Hiya all! Finally back at college and things are going great so far. To celebrate, here's a chapter for you all! Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Of Misunderstandings and Bonds
"So? How's our fluffy little friend doing so far?" Asked Dante as he walked besides Inuba down the hallways of Beacon.
"Her recovery is coming along splendidly. Although...I could do little for her vocal chords…" replied Inuba touching the front of her throat.
Dante immediately understood what she meant and grimaced for a second or two as he touched his own throat. The other problem with his imagination is his quick ability to visualize a scene in dozens of different ways in only a mere second, playing through them only after hearing the context of the subject. And frankly, after hearing that, he couldn't help but feel sick slightly.
"Master...do you think that..? No…"
"What is it?"
"Never mind… It was a poor thought…"
"I don't quite believe you. Come on, out with it."
"If… If she only had a bit of your blood, then…"
"Ah… I see…"
"Forgive me for thinking of such a thing."
"No no, don't apologize. You're only looking after her is all. If, and only if her life were in extreme danger, very much on the verge of death, would be when I would give her some of my blood. Your healing magic is the absolute best out of any type of healing magic available. Still, even that has its limits on what it can heal…whereas my blood does not. Yes, drinking a small portion of my blood would heal her completely and restore her vocal cords. But there's a risk to even that."
"Should their will be weak...partaking of your blood would only turn them into something else worse."
"It's always a fifty-fifty chance with my blood. It's why I don't use it unless it's an absolute emergency. Believe me, if there was no risk to it, I'd go and do it immediately."
"I know that Master…" Inuba said smiling as they stood outside the infirmary door.
"Hrmmm… I'm actually a little thirsty right now... I'll go get something from the vending machine. And get you something too. Tea? Coffee?"
"Hmmm… It has been a while… I'll have coffee please."
"Sweet. I'll grab myself a coffee too. Maybe tea for your fluffy patient?"
"I already had some prepared for her. It's our special remedy tea as well so that she can recover her strength and revitalize her body a lot more rapidly than usual."
"Right, right… I forget you're practically a doctor… Or should I say nurse?" He said.
In that moment, Inuba's fox ears and fox tail were perked up completely, her heart feeling as though it could beat out of her chest at any second.
"Y-Y-Y-You remember that outfit..?" She asked softly.
"O-Of course. I mean, how could I forget such a...such a remarkable outfit…" said Dante softly at the end as his face reddened slightly.
Of course, Inuba's face was an even brighter red at the moment.
"A-Anyway… I'll be back in a bit. Good luck in there." Waved Dante as he traveled further down the hall.
"Thank you kindly Master."
As Dante walked further down, Inuba bowed to him before entering inside the infirmary wing. The young immortal slowly drifted down the hallways, taking in the sights around him. Long has it been since he wandered these halls. They may not have been the exact same halls from his Reality, but it was Beacon's halls no less. One this business with Zeridûl was to be concluded...that was it. He'd be gone again.
Dante missed his Beacon. There's was far too much he liked about it. To see it go in such a way… It upset him, but no overly so. Because within him, he believed he'd one day be able to return to it and see it restored to its former glory. But for now, he'd have to settle with this "other Beacon".
He purchased one canned coffee for Inuba, and another for himself, holding the two in his left hand as he made his way back to the infirmary room.
"No freaking way!" Shouted a voice from behind him.
Oh no… Please tell me I'm imaging it…
"You're that guy Dante from the tournament!" Spoke a familiar blonde brawler.
Please no…
"Finally! Now that you're back, how about you and I go toe to toe in a quick match up? What do you say?" Asked Yang as she quickly walked towards him.
I really don't want to.
"Um...I would...but...I need to go back to the infirmary wing and-"
"Aw come on, you got five minutes, right?"
No, I don't.
"W-Well… To be honest…"
"Come on! Don't tell me you're chickening ou-!"
She immediately stopped when she stood in front of him now, eyeing his bandaged right arm and hand in the sling.
"Woah… What happened to your arm?"
"Um...a little accident is all…"
"Aren't you immortal or something?"
Dante jumped a bit when he heard her say that.
It was either the fluffy little wolf or the flaming turkey… Either way, Ciel is going to be making a list later…
"Y-Yes… Where did you hear that from..?"
"Skyla."
Skyla… Of course it was… She's forgiven because she is how she is… Honestly...she and I are gonna have a talk when I see her.
"Right… Um...truthfully then, I kinda used a really powerful attack with my Aura, and it ended up damaging my arm. So it's been healing."
"Well...you can take me with one arm, right?"
"I couldn't possibly…"
Actually I can. But I really don't want to spar with you right now.
"Are you sure you aren't just chickening out? Hmmm… I guess you aren't as strong as they say you are…"
It's not going to work Yang.
"Guess so. Later then."
"Are you actually busy doing something right now?"
"I am, so sorry, I kinda need to go right now. Maybe next time when I get my arm healed. Later." Said Dante walking off quickly.
"Fine fine, later then."
Thankfully I avoided that… Now then, let's say hello. But first things first…
Dante knocked on the door before saying, "I'm back. Is it alright if I come in?"
"Yes, please enter."
The young immortal slowly opened the door and closed it behind him, turning to see Inuba and the other smaller, fluffy kitsune, who was resting in bed peacefully. That was until she saw Dante. The smaller Kitsune went stiff, eyes as wide as saucers and mouth agape as she saw him approaching, shivering like a leaf in the wind.
"Here you go." Said Dante handing a can to Inuba.
"Thank you."
"Now then," started Dante as he looked to the smaller kitsune, "I'm assuming you can hear us, so hello. I'm Dante. You've already met my partner from what I heard. And as of now, both she and I will help make sure you get-"
By now Dante had noticed she was shivering and her mouth was wide open, as if she were...screaming..?
"Hey, is she alright?" Asked Dante.
As soon as he got closer, the smaller kitsune immediately hid herself under the end covers, like how a child would if they had seen a scary monster in their dreams.
"W-What's wrong?!" Asked Inuba worriedly as she tried to have the small Kitsune come out from behind the covers.
Only her hand emerged forth, shakily pointing at Dante before it quickly drew back in.
"M-Master..?" Asked Inuba as she looked to Dante, who only shrugged his shoulders in confusion.
"I have no clue… She just looked at me and… I'm thinking she was screaming…"
Strange… Why would she-?
