpointing Kira''s position with ease. The night air crackled with tension as Nanashi''s eyes gleamed in the darkness.

    In a heartbeat, Kira¡¯s pulse came to an abrupt halt, an indescribable surge coursing through her veins, locking her muscles in a state of paralysis. Her eyes shifted toward the faint rustling of leaves over her right shoulder, unveiling a chilling spectacle reminiscent of a Japanese nightmare. Advancing with deliberate slowness, an immense black figure loomed closer, its thick fur undulating in the gentle breeze, creating an unsettling, oceanic illusion as if ablaze with an infernal fire. The creature¡¯s crimson eyes gleamed with a malevolence that seemed to transcend the very essence of evil. As its mouth unhinged, revealing a menacing array of jagged teeth, the moonlight cast an eerie glow, transforming them into glistening blades. A void-black tongue added to the horror, and Kira, desperate to scream, found her voice silenced, her only expression of terror confined to the quivering of her bottom lip. The suspense hung thick in the air, a prelude to an impending encounter with the macabre.

    ¡°Shhh, just let it happen, this is my first time to.¡± She said, stretching her mouth as wide as it go, across her victim¡¯s neck, shut a loud clap could be heard, as her jaws slammed shut and chopped the young demon girl¡¯s head of clean and proceeded to devour right there and then.

    "Kira!" the older gentleman called out.

    "Kira is not available at this moment, as she is busy digesting. Please check my feces later, thank you," Nanashi replied in a joyful tone, stepping out of the shadows.

    "Why, you!" Kiba cried out.

    "No, wait!" the elderly man shouted who was th, finally revealing himself as he stepped out from behind a tree.

    "So, you''ve finally decided to show yourself, you dirty old geezer. Playing with children at your age, you''re downright disgusting!" Nanashi shouted, for no apparent reason whatsoever.

    ¡°He is no geezer, he is our father, Suzuki.¡±  Kiba replied.

    The seasoned elder remained unfazed by her ludicrous remark, driving the spear forcefully into the earth. Suddenly, spear-like projectiles erupted from the ground, prompting Nanashi to spring into action with a keen sense of impending danger. In mid-air, she caught sight of Kiba perched in the tree, crafting a bow crackling with pure lightning, scorching the surroundings upon its creation. Locking eyes with him, she vigorously shook her head, but the defiant youth merely grinned. With a release that echoed through the heavens like a resounding thunderclap, the arrow exploded into a colossal cloud of smoke upon striking its target, leaving an indelible mark on the unfolding spectacle.

    ¡°Die!, witch!¡± Kiba erupted.

    ¡°Think again, boy.¡±

    From within the ethereal veil of swirling smoke, a commanding voice resonated, heralding an unseen presence. Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind materialized from the mystic realms, dispersing the enigmatic haze. As the tendrils of smoke dissipated, a vision of regal beauty emerged ¨C a woman, resplendent in a flowing kimono adorned with the opulence of emerald green and burnished gold. In her grasp, she held two obsidian fans, each adorned with the delicate artistry of autumn leaves. Yet, mysteriously absent was any trace of Nanashi.

    "Princess?" the old man asked.

    "Princess Sarashina, what are you doing here?" Kiba asked, a glint in his eyes and his cheeks red as apples, blushing like a dog in heat.

    "Sarashina? Where? Is she back? I''m in trouble now!" the woman said in a panicked state.

    "Princess, but it is you," Kiba said, panting heavily for some reason.

    "No, wait boy. I think this is that damned fox who stole your sister''s ability," the old man said.

    "I am a person," Nanashi said, looking down at her hands. "I must say, even though I haven''t seen myself in a while, I do know that I''m definitely better looking than this."

    "How dare you use my sister''s ability for such blasphemous stuff!" Kiba protested, drawing another, more powerful arrow. It oozed so much power that it caused some of the ground to crack and float, and at its tip was a burst of fire, sounding like a blowtorch.

    "Blasphemy? Why are you guys so old-fashioned? What is this, 304 BC?"

    "Do it, boy," the old man said.

    "With pleasure," Kiba replied, releasing the earth-scorching, shattering, and sound barrier-breaking arrow.

    "What can this piss-willy arrow do to me?" Nanashi said confidently. With a flick of her wrist, she unfurled her fan, sweeping it gracefully across her form as if daring the world to challenge her. Little did she know, in the shadowy distance, an arrow loomed, its trajectory aimed with deadly precision. Confidence radiated from her every movement, an aura of invincibility enveloping her. But as the arrow found its mark, shattering her fan into a thousand fragments, time seemed to freeze. A moment of disbelief hung in the air, shattered only by the piercing scream that erupted from her lips as the deadly projectile struck her with unforgiving force, piercing her chest with lethal accuracy. Nanashi''s world shattered along with her fan, the illusion of safety torn away in a single, brutal instant.

    "I''M DEAD! I''M DEAD!" she shouted, throwing down the other fan in a fit of rage, dropping to her knees and wanting to pull out her hair.

    "What are you doing?" Kiba asked, jumping down from the tree.

    "Can''t you see I''m busy dying, you monster!"

    "No, you''re not. You absorbed it. It was one of Kira''s abilities, to copy and adapt, but you won''t survive this one," Kiba answered.

    "Kiba! What are you doing?" the old man shouted.

    "What now?"

    "How can you inform the enemy about their ability? You give her an advantage!"

    "Don''t worry, old man. I will...¡±

    In instant, his words were severed by a blinding burst of light, followed by the sickening thud of his skull meeting the unforgiving earth. As consciousness slipped away, he found himself gazing into the eyes of Nanashi, her figure looming over him with an air of indifference. With one hand on her hip and the other fanning herself, she met his desperate stare and offered only a disdainful shrug of her shoulders, sealing his fate in a moment of tragic realization.

    "KIBA!" His father cried out and ran to his son.

    "How?" Kiba managed to muster with his final strength.

    "Simple, I am the strongest Yokai to ever exist," Nanashi boasted.

    "Don''t talk, save your strength," his father said, cradling his son''s head. "I will..."

    ¡°SPLAT!¡± Nanashi said, with a savage ferocity, Nanashi crushed the boy''s father''s skull between her hands, unleashing a grisly explosion of brains and gore that painted the surroundings in a macabre tableau. She tore his head from his body, the sound of ripping flesh echoing like a dreadful symphony as she greedily devoured her prey, sating her hunger until her belly bulged with grotesque satisfaction. Reverting to her fox form, she staggered away, her movements a grotesque mockery of grace, haunted by the crimson dawn breaking over the jagged silhouette of the mountain, bearing witness to the horrors she had wrought.

 A date and the power of the Sasuke

    Not long into her blissful nap, Nanashi''s peaceful slumber was rudely interrupted by a cacophony of annoying sounds echoing from outside her cozy barrow. First, a persistent meowing cat tried to serenade her back to consciousness, but Nanashi, determined to cling to her dreams, paid it no mind. Then came the unmistakable braying of a donkey, stationed right at the entrance of her burrow, as if it was auditioning for the role of the town crier. But just as Nanashi was about to shoo it away in her half-asleep haze, the donkey''s bray morphed into a bear''s growl!

    That caught her attention.

    With a sly grin playing on her lips, she cracked open one eye to investigate. And lo and behold, there stood Sasuke, her self-proclaimed lifelong best friend, orchestrating this symphony of chaos with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. But Sasuke''s mischief knew no bounds. Under the guise of Nanashi''s "slumbering innocence," he embarked on a daring mission to tickle her funny bone.

    Clutching a leaf between his teeth, Sasuke tip-toed closer and closer, his furry paws barely making a sound. When he reached her face, he gently brushed the leaf across her nose, mimicking the irritating buzz of a mosquito. Every time Nanashi''s nose twitched or her expression hinted at a forthcoming sneeze, Sasuke would bury his snout in his fluffy chest, muffling his giggles like a bumbling bandit attempting a daring heist.

    But as with all great jesters, Sasuke''s amusement eventually waned. With a shrug of his shoulders and a flicker of childish impatience, he declared, "Ah, boredom strikes again!" And with that, he retreated, leaving Nanashi to return to her interrupted nap, albeit now with a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. ¡®Your no fun.¡¯  then stormed out of the barrow, leaving Nanashi with a pleased grin on her face and fell into a deep sleep once again.

    A few hours later, while Nanashi, was enjoying her dream of how she conjured the Shang dynasty once again, making all those who went against and betrayed her suffer in very creative manner, she was woken by annoying, sleep disturbing sound of a child crying, just outside her barrow once again, this immediately woke her up with a hell like fury.

    ¡®This is it for him, I played along nicely but to interrupt such a beautiful dream is just inexcusable. She grumbled dashing out with great anger.

    When she got outside, she noticed that there was no sign of her accused but the crying persisted.

    ¡®URUSAI! (quiet)¡¯, she shouted in a fit of range the crying stop for a few seconds before it started up again, even louder, infuriating her even more.

    ¡°I am going to kill it, even if it is a human.¡± She said and dashed into the woods.

    She tracked the haunting sounds, each soft sob leading her closer until she stood before a dense bush. With a fierce determination, Nanashi braced herself, her form expanding as she prepared to confront whatever lurked beyond man, woman, or child. Sasuke would just have to forgive and forget this one.

    With a powerful leap, she burst through the foliage, jaws poised to strike, only to be met with a sight that arrested her predatory instincts. There, nestled amidst the leaves, sat a small figure a child no older than three years, her tear-streaked face lifted to meet Nanashi''s gaze head-on.

    For a fleeting moment, Nanashi''s primal instincts clashed with her curiosity as she scrutinized the unexpected presence before her. With a deliberate slow blink, she closed her mouth, momentarily suspending the tension between predator and prey. This encounter held more mystery than anticipated.

    ¡®Huh, you are a nice little tender piece of meat, such a shame, that you have you die at such a young age but worry, you will not be missing anything, the world is actually not a very nice place, trust me, I am doing you a favour.¡¯ She said, walking over to the girl opening her mouth as wide as she can, looking to eat her up in one go.

    In a whirlwind of excitement and curiosity, the little girl sprang to her feet, swiping at her runny nose before boldly extending her hand toward Nanashi''s unsuspecting tongue. The moment her taste buds registered the salty tang, Nanashi recoiled faster than a startled cat confronted by a marching band''s brass section.

    With an exaggerated shudder, Nanashi launched into a frantic frenzy of taste-testing, licking the ground as if searching for buried treasure, then the bark of a nearby tree as if it held the secrets of the universe, and finally resorting to nibbling on leaves like a gourmet chef on a quest for the perfect seasoning.

    The little girl''s giggles bubbled up like a playful spring, her eyes sparkling with impish glee as she watched Nanashi''s bizarre antics unfold. Before her, the once-fearsome Yokai had become a comical sight - lapping at leaves like a thirsty cat, gnawing on tree bark as if it were candy, and chomping at the forest floor with gusto.

    The sweet  innocent laughter  drew Nanashi''s attention like a moth to flame. In that moment, all her rage melted away, replaced by a mix of confusion and embarrassment at being caught in such an undignified state.

    "So, you think this is funny? You dare laugh at me, you human pest! Now you''re going to see, I have something special in mind for you," Nanashi snarled, taking a few steps back. Deciding that a long-range attack would be better for dealing with this phlegm beast, she began to growl.

    As she did, a celestial aura enveloped her, igniting her fur with an ethereal luminescence. Sparks of electricity wove intricate patterns around her, casting a mesmerizing spectacle. In the depths of her shadow, a liquid essence stirred, simmering with latent power. From its depths emerged a serpentine form, reminiscent of an ancient anaconda, its scales ablaze with hues of resplendent gold and crimson. Atop its regal brow, a verdant emerald glimmered, a testament to its divine lineage. Rising with majestic grace, it stood tall, akin to a king cobra poised before its enraptured audience, exuding an aura of unparalleled grandeur and majesty.

    "Say hello to my little friend," Nanashi said with a prideful smile.

    The little girl''s eyes glistened with awe and wonder, unconsciously muttering the word "kirei" (beautiful).

    This caught Nanashi off guard. This was the time when humans usually trembled in fear, yet this one remained calm and fascinated.

    "Flattery will get you nowhere, little girl. Get her, Snakey!"

    The serpent swiftly descended, entwining itself with sinister grace around the girl and bringing her up to its face.

    "Oi! Don''t eat her, she''s mine. Just suffocate her or something," Nanashi said, chewing on a stick.

    The snake nodded in agreement and turned its attention back to the girl, who was no longer trapped in its coils but busy making her way to the top of its head.

    Once she reached, she immediately darted for the shinny jewel at the center of its head, the snake realising what she was trying to do and that it could also spell its end, tried to shake the girl off but soon realised that one should not underestimate the grip strength of a three-old girl, who thought of this ordeal, that it was nothing more than a game,  so the snake pull out all the stops, shake side to side back and forth like a mechanical bull, eventually its efforts paid off, when it flung the little girl high up into the air to the point where she go see her village and almost giving Nanashi a heart attack, realising that she could be rob of her tender innocence, she  instinctively, ran up the tree  and jumped of the nearest branch, catching the little girl in mid -air and cradling her tight to her thick and fluffy chest, providing an effect couching as she landed on her back.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Ouch!" Nanashi cried, slowly opening her eyes to see if the girl was alright. Indeed, she was, quickly popping into a seated position with a big smile on her face, accentuating her bright red cheeks.

    "Again!" the little one said in a tone of excitement.

    "You''re a troublesome one, aren''t you?"

    "Is she now?" A voice echoed, sending a cold chill down Nanashi''s spine as she realized whose it was.

    "Sasuke, I can explain," she quickly said, rolling on her side so the child could gently slide off.

    "You can explain how a child was flying in the air?" Sasuke asked, putting his hands on his hips.

    "Yes, that''s just what I said," she replied, standing up and shaking the leaves off before she continued, "And why are you in a human form?"

    "Let me guess," Sasuke began, "while I was on my daily rounds checking on the fellow spirits that inhabit the forest, ensuring they''re safe and following the rules, I couldn''t help but spot a giggling child launched into the air. So I thought it would be better to show up in human form, in case other humans had seen what I also saw."

    "You''re quite smart, despite the way you look," she said.

    "And you''re not. I''ve told you many times before to stay away from humans. They''re very unpredictable, especially when it comes to things they fear and don''t understand, so please stay away." He said, walking towards the little girl and picking her up, but the girl refused to sit still, stretching her arms out towards Nanashi.

    "What are you going to do now?" Nanashi inquired.

    "I''m going to take her home and as your punishment, you''ll give her a ride." He said, putting the little girl on her back. She immediately wrapped her hands around Nanashi''s furry neck, cuddling and rubbing her face in the fur with complete delight. In the midst of this ecstasy, she muttered the word "Mama," almost causing Nanashi to turn stiff as a rock from shock.

    "What! Did you hear that? Did you?"

    "I heard nothing," Sasuke replied, putting his hands behind his back and taking a few steps forward. "Come on now, her parents must be sick with worry."

    "Okay... okay," she answered and followed Sasuke.

    Until they came in full view of her village.

    "This is far enough. I''ll take her from here. Oh look, she''s fast asleep. What a little angel."

    "Let me see! Let me see!" Nanashi said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

    "Calm down, or else you''ll wake her up," he said, lowering her slightly.

    "Look how she sleeps, little trouble maker. Gosh, almost gave me a heart attack. Now take her away before I change my mind about not eating her."

    ¡°No, need to pretend to be tough, every creature has a heart you know.¡± Sasuke said before descending down the hill and into the heart of the village, Sasuke was greeted by the girl''s mother, whose arms swiftly enveloped her slumbering daughter. With tender affection, she adorned the sleeping beauty with an abundance of kisses, each one a testament to a mother''s boundless love. Then, in a moment that even caught Sasuke by surprise, she directed her gaze towards the hill where Nanashi, the ancient tree, stood watchful. With a gentle smile adorning her face, she whispered softly, "Arigato," expressing gratitude to the silent guardian. This action freaked, Nanashi out completely, causing to dash away into the forest like a startled deer.

    As she was walking how, questioning her-self  about the situation she found herself and how that little girl¡¯s mother could have sensed her all the way in the mountain, really freaked her out so much so, that her stomach began growling.

    ¡®Great, just what I needed, first, I do not get a good night¡¯s sleep, now I am starving, what..¡¯, before she could finish her sentence, she caught a whiff of her sense of smell, ¡®What is that, am I really that hungry, that my nose is smelling food where ever it is going, but it does smell nice though, might as well just follow it.¡¯

    She followed the smell all the way to her own barrow, to find her self-proclaimed best friend, Sasuke, hovering over a hot pot, and a picnic style set up in front of her burrow.

    "Welcome! Welcome! Please, have a seat," he said, beckoning her forward with his hands.

    "What are you doing here?" she asked, not trying to contain her excitement.

    "Celebration."

    "For what?"

    "For taking the human home without eating her."

    "I think that''s a made-up reason and this is all an elaborate excuse to have dinner with me because you''re lonely," she said, putting her paw in front of her mouth.

    "And bored."

    "Well, I''m sorry, but I''m no one''s plaything, so if you wouldn''t mind leav¡ª" Before she could finish playing hard to get, her stomach growled louder than ever.

    "If you wish for me to leave, then I shall. Guess I''ll be taking my delicious five-course meal, including a mouth-watering dessert, with me all the way to Sarashina. She truly does have a taste for the finer things in life. I guess you''ve lost the desire for these kinds of pleasures after being here in the forest for quite some time."

    "Alright, alright. Wow, no need for the gaslighting. You win, but how am I going to use the chopsticks? You''ll have to feed me."

    Sasuke darkened, and his tone became serious. "Why are you playing dumb? I know you can shapeshift."

    Nanashi was startled a little but continued playing dumb. "What do you mean?"

    "Are you really going to make me spell it out for you? I''m connected to the forest. I have eyes and ears everywhere."

    "Everywhere? That''s kind of disturbing. Do you watch me sleep?" she asked, leaning closer with her ear.

    "No, definitely not. You really are full of yourself. In any case, I know you ate the Onnoraki."

    "Well, they did attack me fir¡ª"

    "There''s no use dwelling on the past. Things happen, and there''s nothing we can do about it, so let''s eat," he said cheerfully.

    "Why does it feel like I''ve actually done you a favor?"

    "Come now, change and eat. The food is getting cold," he said, starting to stuff his face with rice.

    "Okay," Nanashi replied. She then closed her ancient eyes, delving deep into her innermost essence. With unwavering focus, she summoned the memories of her true form, channeling ancient magic that coursed through her being. Suddenly, a radiant brilliance burst forth from her form, illuminating the surrounding landscape with an otherworldly glow. Sasuke''s gaze was drawn towards the spectacle.

    "Finally, I get to see how you really look," he said, putting his chopsticks in the bowl and placing it on the ground so he could examine the creature emerging from the smoke with his undivided attention.

    As the mist of transformation dissipated, a vision emerged: a woman of ethereal beauty, her porcelain skin kissed by the moon''s gentle caress, shimmering with an iridescent glow. Cascading locks, as dark as the midnight heavens, framed her countenance, each strand a celestial thread weaving tales of the cosmos. Within her gaze, the hues of autumn danced, mirroring the stars in a boundless night sky, their brilliance unmatched by mortal realms.

    Her visage bore the marks of countless ages, etched with the wisdom of eons past, yet beneath the surface, a delicate innocence remained, untouched by the passage of time. Despite the trials endured, her features retained a semblance of childlike wonder, a testament to the enduring resilience of the spirit.

    In her presence, the very essence of enchantment stirred, weaving a tapestry of wonder and awe that enveloped all who beheld her. She stood as a beacon of timeless beauty, a manifestation of magic incarnate, her presence a testament to the boundless wonders of the universe.

    Sasuke, was mesmerize by the women sitting before him, until more of the smoke cleared, starting to reveal more than in necessary, his face turned beat root red as he, stuck his hand into the fire and pulling a blanket of fire over her head, quickly turning into a glistening bright red silk and wrapping itself around her as it descended upon her skin.

    ¡°Have you no shame, a least produce some clothes too.¡± He said, opening his eyes slowly.

    ¡°What do you mean, you see me naked all the time, by the way, you have some insane skill, not only did you produce silk out of fire but also managed to wrap it around my body into a kimono., I am impressed, one might say, you have done this many times before.¡± She said, winking at him.

    "No, I haven''t. Now eat your food, please."

    "Okay, okay, I''m just joking," Nanashi replied, waving her hands in the air before picking up her chopsticks and bowl of rice. She started hammering away like a street dog, eating anything and everything her chopsticks could get a hold of.

    After gobbling so much food that she looked nine months pregnant, she changed back into a fox, because two legs were simply not enough to carry her body weight at that moment.

    Barely able to crawl back into her burrow, Sasuke called out to her.

    "And this mess now? Are you not going to help?"

    "Nope, I''m very confident in your powers and skills after that little display of yours. So, GOOD LUCK AND GOOD NIGHT!" she shouted, collapsing into her burrow.

    As for Sauske, he stood up dusted himself off, snapped his fingers, causing all the stuff the use to turn into a bunch of leaves and blow away.

    Then turned back into a fox, circled Nanashi¡¯s burrow, scratched some dirt into her barrow, then dashed off into the forest.

    The night went on as peaceful as they come, not even a mosquito belting like an Arabian opera singer, could be heard, No, sir, it was a good night to dream and for Nanashi, it was a great day to dream, in which, she was torturing every single member of the Zhou dynasty army, who went up against her and also the towns people, who dared to live happily, without her permission, were stripped naked and made to jump for their food which was hung from a tree, indeed this was the most exquisite dream for a divine comedy and torturing connoisseur like Nanashi, but like all things in life all good things have to come to an end!

 Akiza

    The night went on as peaceful as they come, not even a mosquito belting like an Arabian opera singer, could be heard, No, sir, it was a good night to dream and for Nanashi, it was a great day to dream, in which, she was torturing every single member of the Zhou dynasty army, who went up against her and also the towns people, who dared to live happily, without her permission, were stripped naked and made to jump for their food which was hung from a tree, indeed this was the most exquisite dream for a divine comedy and torturing connoisseur like Nanashi, but like all things in life all good things have to come to an end!

    As the first light of dawn gently filtered into her burrow, its warm rays delicately brushing against her face, Nanashi welcomed the morning with a sense of peaceful awakening. The soft glow of the sun brought with it a serene ambiance, filling her space with a comforting tranquility.

    Amidst this tranquil scene, a faint shuffling noise drifted through the air, accompanied by the soft, melodic tones of a female voice. "You take care now," the voice whispered gently, followed by a tender farewell, before melting into the quiet stillness of the morning.

    initially, she thought that it was Sauske, probably bored and lonely after his daily visits to the other spirits, now he is looking to be annoying for a little entertainment, so she thought that she would give him subtle, yet clear signs that she was not in the mood for him today, as she heard the him enter, she curled herself up and covered her face with her tail, but being the persistent bastard that he is, still continued to come closer but this time, had an odd strong smell of milk and dried fish.

    Nanashi, thought she would add a little sound, since he seems to be a little dense, so she started growling with a low intensity but this dullard could care less, going so far as to softly stroking her tail, the heat from the hand was so gentle and delicate, in turn pacified her growling Yet, this tranquillity swiftly shifted into a searing sensation as she was suddenly struck on her thigh causing to spring up with a roaring intensity, ready to rip his face off.

    "HOW DARE YOU SIR!" she roared.

    But it wasn¡¯t a "Sir" sitting in front of her; it was her self-appointed daughter, Akiza Hashirama.

    "You! You¡¯re turning into a real pest. I should just eat you before Sasuke sees you. Should I eat you?" she teased, her voice playful.

    The little girl shook her head, her eyes wide with innocence.

    "Well, I think I should! Here I come... nom... nom... nom!" Nanashi said, pushing Akiza gently onto her back and playfully pretending to bite her all over. Akiza burst out in the cutest giggle.

    "Aren¡¯t you the sweetest thing? Ha! What am I doing? Do I have... maternal feelings? No... no... no!" Nanashi exclaimed, flustered. "Come on now... What is your name?"

    "Akiza!" the little girl chirped.

    "Where is your mother, Akiza?" Nanashi inquired, her tone more serious.

    "Here!" Akiza pointed at Nanashi.

    "You!" Nanashi gasped.

    "Me?" Akiza tilted her head.

    "Mama!" Akiza declared, with a bright smile.

    "Mama? I knew it! You call me ''Mama''! Wait, why am I excited? No! This is wrong. And you, young lady, you must never ever call me that again. Do you understand?"

    "Hai!" Akiza nodded obediently.

    "Good."

    "Ni-Mama!" Akiza said, her eyes sparkling.

    "It seems I can¡¯t win," Nanashi muttered to herself. "I¡¯ll just take you home and relocate myself."Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    With a resigned sigh, Nanashi picked Akiza up by the collar and exited the burrow.

    "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Just look at what the fox dragged out of her burrow," Sasuke said, standing above the entrance, his silver fur glistening in the wind.

    "It¡¯s not¡ª"

    "What I think it is?"

    "I¡ª"

    "Can explain, right?"

    "If you would just let me¡ª"

    "Woof! Woof!" Akiza suddenly barked, interrupting them.

    "Hey! I¡¯m not a dog," Nanashi replied, perplexed.

    "I think she means me," Sasuke said with a chuckle. "I¡¯ve visited her village a few times... as a dog."

    "Why? I thought you said we should stay away from humans," Nanashi said, her eyes narrowing in confusion.

    "I went there for research purposes and I don''t need to explain myself to you. I am the guardian here!" he said, then inexplicably jumped over them.

    "I understand you''re the guardian, but that''s no excuse to expose yourself like that, especially ,IN FRONT OF THE CHILD MAN!" Nanashi exclaimed.

    "You shouldn''t be looking there in the first place! And why are you shouting?"

    "I don''t know, I''m a woman, I can do whatever I want. It''s just the heat of the moment. Anyway, I''d love to continue this pointless argument, but as you can see, I need to get this little girl home. So, nice chat, bye!"

    "Bye-bye, woof...woof!" Akiza said as Nanashi began to carry her away.

    "Wait! She can''t go back now,"  Sasuke called out.

    "Why not?" Nanashi asked.

    "Because her parents work in rice fields quite far from here. They won''t be back until late afternoon."

    "And how is that my problem?" Nanashi replied coldly.

    "Seriously, have a heart. If you take this girl¡ª"

    "Akiza!"

    "What?"

    "Her name is Akiza."

    "Okay, if you take Akiza back now, who knows what might happen to her. I think you understand, given how long you''ve lived."

    "So, what do you suggest we do with her?"

    "Play!" Akiza shouted.

    "I wasn''t talking to you, young lady," Nanashi replied sternly, then set her down on the ground.

    "I have an idea. How about you two join me in my daily check-in with the other spirits that inhabit the forest?"

    "Pass," Nanashi groaned.

    "Yes!" Akiza protested.

    "Don''t be like this. Even Akiza is willing," Sasuke said, making puppy dog eyes.

    "You know very well they don''t like me, I don''t like them, and I''m perfectly fine with that," she said with a smug look on her face.

    "Why? Aren''t friends good?" Akiza asked, looking at Sasuke.

    "No, friends are very bad," Nanashi replied.

    "What?" Sasuke exclaimed.

    "But Okasa?" Akiza mumbled.

    "Okasa? Ha! Let me not even get started on your Okasa. Your Okasa is very bad."

    "Stop," Sasuke said firmly.

    "No, she needs to hear this," Nanashi insisted. "My Okasa was a lady of the night¡ªor more like lady of night, morning, and afternoon. Heck, sometimes all day, every day, twice on Sundays. But one thing she never would have done was leave me alone with her clients or with an apex predator like myself. So your Okasa is pretty horrible."

    "I said, ENOUGH!" Sasuke roared.

    The air crackled with electricity as blood-red lightning split the sky. The atmosphere grew thick and oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. Sasuke''s eyes turned pitch black, vast pools of endless darkness. His size increased exponentially, towering over them like a living mountain.

    His head split grotesquely into three, each more terrifying than the last. His hair transformed into razor-sharp quills, each one capable of impaling a man. Nine massive tails, each as thick as an ancient tree trunk, whipped through the air with impossible speed. They moved like writhing tentacles, crackling with barely contained energy. A blinding golden aura enveloped his body, scorching the earth beneath his feet.

    The sheer power radiating from Sasuke was overwhelming, like standing before an angry god. The very fabric of reality seemed to warp around him.

    Upon witnessing this horrifying transformation, Nanashi took several steps back and bowed her head. Akiza began to wail in terror.

    "LOOK WHAT YOU DID!" Nanashi shouted, her blood boiling with rage.

    "I am sorry," all three of Sasuke''s heads said in unison, their voices an unholy chorus. Slowly, he merged back into one form, shrinking down to his normal size. "I did not mean to. I just got so angry."

    "So, you can''t control yourself? What are you, five years old? Come on, man!" Nanashi scolded. She turned to comfort Akiza, "There, there. The big, stupid monster is gone. Why are you just standing there with your mouth full of teeth? Apologize, now!"

    "But how am I at fault here?" Sasuke protested.

    "Apologize now!" Nanashi growled through gritted teeth.

    Sasuke sighed heavily before slowly walking over to Akiza and mumbling, "I am sorry."

    "What? I don''t think she heard you. Open your mouth, man!"

    "I am sorry," Sasuke said more clearly. "I promise it will not happen again."

    "Good! Now let''s get on with those dreadful visits," Nanashi said, rolling her eyes.

    "Okay, come along with me into a world of magic and pure beauty," Sasuke invited, his demeanor completely changed.

    They followed Sasuke to two large trees whose branches intertwined to form an arch, creating what looked like a gateway to another world.

    "Now, close your eyes and enter into my world," Sasuke instructed softly.

 A Great threat and Hajimo!

    As they passed beneath the arch''s gnarled roots, a whispered sigh stirred the air, carrying with it a warm zephyr imbued with the essence of a thousand blossoms. It danced playfully, caressing their senses and coaxing forth a symphony of fragrances that wove through the very fabric of their being. Akiza, caught in the delicate embrace of these scents, couldn''t help but release a sudden sneeze, disrupting the tranquility with a gentle burst of laughter.

    When Nanashi dared to open her eyes, she found herself transported from the sombre depths of the forest into a realm of pure enchantment. Colours burst forth like fireworks against a canvas of verdant splendour, each hue more vibrant and alive than anything she had ever seen. The emerald grass beneath her feet seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow, whispering secrets of ancient magic long forgotten.

    As her gaze wandered, she beheld a scene straight from the wildest dreams of a visionary artist. Trees stood tall and proud, their branches reaching skyward in joyful abandon, adorned with blooms of every shade imaginable. Creatures of myth and legend emerged from the shadows, their forms illuminated by the soft radiance of the spirits that danced like ethereal fireflies in the air around them.

