Chapter 136

Shortly after school, Issei visited the workshop. As luck would have it, I had everything ready for him too. These would probably be my last clothing projects in this world, so I made sure to put in my best effort. And to be perfectly honest, I would miss the feeling of mass produced fabrics. Orario had some really good cloth makers, but manual looms could only get the thread count so high.

To be fair, I was sure I could convince Haruhime to join the treated fur club...

"HIDA? Keep watch. Ryuu, Shinkage? If need be, run distraction." I said, "Issei, quick, before anyone sees you in here."

I motioned him over to the cargo elevator, while Ryuu and Shinkage worked on 'random things', like sharpening weapons or remote controlling a giant cat. "Wha... Why so secret?" He asked, following me, then standing beside me as the elevator descended.

"Because you are supposed to surprise her with how well you clean up for a date." I gave his shoulder a tap, "Thought of what you're going to say? How to say it?"

"A little... though it doesn't feel like nearly enough." He laughed, "Feels a little unreal... I mean, a few months ago..."

"Welcome to the life of 'excitement'." I said, stepping off the elevator, "You've done really well, not just at improving yourself, but living through it all. Has your goal changed?"

It took him a moment, before he started to have that pink haze steam off of his head, "Not... really. Heh... Just how I'm going to do it..." He followed me past the four dungeon fragments I had left to send home. "These still feel creepy to be around..." He rubbed his left arm, "Worse than when Vali is nearby."

"They are part of his... sister? Brother? Sister probably, since the Xenos call the dungeon 'Mother'." I came to a halt among the 'leather and cloth' storage area in one of the corners, "We're going to do a test fit of your new suit, and I'll make any last minute changes." I pulled a box out from under a pile of random cloth and handed it to him.

"You want me to just get changed here?" He asked, "Um..."

"I'll just go over there." I flicked him with a tail.


Luck, practise, and Goddess given skill had made my work fit perfectly. "This feels pretty good." Issei commented, "All those people I see in suits always look so... uncomfortable, but this..."

I'd stuck with dark blue suit and pants, with a 'Gremory Red' tie. Not only did he look comfortable, he would have fit into any 'political function' in the Underworld. Well, except for his hair. But, I was only capable of great works of creation and heroism, and not impossible tasks. "That is a really good look for you." I nodded, "Now, if we have our timing right..." I reached for my phone, the message light coming on as soon as my fingertips touched it.

HIDAPRIME: Mr. Cime is outside, along with the Horse, as well as a very artistic looking carriage.

HIDALITE: I am taking pictures of this carriage.

Fox2: Coming back up.

"Your ride, has arrived." I smiled, "Be sure to have a picture or two taken." I walked with him to the elevator, though I had some more leather under my arm, "Your after dinner... topic of interest, is in your inner vest pocket."

"I had almost forgotten." He gave his nice new suit jacket a pat, just to make sure, "Thank you Sensei, for setting all this up."

"You are who you know." I reminded him, "And it has been a pleasure to get to know you all."

We arrived at ground level, and Delly was first to comment, "Wow! Shines up like an old penny." She hovered around him.

Issei laughed while Ryuu nodded approval, and Shinkage smiled slightly, "Not even going to attempt to brush his hair?" She asked.

"I can hardly keep up with my own brushing." I shrugged, "Cime, good evening." I greeted, "Not your usual cargo, but you two are perfect for the job. Even if you're wearing the same uniform and hat."

"It's no trouble really. We don't often get to do this, and your gift was well received." He looked at Issei, "Red Dragon Emperor, Issei Hyoudou. I am Cime, and will be your driver for the evening." He offered a hand down to him, and the two shook.

"Thank you, Mr. Cime." He looked at the Horse, who snorted quietly at him, then the carriage. It was done up in red and black, the Gremory colours, and looking like a mix of 'western' carriage, and 'race car', with a mildly domed roof, and all kinds of sweeping curves that made it look like it was ready to break speed records, even while it was at a halt, "Should I get in the back? I've never done this before."