Another thought had crossed his mind, forcing him to quickly look into a mirror to see…
Nothing… Just a normal reflection of himself. So why..?
He looked down in time to see the smaller kitsune's reach out from under the sheets once more and quickly Inuba under. A few seconds of silence and Inuba nodding her head a few times, she re-emerged and slowly walked over to Dante, whispering in his ear.
"She said… Well…"
"Well go on, she won't hurt my feelings or anything."
"Um...she said you looked as though you were a, and I quote, 'big scary monster'..."
Dante froze in place, his expression blank as he stared at the floor.
"Master, did you perhaps have another Shadow Skin Flash and transform temporarily for a second or two? It seems as though-"
The door closed, leaving only Inuba and the smaller kitsune in the infirmary room. With Inuba's already superb hearing, it didn't take long for her to hear the pained whimper that came from behind the door, and a thudding noise which was most likely the sound of a head hitting the wall rather roughly.
I know he may have said that his feelings wouldn't be hurt, but I've know him for a very long time now… And truthfully...his feelings get hurt very easily…
"Um… He's gone now…"
The smaller kitsune poked her head out slowly, cautiously examining her surroundings before staring at the elder kitsune, a small hint of terror still in her eyes.
"A moment please…"
Inuba had almost forgotten the silly picture she had taken on her HoloScroll. But it was the only she had for what was needed next. She quickly scrolled past the numerous photos she had in her library, flicking her finger upwards on the Holographic screen slowly.
There numerous pictures of herself in the library, and of course, Dante was in most of them. Though there were numerous selfies inside the library with herself and Dante, sometimes with the duo overlooking a splendid scenery, other times simply a commemorative photo whenever they traveled to new villages or other locations. She quickly scrolled over a photo she managed to capture on accident with his shirt off, finding the picture she desired.
"Could you please take a look at this for a moment?" Said Inuba double tapping the screen to enlarge the photo as she flipped it around to kitsuki.
It was simply a photo of Dante in his Shadow Skin. Two long, black horns that stood on the sides of his head that bent inwards before curving outwards slightly. His entire body layered from neck to toe in black, vicious-looking segmented armor, white glows emerging from the gaps of the demonic looking hide-armor. Clawed hands that also retained segmented armor on the fingers and thumbs. And the face that resembled a mask-helmet that covered his entire face and back of the head, slanted eyeholes for visibility and a glowing white zig-zagging formation that spanned the corners of the mask-helmet where the mouth would be. From within the slanted eyeholes appeared eyes with black sclerae and glowing white irises.
The only reason this photo was deemed silly slightly was the fact Dante was using a peace sign in the photo whilst Shadow Skinned. Inuba couldn't help but smile whenever she saw this picture each time.
"Did you see something akin to this?" She asked the smaller kitsune, who crept backwards slightly when she saw the photo.
Oddly enough, she shook her head. Inuba was confused now. Was this not what she saw? If not this...what else could it have been?
The younger kitusne quickly closed out the photos app and opened up the text app to type a more accurate response.
"Honestly… It didn't look like that...at least...not exactly the same…"
"Not exactly the same..?"
She watched as the younger girl's fingers quickly typed in another response after quickly nodding.
"It...didn't look the same...but parts of it were… If anything...what I saw looked a lot more eviler…"
A lot...eviler..? What does she mean? How could..?
Another thought crossed her mind. She couldn't help but feel her thoughts trying to draw from the night of the Friede Ball...but her mind was drawing blanks each time. All she to go on was Dante's explanation of events that occurred in between the gaps of her memory...but was there more to it than what he had previously told her? Was he hiding something he didn't want her to know about?
"W-Who was that..?"
Inuba looked down to see the new message from the silent kitsune before giving her reply.
"He's… Well… He's a very dear friend of mine… One that means the world to me…" she said smiling.
"W-Why does he look like that..?"
"He doesn't actually look like that. In fact...he looks very different than what you saw earlier."
"He does..?"
"He doesn't look like the big scary monster you saw… Honestly, I don't know why it is you saw him like that, but… We will figure it out next time."
Why? What did I do so wrong?
This was all that was repeated through the young immortals mind as he sat in a corner outside the infirmary room in fetal position, banging his head against the wall constantly.
"Dante?"
He didn't respond to his name being called. He was muttering to himself, almost berating himself or feeling some amount of depression as Xera Stark approached from behind.
"Uh, you okay?"
The young immortal slowly turned his head around to stare at Xera.
"What did I do…? She…she hates me…" He said sniffling.
"She…hates you?" asked Xera.
"Y-Yeah… She saw me and screamed… Well, not really screamed but she-" He opened his mouth wide to imitate a silent scream, "did that, so I assumed she was screaming…"
"Why did she scream when she saw you?"
"Inuba just sent me a text on my scroll saying she very likely saw me Shadow Skinned…"
"Did you use your Shadow Skin?" asked the Phoenix Faunus.
"That's the thing...no! She has to be some sort of Seer if she could see it without me using it… But that's not important! What is important...is that she is terrified of me and that makes me...very, very, very sad...!"
"Uh...well… She'll come around eventually. You're a nice guy. She'll see you as you actually are at some point instead of… Mr. Scary Demon..."
He only hummed silently in an even more depressed tone as Xera moved past him and opened the door, stepping inside shortly after as the door closed behind him.
This sucks… I've already been through this case once before with Abby when I first met her back on Primordial… Only in her case...she saw the first version of my Shadow Skin as a specter standing next to me… Heh… She thought I was being haunted for the first week we met… Hmmm… How odd… If Abby first saw it as a specter standing next to me...and that small kitsune that Xera rescued saw it as my actual form at first… What does that mean exactly..?
Shadow Skin has been my one and only ability that has remained after losing my Dark Powers… Now that I think about it… It's the one ability that's always stuck with me and managed to resist everything so far. But now after what happened inside...does this mean I've finally obtained full control after the fact?
Dante sighed as he scooted himself from his corner all the way over to the door, cracking it open slightly whilst peeeking inside. The young girl inside practically jumped, yanking her blanket up again and diving beneath its cover once more, like a fox seeking shelter from the rain.
"Wha-? Mas- I mean Dante! I told you to stay outside for now. I know it's difficult for you, but she's still frightened... Until we find a way around this...it would be in everyone's best interest to remain in the hallway."
