Typical

The Moonless night.

"Who's there?" she asked softly, glancing over her shoulder. In the dead of night, she sat alone, not even the moon would come out from behind the clouds for her. Relaying on her nose more then her eyes she sniffed the air but found no scent. Were her ears wrong? Was there nothing there? The dark night didn't help her at all. "Come out now if you wish to live," she growled baring her fanged teeth.

Being a nine tailed Kitsune one would think Ai had an upper hand on the world around her, living for many, many years, but one who thought this didn't know Ai. Her long golden hair drifted in the wind lightly.

With all the legends and tales told about kitsunes, one would also think they were imaginary creatures that didn't exist. But one didn't have to look to hard or far as to find one. Get one drunk on sake and they'll slip up and let there tails show or blurt out the truth. Most never stayed in there true state knowing humans soot out their powers and abilities, no, rather they became what they hated most; humans- or at least look was no different. She spent her days as human.

Her pale skin reflected her golden hair, making it appear much brighter then it was. Her soft golden eyes matched her hair. Standing very short in height- at a mere 5 feet- one would think she were a child but Ai was much older then a child. How old was she, she had forgotten long ago. Defiantly 1,000 years old at least; her nine tails were the sign of that.

She narrowed her eyes trying to focus on the source of sound, "I said-"

"No need to repeat yourself," came a young voice. Ai's head shot around-the source had approached from the front instead of behind- eyeing the one before her. A young boy dressed in all white. With his pale lavender eyes, he stared at her a small smirk spread across his face. "I haven't come to fight."

"Oh?" Ai questioned crossing her arms over her chest, "What are you exactly, young one?" She couldn't tell if he was human or demon by his scent.

"Does that matter?" he questioned.

"I suppose it doesn't," she said relaxing some. This child, she figured, couldn't posse much of a threat.

"Don't be fooled," he said, "I'm a lot stronger then I look."

"Oh?" she tilted her head to the side smirking. "Is it possible you do not know what I am, young one?"

"On the contrary, what you are is the whole reason I have come."

"Really now?" Ai smirk grew. Could she have a new play mate for the time being? "Is it my power you seek?"

"You could say that." Ai's eyes narrowed. He had to be human then if he was foolish enough to look for her for her power. "I am no fool." How did he know she was thinking that? "I know a lot more about you then you think." Ai raised a eye brow confused. How did he? She was very secretive.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I know that you prefer to keep your Hoshi no tama between your tails rather then your mouth like typical kitsunes." Ai's eyes widened from shock but she quickly gathered herself.

"Hmmm good guess, young one, but even typical things aren't as typical as one would think." She smirked sitting down, "If you go by typical things you'd know that kitsune's aren't typically out like this. They trick humans and join them in there homes."

"Yes, I've heard of that," he stayed where he was, the same smirk spread across his young face. Ai had to admit, he was a confident kid, but confidence could only go so far before he was killed.

"If it's a battle you seek, it will have to wait."

"Yes, I know about your weakness." Ai's eyes-once again- widened. No one knew her weakness, how was it this child did? She bit her tongue glaring at the young boy. "That is why I came this night. Your powers are gone, are they not?" She bit her lip hard, drawing blood. It was true she was powerless. "You can fool lowly demons and maybe humans but I know you're a half breed."

Ai rose to her feet calmly, "Your mistaken, young one. My father was a great and well known Kitsune. No one rivaled his power. No one could tame him. He-"

"-fell in love with a mortal female, your mother." She flinched. Maybe he did know what she was. "Deny it if you wish. We shall see once the sun comes up." Ai gulped looking towards the moonless sky, which was getting lighter. This young boy was wise beyond his years, much how she was when she was younger but now? In her old age she was being out foxed by a kid.

"Tell me, young one, what is your name?"

"Hakudoshi."

"Well, Hakudoshi, it seems I missed judged you," she glanced to the sky once more. The sun would be up very soon. "My name is Ai. And it seems I'm bound to you seeing as how you know my secret." The boy smirked. He had figured that was how it was going to go in the end. He would win even if it was by force.

"Good now handle over your Hoshi no Tama." Ai growled bitterly. She need her orb to live.

"I'm afraid I can not do that at this time," It was true she couldn't not while human. Maybe if she got away she'd have her freedom. Maybe.

"You can't run," He said turning his back to her, "No matter where you go, or how fast you run. I will find you."

"Oh? And how can you be so certain?" She asked covering her shock. She wondered if he was reading her mind or if it was that obvious. Was he that powerful? He just turned back to her; a smirk spread across his face the sun reflecting behind him.

She, too, found herself smirking along with him. She could feel her power returning with the sun's return. Her orb appeared before her-which she instantly snatched up, shoving it inside her.

"Do you really think you stand a chance against me?" He asked calmly. Ai's smirk turned to a slight smile.

"Afraid not, young Hakudoshi, I am no fool," She began glowing a soft golden color. She was tapping into her powers, she may not be able to fight but she could do on thing now; illusions. She brought her hands up slowly waving them in front of herself. She was casting her spell. In a matter of seconds she began to dissolve into the morning sky.

Hakudoshi stood in the same place, still with his smirk. He could easily see threw her illusion but where was the fun in that? He decided he'd play along….for the time being anyways. He watched as she began disappearing into the back ground. She was fairly good but he was better.

Ai waved a good bye as she completely disappeared into nothing. A simple illusion that any kitsune could do at birth. She figured this would be good enough to get away from him. She cocked a have smirk before turning her back to him showing her 9 tails –her orb entwined in two of them; glowing a soft golden color. Typically she would keep her tails hidden but, she figured, why waste energy on that seeing has how no one could see her.

"Do you really think I can't see you?" he said calmly staring directly at her. Ai raised a brow, confused. Could he really see her? "So be it." He darted at her, drawing a spear like halberd from behind him, dashing at her. Ai had little time to block on reflex she brought her arms up, holding off the halberd. She grunted stopping herself from crying out from the sudden pain.

Hakudoshi smirked releasing the halberd, dashing away in a blur. It took a few moments for Ai to realize what he was after. Instantly she spun around growling bitterly at the young boy. Hakudoshi smirked holding the thing he was after; the hoshi no tama.

"Bastard," she growled bitterly, "Return that to me at once!"

He smiled playfully tossing it up a few times, "I think not. As long as I have this you're my property. Isn't that how it goes?" Ai continued to growl. He knew. He knew everything. Ai, weither she wanted to be or not, was not his property. "Now bow before your master."

Growling Ai did as she was told, "Yes master," she said bitterly. Hakudoshi continued to smile.

"Very good. Now come," he commanded turning his back to her, leading the way he had come from the start. Ai grumbled to herself but did as she was told. Throughout her life of a thousand plus years she had never been caught like all the other kitsunes and now look at her. Caught by a young demon of all things. Only a half breed, she thought, could be caught so easy.