Cime, stomped his foot, and the side door opened, "Of course." He grinned, "Tonight, your only worry should be dinner, and returning home with your lady on your arm."

Issei got into the carriage with a "Wow... these are really nice seats..." And Cime and I shook hands, "Be seeing you." I said, giving the Horse a pat on the nose, then just hugging her great neck. I didn't even know this horse's name, but I was certainly going to miss her.

As they got themselves turned around and headed back to the road, I felt Ryuu's hand swish through one of my tails, "We also have dinner to attend to."

"Yeah."


While not 'connected' as I was, as land holder of Kuoh, I still felt Yasaka arrive in the city. Maybe it was some other instinct, or my former connection, or even my relationship to Kunou (who was, by the way, helping with bread), but still, it was like someone had put a hand on my shoulder without any warning, putting me to full combat readiness.

"Sensei?" Tomoe, my assistant (and understudy since they were going to try and make this a tradition, even when I left), noticed me go still and called out, "Something wrong?"

It took a moment, but I got my arms moving again, stirring the pot of sauce again, "Yasaka-sama is almost here." I said, "Kunou?"

Her usual self control with her tails had failed and they were swishing about happily, "Yes, mama is here!" She looked around, "Asia-san? Could you watch the bread for me?"

"Of course, Kunou-san."

Like clockwork, Asia's task of watching noodles was taken over by Tsubaki, who's task of moving pots of finished sauce to the 'keep warm' stove was taken over by Ruruka, who could do dishes later. They worked so well together, it felt good to see.

"Someone else too." I mumbled after a moment, "Sun Wukong." I nodded to myself, wondering if Bikou had found a good enough rock to hide under.

"Brought by the scent of good food no doubt?" Akeno commented, tasting a little of the sauce, "Or...?"

"Yes I called him." I replied, making a vague gesture to my forehead and the horns hiding under my hair, "And I still like him enough to feed him I suppose."

"I think they look cute." She said quietly, getting just a little closer and brushing my hip with hers, "But I hope he can help."

"Sensei? Who are we expecting? Do you know if..." Kiba paused.

"He is no longer welcome at my table." I said firmly, "And I doubt he'd trust anything I gave him anyhow. The others possibly, Ophis certainly."

"We may need more chairs at the very least then." He replied.


We actually didn't need more chairs. But it was only because Issei and Rias weren't here. While we got everything to the tables, and people got arranged in their seats, I spotted Yasaka and Wukong entering, with Kunou holding her mother's hand like any other child might. I nearly stumbled with a full pot of sauce at the spike of jealousy I felt, but I pushed it down and hoped no one noticed. I wanted to do that so badly... just have to get home...

Vali's team, minus Vali and Bikou, but including the two wolves were also there. The big doggos didn't need a seat, but were set up with plates, since they were good doggos (wolfos?) and it would be a shame to eat while they just watched.

Once we were all set up and seated, I summoned Sir Skitters (since he occasionally got in the way while being curious about the food) and said, "While it's not a prayer, I would like to say thank you for the food." The devils in the room laughed quietly, "And thank you for reminding me of home, while I've been stuck here. And even promising to continue on with the tradition of pasta night."

"Shame taco night won't be a thing." Maki pouted, some of the others agreeing.

"With that said, please enjoy." I nodded, and as 'the cook' I started to serve myself, signalling the start of the meal.


"You seem distracted Boss." Delly said quietly, just loud enough to hear over the idle chatter at the table, "The food is amazing as always, but..."

I looked down at my plate, only half finished, "My horns are itchy." I mumbled to her, "I can guess why, but I'm at the edge of my seat, and it's not because the chairs aren't made for tails."

"You are among friends." Ryuu said, joining in since her ears were just as good as mine, and she was to my left. "Mama would be proud you can cook like this."

"Or mad because I've created so many other variations?"

"Possibly. But less so if you showed her how."

"An excuse to visit then." I nodded, returning to my eating.