"Everyone's best interest…" Dante muttered slowly, "Okay... Sure… Yeah... I'll stay out here… By myself… Crying…"
The young immortal pushed himself away from the doorframe and slid slowly to the floor, pulling his knees in toward his chest before rocking slowly against the wall as the door closed once more.
I want to die right now...
Five minutes passed at most. He wasn't going to live with this grief any further. After his final roll on the ground, he leaned back on the tips of his fingers and hopped back up, a proud look of determination on his face.
"That's it! I'm coming in!"
Dante forced the door open and stormed inside, unaware of his previous wish about to come true.
"I am going to prove to that I am not The Devil and thy I'm just a nice guy unfortunate enough to look mean and scary when I use that weird looking form and that I-" He stopped, pausing as his mouth fell open, "That I-I… I-"
He watched as fox ears were slowly rising up before they dipped down and bent in intervals as they slowly got higher and higher with each peak they reached. And, as she reached a point in the song she was listening to on the earbuds in her normal ears, both of the young kitsune's fox ears began to vibrate and completely perk up atop her head.
They vibrated like that, tensely accelerating in violent shaking before at the moment the music in her ears hit a drop in the beat, they slammed downward and began moving up and down to the beat of the song, slamming down and perking up to each elevation that could faintly be heard from the earbuds in her ears.
Dante's eyes continued watching as Kitsuki's fox ears danced and her head bobbed up and down, eyes closed and listening to the beat. Soon after, there was a dull thud and a small squeak from Inuba, Xera turning around to see Dante on the floor, as limp as a noodle.
"Did… Did he just…?" Xera trailed off, glancing to Inuba as she slipped down to her knees at her master's side and nudged him with careful fingers before checking his pulse.
"Oh dear… His heart stopped…" She said quickly, rolling the teen over and pressing her own fox ear to his chest, "He's quite dead."
"Dead?! I thought he was immortal?!"
"No no, it's fine." Inuba quickly stated, trying to reassure anyone listening with the light tone of her voice, "This happens from time to time when he see's something...overly cute happening..."
"Okay…so, he'll be fine then?" asked Xera
"Yes, he will be fine. At least, in a few more seconds he will be."
There was a sudden thumping of someone running in the hallway, and as Inuba and Xera quickly looked up from Dante's currently dead body to the open doorway. Ciel skidded past on her boots before reappearing again after gaining her balance.
One would think she had felt the presence of her brotherhad faded and that she came to see what was wrong, but instead, Ciel stepped on Dante's stomach like he wasn't even there and shot up to the foot of the bed where Kitsuki, the young kitsune, sat on, the girl still rocking out with her ears. Inuba let out a silent scream when she had stepped on Dante as if he didn't exist.
"Oh my god! I knew my cuteness senses were tingling!" Ciel squealed, clasping her hands together in excitement.
Another rush of steps came from outside and I turned again to see Skyla tumble by like an awkward ninja, before she pulled herself back to the doorway and jumped to her feet.
"Ciel, why'd you take off like that?! All you said was you felt tingly all of a sudden-"
"Skyla! Look at this!" Ciel pointed at Kitsuki like she was the last cookie on the planet, and it had just finished baking in a hot oven, "Gaze upon her and praise the cuteness!"
"Awwww~!"
Skyla had jumped over Dante's momentarily dead corpse and landed just past him, skipping over to Ciel's side and smushing cheeks with her, gazing at Kitsuki with twin eyes of adoration.
It didn't take long before Ciel scampered onto the bed, and before Kitsuki could react, the poor girl was pulled into the younger sister's arms and cuddled into her embrace. Skyla quickly scrambled over to the other side of the kitsune and did the same.
"Okay, yeah, definitely getting out of hand…" Xera said, catching a very confused and awkward look of help from Kitsuki.
She was protecting her tails as the two beside her cooed at the sight of her large furry ears.
"It's alright, they just like cute things. They won't hurt you."
The young kitsune gave Xera a questioning grimace as if asking if he was sure of himself.
"I promise they won't do anything harmful to you."
Ciel and Skyla suddenly both reached up and lightly touched Kitsuki's fox ears, a strong shiver running down the kitsune's spine all the way to the tips of her tails.
"Though, I didn't say anything about, uh…ear massages. My bad..." Xera said, feeling apologetic about the situation. As Ciel and Skyla gently rubbed the girl's fox ears, her golden-orange eyes slowly began to close and her small mouth gradually fell slightly open, her tongue partially lulling out of her mouth within the next few seconds.
"She's so cute!" Ciel squealed alongside Skyla, both in a soft voices.
"Her name's Kitsuki if either of you were wondering..." Xera informed them, but they very likely didn't hear him; they were all in their own little world right now.
Especially the fox-yōkai between them.
It wasn't long before Inuba dragged Dante to the side of the room and made a makeshift bed from three chairs she soon carried over as well. She then grabbed a fourth to sit in between him and Kitsuki.
The dull sound of rain tapping against the window filled the room as Dante remained dead for another few seconds until his body stood straight up like an undead creature sitting up suddenly from a coffin in a horror film.
"That…was adorable!" he cried out.
The rain was starting to come down harder now, rapping against the window as the two teens stared at each other from two opposite ends of the room. Inuba ushered Ciel and Skyla out of Kitsuki's room after Dante got back up, and the three were waiting outside making sure the door remained closed at all times.
It was dark out now. And Kitsuki felt a little uneasy as Dante sat in a chair, awkwardly tapping his finger against his knee until he finally rose from his seat and took a step forward. Kitsuki tried to scoot back, but the headrest behind her stopped her.
She could still see it. But it was different now. It began to slowly look more and more like the picture Inuba had shown her beforehand. But his eyes… His eyes were different from the picture. Instead of the perfectly round, disk-shaped eyes that glowed an ominous bright white, large, slanted eyeholes were present in the armored faceplate mask, showing his Shadow Eyes. Glowing white irises with black pupils and black sclera stared deep into golden-orange eyes. His eyes narrowed slightly to express his displeasure in frightening her.
"Listen, I am really sorry about scaring you." He spoke in a hollow, echoing voice from her perspective, "I don't know exactly why you can see… um… this appearance...but I really am not going to hurt you." Dante admitted, speaking as gently as he could as he stopped walking forward.
