Author's Note: so earlier today there was a visitor to chapter 19 but no visitors to chapter 18. That got me thinking that some people might just skip to the last chapter posted and if it's bad, well, they just stop reading. If that happens, I knew I couldn't go to sleep and leave off on Chapter 20! I mean, if the title didn't give it away, it was pretty cringe worthy and campy! You guys are being very polite not bringing that up -really. Okay, by "you guys", I mean the one single person that actually read it. Yep, I'm talking to you - thanks nameless Australia resident!!! At least I don't take this story too seriously right?
So with any luck, the last several chapters have laid the groundwork so we can now take a look at the manga and see that it can be viewed from two perspectives. There is what the characters are thinking and what they are showing. From here on out, this story focuses on what they are thinking. If you're not familiar with the manga and made it this far, I am so sorry. I bet I lost you a while back and you've been wondering what the heck is going on. But judging by the number of visitors, I kinda think I don't really have to worry about confusing a big group of people.
Chapter 21 – The Underworld
Natalie had been right when she had predicted that there would be a large force looking for Akura-Ou. While most of those involved had already begun their search, Nanami had joined a much smaller search party that was consisted of herself, Mizuki, Mikage, Otohiko and Tomoe. Tomoe was still in his travel convenient fox form and Nanami had wished she'd had the foresight to bring the new dog carrying case that she had just purchased in order to carry him in style.
For Otohiko's sake, Mizuki, Nanami and Mikage acted as if they had the same goals as all of the others that had joined the search. The official story was that they had wanted to prevent Akura-Ou from reuniting his body and soul because a whole Akura-Ou would be a danger. In truth, none of them could believe that the jovial man they had spent the last evening with posed any real threats to society. Mikage was also assured that this was true because he suspected that once made whole, Akura-Ou would choose to forgo his immortality and even his yokai powers. Tomoe was the sole member of the original conspirators that had become convinced that his brother was, in fact, dangerous. His assessment was not objective. Rather, it was based on jealousy, rage and his possessive feelings toward Nanami. When he spoke of killing the demon, Nanami could tell he was dead serious. She knew that Tomoe was not that good of an actor.
Nanami's aversion to killing was so evident that Tomoe decided he needed to get away from her if he wanted the opportunity to strike and destroy his brother. After they entered the underworld, Tomoe suggested that he would not be welcome by the Goddess of the realm because of a prior incident he had been in with her familiar. His excuse was accepted and he found himself alone and free to locate the bastard that threatened his Nanami. His fox senses were strong and it didn't take him long to lock eyes with his brother. He was happy to see that the fumes of the underworld had weakened his prey even further. This should be an easy kill.
Akura-Ou could see immediately that his brother had found him. The intense stare coming from the violet eyes of this fox made it obvious that Tomoe was still angry about the earlier threat Akura-Ou had made toward Nanami. Akura-Ou was saddened. Being in this place again reminded him of the emptiness in his life. He hadn't expected Yatori to successfully kidnap a God but now that he had, Akura-Ou could see his chance at happiness slipping away. He had truly loved his life this past 24 hours. He had thought, maybe just maybe, he would be able to quietly acquire his body, perhaps through negotiations with the appropriate authorities, and under supervision he could slowly build a new life for himself as Tomoe had. Maybe he could be treated by Mikage and be stripped of his immortality so that he no longer posed a threat. If Tomoe was insistent on becoming human, maybe he to could reincarnate. Mother would want another child once she she became aware Kirihito was gone. But all those possibilities were now gone. He was now wrapped up in this plot of Yatori's and his future looked bleak. It could go one of two ways. He could be recaptured and continue the sentence he had started 500 years earlier or he could try to defend himself and avoid capture which would lead to a life as an outlaw, isolated from those he loved. He had lived both experiences and neither were rewarding or meaningful.
Akura-Ou was with his shinigamis and he knew Yatori was near by. It would be best not to alert his companions of the true nature of this fox. He didn't want to put his brother in danger while he occupied this funny frail body. He beckoned the fox toward him. Tomoe could not be certain if a Akura-Ou recognized him or not, but he felt that either way, he was stronger in his fox form than his brother was in the body of a dead human. If Akura-Ou wanted to invite him over, Tomoe would happily accept the opportunity to get close to his prey.
'Oh, dear brother, how I welcome your warmth,' Akura-Ou thought. He dare not speak out loud for fear that his companions would attack or harm his brother. He could feel the stiffness of the fox and could see its offensive positioning. Tomoe was hoping to end him. 'Good luck my friend,' he thought with true sincerity. 'I know I have wronged you many times over and deserve nothing less, but if only you knew that death would be such a welcome surprise for me, you would not be so kind as to offer it.' He held his brother in place, stroking him and enjoying this moment even if it was only meaningful to himself. This was likely the last time they would embrace.
As Akura-Ou sat reflexively holding his brother, Tomoe knew that he would gain the advantage of surprise if he launched the first attack now. He silently bared his teeth and aimed for the jugular vein. Akura-Ou's shinigami grabbed the fox seeing the danger and shook the animal roughly.
"Master, this animal was intending to cause you harm".
Akura-Ou smiled. "I am immortal. Besides, could you expect any different behavior from a wild fox? Return him to me now."
Tomoe was handed back to his brother, who took the opportunity to hold him tightly. Tomoe could feel the affection in the hug. 'I will miss you more than you will ever know' Akura-Ou thought. Tomoe mentally said goodbye as well. He too regretted what could have been.
It was a matter of moments before Yatori returned. He too recognized Tomoe. "Please get away from that fox, Kirihito-Dono. That fox is Tomoe." The twins both realized that Tomoe had been found out. Tomoe seethed that he had not acted sooner. Akura-Ou feared that Yatori might hurt his brother. Tomoe leaped out of Akura-Ou's arms to begin his attack on Yatori. Yatori, hoping to break the foxes focus, revealed that Nanami's life span was dwindling. Of course Tomoe was aware of this, but how had Yatori known? Had Yatori seen Nanami here? Had he hurt her? Why, he asked himself, had he not returned the life force he had held for her. Was she still okay? Yatori's technique of distraction had worked. For the moment, Yatori had gained the upper hand. He used that to his advantage throwing the fox from a cliff.
Akura-Ou could only stare in silence.