The Kitsune's Heart
Chapter 10
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Sanji groaned softly as he woke up in a comfortable setting. He sighed as he shifted a little, realizing that he was made at home in Zoro's bed, said owner of the bed long gone now. 'Probably went out to eat since I was out cold...' he thought with a sigh as he rubbed his head as he tried to recall the night before. He remembered meeting with Jyabura, confirming his fears that the two were getting way too close for his liking. Then the fight and when he thought his had the advantage, the damn wolf blindsided him. 'Damn it, I'm going to skin that bastard alive myself.' he thought with a growl as he went to stretch only to wince as he strained the still healing wounds on his back.
"Shit..." he grumbled, reaching up to touch his back and felt the bandage cloth wrapped around him and smiled. He didn't need to guess to know who took care of him when he went out. He moved to stand slowly so he wouldn't cause himself any further pain before looking to his tail and sighed. He couldn't stand the sight of his missing hoshi no tama.
He had to get it back but the problem was that now, with one gone, he wouldn't be at full strength and that will give Jyabura, if he encountered the bastard again, a high advantage that he really didn't need. He sighed before he decided that a nice chicken broth would soothe his shot nerves and figure out the next mode of attack to regain his hoshi no tama without getting the swordsman involved in any way.
He took tentative steps as he made his way downstairs and into the kitchen, he couldn't feel the swordsman's presence anywhere around the house so he took a guess that he was out which, honestly, left him without a way to ward away Jyabura or Lucci if they decided to come by for a second round. "Damn it." he cursed softly to himself as he made his way into the kitchen and grabbed a few ingredients to make himself a light broth. 'Please, Zoro, come back so I'm not alone...' he thought to himself as he grabbed a pot to make the broth.
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Jyabura returned to their temporary base of operations, Lucci looking over to him when he arrived. "So, is the fox dead?" he asked. "No but I did something much worse to him." he said with a sharp grin as he held up the hoshi no tama. Lucci smirked as he stood from the rock he was perched on and took the orb from Jyabura. "Perfect. Getting this gives me the perfect idea to make that fox completely vulnerable and thus, make the kill so much more easier." he murmured and Jyabura nodded.
"Yeah?"
"We're going to steal the rest of them. After that task, then we'll hit him where it really hurts and drive him out." Lucci explained and Jyabura nodded. "What are we gonna do? Burn the swordsman's house down or something?"
"Exactly. First, take me to where you saw the fox last."
Jyabura nodded once more before running off back where he came from. Lucci was closed behind with the hoshi no tama tucked away and Hattori flying overhead with a trill.
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After grabbing a few things for the house, Zoro was making his way back home but the moment he stepped on the worn forest path leading back to his lone home, he felt a disturbance in the air. He wasn't one to believe in spirits or lore animals, at least not until Sanji decided to come into his life, but this time, he didn't like the feeling of the phantom evil presence that floated about. 'If it's those enemies that shitty fox is worried about, he better take care of them fast.' he thought to himself as he shook away the feeling and continued on his way home.
Back at the house, Sanji sat within the den as he finished up the last few spoonfuls of the broth, curled up in a comfortable wool blanket. He sighed as he set the bowl off to the side and wrapped the blanket further around him, ears flattened to his skull as he tried to think of his next plan of action to get his hoshi no tama back.
'Maybe if I can be really clever, I'll be able to trick Lucci. I wouldn't put it pass Jyabura to hand it off to him because while he's a strong fighter, proving that to me well enough yesterday, he's still as dim as ever. Lucci wouldn't want him to hold something valued to me and that I can get back easily if I weave the right tricks.' he thought to himself, lifting the tail that was missing the orb, the fur turning dull from the exposure without the orb back in its rightful place. He sighed again before resting his head on the back of the couch, ears flicking up as he heard the door being unlocked and opened.
