Chapter 6:

So here's chapter 6. As you can tell there is going to possibly be a battle in the future. We got some grudges that need to be settled. Any who, here it is. I own only Inola, Takoda, Kaname, Alue, Kassiel, and Lethanuel. The rest belongs to OUAT.

Inola and her master's relationship has become more trusting as of late. He would allow her to take walks in human form as long as she returned home at a certain time. During these times she would train hard. Practicing her magic and working on her fighting skills. She didn't do it alone, oh no, her grandfather decided to train her and often called her a hopeless case. This was one of those times.

"Keh! Are you sure we're related? You're awfully weak to be of my bloodline... it must be the white fox in you," he ranted, his etherial self perching up on a tree branch, just lounging there.

Inola growled, her brow wet with sweat in concentration. She turned on her grandfather.

"Well perhaps I wouldn't be such a hopeless case if you would teach me something more simple!" she shouted up at him.

Kaname laughed, "you sure are like your father! He was a pain in my ass too. But I suppose you are right, let's try something more simple. Have you begun to notice anything strange? Like when your emotions get away from you or you're enjoying yourself too much?"

Inola paused at that. As a matter-of-fact... she did. Like a week ago when she and her master last bed together, it had rained. But what was unusual about it was that she was thinking in her head how much a perfect storm would make things even more pleasurable, and then... Poof! It happened. Not to mention when she and her master had fought that one day and that nasty storm picked up in her anger and sadness. She turned to look up at the Blood King.

"Actually... yes. When ever I get upset or angry a huge thunderstorm breaks out. And when I thought about how good a perfect storm would be at one moment, a few minutes later one appeared," she recalled, noting her grandfather's sly grin.

"Ah ha! I knew you weren't completely worthless! Yes! You're father had the ability to summon storms at will, must be a black fox thing... but yes! Now my clan was completely different I assure you... we had the ability some would call demonic. And they were right; we had the ability in our blood to summon demons to bend to our will. Why you even showed potential with that ability yourself not too long ago! When you summoned me; now that itself is proof enough that you are of my clan. And the fact you were able to summon a strong enough barrier to hold me in was proof of your other side of the family," he concluded, sneering at the last part.

Inola rolled her eyes, "it worked, didn't it?"

Kaname rolled his eyes and waved her off, "yes yes! Now back to work! I want you to be able to focus an orb of lightning into that hand of yours before the day ends!"

Later on...

Inola shuffled into her master's shop at dusk, her entire body aching and trembling with exhaustion. She had managed to summon an orb of lightning in the end, but only for a couple of seconds. Kaname had begrudgingly accepted it and disappeared with a huff, leaving her to stumble back home. She was glad she had her concealment spell on because when she walked in she noted that Regina was standing across the counter yelling at her master. She straightened, her blue eyes glaring.

"Excuse me, is there a problem here," she asked tertly, a small part of her enjoying it when the witch startled.

Regina spun around to see a young woman maybe in her mid twenties stand there with a scowl on her face. Regina straightened, a frown upon her lips.

"No there isn't, just having a small chat with Mr. Gold here," she replied tertly.

Inola smirked, "well then, it looks like your "conversation" will have to wait till tomorrow; because we're closed."

Regina raised an eyebrow at the insolance of the girl, "do you not know who I am?"

Inola crossed her arms and leant back with a thoughtdful expression, looking much like her grandfather when he was annoying the hell out of her, "hmm...no. Should I?"

Regina scowled at her, "I am the mayor of StoryBrooke."

Inola paused before snapping her fingers in a sarcastic way, "ah! That's why that scowl looks so framiliar! Well madam mayor, mayor or not this is still private property and the sign says "Closed, Cerrado, Chiuso"! So if you'll kindly buzz off, that'll be nice."

Regina got this disbelieving look to her face, "h-how dare you-"

"Regina, I do believe she is right. You are free to come back tomorrow when we are open, Please," stated Mr. Gold, leaning forward when he said the word "please".

Regina froze before conceding, walking forward and leaving the shop with a bang. Inola flipped her back off with a tongue poking out.

"Inola," Inola sucked her tongue in and smiled apologetically at her master.

"I'm sorry, she's too easy to toy with, I just can't help myself," she answered sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.

Mr. Gold rolled his eyes before walking over to the door to lock the door, the lock turning with a click. Inola walked over to her side of the store where books and scrolls of her kind lay on a desk she usually sits behind. She sat down with an exhausted huff before picking up where she left off on a scroll about harnessing Mother earth's magic for beginers. Mr. Gold walked over to her and picked up the scroll, reading it curiously.