Thankfully free of the obligation to clean up afterwards, though not free of packing some up for my... minions? Followers? What even were the Oni to me at this point? Akeno, Kunou, Ryuu, Delly, Sir Skitters, Wukong and Yasaka made the trip to the Shrine. At some point, Loaner arrived, but he opted to stay behind to see if he could out-eat the two wolves. I let him make the attempt, but didn't have much hope for him winning.

Except, now free of the distraction of eating and idle banter, I was feeling restless again. I was sure I knew why now too, and that it was irrational, and inappropriate, and an all around terrible idea...

"I'm glad you are resisting it so well, Kodori." Wukong said suddenly.

I felt a big part of that resistance slip with his words, but shook my head, "I'm used to it. But I won't refuse help to get rid of it."

"We might have a better solution." Wukong nodded, "Just hold on a little longer."

We started up the steps to the shrine, and I could feel that urge to just... challenge Wukong, and Yasaka, and even Kunou... But then someone started playing with one of my tails, and the slow red haze I was feeling started shivering happily. "Ko-san, you'll drop the leftovers if you don't calm down a little." Akeno said into my ear, "You're purring again..."

"You're imagining things." I mumbled back.

Okakai and Fukawa were there at the Torii, alongside the two bronze foxes. "We greet you, Sun Wukong, Yasaka-sama, Kunou-sama, Kodori-sensei, and their companions."

Kurin was there as well, the bird collection standing around her excitedly. She remained silent, but bowed to us all (prompting one of the birds to try and capture a bit of her hair).

Wukong just took a quiet puff on his pipe and gave them a lazy salute, while the rest of us gave them a return bow (of various depths depending on our 'rank' compared to them, with me and Yasaka almost not at all, and Akeno at about 45 degrees).

Once through the Torii and on shrine grounds, most of the formality was dropped, "We brought dinner." I said.


While the Oni and Kurin ate, and Wukong seemed to vanish when we stopped looking at him, the rest of us sat at the entrance to the main hall of the shrine, the birds taking turns nibbling at the pasta we'd brought for them and visiting us.

"These ones are adorable." Yasaka commented, one of the blue ones taking a noodle from her hand, "And I can tell they are quite special."

"I think I'll send them back before we return." I said, "Just have to make a special box or something for them." I gave one of the black ones a pat, "This phase or the next. They're big enough now I think."

"Will you entrust them to Lord Ganesha?" Ryuu asked.

"I'm not sure. Maybe the next generation, but I'm sure they'd get along well at home. Keep Gros company."

"They are quiet." Ryuu agreed.

"Nyaa?" I looked towards the Torii, spotting Kuroka, Koneko and Wukong.

Koneko, in a surprising show of preemptive action, gripped her sister's hand, "No chasing the birds."

"Aww..." Kuroka pouted, "They look kind of tasty though..."

"After all you ate, you're still hungry?" Wukong sighed, "Where do kids put it all these days..."

Koneko made no comment, but looked directly at her sister's breasts, "Jeeeeeeee."

"So what brings you by?" I asked, "And yes, with all the food you ate, I'm surprised the two of you are mobile, let alone hungry."

"I enlisted their help." Wukong said, standing in front of us while Koneko and Kuroka sat down with the rest of us, making a little semi-circle on the wooden deck and stairs.

Akeno shooed one of the birds away, then shifted over to sit beside me, putting an arm around my back, "He put the binding on you to slow down the progression of the corruption, and give him more time to find a way to get rid of it."

"We helped him too." Koneko said, "Since you've always tried to help us..."

"And since we're fellow Youkai." Kuroka smiled, "We almost managed to do it in time."

"But that fool Vali didn't want to wait." Wukong sighed.

"So not only did he try and kill me, he doomed me to..." I started to get up rage filling my mind, but Akeno hugged me tighter, "Let me go... I'm going to paralyze him from the neck down, pull out all his teeth and peel off his eyelids!"

Stronger than she looked, Akeno held me down, but it was Yasaka who reached out, poking the little spot just under my nose on my upper lip. "Shhh, no no."

Unable to speak, or move, I felt a dozen little spots all over my body feel like they'd just been poked. "We can help Sensei." Koneko said, "But we had to do this first."