    In this wondrous tapestry of existence, it was as if the very essence of creation had been laid bare before them. Each breath carried the promise of untold wonders, each heartbeat resonated with the rhythm of the universe itself. And as Nanashi gazed upon this spectacle, she knew with a certainty that here, in this magical realm, anything was possible.

    They marched through the forest accompanying Sauske on his visits, meeting various spirts and yokai, from the kirin to the snow queen to the bone lady, of course Nanashi making mental note of all there encounters and places they can be found.

    As they wandered from spirit to creature, time flew by, and it was time to take little Akiza home. She lay fast asleep on Nanashi''s back.

    "I guess it''s time to take her home," Sasuke announced.

    "I think so. The poor thing is fast asleep," Nanashi agreed.

    "She was playing with any and every creature willing to put up with her."

    Nanashi looked at Sasuke inquisitively. "I must ask, why did you bring her here and show her all these spirits and creatures? Isn''t your golden rule to stay away from humans?"

    "Well, yes, it is, but she''s a child," Sasuke replied.

    "So?"

    Sasuke''s eyes softened as he explained, "Children embody innocence in its purest form, a radiant beacon of unconditional love and boundless curiosity. They see the world through eyes untainted by cynicism, embracing not only who you are but also the very best within you. In their gaze, there exists a profound trust, a belief in the inherent goodness of all beings.

    "It''s a marvel to witness their unwavering acceptance, their hearts open wide to the wonders around them. They dance with joy in the company of spirits deemed mysterious or foreboding by others. Take, for instance, the lion dog, whose fierce exterior belies a heart brimming with loyalty and courage. Or the red water baby, whose playful antics bring laughter to even the darkest of days.

    "In the eyes of these precious souls, there is no room for prejudice or fear. They see beyond the surface, delving deep into the essence of each being they encounter. To them, even the wildest temple priest is but a kindred spirit on the journey of life, worthy of love and understanding."

    "Ha!" Nanashi interjected. "She even brought some happiness to that gloomy Satori. Let''s be honest, that thing needs help."

    "Nanashi!" Sasuke chided, then conceded, "But that''s true. Anyway, she didn''t show any disgust or fear as she played with them. If a grown-up had seen all this, all hell would break loose on this island. They''d probably hunt us down to extinction."

    "You, of course, but not me," Nanashi boasted.

    "Why is that?"

    "You forget that I am the strongest yokai to set foot on this earth."

    "Of course you are. How could I forget such an important fact?" Sasuke said sarcastically.

    Nanashi''s eyes flashed dangerously. "You''re sarcastic now, but you''ll see. You and the entire Zhou dynasty will fall beneath my feet!"

    "Quiet!" Sasuke hissed. "Or you''ll wake her. Nevertheless, we''re here." He transformed himself into a human form. "Give her to me."

    "Why?" Nanashi asked suspiciously.

    "What do you mean ''why''? I have to take her home," Sasuke explained.

    "Why does it always have to be you?" Nanashi challenged.

    "Because your shifting ability is limited. You haven''t obtained enough power to sustain a full transformation," Sasuke said with a smug look.

    "Well, we won''t be sitting there for three weeks, will we? I can manage two to three hours, and that''s more than enough time to hand her over and leave. No social visit."

    Sasuke could see this was a battle he wasn''t going to win and eventually caved in. "Fine, fine."

    "Great. I also want to have a word with this girl''s mother."

    "We''re not going there to start arguments," Sasuke warned.

    "Yes, now just be quiet and take the girl."

    "Alright, and please transform into something appropriate."

    "What are you looking for?" Nanashi asked.

    "Temple maiden."

    "Why?"

    "Because I''m a priest."

    "You, a priest that wanders around in the woods?"

    "I''m a wandering priest, and you''re the temple maiden who attends to the grounds I walk on."

    "I must respect you very much," Nanashi said sarcastically.

    "Indeed you do. You''re one of those energetic, devoted temple maidens," Sasuke replied, embellishing the story.

    "Must be hard being you," Nanashi said, rolling her eyes.

    "You know, every great priest has to face trials by the Gods, but I must PREVAIL!" he shouted, pumping his fist in the air.

    "Be quiet, or I''ll smack some sense into you!" she said, raising her hand above his head.

    "When did you change?"

    "While you were busy giving a speech to the heavens. Now give her here; I want to hand her over today."

    "Okay, here," Sasuke said, carefully transferring the sleeping Akiza.

    Placing the child on her hip, Nanashi marched down the hill into the village and approached the first woman she saw, ready to hand over Akiza.

    "Here you go, miss, and please never ever¡ª"

    "Ahem!" Sasuke cleared his throat loudly.

    "What?"

    "This isn''t her mother."

    "Oh. Then where is her mother?"

    "Calm down first. The house we''re looking for is at the end of the village."

    "Then give her back. Goodness, why are you holding her like you know her?" Nanashi said, taking Akiza back.

    "She does know her. This is her grandmother," Sasuke explained.

    "You look pretty young. Well done," Nanashi said to the grandmother. "Let''s go, it''s getting late." She stormed off.

    "You''ve got quite a fiery one there, Sasuke," the grandmother remarked.

    "Indeed, indeed," he said, bowing before running after Nanashi, who was walking so fast that pebbles on the road were shooting off like bullets.

    Nanashi''s heart hammered against her ribs as she reached the familiar porch. A wave of exhaustion washed over her, quickly replaced by a surge of anger. With a trembling hand, she raised her fist, ready to knock forcefully. Just as her knuckles were about to meet the wood, the door creaked open, revealing a face etched with worry. But the moment Akiza''s mother saw Nanashi, her eyes widened, a flicker of pure joy replacing the anxious lines.

    "You finally came. Please, come in," she said warmheartedly.

    Just as Nanashi was about to step into the house, Sasuke ran up behind her. She looked over her shoulder and muttered, "I think this one has a few screws loose.

    "No, just listen to what she has to say," Sasuke said, gently guiding Nanashi inside.

    "Please, have a seat," Suzane gestured. "Some tea? Let me take her. I hope she behaved well?"

    Nanashi hesitated.

    "What are you doing? Give the woman her child," Sasuke whispered sternly.

    "I don''t think I should. She doesn''t seem stable," Nanashi muttered back.

    "It''s her child. Give her back."

    Nanashi sighed heavily, then reluctantly handed the child over.

    "I apologize for that. My temple maiden here has a bit of attachment anxiety, if you know what I mean," Sasuke said, smiling awkwardly at Suzane.

    "No, it''s fine. Akiza is a special child. Whoever meets her instantly falls in love with her," Suzane said, laying Akiza down on the bed.

    "You''re not normal, are you?" Nanashi asked bluntly.

    "Do you have to be so rude?" Sasuke chided.

    "No, it''s alright, Sasuke. Oh, I haven''t introduced myself. I''m Suzane."Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    "I don''t recall asking for your name. Just answer my question," Nanashi pressed.

    "Nanashi!" Sasuke said sternly.

    "It''s okay," Suzane assured them. "Yes, I''m normal. I''m human. It''s just that I can see spirits. It''s been a genetic trait in my family for a long time. I can see you for what you truly are¡ªI mean, your spirit, not just your physical form." She poured the tea as she spoke.

    "Do you mean to say that you know Sasuke and I aren''t human beings, but demons?" Nanashi asked, intrigued.

    "Yes."

    "So, why not tell the rest of the villagers?"

    "Then my mother, child, and I would be classified as freaks and cast out of the village. Besides, you''ve done nothing to harm us. Why make a mountain out of a molehill?"

    "I like you, Suzane," Nanashi said, taking a sip of her tea.

    "Me too," Suzane replied warmly.

    "What about me?" Sasuke asked with a glimmer in his eyes.

    "Of course, I like you too," Suzane added, though her tone was less enthusiastic.

    "Ouch, that sounded forced," Sasuke remarked, feigning hurt.

    "Shut up. I''ve been around longer than you," Sasuke  snapped, a hint of amusement in his voice.

    "That doesn''t mean she likes you," Nanashi retorted. "She just has to tolerate you. You''re like an old piece of inherited furniture they have to keep around because it belonged to great-great-grandmother."

    "Nanashi, would you like to take this outside?" Sasuke asked, cracking his neck.

    "I would, but not just yet. Give me a little more time, then I''ll take you up on that offer."

    "So, when are you two going to get married?" Suzane asked innocently.

    "Sasuke, please tell this woman to watch her mouth, or I''ll punch her in the face," Nanashi growled.

    "Um, Suzane, please don''t make jokes like that. I don''t like the taste of my own vomit," Sasuke replied awkwardly.

    Suzune choked back a gasp, her eyes darting nervously towards Nanashi. The calming green of her companion''s eyes had vanished, replaced by a chilling crimson glow that seemed to burn with an unnatural intensity. The air crackled with sudden tension, sending shivers down Suzune''s spine. The transformation was swift and terrifying, a stark contrast to the Nanashi she had just met.

    "More tea? This one is a little sweet," Suzane said, quickly getting up to pour Nanashi another cup.

    "Tell me something, sister," Nanashi began.

    "Sister? You just threatened to punch her in the face," Sasuke interjected.

    Nanashi ignored him and continued, "Why did you leave your child with me, since you very well know what I am?"

    "And what would that be, sister?" Suzane asked cautiously.

    "An apex predator, a terror to men, a divine comedy connoisseur, torture expert, and the most feared and strongest yokai to ever exist."

    "That''s funny. That''s not what your spirit reflects, nor does Akiza seem to notice. So I think this notion you have of yourself is not who you truly are, but what people have projected onto you," Suzane replied thoughtfully.

    "Ah, no. Sasuke, would you listen to Lao Tzu here? You know what I just realized? I don''t like you anymore," Nanashi snapped.

    "Okay," Suzane replied plainly.

    "I''m leaving now." Nanashi tossed the cup aside and walked out.

    "A real firecracker you''ve got there, Sasuke," Suzane remarked.

    "I know," Sasuke sighed. "Keeps my life interesting."

    Walking through the village, Nanashi saw something peculiar, it was as if the village were preparing for some sort of welcoming or festival so she asked a man hanging up a banner of some sort at the village entrance.

    ¡®Hey, what are you doing?¡¯ she snapped, her blood still boiling from the incident prior.

    ¡°Evening, Miss, we are preparing a welcoming ceremony for the new high priestess and emperor, Himiko, but you should know, how is she?¡±

    ¡®I do not know, have not had that yet, I mean have not had the chance to meant her yet, been traveling with the priest Sasuke.¡¯ she said, the borrowed skin itching against her fur.

    The man turned and asked, ¡°You know, Sasuke?¡± his eyes burning with a strange admiration and passion, adding more fuel to Nanashi fury.

    ¡°I wish, I did not, what makes him and that woman so great anyway?¡±

    ¡®Excuse me?¡¯

    ¡°Yes, no, good bye!¡± she replied and  quickly ran off, as she started to feel the transformation wearing off, just as she got out of site of the man hanging the drapes, she transformed back into a fox and headed straight to burrow, to get a little rest before her big hunt, proudly sponsored by Sasuke.

    Nanashi emerged from her burrow, feeling refreshed and revitalized. A wide grin stretched across her face, the promise of a successful hunt warming her like the morning sun. With a few limbering stretches, she set off towards the majestic arched root tree, her heart light and anticipation bubbling within her.

    When she arrived at the tree, she jumped to through the root but the frost still seemed the same.

    ¡°Maybe, I should close my eyes and walked through not jump, you silly girl, I guess I got a little excited for the feast that lies beyond.¡±  She said to herself, then closed her eyes and slowly walked through the arch and opened her eyes but still nothing.

    Went back closed her eyes span around three times and went through again, she got the same result, maybe she should spin around nine times, since he has nine tails and that is exactly what she did but nothing, so the thought maybe this time she should closed her eyes, then spin around nine times, drop down to the ground and roll through the arch, so she did but even this bright and creative idea, seemed to be in vain and it also did not produce result which she had hoped for.

    ¡°Trying to reproduce the magic that Sasuke brings with his presence, are we?¡±

    As a whisper slithered from the shadows, her senses tingled with alarm. With lightning reflexes, she sprang to her feet, every muscle tense and ready for action. Her fur bristled, a cascade of sparks igniting the darkness, revealing a figure cloaked in mystery.

    With bared teeth and glowing eyes, she confronted the intruder, her primal instincts on high alert. The figure emerged from the shadows, a specter of age and weariness, leaning heavily on a gnarled walking stick. His form stooped with the weight of time, his features etched with the wisdom of ages past.

    "Look here, old man. Leave me alone, or I''ll be sending you to your grave a lot earlier than you expected," Nanashi growled.

    The old man chuckled, then answered, "My, you youngsters are quite fiery these days. But can I really say you''re a youngster? Who knows, you might be older than me." He winked at her, sending a cold chill down her spine and infuriating her even more.

    "Wow, you surely must have been a hit amongst the ladies back in your day," Nanashi sneered. "But unfortunately, I won''t be entertaining pervy old rats like yourself any longer. Either you''re going to leave, or I''m going to rip you limb from limb." She took a few menacing steps forward.

    "Now, now, let''s not get ahead of ourselves," the old man said calmly. "To be honest, I highly doubt you could take me at your current level. So I suggest we resolve this peacefully."

    "I don''t want peace. I only want problems," Nanashi spat.

    "I don''t think you know who I am," the old man replied, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "I''m the man who taught Sasuke everything he knows, the previous guardian of this forest. Hajimo."

    Nanashi''s eyes gleamed with malice. "That means I''m in luck. An even bigger power boost for me."

    "I''ll devour your power, old man!" Nanashi snarled, her body coiling like a spring. But Hajimo remained unfazed, cool as a tempered blade.

    Just as Nanashi pounced, Hajimo tapped his gnarled walking stick against the earth. In an instant, twisted roots exploded from the ground, snaring Nanashi''s legs in their vice-like grip and pinning her to the forest floor.

    Though bound and restrained, Nanashi refused to yield. With a furious snarl, she shifted back into her human form, her muscles tensing with raw power. She raised her hands, ready to unleash a torrent of lightning upon her adversary. Yet, to her horror, no crackling energy answered her call, no sparks danced at her fingertips.

    As she attempted to channel the power, a chilling emptiness washed over her. Her magic, once a vibrant torrent, was a stagnant pond, refusing to yield even a spark. Panic clawed at her throat, a chilling realization settling in her core, she was powerless.

    "Missing something?" Hajimo asked.

    "My lightning attack, why does it not work? Am I broken?" Nanashi replied, frustration evident in her voice.

    "Ah, it seems that despite all the time you''ve spent with the current guardian, you haven''t learned what makes him so special compared to the rest," Hajimo mused.

    "What, that he''s annoying, too trusting, and somewhat idiotically naive? A man-child, narcissistic, an airhead with a lack of self-control and an inability to make friends? Or perhaps it''s the fact that he doesn''t respect others'' privacy or sleep, which further contributes to his social ineptitude?"

    "Uhm, no. Wow, he does need help, but that''s not my problem," Hajimo chuckled. "The special thing I was referring to is his ability to nullify anyone''s technique or power. It''s what binds everyone together in this forest."

    Nanashi scoffed. "Interesting fact. Did you think I was wasting my time idly playing with my toes while gallivanting through China and India? No, no, no. I was far too preoccupied with matters of consequence, absorbing knowledge like a parched desert drinks in rain."

    As she spoke, she elegantly stretched out her arm, effortlessly breaching the very fabric of time and space. With a flourish, she summoned forth the illustrious Urumi, known to some as the Indian whip sword, its every movement a symphony of crackling power.

    "Allow me to enlighten you, old man, on the art of sophistication and dominance. For in this elegant dance of steel, I hold the reins of power, and you? You''re merely a spectator to my grand performance."

    "Intriguing," Hajimo remarked. "So, you can store objects outside the realm of time and space. Just who are you?"

    "Your mother," Nanashi retorted with a smirk.

    "Mama?" Hajimo replied in a childlike voice, feigning surprise.

    "No," Nanashi said flatly, swinging the sword right at his face. The razor-sharp blade sang as it darted toward its target, yet Hajimo remained as calm as a cucumber, even resorting to putting his hands behind his back. The sword cut right through him as if he were a mirage. She struck again and again, her frustration growing with every ineffective strike.

    "You''re not the only one who can manipulate time and space," Hajimo said, casually dusting off his shoulder.

    Nanashi''s eyes narrowed. "We shall see."

    Nanashi, a whirlwind of fury, launched another attack. The Urumi, a viper of steel, sang a deadly song as it lashed towards the old man''s face. But in a heartbeat, the whip transformed. With a sickening snap, the gleaming metal dissolved into scales and fangs, a monstrous serpent replacing the weapon. Its emerald eyes locked onto the man''s head, promising a venomous kiss.

    Just as the fangs were about to sink in, the old man, serene amidst the chaos, flicked his wrist. His gnarled staff, seemingly innocuous moments ago, blurred into a whirlwind. The strike was impossibly fast, a whisper against the serpent''s scales. Yet, with a sickening thud, the creature was sent flying. The air shimmered, and as the snake hit the ground, it morphed back into the Urumi, clattering at Nanashi''s feet.

    ¡°As I thought, you can allow ordinary objects to pass through you but not magical ones.¡±

    ¡°Seems, like you got me all figured out, young lady.¡±

    Nanashi, stuck her hand back into the fabric of time and space and took out a Spartan shield.

    ¡°That will not work.¡±

    With a defiant gleam in her eye, she snarled, "We''ll see," and hurled the Spartan shield through the air like a discus of pure energy. It sliced through Hajimo''s body as if he were a mere illusion before embedding itself deep into the bark of a towering oak behind him. As Hajimo turned to trace the shield''s trajectory.

    ¡°Like I side, it is¡­¡±

    As he turned to gloat in Nanashi¡¯s face, he heard the shied drop to the ground, he span around to find that she had ricocheted off the tree trunk in an explosion of wooden shrapnel, her hair elegant long hair opening up like a chinse fan, glistening in the moon light,  the razor-edged weapon raised high to cut Hajimo''s head from his shoulders. Time seemed to crystallize as his eyes widened in shock at the immediacy of his demise. But in that infinite instant, instincts as old as the first dawning of magic guided his hands.

    With a resounding clap that set the air aquiver, two colossal golden skeletons tore free of the earth itself. Bony fingers thicker than tree trunks snatched at Nanashi''s limbs with terrifying speed, halting her decapitating strike a mere hair''s breadth from its fatal conclusion. The skeletons'' eye sockets blazed with eldritch fire as they wrestled the thrashing warrior''s body into submission, her boots gouging deep furrows in the ground.

    "A magic-cancelling jade sword? I didn''t know you had such weapons in your repertoire," Hajimo remarked, impressed.

    "What can I say? I''m full of surprises," Nanashi replied with a triumphant smile.

    Hajimo nodded thoughtfully. "Mhmm. Tell you what, what if I let you go, give your abilities back with a little extra, and you do me a small favor?"

    Nanashi''s interest was piqued. "Sounds intriguing. I''ll take it."

    "Good," Hajimo said.

    The large golden skeletons unceremoniously dropped Nanashi on the floor like a bag of potatoes, causing her to belly flop hard on the ground.

    "Ouch!" she cried out.

    "Sorry," Hajimo winced. "I can''t control them properly in my decaying state. Maybe you''ll do a better job."

    "What do you mean?" Nanashi asked, confusion evident in her voice.

    Hajimo gave her a big smile and a thumbs up. "They''re all yours now!"

    "Really?" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet.

    "Yep."

    Nanashi''s excitement faltered slightly. "Damn, just as I was about to attack you again."

    "How unfortunate," Hajimo said dryly.

    "So, what''s this favor you need from me?" Nanashi inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her.

    "I need you to protect the villagers from a threat that''s coming in a few days'' time."

    Nanashi frowned. "Why don''t you just ask Sasuke? He is the guardian of the forest, after all."

    "Yes, the guardian of the forest, not the people," Hajimo explained. "As guardians, we must never interfere with human matters, but I''ve grown to love these people."

    "Or maybe you''ve grown to love someone in particular?" Nanashi prodded.

    Hajimo''s expression softened. "Yes, maybe I have. But that was a long time ago, and I promised this person that I would always be there for her and her family."

    Nanashi sighed dramatically. "This sounds kind of like a drag, and I don''t have time to waste on petty issues like love. I have a dynasty to conquer and people to torture."

    Undeterred, the old man walked over to her and placed his hand on her head, transferring half of his power to her.

    "If you do this little favor for me, I''ll give you the rest of the power I have and tell you where to find all twelve elemental kitsune. Trust me, you''re going to need a lot more than this to defeat her," Hajimo offered.

    Nanashi''s eyes glinted with mischief. "How about you give me everything now, then I kill everyone and destroy the village? That way, you''ll be with all of them in the spirit realm."

    "No," Hajimo replied firmly.

    "Come on!" she shouted, crossing her arms and puffing up her cheeks in frustration.

    Hajimo chuckled. "So old, yet still such a child. Same time, same place tomorrow?"

    "Why not," Nanashi shrugged.

    "Alright, and no telling Sasuke. Bye." With that, Hajimo was swept up in a whirlwind of leaves and disappeared.

    "I wonder who this great threat is?" Nanashi grumbled as she headed home.

 the snake demon

    The following morning, the day started off as usual, with Suzune dropping off her only daughter at what might be considered the most dangerous babysitter that ever existed.

    Akiza wiggled like a happy puppy, her excitement bubbling over like a fizzy drink. Nana awaited, and the promise of playtime turned the child into a tiny blur of bouncing energy. Suzune longed for a goodbye kiss, but Akiza was a hummingbird in motion, too excited to stay still.

    Finally, Suzune caught a glimpse of that sweet, impatient face. She planted a soft kiss on Akiza''s cheek and watched her daughter dash off with the joyous abandon of a tiny explorer heading for a new adventure. A smile bloomed on Suzune''s face, warm and bright as the sunshine Akiza was racing towards.

    As she watched her daughter disappear into the distance, Suzune couldn''t help but feel a mixture of pride and concern. She knew Nana was powerful and capable, but the danger that always seemed to lurk around the corner in their world never failed to worry her. Still, seeing Akiza''s unbridled joy and enthusiasm for life always managed to ease her fears, if only for a moment.

    Akiza burst into the burrow, her voice ringing out with excitement, "Nana! Nana!"

    "Hai... Hai..." Nanashi grumbled, still half-asleep.

    "Ohayo!" Akiza greeted her with a big smile.

    "Mhmmm," Nanashi mumbled in response.

    "Ohayooo!" Sasuke''s voice boomed from the entrance.

    "Great, this guy too," Nanashi muttered under her breath.

    "Ohayoo, Saski!" Akiza responded with the same enthusiasm.

    Sasuke beamed. "That''s more like it, unlike some people."

    Nanashi snapped, "Unlike some people, I know how to respect personal space and boundaries."

    "Well, uhmmm," Sasuke fumbled, "I looked to the heavens, in the trees, and dug many holes, and still couldn''t remember asking your opinion."

    "What? Is that your comeback? It''s not even remotely relevant. Gosh, you suck," Nanashi retorted.

    "Hai!" Akiza shouted in agreement.

    "Hey!" Sasuke protested.

    Nanashi grinned. "Yes, very good girl!"

    "No, what are you teaching this girl?" Sasuke asked, exasperated.

    "How not to suck like you," Nanashi replied smugly.

    "Well, if I suck so much, you can look after her alone," Sasuke said, before storming out in a dramatic fashion.

    "Sasuke, come on, man!" Nanashi called after him.

    "Saski! Saki!" Akiza''s voice joined in, calling out to him.

    Nanashi turned to Akiza, her voice softening. "Don''t worry, he''ll be back soon. He doesn''t have many friends. Let''s go find ourselves some fun."

    "Hai!" Akiza agreed eagerly, her earlier concern quickly replaced by the promise of adventure.

    The forest seemed to grow more menacing with every step they took, the twisted branches closing in around them like gnarled claws. Akiza''s breath grew rapid and shallow, her wide eyes darting back and forth as if sensing an unseen threat lurking in the shadows.

    Nanashi paused, her ears perking up at the girl''s escalating distress. ¡°What troubles you, child? Are you too tired to continue?" she inquired, her deep voice a comforting rumble.

    Akiza swallowed, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Not... tired.¡¯ The words came out shaky, betraying her growing fear. "Someone..." she hesitated, glancing nervously at the rustling leaves around them, ¡±following us.¡±

    Nanashi''s ears flicked forward, her massive head swivelling to scan the woods. ¡°Don''t fret, child.¡± she said, but her calm tone didn''t quite mask the tension that coiled in her powerful muscles. "It''s probably just Saki, eager to greet you."

    Akiza''s eyes widened. "No!" she blurted, shaking her head so hard her braids whipped around her face. "This... bad. Very bad." Without warning, she threw herself onto Nanashi''s back, burying her face in the thick fur at the base of the giant fury tail.

    Nanashi let out a low growl, the sound vibrating through the forest floor. ¡°Fear not, Akiza.¡±, she murmured, her voice a deep rumble that promised protection. ¡°I am here. Nothing will touch you, not while I breathe, Okay.¡±

    Akiza gave a hesitant nod

    ¡°Good, let of my tail and come stand on my right side, I will deal with this quickly.¡±

    Just as Akiza let go of her tail, they heard a branch snap behind them. Nanashi quickly transformed into her human form, causing Akiza to burst into tears.

    "What? What''s the matter now?" Nanashi asked, perplexed.

    "Nana! Nana gone!" Akiza wailed.

    "I''m right here, look," Nanashi said, reverting to her fox form. This pacified Akiza, stopping her tears. However, as soon as Nanashi turned back into her human form, Akiza started bawling again.

    "What''s wrong now?" Nanashi inquired, exasperated.

    "Nana has dog ears. They''re ugly!" Akiza replied in a whiny voice.

    Nanashi''s emerald eyes narrowed. "Ugly, you say?" she scoffed, her voice laced with a shimmer of fey amusement. "Observe closely," she declared, her fingers gracefully enveloping her fox-like ears. In a shimmering instant, they vanished from sight. "See?" she purred, a playful smile dancing on her lips. Then, her smile flickered, replaced by a mock pout. "Though, calling them downright ''ugly'' to my face is a touch harsh. I like your sass, but I can''t help wondering where you got this newfound attitude from."

    "I can, and I know who," a voice rang out above their heads. A large black figure descended from the tree, landing in front of them.

    "You!" Nanashi exclaimed.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    "Yes," Jorogumo replied.

    Nanashi quickly turned to Akiza. "Akiza, don''t look! Cover your eyes, my dear girl. It''s the epitome of ugliness! Please, it will traumatize you and scar you for life, haunt your dreams forever. Only one good thing can come from this: whenever someone calls you ugly, you won''t need to feel bad at all, because you''ll always be more beautiful than her." She winked and blew Jorogumo a kiss.

    "You''re demented. There''s something seriously wrong with you," Jorogumo retorted.

    "Nope, I think there''s something seriously wrong with your face! Ha! Burn! Isn''t that right, Akiza?"

    Akiza didn''t reply. She was unfazed by the appearance of the half-spider, half-lady creature, and was busy picking her nose.

    "Seriously, she has a hairy face with eight eyes, even on her forehead. Come on, girl!"

    "I see you''re still as rude as ever. No wonder this poor human is turning out like you."

    "Hey, she''s perfect as she is, but I''m still better."

    "Who would ever leave a child in your care is beyond my understanding."

    "What do you want? I don''t remember us being friends."

    "We''re not, so I''ll give you a warning: leave now. This is my territory, or else."

    "Or else what?" Nanashi replied, puffing up her chest and rolling up her sleeves.

    "I''ll kill you and this little girl of yours."

    "I''d like to see you try."

    Jorogumo took a few steps back, ready to spit acid venom. Nanashi stepped in front of Akiza and drew her jade sword. Just as the fight was about to start, Sasuke jumped between them with a big smile on his face and said, "Having a little get-together without your favorite person in the world?"

    "Argh, who invited him?" Jorogumo muttered, rolling all eight eyes.

    "He has a tendency to show up where he''s not welcome," Nanashi replied.

    "Tell me about it. He''s been doing this for the last three hundred years, since he was appointed."

    "Ouch!" Sasuke exclaimed.

    "Ouch!" Akiza echoed.

    "You three do know that I''m standing right here, don''t you? And Jorogumo, you never had a problem with me until now."

    "Oh no, Nanashi, he''s talking to me. What do I do?" Jorogumo whispered.

    "Don''t panic, girl. I''ve got you. Just do what I do."

    "What''s that?"

    "Pretend he''s not here."

    "And that works?"

    "Sometimes."

    "I''ve been doing that for about two hundred years, but now... I''ve got this one. Hey... hey... Sasuke?"

    "What?"

    "Look! A tailong dragon!" Jorogumo exclaimed, pointing at the sky.

    "Where?" both Sasuke and Nanashi shouted, scanning the clouds above.

    "Idiots. You two belong together," Jorogumo muttered before leaping into a portal and vanishing.

    Sasuke frowned. "I see nothing. Do you see anything, Nanashi?"

    "No," Nanashi replied, turning around. "Where did you say it was, Joro¡ª" She stopped short, realizing Jorogumo had disappeared.

    "I guess she got us both," Sasuke sighed.

    Nanashi smirked. "I think you mean she got you."

    "What? But you looked too!"

    "Yes, I did, so the trick would seem more realistic. It''s called ''acting.'' Have you ever heard of it?"

    "Really? But if you knew it was all an act, why ask about the tailong''s position again?"

    "It''s called ''improvisation,'' another thing only us ''actors'' understand," she said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.

    "But¡ª"

    Before Sasuke could present another question, Nanashi raised her hand to silence him.

    "Enough, Sasuke. I''m tired and want to go home. Come, Akiza."

    When Akiza didn''t respond, Nanashi turned around to find her companion missing.

    "Sasuke, where''s Akiza?"

    "She''s... definitely not here?"

    "Really? Wow, great observation, Detective Obvious. No wonder you''re so popular among... no one."

    "Hey!"

    ¡°Let us not jump to conclusion and name calling, I am sure there is a reasonable explanation behind her disappearance.¡± Sasuke said, turning into a fox and started sniffing the ground

    ¡°Like what, KIDNAPPING!¡± Nanashi roared.

    ¡°No, her sent still lingers, follow me.¡±

    Nanashi''s every curse echoed through the tightening forest like a death knell. The trees thinned, and a horrifying tableau unfolded before her. The riverbank, bathed in an unnatural, sickly light, became a stage for a nightmare.

    There, coiled around a still form, was the Nure-Onna. Her grotesque beauty, a siren song leading to a monstrous truth. A woman''s torso, sculpted from porcelain perfection, gave way to a serpent''s form, its scales glinting like obsidian knives. Its coils constricted around Akiza, who lay unconscious, a pale doll in the clutches of a predator.

