Yuki held Seiichi's hand while they travelled through the unfamiliar world. The streets were lit and lined with red lanterns and small candles that hovered above the pavement.
Many species of Yokai walked past them like a normal street in the human world. Some wore their human face, while others proudly flaunt their real identity.
It was all knew to Yuki. The people, the atmosphere and the way the Yokai world felt so distant to her.
She squeezed the hand she held, huddling closer towards the fox.
"Hm?" Seiichi looks down, noticing the girl was quite frightened from the amount of Yokai that walked in and around her.
He held her closer to him, resting his hand on her shoulder. Until another Kitsune comes into view.
"Seiichi? What's a wayward fox doing here in the red markets?" The tall man says, his 9 tails laying bare on his behind.
The stranger wore a sly smile, while looking down at Seiichi. His hair was an auburn brown and his eyes were a pale green.
Seiichi raises his eyes towards the fox and narrows them.
"It's been a while Yuri." He says politely, but annoyed at the fact he was speaking to a nine tails.
Despite Seiichi's age and status in the Yokai world, Kitsune continue to disown him due to the lack of respect he has.
"Hmph. And who's this young lady?" The fox bends his knees, crouching in front of Yuki.
Yuki shy's away, hiding behind Seiichi's legs, while still peaking around.
The fox laughs at her fear and backs away, standing back to his feet.
"A little jumpy isn't she?" He asks, looking back down at Seiichi.
"Don't tell me the infamous Seiichi is taking in young Yokai now?" The man laughs out loud, disturbing the passerbys.
"It's nothing of the thought. And anyway... Why the hell would I tell you?" Seiichi replies back.
Yuri scoffs, rolling his eyes. The tone in Seiichi's voice was unwelcoming and blunt. He wanted to make it clear, he didn't want to speak with Yuri.
"Still arrogant and stubborn as you have always been, little fox." Yuri grunts, tapping Seiichi's nose.
"Id watch my tongue, Yuri. Have you forgotten who's presence your standing in?" Seiichi's eyes glowed yellow, his energy seeping from his body.
"Know your place in the presence of the Clan-head of the Inari Clan... if you do not want to be executed by the very hands of your own clan head, then keep your trap shut."
Seiichi pushes past Yuri, dragging Yuki away from the snobby nine tails.
"Your capabilities are over exaggerated, Seiichi! Don't believe you're of importance just because you're the eldest Kitsune in the clan." Yuri calls out, his voice trailing off in the crowd as Seiichi ignored him.
Yuki looks back at Yuri, who now turned his back. They both walked deeper into the crowd, nudging and pushing their way through.
"Um... Seiichi, who was that?" She asked, plucking up the courage to speak.
Her eyes gaze up at his, surprised that he was angered by something.
"No one..." He goes quite.
"Just another pathetic nine tails that does nothing to benefit his clan." He replied.
"Just then, before...you mentioned you're the Inari Clans leader?" She continues to question.
Seiichi stops in an area where no crowd was pushing and pulling on them. He glances down at the girl, skeptical if it was worth answering her questions.
"As one of the original Kitsune to serve the Lady Inari... I was elected clan head; however, most do not believe I should have been given such an important role..." He pauses for a moment, reminiscing the moment he last spoke to The Lady Inari.
"Given my role as (y/n)'s protector and guardian. Though some loyal folk believe it is because of this reason, that I was elected."
"So that man before. He doesn't believe you should be Clan head of an important clan?" Yuki asks.
"He's a few hundred years younger then me, and was born after The Lady Inari's death. He's a stubborn fox, who believes to be the best because he's lived a thousand years." His brows stitch, thinking of all those nine tailed Kitsune.
"It's disgraceful, and embarrassing for all Kitsune... the ones that are older then I, are of very few. I have not seen one in over a decade." He mourns, believing they are all dead and forgotten.
"Hm? Your a thousand years old? But, Seiichi you only have two tails." Yuki tilts her head like a dog, looking at his white tails.
Seiichi let's go of his doubt and anger, and softly smiles down at the innocent girl.
"Kitsune are flexible beings when it comes to power, and we are able to sacrifice our power for others." He crouches down at her hight, taking her hands in his.
"As a means to protect (y/n)'s identity to the supernatural, I gave my seven tails to her... She can't use them, nor I, but I've made them specifically to hide her from the bad guys." He smiles.
Yuki's eyes broaden at his explanation. She remembers all the stories Hina told her, and created such an amazing and perfect image for (y/n).
So why did she feel betrayed at the fact the person she was so captivated by, needed protection.
Seiichi notices the shocked look on her face and chuckles.
"I simply did this, so in her weak form she didn't need anything to worry about..." He reassured her.
"So (y/n), she isn't weak?" She asks.
"Not the least. In fact, I believe once she devours her once heart, her energy and power will exceed that of Akio and Sukuna." Seiichi's eyes sour at the thought.
"Only... I'm not positive what that will do to her and her memories... I fear, maybe she'll reek havoc."