Kitsuki had trouble signing something out, her fingers were still shaking as she tried to avoid eye contact.
"It's okay. Just… Just stay over there... I don't know why I see you like that either…" she said as he sat back down in the chair he rose from previously.
What she saw was something akin to a demon of the most frightening kind. And no one else saw it currently but her. She could see the version of Dante that put fear into the hearts of any and all that would gaze upon this form of his.
"Okay, I'll stay right here. I just wanted to make sure you didn't think I was actually some sort of big scary monster that eats people...and souls...and… Yeah, I'm not gonna go any further with that. Well, you've been spending time with my partner Inuba… So, what has she told you about me?" He asked slowly, remaining completely still.
"That you're a really nice guy with a big heart. You'd do anything for your friends and you're willing to sacrifice yourself for their sake." Kitsuki signed out in the darkness of the room.
The lights were out, which was her initial decision when she realized what Inuba requested of her to try to do, but she was starting to regret that now. The white glow and the black Aura that oozed from him only made it more ominous. Inuba wanted her to at least give Dante a chance. And she was willing…but something else was scaring her now.
A dull crackle of thunder broke through the hammering of rain outside the window. It was distant, but it still carried into the room in a muffled boom.
She flinched, ears folding against her head as she pulled her blanket up to her heart. She didn't notice Dante had jumped slightly himself, his body shaking as his Shadow Eyes went wide for a moment.
"S-She told me that you were the nicest person she has ever known..."
"T-There, see? If anything, everyone should trust what Inuba says! Especially if they say I'm nice. I try to be nice to everyone I can. Being nice is fun. Most of the time. Again, I don't want you thinking that I'm like The Devil or his cousin Steve, or-"
There was another crack of thunder, and Dante jumped slightly once. His eyes quickly watched Kitsuki flinch on the bed as her eyes and ears were shielded from the window, staring back at him. She was seeing something strange happening to him. It was as if his Shadow Skin was warping slightly, slowly dissolving away into the night.
"Anyway, I'm not a big scary monster, well, technically not, but truthfully even I don't know exactly what I am. I know I'm not exactly human but I am just me, and you can trust me." He said really fast as he gave her a double thumbs up.
He wasn't sure if he was getting anywhere with the girl in front of him, which was worrying him.
"I believe you..." Kitsuki signed out.
There was another flash of light, then a resounding boom as the sound of thunder tore through the walls in a concussive blast. It sounded like it was just outside now.
The only person that could squeal in the room did so, as two bodies suddenly threw the only blanket into the air and scurried beneath it, both shivering heavily as another flash illuminated the room just before another blast of thunder shook it to its core. The taller one of the two quickly grabbed the sheet sheet out of the air and brought it back to cover the both of them. Kitsuki was mute, but she certainly thought it was her who made that rather girlish squealing noise. She wanted to squeal. It wasn't her however.
By the third crack of lightning, Dante and Kitsuki were clinging together beneath the covers as the storm raged on outside, all tension between them thrown to the wind as a baser phobia took over in the both of them. Thunder and lightning shattered in the rainy sky, as if knowing how much the two in the room feared them, as the storm continued for the rest of the night.
Kitsuki didn't see him as the demon anymore. She saw him as he normally was, slightly sweating and looking somewhat terrified, but still, nonetheless she saw him normally now.
"Y-You're afraid of lightning and thunder t-too..?" she quickly signed.
"W-What..? No… Not in the slightest!"
Another crack of thunder and a flash of lightning soon proved that theory wrong as he let out yet another girlish scream and jumped just as much as Kitsuki did.
"Y-Yes..!" he corrected silently as his shivering became more apparent.
Despite the current situation, Kitsuki was rather amused slightly. No longer afraid of him, her shivering hand took hold of his own shaking hand, and it was in that moment, she felt safer than she did previously.
The immortal and the kitsune never let go of each other until dawn broke through the morning clouds.
Inuba locked the door to Kitsuki's infirmary room as Ciel and Skyla scampered off with disheartened and bored faces in some form of cuteness withdrawal, despite being away from Kitsuki for nine seconds.
The two girls disappeared down the darkening hallway as the rain fell a little harder outside, striking the window at the end of the corridor as Inuba turned around and placed her back to the door. She let out a sigh and slid down slowly, situating herself on the floor before pulling her knees up and against her chest.
Her fox tail wound its way around her ankles and shins, giving her a protective field of white fur that Kitsuki instinctively curled into as well.
"You think they'll be fine?" Xera asked, walking past the fox-yōkai against the door and making his way to the windowsill.
"Well, the intention is for Kitsuki to see Dante at a comforting level, rather than the image she has been seeing since his appearance."
Xera pulled himself up onto the sill, bending one leg up as he leaned against the frame of the window's crook in the wall.
A white light flashed across the pain of glass at my right, illuminating Beacon's courtyards and gardens for a brief, shining moment before thunder shook the night sky.
"Think it'll work?" he asked.
"I believe so. There are other methods I can try should this not work, but I am confident in how this will play out..." The kitsune responded, resting her own head against the door at her back and glancing to Xera.
"Well, if it works, I hope they become friends. If anything, I hope Kitsuki can start building her own little network of people who care about her."
It grew silent for a little while, the two of them just sitting there, listening. The rain grew a little harder, and the storm closed in a little closer, but they sat there in silence for the better part of a few minutes.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but how did you know Kitsuki's name and her past?" Inuba asked, her eyes drifting across her tail before her gaze lifted and fell on Xera once more.
"When I found her at the facility, she was barely being kept alive by a couple machines on their last legs of scheduled functionality. They weren't going to last… One of those machines was a computer hooked up to the control panel running her life-support operations."
"They most likely took meticulous time logs I presume.." Inuba responded, her hand pulling away from her tail.
"It was a research facility. Time logs, data records, journals, formal notes, they were all on digital record. Even full background files on the subjects they collect."
Another flash of lightning danced across the window and along the floor of the hallway, thunder rolling in a moment later.
"How much of the information did you gain access to?" She asked.
"All of it, including her family history."
"She didn't have one, did she…?" she asked, her voice carrying more sympathy than her eyes.