    Nanashi''s breath hitched. The Nure-Onna''s head, stretched wide like a grotesque parody of a kiss, hovered over the girl. Saliva, thick and viscous, dripped from its maw, a sickening prelude to the feast to come. Rows of razor-sharp teeth gleamed in the twilight, promising a brutal end. The air itself hung heavy, thick with the stench of decay and the fetid river, a suffocating shroud that did nothing to mask the primal terror that squeezed Nanashi''s heart.

    "Let go of her!" Nanashi shouted. As her fury intensified, her very essence seemed to ignite. Her hair crackled with ethereal flames that danced with an intensity matching her rage.

    The air around her sizzled with ominous energy, charged with the raw power of her wrath. A menacing aura enveloped her as her nails transformed into obsidian claws, sharp and lethal¡ªa testament to the darkness simmering within.

    "You!" the snake lady hissed.

    "Nanashi, calm down, I''ve got¡ª"

    Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, Nanashi''s hair and kimono burst into raging flames. The stones beneath her feet popped like kernels, and the water surrounding Nure-Onna began to boil.

    "You fool!" Nure-Onna cried.

    "What?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.

    "You spoke forbidden words to an angry woman."

    Sasuke smirked, his eyes glowing green. He turned to Nanashi and repeated, "Calm down," this time in a stern yet soothing voice. Nanashi felt her heart skip a beat as a wave of calmness spread through her body, causing the raging flames to dissipate instantly.

    "What are you doing to me?" Nanashi demanded. "I need to stop her, or she''ll devour that girl."

    "And I have every right to do so. She is mine!" Nure-Onna declared.

    "Not this one," Sasuke replied firmly.

    "What do you mean, Sasuke? You know that any human in the appointed territory is fair game."

    "Yes, I know, but she''s not from this location. She must be taken back."

    Nure-Onna raised herself up, towering over Sasuke and Nanashi. "And if I refuse?" she challenged.

    Sasuke turned back into his human form and looked her right in her eyes, ¡®It seems to me, that you have forgotten, who I am, I am the guardian of this forest, which means, that I give and take as a please, and everything that inhabits this island, I have full authority of them, even the very air you breath but perhaps I need to remind you, Sasuke snapped his fingers, causing Nure-Onna chest to exploded open, spraying blood everywhere.

    ¡®What have you done to me?¡¯ Nure-Onna asked barely able to speak.

    ¡°I caused your lungs to explode, worry not, I will put you out of your misery soon, Nanashi, how do you like your meat cooked?¡±

    ¡°I..I..do¡±

    ¡®YOU CANNOT DO THIS TO ME!!¡¯ Nure- onna, shouted

    Sasuke snapped his fingers again and two reeds shot through each side of her mouth and third underneath her chin, from it a water lily bloomed, stretching her mouth wide open.

    ¡°Shut up, I was not talking to you, so what is it going to be?¡± He asked, this time his tone changed into an excited one.

    ¡®I do not know.¡¯ She answered nervously.

    "Let it be my decision," he declared with a smirk, his voice carrying the weight of unseen forces. "But wait, there''s something you''ve forgotten," he continued, his arms outstretched toward Akiza''s motionless form. With a mere gesture, her lifeless body obediently floated towards him, a puppet in the hands of an enigmatic puppeteer.

    "Here, take her," he offered Nanashi with an air of nonchalance, as if bestowing a mere trinket. And then, with a flourish of movement that seemed to transcend mortal limitations, he began a mesmerizing dance of flickering flames, each snap of his fingers a symphony of divine power.

    As the inferno trailed behind his every motion, the air crackled with the intensity of celestial fire. Nure-onna, once a fearsome entity of darkness, now became the unwitting participant in a grand spectacle of divine retribution. Her form ignited with a brilliance that outshone the stars themselves, consumed by the cleansing flames until only ashes remained, carried away on the wings of a gentle breeze.

    "No, man! I guess I went too far," Sasuke said, realizing his mistake.

    "You think?" Nanashi replied dryly.

    "Let''s head home. I promise I''ll make it up to you."

    When they arrived at the village, Nanashi handed Akiza to Sasuke.

    "What, you don''t want to take her back?" he asked, surprised.

    "No, I don''t feel like facing that woman. Goodbye," Nanashi said firmly.

    "Okay. Goodbye then."

    As Sasuke was descending the hill, Nanashi called out to him again.

    "Hey, Sasuke!"

    "Yes?"

    "I haven''t forgotten who you are."

    "Well, that''s a pity," he replied, a hint of humor in his voice.

    "Why?"

    "Because I kind of enjoy our little dynamic," he said, feeling his cheeks warm up. He quickly turned around and continued his journey.

    Nanashi watched him go, a small smile playing on her lips. "Jeez, what was that?" she muttered to herself. "Anyway, I have a date to prepare for."

 Mastering the infinite void!

    ''You''re late,'' Nanashi snarled.

    ''What? You just arrived yourself,'' Hajimo replied.

    ''Alright, alright... there''s no need to play the blame game. For an old man, you sure are childish.''

    ''Ha! If we''re talking about being childish, how about you stop deluding yourself? We both know that you''re older¡ªno, not just older, far, far older than me.'' Hajimo said with a victorious smirk, which quickly vanished once Nanashi gave him a killer glare.

    ''Sorry,'' he said, bowing his head before continuing. ''No need to take everything I say so seriously. I am an old man, after all.''

    ''But I am older than you,'' Nanashi stated matter-of-factly.

    ''What? You don''t look a day over 30!''

    ''Excuse me?''

    ''28?''

    ''No.''

    ''26?''

    Nanashi shook her head.

    ''20?''

    She still shook her head.

    ''17?'' Hajimo asked incredulously.

    ''No, stop. You''re flattering me,'' Nanashi said with a hint of amusement. ''You know, when people see me with Akiza and her mother, they think Suzune is my older sister.''

    Hajimo scoffed and rolled his eyes. ''Yes, I could easily mistake you for her grandmother¡ªsorry, sister too. Uhm, let''s get to the reason why we''re here. What kind of kitsune are you?''

    ''The normal type. Is there a fox with eight legs?'' Nanashi replied sarcastically.

    ''No, I mean, what element did you start off with?''

    ''Oh, fire.''

    ''I thought so. Explains your personality.''

    ''I know, I''m extremely hot,'' she said, winking at him.

    Hajimo yawned before answering, ''Here''s what we''re going to do. We''re going to max out your fire power by having you absorb as many fire demons as we can find. Then we''ll focus on the other elements. Those are going to be a little difficult to get a hold of.''

    ''How are we going to get them?'' she asked.

    ''Don''t worry about that now. Just follow me.''

    Nanashi traced the winding path of the Hajimo, an ancient pathway veiled in emerald twilight. It led her to a hidden meadow, bathed in the ethereal glow of a waning moon. Scattered amongst the swaying blades of grass, like stardust caught in a weaver''s loom, danced tiny flames. Their sapphire light flickered and pulsed, some hovering weightlessly, others weaving intricate patterns in the air, as mesmerizing as fireflies performing a silent, celestial ballet.

    "Right, here we are. Go on and power up," Hajimo said, pointing at the field.

    "No, I''m not. I don''t know what they are. They could be bad for me."

    "No, they''re not. They''re kosenjobi, ancient battlefield fire. They''re a type of oni or demon fire, formed from the blood of countless warriors and animals that died on the battlefield but never moved on."

    "Well, why didn''t you say so in the first place?"

    "I just did."

    "Right, time to eat," Nanashi said before changing into her fox form.

    "Why are you changing into a fox?"

    "Because I need to eat them to power up."

    "Really? Geez, that''s so primal and barbaric. Why don''t you just absorb them?"

    "Yes, I could do that. However, I''ve been a fox for so long that I''ve kind of forgotten how. Ah, I''m so embarrassed, I could die," she said, throwing herself on the ground and covering her face with her paws.

    Hajimo smirked. "No need to be embarrassed. We all have something we don''t know how to do. The only thing you should be embarrassed about is being so ignorant as not to learn it, even when you know you need it. Come now, get up and change back into your human form, then I shall teach you."

    Nanashi got up and changed back into her human form, ¡°I am ready.¡±

    ¡®Huh!¡¯ the old man scoffed.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Who, would have thought that after all these years, I would have another student after Sasuke.¡±

    ¡®No one, however, what you do know is that I am the best and most beautiful student, you ever had, right?¡¯

    ¡°Nanashi, you are truly one-of-a-kind.¡¯ Hajimo said, his eyes shining with admiration. ¡®An undiscovered treasure, wise beyond your years. There is no one else quite like you.¡¯

    A brilliant smile spread across Nanashi''s face at his heartfelt compliments. It was a real, unguarded grin that seemed to light her up from within. Seeing her joyful smile stirred something deep within Hajimo, resurfacing bittersweet memories he had tucked away long ago.

    ¡°Ai!, you making me emotional, let us being.¡±, he scoped up a kosenjobi in his hand and held it in front of her but she was more focused on killing the mosquito bussing in front of her.

    ¡°Hey, over here.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I just cannot handle these things, but you have my full attention now?¡±

    Hajimo let out a heavy sigh before continuing his mystical instruction. "The first step is to quiet your mind and feel the essential energy flowing through the object before you. Reach out with your senses until you can perceive its unique energetic pattern, like a hidden melody playing just beneath the surface."

    He demonstrated by closing his eyes and extending his hand, palm outwards, concentrating intently. "Once you truly understand the inherent flow, you must then align your own inner energies to harmonize with the object''s vibrations. Let them resonate together, beating in perfect synchronicity."This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Hajimo opened his eyes, leveling Nanashi with an intense look. "From there, you must conjure a swirling void of negative energy within yourself. Do not fear its opposing polarity, for like the celestial dance of sun and moon, opposites are destined to attract and intertwine. My own energies carry a negative charge, enabling me to draw the object''s essence inward."

    He curled his fingers inward, as if physically pulling something invisible towards his palm. Faint tendrils of azure light began coalescing in his grasp. "Finally, amplify that negative flow, drinking in and absorbing the object''s power fully into your very being. Can you feel the potential, the possibility, coursing through you?"

    Hajimo''s eyes burned with fierce determination. "Understand this technique, Nanashi, and you will unlock the ability to wield the fundamental forces of creation and dissolution themselves."

    ¡°Yes, Sensei!¡±

    ¡°Good, now you go.¡¯

    ¡®Shhh, enough talk.¡¯ She said, picking one into her hand and repeating what her Sensei, said ¡®Basically, there are three steps, first, feel the energy, second aline energy, third, negative void.¡¯ And in an instant she absorb the orb.

    ¡°I did it.¡± She shouted.

    ¡°Well done, I knew you could.¡±

    ¡°Let me, see if I can absorb two at once.¡± She grabbed two at once in each hand and absorbed them both.

    ¡°Good.¡± he said applauding her.

    ¡°I wonder, how many, I can absorb at once?¡±

    ¡°Wait, now, lets us not rush into things, this could have a negative impact on your body.¡±

    Nanashi, paid no heed to her Sensei and with arms outstretched like a goddess embracing the sky, she closed her eyes and became a beacon. The kosenjobi, shimmering like celestial fireflies, felt the pull of her negative void. One by one, they streamed towards her, drawn by an unseen force as potent as a supernova. With each luminous moth nestled in her hand, she surged across the field, a whirlwind gathering the very essence of the night. Not a single kosenjobi dared resist her call. The air crackled with raw power as she swept through the landscape, leaving behind a desolate path a testament to her awe-inspiring dominion over the luminous swarm, ¡®I am done!¡¯ she shouted across the field.

    ¡°Great, we will move on to the next target.¡± Nanashi trailed behind Hajimo, her trusted guide leading them deeper into the forest''s emerald embrace. Twisted roots and hanging vines created an antiquated labyrinth, challenging them at every turn. Just when Nanashi thought they must be hopelessly lost, the trees parted to reveal a hidden grotto unlike anything she could have imagined.

    A soft, azure glow emanated from the boughs overhead, where tiny orbs of brilliant blue and pure white danced among the leaves. The luminous spheres gently bobbed up and down, some even slipping through gaps in the canopy to tumble towards the mossy ground below. But instead of shattering against the earth, they seemed to absorb the impact, morphing into liquid tendrils that flowed back up the trunks to rejoin their celestial choreography.

    Nanashi held her breath, utterly transfixed by the ethereal spectacle unfolding before her wide eyes. The orbs continued their mesmerizing cycle, falling and rising in a perpetual, graceful loop. Some clustered together in radiant formations, while others struck out on their own glistening arcs across the grotto. All the while, their brilliant dance cast swaying shadows that ebbed and flowed like the tide across Nanashi''s upturned face.

    In that transcendent space lost to the outside world, it felt as if Nanashi and Hajimo had stumbled into the cosmos itself. The forest grotto harbored its own sublime rhythms and secret laws of nature waiting to be unraveled by those rare few who could find this enchanted hollow.

    ¡°Wooow, where are we, Oh!, look, there is more Kosenjobi.¡± She said in an excited tone.

    ¡®No, they are not, they are Tsurubashi.¡¯

    ¡°What is the difference?¡±

    ¡°Kosenjobi, did not move, they do.¡±

    ¡°So, negative void will not work?¡±

    ¡°Nope, it will.¡±

    ¡®Then stop wasting my time son!¡¯ she said pushing her Sensei aside, stretched her hands towards the heavens like a king, adorning himself in the praises of his subjects, ¡®Come to me!¡¯ , all the Tsurubashi, flew to her at once, entering her body at a great speed, making the once lit up forest by the Tsurubashi to go pitch black and her skin to glow white.

    ¡°I think that is enough for today.¡± Hajimo said.

    ¡°No..no.., I am just getting the hang of the this, there is no, turning back now.¡±

    ¡°But, I think you have had enough, your skin is literally glowing white, like a ghost, if that is not a sign, then I do not what is.¡±

    ¡°What!, this is nothing, I can handle this in a jiff, just watch.¡± She said, closing her eyes and took few deep breaths, causing the glow from her skin started to fade, ¡°Done!¡±

    ¡°I still do not know and I should know better but if you are willing than follow me!, we are going to a big one.¡± Hajimo said enthusiastically

    ¡°Hai!¡±

    Nanashi, ever the eager student, accompanied her Sensei on another odyssey. This time, their destination was a coastline where the very air vibrated with anticipation. As they neared the shore, a spectacle of unimaginable wonder unfolded before their eyes. Multicolored orbs, like spilled jewels from a celestial vault, danced and whirled above the churning waves. These spheres of light, imbued with the vibrant hues of sunrise and twilight, dipped and soared in a mesmerizing ballet. Then, in a moment of breathtaking awe, the orbs began to converge. They swirled together, a symphony of light coalescing into a magnificent form. From the depths of the ocean, a mighty dragon rose, its scales shimmering with the borrowed brilliance of the orbs. Its form, sculpted from living light, pulsed with an otherworldly power. Witnessing this celestial fusion, Nanashi stood breathless, forever etched in her memory the spectacle where the very essence of the sea coalesced into a mythical being.

    ¡°What are those?¡± Nanashi asked.

    ¡°Ryuto, also known as dragon lights, no one knows where they come form or their origin but they show up often, do you know how to walk on water?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s it!, I guess we are calling it a night.¡± Hajimo said, starting to walk away.

    ¡°I can do it.¡±

    ¡°Are you serious, that flame is more than 200 meters away, are you going to swim to it?¡±

    ¡®No, I am going to use the negative void to suck it in.¡¯

    ¡°Nanashi, I warn you do not do this.¡± Hajimo said, in a firm and assertive voice.

    ¡°Watch closely,¡± Nanashi called out, her voice ringing with sublime confidence as she approached the shore. The gentle waves lapped at her bare feet as she waded into the shimmering depths. With arms extending gracefully to either side, she tilted her head back and released a mighty cry: "Void!"

    The word erupted from her lips like a thunderclap, the very air trembling at its ethereal power. A massive vortex of unseen forces coalesced around Nanashi''s form, whipping her raven locks in a tempestuous frenzy. The maelstrom rapidly intensified as it drank in the iridescent dragon-lights scattered across the heavens, inexorably drawing their brilliance inward.

    The entranced spheres swirled and pulsed, resisting the void''s insatiable pull for only a moment before ultimately converging together. In a blinding cosmic explosion, a titanic dragon of crimson flames burst into existence with an earth-shattering roar. The behemoth immediately wheeled about, frantically fleeing the voracity of the vortex devouring its very essence.

    Yet Nanashi remained unwavering, pivoting smoothly to track the dragon''s desperate attempts at escape. An ethereal light blazed from her eyes as she maintained her draining weave of magic, toying with the fearsome beast for what seemed like an eternity condensed into mere minutes. Only when the swirling tempest sputtered and waned did the fiery leviathan finally halt its futile flight, sensing its opening.

    With an ear-splitting bellow, the dragon arced around, hurling its full terrifying mass towards the solitary figured standing amidst the dying winds. But Nanashi simply smiled, serene admist the onrushing oblivion as she spoke the words, "Pride and vanity will be your end. Trust me... Void!"

    The overwhelming torrent rematerialized with catastrophic force, a swirling tsunami of energy that slammed into the charging monster like a celestial battering ram. The dragon''s forward momentum was first checked, then overwhelmed as it was gradually subsumed by the infinite depths of the void. Within moments, the last ethereal embers winked out, their fire at last extinguished.

    Nanashi''s knees buckled as the ultimate vestiges of draconic power were absorbed into her very being. She collapsed in a boneless heap, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. Yet her lips curved in a triumphant smile. For she had faced the primal fire of creation itself and emerged victorious through the sublime mastery of the void''s infinite potential.

    ¡°Where to next Sensei?¡¯

    ¡°Home.¡±

    ¡°No, I can still..¡± before she could protest, she passed out, her Sensei, summoned a low breeze, lifting her body off the ground, and carried her all the home and left her sitting up right infront of her burrow, Nanashi, moved around and groaned as if she was having a bad dream.

    ¡°Shhh!, it is okay, I am sorry, I am making do all of this, I also hope, that I did not make you refigure your body and made permanent void, if so, than I am afraid to say, that you will have to say good bye to your friends forever.¡± Hajimo said in a heavy sad tone, and ruffling the top of her head, like a proud father would his daughter, before vanishing into the night.

 A visit from an old friend

    The following morning, Nanashi, found herself in an rather unusually place, rather than her own home as a familiar scent lingered around her and the sweetest and cutest voice she hand ever known echoes through the background of her dreams.

    ¡°Nana..Nana..Mama, Nana, dead?¡±

    ¡°I do¡­¡± just before Suzune, could finished her sentence, Nanashi opened her eyes.

    ¡°Who!, Me! Dead!, hahaha, do not make me laugh, I will kill death before it can take me, and if it does, I will simply escape again.¡±

    ¡°Again and from where?¡±

    ¡°The underworld.¡±

    ¡°Is that even possible.¡±

    ¡®Of course it is, I have done it twice before.¡±

    ¡°Truly, just who are you?¡±

    ¡°The strongest!¡± Akiza, shouted with pride.

    ¡®That is my girl!, come here and give me a hug, I love you so much, I could just eat you up.¡±

    ¡°Please don¡¯t.¡± Suzune said.

    ¡°I did not mean it literally, see, this is why I do not like you, you do not know how to take a joke, I simply cannot handle serious people," Nanashi said with a sigh.

    "Okay," Suzune replied plainly, seemingly unbothered.

    "Anyway, how did I get here?" Nanashi asked, looking at Suzune. But just as Suzune opened her mouth, Nanashi turned to Akiza. "Huh?"

    "Uncle Sasaki!" Akiza exclaimed.

    "Why?" Nanashi questioned.

    Suzune answered, "He found you passed out in front of your den. Out of concern, he brought you here."

    "Where is he now?"

    "Outside, helping the villagers put on the final touches for Himiko''s arrival."

    "Himiko?"

    "Yes, the high priestess and queen. She''s soon to arrive."

    "No, I''m not ready yet," Nanashi said, suddenly agitated.

    "Ready for what?" Suzune asked, confused.

    With her heart pounding against her chest, Nanashi bolted from the house, the urgency of her mission lending speed to her steps. She had to reach Sasuke, had to deliver the warning that clawed at her throat. But the shadows of the house were treacherous, and before she could spot a hint of him, a force yanked her aside, dragging her into the obscured confines beside the silent house. Her breath hitched, fear and adrenaline merging into a potent cocktail that coursed through her veins, as unseen hands gripped her with an iron resolve.

    Top of Form

    ¡°Unhand me!, right now, or you will regret it.¡±

    ¡°Not as much as you are about to¡±

    Nanashi''s lips curved into a playful smirk as she found herself face-to-face with Sasuke in the intimate shadows. ¡°Well, well, Sasuke,¡± she purred, deliberately licking her lips. "I never took you for the type to get so... handsy.¡¯

    Sasuke immediately let go of her  and asked, ¡°Do you ever take something seriously?¡±

    ¡°Nope, I do not like serious things and serious people, negative energy is just not for me you know, anyway, you the one that pulled me here, like some passionate lover.¡± She said winking at him.

    ¡°Ai, why cannot my life not end, I brought you here, so you do not go out there looking like someone from the red-light district, you forget these people have seen you before, as a temple maiden, so please change, before anyone sees us.¡±

    ¡°Okay, but before I do, I have something to tell you.¡±

    ¡°Good, but before you do, change.¡¯ He said turning his back towards her.¡±

    ¡°Argh!, fine!.¡¯ She said but not before, kicking his leg and slapping him behind his head.

    ¡°Ouch, why!¡±

    ¡°Because, Sasuke, you are stupid.¡± She mumbled, then quickly changing her clothes, ¡°Done, now as I was saying¡­¡±before she could finish, there was a sudden eruption of cheers and applause from the villagers, grabbing Sasuke¡¯s attention immediately.

    The crowd hummed with anticipation as Sasuke gripped Nanashi''s hand tightly. "She''s here," he whispered, a strange intensity in his voice.

    Before she could respond, he tugged her forward, guiding them through the mass of people until they stood at the very front. Raising their entwined hands, fingers laced in an almost ceremonial pose, Sasuke''s eyes were locked ahead with laserlike focus.

    A hush fell over the throngs as an ornate carriage appeared, rolling down the street towards them. Nanashi couldn''t tear her gaze away, her heart pounding with a sense of nervous excitement.

    As the carriage drew nearer, Nanashi found herself inexplicably drawn to the figure within. Their eyes met through the window, and a jolt of recognition shot through her. The woman''s delicate features struck a chord deep within Nanashi''s mind, stirring up flickers of a half-remembered past.

    Then, the woman''s lips curved in a slight, mysterious smile as she gave Nanashi the smallest of nods. In that moment, Nanashi felt an uncanny connection to this stranger, as if they shared some profound secret.

    A shiver danced along her spine, raising the fine hairs on the back of her neck. There was something more here, a deeper mystery waiting to be unraveled. Nanashi knew in her core that this was no mere chance encounter.

    ¡°I know, her.¡± Nanashi muttered

    ¡°What!¡±

    ¡°I said, I know her or have known her.¡±

    ¡°What, I cannot hear you, let¡¯s get out of here.¡± Sasuke grabbed her hand and lead her out of the crowd.

    ¡°Twice in one day, you are getting fresh, are you not?¡±

    ¡°Could you stop, for a second, and tell me, what it is?¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°I said, that I know her, or have met her before.¡¯

    ¡®When?¡¯

    ¡°A long time ago.¡±

    ¡°No, way, I would have sensed if there was something off about her.¡±

    ¡°But¡±, she tried to explain but was interrupted by Sasuke who placed both his hands on her shoulders startling the things she wanted to say out of her mind.

    ¡°Nanashi, I think that you are very tired from whatever you were doing the last night, I think it is best you go home and rest, I will look after Akiza for the day, alright?¡±

    ¡°Yes, you are right, I am feeling a little funny.¡±

    ¡°Sure..sure, Oh my gosh, she is getting out, I will come check on you later, HIMIKO!..HIMIKO!, I am over here!¡± he shouted, running over to the carriage, leaving Nanashi, with an unexplainable feeling burning in her belly.

    ¡°Ha, he actually, left me, in my state, when, I told him, I am not feeling well, he will see, wait..why,am I even upset, I do not need him, all men are the same, chasing after anything with a dress.¡± She walked away mumbling some foul words, all the way to her den.

    Later that night, Nanashi, was woken up by the sound of popping fire wood and someone humming ancient mantra.

    ¡°So, he finally, showed up, bored with that other woman but I will not even talk to him nor leave this place¡­wait, is that spicy chai, I am smelling, my favourite, I guess, I will go out, pretend to be his friend, while, I enjoy the tea, the fool, will not see it coming.¡±  She told herself and walked out.

    When she emerged she saw that that there was no one outside, only the fire burning and the kettle boiling.

    ¡°Come out, Sasuke, I forgive, let us just sit here and enjoy this tea you have brought for us.¡±

    The silence was shattered by a soft, tinkling sound that drifted through the trees like distant chimes. With each movement of the shadowy figure edging closer, an ethereal symphony of delicate noises enveloped her. The gentle melody seemed to beckon her deeper into the heart of the ancient woods, luring her with its haunting call. Ornate jewelry adorning the mysterious form caught the fading rays of sunlight, casting kaleidoscopic patterns that danced across the forest floor. An arcane power radiated from this enigmatic presence, at once entrancing and unsettling.

    ¡°Holt, who goes there?¡± Nanashi asked.

    ¡°Holt!¡¯, the figure said in a mockingly voice, ¡°just look at you, how far the great have truly fallen, my teachings, has gone to a complete waste on you, how pitiful and disgusting!¡±  the voice roared.

    ¡°How about you come out and say that to my face.¡± Nanashi, replied, changing, into her human form.

    ¡°As you wish .¡± the voice replied

    Nanashi tensed, readying herself for battle, but before she could even assume her fighting stance, a deafening crack split the air like a whip lashing out. In the same breath, the high-pitched jingle of a small bell rang out, and an invisible force slammed into her chest with staggering power. The breath was violently ripped from her lungs as she was sent hurtling backwards, her body a ragdoll at the mercy of the unseen assault.

    ¡°Ha, not bad.¡± Nanashi, wiping off the blood of her mouth and looked up to find.

    Amidst the flickering flames, a figure of profound enigma materialized, her presence commanding reverence. Draped in garments that whispered ancient tales of long-forgotten civilizations, she exuded an aura so captivating, so alluring, that wonder and awe were helplessly drawn to her like moths to a flame. An otherworldly power seemed to emanate from her very being, weaving an intoxicating spell that bound all who dared gaze upon her ethereal form.

    With movements flowing like water over polished stone, the enigmatic woman brought her hands together in a sacred gesture. Her voice carried the weight of eons as she uttered the words, "Namaste, Lady Kayo." Each syllable reverberated through the very fabric of existence, echoing timeless wisdom and unbridled might. "Long time no see."

    ¡°How do you know that name, who are you!¡± Nanashi, roared.

    ¡°My..my.., still fiery as ever, I see, but what truly disappoints me, is how you do not remember, the first person to ever believe in you and had taught you everything you know now, I am truly heart broken.¡±  The woman said, pretending to sob.

    ¡°Raktabija.¡± Nanashi said, completely awe struck.

    ¡°In the flesh, my dear.¡±

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Checking in on a former student of mine of course, I even brought your favourite chai, see, I take my job as a teacher and a mentor fever seriously.¡±

    ¡°Mentor!, Teacher!, ha!, do not make me laugh, you were the first to disappear where the king prosecuted me and wanted to kill me, you could disappear, quicker than a fart out of an anus.¡±

    ¡°I do not know, why you are acting all surprise by my sudden betrayal, you and I both know that, I am not a good person, argh, lets us not dwell on the past, let it stay there and besides, bad things happen to good people all the time, uhmm, the tea, looks ready are you not going to offer me some, I am parched.¡± She said, touch her throat.

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Really, man, I brought the stuff, at least pour me some, you have no manners what so ever.¡±

    ¡°Do not worry, I have heard the many times since, I arrived her, anyway, you still did not answer my question, why are you here?¡± Nanashi asked again, this time with more sternness, in her voice.

    ¡®Oh, Lady Kayo.¡±

    ¡°Nanashi.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me.¡±

    ¡°My name is Nanashi, now.¡±

    Himiko, stared at her intently, then broke into a sinister childlike laughter, ¡°Are you serious, your name is nameless, that is so silly.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I know, hilarious, could you stop beating around the bush and spit it out.¡±

    ¡°Alright..alright, always straight to the point, I always liked that about you.¡±

    Nanahai nodded in agreement.

    ¡°I am here for an army, revenge and the souls of all these people of this island, ¡®why, you ask?¡±

    ¡®Nope, never asked.¡±

    "I shall rain devastation upon the pathetic realms of Dugra and Shiva, reducing their lands to smoldering ruins beneath my unstoppable wrath. Their feeble gods will be the first to feel my fury as I ascend through the heavens, consuming their divine essence like a black hole devouring stars. One by one, I''ll extinguish the flickering flames of each celestial being this insignificant blue rock dares to worship. Until at last, I alone shall reign supreme - the one true Goddess enthroned upon a cosmos remade in my dark image. Let those who once basked in their false lights tremble, for the age of the ultimate villainess has begun! Mwahaha!, you know the regular villain stuff.¡±

    ¡°So, why this isolated island?¡±

    ¡°This isolation is perfect. No bickering deities to whisper warnings or clip my magnificent wings. Here, they adore me. Every soul thrums with devotion, blind to the grand tapestry I weave. They are but pawns, utterly enthralled, destined to be instruments in my glorious ascent. Their unwavering loyalty¡­ quaint, isn''t it? A stepping stone to a far greater purpose. The land of Hindustan will be mine, its riches a mere prelude. Life essence, not mere souls, will fuel my inevitable dominion. The divine hierarchy? A tangled mess, ripe for reshaping to my glorious design. This won''t be a petty conquest; it will be a symphony of power, orchestrated by me, the one true ruler of all.¡±

    ¡°You have become quite fruitful since the last time we met.¡± Nanashi taking a sip of her tea.

    ¡°Yes, I am totally for environmental conscience, I believe in reduce, reuse, recycle.¡± She sang those words, with her hands shaking like a tambourine.

    ¡°I am a firm believer in that notion too, like whenever, I eat another yokai, or something smaller, I dig a whole poop in it and cover it up, so it can provide the soil with its due nutrients.¡±

    Himiko¡¯s left twitching upon hearing this and managed to muster up an, ¡°Mhmm¡± for a moment before she continued, ¡®Glad on the same page, so you will help me than?¡¯

    ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± she asked leaning slightly forward.

