AN: Giddy up next chapter! I decided to give a double whammy for you cowgirls and cowboys, call it a late x-mass and New Year's gift. Also, yeah the southern accent is a farce, I was born in California but I moved to the south just recently so I wanted to enjoy the celebration of being out here. Thank you BlackFang for the Beta Work.
Disclaimer: I don't own Mai-hime. If I did, I would be rich… well not really yawl!
"Thinking"
Warning: Mild and heavy themes of profanity, Futa. Its fan fiction, not reality right?*
Death was all that could be seen. Barren, dried desert like ground covered the traveler's feet as they passed old and rotted tree trunks as the place once flourished as a forest. Nothing could be seen for miles but life that threatened to become moribund after the towering beast.
"Your ladyship, welcome back" bowed the red-haired woman towards the sneering beast.
Opening its jaws, it proceeded to speak to the red-haired servant. "Damn that vile human woman" growled the beast, its teeth clenched firmly together.
Looking down with lime green eyes, the red-haired woman spoke as she looked at the damage that was caused. "Did your assassination attempt fail?" asked Nao with a smug tone.
The nail-tailed beast sneered as its fur stood once again on edge. "Silence yourself before I do it myself. I merely wanted to see her capabilities before I crush her head within my mouth," spoke the beast.
"Forgive my rudeness your ladyship, would you allow me to dress your wound?"
"No, that won't be necessary. Tell Nagi to ready his men, I want every province of Ethro's searched" stated the fox as it walked away from its servant.
"As you wish, lady Fujino…" replied the red-haired servant as she bowed her head in respect. Turning away, Nao watched as the beast made its way towards the west looking and smirking as she decided to let her plan go into motion.
City of Ragnos…
Natsuki's eyes wondered up as far as she could at the atmosphere around her, from the hover train to the hover vehicles. To the vainglorious sky scrapers around them, Natsuki couldn't get enough. Everything looked new as well as exciting, never before had she see so many creatures in one area.
Looking at her joy, Aoi decided to speak on her guest's behalf. "So are you enjoying the city of Ragnos?"
Making sure to keep the hood over her head, Natsuki smiled a shy smiled before running to catch up with the two.
"Make sure you stay close to us, someone may spot you out" said Chie in a firm voice.
"Relax Chie, no need to be so testy. Sorry about that, she gets paranoid sometimes" stated the Aoi, smiling a little to her companion's small blush.
"I'm not paranoid, just cautious is al. I mean she may have eaten our food, but it still isn't enough for her not to be detected."
"You sound like a dog" grumbled Natsuki, rolling her eyes sarcastically.
"Actually I am a dog, a Karelian Bear Dog to be exact."
"A bear dog…?
"She was blessed by the goddess Orikumo, while I for one I'm just a regular demon. A rabbit demon to be exact" Aoi casually added with a smile. Walking around, the three stopped in an alleyway as Chie began sniffing the air the before turning back at the two smiling. "Well it looks like the empire hasn't checked here; keep on your toes, ok you two?" Nodding their heads in understanding, the two stuck close by to Chie. "Aye Aoi, place Natsuki in the middle. We don't want anyone accidently picking her scent up" said Chie in a formal tone. Nodding her head in understanding, the two placed her in the middle. Walking through the narrow alley, Chie noticed that Natsuki's eyes were admiring the markings that almost represented Aztec design along the alley's walls. "Are you admiring the graffiti Natsuki?"
Looking at the demon Natsuki spoke, "It's kind of hard to believe this is graffiti, I mean it's beautiful."
"Yeah, beautiful and scummy, that sums up Lowtown for you," commented Chie. Feeling that she was going lower, she almost was certain that she was underground.
After a few more steps, Chie noticed the light before her was a mildly lit underground as dwellers from everywhere looked as the three came in. It wasn't until a man caught notice of them in particular, he couldn't help but show off his fangs as they were sharp as well as his ears golden colored ears, shown within the peeking sun light of the upper city could be seen. Approaching the trio, Natsuki watched as Chie and the stranger interacted.