"None on record. As far as they knew, she grew up an orphan in Mistral, where she survived in a small, close group of others just like her. They were all around the same age. They didn't just find Kitsuki or any of their subjects. They watched them, studied them, gathered information and waited. It was all planned, all of it. From start to end, every step a meticulous study to find the most suitable targets. In the end, the records didn't say anything about what happened to the rest of them. They all were simply written off after they collected Kitsuki."
Collected...
It felt inhumane to Inuba, especially since it reminded her of a darker time.
"Then she somehow was transported to the facility in Krono Desert, where you found her.." Inuba replied.
"I want to build her a family." Xera stated simply, taking a step forward as he pushed his hands into his pockets, "A new one. Because what she doesn't remember now, she'll remember in the future, and no one can know for certain what she'll be feeling when that time comes."
"I had a feeling you had that intention when you mentioned a growing network of people who care for her…" the fox girl on the floor, glancing up at Xera as her fox ears perked up ever so slightly.
"Inuba…" he addressed, letting the following thunder dull down as he gave the fox yōkai a small smile, "Would you mind playing the part of Kitsuki's older sister? Even if it's just every once in a while?"
Inuba's eyes left Xera's as she glanced to the side, turning her head slightly now as her ears perked up just a little higher.
"I suppose I can visit every once in a while. The crystals we used to crossover into your Reality allow for transportation with only a simple limit to the time buffers between the trips."
Her fox ears were the only answer he needed, seeing as they stood up in elation and bounced atop her head.
"Thank you, Xera. I would love to fill the role you request of me."
"Good… That means a lot to me." said Xera as he waved goodbye and began walking away.
Mai would be very jealous if she knew I took in a little sister… Same in Master's case as well.
Inuba giggled to herself as her fox tail whipped about slowly.
Oh Mai… How long has it been since we've seen one another… I really hope that one day we can see each other again. You and everyone else at the estate… Asahi, Akihito… Mother…
She let out another sigh and looked out the window, watching the flashes of thunder streak the sky and listening to the hinder rumbling loudly.
And father… Where did you go? Where have you been for so long? Mother and the rest of us miss you so dearly… Will we ever see you again some day..?
(POV of an unamed Shade)
How long has it been I wonder… Ten years now? No...about twelve actually… I can't even begin to remember how long ago I found myself in the same situation. Alone. And unable to speak to others. Unless I reveal myself that is. But there is a more than decent explanation for my hiding from others. Many that actually knew me, or knew of me, believe me to be dead. Only a very rare few know the truth of what has transpired. Why now only a Specter walks in my place, watching closely and observing everything here in Creation, whereas my true self remains elsewhere.
In truth, my duties have taken me elsewhere, leading me to travel beyond everything we know and understand. But a price. Once I enter, I can only leave once. As soon as I return another time, I will never be able to leave. Right now is my one and only chance to finish what it is started and be able return to what remains of my family. They mean the world to me. And for them...I would endure this task devoid of hope in order to ensure that they will have a future. Not only for themselves...but for all.
But there are times now and then where I may simply relax for a few moments or so and personally watch, even control my Specter and it's actions. The places I go to observe with my specter almost always have some sort of interesting to observe or study. I know a great a deal about virtually almost anything and everything you could possibly think of. Even so, there is always more to learn or see, something I appreciated greatly throughout my travels thus far.
And so I stood at the top of an icy mountain overlooking the Beacon Academy of this Reality. It was in there my greater interests rested within. It's why I made this Specter. To follow them, watch them, give them clues along their oath on their journeys without revealing myself to them, and if absolutely necessary...intervene in very difficult situations. Although I do wish to keep my intervening as minimal as possible. This Sepcter only has so much Aura it can use. I can't waste it. It is my only connection to the outside. I lose my Specter, I lose my ability to be in two places at once.
So for now, all I can do is watch. Killing Zeridûl would be a simple task for me. A snap of the fingers really, or as humans popularly say, a "flick of the wrist". Though in some cases, "of the" would be replaced with "a da". Honestly, people of this day and age have such strange verbage… Though I suppose there is some merriment or humor behind it. Most of the time anyways…
But yes… Zeridûl… In my eyes, he, like Raum, is still like a child. Though Zeridûl does not seek dominion like how Raum once did. His goal is much much simpler really. A challenge. A worthy opponent. And he will find it when he faces Dante and the Phoenix. Xera Stark… Stark… Ah… His last name did sound familiar after all. So…he is her son. This will an interesting fight after all...
As my Shadowed figure rested my rather ethereal black hand on the engraving of the memorial in front of me. It was an object of interest at the moment. After all, it was her grave site. The one thing I disliked about my Specter slightly is the black energies that oozed from it. Although, when the energies do drift in the wind, I must admit, it does seem rather impressive looking. Of course, my Specter wasn't bare bodied. I wore a black cloak of sorts to hide beneath it, also oozing of these dark energies.
"I see… How unfortunate that you and your people have suffered such injustice…"
Through touching the gravestone, I could see the memories of the one who lay here. And they were powerful memories altogether. It was a shame how her end came about… As much as I love and appreciate humans, I can't help but think some are who are beyond salvation. And intelligence. But, there are humans who continue to impress and amaze me. And it is they whom I appreciate the most.
What's this?
…
Ah… So then... It is you… Hmmmm… Very well then… I shall greet him.
"You're the first to slip through my senses unseen. In fact, I sensed you as if only now you willingly just made your presence known." A young man behind the Specter spoke, "Your presence is Dark… Who are you?"
"I am no one of significant mention or importance. Only a simple passerby and an observer."
My voice, compared to how it normally sounded, was hollow and echoing.
I ignored him for a moment to look at Beacon once more. I was sensing...fluctuations in Aura. Ah, of course it's Dante's… It doesn't seem as though he's realized his Aura is unstable currently. Yes, he has little to no trace left of his original Dark Essence, but still, he has just a small portion left. Considering that the Light Essence within in serves as his main power, there would be a struggle since he's had no need for them until his arrival on Remnant.
Currently, it isn't as fine tuned as his Dark Essence was on Primordial. He still isn't completely tuned to it. And because of this, his power fluctuates between the two and creates a small struggle. Honestly… I expected him to realize this now, especially after the...incident in the church with Friede…
Oh yes, I almost forget he was behind me. How rude.
"Your lies drip from you like the black mist seeping out of your being." he spoke.