    ¡°I will definitely not help you.¡±  Taking a sip of her tea.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Let us just say, I have a lot on my plate and I have a deal with someone, regarding the people of this village and, and!, how could I possibly trust someone, who left me, in the pit of fire, when I needed most, I am not na?ve like Sasuke.¡±

    ¡°Let go girl!, the past is in the past but if you feel like that, then I take it we are enemies.¡±

    ¡°I suppose we are, my dear teacher and mentor.¡±

    ¡°Ahh, how  unfortunate, I was really looking to rekindle our fire, but I suppose it would not be a problem if we sit here and enjoy a last cup of tea together for old times sake?¡¯

    ¡°I suppose not.¡±

    The night sky blanketed Himiko and Nanashi as they sat together, the soft glow of the stars reflecting in their eyes. For hours, they reminisced about the cherished memories of their time as teacher and student in India - the failed plots that had made them laugh until their sides ached, the mischievous adventures that had bonded them like family.

    As the night wore on, a bittersweet realization settled over them. Himiko rose slowly, Nanashi following suit. They stood facing each other, the weight of their parting clear in the slight trembling of Himiko''s hands as she reached out to gently cup Nanashi''s face.

    ¡°I guess this is where our master and student relationship must come to an end,¡±Himiko said, her voice thick with emotion. "We must now be enemies."

    Nanashi''s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he covered Himiko''s hand with her own. ¡®You know what they say - all good things must come to an end. That''s the rule of life.¡¯

    Himiko shook her head, a sad smile tugging at her lips. "That rule does not apply to us."

    They both let out watery chuckles, pulling each other into a fierce, lingering embrace - two souls who had been intertwined for so long, now forced to part ways.

    ¡°Goodbye, my dear teacher,¡± Nanashi murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°Goodbye, my dear student,¡± Himiko replied, her own words catching in her throat. ¡°Until we meet again.¡±

    Reluctantly, they parted, each carrying the other''s memory in their heart as they went their separate ways into the night.

 Yama: The fox of earth, fears and nightmares

    Nanashi watched her friend vanish into the inky darkness of the night, their silhouette swallowed by the shadows. She paused for a moment, allowing a flicker of emotion to cross her face before swiftly shoving it down.

    "Well, that''s quite the dramatic exit," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "Time to get back to the real business at hand."

    Nanashi''s brow furrowed as she considered her next move. "I wonder if the old coot is waiting for me. And more importantly, am I really that power-hungry? Or is that just what they all say about me?"

    She let out a long-suffering sigh, then in a flash, transformed into her sleek fox form. With a flick of her tail, she dashed off towards her mentor''s lair, determination burning in her eyes.

    ¡°YOUR LATE!¡± she shouted, gasping for air, barely able to formulate a proper sentence.

    ¡°Good, seeing that you are willing to get your hands dirty and we are going a little primal.¡±

    "I am so sorry, I promise that it will never happen again. Please forgive my tardiness," Hajimo said, bowing to her.

    "Good, as long as you have learned your lesson and make sure it does not happen ever again, then all is forgiven." replied.

    "Thank you, my student. You seem rather agitated. I take it you have met your enemy, or should I say, your old friend?" Hajimo asked.

    "How do you know that?" Nanashi questioned.

    "You forget, I was the former guardian," Hajimo reminded her.

    "How could I forget, when you remind me every five minutes?" Nanashi quipped.

    "Anyway, I have eyes and ears everywhere," Hajimo said.

    "Everywhere!" Nanashi emphasized.

    "Yes, every... no, no, it is not what you think. Stop it, and do not look at me like that. Show your teacher some respect!" Hajimo roared.

    "Alright, alright, calm down. I said nothing. You confessed on your own accord," Nanashi said calmly.

    "I see we are not in a working mood tonight, so we might as well go home. Good night," Hajimo said, turning to leave.

    "Okay... okay, I apologize for uncovering your dirty deeds, but I promise you, I am in a serious and productive working mood, Sensei!¡¯ Nanashi called in a whiney voice.

    ¡®What?¡±

    ¡°Up my what?¡±

    ¡°Okay, that is it, we done.¡± Hajimo said and began to walk away.

    ¡°Sorry, sorry...sorry,¡± Nanashi mumbled, clinging to her mentor''s pants and refusing to let go, forcing Hajimo to drag her along to their next target.

    ¡°Are you going to release me now that we''re here?¡± Hajimo asked, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ''Honestly, you''re such a troublesome student.''

    ¡°I think I make life more fun,¡± Nanashi retorted, finally releasing her grip. ¡°So, what are we doing at this village?¡±

    ''Your next target,'' Hajimo replied.

    ¡°Oh!'' Nanashi''s eyes lit up with excitement. ''What do I get to absorb today?¡±

    ¡°This is something you cannot absorb. You''re going to have to kill it.¡± Hajimo stated grimly.

    ¡°Kill it? No problem, but why can''t I absorb it?¡± Nanashi asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

    ¡°Because your next target is not just a spirit. It''s made up of mind, body, and soul, and it''s going to put up quite a fight for its life.¡± Hajimo explained.

    ¡°Sounds interesting,¡± Nanashi mused. ''What exactly is it?''

    ¡°Look,''¡±Hajimo said, pointing at a figure walking down the street,  the entity raised its hands in a slow, deliberate gesture, a sound unlike any Nanashi had ever heard before ripped through the night. It wasn''t a scream, nor a growl, but a chorus of despair - a thousand whispers of terror emanating from the darkened windows that lined the street. A malevolent crimson light, thick and oily, writhed around the figure, its edges seeping into the very fabric of reality."Who is that?¡± Nanashi inquired, her eyes wide with concern.

    ¡°Yama, the earth and dream kitsune. He feeds on sadness and fear to grow stronger,¡± Hajimo replied gravely.

    ¡°Okay, so what do we do now?¡± Nanashi asked, her tone resolute.

    ¡°We?¡± Hajimo raised an eyebrow. ''This is all you, girl.''

    ¡°Fine, any advice?¡± Nanashi pressed.

    ¡°Nope,¡± Hajimo said with a shrug. ¡°You''re on your own.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Nanashi exclaimed in exasperation.

    ¡°You know, what they say, a grass hopper cannot eat a blade of grass if his mother eats it for him.¡± Hajimo replied, folding his arms and nodding impressively at his new found and profound knowledge.

    ¡°What crap it that, you suck.¡± Nanshai said, walking off ready to confront her pry.

    "Oi! What are you doing over there? Are you so bored you can''t let people sleep in peace?" Nanashi shouted.

    "Huh?" The man turned his attention to her, his face contorting with disgust the moment he laid eyes on her. "Disgusting. My, aren''t you an ugly fox. Did you fall into a pit of fire before coming here? Ever hear of conditioning oils, like tsubaki or avocado?"

    "I have heard of them too!" Nanashi retorted, transforming into her human form and running her fingers through her hair.

    "I highly doubt it. If you did, you wouldn''t come here looking like a porcupine covered in crude oil. And did you really think that turning into a human would make you look better? Ha! Don''t make me laugh. It''s like a rat applying makeup to its butt, thinking it could smell better."

    Nanashi scoffed. "Seems like I''m getting a taste of my own medicine."

    "What?"

    "Nothing, I just coughed in Chinese."

    "Ugh, not only are you ugly but also disease-ridden. Go back to the red-light district, you whore."

    Top of Form

    Bottom of Form

    ¡®Do not get angry, he feeds off it.¡¯ Hajimo mumbled to himself.

    A crimson fury boiled in Nanashi''s eyes. "That''s it!" she roared, her voice a tremor through the air. With a flick of her wrist, her fan unfurled, a monstrous crimson blossom thirsting for destruction. A whirlwind of fire roared into existence, a maelstrom of molten fury aimed to turn her quarry to ash!

    Hajimo''s scream tore through the cacophony. "No, Nanashi! Not in the village!" But his desperate plea seemed lost on the raging inferno his friend had become. The fan slashed through the air, a comet of searing heat. Hajimo''s heart hammered a frantic tattoo against his ribs as the flames licked impossibly close.

    Then, with a deafening boom, the target of Nanashi''s wrath was ripped from the ground. Yama, caught in the fiery maw of the attack, found himself a helpless puppet flung through the air. Trees exploded like brittle twigs as his body slammed through them, a comet of pain arcing across the night sky. Finally, with a bone-jarring crunch, he slammed into a giant oak, the force enough to momentarily stun him into a dazed silence.

    Nanashi, the crimson inferno momentarily spent, turned to Hajimo. A single, fiery thumbs-up flickered in the fading light before she whipped back around, her fury rekindled, ready to finish what she started. The forest, once serene, now pulsed with the ominous glow of an epic battle.

    A guttural voice, laced with ice, echoed through the clearing. "You!" it boomed, its very utterance causing the temperature to plummet. Frost snaked across the ground, tendrils reaching for Nanashi like skeletal fingers. Behind the enraged figure, the air itself began to warp, reality cracking like a pane of shattered glass.

    "You will pay for your insolence," the voice continued, a low growl that vibrated in Nanashi''s bones. "Did you think," it hissed, its words dripping with venomous condescension, "that I merely subsist on the nightmares and emotions of humans? A mere scavenger?"

    Nanashi scoffed, rolling her eyes dismissively. "Please," she drawled, her voice laced with a nonchalance that bordered on recklessness. "You''re rambling on like a lovesick poet."

    The voice cut through her flippancy with a snarl. "Silence, harlot! I am not limited to consuming their pathetic fears! I weave them into existence! Behold my true power!"

    With a final, earth-shaking crack, the fractured plane of reality shattered completely. A monstrous wind howled from the abyss, a gale reeking of decay and death. From the gaping maw, one by one, nightmarish creatures emerged. Grotesque shapes, formed from the darkest corners of the human psyche, stalked forth, their very presence an assault on the senses. The clearing was no longer a peaceful haven, but a gateway to a terrifying, unimaginable realm, and Nanashi, for the first time, felt a flicker of genuine concern flicker in her fiery gaze.

    "Fool!" Hajimo muttered under his breath, snapping from his trance. "That unholy horde won''t be enough to best Nanashi." He cast a furtive glance around, realizing the stakes were rapidly escalating beyond mere spectacle. "But I can''t let this cataclysmic clash put innocents at risk. Time to quarantine this arcane arena."

    With a flourish, Hajimo weaved his fingers through the air, muttering an ancient incantation under his breath. The very earth seemed to thrum in response. The trees around the clearing, giants slumbering under the watchful gaze of the moon, stirred. A collective sigh rustled through their leaves as they rose, their movements imbued with an otherworldly grace. They stretched upwards, their branches intertwining to form a colossal emerald canopy, its circumference dwarfing the combatants within. Leaves, once still, danced in a mesmerizing rhythm, swirling and weaving a verdant curtain that sealed off the arena from prying eyes. The clearing was transformed into a mystical coliseum, a stage set for a clash of titans, unseen by the outside world but promising a spectacle both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The very air vibrated with anticipation, a silent promise of a battle that would etch itself into the legends of the night.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Tengu¡± Yama muttered

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°You working with him.¡±

    "I work with no one, but  I suggest getting your head from the clouds, for you are about to witness a spectacle that will crack the foundation of your reality."

    Yama tensed, dark energies coiling around his grotesque form as he scanned their vegetal arena. Even Hajimo found himself frozen, senses honed for whatever fresh terror Nanashi was conjuring.

    A thunderous rumbling erupted outside the living barricade, like the footfalls of a thousand-strong army converging. Yama whipped his head about, claws flexing in apprehension of the coming onslaught.

    Then they came - a veritable sea of geckos flooding through gaps in the towering ramparts. Hundreds upon hundreds of the tiny reptiles swarmed forth, arraying themselves before their mistress in rigid legion.

    At their vanguard stood one solitary gecko, adorned in a ridiculously oversized samurai helmet cinched under its chin. Gripped defiantly in its minuscule jaws was a blade of grass, brandished like a mighty katana.

    The absurd sight sparked a convulsion of bitter mirth from the demon Yama. He collapsed in a wheezing, gasping heap, his raucous guffaws echoing through the sylvan colosseum as he clutched his ribs.

    ¡°Imori!, are you serious, what should, I take my shoe off for them.¡±

    The mocking laughter withered on Yama''s lips as Nanashi leveled her crimson gaze upon the gekkos. "You know nothing, defiler," she pronounced in ringing tones. "Have you not heard the ancient proverb - one must never judge the measure of a warrior by their modest visage."

    Her words seemed to catalyse an ancient sorcery slumbering within the tiny reptiles. The assembled ranks began to shudder and convulse in macabre synchronicity.

    Scales fractured like shattering emeralds, plates of delicate armor cracking asunder as something monumental, something primordial, stirred to wakefulness within their flourishing legions. Flesh pulsed and reshaped in grotesque mockery of evolution''s intent.

    Where once huddled a meek congregation of geckos, now rose a vanguard of towering reptilian humanoids - a terrifying fusion of cold-blooded predator and sentient warrior. Sinuous tails whipped the air as each assumed a battle-ready stance, cruel talons flexing around the hilts of wicked-looking blades.

    The gecko standard bearer reared back, unleashing a guttural bellow that shook the verdant arena''s walls. As one, his brethren warriors mirrored the motion, a resounding chromatic war cry issuing from their maws.

    Then, as though controlled by the same hive-mind, each reached to their side and grasped the air...only for shimmering blades to materialize in their clutches, pulled from extradimensional sheathes.

    But these were no mere steel weapons. Each falchion, each katana and gladius blazed with the eerie emerald brilliance of jade - an unmistakable aura indicating these deadly implements were forged to counter magic itself. Searing emerald flames danced along the cutting edges, hissing with arcane potency.

    Nanashi''s lips curved in a serpentine smile as her reborn huscarls brandished their anti-sorcery armaments, a forest of eldritch metal poised to reave apart Yama''s conjured horde. "Now, vile harbinger, let my praetorian cohort demonstrate why their valor remains unmatched, even amongst the ranks of legend!"

    ¡°Are those magic cancelling blades, but how, I thought, there was only one of them and that it had been destroyed but..¡±

    ¡°Are you talking about this one¡¯ Nanashi drew her blade and pointed it at him

    ¡°How!¡±

    ¡°I have my ways but that is enough talk, let us see, what your little dolls of nightmares are  made of, ready men!¡±

    ¡°Hai!¡± they shouted in sync.

    ¡°CHARGE!!!!!!!!!!!!¡±, she said, swung through the air  and the imori man, charged at the enemy.

    ¡°What are you waiting for go!¡± Yama roared.

    Nightmarish maws stretched wide, fangs gnashing as the monstrous horde surged forward. Samurai warriors met the tide of grotesque horrors head-on, blades clashing against razored claws and snapping jaws. The battlefield descended into madness - a cacophony of steel on bone, inhuman shrieks, and the sickening crunch of rending flesh.

    Nanashi''s eyes narrowed as she watched the melee unfold, her grip tightening on the mysterious blade in her hand. "So, the dolls of nightmare have come to play," she murmured, a dangerous edge to her voice.

    Beside her, Yama''s features darkened, his weathered face etched with barely restrained fury. "Then let us see what mettle they are truly made of," he growled. With a curt nod, he broke away from the fray, Nanashi falling into step beside him.

    ¡°Now, that I have you to myself¡­¡±

    ¡°Huh, you would be surprised how many men, want me to themselves, consider yourself lucky.¡± Yama''s lip curled with contempt as he glared at Nanashi.

    ¡°You are so arrogant, it sickens me,¡¯ he spat. ¡®I''ll be doing those men a favour by killing you right here.¡±

    With a resounding clap of his palms, Yama summoned two massive rock hands that surged towards Nanashi, their gargantuan fingers curling menacingly. ¡°Let''s see how you fare against this, little girl.¡± He taunted.

    But Nanashi was faster. In a fluid motion, she leapt into the air, her bow already drawn and an arrow of pure lightning nocked and aimed straight at Yama''s heart. Yet the seasoned warrior remained unfazed, a smug grin spreading across his weathered features.

    Yama''s eyes narrowed as he gestured towards the rock hands, whose fingernails were now transforming into razor-sharp spheres. With a flick of his wrist, the spheres shot upwards, hurtling towards Nanashi like a swarm of deadly projectiles.

    Thinking quickly, Nanashi shifted her aim, firing the lightning arrow directly at one of the approaching spheres. The resulting explosion sent her hurtling backwards, crashing into the trees behind her.

    ¡°There''s no use hiding from me.¡± Yama growled, his hands moving in a complex series of gestures. Suddenly, the swarm of spheres exploded into a hail of jagged shrapnel, raining down on the area where Nanashi had landed. "That''s it for her," he muttered, turning away.

    But just as Yama began to walk away, a crackle of static electricity filled the air, raising the hairs on the back of his neck. Whirling around, he barely had time to react as a blinding light surged towards him, sending him flying through the trees with bone-shattering force.

    ¡°Guess, you are finished.¡± She said, or so she thought.

    As the lingering smoke dissipated, her gaze fixed upon an enigmatic statue ensnared in the gnarled branches above. Within its hollowed eyes, a flicker of life stirred, unsettling in its persistence. With an eerie silence, the statue¡¯s exterior began to fracture, revealing a metamorphosis unfolding. From within the stone chrysalis emerged a figure, resplendent as if adorned by the night itself, hair shimmering with a celestial sheen and skin radiant from the earth¡¯s nurturing embrace.

    ¡°Well, that was a close call, but too, close for comfort, I think I should end you know.¡±

    A defiant snarl ripped from Nanashi''s throat. "Not this time, Yama," she spat, her voice ringing with newfound power. Just as the earth-shaker readied his next assault, Nanashi slammed the pommel of her jade blade into the earth. The ground pulsed with a surge of emerald energy, a shimmering circle erupting around them both.

    Yama''s eyes narrowed. ¡°Foolish trickery! This won''t hold me!¡± He roared, his voice cracking with frustration as he slammed his colossal hands together, unleashing a torrent of arcane energy. But the magic fizzled, dying a pathetic death before even reaching the barrier. Confusion clouded Yama''s face. His power, the very foundation of his dominion, was inert.

    Nanashi''s smug smile widened. "Seems your reign of terror ends here, brute," she taunted, her voice laced with an icy venom. Yama''s gaze darted around the circle, finally landing on the source of his impotence, the silent legion of imori warriors, their blades now embedded in the ground, radiating an emerald glow that hummed with an energy antithetical to his own.

    A guttural roar escaped Yama''s throat. ¡°You''ve tricked me! But even trapped, I can crush you!¡± He charged, a monstrous blur of rage and frustration, his fist aimed at Nanashi with the force of a falling meteor.

    But Nanashi remained unfazed. With a flourish, she brought a hand behind her back, her eyes blazing with emerald fire. As Yama''s fist neared, a silent whisper escaped her lips, a mantra woven from years of arcane study: ¡°Feel the flow, harness the counter, and unleash infinite the void.¡±

    The world lurched. In a blink, Yama vanished, his clothes drifting to the ground like a discarded shroud. The air crackled with the aftershock of his sudden absence. Hajimo, watching from the periphery, stumbled back, his jaw agape in stunned disbelief. Where moments ago stood a monstrous tyrant, now remained a chilling emptiness. The silence that followed was heavy, pregnant with the weight of the unknown. Nanashi stood alone within the emerald circle, a solitary figure bathed in the eerie green light, the victor in a duel that defied explanation. The battle may have quieted, but the true test, it seemed, had just begun.

    ¡®What sorcery is this? Has she raptured him, consumed him into nothingness?¡± Panic clawed at Hajimo¡¯s mind, a torrent of dread at the thought of what he might have unleashed. His heart pounded, each beat a drum of fear, as he grappled with the possibility that he had birthed a monster. And then, slicing through his turmoil, a voice,could it be Yama¡¯s?, echoed, a phantom call that sent shivers down his spine.

    ¡°Oi!, Hajimo, are you still there are you sleeping?¡±

    ¡°Yama, he is still alive!¡¯Hajimo got up and looked down to find Yama waving at him.

    ¡®I did it, Sensei, check out my new skin.¡±

    "New skin, Nanashi? Is that really you?" Hajimo''s voice trembled with disbelief as he stared at the unfamiliar figure before him.

    "''Mhmm, are you proud of...¡± Nanashi''s voice trailed off as her body suddenly lurched forward, crumpling to the ground in a heap. The elegant human facade she had been wearing shimmered and dissolved, revealing her true vulpine form underneath.

    The captain of her imori army, Bunza, rushed to her side, his eyes wide with alarm. "My lady, are you alright?" he demanded, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword.

    Nanashi lifted her head, her usual regal bearing replaced by clear exhaustion. "I am fine, Bunza," she murmured, her voice strained. "You fought well today."

    A flicker of relief crossed Bunza''s features, but it was quickly replaced by a look of growing concern. "Thank you, my lady," he replied solemnly. "But I fear your strength is failing. You will not be able to sustain our human guises much longer."

    Nanashi closed her eyes, a shudder passing through her slender frame. "I am sorry, Bunza. I am feeling... weary." She paused, her words hanging in the charged silence. "I will not be able to give you the power to maintain your human form."

    Bunza''s jaw tightened, but his voice remained steady. "Do not worry about us, my lady," he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You have given us the chance to fight once more after so many years. Now, you must rest. We will find a way to get you home safely." "Calm yourself, my old friend Bunza," Hajimo said, emerging from the shadows of the trees.

    ¡°Tengu, is that you?¡± Bunza asked, eyes wide with disbelief.

    ¡°Yes, it is I.¡±

    "Do my eyes deceive me? We thought you were dead."

    "No, not yet, I''m afraid. Could you offer me some help with her? After all, I''m the one feeding you the power to maintain that form."

    "Anything for my lady," Bunza answered. He picked up his master and began walking home, Hajimo walking alongside him.

    "I must say, Bunza, you have changed a lot, aside from your physical appearance, of course."

    "How do you mean?" Bunza replied.

    "I mean, when I asked for your help in guarding the forest, you declined my offer. You also refused Sasuke¡¯s request, but now you are helping her."

    Bunza scoffed, "That was your problem, and your former student¡¯s."

    "What?" Hajimo asked, puzzled.

    "You wanted me to help you in exchange for what? You and your student were going to use us for battle and nothing else."

    "But isn''t that what you''re doing now?"

    ¡°Indeed, but tomorrow holds a promise of joy,¡± Bunza spoke with a softness that belied his warrior¡¯s exterior. ¡°Our gracious lady will seek an audience with Akiza¡¯s mother, requesting a simple basket. Within its woven depths, she will place us, not as warriors, but as guests of honor, and lead us to a banquet under the stars where the most succulent morsels await our indulgence.¡±

    His eyes gleamed with a rare vulnerability. ¡°In the guise of humans, we shall partake in the forgotten pleasures of life, savoring each moment as if it were our last. And little Akiza¡ªoh, how her laughter becomes the day¡¯s most cherished melody! It is she who reminds us of the warmth we once knew.¡±

    Turning to Tengo, Bunza¡¯s voice held a gentle challenge. ¡°Tell me, Tengo, would you have offered us this semblance of peace? Or would you see us only as pawns in an endless game of war?¡±

    Top of Form

    Bottom of Form

    Hajimo, sighed heavily before he answered, ¡°I guess not¡±

    They reached the burrow, a dark, gaping maw in the earth. Bunza gently lowered Nanashi, her unconscious form a pale weight in his arms. Hajimo, his face etched with a worry that didn''t quite reach his eyes, summoned a tendril of emerald energy that lifted Nanashi deeper into the cool, damp darkness.

    "There," he muttered, the word hollow. Hajimo turned to Bunza, a tense silence stretching between them.

    "Will she be alright?" Bunza rasped, a tremor running through his normally sturdy frame.

    Hajimo''s smile was a thin line, not reaching his eyes. "Of course, just overworked. Nothing to fret about, old friend."

    But the endearment felt hollow, a stark contrast to the urgency that had coloured Hajimo''s voice moments ago. Bunza wasn''t buying it.

    "Stop the charade, Tengu," he snarled, his voice low and dangerous. "I felt it too. The way she drained us, all of us. Even with your...technique, I can barely hold this form. It''s not a simple absorption, is it? Nothing I''ve ever encountered."

    Hajimo''s smile vanished completely, replaced by a steely glint in his eyes. "That''s quite enough, Bunza," he said, his voice like ice scraping against stone. "I have urgent business to attend to. We''ll speak later."

    Before Bunza could protest, Hajimo vanished in a swirling vortex of emerald leaves, leaving behind a lingering scent of ozone and a chilling silence.

    Bunza stared after him, a knot of unease tightening in his gut. What was Tengu hiding? What had Nanashi unleashed with that borrowed power? A shiver ran down his spine, cold despite the setting sun. He knew, with a bone-deep certainty, that this was far from over. With a heavy heart, Bunza shrunk down to his tiny gecko form and darted into the undergrowth, the weight of unspoken secrets clinging to him like a shroud.

 Ova

    Morning dawned, and Nanashi stirred from slumber¡¯s embrace on her own accord, with nary a trace of Akiza to be found. Yet, the essence of Sasuke hung in the air, a silent whisper of his presence. Seizing the opportunity for mischief, she decided to enact a playful ruse upon her self-declared best friend. With a transformation into Yama, she emerged from her den, her form now mirroring that of her own heart¡¯s desire. She frolicked through the forest, her body caressing the bark of trees as she marked her territory with glee. Ascending to the apex of an ancient tree, she danced with abandon, arms flailing to the rhythm of the wind, allowing it to carry her scent afar, a siren¡¯s call woven into the breeze.

    Busying irritating the water tiger over humaning, he caught an unfamiliar scent, causing blood to boil at an unfathomable  temperature.

    ¡°Oh, what is that I smell, seems like there is a new fox in town, or perhaps a new rival, argh, the laws of nature can be so cruel, out with the old and in with the new but what can¡­¡±

    Before the water tiger could finished his profound monologue on the philosophy of life and the law of nature, Sasuke, dashed off kicking dusted in the mouth of the water tiger.

    ¡°There he goes, how nice the energy of the youth, making me miss my days of fighting for dominance and earning the lady¡¯s love.¡± The water tiger finally finished and descend into the water, waiting patiently  for his next human.

    A primal force stirred within Sasuke as he approached the den, his body undergoing a profound transformation. The once-familiar features melted away, revealing his true, fearsome form ¨C a visage reserved for confronting only the most formidable threats.

    His raven locks morphed into a silvery mane, streaked with feral, tiger-like markings that etched themselves across his face. Nails sharpened into lethal claws, and his skin adopted a fair, ethereal glow, accentuating his now-chiseled features that exuded an otherworldly handsomeness.

    Sasuke''s humble priest attire dissolved, replaced by battle-ready garments tailored for combat. Twin blades materialized at his sides, their steel gleaming with a thirst for bloodshed. His ears elongated into pointed tips, and samurai armor adorned his form, imbuing him with an aura of ancient warrior nobility.

    As he neared the den, the trees seemed to sense his presence, parting of their own accord to clear his path. An icy, murderous aura enveloped him, casting a foreboding chill upon the surroundings. The very air grew heavy with the weight of his deadly intent, a harbinger of the carnage that awaited those foolish enough to cross his pat

    Nanashi''s senses prickled as the unmistakable scent of Sasuke wafted through the air, mingling with an ominous presence that sent a chill down her spine. Her playful demeanour evaporated as the trees around her den groaned and twisted, parting against their will to clear a path for an approaching figure.

    Instinctively, she leaped down from her perch, positioning herself before the den''s entrance. The cacophony of cracking and popping branches ascending, heralding the emergence of a shadowed silhouette from the depths of the foliage.

    Nanashi leaned forward, her eyes straining to discern the identity of the being advancing towards her. While the scent was undoubtedly Sasuke''s, the entity that materialized before her seemed to transcend the familiarity of her self-proclaimed best friend.

    A wave of dread washed over her as she took in the sight of the transformed figure. Sasuke''s once-familiar features had given way to a visage of unearthly beauty and power that sent a shudder through her very core. His aura pulsated with an intensity that threatened to suffocate her, a tangible manifestation of the lethal force that now stood before her.

    Nanashi''s breath caught in her throat as she found herself ensnared by the piercing gaze of this otherworldly being, whose very presence seemed to herald a reckoning she could scarcely comprehend.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked trying to keep her cool.

    ¡°I believe that that is my line.¡± He replied, in an ice-cold tone.

    Nanashi, felt a cold chill pass down, her body and every fire of her being begging her not to go forth with the prank but being who she is, things where exciting, so she set forth, ¡°I am Sesshoumaru, lord of everything I set my foot on.¡¯

    ¡°I am Sasuke Hakate.¡±

    ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°I suggest you disappear.¡±

    ¡°Or what?¡± she said confidently, standing up and puffing up his chest.

    ¡°I will make you.¡± A guttural scoff ripped from Nanashi''s throat. "Ha! As if¡ª" The world dissolved into a horrifying vortex of sound and pressure. A scream clawed its way up her throat, but it was choked back by the sensation of her entire body being squeezed in a relentless vice. Bones groaned in protest, threatening to shatter under the unimaginable force.

    Then, blessed silence. Nanashi lurched forward, hands scrambling for purchase on the unforgiving earth. Her vision swam as it flickered back, crimson staining her skin where a trickle of blood snaked down from her nose. A metallic tang filled her mouth, another warmth blooming at her ear. Instinctively, she reached up, fingers brushing against a jagged tear.

    But the terror throbbing in her skull wasn''t from the wounds. It was from the sight that stole her breath. Nanashi whipped her head around, and a primal gasp escaped her. The world behind her was gone. Replaced by a horrifying expanse of raw, exposed earth, smooth and polished like a nightmarish wooden floor, stretching out as far as her eyes could see. The size of a soccer field, at least. A testament to the unimaginable power that had just been unleashed.

    Slowly, her gaze drifted back. Sasuke. He wasn''t standing anymore. He was crouched before her, his face a mere hairsbreadth away. His eyes, usually warm and familiar, now burned with an infernal intensity, a crimson glow echoing the blood staining her flesh. The air around him crackled with a power so raw, so potent, it felt like a living entity, a predator coiling around her very soul. In that moment, Nanashi understood. This wasn''t Sasuke. This was something far more terrifying, far more powerful. And it had her cornered.

    ¡°Will you leave now?¡±

    Nanashi looked him directly in the eye, her gaze unwavering. Suddenly, her hand shot out, delivering a resounding slap across his face. He stumbled backward, caught off guard, and fell to the ground. Fury flashed in his eyes as he shot back up, a roar escaping his lips.

    "Now you will die!" he bellowed, reaching for his sword.

    But just as quickly as his rage had erupted, it dissipated. For there, standing before him, was not the intruder he had expected, but Nanashi herself. Her lips quivered and tears glistened in her eyes, her whole body trembling.

    "Nanashi, what are you doing?" he asked, bewildered.