"Interesting topic, why the sudden interest pet," he asked, peering down over the scroll at her.

She looked to the side with a blush, "I told you... I want to be able to protect you as well. You can borrow it if you want, it should help you access this world's magic much easier."

Her master stayed silent with a thoughtful look to his face before conceding, "alright. No harm in studying it."

Inola smiled at her master before pulling out another scroll, this one about swordmanship. She was already learning a lot from her grandfather, but there is only so much you can learn from a hologram like form of your teacher. She needed someone to spar with. She peered up from her scroll at her master. He is pretty good at using a sword, being a soldier in a war before he became the Dark One. But there's only so much that he knows. For instance... he was skilled in western swordmanship, while most of her kind were skilled in eastern. She sighed, rubbing her temples. Who else could teach her how to fight? She paused. Takoda might. She slammed her head onto the desk with a groan; why him? Of all the foxes in the world, why did it have to be him? Her master looked over at her with an amused smirk.

"Getting frustrated dearie?" he teased over at her, laughing when he got her groan of agreement.

She raised her head slightly, pushing her bangs away from her face. She has no choice. She has to go to him. But she doesn't even know if he is on her side. He did seem remorseful about selling her out to her uncle. Maybe he has learnt his lesson. She will just have to take a leap of faith and pray that he doesn't run to her uncle once more.

-Time Break-

Inola stood in the forest where she told Takoda to meet her. She was beginning to fear he had stood her up before she saw him step out from behind a tree. He had a nervous look to his face but he walked up to her non-the-less.

"Why did you call me here," he asked nervously, his green eyes watching her warily.

Inola raised her chin, staring at him with her intimidating blue eyes, "I called you here because of what happened with my uncle."

Takoda took a step back nervously, his body braced for anything, most likely expecting her to punish him or attack him. Inola let out a sigh.

"I want you to teach me how to fight," she stated finally, noting when Takoda stared at her in surprise.

"Y-You what?"

"I said I want you to teach me how to fight," she answered more clearly.

Takoda relaxed his stance and stared hard at her.

"Why," he asked suspiciously.

Inola sighed before continuing, "because I know that this isn't finished with my uncle, and I need to be ready when the shit hits the fan, which it will."

Takoda frowned, "what makes you think that I'll help you?"

Inola stepped towards him in warning, "because you owe me fox. You betrayed me and now you're going to make up for it."

Takoda slumped, "I-I...you're asking me to help you stand against your uncle, the leader of our race, my lord."

"Yes... but I am not asking you to take sides. All I'm asking you to do is to train me to fight with a sword. Then you can go and never have to see me again," she answered.

Takoda frowned before stepping up to her, grasping her shoulders, "I don't want that! I-I mean... I want to see you... it's just... anyone who doublecrosses your uncle doesn't live to tell the tale."

Inola sighed before looking up at him pleadingly, "please, Takoda. If you're truly my friend you'll help me be able to protect myself for when he comes for me."

Takoda released her before turning away, "how do you know he'll come for you?"

"Because now that he's found me, he won't let me escape again. He'll do anything necissary to keep me under his control, even killing the innocent," she whispered, her eyes watering.

Takoda sighed, "your master. You truly love him don't you?"

Inola froze. Love? Did she love him? Surely she didn't... I mean... her master isn't very open to love. She pushed those thoughts away.

"I-It doesn't matter! There's more people at stake here if and when my uncle comes for me. Children, babies... innocent people who know nothing of this world. Are you going to condemn them," she asked wildly, throwing her hands out to gesture towards the town.

Takoda followed her gesture and sighed, giving in, "alright... I'll help you. But to train you, nothing more! I will not take part in this."

Inola smiled in relief, nodding in understanding, "thank you Takoda... you have no idea how much this means to me."

Takoda rolled his eyes with a small smile, "actually, I think I do. Come on, let's get started on swordmanship basics."

Inola nodded determinedly, stepping forward towards her new teacher and readying herself. She knew this was going to be hard, but she's willing to do whatever it takes to suceed. Even fighting her own uncle. She just prays it doesn't come to that.

-Time Break-

Inola slumped into her chair, her body bruised and aching. Takoda was actually pretty skilled. She learnt he was from a noble family who represents the red and orange foxes; so he was trained for anything and everything. He had taught her how to hold a sword and how to block and parry. They had used wooden swords and let me tell you, they hurt like a son-of-a-bitch. She had a nasty bruise on her ribs where she was too slow to block Takoda's side swipe. It hurt! Worse than a baseball bat. Of course he apologized like mad. She blinked in surprised when her master walked in from the front door, a scowl on his face.