"Marimo-kun?" he called and got a gruff for an answer. "Yep, that's you alright. Where you been?" he asked as he stood and walked over to the door. "Out." Zoro replied as he took the bags he held into the kitchen. Sanji discarded the blanket back on the couch as he followed behind him, taking a look into the bag when Zoro set it on the counter. "Went shopping I see. Anything good for me to whip up?" he asked as he looked inside the bag. "I wasn't even thinking of you the entire time I was out. I got what I needed and came back." he said and Sanji pouted.
"So mean. I'm injured and you wouldn't even think about me and my needs." he simpered.
"You're perfectly fine handling yourself even after the sorry state I saw you in last night."
Sanji growled. "Well, I'm sorry about that. I was overwhelmed by my hated enemy." he grumbled as he started unpacking the bag as Zoro grabbed a bottle of sake from his stash and sat at the table. "Oh yeah? Then care to tell me exactly what happen to have you unconscious and bleeding all over my floor when you came in?" he questioned. Sanji huffed as he went to put the things Zoro brought away. "Fine. Might as well not keep you in the dark. You remember those two people I mentioned before? Jyabura and Lucci?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"They're finally here and I had the misfortune of fighting one of them last night. I thought I had him but he blindsided me and got me in the back. He then stole one of my hoshi no tama, weakening me which was why I passed out the moment I got through the door." he explained with a sigh. Zoro snorted. "I thought you said you were ready for them the moment they were ready to attack you." he murmured as he took another swig of his sake.
"I was! I wasn't expecting them to get here this soon! Especially after what happened to me not long ago with the slave auction! I've been through enough! At least give me some pity of my situation!" Sanji growled.
"Why should I?! You're getting me into enough trouble as it is just by being here! Does it look like I want to take care of some shitty kitsune that wants to makes me its mate which is causing people left and right to bother me for it?!" Zoro shot back.
Sanji bit his lip, knowing the other struck a very good point. He was the reason the other was being pulled out of his once peaceful lifestyle. "I'm sorry." he murmured before he silently went back to stocking the kitchen with the things Zoro brought back. After he was done, he went to brew some tea. Zoro watched him the entire time and gave a sigh as he finished the last little bit of the sake in one full gulp. He didn't know why every time the fox starts his pity party, he felt sorry for him.
'But I guess I can't really blame him for his situation now. If he really loses a fraction of his power when he loses a hoshi no tama, any more and he'll be too weak to defend himself and be killed.' he thought.
"Shit-fox, I'm...sorry...that I hurt your feelings. I know how it feels to be weak. Losing your power now must be a real damper on your plans." he spoke as he looked to the kitsune.
Sanji looked back to him and smiled although underneath that smile laid a smirk. "Well, if you really want to make me feel better...how about giving this poor, defenseless fox a kiss."
"Not in a thousand years. I said I'm sorry, not that I was jumping to be your mate."
"Damn it!"
"What the hell was running through your mind the moment I said sorry?"
"Thinking of ways you can gain my forgiveness!"
"And you really think I would kiss you?"
"It was a good idea at the time but you're just too fucking stubborn, you shitty swordsman!"
"You're the devil's advocate, you know that!"
"How dare you!"
And their argument went on until Zoro eventually left to get some sleep and Sanji followed after finishing his tea and curled up at the foot of Zoro's bed.
Both were unaware at the time, Jyabura and Lucci found their way to the house once more and settled there to wait for another opening when the fox was alone to make their move.
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The next morning, Zoro was out before Sanji was awake and the fox pouted when he missed the swordsman once again. "Oh well, he'll be back later. Might as well make lunch for the stubborn idiot." he murmured as he pondered over what to make as he made his way downstairs. He decided on a seafood dish which meant that he would have to head out to the river to get some fish. After dressing in some more comfortable clothing, he made his way outside and towards the river. Lucci was already up and saw the fox leaving and smirked before leaving his sleeping partner there as he followed behind the fox quietly.
The leopard was silent as he followed, stopping every time the fox did to check his surroundings. It went about this pattern until the fox reached the river and removed his clothing before wading into the water to catch the fish needed for the meal planned in his mind. Lucci watched and waited, muscles coiled in preparation to pounce. After watching him collect fish for long enough, he gave a warning growl which made Sanji freeze. 'Good. Be afraid. Soon enough, you'll be dead and one less power to worry about before this forest becomes my territory.' Lucci thought.