Seiichi stands back up, looking out at the crowd, thinking of the many possibilities that could happen to her.
Yuki watched him; keeping silent to let him have a moment to himself. The stories she's heard are describing the infamous (y/n) as a kind gentle woman, who managed to have The King of Curses on his knees.
"I'm sure she wouldn't... Master Hina described her as a gentle soul. I don't believe (y/n) could cause such damage." She holds Seiichi's hand, squeezing it.
"(Y/n) wouldn't do that if she still cares for you, the sorcerers and Sukuna." She shows Seiichi a sweet smile, wanting to cheer him up.
Seiichi squeezed her hand back and chuckles at her cute gesture.
"Heh Heh, thank you Yuki."
•••
After some time walking around the market area, Seiichi had finally arrived to the specific shop he had been searching for.
The shop was covered in greens and medicine of all different kinds; almost replicating a forest. Tall shelves that level to the ceiling open and close on their own, as remedies and packets of herbs swiftly move around on their own.
The woman behind the counter, who wore a red mask on the side of her head, greets them both with a warm smile.
"Hello! How may I hel- oh, Seiichi?" Her black wings ruffle at the sight of an old friend standing before her.
"It's been...quite a long time since I last saw you. Is everything alright?" She asks, walking around the dark wooden counter.
The shoes she wore were quite tall to compliment her short frame. The single geta-frame was much taller then most, and to Yuki, they looked uncomfortable to walk in.
"I'm fine... it's just." Seiichi's ears droop when he imagined (y/n) in pain.
"It's just?... Is (y/n) alright? The last time you were here was when you asked me to unseal your tails." The woman says, concerned about his presence so suddenly.
"Akio has taken her." Seiichi says, his eyes casting down.
The woman's eyes widen, hearing the worst. She remembers what Seiichi told her 6 years ago about the entire situation with the curse Akio and (y/n).
She was familiar with everything, as she was the one who helped him separate his tails in the first place. With him standing before her after so long, could only mean he was here to reclaim his seven tails.
"I'm... sorry to hear this, Seiichi. How can I help?" She fiddles with her fingers, knowing (y/n) meant everything to the fox.
"I'm sure you've already figured that out, Komi." He says, looking up at the highest shelf behind her.
She follows his gaze to the one shelf that rarely, almost never gets opened.
Inside that small shelf lays a dormant ornament, that allows to split one's soul into countless pieces. It was handed down to her, from the very first Tengu who is a distant relative to the woman.
"I thought as much..." She says, sighing.
"Seiichi...using that ornament again will possibly kill you. Are you sure you want to revert your tails?" She asks, looking back into the foxes eyes.
"If I wasn't sure of my decision, then I wouldn't be standing before you." Seiichi says.
"Besides, it's the only way I can find (y/n)." He continues.
Komi sighs, as she walks back behind the counter. Her wings dragged along the floor, sweeping and pushing the plants hanging vines from their place.
She raises a hand, opening the drawer on the highest shelf. A small white Pom-Pom floats out of the draw it had been collecting dust in.
It slowly levitates towards Komi, where it finally hovered right above her palms.
She turns around; Yuki curious at the strange object. To her it just looked like a normal white Pom-Pom.
How can this thing split a soul into pieces? Yuki thought.
"You remember how to use it?" Komi asks, placing it into a small black box, that was lined with golden metal.
"Somewhat." He replied, watching her.
"It won't be the same as splitting your tails. Would you like it if I repeat myself." She asks, glancing at his face.
"Please." He replied, releasing Yuki's hand.
Komi laughs under her breath, knowing he would have forgotten. She pulls the ornament back out of the box, and demonstrates.
"To activate the ornament, you'll have to chant a simple tone: Tengu of the lands, grant thy my strength." The ornament opens, a golden light spilling from inside. The light radiated from a white metal ball, with black pearls embedded in the intricately designed ball.
Yuki's eyes widen at the beauty. Now that looks more like a soul splitting ornament. She says to herself.
"Tap the first pearl once then the second pearl to activate the Energy inside." She points at the black pearls, making sure not to actually activate the spell.
"Last time was a whole process; however, since the last spell casted from this specific ornament was done by you, all you simply need to do is twist both sides of the ball clockwise and anticlockwise to open it." She demonstrates the movement and continues to speak.
"It'll present the core of this ornament. Shatter it quickly before it's exposed to miasma, then it'll shatter the spell, reverting your tails." She finishes.
The fluffy exterior of the ball closes as she stops demonstrating the movements on how to properly activate it.
"Since you're shattering the core of this ornament, I'm afraid it will be the last of its use." She continues, laying the orb back into the box. She pauses for a moment before giving the box to Seiichi.
"Seiichi..." her tone mellows, a worried look in her eyes as they gaze at the box.
"The backlash of this spell, might kill you, so please..." she looks up at him.
"Please be careful." Her eyes were determined that he will live, but the thought of him dying worried her.