"Th...e mo..vie?" I managed to say.

"Yes." Ryuu said, putting a hand on my shoulder, "sister, please relax. Trust them."

Deep down, I wanted to. But behind that was a black wall of burning anger, and behind THAT, was the feeling of manacles on my wrists. I was losing it. My body moving towards Wukong, even through the numbness in my body, a pair of people with rook strength hugging my waist and Ryuu holding my shoulders. I needed to be free!

"The hard way then." Wukong sighed, holding up a hand as if in prayer.

The resistance over me increased, like Mikoto using her gravity magic on me, but I was pushing towards full power now! "LET ME GO!" I shouted, my clothes tightening, forehead throbbing in pain as I took a step forward, my hand reaching out for Wukong's smug face.

Then something tapped me on the back of the head, and I flopped face first onto the ground.


There was a strange smell in the air, pleasant, but feeling almost sticky in my nostrils. My body felt like it was floating, my muscles felt relaxed, and there was a pleasant tingle just about everywhere. I thought about speaking, or moving, or maybe even opening my eyes. But it felt like too much trouble.

"Ko-san." Oh, I knew that voice. I liked hearing it, even though it wasn't my favourite voice.

"We have to backtrack just a little." Another voice said, followed by a slight pressure on my upper arm, "We can't remove the problem. Not completely."

"But we can change it a little, so it can work itself free on its own." Oh! I liked this voice too. It reminded me of my mother, with better headpats.

"Nyaa just need to relax a little..." Another poke, then another.

"You said you've done this before... So you will do it again." I felt something brush my forehead, and my spine started to tingle, "You just need a little push in the right direction."

"We are here for you, sister." My eyes fluttered open, yet it was just as dark as it was with them closed.

"Sleep now, just a little while longer Ko-san."


Kuoh was burning. Its modest city centre had been turned to rubble, the lush forests were a blazing inferno, and the school had been reduced to a field of black broken glass.

All that remained were a pair of white bronze foxes, and me, standing between them, holding the tattered remains of an orange ribbon in my hand. I had returned too late to help, and this was the price.

"We were not enough." One of the white foxes said.

"We did our best, but in the end, we could only endure." The other said.

"What could I have done?" I asked them, my fist clenching around the ribbon, "A world away..."

"You should not have left."

"I had to leave. This is not my place!" I growled at them, my face hot with tears.

"It was a place made for you. Yet you left it empty."

"What could I have done? I did my best to teach them. I did my best to share my experience."

"It was a place made for you. But you do not have to leave it empty."

My forehead was starting to hurt, and the fire was getting hot enough to scald my skin. I held up my other hand, a dagger made of brilliant green, glowing with a flame all its own held tightly in my fist.


I woke up suddenly, my eyes opening wide, body snapping to alertness.

Then my eyes slammed shut again when the light in the room felt like it was made of salt and razor blades.

"Shh." A calm cool hand touched my forehead, "Relax Kodori-san." That hand moved to my ears, and started to play with them in the exact way I liked, "How do you feel?"

"light hurts." I mumbled, my throat and mouth bone dry, "yasaka-sama?"

"Yes." She replied, "You've been sleeping a little while now, but it was your first time." She moved, the sound of her kimono ruffling. Gently, I was eased upwards, her hand behind my back, and she hugged me tightly, "I am very proud of you."

"why?" My arms didn't move, but my tails slowly started to wake up enough to return some of the embrace, "sleeping? first time?"

"My little Kunou and your friends have just sent the part of your dungeon back." She started.

November 29

"Here..." She touched something to my lips, and I sipped at it. It was a little cold, but I felt the special mint tea spread through my body even before it hit my stomach, "Take a look."

I opened my eyes slowly, the light far less piercing. Slowly things came into focus, from Yasaka's slender fingered hand, the vibrant yellow of her kimono sleeve, the dark wood and white paper of the shrine walls.

And a large black fox. Maybe a metre or so at the shoulder, it wasn't a normal fox. Its face looked a lot like a setsubun mask, with thin gold lines alongside the nose and under the eyes. Along the top of its nose was a thin stripe of silver, and just above each eyebrow was a black and silver horn, curved upward and sharp like a very small karambit.