Sanji's ears flicked earnestly, trying to pinpoint where the sound came from. He knew that growl well and he couldn't help but curse like a drunken bastard fresh from the bar that he had the unfortunate timing to meet Lucci at this point when he was already a fifth weakened from his lost hoshi no tama. 'Looks like they're pulling out all the stops now. Attacking me while I'm weak. All I can do is run. Zoro surely won't get involved nor do I want him to be but if I lost all my hoshi no tama...it might come to that.' he thought as he stepped out the river and grabbed his clothes as he continued to stay alert. Another growl made him tense as he tied his haori closed.
'Where is that bastard...' he thought as he continued to look around.
The first pass missed but when he doubled back, he saw the glowing yellow hues of Lucci and was quick to dodge as the other pounced. "Shit!" he cursed as he landed and shifted. Lucci laughed as he turned back to the fox. "Do you really think you being a fox will save you from my wrath? You are more foolish this time than you were years ago." Lucci spoke mockingly.
"Shut up! You dare come back to my neck of the woods and being here will eventually mean your death!" Sanji growled as he watched the leopard's movements. "Hah! And what are you going to do? You can barely fight at full strength as it is. Do you really think that you would have the power to defeat me?" he spoke as he started to prowl around the hesitant fox.
"You are a weakling. You will never match up to the power that was the Kyuubi no Kitsune. You were a runt and will always be a runt. Why do you think Zeff left you to fend for yourself now? Surely the fates weren't planning this path for you unless they're asking for you to die for your ways. I'll be happy to answer that call and paint this land with your blood and make it be one less fox out of the way of my ultimate goal." Lucci spoke before he stopped and lunged.
Sanji jumped once more, using the leopard's back like a springboard and gained distance before running off as quick as he could, knowing that he would have to find a way to double back and hopefully not crash into Jyabura again as he tried to return to Zoro's home and get into the safety of being inside.
Lucci only gave him a cold stare before bolting after him. "You know you can't escape me so easily with the way your scent is now. Running away is only foolish."
Sanji spat to the side as he continued to run, weaving around trees as he tried to make his alternate path back toward the river without finding himself cut off by Lucci. That alone was fearful enough cause who knows what the leopard had in mind the moment he had him cornered. Whatever it may be, he didn't want to find out. 'Better than never, I suppose.' he thought to himself, jumping high into the air and used his tail to knock off a few leaves from the trees. Concentrating on them, eventually a leaf storm brewed behind him as he continued to run, hoping that it would hinder Lucci long enough so that he could gain distance. But the leopard only huffed.
"Your illusions are worthless." he hissed as he jumped, shifting into his human form only to lash out with a Rankyaku, dispelling the leaves with that single blast along with taking out a few trees with the momentum of the flying air blade. Sanji snarled as he heard the falling impact of the trees but continued to run, leaping over the river and snatching up the line of catches he made. Even though he was being chased, like hell he was going to leave the sanctity of the house just to grab more fish.
The moment Lucci's feet touched the ground, he was out of sight, incorporating his Kamisori ability to catch up to the fox faster. The disturbed air caught Sanji's ear and with a growl, he changed himself and moved to turn and confront the leopard. 'Well...do what I can and hopefully get away with fewer wounds than before.' he thought as he gasped when Lucci appeared before him before he could grab his footing.
"Time to make you suffer, fox." Lucci snarled as he shot at him with his claws while the other was unbalanced. Sanji bent backwards, just narrowly avoiding the attack and dropped the line, landing on his hand to make a sweep at the leopard's feet. Lucci leapt into the air to avoid it but it was just the opening that Sanji needed.
