The school day had been uneventful for the most part. But one look at Kubinashi's face when he picked them all up from the school building told Rikuo that that was about to change.
"What happened?"
"Anti-mutant sentiment seems to be getting out of hand."
Rikuo narrowed his eyes, "did they attack someone?"
"As of yet no, but look…" The yokai passed him a small mobile phone, which was tuned into a local news-station. The other yokai gathered around trying to get a look as Kubinashi pulled the car out of the parking lot.
Onscreen a group of protesters could be seen outside the Xavier institute, waving signs with anti-mutant slogans and shouting. The walls were covered in graffiti with unflattering depictions of the x-men, foul messages and swear words.
The reporter was speaking "... as the citizens of bayville seem to be growing more and more agitated at the continued flaunting of mutant powers. Their demands for the so-called institute to close are being ignored by the professor Xavier who is said to be meeting with the city council later today."
Rikuo pursed his lips in thought, not really listening to the rest of the report. It was looking more and more possible that the situation could destabilize. If that happened, and the news went world-wide, who knew what kinds of repercussions it could have on the efforts of yokai to remain more or less under the radar.
He turned the phone off, drawing the attention of the other yokai. "We will need to proceed with even more caution if we want to avoid revealing ourselves." He said thoughtfully. He looked up severely, catching each of his subordinates eyes. "Do not get involved unnecessarily in any conflicts. We still know almost nothing about the mutants abilities, and if one of them decides we're enemies it could end very badly."
He held their gazes until each had nodded in agreement.
"Increase your efforts to find answers. We'll need to be as prepared as possible for what's ahead."
.o.o.o.
"Hey Gozu!"
The youkai turned and glanced behind them, to see Pietro approaching with a grin. A grin that promised mischief.
"What?" The elder gyukki youkai asked. Though his tone of voice was rude, it hid a spark of curiosity. This human was pretty good for causing trouble he had noticed.
"I heard you had a run in with Duncan Matthews a little while back right?"
"Duncan Matthews…?"
He stared at him blankly, not recognizing the name. Alongside him Mezumaru was similarly confused.
"You know, big, blonde, on the football team, thinks he's better than everyone else, no?
Come on, rumor was he was messing with some of the x-geeks and you laughed at him and almost got in a fight during lunch."
"Oh," Mezumaru's eyes lit up, "on the first day here, Rikuo stopped you from actually pummeling the guy, remember?"
Gozumaru nodded slowly. "Meh, wouldn't have been worth the trouble."
Pietro blinked, then his grin returned. "Well he's been talking bad about mutants, and yesterday he and some of his friends shoved into Lance, so we're gonna remind him why he should fear us! You guys want in?"
Gozumaru grinned, but before he could answer Mezumaru was speaking rapidly in Japanese, "Gozu we can't, Rikuo-sama said to avoid conflicts, if we go with him we could get in a lot of trouble!"
"Aww come on Mezu, he told us to make friends with this group, this's a good way to be friends. They'll trust us more if we help."
"But Gozu…."
The older yokai cut him off, "yeah we're in, what're we gonna do?"
.o.o.o.
Rikuo frowned to himself as he watched Gozumaru, Mezumaru, and the leader of the "brotherhood" mutants left together after school. They had an air of being up to no good.
Kubinashi was beside him in the car and followed his gaze.
"I'm starting to wonder if that was really a good idea." Rikuo mused.
"What?"
"Sending them to that group. They're just too similar..."
.o.o.
Authors note, yes I know it's really short, I'm posting what's done to reassure you that I'm not abandoning this story. Writing time is limited due to work, study, and school schedules. But I'm writing any moment I can!!
Next chapter has some big stuff happening so hopefully I'll get it up soon!
Thank you all so much for your patience!!!!