"Again, no one of great importance. And I walked here for your information… Niro Ezdeil."
Yes. That Niro Ezdeil.
"I would've remembered meeting someone like you, but a chance encounter such as that isn't in my memory. Don't be so full of yourself, though. Names aren't hard to come by. What else do you know?" he asked me.
"I know a great many things Mr. Ezdeil. Some would say I know everything. The people I knew would say I know too much."
It is true. I do know much. Far too much than I should. Even so, that does not mean I know everything. Only that I know more than most do.
I finally turned to face mr. Ezdeil completely, my disk shaped, glowing white eyes staring right at him.
"I know that you too are a tragic victim of unfortunate circumstance."
He really was if you knew everything about him beforehand. Though I suppose he would attempt to de-molecularize you if you tired showing some form of pity. Or if your tried to give the man a hug. Either or really.
Oh? Countermeasures? How amusing. He thinks I might mean him harm. Given my current state, eliminating him would be a rather strenuous effort. But st the cost of my Specter no less. Though I may be immune to his abilities, on his own in this area, he is still a formidable foe.
Right now he's thinking why his Semblance and that condition of his isn't affecting me. Again, for simple reasons really. Yet to him, not so simple.
"Your Semblance doesn't affect me. It's a fairly simple as to why. First, I erased your countermeasures. Then, I locked access to your Aura, Semblance and that special...condition of yours."
"Redefining those you don't know can be dangerous. I could always tap into something else, it might not be as simple as you assume…"
"Not while I have you locked down you can't. I do not like to boast Mr. Ezdeil, but such a thing is not impossible for one such as myself to lock you down for the time being. Do not worry, I mean you no harm. I simply did so as a sort of…oh, dear me...what is the term these days? Ah yes, I remember now. I did so as a sort of 'insurance policy', as they say. I hope you understand. After all, you yourself went to a length to entrap me in case I would attack you."
"You're not wrong… You've been careful to this point to not tell me who you are, so, allow me to inquire something. Will you tell me your reason for being here specifically?"
"I'm following and keeping close watch of a group of four that recently arrived here. Five if you count the other. But then I came across something rather…peculiar. It piqued my interest greatly and…reminded me of days past. You did as well. Frankly Mr. Ezdeil, I made myself known to you to interact and converse with you. It's been far too long since I've done so…"
It really has. When you are one such as myself and stuck where I am, conversation is a completely rare thing.
"You made yourself known to me so we can talk…just because you were bored?"
"Welllllll… In a manner of speaking, yes."
"Brilliant…" he said with a smirk.
I did what some would do in almost any situation. I walked up and offered him my hand to shake. If we were acquaintances, it would ease whatever tensin there was.
"I do believe people shake hands in making formal acquaintances with one another."
Niro did exactly so, calmly shaking my hand.
"Wonderful. You and I are now acquaintances."
"Terrific… Who were you observing, or still are observing?" he asked me.
"I believe you met them earlier today. Well, two of them at the least."
It was entertaining slightly to see Ciel and Leonard take on mr. Ezdeil. If they knew of his Semblance and condition, they'd would be able to formulate a strategy to defeat him. Although, it would be easier if Dante was with them. His powers were more fit for offensive tactics whilst mixing in defensive measures. He was the most versatile of them.
"Those two?" he asked.
"Precisely. You noticed it too, didn't you?"
"I did… Those two aren't normal, none of the presences were. I could tell that much just by taking a look at their Aura."
"You would be right to think so. Did you know that they weren't the only two?"
"I counted five as soon as I stepped into the city, they're signatures stuck out like bloodstains on the floor of a white room. Their conversation suggested they were looking for their brother."
I chuckled to myself.
"The two of them have always been rather attached to their older brother. They think the world of him. Most younger siblings tend to do that from what I've observed."
"The way you put it, it sounds as if you've been watching them for years now."
"I have from afar. Getting close to them currently would be rather problematic."
How would I explain circumstances as they are now? They wouldn't be able to do much, if not anything. They were still far behind on path and in need of catching up.
"The most you can do now is just watching them then, I assume."
"Indeed…"
A silence remained between us for a few moments until I spoke once more.
"Mr. Ezdeil, you are currently hunting a Xera Stark, are you not?"
"What if I am?"
"I would implore you to halt your progress in the current hunt for the time being."
"Or?"
"I'd rather not say…"
"Because of the siblings you're watching?"
"You are very perceptive… How enjoyable… Part of the reason is because of the three of them and their very loyal companion. Should you do anything rather… unsavory… well, it's safe to say the four of them will be more than enough for you. Especially their loyal companion. She… heh… She would very likely destroy your entire being."
"I somehow doubt that…"
While I do understand that underestimating someone was rather dangerous, he didn't know the full truth behind them and their powers. All of them.
Intriguing… He's thinking that since all of them are abnormally powerful, it raises his chances of defeating them.
How naive of him.
"But you see Mr. Ezdeil, you don't possess the knowledge I do. If you did, you would understand and give way to reason. But as I said, they would be a concern of yours. Invoke their wrath, and they would be your prime concern."
"And you're saying Xera Stark should be a concern?"
"Memories are a powerful thing Mr. Ezdeil. Memories reveal so much information that it's...well…indescribable… Leona Stark's were certainly powerful… I know a great deal about Xera Stark now from her memories. And from my own observations I've made thus far, he is certainly an individual of great interest."
"Are you telling me not to go after him because he's of interest to you?"
"Partly yes, but I know for a fact you won't listen to me unless I threaten you and force you to give way to reason. You'll take my words into account, but nothing more unless you see for yourself. What I'm saying, is that you take some time off for now. Continue observing and making your reports. But do not engage. Not until the current business at hand has concluded. You've felt it too haven't you?"
"I have. I've never seen the likes of it before. But why should I halt my efforts because of whatever that thing is?"
"Well, Mr. Ezdeil…if it's caught your fancy, perhaps you should go and see for yourself what it is Xera Stark and the others fight currently."
"Perhaps I might…"
At this point, our conversation was over. There was nothing more to discuss really. Although, I did have one more,piece of advice for him.
"I know of your plight Mr. Ezdeil. Moreso than you think."
"And?"
"And…" I started as I placed a hand on his shoulder, "It is never too late to re-evaluate your options and your views. There is always hope. Even in the deepest, blackest of places. It is never too late."