    "WHA...WHAT AM.. I DOING?" she cried out, the tears streaming down her cheeks.

    Sasuke''s expression softened, and he quickly sheathed his sword. "Yes, and why are you so upset? Did he hurt you in any way? I swear, I''m going to make him pay."

    But Nanashi''s fear and sadness were quickly replaced by a different emotion - pure, unadulterated indignation. She rose to her feet, dusting herself off, and wiped the tears from her eyes.

    "Oi, Sasuke, tell me, honestly, were you born plain stupid?" she huffed, her brow furrowed.

    Sasuke blinked in confusion. "What? I''m here to protect you, and now you''re insulting me?"

    "I am, because how could you not notice that it was me?" Nanashi said, crossing her arms.

    "How?" Sasuke asked, perplexed.

    "I shapeshifted into him to play a prank on you," Nanashi explained, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

    Sasuke paused, then fixed her with a deadpan stare. "Nanashi, tell me, honestly, were you born plain stupid?" he asked, morphing back into his normal form.

    "What!" Nanashi exclaimed, her eyes widening.

    "Seriously, every creature knows that if another male enters another male''s territory, the response is either to chase it away or kill it, which I have just displayed," Sasuke said calmly. "I hope you understand and never do such a thing again, right?"

    ¡°Where is Akiza, why is she not here yet?¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°And she completely ignored, why was excepting anything, else?¡± he muttered.

    ¡°Excuse me, speak up I cannot hear you.¡±

    ¡°She will not becoming today, she has a little fever.¡±

    ¡°Well, why did you earlier, rather coming here to play a silly prank, last one at her house is a stupid, stinky fox.¡± She said ran off, but in a few seconds Sasuke past her and called out to him causing him to stop dead in his treks.

    ¡°Wait?¡±

    ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°I just wanted, that I understand, and I will never do it again, forgive me?¡± she said putting her hands together and bowing her head.

    Sasuke, blushed and laughed nervously, before answering, ¡°No, need to be so formal, we all make mistakes.¡±

    ¡°Gosh, you are stupid, see ya!¡± Nanashi said, and bolted of faster than before.

    ¡°You little cheat!¡± He said and tried run after her but his feet would not move he looked down to find his feet sucked into the ground, ¡®Huh, well played but you are a fool to thing that this is going to keep me put, four legs are faster than two.¡¯ He said, turning himself into a deer and dashed after Nanashi.

    It was not long he got with before he caught up with her, ¡®Remember you are a temple-maiden.¡¯

    ¡°And you a priest.¡±

    Sasuke''s eyes danced with mischief as he replied, "I''ve got this covered." With a graceful roll, he somersaulted across the ground, his form shimmering and shifting until he emerged in his human priest attire, a playful grin etched upon his face.

    Without missing a beat, he took off in a sprint, his robes billowing behind him. But Nanashi was not one to be easily outdone. With a sly smile, she tapped her hands together, conjuring a tiny wall of shimmering energy that sprang up directly in Sasuke''s path.

    Sasuke''s eyes widened comically as he collided face-first with the barrier, his momentum halting abruptly. A muffled "oof" escaped his lips as he tumbled to the ground, his robes askew.

    Nanashi''s melodic laughter rang out, her eyes sparkling with delight. However, her triumph was short-lived, for Sasuke had no intention of letting her get away with such trickery. With a swift motion of his hand, he sent a rippling wave of sand surging towards her feet, causing her to yelp in surprise as she lost her footing and tumbled forward, mirroring his own ungraceful landing.

    For a heartbeat, they both lay sprawled upon the ground, breathless with laughter. But then, as if propelled by some unseen force, they scrambled to their feet, eyes locked in a silent challenge.

    And so began a playful chase, a dance of tricks and laughter, as they weaved their way towards Akiza''s house, leaving a trail of magical mishaps in their wake. Sasuke would conjure gusts of wind to ruffle Nanashi''s hair, only for her to retaliate by conjuring a shower of harmless sparks that danced around his head.

    Their laughter echoed through the streets, a symphony of joy and camaraderie, as they raced and stumbled, tripped and dodged, each determined to outmaneuver the other with their whimsical sorcery.

    ¡°Ha! I beat you!¡± Nanashi said, barely able to catch her breath.

    ¡°No, you did not, I did!¡± Sasuke protested.

    ¡°No, you did not, you cheat.¡±

    ¡°I cheated? Why, you!¡¯

    Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed behind them. ¡°Hey, Orashai!¡±

    Nanashi whirled around, her eyes flashing red and her hair flaring up. She began growling, the sheer intensity of her yokai energy causing the man to fall to the ground, cowering in fear and muttering, "Yo...Yokai!"

    "Nanashi, that is enough," Sasuke said, stepping between them. "Why do you always have to make such a scene?"

    "I..." Before Nanashi could respond, a familiar voice called out to her.

    "Nana," the voice said, as a figure emerged from behind the curtain, instantly pacifying Nanashi''s anger.

    Nanashi spun around and snatched up the newcomer, showering her in adoring kisses. The little girl, Akiza, giggled in delight.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Nanashi lifted Akiza above her head, examining her closely.

    ¡°Sasuke, quick, help my daughter! She''s going to eat her!¡¯  Shippo cried out.

    "Stop it, already, Shippo,"  Suzune said, emerging from the doorway. "The healer said it''s just a light fever, nothing serious."

    "It''s better to be safe than sorry," Nanashi insisted, turning to Sasuke. ¡°Here, do your thing, make sure she never gets sick again. And why is this guy still here?¡±

    ¡°He''s my husband.¡±Suzune replied calmly.

    ¡°Really.¡¯ Nanashi, said, squatting down, grabbing his head in a rough manner and bring him close to her face, examined him, then grabbed his ankle  and stood up raising above the ground, looked at Suzune for a while then back at Shippo, and Suzune again and then one last time and Shippo, ¡°Suzune.¡± Nanshai said sternly.

    ¡°Hai!¡± Suzune responded like a soldier.

    ¡°You could have done better.¡±

    ¡°Come on man!¡± Sasuke erupted, ¡°He is sitting right in front of you.¡±

    ¡®It is okay, Sasuke, that is what her, father, mother, older brother, her younger brother, her older sister and younger, her cousins, and grandmother, grandfather, neighbour and the priest too, I am  use to it now.¡±

    ¡®You really not helping your case here Shippo.¡±

    ¡°Well, I do not care what all of those people say, but the priest too, wow, anyway, what really matters is that he loves me Akiza and I love them too.¡±

    ¡®Oi, what is going on here, are you two some sort of main characters in a play or novel, Suzune, enough of your sad and emotional story, come inside and pour me a some tea.¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±Suzune replied and headed inside.

    ¡°Sasuke, are you done with her, because you are hogging her for far too long.¡±

    ¡°I am, here you go.¡¯ Sasuke said, handing Akiza to her.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, let us go inside, where it is nice and warm.¡± Nanashi said, heading into the house.

    ¡°Quite a fiery one you got yourself there, Sasuke.¡±

    ¡°You are not the first one to say that.¡±

    ¡°Guess, you and I are in the same boat.¡±

    ¡°No, no, we are not, trust me.¡± Sasuke replied with a freezing glare.

    The day unfolded with a serene tranquility, the air filled with laughter as they indulged in an array of family games, weaving memories under the gentle embrace of the sun. As dusk painted the sky in shades of amber and violet, a subtle shift began to take hold. Akiza, Shippo, and Suzune found themselves ensnared by an unanticipated weariness, their once bright eyes now glazed with the onset of fever.

    ¡°Are you all alright?¡± Nanashi asked with evident concern etched upon her features.

    Suzune mustered a weary smile. ¡°We are just a little tired, I suppose, and I think whatever Akiza had is spreading to us, but we will be okay. After all, we are older and a bit more resilient.¡±

    Nanashi furrowed her brow. ¡°Sasuke, can you do your healing thing? Perhaps you can help them recover more swiftly.¡±

    Sasuke''s expression grew pensive. ¡°My healing ability is not as strong as some, since I am not that kind of kitsune, but I will try my best to assist.¡±

    Nanashi nodded, then turned to Shippo with a sly grin. ¡°It is fine, we do not really need Shippo after all.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± Shippo erupted, shaking his fist indignantly.

    ¡°Oh, Nanashi, what are we going to do with you and your mischievous ways?¡± Suzune replied, sighing heavily.

    Nanashi waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Enough talk, let''s tend to Akiza first.¡±

    ¡°Very well,¡± Sasuke said, and began to focus his healing energy, first on Akiza, then Suzune, and finally Shippo. Though the family was not completely healed, they did regain a measure of their strength. ¡°That is all I can do for them for now,¡± Sasuke announced. ¡°With a little rest, they should be back to full strength by tomorrow.¡±

    Nanashi''s face lit up with relief.

    ¡°Thank you, Sasuke. The village and I can always count on you to make things better. You truly are the greatest and strongest yokai of all time.¡± Shippo said, casting a mischievous look at Nanashi.

    ''WHAT!'' Nanashi erupted, hopping to her feet with fists clenched.

    Sasuke shot a withering look at Shippo. ¡°Why, you Shippo,¡± he mumbled, shaking his head.

    ¡°I dare you to say that again, you waste of seamen.¡±

    ¡°I said¡­¡± before Shippo, could spell it out it, Suzune, put her hand in front of his mouth and Sasuke, tossed Nanashi, over his shoulder.

    ¡°Thank you, for having us, bye.¡± Sasuke said and walked out of the house.

    ¡°Put me down, now!¡± Nanashi protested kicking and beating him on his back,  drawing the attention of some of the villagers some so much so, one walked up to him.

    ¡°Sasuke, is everything alright with your temple maiden?¡± a concerned villager asked.

    ¡°Everything is perfectly fine, she is just a little possessed, so I am taking somewhere, where the spirt cannot fly into someone, once I get it out of her.¡±

    The villager immediately back up and let Sasuke pass, Nanashi remained perfectly still while he was talking to village man but as soon as the were out of sight she began once again, kicking and scream, shouting foul words, hair pulling and elbowing but using just enough force to make her refusal seem real but not hurt him.

    "Alright, Lady Nanashi, it seems we have reached your destination. It is time to disembark," Sasuke''s melodic voice rang out, though it was met with silence. "Nanashi?" he called again, but the only response was the gentle whisper of the breeze.

    Concern furrowed his brow as he approached her still form. With the utmost care and reverence, he cradled her delicate frame, taken aback by how ethereally light she felt in his arms ¨C as though she might drift away like a dandelion seed if not handled with the greatest devotion. Her porcelain skin emanated the intoxicating fragrance of roses intertwined with daisies, and Sasuke found himself momentarily entranced.

    "Nanashi, wake up," he murmured, his tone a tender caress against her senses. But her eyes remained closed, her chest rising and falling with the faintest of breaths. A hint of mischief sparked within him. "What game is this now? If you do not wake, I shall have to leave you here on this cold, dewy ground."

    Yet even as the words left his lips, they both knew it was an empty threat. Sasuke could never bring himself to abandon her so callously. Still, Nanashi did not stir, her face an impassive mask save for the ghost of a smile playing upon her lips ¨C for she trusted he would never truly forsake her.

    True to her faith, instead of lowering her to the unforgiving earth, Sasuke gathered her closer and carried her with utmost reverence. As her head came to rest upon a bed of fragrant blossoms, meticulously arranged in a cascading symphony of colours, Nanashi''s eyes fluttered open.

    In that moment, the world around them seemed to still, caught in the rapture of new blooms unfurling their velvet petals to greet the warm caress of the sun''s rays. Nanashi''s breath caught in her throat as she raised herself on one elbow, drinking in the splendour that surrounded her ¨C a vision of nature''s most exquisite artistry.

    ¡°Sauke, Sasuke!¡± she called out but there was no sign of him nor a response, figuring out that he has long left she laid herself back down and drifted into a deep sleep.

    That night, Nanashi found herself drawn like a moth to a flame towards Akiza''s humble abode. Peeking through the window, she couldn''t help but admire the peaceful slumber of her dear friend.

    "Ah, how blissfully one rests when they know they are loved," Nanashi mused, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Especially when that love comes from none other than me!"

    But Nanashi''s mirth quickly turned to mischief as her gaze fell upon the slumbering form of Shippo. "Well, well, look at this disgusting little piglet," she tsked, her eyes gleaming with a hint of devilry. "Just listen to that horrendous snoring! Clearly, he''s having such a wonderful dream."

    Nanashi paused, tapping her chin in an exaggerated display of contemplation. "Now, we can''t have that, can we?" Without further ado, she blew a light, rosy mist towards the unsuspecting Shippo.

    The moment the vapour touched his face, Shippo''s peaceful slumber was shattered. He began to toss and turn, moans and groans spilling from his lips as beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

    Nanashi couldn''t contain her glee, letting out a gleeful cackle. "There, there, Shippo. That''s what you deserve for daring to enjoy yourself while I''m not around!"

    ¡°Is it though?¡±

    A voice came from behind her, making her knees go numb and almost causing her to collapse, but she managed to hang on to the window frame.

 Nanashi VS Sanda the lightning kitsune

    "Hajimo! You startled me."

    "Because you were doing something naughty," Hajimo responded.

    "What do you want? I''m busy. I thought you were out of town to find my next target."

    "Yes, I was, and that is why I am here. But seeing that you are so busy, I guess I shall come back in a few weeks, when you have time."

    "Sensei, my dear, sweet, old and withered away, Sensei, why are you always so serious? You know I like to joke around here and there."

    "Mhmm, I guess that is true."

    "Right, so will you take me?" she said, mocking a pout and making puppy dog eyes.

    Hajimo turned and then sighed heavily. "Come on."

    "Yes!" she said, and ran up to her Sensei, jumping onto his back and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Let''s go!"

    "Shhh! You''re making a noise," he warned.

    ¡°Sorry.¡±

    Hajimo trudged through the unforgiving night, each step a defiance against fate. The mountain loomed like a malevolent titan, its jagged peaks swallowed by thick black mist. Lightning, a wrathful deity, crackled above, casting eerie shadows on the treacherous path. Nanashi¡¯s hair stood on end, a testament to the electric tension in the air¡ªa symphony of danger and anticipation.

    And there it was, the white nine-tailed kitsune, an ethereal predator. Its tails, like celestial blades, glowed with an otherworldly blue¡ªthe colour of forgotten magic. The creature feasted upon its prey, crimson blood staining its maw. Its eyes, twin orbs of ancient knowledge, locked onto Hajimo. With deliberate grace, it raised its head, revealing fangs sharp enough to pierce souls. The bloodlust in its gaze promised both ecstasy and doom.

    As if savoring the moment, the kitsune licked its lips¡ªa serpent¡¯s languid motion. The taste of spilled life clung to its tongue, a macabre delicacy. In that charged silence

    ¡®So, the appointed time has come, my old friend Tengu,¡¯ the towering kitsune rumbled, its deep voice reverberating like rolling thunder.

    Nanashi stirred in Hajimo''s arms. "Why is everyone calling you Tengu?" she whispered, her words faint.

    "Not now, Nanashi." Hajimo''s voice was taut. "Yes, it has come. And I think you know what is about to happen, for I know how you loved that village."

    The kitsune''s lips peeled back in a vulpine sneer. "True, but you had promised me that I would not give it up without a fight. That you would make it worth my while by letting me relive one last day of my youth."

    Hajimo set Nanashi down gently, her form swallowed by the swirling mists. "Yes, I can still fight. But unfortunately, I will not be the one battling today, as you can see..." He swept an arm down his wizened frame. "I am barely a shadow of what I once was."

    The kitsune''s tails lashed behind it like a gathering storm. "So what now, pray tell?" it growled.

    "I have brought someone that will make it worth your while," Hajimo replied grimly. "Someone who will give you a real run for your money." He stepped aside, revealing a slight female figure silhouetted in the gloom.

    The kitsune threw back its head and laughed, a sound like shattering ice. "A woman? I appreciate the gesture but I am in no mood for such...dalliances."

    "Excuse me."

    The soft voice cut through the kitsune''s mocking laughter like a blade. In a blur of motion, Nanashi drew and loosed a glowing arrow of pure energy straight at the kitsune''s heart.

    The kitsune didn''t even flinch as the blazing projectile streaked towards it. It simply stood its ground, allowing the arrow to slam into its chest. The lightning blast dissipated in a crackling burst, leaving the kitsune unscathed.

    "Odd..." it rumbled, dark amusement lacing its tone. "That actually stung a little.¡±

    ¡°Did, you really, just fire a lighting arrow and a lighting kitsune?¡± Hajimo asked her.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°WHY!¡¯

    ¡°I wanted to see, whose lighting is stronger.¡± Nanashi, replied plainly.

    ¡°You know, what Tengu, your student¡¯s brazen attitude, intrigues me, maybe I will take you up on your offer.¡±

    ¡°Oi, why do you make it sound like you had a choice, I was going to kill you weather you agreed to it or not, Hajimo, I am a little tired, I want to sleep.¡±

    ¡°This is no time to joke around, this guy is seriously powerful.¡± Hajimo, protested.

    ¡°I cannot help it, I am a sleepy girl, besides, I think Yama, would be a better choice for him.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, Yama is dead, I saw you absorb him.¡±

    ¡°Yes, you did but that does not mean he is dead, his spirt is and body is still with me, just look.¡± A gasp escaped Nanashi''s lips. With a graceful clap of her hands, the air shimmered and coalesced behind Hajimo. A portal, swirling with vibrant hues like the dawn sky, materialized. A gentle breeze, fragrant with the scent of a thousand blooming flowers, wafted out, carrying with it the most unexpected sight. There, emerging from the portal, stood Yama. Gone was the usual stoicism etched on his face. Instead, a radiant smile lit up his features, the likes of which Nanashi had never witnessed. He was adorned in garments the colour of moonlight, shimmering with an otherworldly elegance. It was a transformation so complete, so unexpected, that for a moment, the weight of the impending battle seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of wonder and a flicker of hope.

    ¡°Yama, but how?¡¯

    ¡°Tengu!, what a pleasant surprise?¡±

    ¡°Pleasant?¡± Hajimo, responded with a confused expression.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°Okay, if you two, want to have a catch session and spill some tea, then go on without me, my beauty sleep is calling me.¡± She said, summoning a recline chair made from stone and covered thick moss, threw herself on it, rolled around on it and purred like a cat, ¡®Now, that is good, not good as Sasuke¡¯s but good enough for me.¡¯ Than dosed off to sleep.

    ¡°Is she really sleeping at a time like this?¡± Yama asked.

    ¡°Yes, believe it or not.¡±

    ¡°Her carefree spirt, remains you of someone does she not, Tengu?¡± The air crackled with tension as Yama and Hajimo''s eyes flew wide, their hearts hammering against their ribs. There, looming behind Nanashi''s chair like a specter of death, stood Sanda in his human form. His presence alone seemed to suck the oxygen from the air.

    Time slowed to a crawl as Sanda''s hand ignited with crackling energy. A blade of pure plasma formed around his index finger, its electric-crimson glow casting eerie shadows across his face. His eyes, cold and predatory, locked onto Nanashi''s exposed neck.

    Yama''s mind raced, adrenaline surging through his veins. He had mere milliseconds to act before Sanda''s lethal strike would find its mark. With a desperate surge of power, he slammed his foot into the ground.

    The chair beneath Nanashi exploded into motion. A wooden appendage burst forth, whipping around with bone-crushing force. It connected with Sanda''s midsection with a sickening thud, launching the would-be assassin across the rocky mountain floor.

    Sanda''s body arced through the air, the plasma blade sputtering and dying as he crashed against the far wall. The impact shook the entire room, leaving everyone frozen in shock at how close they''d come to witnessing a murder.

    ¡°I believe, I am your opponent.¡± Yama said, jumping over the chair.

    "Forgive me, how rude of me," Sanda''s voice dripped with venom, his eyes glinting with malice. In a heartbeat, he unfurled two more fingers, transforming the crimson plasma into a blinding blue inferno. Twin blades of pure energy erupted from both hands, their hum filling the air with promised destruction.

    Yama''s blood ran cold. Time seemed to slow as he channelled his power, cracking a single finger. The ground beneath them groaned and shifted.

    Sanda leapt, a blur of motion, just as a colossal stone fox head erupted from the floor. Its jaws snapped shut with crushing force, missing Sanda by a hair''s breadth. Yama''s fleeting moment of triumph evaporated as an unearthly whine pierced the air.

    The fox''s mouth exploded in a shower of stone and dust. From within emerged Sanda, wreathed in a cerulean tornado of plasma. He landed on a falling chunk of debris, using it as a springboard to launch himself at Yama with terrifying speed.

    Desperation fuelled Yama''s next move. He whipped out an ornate fan, its metal ribs glinting as he swept it before him. A roaring vortex of flame erupted, threatening to engulf Sanda whole.

    But Sanda was ready. With a guttural cry, he summoned a dragon of pure lightning. Fire and electricity collided in a cataclysmic explosion that shook the very foundations of the building. The shockwave sent both combatants skidding backwards, ears ringing from the deafening boom.

    Through the swirling smoke and debris, Sanda became a phantom. He moved with inhuman speed, creating a dizzying array of afterimages that surrounded Yama.

    ¡°Can you guess, which one is the real me before it is too late.¡±  He said. Sanda charged, a whirlwind of lethal intent. But Yama stood unmoving, a statue of eerie calm amidst the chaos. His eyes, sharp and focused, betrayed the torrent of power surging through his veins. In that moment, he was more than himself ¨C he was the living embodiment of Nanashi''s techniques, honed to perfection.

    The air screamed as Sanda''s afterimages converged. One, two, three, four phantoms passed through Yama like ghosts, their blades finding no purchase. Then came the real strike ¨C a blow meant to sever head from body in a spray of crimson.

    But the impossible happened.

    Sanda''s plasma sword, crackling with enough energy to cleave stone, slid through Yama''s neck as if he were made of mist. For a heartbeat, time stood still. Sanda''s eyes widened in disbelief, his momentum carrying him forward as Yama''s form shimmered like a mirage.

    Then, erupting from Yama''s back in a nightmarish spectacle, another body emerged. Its jaw unhinged, stretching to inhuman proportions. From deep within its grotesque maw came a roar that shook the very air, and with it, a torrent of molten fury.

    Lava, as bright as the sun and just as merciless, surged towards Sanda. The heat alone was enough to sear flesh from bone. In that split second, facing annihilation, Sanda''s survival instincts kicked into overdrive.

    With a primal scream, he forced his plasma energy to envelope his entire body. The air around him warped and sizzled as an iridescent shell materialized, mere nanoseconds before impact.

    The lava struck with the force of a freight train. Steam exploded outward as molten rock met plasma barrier. Sanda''s feet dug furrows into the ground as he was pushed back, his teeth gritted in a rictus of agony and determination. His shield held, but barely ¨C the outer layer bubbling and hissing, threatening to give way at any moment.

    ¡°Old man, Suzuki.¡± Sanda said in a surprised tone.

    ¡°Huh, you still alive Sanda.¡±

    ¡°Where are your children, what have you become?¡±

    ¡°We are not one but many, we are Yama Suzuki and others.¡±

    "Disgusting!" Sanda spat, his voice dripping with malice. "But worry not, friend. I''ll put you out of your misery soon enough." His eyes glinted with a predator''s hunger as he unfolded his pinkie finger.

    The air itself seemed to recoil as Sanda''s plasma flame transformed. The light blue energy paled, intensifying into a blinding white that seared the eyes. The very molecules around him vibrated with barely contained power.

    Once again, Sanda''s form blurred, splitting into multiple afterimages. But this time, something was different. These weren''t mere illusions ¨C each shimmering copy pulsed with a terrifying sense of solidity.

    Yama-Suzuki''s heart raced. He couldn''t risk underestimating this new threat. With a battle cry that shook the foundations, he charged at the nearest cluster of Sandas, his fists trailing golden energy.

    Too late, he realized his fatal error.

    The moment his attacks connected, the Sanda-clones dissolved into wisps of light. A decoy. A distraction. Yama''s blood ran cold as the horrifying truth dawned on him. Nanashi had been the true target all along.

    Time slowed to a crawl as Yama spun around. There stood Sanda, looming over Nanashi, his plasma blade poised to strike. Yama''s scream of warning died in his throat, knowing he was too far away to intervene.

    But in that moment of absolute despair, the impossible happened.

    Nanashi''s body convulsed, and from within her erupted a skeleton of pure, radiant gold. Its eye sockets blazed with otherworldly power as it snapped to life, catching Sanda''s descending arm in a grip of unbreakable force.

    Sanda''s eyes widened in shock and terror as the skeleton yanked him forward. His momentum betrayed him, bringing his face directly into Nanashi''s waiting palm.

    "Bye-bye," Nanashi whispered, her voice echoing with an ancient power that sent chills down Yama''s spine.

    Before Sanda could even scream, his body began to warp and twist. Light poured from his eyes and mouth as Nanashi''s power consumed him. In a heartbeat that felt like an eternity, Sanda ¨C the unstoppable force that had nearly destroyed them all ¨C was gone, absorbed into the very being he had sought to destroy.

    "Geez, guys, you had me worried there for a second. A lady can''t even nap in peace!" Nanashi roared, her voice echoing through the forest.

    "You''re a lady?" Yama asked, eyebrow raised. "I thought ladies were supposed to have a smidgen of refinement and class. As for you..."

    "Be gone!" Nanashi erupted, causing Yama Suzuki to vanish in a puff of smoke.

    "Whoa!" Hajimo exclaimed. "You had me worried there for a second. I thought you were a goner."

    Nanashi scoffed. "Me? Lose to someone like that? Have a little faith in me, Sensei."

    "I do," Hajimo chuckled. "By the way, how are you feeling now? You usually¡ª"

    "I''m actually fine," Nanashi interrupted. "I feel... average. Not tired, but I still want to hibernate for a century or two, you know?"

    "Can''t say I do," Hajimo mused. "Seems like I had nothing to worry about at all."

    "What?"

    "Nothing, just thinking out loud."

    Nanashi suddenly clutched her knee. "Now that I think about it, I''m feeling a little weak in the ankles and a strange pain in my knees."

    "That''s your elbow," Hajimo pointed out.

    "Well, you know," Nanashi said dramatically, "being a fox sometimes and then a human, confusion tends to take place. Especially after the near-death experience of almost receiving head trauma. So, to lessen the burden on my failing body and addled mind, you should carry me home."

    Hajimo''s eyes suddenly widened. "Sasuke, what are you doing here?" he said, looking behind Nanashi.

    "Where?" Nanashi reacted, quickly flattening her hair and adjusting her garments. She spun around, "You know, you¡ªwait, where is he?" She turned back to find Hajimo already sprinting into the forest.

    "Argh, Sensei, you cunning old coot!" Nanashi erupted, chasing after him. "Come back here! I thought foxes were supposed to be the tricksters!"

 The return of Su Da Ji the great terror

    The scent of Sauske slithered into Nanashi''s nostrils, yanking her from slumber. A wicked grin crept across her face as she purred, "Trying to sneak past me to Akiza, are we? Oh, you poor, misguided fool..."

    She sprang from her resting place, only to freeze mid-step. Where lush grass once carpeted the ground, now lay a sea of ash. The trees, once proud and strong, stood as charred skeletons against the eerie dawn. It was as if Death itself had danced through the night, leaving only devastation in its wake.

    A prickling sensation crawled up Nanashi''s spine. Slowly, she raised her eyes to meet Sauske''s smoldering gaze. He perched on a blackened branch, a dark silhouette against the backdrop of the rising sun.

    "Sauske," she breathed, her voice barely above a whisper, "what twisted game have you begun?"

    ¡°I am was about to ask you the same question.¡± He replied coldly.

    ¡°I know nothing.¡±

    Nanashi." Sauske''s voice deepened, stern and accusing. "Did you start a fire and leave it unattended?"

    "NO!" Nanashi shouted, indignant. "I was asleep! Besides, do you really think I''d be so careless?"

    Sauske''s eyes narrowed. "I don''t know. Step on the ash and see what happens. It''s as if death itself passed through here, but only in this spot around your den."

    Nanashi''s eyes flashed. "I bet it was Jorogumo!"

    Sauske sighed, exasperated. "Again with this? Would you stop blaming her for every misfortune that befalls you?"

    "Am I wrong?" Nanashi challenged. "Doesn''t she prey on the life force of young, lustful men?"

    "True, but we can''t jump to conclusions. Come on, Akiza is waiting."

    Nanashi crossed her arms. "Why should I come to you? You come to me. What kind of man lets a woman risk danger first?"

    Sauske smirked. "Ah, playing on my ego and my honour as a samurai..."

    "You''re not a samurai!" Nanashi protested. "They never accepted you as one!, they took one look at you and ran for the hills."

    Sauske''s smile faltered. "Thank you. You always know how to boost my confidence."

    Nanashi''s tone softened. "Which is great, really. If you were a true samurai, you''d be so uptight and boring, always busy. Just think how dull and lonely my days would be without my best friend around."

    Sasuke''s fox ears suddenly sprouted, twitching with curiosity. "What did you say?" he inquired, tilting his head slightly to the side.

    Nanashi''s eyes glimmered mischievously. "Why don''t you come here and I''ll whisper it into your ear?" she cooed, faking shyness behind her hands.

    Without a second thought, Sasuke bounded over to her like an eager puppy. A sly smile tugged at the corner of Nanashi''s lips as she murmured to herself, "Men are so delightfully simple."

    "Yes?" Sasuke leaned in, ears perked forward. "You were saying?"

    Nanashi gracefully crawled out of her den, stretching languidly. "Oh, just that it looks safe to me. Thank you, friend. I can always count on you." She flashed him a winning smile. "So, are you coming or not?"

    "Huh? Oh, sure," Sasuke replied, with a dumbfounded expression plastered across his face as he trailed after her.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    The forest whispered secrets as Nanashi and Sasuke ventured deeper. Suddenly, laughter pierced the eerie silence - Suzane and Akiza emerged from the shadows, waving innocently. Nanashi''s eyes lit up at the sight of her beloved Akiza. Without thinking, she sprinted forward, her form shimmering as she shifted to human.

    In that instant, Sasuke felt it - a violent ripping sensation as if his very essence was being torn away. He staggered, nearly collapsing as realization dawned, horrifying and absolute. The mysterious fever, the lifeless circle around Nanashi''s den - it all clicked into place with terrifying clarity.

    "It wasn''t Jorogumo or Death," he whispered, voice trembling. "It was you. You''re a black hole of death."

    Oblivious to the danger, little Akiza broke free from her mother''s grasp, running towards Nanashi with pure joy. Time seemed to slow as Sasuke''s body contorted, taking on his forbidden form. He lunged desperately, claws outstretched, but it was too late.