"I swear I should of let that witch suffer at her mother's hands," he growled as he slammed the door behind him.

She stared at him as he stormed by her, "that bad eh?"

He tsked in acknowledgement, grabbing one of his nick-nacks to vigurously clean it. Uh oh. That was his distracting method to keep his anger down. She stood up stiffly before walking over to him, "what happened?"

"The damn witch tried to try to gain the rights to my shop. So she could get access to my secrets," he growled.

She snorted in surprise, walking over towards the bathroom, calling, "I'm going to take a shower, you don't mind do you master?"

Mr. Gold shook his head, "go ahead."

Inola smiled softly before walking into the bathroom, shedding her clothes and turning on the water, switching it to luke warm. She stepped into the shower and moaned out in relief. Oh heaven above, the water felt so good. She bent her ears back so that the water didn't get in. She purred in happiness, feeling the water run through her black fur. She glanced down at her body, noting the bruises that covered her pale flesh. She tsked and used her magic to heal the bruises. Just in time too. She heard the door open and heard some shuffling before the curtain opened, letting the cold air in. She yelped, her tail wrapping around her waist and her rear end. She saw her master smirk before stepping into the shower with her. She blushed as the shower poured over them both as she felt her master grab the shampoo and scrub it into her hair, avoiding her ears. She groaned, his fingers scrubbing her scalp as she purred. She groaned as he pressed close to her. He continued to bathe her, being mindful of her sensitive areas like her tail and ears. When they were done she watched her master gather his things, looking like he was ready to leave.

"Where are you going master," she inquired tilting her head to the side.

He turned to her, an unreadable expression on his face, "just going for a walk dearie. I'll be back later."

With that he left, leaving a confused fox behind him. What could he possibly be doing walking so late? She sighed and decided to follow him. She dressed in all black and bolted out the door, making sure to lock it behind her. She leapt up into the trees, leaping from branch to branch. She stayed a few yards away to make sure he didn't sense her. He was basically going to shop to shop before walking into the woods. She grew fearful for him; the woods were a dangerous place these days since her uncle came around. She followed, staying high in the trees to keep a watchful eye on him and his surroundings. He went to this old well and just studied it. Inola paused, she could feel the magic rising from the depths from this far. She froze when she scented the air; cinnamon. There were foxes here! Lots of them. She crouched low to the branch, seeing six different forms surrounding her master. He had noticed, his form stilling and standing up more straight. She peered closer at the foxes and snarled softly; they were assassins! Most likely from her uncle. They all were ninja styles, their weapons hidden from the naked eye. One launched itself at her master, making her tense. But her master was ready and used his cane to whack the offender on the back of the skull, making the fox yelp and crash to the ground. Her master spun around, pulling a sword from his cane attached to the handle. He met another attacker head on, slicing that one on the stomach. She saw two other foxes circle behind him, making her growl. The cowards! She launched herself from the tree, her nails growing into claws as she howled out a war cry, crashing onto one of the startled assassins. She pinned him to the ground with her legs and swiped at the other with her claws, finding purchase in the fox's flesh. The assassin screamed and fell back holding his face as she bent down and grabbed him by the back of the neck, throwing him at his screaming companion. Her master spun around and stared at her when he saw her stand, her hands covered in blood. He didn't recognize her, good. She didn't need to explain things to him at why she had followed him. She snarled at the remaining three assassins, crouching low to the ground issuing a challenge. They snarled at her, their eyes glowing in rage at one of their own turning on them. She smirked and launched herself at them, her claws out. Two of the assassins met her advance, one dueling two daggers and the other his claws. She did a roundhouse kick to the one holding the daggers and hisses when the other raked his claws down her back, cutting the fabric and her skin. She spun on the other launching herself at him, sinking her claws into his shoulders as he dug his inter hers. They rolled around on the forest floor, hissing and spitting curses at each other. She caught glimpse of her master fighting with the last remaining assassin, hand to hand, and it looked like her master was winning. She howled out in rage and pain when she felt a dagger dig into her shoulder blade. She cursed and used her flame magic to surround the assassin behind her that had stabbed her. His screams died out when his burnt corpse hit the ground. She saw her master slash his sword at his opponet, cutting the fox across the chest, making him stumble back. Mr. Gold turned to her, seeing the dagger sticking out of her back as she wrestled with the remaining assassin. She cursed when one of his claws tried to swipe her throat. She growled ferally as she had no more options. She roared and lurched forward, her jaws clamping down on his throat and locking. She heard his gurggling screams above her as she cringed and finished it, chomping down hard one last time, severing the windpipe. The fox stopped struggling and breathed his last as his body went limp, his throat still hanging in his mouth.