Not because she loved him or that she had any romantic feelings towards him, but because she truly found a friend in him, and wished nothing more for him to live a life peacefully for once.
"I'll be fine, Komi. Don't worry about it." He replies back in a soothing tone, comforting her thoughts.
His eyes quickly glance down at Yuki, knowing that majority of the backlash will go onto her.
If anything Komi, I need you saying this to her...I fear she may not survive this... Seiichi says to himself, taking the box from Komi's hands.
Komi shows him a confident smile, and bows.
"Until next we meet Seiichi." She says.
Seiichi and Yuki exit the shop, stepping foot back into the busy footpath.
"...The way that woman worded things, it—It sounded like this is a really dangerous thing to do." Yuki says quietly, fear starting to cloud her judgment.
Seiichi gazes down at the girl, wanting to comfort her, but knew there was no point to it. If he did, he'd only be lying to her.
"Seiichi... Even if this kills me... I don't think it will bother me." Yuki looks at the box in his hand, reminiscing the time she had with Hina.
"I know you didn't want to tell me the truth back at the shrine, but I knew that Master Hina was experimenting on me and the other Yokai." She held her chest, picturing the essence of Sukuna's finger laying dormant inside her.
"I've been expecting this my entire life, especially when I heard some really strong sorcerers were searching for all these cursed objects a few years back."
"Yuki." Seiichi whispers, knowing where she was going with this conversation.
She clenched her feast and grit her teeth, wanting to force the words out.
"I'm happy to sacrifice myself for (y/n)!" She yells, shutting her eyes, not wanting to see the look on his face.
Seiichi's eyes gape open at her comment. It sounded like a suicide message; like her last words before her death.
She's very self aware, and it frightened Seiichi. How was he suppose to protect her, when she's already made up her mind to sacrifice herself to Sukuna. Even if she lived through this spell, she was right. Sukuna wouldn't waste any time to devour her.
"I—I can't tell you what's right or wrong, Yuki. But please consider your own life." He softly says.
"Your purpose in life, isn't to just surrender it to the King of Curses... I'm sure Hina and (y/n) would hate hearing you say that."
"Master Hina was an alchemist at heart... she only saw me as an experiment." She corrects him.
"Hina saw you as an asset... Of course her main purpose was to return Sukuna, but she kept you alive didn't she?"He continued to argue, leading her train of thought to a different resolution.
She gazes up at him, curious about why he was putting so much effort into comforting her.
"You're a fox demon, Seiichi. I never would have guessed you would be so kind." She says.
In return Seiichi laughs through his nose, silently snickering at her comment.
"I'm not some heartless fool y'know; however... I am cruel. In all honesty, I don't want to see another innocent soul get taken away by Sukuna..." His smile fades, looking out into the crowd.
"I may be selfish when saying this, but I hate seeing Sukuna get everything that he doesn't deserve to have." He frowns.
"Why him? Why was he born with unimaginable power, why was he chosen by Lady Inari...Why did the girl fall in love with him... It just doesn't make sense." He continue to speak, his voice growing with annoyance.
"He's selfish, cruel, arrogant, narcissistic and a murderer who kills for the heck of it... I just...Why him?" He lowers his eyes to his feet and softened his faces.
"Why did she fall in love with him?" He whispers.
Despite her lack of knowledge on emotions and trying to read them, it was obvious to her that he had fallen deeply in love with (y/n), and has grown uncontrollably jealous for Sukuna.
She didn't want to say anything, incase it would upset him more, instead she lightly tugged on his Yukata and smiled.
"She cares for you just as much... that I know, because Master Hina told me so." She remembers the stories where Seiichi would leave for weeks on end, leaving (y/n) alone with Sukuna.
Hina told her that it was difficult to see (y/n) cry at night, away from Sukuna's eyes, because she missed Seiichi and his kindness towards her.
For months (y/n) hated being in the presence of Sukuna; wishing for nothing more, then to have that one person who comforted and gave her attention by her side.
Seiichi didn't know what she meant by that comment, but it was obviously from a story she heard from Hina.
He takes a large breath, cooling himself down, before replying to her.
"You definitely know what to say in the right moment, Yuki... Thank you." He smiles, petting her hair gently.
They both shook the dreary mood off them and continued North towards his clan.
He was nervous to see them after leaving in such a hurry. Not only that, but to face the elders of the Kitsune race.
They didn't exactly belong to a clan, but are reported the oldest Kitsune among the three clans. They weren't as old as Lady Inari, but they were at least 500 years old when Seiichi was born.
While he was here in the Yokai world, he'd be smart to inform the elders that he will be returning his missing tails and will need to be reassessed, based on his strength.
This time, the title 'Clan Head' will have an even greater meaning to his name, now that he'd be a nine tails again.
Authors Note
- I'm really getting creative with this whole Yokai stuff aren't I? I just find it so fascinating!
- Anyways, this is just a little check in - how's everyone going?
Got any questions you'd like me to answer. - as I've notice I haven't described some things in the past chapters.
Just let me know 🤍
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