Noticing me, noticing it, a little black spirit fire appeared over its head while its fluffy black tail (with gold 'paintbrush' tip) wagged happily.

"I... what?" I managed to move an arm to my forehead, feeling nothing but smooth (though bruised feeling) skin.

"Shh... Don't be alarmed." She held out a hand to the fox, and it came closer, "We couldn't 'get rid' of the corruption in your body. So we changed it."

I reached out to the fox as well, the fur under its chin feeling almost electric, "So this is what's left?"

"Only part." She joined in giving the fox attention, and it flopped over onto its side happily, "Let me explain... Such a corruption of spirit will either change your body, similar to your wardens, or destroy your mind. This is that 'change'. A spirit of your creation."

The weird metaphysical description was threatening to scramble my brain, "So, you took it out of me, but it ended up like this?"

"We took it from you, but YOU made it like this." She smiled, "You made it into something beautiful, and while there will always be a little of it left in you, it is no longer as... volatile."

The fox, now laying on its back and being subdued by a tummy rub, looked me in the eyes, and yes... I could feel it. She and I... resonated with each other. "A spirit fox." I mumbled, turning my thoughts inward, and 'seeing' the old place I used to keep the 'cage' of my magic. It had a new occupant now, smaller, but so much hotter.

But it was just fire. Fire didn't scare me at all. In my hands, and mind, fire was a useful tool.

"Be careful." Yasaka warned, "You may be able to draw from it as before..."

"I know..." I mumbled, turning my mind's eye away from the fire, "Wait..." That imagined fire inside me warming up my back.

"Yes." She said, hugging me tight, almost cutting off my view of the black fox (who looked sad no one was petting it now) "You've also taken that last step, with the creation of your first fox spirit."

A tail flopped over my lap, solid black save for a thin silver ring and a gold paintbrush tip. "Congratulations, Kodori-sama."

I looked at my newest tail, unable to deny it (since it was attached to my rear, and tingling with every motion it made) yet hardly able to comprehend it. So I did what any other sane person would do when yet another strange thing happened, in a seven month long list of strange things, after recovering from what amounted to mystical surgery.

And went back to sleep.


I probably wasn't out for very long, but this time I was getting a lap pillow, and someone was resting over my chest. "Akeno?" I asked, opening an eye slowly and looking up.

"Gold star." She said as her face appeared over her breasts, that were barely contained by her Miko robes, "Comfortable? I see you've met your new child?"

I (reluctantly) turned my eyes from her smile and towards my own breasts, and whoever was laying on me. My gold eye met another like it, and someplace near my leg a tail started flailing happily. It was a very... odd feeling. I knew this fox was 'mine'. But, I did not 'own' it like I did my usual creations. It was like part of my other spell, the last one I'd learned to 'free' a fox from my mana, had taken on a true life of its own.

I felt life return to my arms, and reached up to pet the head resting between my breasts, "Happy birthday. I suppose?" Carefully, my fingers traced around the two horns. They were very sharp, and I could feel an extreme magical potential through them. The fox made a pouting noise though, and I worked my hand around her ears. "Sorry."

Akeno giggled quietly, "I should congratulate you twice, shouldn't I? Though I think this tail is being very naughty." I looked back up to her, and watched as she reached behind herself and peeled my newest member off her rear, "It's a shame it won't be long before this nice fur needs brushing just as much as the others."

"Yasaka said it's because I..." I looked back down and met eyes with the fox again, "Created her."

"I don't know, honestly. But, do you remember when you gained your seventh?"

"Yes. It was when you and me teleported to the shrine at the peace talks."

"Not quite I think. I think it was because you connected to me, your Miko." She poked my nose, then started to brush her hands over the sides of my head gently.

"Hmm... But what about the shrine itself?"

"That was part of it. The shrine, the land, the people. Place, person, thing."

"Then my eighth... When I accepted everything about myself... finally." My second golden tail flopped over the fox laying on me, and I used my other hand to pet it.