    Mere steps from Nanashi, Akiza crumpled to the ground. The light in her eyes extinguished as swiftly as a candle in a storm.

    Nanashi''s scream shattered the air, a sound of primal anguish that sent birds fleeing from the trees. "AKIZA!" she wailed, pushing herself faster, desperate to reach the fallen child.

    But before she could close the gap, an iron grip seized her from behind. Claws dug into her flesh as Sasuke hurled her backward with inhuman strength. Nanashi''s body tore through ancient trees, splintering wood and crushing foliage in her wake.

    Rising from the destruction, Nanashi''s form crackled with barely contained electrical energy. Her eyes, once warm, now blazed with fury and confusion.

    "Sasuke!" she roared, the sound reverberating through the suddenly silent forest. "What is the meaning of this?"

    The air grew thick with tension as Sasuke''s eyes widened in horror, fixated on his withered hand. Blackened flesh clung to bone, a macabre testament to some unspeakable curse.

    "What have you done?" he whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling with a mixture of fear and accusation.

    Nanashi''s face contorted, a war of emotions playing across her features. "I... I didn''t..."

    Sasuke''s next words cut through the air like a blade. "For your insatiable lust for power, you''d sacrifice innocent lives? The very people who trusted you?"

    Confusion and panic danced in Nanashi''s eyes. "What are you saying? Why do you look like that? I don''t understand!"

    His voice grew colder, each word a dagger to her heart. "It wasn''t jorogumo or some vengeful spirit. It was you, Nanashi. You drained the life from the forest. You poisoned the earth. And now... now you''ve nearly killed little Akiza."

    The accusation hung in the air, suffocating. Nanashi staggered backward, clutching her head as if trying to keep her world from shattering. "No... No! I''m not a monster! Suzune, please! You know I''d never harm her. Never!"

    She reached out desperately, but Sasuke stepped forward, shielding Suzune. The latter turned away, unable to meet Nanashi''s pleading gaze.

    Nanashi''s voice cracked, raw with anguish. "I''m not like them! Those who falsely accused me before. I loved the general''s children! I may be different, but I''m capable of love. Sasuke, please... you have to believe me!"

    His response was a whisper, heavy with finality. "Please, just go."

    "Suzune..." Nanashi''s plea went unanswered.

    She collapsed to her knees, a broken doll. Tears carved paths down her cheeks as she gripped her skull, nails digging into flesh. "No... not again. I can''t... I won''t let this happen again!"

    Her forehead struck stone as she fell forward, blood mingling with tears. She thrashed in agony, both physical and emotional.

    Sasuke moved to help, but Suzune held him back, her own tears falling silently.

    Suddenly, Nanashi''s head snapped up, her eyes wild and unfocused. "I''ll fix myself," she muttered, a maniacal edge to her voice. "Yes, yes, that''s what I''ll do."

    She scrambled to her feet and fled, leaving behind only the echo of her sobs and the hollow feeling of a friendship irreparably shattered.

    Sasuke''s eyes lingered on the path where Nanashi had disappeared, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. "Maybe... I should go after her," he murmured, turning to Suzune.

    Suzune shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "No. It''s best to leave her alone for now."

    As the words left her lips, an unnatural chill swept through the forest. The leaves seemed to shudder, and shadows deepened in impossible ways. Unbeknownst to Suzune, she had just uttered what would become the most catastrophic advice of her life.

    In the distance, Nanashi''s retreating form blurred and twisted, her silhouette morphing into something ancient and terrifying. The air grew thick with malevolence, and the very ground seemed to recoil from her footsteps.

    The unsuspecting inhabitants of the arched forest paradise continued their lives, blissfully unaware of the nightmare about to unfold. Birds sang their last songs, small creatures scurried about in what would be their final moments of peace.

    For Su Daji - the great terror, a being of unfathomable cruelty and insatiable hunger - had awakened within Nanashi. Her emergence cast a pall of doom over the land, promising a reign of suffering that would echo through generations.

 The quest for the kirin part one

    The unsuspecting inhabitants of the arched forest paradise continued their lives, blissfully unaware of the nightmare about to unfold. Birds sang their last songs, small creatures scurried about in what would be their final moments of peace.

    For Su Daji - the great terror, a being of unfathomable cruelty and insatiable hunger - had awakened within Nanashi. Her emergence cast a pall of doom over the land, promising a reign of suffering that would echo through generations.

    As Nanashi approached the arch, her form shimmered and blurred, reality bending around her as she cast an intricate illusion. With a surge of dark energy, she burst through the barrier, activating the ancient guardian spell that had long protected this sacred ground.

    No sooner had she set foot in the sanctuary than three majestic lion-dogs materialized before her, their very presence exuding an aura of otherworldly power. The largest of the trio, a beast with a mane of swirling golden flames and eyes like molten amber, stepped forward.

    "What do you seek here?" its voice rumbled like distant thunder.

    Nanashi''s lips curled into a deceptive smile. "I am a yokai, like you. This sanctuary is my home as well."

    The second guardian, its fur a shimmering silver that seemed to capture moonlight, narrowed eyes of glacial blue. "Falsehood. We sense the taint of malevolence upon you."

    "You misunderstand," Nanashi countered smoothly. "I merely seek the kirin. Where might I find it?"

    The third lion-dog, smallest but most lithe, its coat a deep emerald that rustled like wind through leaves, growled softly. "To what end?"

    "For healing," Nanashi replied, her voice dripping with feigned innocence.

    The golden-maned leader''s eyes flashed dangerously. "The kirin does not heal those with darkness in their hearts. Leave this place."

    A flicker of annoyance crossed Nanashi''s face. "So you refuse to aid me?"

    "We have made our stance clear," the leader snarled, muscles rippling beneath its radiant coat as it adopted an aggressive posture.

    Nanashi''s form shimmered once more, revealing her human guise. "Pity. I had hoped to avoid... unpleasantness."

    Suddenly, the forest floor pulsed with an otherworldly energy. The lion-dogs felt their strength being siphoned away, their very essence under assault. They recoiled, shocked by the sudden attack.

    "I tire of this charade," Nanashi hissed, her true nature bleeding through. "Tell me where the kirin hides, or suffer the consequences!"

    The guardians exchanged a glance, their resolve unshaken despite the drain on their power. As one, they roared their defiance, the sound shaking the very trees around them.

    "NEVER!"

    A cruel smile played across Nanashi''s lips, her eyes glinting with malice. "So be it."

    The air crackled with malevolent energy as Nanashi''s words hung in the air. In a blur of motion too swift for mortal eyes, the silver and emerald lion-dogs lunged at her. Their ferocious attack, however, was met with a display of power that defied comprehension.

    With a mere gesture from Nanashi, the earth itself betrayed the guardians. Grotesque, tree-like spears erupted from the ground, impaling the noble beasts mid-leap. Their agonized howls were cut short as the spears blossomed, sending tendrils of suffering throughout their bodies. Where life once flowed, now sprouted blood-drenched roses, a macabre testament to Nanashi''s twisted power.

    The golden-maned leader, eyes wild with fury and grief, charged at his companions'' bodies. With a strength born of desperation, he shattered the base of the horrific structures, freeing his fallen comrades.

    "You will pay for this!" The lion''s roar shook the very foundations of the forest.

    As he prepared to unleash his full might upon Nanashi, she summoned forth a colossal golden skeleton, its ethereal bones gleaming with otherworldly power. Yet even this formidable construct struggled to contain the guardian''s raw strength. Nanashi''s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of intrigue crossing her face as she called forth two more skeletal giants.

    Undeterred, the lion unleashed a supersonic roar that devastated the surrounding area, uprooting trees and scarring the earth. Nanashi stood unmoved, a cruel smile playing across her lips.

    "Impressive," she purred, her voice dripping with dark amusement. "But you''ve just given me the most delightful idea."

    Her hands flashed through a series of arcane gestures. The ground beneath the lion liquefied, swallowing him whole before transmuting into solid rock, leaving only his proud head exposed.

    "Thank you, my pets," Nanashi cooed to her skeletal minions as they faded from existence. She sauntered towards the trapped guardian, every movement exuding dominance and lethal grace.

    "Now then, shall we discuss the whereabouts of the kirin?"

    The lion''s eyes blazed with defiance. "I would sooner embrace oblivion."

    "How noble," Nanashi sneered. She placed her hand upon the guardian''s head, her touch a perversion of gentleness. "And how utterly useless."

    Power surged between them as Nanashi began to absorb the lion''s very essence. His roars of defiance faded to whimpers, then to silence.

    "Hmm, such strength," she mused, flexing her fingers as new power coursed through her veins. "A pity your knowledge wasn''t as formidable as your might."

    Nanashi ventured deeper into the forest, her steps bold and unwavering. Suddenly, a violent gust of wind slammed into her, forcing her back. In the same instant, a searing pain shot through her arm. Her eyes darted down, catching a fleeting glimpse of emerald fur and gleaming fangs. A fox? But not like any she''d ever seen.

    The creature''s eyes locked with hers for a fraction of a second. Nanashi''s lips curled into a knowing smirk, a challenge dancing in her gaze. Startled by her audacity, the beast released its grip and vanished into the shadowy undergrowth.

    But Nanashi knew this was far from over. Her heightened senses tingled, alerting her to the imminent danger. From the corner of her eye, she spotted a flash of orange light erupting from the canopy above. A fireball hurtled towards her, its heat already singeing the air around her.

    Lesser warriors might have ducked or fled. Not Nanashi. With a casual grace that belied the peril, she arched her back in an exaggerated yawn, as if bored by the spectacle. The fireball engulfed her, its flames licking at her skin.

    "Yes, we did it!" A triumphant voice rang from the canopy above. Emerging from the foliage, a majestic two-tailed cat with fur that shimmered like starlight materialized. Kagome, for it was she who had unleashed the fireball, gazed down with eyes that glowed like twin moons.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    "She is definitely a goner now," the emerald-furred kitsune said, wisps of wind swirling around her paws as she stepped from the shadows. This was Kaze, her very presence seeming to make the air dance.

    Nanashi, untouched by the inferno, casually shook off the flames as if discarding an unwanted cloak. "I wouldn''t be so sure about that," she drawled, her voice dripping with condescension.

    Kagome''s ears twitched in disbelief. "How...? I would have been disappointed if that was all it took to kill you."

    "You don''t say," Kaze muttered, her tails weaving intricate patterns in the air. "But it seems there''s more to her than meets the eye, Kagome."

    The celestial cat hissed, "Seriously, Kaze? We talked about this. Don''t use our real names in front of the enemy!"

    "But you just did," Kaze pointed out, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

    Nanashi, watching this exchange with growing amusement, couldn''t resist interjecting. "Is your real name ''wind''?" she asked Kaze, her tone mockingly sweet.

    "No," the kitsune replied, a gust of wind ruffling her fur.

    Nanashi sighed heavily, shaking her head. "I swear, my enemies are getting dumber by the generation."

    "What did you say?" Kagome growled, her twin tails lashing.

    "Nothing," Nanashi replied with a smug look. "I just coughed in Hindi."

    Kagome''s eyes narrowed. "I really can''t stand you fox creatures."

    "Funny you should say that," Nanashi retorted, her voice sharp as a blade. "From what I can see, your friend over there is a fox creature just like me. I take it you''re the type of creature I can''t stand."

    "And what type is that?" Kaze asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

    Nanashi tapped her index finger on her lips, feigning deep thought. "You know, the type that says one thing and does another. What does one call them?"

    "A two-faced snake?" Kaze offered, wind whistling through her fur.

    "Correct, my kitsune sister!" Nanashi exclaimed with exaggerated enthusiasm. "A two-faced snake. Or in her case," she nodded towards Kagome, "a two-tailed cat."

    "Ooh, burn," Kaze chuckled, a small whirlwind forming at her feet.

    Kagome''s fur bristled, starlight sparking along her tails. "Kaze, whose side are you on anyway? No matter, I''ll end you. Watch this two-tailed cat rip you apart!" She made to pounce, but Kaze''s wind barrier held her back.

    "No, wait," Kaze cautioned, her eyes swirling with ancient wisdom. "That''s what she wants. I felt something strange when I bit her earlier, as if I was being pulled into her. We should keep our distance, at least until Sasuke arrives."

    Nanashi''s laughter echoed through the forest, rich with arrogance. "How observant of you. I expected nothing less from a fellow creature of myth. But you''re wrong about one thing," her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "The person you''re counting on to rescue you? He won''t show up. Not now, not ever."

    ¡°What do you mean¡±¡¯  Kaze asked, with a hint of confusion and concern in her voice.

    Nanashi''s eyes gleamed with an otherworldly light as she spoke, her voice resonating with power that seemed to ripple through the very fabric of reality:

    "Fools. Before I even set foot in this so-called paradise, my illusion spell was already in motion. But this is no amateur''s trick, no mere veil cast over the scene."

    She raised her hand, and the air around them shimmered, revealing glimpses of complex, arcane symbols etched into the very atmosphere.

    "What I''ve woven is a tapestry of deception so intricate, it recreates time and space itself. Your precious sanctuary now exists in two realms simultaneously ¨C the true world, and my simulacrum."

    A cruel smile played on her lips as she continued, her words dripping with smug satisfaction:

    "But that''s not all. While you fumble in this false reality, I''ve shifted myself into a dimension beyond your reach. Your hero, your great hope? He''ll charge in, blind and oblivious, trapped in a perfect simulation where his every heroic effort is nothing but a futile dance for my amusement."

    ¡°Well, that is perfect for us, now I have no excuse to hold back.¡± Kagume replied.

    ¡°I was hoping you would say that.¡±

    ¡°Lets do it sister.¡± Kaze said looking at Kagume.

    ¡°Huh, you say it like you are actually going to win.¡±

    Kaze stepped forward, her emerald eyes flashing with determination. A tempest roared to life around her, leaves and branches swirling in a frenzied dance. The tornado engulfed her completely, its howling winds drowning out all other sounds. When it finally dissipated, a vision of breathtaking beauty stood in the kitsune''s place.

    Where once was fur now cascaded obsidian hair, flowing like liquid night down to her waist. A kimono of the deepest forest green hugged her lithe form, embroidered with patterns of wind and leaf that seemed to shift and move of their own accord. Her human visage was ethereal, with high cheekbones and lips curved in a knowing smile. Though her tails were hidden, the raw power of the wind still danced around her, hinting at the formidable yokai beneath this divine facade.

    Not to be outdone, Kagome underwent her own transformation. The air shimmered with heat as her fur receded, revealing smooth skin that glowed with an inner light. Her feline features melted away, replaced by the visage of a warrior goddess. Cropped ebony hair framed a face of striking beauty, with eyes that retained their catlike shape - pools of golden fire that seemed to peer into one''s very soul.

    Her new form was athletic and powerful, draped in armour that gleamed like polished moonstone. Two tails, now seemingly crafted from living flame, lashed behind her with barely contained energy. In her right hand materialized a spear of celestial silver, its tip crackling with suppressed lightning.

    Both women now stood as divine warriors, their beauty matched only by the aura of lethal grace that surrounded them. The forest itself seemed to bow in their presence, recognizing the manifestation of primal forces given human form.

    Kaze and Kagome locked eyes with Nanashi, their expressions a mix of determination and barely restrained power. The true battle was about to begin, and the very air trembled in anticipation of the clash between these titanic beings.

    ¡°So, this is the grand transformation, uhmm, Nice work, kaize but as for kagome, your transfiguration needs some work, I mean if I were a guy that would be a major turn off, seriously.¡± Nanashi said rolling her eyes.

    ¡°I am going rip her face off with my bare hands!¡± Kagome roared.

    ¡°NO!, did not listen to me earlier, there is something wired going on with her body.¡±

    Nanashi''s eyes glinted with deadly precision as she spoke, her voice a low, menacing growl. "Heed your friend''s warning. My touch isn''t just ''wired''¡ªit''s a lethal current waiting to be unleashed. I''ve been dormant for far too long, itching for the thrill of hand to hand combat." She methodically rolled up her sleeves, each movement deliberate and threatening. "I''ll restrain my true power... for now. But the moment you pose even a hint of a threat, you''ll wish you''d never crossed my path."

    With fluid grace that belied her deadly intent, Nanashi assumed her wing-chun stance. Her body coiled like a viper ready to strike, radiating an aura of imminent danger. A cold smile played on her lips as she added, "Go ahead, arm yourself. Weapons won''t save you from what''s coming."

    ¡°You dare insult us.¡± Kaze said.

    ¡°Let show her.¡± Kagome replied.

    In a blur of motion, the forest erupted into chaos. Two assailants launched at Nanashi with lightning speed, their kicks slicing through the air like thunderbolts. One aimed for her head, the other her midsection ¨C a deadly pincer attack.

    But Nanashi was ready. With inhuman reflexes, she deflected both strikes. The impact resonated through the woods, a thunderclap that sent nearby trees swaying as if caught in a hurricane. Leaves whirled in the aftermath, nature itself recoiling from the raw power on display.

    A wicked grin crossed Nanashi''s face, savoring the challenge. In one fluid motion, she seized her attackers'' legs, becoming a dervish of destruction. The world spun dizzyingly as she whirled, her opponents now helpless projectiles. With a final, brutal twist, she hurled them away like rag dolls before settling back into her stance, a predator awaiting the next strike.

    Kagome, fury blazing in her eyes, charged again. Her fists became a tempest of blows, each one carrying enough force to shatter stone. Yet Nanashi danced through the onslaught, a phantom always a hairsbreadth from harm. In a heartbeat, she trapped Kagome''s flailing arms and drove her forehead forward with bone-crushing force. The sound of the impact echoed through the forest like a gunshot.

    As Nanashi prepared to strike again, Kagome made a desperate gambit. She inhaled sharply, drawing in the blood streaming from her battered nose, and spat the crimson mist directly into her opponent''s eyes. Before Nanashi could react, Kagome unleashed a scream of such intensity it created a visible shockwave, blasting her foe backward.

    Seizing the moment, Kazie surged forward, her blade singing through the air as it arced towards Nanashi''s exposed neck. But even blinded, Nanashi''s instincts were razor-sharp. She dropped low, the sword''s lethal edge whistling mere millimeters above her skin. In a move that defied physics, she pivoted on one hand, her legs becoming a whirlwind of devastating kicks that battered Kazie''s face mercilessly.

    With a final, crushing axe kick, Nanashi slammed Kazie to the earth. But she wasn''t done. Using her fallen opponent''s face as a springboard, she launched herself skyward, twisting in mid-air to snatch Kagome by the face. With terrifying strength, she drove her enemy headfirst into the unforgiving ground, the impact sending tremors through the forest floor.

    As dust settled around the carnage, Nanashi stood tall amidst her fallen foes, her breath barely quickened. The forest fell silent, as if holding its breath in awe of the devastating display of combat prowess it had just witnessed.

 RETURN!, HEI-LONG the first dragon

    ¡°Huh, you guys really think I was playing in China.¡± She said, taking a few steps back ¡®Come on now, you guys cannot seriously be finished can you?¡¯

    The earth trembled beneath their feet, a primal force awakening. The sky above split with thunderous rage, while distant oceans churned and boiled as if sensing the impending clash of titans. From the rubble, Kagome and Kaze rose, their forms transcending mortal limits.

    Kagome''s transformation was breathtaking. Obsidian tiger stripes etched themselves across her face, framing eyes that now blazed with celestial fire. Divine armor materialized, each piece adorned with constellations that shifted and danced. Her spear elongated, morphing into a trident that crackled with barely contained cosmic energy.

    Kaze''s metamorphosis was equally awe-inspiring. Her raven locks bleached to a brilliant white, flowing like liquid starlight. Upon her brow, a crescent moon materialized, glowing with ethereal blue light. Her armor seemed forged from the very fabric of space-time, shimmering with otherworldly power.

    Their combined presence was overwhelming, as if two goddesses had descended to wage war upon the mortal realm.

    "Are you ready now?" Their voices resonated with newfound authority, shaking the very foundations of reality.

    Nanashi''s response was unexpected ¨C a burst of maniacal laughter that echoed through the devastated landscape. Her eyes danced with wicked mirth as she addressed her adversaries.

    "NOW we''re talking, ladies!" She clapped her hands together in mock excitement. "I was starting to worry this would be boring. But playtime''s over, isn''t it?" Her tone sharpened, dripping with sarcasm. "Though I must say, I''m not fond of cheaters. It''s a major red flag for me. Tsk, tsk."

    Kagome''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Is that your excuse for weakness? How pathetic."

    Nanashi''s grin widened, a predator toying with its prey. "Oh, sweetie," she purred, her voice laden with condescension, "I''d mind that tongue if I were you. Allow me to demonstrate what true power looks like." She brought her hands together, eyes closing in mock prayer. "I was saving this little trick for a special occasion, but there''s no time like the present, is there?"

    "It''s too late to pray to your god now," Kaze growled, readying her weapon.

    Nanashi''s eyes snapped open, burning with an intensity that made even the divine beings before her pause. Her voice carried the weight of eons, a being so far beyond them that their newfound divinity seemed laughable in comparison.

    "Oh, my dears," she purred, the air around her beginning to distort, "I''m not praying to a god." Her smile became predatory, promising devastation beyond imagination. "I am the god you should be praying to."

    The very fabric of reality seemed to hold its breath, awaiting the unleashing of a power that threatened to reshape existence itself.

    As Nanashi''s transformation began, the very fabric of reality seemed to tremble in anticipation. Twin bolts of lightning materialized beneath her eyes, crackling with barely contained power. Her hair, now a living inferno, danced and writhed around her head like the corona of a dark sun. One half of her body transmuted into obsidian darkness, a void that threatened to consume all light.

    Suddenly, four spectral figures materialized around her ¨C the Imori men, their forms pulsing with an otherworldly emerald radiance. They assumed prayer positions, their bodies conduits for an ancient, unfathomable magic. Beneath this unholy gathering, a golden circle blazed into existence, its arcane script whispering secrets of creation and destruction.

    The earth convulsed violently, tectonic plates grinding against each other in agonized protest. The sky above split asunder, cosmic energies pouring through the wound in reality. Howling winds tore through the landscape, heralding the approach of something beyond mortal comprehension.

    With a sound like the death throes of a universe, the very fabric of existence peeled away. It fell in massive, shimmering curtains, revealing a sight that defied sanity ¨C a colossal golden gate, its surface etched with the history of all creation. Two titanic guardians, their swords crossed and embedded deep within the gate''s structure, stood sentinel. Their faces were masks of eternal vigilance, straining against some primordial force desperate to break free.

    A deafening cacophony of shattering chains reverberated through time and space as the massive doors began to part. Nanashi''s voice, now imbued with the weight of countless eons, rang out.

    "Behold, you who dare challenge me! Witness true weakness in the face of ultimate power! I bestow upon you a gift beyond your wildest nightmares ¨C the ancestral father and king of all dragons, emperor of darkness and chaos incarnate, the Black Dragon of Apocalypse himself... HEI-LONG!"

    The gates swung wide, releasing a torrent of golden mist that seemed to carry the whispers of forgotten ages. From within the swirling maelstrom, two colossal eyes blazed forth ¨C orbs of molten gold that held the wisdom and fury of countless millennia.

    In a heartbeat that seemed to last an eternity, a massive form erupted from the gate. Hei-long, in all his terrifying majesty, unfurled before them. His scales, blacker than the void between stars, reflected hints of deep indigo ¨C as if entire galaxies were trapped within each plate of his armour. Massive claws, capable of rending planets, gleamed wickedly in the ethereal light. A mane and set of horns, forged from pure celestial gold, crowned the dragon''s regal head.

    Hei-long''s wings spread wide, blotting out the sky and casting the world into shadow. With a roar that shook the very foundations of reality, he announced his presence to the cosmos. The sound was primal, a force of nature given voice, causing Kagome and Kaze to stagger as if struck by physical blows.

    The air crackled with raw, untamed power as Hei-long descended, positioning himself behind Nanashi like the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. The message was clear ¨C the true battle was only just beginning, and the fate of existence itself hung in the balance. The air crackled with tension as Nanashi''s eyes darted to Bunza, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. "Ahh, perhaps this was a miscalculation," she mused, her voice tinged with a hint of unease.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Bunza''s reply dripped with sardonic humor. "Perhaps indeed."

    Nanashi shrugged, her bravado returning. "We all err occasionally. After all, you only live once."

    "And this might be our final act," Bunza quipped, his sarcasm a thin veil over the gravity of their situation.

    Kagome''s voice rang out, defiant in the face of overwhelming odds. "You think this dragon will intimidate us? We''ve faced far mightier foes."

    Nanashi''s laughter cut through the air like a knife. "Oh, spare me your bravado. It''s painfully embarrassing." Her eyes narrowed, focusing on Kaze. "But fear not, the dragon isn''t your concern. I''m far more interested in what secrets your nine-tailed friend is still hiding." She turned back to Kagome, her smile turning predatory. "As for you, I have an old friend who simply despises felines."

    With a snap of her fingers, reality itself seemed to warp. From Kagome''s very shadow, a nightmarish entity erupted ¨C Snakey, Nanashi''s most trusted servant. Its form was a writhing mass of darkness, eyes gleaming with malevolent intelligence. Its maw gaped impossibly wide, large enough to swallow Kagome whole, revealing rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth that seemed to stretch into infinity.

    Just as Snakey was about to engulf Kagome, Kaze intervened. Her sword cut through the air with preternatural speed, unleashing a gale-force wind that sent the shadowy monstrosity hurtling through the trees.

    Nanashi clicked her tongue in mock disappointment. "My, my, you simply can''t play fair, can you? I wager neither of you had friends growing up. How tragic!" She massaged her temples dramatically. "Ugh, you''re giving me such a headache. Snakey, Hei-long, be dears and handle this mess. I''m in desperate need of tea."

    As Nanashi settled onto the ground, conjuring a steaming cup from thin air, the combatants took their positions. Kaze ascended, her divine form radiating power as she faced the colossal dragon awaiting her in the heavens. Below, Kagome steeled herself, eyes darting warily as Snakey melted into the very shadows around her, its presence an ever-present threat.

    The air grew thick with anticipation, the very elements holding their breath. Nanashi''s voice cut through the silence, gleeful and terrifying in its nonchalance.

    "One!" The earth trembled. "Two!" Lightning split the sky. "Three!" Reality itself seemed to warp.

    "FIGHT!"

    With that single word, all hell broke loose. Kaze and Hei-long collided in the sky, their battle shaking the heavens. On the ground, Kagome spun wildly, trying to predict from where Snakey''s first strike would come.

    Nanashi sipped her tea, a small smile playing on her lips as she watched the chaos unfold. The battle erupted with cataclysmic force as Kaze unleashed her opening salvo. Her blade sang through the air, releasing a crescent of pure destructive energy hurtling towards Hei-long. The dragon, ancient and terrible in his might, merely flicked a claw, shattering the attack as if it were made of glass.

    Undeterred, Kaze''s power surged. With a series of intricate movements, she conjured a spectacle both beautiful and terrifying. The very air around her coalesced into a multitude of whirlwinds, each one teeming with hundreds of ethereal weasels. Their forms shimmered with deadly intent, claws honed to impossible sharpness.

    The tempest converged on Hei-long, merging into a colossal vortex that engulfed the dragon''s massive form. It was as if the sky itself had become a giant, relentless blender, seeking to reduce the legendary beast to shreds.

    Yet, against the unfathomable might of Hei-long, even this maelstrom of destruction proved futile. The weasels'' claws, capable of rending mountains, barely tickled the dragon''s impenetrable hide. A rumbling chuckle emanated from within the storm, a sound that shook the very foundations of reality.

    "Ah, how foolish," Hei-long''s voice boomed, tinged with amusement. "You wish to play? Then let us truly dance!"

    With a movement that defied comprehension, the colossal dragon began to spin. His rotation, counter to the whirlwind''s fury, generated forces that threatened to tear the fabric of space-time. Suddenly, like a god unleashing divine judgment, Hei-long''s scales launched outward. Each one, harder than the strongest metal and sharper than any blade, became a projectile of unimaginable lethality.

    The air filled with a storm of obsidian death. Weasels evaporated by the hundreds, their ethereal forms no match for the dragon''s onslaught. The tornado, once a force of nature, was shredded to nothingness in mere seconds.

    "Watch it!" Nanashi''s shout cut through the chaos, her fist shaking in mock anger.

    Hei-long''s response dripped with sarcasm, his voice a low rumble that sent tremors through the earth. "My deepest apologies. Precision is rather challenging when one is spinning, you understand."

    Seizing what she perceived as an opening, Kaze launched herself at the dragon. Her speed was breath taking, shattering the sound barrier and leaving reality itself struggling to keep up. Her sword, infused with divine power, aimed for Hei-long''s heart.

    Yet, in the instant before impact, the impossible occurred. Hei-long, a being of such immense size and power, simply vanished. No flash of light, no distortion of space ¨C he was simply gone, as if he had never existed.

    ¡°Heh, seems like your trump card''s taken off.¡± she said, a confident smirk playing on her lips as she glanced down at Nanashi.

    ¡°Oh, no need to worry, my dear,'' Nanashi replied, her gaze fixed on the man in ancient Chinese robes before them. ''He''s right here, just indulging in a spot of this exquisite spicy chai. Quite the delightful little respite, wouldn''t you say?¡±

    Hei-long, his regal bearing and elegant features commanding attention, arched a brow. ¡°I see, so this and green are your number ones, are they?'' he mused, a touch of amusement in his voice. ''How curious, that two could be considered as one.¡±

    Nanashi''s eyes twinkled with childlike amusement. ''Well, you know what they say ¨C one plus one equals two, and yet, in the beginning, they are both number one.'' She took a sip of her tea, unfazed by Hei-long''s imposing presence.

    Hei-long''s lips curled in a faint smirk. ''You truly do have an answer for everything, don''t you?'' he murmured, a hint of begrudging respect in his tone.

    Kaze''s gaze hardened, her expression darkening. ''You both think me a weak, insignificant creature, unworthy of your attention,'' she growled, the intensity in her voice belying the calm facade. ''Allow me to show you just how mistaken you are.''

    Nanashi glanced up from her cup, a thoughtful expression on her face. ¡°Ah, the impatience of this generation,¡± she sighed, her gaze meeting Kaze''s with a hint of pity. ¡°They do so want everything immediately, don''t they?¡±

    But Kaze was not having any of it. A tempestuous surge of power erupted from within her, a verdant radiance that eclipsed the very light of the sky. Her form, once delicate and serene, writhed and contorted, as if birthing a being from the depths of an ancient, primordial sea. Her armor, once a symbol of protection, shattered into a thousand emerald shards, reforming into a second skin, pulsating with an ethereal green light.