I then gave him a pat on the back and went on my way.
"You still didn't tell me who you are."
"I've had many names over the eons Mr. Ezdeil. All of them quite flattering. In most instances anyway."
"You insinuate that you're-"
"No. An excellent guess, though. I've found this conversation to be most enjoyable Mr. Ezdeil. I look forward to seeing how this all progresses."
It really was fascinating for me to see him think I was The Creator. Or God as most would commonly call him. But no, I am not The Creator. I am nearly as old however…
With that, I snapped my fingers, and from mr. Ezdeil's perspective, I simply vanished. In truth, I simply altered my standing in the dimension, putting myself in one separate from him. I watched as he stood still on the mountaintop for a few moments, eventually walking down its slope again.
I do hope that when the times comes, he would make the right choice. But for now, I will do as I have always done. I would watch vigilantly, and I would take note of all I could see. And if possible, continue laying bread crumbs for them to follow. Soon enough, they would realize their true potential, and take up their true calling.
(Omake: "Of Foxes and Beat Drops", by Xera Stark)
"What are they doing?" Leo asked.
Two fox-yōkai sat on their heels on a soft bed, speakers lining the corners of the room, as a scroll sat between them with a playlist running through some songs.
"They're listening to music." Ciel explained.
"Yes, that much is obvious..." Leo replied, watching as both Inuba and Kitsuki situated themselves and gave one another an affirmative nod.
"But why are they doing this? Perhaps I should have led with that." Leo continued.
"You'll see..." Ciel said with a grin, rubbing her hands together in excitement, "It all started with Kitsuki." She pointed to the smaller kitsune on the left as the volume started getting louder.
"What do you mean-"
Leo's words soon fell from his mouth and lost meaning, even in his own mind. His eyes narrowed in on the smallest of movements before that movement happened again, and again, and soon…he realized what his sister was excited for.
Kitsuki's fox ears suddenly twitched, then Inuba's twitched as well, the two closing their eyes as they started listening to the music. Ciel's bemused smile grew as the music began to pick up pace.
Before long, two sets of fluffy white ears began to sync up with the music and slowly began to rise. Furry appendages rose into the air, reaching a level of perkiness before folding, then rising again and going slightly higher as the music progressed.
As the song grew louder, the ears reached higher, and Ciel let out a small giggle as she watched Inuba's and Kitsuki's ears begin to move side to side and flick in the air.
The beat suddenly reached a soft moment, and each set of ears stilled, waiting for just a moment before each ear began to softly vibrate.
Music began to escalate, causing each appendage to vibrate more apparently than before, and as the tempo and the music got faster and louder, so did the movement of the ears before, in a loudly sung crescendo, both sets of ears slammed downward and began moving up and down to the beat of the song, following and syncing to every rise and fall of the music, of the lyrics, slamming to the beat and the tune as the two began to lightly bob and nod their heads.
Ciel suddenly squealed as she jumped up and down.
"Look look! Look at their tails!"
Four tails swished back and forth quickly and fluidly, flicking their tips to every crest in the music as all of Kitsuki's three tails and Inuba's one tail fell in sync perfectly with each other.
"I...cannot seem to find the words for what I'm seeing..." Leo muttered, face going slightly red at the spectacle before him.
The two kitsune continued to quietly rock out cutely to the music as it drew into the next song, immersing themselves into it with little regard to their surroundings anymore.
"Ciel? Leo? Have you guys seen Inuba?" Dante's voice called from outside the room.
Ciel's eyes suddenly widened.
"Oh my god Dante will die if he sees this!"
"I am sure you're mistaken," Leo shook his head, "Dante's immortal. We all are-"
"No you idiot! Don't you remember?!" Ciel exclaimed, shaking her hands as she looked back at the door.
Leo's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered what she meant.
"Don't come in here big brother!" She exclaimed, trying to hold the door closed as best she could.
"Ciel? What are you doing? Why can't I come in there?"
"W-We, uh… We-"
Ciel looked back toward the scene behind her then to Leo.
"U-Uh… I'm naked!"
"I can assure you, Ciel is currently fully clothed." Leo suddenly spoke.
"Leo!"
Ciel had a look of shock cross her face as she glared at her brother.
"Wait, Leo's in there too?" Dante's voice came through again as the door's knob quickly turned.
"No!" Ciel pushed herself against the door again.
"What do you mean, no? I heard him! He's definitely in there!"
Dante pushed harder, forcing his sister to slowly begin to lose her grip on the floor.
"He is quite correct. I am indeed right here."
"You're not helping smartass!" Ciel growled, pushing with all her might but still skidding back as Dante tried to peek his head inside.
"I still don't get why I'm not allowed in this room! This is Kitsuki's room, so why are you all in there?" Dante asked as he pushed the door open even further.
"I believe only Ciel has the answer to your inquiry, brother." Leo responded.
Ciel huffed in annoyance at her brother and found her boots skidding effortlessly along the floor now, fully being pushed back as the door opened just far enough for Dante to slip inside.
"There!" Dante proclaimed, dusting his hands off as he fixed Ciel with a mild glare.
"Seriously, have either of you seen Inuba? I need her help with something."
"S-She's, uh…"
Ciel quickly scooted herself closer to the door to make sure Dante's peripherals didn't catch what was happening on the bed.
"She's not here! Kitsuki and Inuba went into town to go shopping for clothes! Yeah, clothes. Kitsuki needed some."
Ciel was fiddling with her skirt as she lied her heart out.
"Really? I could've sworn she was still here in the room. Are you sure she went out?" Dante asked, dipping his chin slightly as he looked down in thought, "She would've told me if she was heading out."
"R-Really?! I'm sure she just forgot to this time…" Ciel said with an awkward, toothy, very convincing smile.
It wasn't that convincing.
"Inuba never forgets anything. For as long as I've known her, she's never forgotten something or not considered something that could lead to misunderstandings."
He soon slowly crossed his arms as he looked down at his younger sister.
"Ciel, what's going on?"
"Going on? Nothing's going on, just listening to music in Kitsuki's room is all." Ciel replied back, tucking a strand of her white hair behind her ear.
"You and I both know that you're lying. Come on, you can tell me, I'm your trusty older brother. You can tell me anything."
Dante then realized something and a look of worry flashed in his eyes.