"Anti-Manners Kick Course!" he snarled, recovering fast enough to sweep his leg up in a complete 180, catching Lucci's chin and sent him flying. He panted hard as he grabbed the fish and ran once more before the other could recover and being a cat, it wouldn't take long the moment he landed on his feet perfectly. Lucci growled, making his perfect landing before charging after the fox once again, gaining speed and was nearly on his tails. Sanji could see the house in the distance but could also hear Lucci closing in. He was fading fast and knew if he slowed down in the slightest, he was done for after getting that once successful hit on the leopard. He only had one more shot and he had to make it count.
Keeping his ears alert, he listened to Lucci as he gained on him. When he was close enough, he made his move. "Take this, you fucking cat!" he howled, flinging a tail at him as he slowed briefly and made a half turn to execute the attack. Hooking the tip around the leopard's neck before he could retaliate, he slammed the other into the ground in a rendition of his Reception technique, satisfied as he heard the impact. Still panting, he moved a few steps away before collapsing to his knees. "Ugh...didn't want to expend so much in one day." he murmured, closing his eyes before he moved to stand back up and get away from Lucci quickly before he too got himself back up. But before he could step away, a hand reached out, grabbing his tail and jerked him back.
"Argh! Release me!" he snarled as he looked back seeing Lucci gripping his tail tightly. His eyes widened, however, when he realized his grip was on another tail with a hoshi no tama. "No..." he whimpered but Lucci only smirked once more.
"The weaker you are, the easier things will be." he whispered before tearing away another hoshi no tama, making Sanji cry out and stumble forward as he lost his balance when Lucci released him. He growled and with what remaining strength he had, he kicked the other, sending him packing even though he got away with the orb. He growled as he moved to stand and hurried the rest of the way and into the house before anyone else could see him. "Damn it...is this their plan now..." he grumbled as he moved into the kitchen, tossing the line of fish into the sink before collapsing into a chair and rubbed his hands over his eyes. "Damn it all. The moment I can gather my strength up, they're dead." he growled.
He took a couple of breaths to recover some energy before he moved to stand and got to work on making lunch, his mood sour at the turn of events he was dealing with. He really didn't want to ask Zoro for assistance but if these paths of events continue on, he'll be without power and they'll be free to kill him the moment they get his hands on him. And he wasn't about to die so soon. "Not while I still have so much to complete." he murmured as he washed, scaled and gutted the fish and got to work on the meal.
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Back outside, Lucci called Jyabura back from his post and gave him the hoshi no tama. "Take this back to base. The fox has indeed gotten stronger but the weaker he is the less chance he has to retaliate." he said and Jyabura nodded.
"What, did he hit you?" he questioned and Lucci nodded.
"His kicks have gotten more fierce and combined with the sheer fear he has with our return will make him a formidable foe and I want this to be clean and without losses." he spoke as he walked away from the ookami. "And the only other opposing force we have to worry about is the swordsman. His death will also be a goal should he get in our way." Jyabura nodded and smirked. "I'll let you take care of the fox since this is your plan after all. I'll deal with the swordsman should he become a problem. A few lies and he'll fall right into my trap." he spoke.
Lucci nodded before shooing off the other as Hattori came down to perch on his shoulder. "My dearest Hattori. Be my eyes and keep watch over the swordsman. Tell me when he leaves and returns to make capturing our elusive prey all the more easier when he doesn't have an extra hand to defend his slowly weakening self." The bird chirped and nodded before taking off.
"Soon, this land will be mine and all the power that goes along with it will be useful to the higher ups that have promised us much for our deed to rattle the lore kin and expose it to humans that want use of it."
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Zypher: All done and now, more of their plan is being revealed. Sanji is short another hoshi no tama and becoming progressively weaker. Will he gain them back? Maybe. Will Zoro be of help? You'll just have to see soon enough. But for now, this is all I have for you all and I hoped you have enjoyed it. Sanji may look weak now but I assure you, he'll be the massive powerhouse that he is soon enough. See you later with another chapter. Also, note for all that hadn't read my bland Halloween story for OP, I have a poll going for a future chapter and votes are needed so I know which one will be up so if you can spare the moment, stop at my profile to vote if you will.