    Her skin, once pale and flawless, was etched with intricate patterns of verdant energy, like the veins of a living, breathing world. Her eyes, once a soft emerald hue, deepened to an abyssal black, their irises glowing with an otherworldly light. Her nails, once slender and delicate, elongated into razor-sharp talons, their tips shimmering with an iridescent sheen.

    Her sword, a symbol of her warrior spirit, transformed before her very eyes, its blade elongating and curving into a deadly scythe, its edge shimmering with an otherworldly energy.

    As the transformation reached its zenith, Kaze''s form was enveloped in a blinding flash of emerald light. When the light subsided, she stood before them, a being of unparalleled power and beauty. Her hair, once a cascade of dark tresses, now flowed like a river of molten jade, each strand imbued with a life force of its own. Her eyes, once human, now held the wisdom of ages, the power of creation and destruction.

    Her presence filled the room, a palpable force that demanded respect and reverence. She was no longer a mere mortal, but a divine entity, a being of unparalleled power and beauty.

    Nanashi, spat out her tea, ¡°There!, there!, it is, I knew you she could do it to, that form.¡±

    ¡°What form.¡± Hei-long asked.

    ¡°Bankai, a limit release, I want it.¡± She said, her eyes burning with an unfathomable hunger.

 There is such a thing as too much power!

    Electricity crackled through the air as the two titans prepared to clash. Hei-long''s eyes narrowed, a deadly determination etched upon his features. With a roar, he hurled his cup aside, the ceramic vessel shattering against the ground. Dusting off his hands, he steeled his focus, every muscle coiled and ready to spring into action.

    In a blur of motion, Hei-long launched himself skyward, shattering the sound barrier with a deafening boom that reverberated through the very earth. The force of his take off sent shockwaves rippling outwards, kicking up clouds of dust and debris in his wake.

    Kaze''s divine form stood poised, her nine ethereal tails lashing the air with unbridled power. As Hei-long hurtled towards her, she swung her scythe in a vicious arc, the blade shimmering with an otherworldly radiance.

    The moment the fist and the scythe collided, the resulting impact sent out a shockwave that shattered windows and cracked the very ground beneath them. The clash of these two titans echoed like thunderous gunfire, each blow ringing out with a deafening report that threatened to tear the very fabric of reality asunder.

    Hei-long and Kaze traded blows at a dizzying pace, their forms blurring as they danced through the air in a deadly pas de deux. The sky itself seemed to tremble and part with the sheer force of their exchange, reality bending to the indomitable will of these two colossal figures.

    Each strike was a testament to their unbridled power, a display of strength and skill that transcended the mortal realm. Bolts of energy crackled and arced between them, the very air ionized by the sheer intensity of their clash.

    Kaze''s scythe sliced through the atmosphere, carving jagged trails of devastation in its wake, while Hei-long''s fists thundered against the blade, each impact sending out shockwaves that threatened to rend the heavens asunder.

    ¡°Aah, I am getting bored and I feel like I am missing out. Oi! Oi! Snakey, how are you doing over there?¡± she asked, her voice laced with a hint of concern as she watched the giant serpent fire a chaotic ballet of hyper beams from the crystal embedded in its head. Its scales shimmered with raw power in a desperate attempt to fend off its impending doom.

    ¡°Oh dear, time is running out for you, my loyal servant. I better step in, or else you will be a goner,¡± she murmured to herself. Swiftly rising from her seat, her movements fluid and graceful, she swept up her kettle and discarded cups. With a flick of her wrist, she carelessly tossed them into the depths of her endless storage, with a sound like a dying star¡¯s last gasp.

    She bent down and curled her fingers around jagged stones, each brimming with latent power. She stared at Kagome for a moment, studying her movements and trying to predict the next. Then she hurled the stones at her. The first Kagome managed to dodge with inhuman reflexes, but the second found its mark, striking Snakey square in the head with a sickening crunch.

    ¡°Oops!¡± she said, with feigned remorse.

    The third was a projectile of pure malice, missing Kagome completely and launching itself down Snakey¡¯s throat, eliciting a pained hiss from the serpent.

    ¡°Aai!¡± Nanashi moaned, putting her hands on her head in dismay. ¡°The¡­ the sun was in my eyes!¡± she shouted in an effort to justify her bad aim.

    ¡°Your tricks will neither save you nor your pet, Witch! Once I am done with it, you¡¯re next!¡± Kagome said.

    Nanashi¡¯s lips curled into a sinister smile. ¡°I would not be too sure about that. NOW!¡± she cried, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

    Snakey lunged at Kagome, its massive jaws opening wide in a silent scream, but Kagome was prepared this time. With a flick of her wrist, her spear extended, piercing the serpent¡¯s mouth and stopping its attack right in its tracks.

    ¡°Is that all you got?¡± Kagome taunted, turning her attention back to Nanashi, but she had vanished, leaving only a whisper of her shadow. Kagome whirled around, frantically searching for her foe.

    ¡°Here,¡± came the reply, a bone-chilling whisper curling around her ears, coming from nowhere and everywhere.

    ¡°Where are you, demon?¡± Kagome hissed.

    ¡°I am right here,¡± a voice rang from within the serpent¡¯s mouth. Kagome¡¯s blood ran cold as a figure emerged from within the darkness of the serpent¡¯s mouth, her long hair cascading around like tendrils of a demonic entity, a nightmare given flesh. In a fluid motion, she darted out and seized Kagome¡¯s face, her grip coiling around it, a twisted smile stretching across Nanashi¡¯s face.

    ¡°Welcome,¡± she said, her voice resonating with the power of ten thousand lost souls. ¡°To the infinite void.¡± She absorbed Kagome in an instant.

    ¡°Kagome!¡± Kaze roared, her voice slicing through the air as sharply as her blade. With a powerful tornado slash, she sent Hei-long hurtling into the depths of the forest. ¡°Now you will die!¡± she declared, her eyes blazing with fury.

    Nanshai froze, her mind racing. ¡°She could have escaped, ripped her own face from my hand and regenerated it instantly. Why would she just give up?¡± she pondered, watching as Kaze¡¯s relentless air slashes and hyper beams passed harmlessly through her, thanks to Hajimo¡¯s abilities.

    Suddenly, Hei-long''s voice boomed from the shadows. "Over here, child!" A beam of golden energy erupted from his mouth.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for you, old man. I¡¯m sending you straight to the underworld.¡± Kaze¡¯s blade turned black, her tattoos glowing ominously. In a flash, she appeared behind Hei-long, ready to cleave him in half. Sensing the imminent danger, Nanshai clapped her hands together, sending a supersonic blast that propelled Hei-long out of the fatal path.

    As the tip of Kaze¡¯s scythe touched the earth, a portal to the underworld opened, revealing hundreds of tormented souls screaming in agony. ¡°So it¡¯s a one-way ticket to the underworld,¡± Nanshai whispered to herself.

    Kaze continued her assault, her speed and deadly air slashes overwhelming Hei-long. Desperate, he took to the air, but much of the forest had already been sucked into the underworld. Seizing the moment, Nanshai decided to seal him once more. She opened the gates above him, and harbinger chains shot through his arms and legs, wrapping around his waist and pulling him in before Kaze could land her blow.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Hei-long, you have become disappointingly weak. I am your opponent now,¡± Nanshai announced.

    Kaze''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "You cannot match my speed. Your death will be slow, agonizing ¨C just as Kagome suffered."

    "But I ended her in an instant!" Nanashi protested, before a cruel smile played across her lips, ¡°Anyway, how many fingers do you want?¡±

    Confusion flickered across Kaze''s face. "What?"

    ¡°How many fingers do you want?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for this. Prepare to die.¡±

    ¡°Five it is,¡± Nanashi said, plasma blades materializing from her hands.

    Kaze''s eyes widened in horrified recognition. "That''s Sanda''s power! You didn''t¡ª"

    "Oh, but I did," Nanashi purred.

    "You''ll pay for this with your life!" Kaze snarled, vanishing in a blur of impossible speed.

    Their blades clashed in a cataclysmic explosion of power, reshaping the very landscape with each strike. Chunks of earth and sky alike were torn asunder, sucked into the ever-growing maw of the underworld. Yet as Kaze''s rage grew, so did her recklessness.

    Nanashi, seizing her moment, deactivated Hajimo''s shield. Kaze, blinded by fury, saw only weakness and lunged forward for the killing blow. But as her blade passed harmlessly through Nanashi''s form, she realized her fatal error.

    Nanashi''s arms snapped shut like a steel trap, ensnaring Kaze in an inescapable embrace.

    Nanashi leaned in close, her whisper carrying the weight of ages. "Fury blinds, little one. Your rage has led you astray, now, embrace the void."

    In that suspended moment, Kaze''s eyes widened with dawning horror. Too late, she realized the trap she''d willingly walked into. Nanashi''s form began to shimmer, her very essence seeming to unravel as she prepared to absorb her prey, With a serene yet powerful grace, she began to ascend into the sky, her eyes scanning for the elusive kirin. As she reached the heavens, ready to unleash her power, she glanced down and saw her target approaching her.

    "So, you have chosen to seek me out?", her voice thundered from the heavens.

    The air shimmered, and from the mists of time emerged a being of impossible beauty and ancient wisdom. The Kirin, a creature of legend made flesh, stood before her. Its form defied mortal comprehension¡ªpart deer, part dragon, wholly divine. Golden scales gleamed like captured starlight, each one a testament to millennia of existence. Its serpentine tail wove intricate patterns in the air, as if writing the secrets of the universe. Atop its noble head, antlers spiraled towards the heavens, not mere bone but the very branches of Yggdrasil, the World Tree itself.

    When the Kirin spoke, its voice carried the weight of eons, yet held no malice. "Indeed, I have come."

    Nanashi''s tone softened, curiosity coloring her words. "Do you intend to challenge me?"

    The Kirin''s eyes, pools of liquid amber that had witnessed the birth and death of galaxies, gazed upon her with infinite compassion. It shook its head, a gesture both simple and profound.

    "Why?" Nanashi descended from the sky and came before the majestic beast.

    The Kirin''s response resonated with the melancholy of countless lifetimes. "I have walked this earth since Izanagi''s bath in the primordial waters, when yokai first sprang into being. I have seen empires rise and fall, witnessed the dance of creation and destruction. Now, weariness seeps into my very essence. The time has come for me to seek the peace that has long eluded me, to reunite with those I''ve lost along the eternal path."

    With grace that belied its immense power, the Kirin approached Nanashi and bowed its head. She placed her hand upon its brow, a gesture of reverence and acceptance.

    "Are you at peace with this end?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

    The Kirin''s reply held both warning and promise. "I am. But know this¡ªI may be the balm to soothe your affliction, or the spark that ignites your unmaking. The future remains shrouded, even to one such as I."

    Nanashi''s resolve was unwavering. "Then I shall embrace whatever fate awaits. You have my gratitude."

    As the Kirin''s form dissolved into motes of light, merging with Nanashi''s being, the air crackled with raw, unbridled power. With a mere gesture, she reshaped reality¡ªthe war-torn forest knitted itself back together, erasing all traces of the battles that had raged. Time itself seemed to hold its breath, awaiting her next move.

    A snap of her fingers echoed across dimensions. Sasuke found himself transported, standing once more where he had left Susane. But she was nowhere to be seen, and the world around him felt... altered. As if something fundamental had shifted while he was away.

    As Nanashi turned to depart, a sudden, searing agony tore through her chest. Her skin ignited, not with ordinary flame, but with an otherworldly inferno that danced in every hue imaginable. The rainbow fire consumed her mortal form in an instant, leaving behind a silhouette of the deepest void.

    Her new form was a canvas of midnight, speckled with pinpricks of starlight that swirled beneath her ethereal skin. The once-elegant kimono melded with her body, transforming Nanashi into a living slice of the cosmos. Her hair, once silken strands, now writhed like solar flares atop her head.

    A scream erupted from Nanashi''s throat, a sound so primal and haunting it seemed to rend reality itself. The cry amplified her newfound power, an insatiable hunger that devoured the life essence of everything within reach. Trees withered, grass turned to ash, and the very air seemed to grow thin and lifeless.

    Overwhelmed by the transformation, Nanashi collapsed. Her form, now a swirling maelstrom of darkness and celestial light, trembled with barely contained power. Despair threatened to swallow her whole, the weight of her new existence crushing down upon her.

    But then, cutting through the chaos like a beacon of hope, she heard a familiar voice. Her Sensei''s call, distant yet clear, reached out to her. It was a lifeline in the storm of her metamorphosis, a reminder of who she once was.

    As Nanashi struggled to regain control, the landscape around her bore witness to her internal battle. Reality itself seemed to warp and twist, caught in the gravitational pull of her newfound power. She had become a nexus of chaos and creation, destruction and rebirth¡ªa force that could reshape the world or unmake it entirely.

    Through the veil of chaos and destruction, a voice pierced the darkness¡ªfamiliar, urgent, and filled with concern.

    "Nanashi! Nanashi!"

    At the sound of her name, Nanashi''s gaze lifted. A surge of indescribable joy coursed through her transformed body, momentarily eclipsing the cosmic turmoil within.

    "Sensei!" she cried out, her voice a mixture of relief and desperation. In that instant, she was no longer a being of celestial might, but a child reaching out for comfort. As she attempted to move towards him, her Sensei''s commanding voice halted her advance.

    "Wait! Do not come closer. Put this on!"

    With fluid grace born of years of mastery, he transformed his walking stick into a bow. In a heartbeat, an arrow sailed through the air, a mask affixed to its shaft. It landed precisely at Nanashi''s feet, a testament to his unerring aim even in this moment of crisis.

    With trembling hands, Nanashi secured the mask to her face. The effect was immediate and profound. The cosmic fire that had raged beneath her skin began to subside, the stars within her flesh dimming to a quiet glow. As her form shifted back to its mortal guise, Nanashi''s restraint crumbled.

    She raced towards her Sensei, collapsing into his arms with a sob that seemed to carry the weight of worlds. Hajimo enveloped her in a protective embrace, his hand gently stroking her hair as he murmured words of comfort.

    "I know... I know," he soothed, his voice a balm to her fractured spirit. Then, with quiet urgency, "Listen carefully. You must never remove this mask. It''s the key to regulating your power. Do you understand?"

    Words failed Nanashi, but she managed a nod against his chest, clinging to him as if he were an anchor in a storm-tossed sea.

    "Good girl," Hajimo replied softly. He turned, presenting his back to her. "Come. Let''s get you home before Sasuke arrives."

    Wiping away her tears, Nanashi climbed onto her Sensei''s back. As they began their journey, the weight of recent events settled over them like a heavy cloak. Yet beneath it all, a current of deep affection and trust flowed between master and student¡ªa bond that had weathered this cosmic tempest and emerged, perhaps, even stronger.

    The forest around them, once a battlefield and then a crucible of transformation, now stood silent witness to their departure. As Hajimo carried Nanashi towards home and an uncertain future

 The return and the end

    Days, weeks had passed, and Nanashi had not left her den. The grass and other insects and animals had begun to inhabit her once-cozy abode, a somber reminder of her self-imposed isolation. Her body, once a picture of health, now dwindled, her rib cage visible through her once-sleek fur. Even the regular visits from her friend and Sensei could not rouse her from her melancholic state.

    Even Shippo showed up once in a while but his wife dared not approach, for the fear that the one she trusted most could lead to the definite end of the one she loved most.

    But in her hibernation and isolation, loyalty to Himiko grew bigger and bigger. Himiko was using force against them, sending in a group of bandits to raid a village and then sending in her army to be the savior, promising them protection as long as some of the men of the village joined her army. This Hajimo, Sasuke, and Shippo could no longer ignore. They had to convince Suzune somehow, for one of Hajimo''s inside informants had heard Himiko say that they would attack the village of her dear student, taking all the men and young boys and killing the rest who were not needed.

    Upon hearing this, Suzune was left with no choice but to release Akiza, placing her life in the hands of fate, hoping that death would not claim her.

    In the depths of her slumber, a familiar scent tickled Nanashi''s nose, causing her tail to twitch ever so slightly, startling her illegal occupants. She thought it was her mind playing tricks on her, as the longing had become so great that her mind was creating its own reality to fill the void.

    But this scent was soon confirmed as a little voice rang through the den, sparking a feeling of delight through her almost mummified body. Her ears shot up, and her tail began to wag with more vigor, causing some of her neighbors to hastily evacuate their homes at this unusual development.

    A heavy sigh escaped Nanashi¡¯s lips as she murmured to herself, ¡°Calm down, I guess I¡¯m finally going crazy from loneliness. How pathetic I¡¯ve become, from the great Su Daji to the pitiful and depressed Nanashi. Hah, so pathetic I don¡¯t even have a name.¡± She let out a hollow, self-deprecating giggle.

    And again, the voice rang through the den, ¡°Nana! Nana! Doko (where are you)?¡±

    ¡°Argh, enough, brain! Please!¡± she said, covering her ears.

    ¡°Nana, please come out, I want to play with you?¡±

    ¡°Go away!¡± Nanashi erupted.

    ¡°Nande! (Why)?¡± a gentle voice asked at the entrance of the den. ¡°You don¡¯t love me anymore?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not true.¡±

    ¡°Mama said that you¡¯re not feeling well and needed some rest, but I think you¡¯ve had enough rest now. No sickness can ever keep you down. After all, my Nana is the strongest yokai.¡±

    ¡°Akiza?¡± Nanashi said, raising her head.

    ¡°Hai!¡±

    Nanashi got up, her bones and joints cracking and popping from long disuse. She turned to look at the entrance, but all she could see was a black silhouette. Tears and shut eyes had formed a filament over her vision. She followed her nose and walked out, passing right by Akiza. When she emerged, her state shocked and broke her friends¡¯ hearts. She looked starved, down to twenty-five percent of her body weight, like a coyote on the brink of death, drenched in water.

    Suzune gasped in shock, tears filling her eyes at the sight of her once healthy and fiery friend.

    Hajimo ground his teeth, knowing this was partly his fault.

    Sasuke turned away, unable to bear seeing his beloved friend in such a fragile state.

    But Akiza, undeterred by Nanashi¡¯s appearance, wrapped her arms around the unsuspecting yokai. Startled at first, Nanashi soon embraced the warmth of the little girl¡¯s arms, collapsing to the ground.

    ¡°Akiza! No! You¡­¡± Both Suzune and Sasuke jolted forward, but Hajimo quickly held them back.

    ¡°Relax, she¡¯s perfectly fine. Just watch.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± Sasuke asked.

    ¡°Do you see those two earrings that look like little bells? They help her regulate her absorbing ability. That little girl is in no harm whatsoever.¡±

    As Akiza hugged and cuddled her most beloved friend, Nanashi¡¯s fur began to change colour from its gray, ashy hue to a shiny, coal black. Her eyes cleared up, regaining their original bright amber colour. A bright red shade formed around her eyes, and a fiery emblem appeared in the center of her forehead. She grew in size, and so did the grass, which seemed to sprout from under her feet. Then, in a spectacular show of power, green flames exploded from within her, engulfing everything within their radius.

    Sasuke quickly covered Suzune, but soon realized that the flames were not burning but healing. His withered hand was restored, and Suzune seemed ten years younger. Hajimo dropped his walking stick and stood up straight. The fire died down, bringing a strong gust of wind imbued with floral scents and petals. Then, it faded in an instant, revealing Nanashi in her human form, holding Akiza tightly in her arms, wearing her kitsune mask.

    "Nana, why are you wearing that? Take it off," Akiza asked.

    "No, I cannot," Nanashi said, pulling back.

    "Why?"

    "It is to keep the sickness away from you."A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "That is a great way to explain it to someone like her," Hajimo said, patting her on the shoulder.

    "So, I take it this is no social visit to see how I''m doing or even if I''m dead."

    "Straight to the point - that''s something I always liked about her," Sasuke said.

    "Nanashi...the reason...I," Suzune mumbled, unable to formulate a proper sentence.

    "There is no need to apologize for the actions and choices you made. You did what every caring mother would do and that is to shield her child from any potential threat, so I bear no ill feelings towards you. What''s done is done. I see Shippo is not here - I guess you finally saw the light and left him..."

    "I wouldn''t be so sure about that," Shippo announced, appearing from behind a tree. His bald spot had healed from the power of the kirin flame, and his silky black hair was blowing in the wind.

    "Why is he walking so slowly?" Nanashi asked Sasuke.

    "I really don''t get this guy," Sasuke replied.

    "Shh!" Suzune hissed. "Just let him have his moment," she said, her eyes glistening with pride.

    "I have a feeling that Akiza will be getting a little brother or sister soon," Sasuke said.

    "Control, Sasuke, control," Hajimo responded.

    ¡°Seriously dude, there is a child here,¡± Nanashi said, casting a pointed look in Sasuke''s direction. She then turned her gaze to Shippo, who was still taking his sweet time walking over to them. A little smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, as if he were savoring the moment.

    Hajimo looked at them both and slowly shook his head, but the two simply shrugged, their shoulders rising and falling in perfect synchronicity. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind propelled Shippo forward, as if the very elements were conspiring against him. A tree root, seemingly conjured from thin air, appeared before his feet, causing him to trip and face-plant directly into a strange puddle of mud. The impact sent droplets of the viscous, earthy liquid splattering in all directions, as if the earth itself was laughing at his misfortune. Shippo lay there, stunned, his pristine appearance now marred by the telltale signs of the forest''s mischievous nature.

    ¡°HOW IS THIS EVEN POSSIBLE?¡±  Shippo cried out, still sprawled on the ground, mud-covered and bewildered.

    Sasuke and Nanashi turned to each other and gave slow nods of approval, as if silently acknowledging their shared mischievous streak.

    ¡°I know it was you two!¡± Suzune snapped, her eyes narrowing accusatorily.

    ¡°So, they are planning to invade the village, tomorrow or tonight.¡±Sasuke said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness.

    ¡°Mhmm, I see, so you''re saying that she has gained quite a number of followers?¡± Nanashi inquired.

    ¡°Yes.¡± Hajimo replied, his expression grave.

    ¡°And suddenly they are engaged in a serious discussion.¡± Suzune mumbled, her brow furrowed.

    ¡°Are we sure that this is the same Himiko, the one who''s offering to protect the villages?¡± Sasuke asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

    ''It is her, sending bandits to raid and kill villages, then sending the same people to "help," with an additional price of asking the young and able to join her "protection squad" out of debt and a false sense of duty. They''re unaware that they''re nothing but a fuel source,'' Hajimo answered, his words laced with disdain.

    ''Sounds like her, playing on a man''s pride and values. So, what''s the plan?'' Nanashi asked, her eyes narrowing with determination.

    ¡°Well, that''s why we''re here and why we''ve come to resurrect you,¡± Sasuke said. ¡°You know very well that I cannot interfere in these human matters, even though I would really want to, and Haji over here is a little on the old side - his days of dancing on the battlefield are long gone. Hence, we''re here because we know one person who has the strength and is not bound by any law, not even that of time.¡±

    ¡°Ah, Sasuke, flattery will get you nowhere, my dear. However, it does sadden me to know that if Himiko had not decided to target this village next, you would have left me in my pit of despair. But we''re not here to ponder over the past; we''re here to fight!¡± Nanashi proclaimed, her voice crackling with a newfound energy.

    ¡°Hai!¡± both Hajimo, Akiza, and Suzune cheered, their spirits buoyed by her determination.

    ¡°I''m not good at the fighting thing; I''m more of a lover, not a fighter,¡± Shippo commented from his mud-caked position on the ground.

    ¡°Worry not, Shippo, we were not counting on you doing anything of such. However, the plan is simple, I will wait for them, and anyone who desires to join me may. Attendance is not mandatory,¡± Nanashi said, her gaze locking with Shippo''s.

    ¡°I was going to come, but I have work tomorrow,¡± Shippo said, his voice tinged with genuine regret.

    ¡°We understand,¡± Sasuke replied, nodding in acknowledgment.

    ¡°But Nanashi,¡± Suzune interjected, ¡°will you take on all the bandits by yourself?¡¯

    ¡°Sure,¡± Nanashi replied, her confidence unwavering.

    ¡°But will they not be too many¡±'' Suzune pressed, a hint of concern in her voice.

    ¡°Maybe?¡± Nanashi shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.

    ¡°And you''re not worried or fearful?¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because she''s the strongest!¡± Akiza shouted, her eyes shining with pride.

    ¡°I guess that answers that,¡± Suzune murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

    As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in a breath taking array of warm hues, Sasuke and Nanashi had set up camp just a few meters from the village. Nanashi sat gracefully, draped in her finest white kimono, adorned with delicate cherry blossom petals that seemed to dance across the fabric, their golden outlines shimmering in the fading light.

    Her neatly braided hair was carefully arranged and adorned with exquisite hairpins and jewelry, accentuating her regal bearing. Nanashi held a steaming cup of tea in her hands, her movements fluid and precise as she put the final touches on her majestic appearance.

    Every detail of her ensemble, from the intricate embroidery to the gleaming accessories, spoke of a refined elegance that commanded the eye and demanded respect. She sat, poised and serene, radiating an aura of wisdom and power that belied the storm that was about to unfold.

    ¡°Aren''t you dressed up to the nines tonight? Going out with someone or have you been out with someone?¡± Sasuke inquired, the words grinding out through clenched teeth as if forced from his very soul.

    Nanashi''s eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she fixed him with a pointed stare. ¡°Why do you men always assume that whenever we dress up, we must be going out with someone? Sometimes, we simply dress up for the sake of dressing up, to look good and feel good - a little self-love, if you will. You know the saying, "If you look good, you feel good; if you feel good, you do good." She took a delicate sip of her tea, the steam billowing around her face in an almost ethereal manner.

    ¡°Mhmm, this tea with the spicy notes is quite nice. I''m actually really enjoying it,'' Sasuke mused, the corners of his lips curling ever so slightly.

    ¡°You and Hei-long both,¡± Nanashi muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Sasuke to hear.

    Upon hearing this name, Sasuke suddenly spat out the tea, the liquid spraying forth. ¡°Hei-long? Who in the seven hells is Hei-long?¡± he demanded, his eyes wild with a strange mix of alarm and... was that a hint of jealousy?

    Nanashi''s smirk grew, a touch of mischief sparkling in her eyes. ¡°Hush now, Sasuke. Our guests are arriving,¡± she murmured, her voice low and almost sing-song in nature.

    Sasuke''s shoulders slumped in defeat. ¡°I don''t care. Do as you please. What do I matter?¡± he replied, his tone dripping with a heavy melancholy.

    The group of bandits suddenly appeared before them, their leader signalling the rest to stay back. ¡°Stay here. She is mine. I will take care of that fool quickly,¡± he growled, his horse thundering forward towards the unsuspecting pair.

    A chill seemed to settle over the campsite, the air growing heavy and thick with a palpable tension. Nanashi''s eyes narrowed, her grip on the teacup tightening ever so slightly as she prepared to face this new challenge.

 A test of new power

    "Good evening, my good sir," she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "What brings you to this treacherous place? The night harbours countless dangers... some of which may prove quite... fatal."

    The leader''s chuckle died in his throat as he dismounted, a chill running down his spine despite his bravado. He approached Nanashi, fighting the urge to flee.

    "I believe those should be my words to you," he said, forcing a grin as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Best we depart and leave this fool behind."

    "It seems the only fool here is you," Sasuke interjected, tension thickening the air.

    The leader''s retort was cut short by Nanashi''s deceptively gentle tone. "Excuse me, my good sir..."

    "Sesshoumaru," he supplied, unaware of the trap closing around him.

    "Sesshoumaru," Nanashi repeated, her voice like honey laced with poison. "Would you kindly remove your hand from my shoulder?"

    "Come now, darling. Don''t be like that. We''re just getting acquainted," Sesshoumaru pressed, oblivious to the danger.

    Nanashi''s eyes glinted with malice behind her mask. "I understand, but I truly detest being touched."

    In a blur of motion too fast for mortal eyes, her hand clamped down on his. The sickening crunch of bones and the wet explosion of flesh filled the air as Sesshoumaru''s hand burst like an overripe fruit. Blood sprayed across Nanashi''s face, and in a twisted parody of concern, she absently wiped at her eyes ¨C tearing Sesshoumaru''s entire arm from its socket in the process.

    The general''s scream pierced the night, a sound of pure terror and agony. He stumbled back, eyes wide with horror. "Bakemono!" he shrieked, scrambling for his horse.

    Nanashi''s laughter, cold and cruel, echoed through the clearing. "Oh my, how careless of me. Here, you seem to have misplaced something." She waved the severed limb tauntingly.

    Sesshoumaru turned, arm outstretched in desperate hope. Nanashi''s aim was true, but as the arm sailed through the air, a monstrous fox head erupted from the earth, swallowing both the limb and its former owner whole.

    "Yama, you greedy bastard," Nanashi chided, a note of amusement in her voice as the fox winked and melted back into the shadows.

    She turned to the remaining bandits, adjusting her mask with exaggerated care. "Well now, it seems I need to mind my manners. One never knows what might happen next." Her voice carried a promise of violence that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it.

    The night thieves stood paralyzed, caught between terror and disbelief. The silence stretched, broken only by the second-in-command''s desperate cry: "CHARGE!"

    But as the bandits surged forward, Nanashi''s laughter rang out once more ¨C a sound that promised their charge would end only in blood and regret.

    The air crackled with tension as the men charged. Nanashi''s eyes glinted with malevolent anticipation, her fingers slowly loosening her kimono.

    "What are you doing?" Sasuke hissed, alarm evident in his voice.

    Nanashi''s lips curled into a cruel smile. "I''m thinking of going manual on this one."

    "How?"

    "I''ve always wondered how many hearts I could rip out in three seconds," she purred, her voice dripping with bloodlust.

    Sasuke''s eyes widened. "Seriously? How many are there?"

    "About twenty, I''d say."

    "Fine. I''ll count for you."Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    Nanashi assumed a ready stance, her body coiling like a viper about to strike. Razor-sharp talons extended from her fingertips, gleaming in the moonlight. Eerie, luminescent green tattoos began to writhe across her skin, pulsing with otherworldly power.

    "Hold!" Sasuke shouted suddenly. "You''re not going all natural?"

    "Nope," Nanashi replied, her eyes never leaving her prey.

    "Then the stakes are higher. I don''t want to see a single drop of blood on the ground. I want a perfect clean takedown."

    "As you wish," Nanashi whispered, her voice barely audible over the thundering footsteps of the approaching men.

    "One..." Sasuke began the count.

    In that instant, Nanashi vanished. The air itself seemed to shudder at her impossible speed.

    "Two..."

    A white blur flickered in and out of existence, dancing between the charging men. They had no time to register what was happening, their faces frozen in expressions of confusion and growing terror.

    "Three! STOP!" Sasuke roared.

    "Damn it!" Nanashi materialized, frustration evident as she tossed a still-beating heart to the ground. "There''s still one left."