"Inola... he's dead, you can let go," she heard her master whisper behind her.

Her eyes widened in shock, before she spit out the dead man's throat and stumbled back. She breathed out shakily, her fingers raising to her bloody lips in shock and fear. She turned to her master, her eyes full of tears. Her master stood a few feet from her, his features blank, but there was a certain hesitation in his eyes. Was he afraid of her? She scoffed in sadness, why wouldn't he? She had just ripped a man's throat out with her teeth. She started chuckling.

"What's so amusing at this time pet," he asked warily as she stood up shakily, still noting the dagger in her shoulder.

She paused in her mad chuckling before turning to him, tears running down her face, "because... this is the last proof I needed that I am the sole surviving heir to the Blood King. My bloodlust took over me... and I slaughtered a man with my bare hands."

She whimpered, soft sobs echoing from her into the night. She suddenly stumbled forward, her legs giving out as she crashed into her master's arms. He cursed, yanking the blade out roughly before putting his glowing purple hand over her stab wound.

"Dammit Inola... why did you follow me," he growled as the wound finally closed.

"S-Something... didn't feel right. So I had to follow you, to make sure you'd be okay. And I was right," she stuttered out, the bloodloss making her dizzy.

He cursed again and grabbed a hankerchief to wipe the blood from her face. Once most of the blood was gone he pressed his forehead to hers.

"Damn you... why do you always put yourself in harms way for my count? I could of handled it," he muttered as he kissed her forehead.

She chuckled before grinning up at him, "I know you could of... but I just can't sit idly by as my master is being attacked by my own kind. Besides... those two would of landed their mark if I hadn't stepped in. The bloody cowards... attacking someone from behind."

He glared over at the bodies, his eyes full of rage, "I wonder who sent them."

Inola sneered, "my uncle of course... he's to high and mighty to get his paws dirty."

They paused when they heard a gasp and a struggling sound. Inola stood shakily as she stalked over to the remaining assassin, a young yellow tod who had a shallow cut to the chest. He yelped in fear when he saw her approach.

"P-Please! Spare me! It was only orders; we didn't know you were protecting this imp," he stuttered out pleadingly as she stood over him, menacingly.

She snarled and bent down, yanking the tod up by the collar of his shirt to her face, "don't lie... I know my uncle sent you to take out my master. Now the question is... what to do with you?"

He started to wail and plead for his life once more, making stupid proclaimations about never harming another human again and about her power and such. She turned to her master.

"Well master... since you were their target, what do you think we should do with him," she asked with a smirk.

Her master chortled before smirking, "how about we use him to pass a message a long."

She grinned before turning back to the shivering tod in her grasp, "great idea... Listen up, kit. You are to run tail back to your master and deliver a message for me, neh?"

He nodded vigurously as she continued, "tell him, "Your little assassinate plan didn't work out like you had hoped... if you plan on getting the job done, you're going to have to get those stained paws of yours dirty." Tell him, Inola will be waiting. You got that?"

He nodded again, his eyes wide with fear.

She smirked, "good... now get going before I change my mind and do what us crimson foxes do best..."

He yelped when she threw him to the ground, before taking off at high speed back to his master.

She sighed in relief before turning to her master, "well... that was all horrible and stuff."

He nodded in agreement before staring at the five bodies around them, "well, what to do about his dead companions..."

Inola groaned before walking over with a pout, "time to clean up the mess..."

-Time Break-

Lethanuel snarled at the trembling assassin before him. They had failed. From what he was told a savage black fox with red markings killed three of his comrads, ripping the throat out of the last one. Lethanuel growled when he turned away from the frightened fox below him. Anue had done this? Killed three of his best assassins? He punched the wall, paying no mind to the cracking marble under his fist as he thought of the message his servant delivered from her. So... she wants him to get his paws dirty eh? Well... that's what he'll do then. He glared with his gold eyes at nothing really, his thoughts on getting to his niece's lover and master, Rumpelstiltskin. If Anue had killed three of his men, that means her beloved master had killed two of them. He was a force not to be messed with it seems. But no matter... he will get what he wants. And if killing her master is what it takes then so be it. Beware Rumpelstiltskin... I am coming for you.