"Is something wrong? Is Inuba in danger? Are you in danger? Is some nefarious plot going on that has you forced to lie to me in order to protect someone?!"
Ciel quickly shook her head to all of that.
"N-No! No, not at all. Please, big brother, just don't-"
"I am quite surprised it has taken him this long to notice." Leo commented from the side, clearly both enjoying himself and smiling amusedly at the interactions going on.
Ciel's mouth fell open as she fixed her twin brother with a look of pure, unrestrained shock.
"Haven't noticed what?" Dante asked, turning to regard Leo.
That was when he caught something out of the corner of his eye. Something white flicked up in down in his peripherals, and his bright sky blue eyes quickly turned to see what it was. His face had never been so red.
"I-I-Inuba?!"
His mouth fell open, eyes dancing up and down as he watched the tips of her ears dance up and down, his eyes flicking to the other occupant.
"K-kitsuki too?!"
Dante was at a loss for words.
What were words anymore? How did breathing work again? Wait, wasn't blinking supposed to be a thing? Why did time suddenly stop?
Ciel watched Dante choke on his thoughts and fall forward, slamming unceremoniously to the ground with a solid flop as his blood and skin ran cold.
"Well...his heart has stopped again." Leo said with an amused grin, reaching down to check the downed teen's pulse.
"I told you!" Ciel exclaimed with a solid punch to Leo's arm.
It wasn't long before Inuba and Kitsuki started dancing and hopping around on the bed together. Unfortunately, that was at around the time Dante sprung back onto his feet.
He lasted three seconds before dying again.
(Semblance Encyclopedia 4)
"New Years was awesome!" Shouted Ciel.
"Agreed. To think I of all people would enjoy blowing things up the way we did… There was also the food brother and Inuba made."
"Seriously, why go to restaurants when we have those two?"
"Come now Ciel, we can't always have them cook for us."
"But it's so goooood~"
"We can discuss this at a later time. We have our segment now. Have you picked out a person of interest for us today?"
"Hmmmmm…. Oh!" she said snapping her fingers, "Why don't we do our segment on Weiss Schnee's Semblance? I heard she's a pretty 'chill' person."
Leo only sighed at his sister's awful pun as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"In spite of my sisters terrible pun-"
"Hey!"
"I'll start us off. Today we will be discussing about ms. Schnee's Semblance, commonly know and/or referred to as Glyphs. Now, from what we know, Glyphs is a hereditary Semblance of her family, each Glyph having a variety of effects on objects, creatures, and people. Ms. Schnee often uses her Glyphs for propulsion in order to enhance mobility, as well as exerting push/pull forces on other objects and acting as a solid surface, such as placing a glyph on the side of a building and running up it."
"She can also use her Glyphs as a solid shield or barrier to offer some really nice protection, and even use her Glyphs to accelerate objects both through the air and over surfaces in. Using that fancy-schmancy rapier of hers, Myrtenaster, she modifies the effects of her Glyphs by changing which Dust vial is in use at the time, giving her a whole variety of awesome effects to tack on."
"Possibly my favorite part of her Semblance would be her Time Dilation, which appears to increase speed and reaction time."
"Well, my favorite is her Summoning. According to Winter, her older sister, members of the Schnee family are able to summon foes that they have previously defeated in combat and bring them to fight for their side. We haven't exactly seen it yet, but Leo and I have a theory this also means humanoid foes or just straight up humans she defeats. If you all recall the attack on Beacon...our big brother let Weiss 'defeat' him."
"Indeed. While we aren't sure if she has attempted to or not, we are under the assumption she could very likely summon a Specter of our brother in his Shadow Skin form. Given this fact, she could already have an extremely power summon to bring onto the battlefield whenever she is in need."
"Don't forget about that giant suit of armor." Said Ciel.
"I didn't forget Ciel. I am merely stating a Specter summon of our brother would be a far more suitable summon than oversized suit of armor."
"True, true. But don't forget, the stronger the summon, the more is consumed throughout the process."
"You honestly do believe I'm simple enough to forget such details…"
"I know you aren't able to pick up chicks."
"That's-! That's not even remotely relevant! A-And..! I-I'm very sure if I actually tried I could very well 'pick up chicks'!"
"Oh~? Then why don't you have a girlfriend yet Leo? That shyness of yours holding you back?" Asked the sister with a wide grin.
"Q-Quite the opposite really!" He said turning around and crossing his arms, huffing in frustration at his sister, "I… I simply haven't had the occasion to d-do so…"
"Uh-huh. Sure… Well, that's it for this week folks. Next time is Weapon's Illustrated with big brother and Ruby, and you guessed it, they're featuring Weiss' weapon Myrtenaster!"
"T-Thank you all for joining us this week… We hope to see you again soon…"
"Alright, come here Romeo." Said Ciel as she slung an arm around her brother, dragging him off stage "Let sweet sister Ciel give you the guide on 'How to pick up fair maidens'..."
Excitement and fun all around ladies and gentleman. Dante and Inuba bond together with the new little kitsune Kitsuki, but Inuba moreso for obvious reasons. Right now, it'll nice rest chapters for just a while. Having fun and the sorts. When the rest period's over, back to the fight!
Really, that's all I have to say, so with that...
Don't forget to check out my other new story Knights of White and Black, which is being written in conjunction with Xera Stark's story Rogue Huntsmen. It's totally awesome and definitely a new and fresh way of wrting for me. So yeah, please go check it out!
I highly recommend you all go check out the freaking amazing collab Xera Stark and I are currently working on concerning his story XSRA's Flame. His story overall is absolutely fantastic and is a must read, so I suggest you read from the very start. But, if you're just interested in the awesome collab our two minds put together have created, then mozy on down to chapter 53 of his story for the start. I've said it once and will say it again, you won't want to miss out on this story, and especially this exciting story arc we've created.
Not only that, but check out his other awesome and highly entertaining story Rogue Huntsmen. It's just pure awesomeness bundled into one story. Trust me, you'll love it.
Questions? Ask them anytime. I will try to answer without spoiling.
Please remember to review, follow and favorite this story if you really enjoyed it and want to continue seeing more of it. And hey, even tell others about this story! Remember that your support is what helps make this story grow even larger and what helps improve it. With that, I bid you all an excellent week/weekend! Bye-bye now!