    "I knew I should''ve left the horse hearts alone," she muttered, her inhuman eyes scanning the battlefield.

    Sasuke''s jaw dropped. "You took the horse hearts too? I didn''t even notice¡ª"

    His words were cut short as a horrifying symphony of thuds filled the air. Men and horses alike collapsed in unison, their bodies hitting the ground with sickening finality. Blood began to pool beneath them, a stark contrast to their intact exteriors.

    The clearing fell deathly silent, save for the wet, rhythmic squelching of disembodied hearts scattered across the battlefield. Nanashi stood amidst the carnage, her form still crackling with unholy energy, a testament to the monstrous power that lay just beneath her skin.

    Sasuke surveyed the scene, a mix of awe and terror etched on his face. In mere seconds, Nanashi had turned a group of hardened bandits into lifeless husks, their demise so swift they hadn''t even had time to scream.

    "Impressive," he managed to choke out, his eyes never leaving the terrifying figure before him. "But next time, try not to leave any... souvenirs."

    The night air grew thick with tension as the last man standing trembled before Sasuke''s otherworldly power. Invisible forces gripped him, lifting him off the ground and drawing him closer to his piercing gaze.

    "What did you do?" Sasuke''s voice cut through the silence like a blade. "And where do you think you''re going?"

    The man''s words tumbled out in a desperate plea. "I have a family! We were just a distraction, I swear!"

    "Distraction?" Sasuke''s eyes narrowed dangerously.

    Nanashi''s breath caught in her throat. "The village!"

    "Yes," the man gasped. "She knew about the informant and your sensei. It was all a ruse to lure you away. Now, please, I''ve told you everything¡ª"

    His words were silenced forever as his body separated into seven distinct parts, each falling to the earth with a sickening finality.

    Nanashi shuddered. "That was cold, even for you."

    Sasuke''s face was an unreadable mask. "We have no time for trivial matters. The village needs us." Without another word, he sprinted into the darkness, Nanashi close on his heels.

    As they approached the village, an eerie stillness enveloped them. Not a single light flickered in the windows, not a whisper of life could be heard.

    "They''re all gone," Sasuke''s words hung heavy in the air.

    Nanashi refused to accept it, darting from house to house in a frantic search. When they reached Suzune''s home, they found Shippo sprawled on the floor, motionless.

    "Of course they left him," Nanashi muttered, stepping over the prone figure.

    Sasuke''s brow furrowed. "You can''t just¡ª"

    "He''s drunk," Nanashi cut him off. "Probably doesn''t even realize what''s happened."

    Doubt flickered across Sasuke''s face. With a wave of his hand, Shippo stirred.

    "Shippo! Are you alright? Did they hurt you?"

    "No! Nothing at all!" Shippo slurred.

    Nanashi''s expression darkened. "See?"

    "Sasuke? Nanashi? What''s going on? Where''s my family?"

    "They''re dead," Nanashi''s words fell like hammer blows.

    "WHAT?!"

    Sasuke intervened, his voice a forced calm. "We don''t know that. But we believe they''ve been taken... by Himiko."

    "But why?"

    Nanashi''s eyes flashed dangerously. "To draw me out. And I''m done wasting time."

    She stalked out of the house, her form shimmering and growing until a magnificent four-tailed fox stood before them. Each tail tip shimmered with elemental power ¨C earth, forest, water, and fire.

    "Are you coming?" she challenged Sasuke.

    The air around Sasuke began to ripple and distort. In a blinding flash of silver light, he transformed. Where the shinobi once stood now towered a colossal nine-tailed fox. His fur gleamed like polished moonstone, each tail radiating an aura of raw, ancient power. His eyes, now pools of liquid starlight, seemed to hold the wisdom of ages.

    "My master bade me aid those in need," Sasuke''s voice resonated with newfound depth. "I stand with you."

    "Me too!" Shippo stumbled forward.

    Nanashi and Sasuke exchanged a glance. "Fine," Nanashi relented. "But stay close."

    To everyone''s surprise, Shippo clambered onto Sasuke''s back, nestling into the impossibly soft fur. "It''s like lying on a cloud, I could die." he mumbled.

    "Please do." Nanashi muttered, her tails lashing with impatience.

    As the unlikely trio set off into the night, an ominous wind began to howl. The trees themselves seemed to whisper warnings, and somewhere in the distance, a solitary wolf''s howl pierced the darkness. The true battle was only beginning, and the fate of the entire village hung in the balance.

 The end Part 1 of many

    As the moon hung low in the inky sky, Nanashi and Sasuke, with Shippo in tow, streaked through the dense bamboo forests and shadowy mountains. Their ethereal forms flickered like wisps of smoke as they passed the lantern-lit streets of Nagasaki, the quiet fishing boats of Arao, and the misty rice paddies of Saga. Their journey ended at the grand gates of Fukuoka, once the legendary Yamatai of old.

    Mere steps from the city''s threshold, their otherworldly essence coalesced into human shapes. They slipped into the bustling capital, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

    The Fukuoka night unfurled before them like a vivid ukiyo-e painting come to life. Paper lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting a warm glow over the wooden buildings and narrow streets of the pleasure district. Geisha in elaborate kimono glided by, their faces powdered white and lips painted crimson, while samurai and merchants alike sought refuge from their daily burdens in sake houses and tearooms.

    Nanashi''s lips curled into a wicked smile as her breathed in the intoxicating atmosphere. "Ah, how I''ve longed for this," she purred, his voice a low rumble barely audible above the shamisen music floating from a nearby okiya. "This pulsing night, this sea of humanity... their desires practically perfume the air."

    Her gaze swept over the throngs of people, each face a mask of pleasure or desperation. "Look at them," she continued, "so consumed by their earthly wants ¨C coin, flesh, escape. They make themselves such tempting morsels for yokai like us, practically begging to be devoured."

    The lantern light danced in Nanashi''s eyes, reflecting an otherworldly hunger that belied her human guise. "In this realm of fleeting pleasures," she mused, "we need only wait for the ripest fruit to fall into our eager hands."

    As the trio wove through the bustling streets, Sasuke''s eyes widened with wonder. "I must say, for my first time in such a grand city, it''s far more impressive than I''d imagined," he marvelled, taking in the sights and sounds.

    Shippo, however, fidgeted nervously. "Um, excuse me, but I don''t recall us coming here as tourists. My family is in danger, remember?"

    Sasuke turned to shippo, his expression unreadable. "And do you know where they are, Shippo?"

    "No..."  He admitted reluctantly.

    "Have you ever been here before?"

    Again, Shippo shook his head. "No."

    "So, I suppose that makes us tourists after all, doesn''t it?" Sasuke''s tone held a hint of amusement.

    Before Shippo could protest further, Nanashi interjected smoothly. "They''re not far from here. Your family is being held at the castle just ahead."

    With renewed purpose, the unlikely group made their way through the crowded streets towards the looming silhouette of the castle. As they approached the main gate, a pair of stern-faced guards blocked their path, hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

    Nanashi''s eyes glinted dangerously in the torchlight. "I think I should dispose of them right away," she murmured, glancing sidelong at Sasuke.

    "No, wait," Sasuke cautioned, raising a hand. "I have a feeling they might let us pass."

    Shippo, peeking out from behind Sasuke, piped up unexpectedly. "I actually agree with Nanashi. We should finish them quickly."You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "See?" Nanashi smirked, clearly pleased with the support.

    Sasuke remained firm. "No. Just wait. There might be a way to resolve this without bloodshed."

    The imposing gates of the castle creaked open, revealing a figure cloaked in shadow. A young temple maiden, her face a mask of innocence, emerged from the gloom. "My master awaits your arrival," she said, her voice a soft whisper in the night.

    "See, all good things come to those who wait," Sasuke remarked, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.

    Nanashi''s fingers twitched, dark energy crackling between them. "This reeks of a trap. I say we reduce this place to ashes."

    Shippo''s face paled. "No! My daughter¡ª"

    ¡°Trust me, I know Raj. She only wanted me here. She probably took all the people to a different location.¡±

    ¡°No, they are still here, my dear student,¡± the Temple maiden said, her head spinning around unnaturally to face them. Her eyes were as black as a moonless night, her voice deeper than usual. ¡°Do you think I do not know you too? I am well aware that you are capable of cold logic, with utter disregard for anything unless it holds some use or value to you. You would not hesitate or waver one second to blow me and every single person in this castle, even this whole town with it, as long as it does not harm what you hold dearest to you. Hence, I decided to keep them in a place where they will definitely disintegrate along with me if you ever decide to take things to the extreme.¡±

    Nanashi''s eyes narrowed. "Well played, Raj. Well played."

    The temple maiden''s head snapped back to its original position. "Worry not, I will let the people go, once I have you. Except for the little girl, though. She will be my bargaining chip if things happen not go my way."

    ¡°But my¡­¡± Shippo mumbled but was soon stopped by Nanashi, who placed her hand on his shoulder, raised her index finger to her lips, and winked at him.

    A tense silence fell as they followed the maiden deeper into the castle''s bowels. Shadows danced on the walls, and the air grew thick with foreboding. At a fork in the path, The young temple maiden split into two like a paper being torn apart and then turned to face them.

    ¡°This is where we will split up. My master senses that the tall one could be a major threat¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, he is an extraordinary threat, believe you me.¡± Nanashi commented, nodding in agreement with herself.

    ¡°I do not think you are helping in this situation.¡± Sasuke responded.

    ¡°Hence,¡± the young lady continued, ¡°I will lead you to where all the captives are. Then, I will lead you to the exit. If you dare to return, we will kill the girl in that very instant. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡°Crystal clear.¡± Sasuke responded.

    ¡°Good, now follow me.¡±

    ¡°Which one?¡± Shippo asked.

    ¡°Me, because I am walking away.¡±

    ¡°Makes sense,¡± Shippo responded.

    ¡°I guess this is goodbye then,¡± Sasuke said.

    ¡°Nope, see you later and please prepare me a feast. I have a feeling I am going to be extremely hungry after this.¡±

    Sasuke scoffed, ¡°Will do so.¡±

    ¡°Good luck,¡± Shippo said, giving her a hug.

    ¡°Argh, why is he touching me?¡± she said, but inside she was grateful.

    ¡°Thank you. Now go get your wife and tell her not to worry about Akiza. I am with her.¡±

    As Shippo and Sasuke reluctantly followed one of the spectral guides, Nanashi turned to face her own twisted fate. The corridor before her seemed to stretch endlessly, swallowed by impenetrable darkness. With each step, the air grew colder, and whispers of ancient malice stirred in the shadows.

    ¡®Right!, take me to your leader.¡¯ She said swinging her arms around, doing some stretches and shifted her mask on to her face.

    ¡°Right, this way.¡± The young lady said, gesturing with her hand.

    The temple maiden led them through a labyrinth of corridors, their footsteps echoing in the oppressive silence. Finally, they reached a colossal chamber, its walls adorned with intricate tapestries and statues of mythical creatures. In the center of the room, enthroned upon a gilded chair, sat a woman of otherworldly beauty. Her eyes, like twin pools of molten gold, held a power that chilled the blood.

    Without warning, Nanashi lunged forward, her hand a blur of motion. The temple maiden''s head, a perfect sphere of crimson mist, exploded like a burst of fireworks.

    Nanashi followed, mesmerized by the gardens and the artworks on the walls. They arrived at a grand hall, adorned with magnificent art and pictures. In the center of the room sat her former teacher, mentor, and best friend, Rajabutaka, now known as Himiko. Upon spotting her enemy, Nanashi immediately disposed of her servant, decapitating her with a swift strike, causing her head to explode like a mosquito squashed between two palms.

    ¡°Hey ho!¡± Nanashi exclaimed excitedly, waving frantically at Himiko.

    ¡°Well, that was unnecessary. You do know she was an actual person,¡± Himiko remarked.

    ¡°Really? Gosh, if only I cared. Look, this is no rekindling visit. Where is Akiza?¡± Nanashi demanded.

 The end part 2

    ¡°Closer than you think.¡± Himiko answered, rising from her throne and stretching her arms over her head, letting out a loud yawn.

    ¡°Where?¡± Nanashi pressed.

    ¡°Now, now, no need to sweat over the details. Just know she is safe and sound. I can bet your life on that. Now that you¡¯re here, what do you say to a little light-hearted chat between us?¡± Himiko suggested.

    ¡°I thought you¡¯d never ask. I must admit, it¡¯s getting a little hot in here. I need to cool down,¡± Nanashi said, whipping out her fan and waving it. A fire tornado, with wind blades inside, blasted towards Himiko, creating a tunnel through the castle. Amidst the chaos, Himiko stood unfazed.

    ¡°Force field, I see,¡± Nanashi commented.

    ¡°Yes, it keeps the mosquitoes away. I must say, now that you mentioned it, I am getting hot too. Maybe I need to cool down,¡± Himiko said, drawing out a fan from her kimono sleeve. She flicked it open and began to fan herself.

    ¡°What?¡± Nanashi said, dropping her guard. As soon as she did, an unparalleled and crushing force of gravity descended upon her, smashing her through the floor into the ground, pressing her until she was six feet deep.

    ¡°Is that grave deep enough for you? I could make it even deeper if you like,¡± Himiko taunted, standing over the pit.

    Nanashi let out a chuckle, raised herself up, dusted herself off, and wiped the blood from her mouth. ¡°Thank you,¡± Nanashi said.

    ¡°For what?¡± Himiko asked.

    ¡°Clicking my back into place. Now I can finally sleep in peace again.¡±

    ¡°You know me, I cannot turn a blind eye to the needy, especially those born from a prostitute.¡± Himiko said, covering her face with the fan.

    ¡°Ano ne, just die!¡± Nanashi shouted, causing two colossal hands to burst through the floor, aiming to crush Himiko.

    Himiko quickly put up a force field.

    ¡°I do not think it will work,¡± Himiko said calmly.

    Nanashi remained silent, her eyes narrowing as she summoned two skeletal warriors. They materialized within the colossal hands, each wielding jade swords that shimmered with magic-canceling power. With a swift strike, they shattered Himiko¡¯s force field, forcing her to flee upwards.

    Himiko, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and exhilaration, launched herself skyward. But escape wouldn''t come easily.

    From the shadowy rafters above, a monstrous serpent uncoiled itself. Its scales shimmered with arcane symbols, and its maw gaped to reveal not teeth, but a swirling vortex ¨C a portal to the dreaded underworld. Souls of the damned reached out with ethereal hands, grasping for Himiko as she ascended.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    To her left and right, Kaze and Yama materialized, their forms crackling with electric energy. They nocked arrows to bows that hummed with power, the air around them distorting with the sheer force they were about to unleash.

    A smirk played across Himiko''s lips as she assessed her predicament. Certain doom from above, certain death from the sides. But Himiko was anything but certain.

    As the arrows launched, trailing lightning in their wake, Himiko''s body began to spin. Faster and faster she twirled, until she was nothing but a blur. At the last possible instant, her hands shot out, grasping the arrows mid-flight. Using her momentum, she redirected their course, sending them screaming back towards Kaze and Yama.

    The resulting explosion was catastrophic. Where her assailants had stood, only smoldering craters remained.

    But Himiko''s gaze never wavered from the serpent above, its gaping maw drawing ever closer. As the hands of the dead stretched towards her, a crack appeared in the center of Himiko''s forehead. It widened, revealing a third eye that pulsed with otherworldly power.

    A beam of pure gravitational force erupted from this new eye, slamming into the giant snake with the fury of a collapsing star. The creature was catapulted upwards, smashing through layers of ancient stone and timber, until it disappeared into the inky blackness of the night sky.

    Himiko hovered in the devastated chamber, surrounded by swirling debris and crackling energy. Her third eye slowly closed as she surveyed the destruction around her, a look of grim satisfaction on her face.

    Impressive," Nanashi said, slowly applauding as Kaze and Yama instantly regenerated the other halves of their bodies.

    Himiko''s eyes narrowed, "I see you''re still in the habit of playing with people''s souls and corpses."

    Nanashi scoffed. "I don''t want to hear comments like that from a soul eater like you."

    "At least they find peace inside my stomach," Himiko retorted, "unlike you, who uses and abuses them until they don''t have a body even in the afterlife."

    "I do not," Nanashi protested. "Right, guys?"

    Kaze spoke in a whiny voice, "I agree with her. I just want to die already." Yama nodded in solemn agreement.

    "Shut up!" Nanashi snarled, waving her hand. Kaze and Yama faded out of existence. "It''s so hard to find good help these days."

    Himiko raised an eyebrow. "So, you''re going to fight me alone?"

    "Nope, I''ve got more friends."

    "I think you mean hostages," Himiko said coldly.

    Nanashi''s eyes blazed with fury. "I have nothing more to say to you. It''s time to finish this." She pulled off her top, tying it around her waist. Her hair combusted into vibrant flames, and two plasma swords materialized in her hands, their energy crackling ominously.

    Himiko stared at her opponent, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I won''t lie, it''s hard to take you seriously with that mask on your face," she taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. Her hands moved with practiced ease, drawing two curved swords that shimmered in the moonlight. Tattoos of lightning and wind snaked across Nanashi¡¯s body, glowing faintly with untamed energy. The mask she wore bore a half-moon crest and a lightning bolt, symbols of her unparalleled power.

    Nanashi leaned forward, eyes narrowing with deadly intent. In a blur faster than the blink of an eye, she launched her attack. As her foot left the ground, a colossal force erupted from her strike, disintegrating half the castle in a single breath.

    The moment their blades met, the heavens responded with a fury. The impact dispersed the clouds, turning a starless, moonless night into a vast, open sky. Their swords clashed with a sound that echoed like ten thousand thunderbolts crashing down, rattling the very core of the city below. Each strike left imprints of destruction, raining slashes and cuts upon the remnants of the castle, obliterating anyone and anything that remained in the vicinity.

    But the reign of chaos was short-lived. In a swift, precise move, Nanashi managed to disarm her opponent. Yet, Himiko was no fool. Anticipating the danger, she deftly avoided the plasma blade, grabbing Nanashi''s wrists with ironclad precision. A sinister smile spread across her face as she believed victory was in her grasp. "Goodbye, it¡¯s been fun," she sneered, attempting to unleash her dreaded Infinite Void.

    But nothing happened.

 The End, END

    Himiko¡¯s laughter rang out, cold and mocking. "What''s the matter? Your precious Infinite Void not working? Did you really think I wouldn¡¯t prepare for that, foolish girl?" With a taunting grin, she sprouted two additional arms and delivered a barrage of lightning-fast punches to Nanashi''s midsection.

    Nanashi¡¯s mind raced, tightening her abs to absorb the blows. With quick thinking, she yanked Himiko close, delivering a skull-shattering headbutt that left her opponent dazed. Without hesitation, she gripped Himiko¡¯s arm, crushing the bone with terrifying strength, and hurled her towards the earth with a force that made the ground tremble as if struck by a god.

    Not content to leave her foe vanquished, Nanashi ascended higher into the sky. With a swift motion, she lifted her mask, revealing a face carved with determination. Her hands blurred through a series of signs, and a red light began to glow within her, rising from her belly, through her chest, and into her mouth. As she exhaled, the light transformed into a massive fireball, illuminating the entire city with a blinding radiance. The searing heat was so intense, it evaporated all liquid within a 300-meter radius, as if the very sun had descended to earth.

    Sasuke, guiding the villagers to safety, spun around in alarm. He slammed his hands onto the ground, summoning a formidable force field around the city just in time. The firestorm washed over the barrier like a tidal wave, its heat so intense that the air inside began to cook. But then, a gentle, cooling breeze swept over everyone, lulling them into a peaceful sleep.

    When the inferno finally subsided, Sasuke looked around in horror. The once lush forest surrounding the city had been reduced to a charred wasteland, stripped bare and blackened by the flames.

    "Boy, her sensei has his work cut out for him," Sasuke mumbled, shaking his head.

    "I know. She always leaves a mess. A real headache, I tell you," a familiar voice chimed in.

    Sasuke whirled around. "Tengu? You''re here?"

    "Indeed. I arrived at the village to find it deserted. My magic led me to you guiding the villagers through the city when all this chaos erupted."

    "The villagers!" Sasuke exclaimed, suddenly scanning the area frantically.

    Tengu raised a calming hand. "Worry not. I''ve taken care of them. When they wake, this will feel like nothing more than a dream. Everything will be restored as if nothing ever happened."

    Sasuke''s brow furrowed. "You can still do that after giving her half your power?"

    A mischievous glint appeared in Tengu''s eye. "Funny story, that. It seems when she healed us all in the forest, she not only mended my infirmities but also restored most of my power as the former guardian. So, don''t you dare question my abilities, for I am Tengoku, blessed by the heavens with light and wisdom and all knowledge of the planes of¡ª"

    "Sensei! Sensei!" Nanashi''s voice cut through the air as she waved frantically from above.

    Hajimo let out a heavy sigh. "She won''t even let you sing your own praises," he grumbled before plastering on a bright smile. "Nanashi, my dear student! How do you fare?"

    "I am well, thank you¡ª¡°

    "Silence!"

    Nanashi''s words were cut short by a horrifying sight. What remained of Himiko rose from the scorched earth ¨C a nightmarish fusion of charred flesh and exposed bone. Her lower half had melted into the ground, forcing her to stand like a macabre tombstone. The air grew thick with the stench of burning flesh and ancient malice.

    Himiko''s voice rasped, each word dripping with venom. "You think you''ve defeated me? You ¨C a gutter rat who once roamed the streets, more corpse than child? Born from a disease-ridden whore?"

    As she spoke, countless orbs materialized ¨C each one a trapped soul wailing in agony. They swarmed towards Himiko, drawn into her ruined form. With each absorbed spirit, her body began to knit itself back together in a grotesque display.

    "You dare challenge me?" Himiko''s voice grew stronger, more monstrous. "I dragged you from the filth. I moulded you, taught you everything. I made you a princess, the wife of an empress!" Her laughter was like breaking glass. "But you can''t hide what you truly are. Take the girl from the slums, but the slums remain in her bones."

    Before their eyes, Himiko''s form swelled and twisted. She towered above them, a colossal figure with navy blue skin stretched taut over rippling muscle. Multiple arms sprouted from her torso, each one grasping a deadly weapon. Her hair writhed like smoke, framing a face contorted with hatred.

    Most horrifying of all was the necklace adorning her thick neck ¨C not jewels, but the severed heads of men, their faces frozen in eternal anguish. Gold bands and bracelets clinked ominously as she moved, a mockery of royal finery on this abomination.

    Himiko unleashed a scream that shook the very foundations of the earth. Her serpentine tongue lashed out, tasting the air as her eyes ¨C burning with inhuman malevolence ¨C fixed upon Nanashi.

    ¡°Finally, you¡¯ve decided to reveal your true form. I guess I have no choice but to go all out too. Sorry, Sensei, but I¡¯m going to have to break the promise of keeping the mask on.¡±

    ¡°Will you be alright with it off?¡± Hajim asked, concern etched on his face.

    ¡°Worry not, I¡¯ve had enough time to get it under a little control. Sasuke, just keep that force field up a little longer, until I¡¯m done. Then my dear sweet Sensei can clean up afterwards,¡± she said, dropping the mask into the field.

    Hajimo caught the mask and examined it. ¡°I could make this fancier.¡± he mused.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    ¡°I think so too.¡± Nanashi replied.

    What followed was a metamorphosis of cosmic proportions. Nanashi''s skin shifted, not merely darkening but becoming a living void, an obsidian canvas that seemed to devour light itself. Veins pulsed beneath the surface, first a searing crimson before erupting into a kaleidoscope of hues that danced across her form like auroras.

    At the center of her chest, reality itself seemed to tear open. A perfect circle materialized, revealing an abyss so profound it made the darkest night seem radiant by comparison. Onlookers felt drawn to its endless depth, their very souls teetering on the edge of oblivion.

    Four tails unfurled behind her, each one a testament to power beyond mortal comprehension. Her hair, once merely strands, now blazed with ethereal black flames. Within those dark infernos, pinpricks of white light glimmered like countless stars, as if entire galaxies had been woven into her very being.

    Razor-sharp talons extended from her fingers, capable of rending the fabric of existence itself. Twin horns, small yet impossibly intricate, sprouted from her forehead¡ªa crown befitting an eldritch empress.

    But it was Nanashi''s eyes that truly captivated and terrified. They blazed with a radiance so pure, so absolute, that it seemed to pierce through flesh and bone, laying bare the deepest secrets of those who dared meet her gaze.

    Himiko, despite years of training and exposure to the extraordinary, found herself retreat several steps. Awe and terror warred within her as she beheld the being that had once been her student. When she finally managed to speak, her words emerged as a whisper, laden with both wonder and concern.

    ¡°What, have you done to yourself, this goes further than we both have ever intended.¡±

    ¡°I need not for your concern, it is time to end this.¡±

    The air crackled with electric tension as Himiko lunged, her blade singing through the air. But before steel could meet flesh, reality itself seemed to ripple. The sword, along with Himiko''s arms, simply ceased to exist¡ªvanishing as if erased from the cosmic canvas.

    Undeterred, Himiko attacked again, only to witness her remaining limbs fade into nothingness. Blood cascaded from her wounds, but instead of horror, a manic glee danced in her eyes.

    "Fool!" Himiko cackled. "You know what happens when I bleed!"

    Nanashi''s voice resonated with otherworldly calm. "Indeed. Your clones arise."

    As if summoned by her words, miniature versions of Himiko sprouted from the crimson pools. Yet Nanashi remained unfazed, her cosmic gaze piercing through the deception.

    "But you cannot regenerate," she stated, her words carrying the weight of irrefutable truth.

    Panic flashed across Himiko''s face as she futilely attempted to regrow her arms. "No matter," she spat, false bravado barely masking her fear. "I have my clones, my blood powers!"

    With a mere snap of her fingers, Nanashi unraveled reality once more. The clones blinked out of existence, leaving only the maimed Himiko.

    Desperate, Himiko contorted her body, willing her blood to form razor-sharp shards. They rained down... on empty space. Himiko''s triumphant smile froze as she realized her grievous error.

    In a blur of motion too fast for mortal eyes, Nanashi seized Himiko''s pinkie toe. The world became a dizzying whirlwind as Nanashi wielded her opponent like a ragdoll, smashing her against the ground with earth-shattering force. With a final, graceful spin, she hurled Himiko skyward, the former teacher rocketing past the atmosphere.

    Nanashi pursued, her form streaking through the stars like a comet of divine retribution.

    Floating in the void, Himiko''s eyes widened in realization. "This... this is the end."

    "You always yearned for the stars." Nanashi''s voice echoed in the vacuum of space. "Now, you shall become one."

    On her fingertip, a minuscule black flame danced¡ªno larger than a dandelion seed, yet containing the fury of a dying sun.

    "This," Nanashi intoned, "is just enough to unmake you."

    With a delicate flick, the cosmic ember struck Himiko''s core. Space itself warped and twisted, a voracious singularity blooming within her. Himiko''s form distorted, stretched, and finally imploded in a burst of otherworldly radiance.

    For a heartbeat, the Earth''s sky blazed with ethereal light, as if a new constellation had been born and snuffed out in an instant.

    Nanashi descended, the aura of cosmic power still clinging to her form. Hajimo tossed her the mask, which she donned with practiced ease. As Sasuke lowered the force field, Nanashi touched down beside them, her presence a reminder of the thin veil between the mundane and the extraordinary.

    "Whoa, Tengu, you''ve really outdone yourself this time," Sasuke exclaimed, his eyes wide with awe. Then, a sudden realization struck him. "Wait, you killed Himiko... but where''s Akiza?"

    Nanashi''s voice, though weary, carried a hint of triumph. "No need to worry. Raj was dropping hints about her location all along. Come, follow me." She turned to Hajimo, her otherworldly eyes softening. "Sensei, can you handle the whatever this is? I''m... exhausted. I need rest."

    Hajimo''s lips curled into a knowing smile. ¡°Was I ever going to refuse?¡±

    "That''s my Sensei!" Nanashi beamed, then called out, "Oi, Sasuke, bring Sunzune along too."

    Sasuke nodded, bending down to scoop up both Sunzune and Shipp.

    "Hey, hey!" Nanashi protested, waving her arms dramatically. "Can''t we leave him behind?"

    "No," Sasuke replied, his tone flat and unyielding.

    ¡°Argh!¡± Nanashi groaned, waving her arms erratically.

    ¡°I hate to interrupt, but don¡¯t we need to find someone?¡± Sasuke interjected.

    Top of Form

    Bottom of Form

    "Then why are you just standing there? Come on!" Nanashi urged, her voice low but insistent, as she took off running toward the largest, most infamous brothel in Fukuoka.

    "A brothel?" Sasuke questioned, his brow furrowing.

    "Yes, and I bet she''s hidden somewhere close to the kitchen, maybe in a cabinet or a case." Nanashi replied, her voice tinged with certainty.

    With quiet determination, Nanashi slipped into the brothel, her steps swift and precise as she navigated the narrow corridors. She moved through the kitchen like a shadow, opening every cabinet, searching every nook with an urgency born of instinct. But it wasn¡¯t until she reached the storage room that she paused, a subtle smile creeping across her lips. There, nestled in one of the wine containers, was Akiza, sleeping soundly.

    Nanashi carefully lifted her out, cradling her in her arms. "How peacefully you sleep when you know you are loved by me." she whispered, her voice soft and tender. A smile blossomed on Akiza¡¯s face, as if she could feel the warmth even in her slumber.

    Moments later, Sasuke appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and admiration. "Did you¡­ how did you know?" he asked, his voice hushed.

    "Because this is where she first found me," Nanashi replied, her tone a mixture of nostalgia and quiet sadness. "And with all her talk about my mother being a prostitute, I figured this is where she would hide her. But where¡¯s Suzune, the other one?"

    "I found the closest bed and put her there," Sasuke admitted.

    "Eww, no, Sasuke!" Nanashi grimaced, her nose wrinkling in distaste. "Go get her off that bed, now! But before you go, bring me the dirtiest, wettest cloth from that laundry basket."

    "Why?" Sasuke asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "I want to rub it in Shippo¡¯s face," she said with a mischievous grin.

    "No. Just come out at once," Sasuke ordered, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument.

    "Hai," Nanashi replied, pouting as she dragged her feet.

    Once Sasuke had gathered Suzune and Shippo, he transformed into his fox form, ready to leave. Nanashi followed, still grumbling under her breath about her thwarted plans, but the warmth of Akiza''s smile lingered in her heart, softening her mood.

    Not knowing that her blast that ended Himiko¡¯s life,  broke a seal off an ancient prison, buried deep beneath the icy plains of Antarctica , an malevolent being, of chaos, destruction and vanity, father of the legendary and mystical Archons, the self-proclaimed supreme god- Yaldabaoth.