There almost acting playful, like…dogs.
"It's nice to see the legendary captain Harada coming down here to Lowtown for a visit. And who's this little lady?" Smelling the air, he widened his eyes then he looked sternly towards the bear-dog. "What are you doing bringing a human here?" he asked in a threatening whisper to Chie.
"Look, I'm only here to see Minagi. Besides, a couple of days of eating our food and she should be alright if you're worried about her scent. Until then, I think we slipped past any detection. And for the record, her name is Natsuki, not human"
"Look, do you know the danger your putting everyone in? If the empire finds out where she is, they won't hastate to kill us all"
"I know that but I'm just asking for a chance. I believe that we are on to something big, she has the mark..."
"Mark? What are you going on abou- No, you don't mean the mark of the K-" before he could even finish Chie's hand covered his mouth stop the words from being spoken.
"Shhh…yeah, I'm sure you know what this means? It could be the answer to what we have all been looking for."
Staring harshly at her, Natsuki cringed at the man as he smelled the air around her once again before his harsh glare melted. "Fine, but I don't believe you. I'll take you to Mingai, after an hour you have to leave, I don't want anyone here in danger" said the man.
"Thank you Tate, you won't regret this. Aoi, Natsuki, shall we?" following along, Natsuki looked back at the man before running behind the others. After taking a few turns and twists; the emerald-eyed teen stared over towards the gated door that stood before them. Noticing there was an emblem marked with crest designs around it, she found it was shaped in the size of a palm. Chie placed hand on the mark as Natsuki watched as the bear dog twisted to the right and then two times to the left.
"Her magic hasn't changed since the last time we saw her" said Aoi, twitching her ears nervously.
Walking in, the human's nose was immediately bombarded with incenses of all sorts. Narrowing her eyes, she looked in between the smoke to see a young girl sitting in the center of a lavish carpet. Looking onwards, she noticed her long points known as ears as they stuck to each opposite direction and her black cat's tail. Her jet black short hair was shorter much like her own and her yellow eyes seemed to be filled with an endless ocean of knowledge. Natsuki stared skeptically as she looked at the young girl tapping her shoulder; she looked back to Aoi who shook her head.
"You shouldn't underestimate Mingai. Her powers are beyond that than anyone here in Lowtown."
"I see your magic has changed since the last time I saw you, Mingai" smirked Chie. Looking over towards the unknown-demon she stared blandly.
"I only weakened my magic because I sensed you dog and here you are." Looking over towards the emerald-eyed teen, she looked as she figured that it was impossible for the young teen to see her within the darkened atmosphere of her living quarters. "Approach the light, Natsuki" requested the cat eyed sorceress.
Walking towards the light, Natsuki tried not to look nervous under her hood. "H-How did you know my name?"
"Nothing is a whisper when you are in Lowtown."
"Oh, I see…"
"It seems you are here with questions as well as you wish to seek answers, am I not correct?" asked Mingai, easily seeing through the trio's intentions.
"Hai, we want to know about the mark of the Kitsune."
"I see. Natsuki, could you please take your hands out of your pocket?" Natsuki stared warily over towards the darkened faces of Aoi and Chie, looking for approval from the two.
"It's alright Natsuki, she's here to help"
Taking her hands out, the onyx-haired girl gravitated right away to the teen's bandaged hand. Un-wrapping the cloth, she watched as the younger teen examined the mark carefully.
"Let me see your face, if you don't mind" doing as requested, Mikoto watched as Natsuki took off her hood as her raven-hair fell on her shoulders. Her eyes widened in shock at the younger teen before turning back towards the two demons that were equally in shock as well.
Looking in a faraway mirror Natsuki, noticed her hair grew back to its original style.
"What the hell?!"
Pinning her ears on her head, Chie looked with an annoyed expression at the shocked teen who kissed her flowing locks in indication of her missing them. "Could you not scream like that?"
Natsuki looked sheepishly at the bear-dog before smiling. "I'm sorry…"
AN: That's a great point to stop R&R folks!
Preview: "Judge Nagi…"
Zero
