AN: giddy up next chapter! Sorry folks my betas still off I'm trying but if you guys can tell me in a pm where I'm missing things I would appreciate it and it will be corrected immediately.

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?*

A large beast flown towards the tall mountain-like building transforming into flames she landed down softly her long purple kimono came along with her within her descent. Looking into her red eyes the fierce intensity ran high, her tawny-hair was tightly wrapped in a bun her eyes glaring at the site before her. Running up and bowing the uniformed men made way for an armor clad man, covered in plated armor his helmet shined within the setting sun. Observing towards his direction she watched as he removed his helmet to reveal his fire red hair, his strong features resembled a healthy beast wild in its wake.

"Judge Mandus your status report," commanded Shizuru walking ahead of the judge. "Nothing so far my lady, but an off handed report said they seen someone strange go into Lowtown," said the judge. Making her way towards the lavish chair only designed for her, she turned around to see the fading sunset within the large mirror. Soon the lights came on adding in its wake a sea of untouched light that made the city shine with mirth.

"So you say an off handed report came in from Lowtown?"

"Yes my lady reports stated that a character with a human like scent went into the Mystic Minagi's place."

"I see Judge Mandus your sister Mai doesn't she know Minagi personally?" Looking back in nervousness the man couldn't read the signs that his master radiated.

"Y-Yes she knows of Minagi she goes and feds the people of Lowtown every now and again," said the man leaving his response well-guarded.

"No need to be guarded with me Takumi, I assure you no harm will come towards your sister; unless the law views her fit to be guilty," said the tawny-haired woman in a firm tone.

"Y-Yes my lady," stated the judge with an obedient bow. Just in time to draw away attention from his only family a solider walked in looking at the two before speaking. "Sir we just got reports from Lowtown upon arrival, Minagi's place has been cleaned out."

"Thank you you're dismissed," said the older man.

"I see well I would expect for that human to be caught by now, she is a clever one this human. Perhaps she may be even too clever for the legendary nine-tailed fox?"

"Your jokes are amusing, but yet they lack character Judge Mandus or shall I say Takumi," said Shizuru throwing a glare towards the judge's way.

"I see well next time I shall put more character into my comments my lady," said the red-haired man with a smirk of his own. Gathering herself, Shizuru walked gracefully towards the door that was assumed to be her quarters for the night. Pausing as she had a clawed hand towards the door, she looked towards the armored judge before setting her hand upon the cool gold.

"We can only assume that this human has help from demons and unknowns who cannot abandon their human emotions. I want you to issue out the sanctum wide warrant on this human set the reward at five hundred million."

"Eager to catch this human are we not? Is this warrant issued for dead or alive?"

"Alive unharmed she will need to be unharmed for the pain I will administer on her," stating the tawny-haired empress before retiring into her room. The judge bowed towards the closed door before going to administer his own task. Red-diamonds scanned over towards the lavish room before heading towards the bathroom; stripping all of her clothes she looked towards her hand then towards her body.

There is a mark; this wound it should have healed by now why is it festering? Is that wait…is this a mark?

Why so worked up human?

Orikumo…what's this mark you put on me?

Dear that mark you have did not come from me it came from you personally.

I do not believe such nonsense! I know no magic of this caliber unless… that human she must have done something!

Still contemplating over your life is your regret that strong? Does your fellow human make you that upset?

Every day my regret ties me to this world making me stronger. I will make that woman's body suffer before she dies!

What about your human parents? Will your regret keep them away?

Whatever it takes to have my revenge.

Humans, I like to think at one time your race were nothing but senseless beasts capable of no emotion no control. You have proven my assumptions wrong I knew you were worth saving.

I'm not like most humans Orikumo.

Indeed you aren't my aspiring human…

Meanwhile…

"I can get you into the palace where she lives," said Aoi with a smile.

"Ok..."stated the emerald-eyed woman in a non-believable tone. Looking at the human's doubt Chie spoke. "Listen to what she has to say human," said Chie with a smile looking over at a glaring Natsuki.

"I can get you in…but it's going to be a risk." Rolling her eyes and deciding to give her new companions a chance she listened to what the rabbit demon had to say.

"Fine so what's the plan?"

"The plan is simple we are going to go the valley of Orikumo and we are going to get you into the palace as a maid." Looking at the rabbit demon Natsuki looked at the demon with worry.

"Don't worry I know a friend she will look after you until we can find out how to help you."

"But Aoi your forgetting one important thing."

"As soon as I get in she will smell me and the mark also she knows what I look like. I mean it's proven her mark runs deep I think you're forgetting the trick we just discovered earlier."

"Oh…right," said Aoi her ears flopping down. Looking over and kissing her lovers nose Chie smiled before her lover. "Don't worry dear it was a great plan." Natsuki looked over with a blush before turning her back, noticing her shyness the two demons looked with a smirk.

"Someone embarrassed of something?" Turning around and waving her hands side to side she shook her head a blush preeminently stained on her face.

"It's nothing I just didn't think…you two were…"

"Lovers," supplied the bear-dog.

"Y-Yeah…"

"Well actually we are mates."

"M-Mates…"

"Long story short it's like being married, but much deeper but that's neither here nor there we have to focus on the plan ahead of us."

"Well the train at can get us towards the capital, but that is all the way down town and its night. I say that we can get at least get half way there by midnight the next day," said Aoi with a smile.

"Yeah but who do we know anyone that can put up with us for the night without compromising the situation?"

"I know we can go to Mai's."

"But what about…"

"Don't worry she has the appropriate hiding spots and we can get food there that will help Natsuki to disguise herself; she still smells somewhat like a human."

"Your right well we better make a move for it, it's night already." Getting up and walking she saw two guards running past, looking over she noticed the street full of people as well as the guards that blended in with them.

"We can't go back to our place I'm sure someone has said something," said Chie looking over the corner towards the soldiers.

"They have all the entrances to Lowtown guarded," said Natsuki with a worried tone looking as well.

"Damn we could have at least used the Chrysanthemum waterway to get through to Mai's," said Chie.

"Looks like we are going to have to play it carefully, I don't think they have found Minagi yet she might have made an escape."

"Let's hope so," said Natsuki looking at her bandaged hand.

AN: R&R

Preview: "A five hundred million reward has been put up for the capture of this human."

Zero