AN: giddy up next chapter! I might post the next chapter the next day depending on the reviews and how fast I can edit. I don't know I'm just currently beta-ing things myself so updates might be slower. Right now I'm looking for a temporary beta b/c Black fang is away -_- it would be nice to have some volunteers. Besides its nothing big I want them to edit just grammar and commas and if the flow of the story makes sense. Well pm me if you're up to the challenge or anyone knows anybody I really really would appreciate it b/c I really want this story to 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?*


Natsuki walked as she looked towards the inner city, the backs of her companions told a story one that she choose not to remember.

3 hours ago Lowtown…

"What do you mean Natsuki will die," asked Aoi with tears in her eyes. Taking her piper within her lips and blowing out a fog of smoke she looked towards the three.

"That mark she has operates like a brand."

"Is it like a mating mark?"

"You can say that dog. But this mark operates differently. If Natsuki does not make good on her promise that mark will spread and kill her. I know you felt it the searing burning pain within you. That is the mark of the Kitsune the only way to prevent that is to ether go to towards the one that left the mark or die from it." Tightening her fist on her dress Natsuki looked down as she tried to fight back tears.

"How am I supposed to do that? That beast out there wants to rip my head off and I don't know the reason why?"

"There has to be a reason with every meeting there is a chance of fatal encounters. Here take these beans they should last you for a while and slow down the process of the mark. Remember use them sparingly, once the mark grows and reaches your heart there will be no more time."

Present day Ragnos Center square…

Sitting on a nearby bench Natsuki continued walking almost ignoring her companion's presence. The two demons could smell exhaustion coming from the human as they looked towards each other.

"Natsuki why don't you sit down for a while?"

"I can't I have to figure out a way out of here," said the teen with a determined look. Trying a softer approach towards the disgruntled teen Aoi looked over before speaking.

"Everything's going to be alright Natsuki; Minagi gave us some useful information as well as something to help." Letting her anger get the best of her she looked with a glare at the two.

"That's easy for you to say," said Natsuki with a glare.

"Look Natsuki, Aoi is only trying to help," said Chie with a disapproving glare of her own. Looking over at the dog in anger she spoke her mind coming out her mouth in a tornado of fire.

"How am I supposed to fill this promise? I don't even know where to start!"

"There is a way if we follow what Minagi said then we should be fine," Chie shouted back. Looking at the two Aoi cleared her throat in hopes of settling the two.

"Now listen up you two!"

Both parties looked at the now angry rabbit-demon; looking at her they visibly gulped at the sight of her anger. Not wanting to push it more Natsuki felt empathy and remorse for lashing out at her companions. Walking towards the bench and plopping down she looked at the greenery before her.

"I-I'm sorry you two it's just that ever since I got here I don't know what to do, I don't know why all of these things are happening," said the teen before putting her head in her hands. Not noticing a picture fell from her coat pocket Natsuki sulked within her misery. Noticing that something fell from her human companions jacket Aoi picked it up, looking at the picture her eyes widened.

"How do you know the empress?" Looking up in confusion Natsuki looked towards a surprised Aoi, noticing something was going on Chie looked over towards the picture as well.

"What the hell Aoi's right! You know the empress?" Snapping her head up to look at the two Natsuki looked in confusion before speaking her concerns. "Huh the empress who's that?"

"The one who's hunting you right now the nine-tailed fox is our empress Shizuru of the Valley of Orikumo," said the bear-dog. Looking confused the two handed the picture over towards the blue-haired teen. Looking at the picture she saw that the photograph at been cleared off of any blood that was once on it. Her heart thumped loudly as she looked at the smiling face of the tawny-haired teen that stood alongside her mother and instructor.

"Like I said you know the empress."

"Huh... no, I don't know her, this is my mother when she was younger," said Natsuki in an annoyed confused tone. "Besides look at the date that was 17 years back if not more," said Natsuki handing them the picture to look at.

"She's right, where did you find this picture at?"

"I found it in the abandoned house next to mine. When I found it that's when I ran into the nine-tailed fox." Thinking really hard Natsuki rested her hand on her chin as she tried to piece together the upcoming puzzle.

"What are you thinking about," asked Aoi.

"I'm thinking about Minagi remember when she said "There has to be a reason with every meeting as well as there is a chance of fatal encounters."

"Yeah what are you getting at? Looking up towards her companions Natsuki looked towards the both of them before speaking. "I think that Shizuru has a grudge towards my mother, but I don't know the back story all the way I mean it's a theory."

"Well yeah I have heard things from Lowtown in my time," said Chie with a nod.

"What did you hear?"

"I heard when the empress came here it was due to a suicide. According to rumors, they said when she was on the verge of death in her human form the goddess Orikumo took pity on her. But like I said it's a rumor."

"I know it's fuzzy, but it's worth a shot," said Natsuki with a confidant smile. Thinking to herself Aoi looked over towards the human before speaking.

"Speaking of shots, what if the hunter became the hunted?"

"What are you saying Aoi?"

"I'm saying I can get you into the valley of Orikumo where our empress resides." Looking at the two Natsuki felt her heart blossom as she looked with hope at the two demons.

"Ok what's the plan?"


AN: R&R

Preview: "I can get you in…but it's going to be a risk."

Zero