"You connected to yourself. Though, if I were to guess about that as well, other Kitsune would earn that long before you did."

"It was like someone took a weight I didn't even know I was carrying off my shoulders." Doubly so when I saw the new line written on my status. Hestia was still getting the biggest hug ever when I got back...

"And now, you've created her." Her body leaned forward, blocking my view with wonderfully scented softness, "Yes you are a good fox too." Her hands joined mine over the fox's ears.

I was just about to reach up and maybe do something about that wonderfully scented softness, but someone called out from nearby, "Is she awake yet? Or are you two fooling around?" It was Wukong.

"Now now Ko-san." Akeno took hold of my hand (that was just about to touch her) I know you like watching, but you shouldn't encourage her to learn that too."

The fox on my lap 'yi yi yi'ed at me. Laughter.

"But... lap pillow... And it's been a weird day." I said as her hands went behind my shoulders and she helped me sit up. "Oh, hadn't even noticed." While I was out, someone had put me in a Miko robe.

"You had ruined your other clothes again..." She said as we stood up, "We should have done that differently..."

Before we left the tiny bedroom, I reached out and wrapped Akeno up in a hug, then gave her forehead a kiss, "Yes, but I also should have mentioned why it bothers me, to my most trusted friend in this world." I let her go, turned her around, and gave her butt a gentle push, "Later, before he starts complaining like an old man."

I noticed as we moved through the hallway towards the main room of the shrine that the fox made no sound as she followed beside me. It did however make quiet happy noises when I resumed playing with her ears. "Only make noise when people are paying attention to you huh?"

Akeno giggled quietly and slid open the door of the main building. "Ah good." Wukong said, while he held Loaner with one hand and pet his head with the other, "How are you feeling? Sufficiently pampered?" Even with the sunglasses on, his ogling look at Akeno was obvious. "Such a troublesome guest you've been."

I felt like making a snarky remark. Maybe even a rude one. But I just wasn't up to it, "I don't feel much different than before all this mess happened." I replied, "Aside from some weird dreams while I was out, and apparently creating a new friend..."

"I was just as surprised as everyone else. But it was certainly better than my most hopeful guess at what would happen." He smiled, looking serious as he let Loaner down and put his hands behind his back, "Care to tell me why you made such a weapon from Yu Long's gift?"

"Maki made it." I said, "Touching that scale burned my skin at the time. I mean... after all this time handling hot metals bare handed, being burned was a clear sign not to do something with it myself. And it was to make sure I didn't hurt anyone, in case I went insane."

He sighed gustily, shaking his head, "You would burden your friend with that?"

"Trust my friend with that." I corrected, "But, now that the roar in my head is back to a mildly grumpy mumble, I can hang it over my mantle as 'something I never had to use'. Or maybe turn it into some kind of sparkly paint."

"Actually, your new friend ate it." Wukong said.

I looked down at the fox, who looked up at me and created a bright green spirit fire over her head. This was followed by her sitting like a good foxxo, before her tongue flopped out of one side of her mouth and she gave me a silly smile.

"Oh." I brushed my fingers over the fire, feeling that yes, this was most certainly just as 'divine' as Yu Long's scale had been. However, it didn't even make my skin itch, even though it was quite hot. "Not exactly a balanced diet..."

"It's no matter I suppose. Just don't do it again. Jade smithing without the proper rituals is just asking for trouble." He came closer, his wrinkly brow turning thoughtful, "But now that this little fracas is over, know that the East stands with you, for what's coming." He held up a hand, "It's all I can say, all things considered." He knelt down and gave the fox a pat, "Considering the gift you've given the land here, Lady Inari wanted to thank you."

I considered his words, and felt a little sad. But also a little joy as well. I couldn't take this one with me. It was part of Kuoh, even more than it was part of me. "Let's hope you get along with all our friends then. Except Vali. You can bite him if he ever visits."

"You should name her." Akeno suggested.

I considered that, and well, yes, she was my 'child', so it fell to me to name her. "Sachiko." I said, "A name, and a wish both." I knelt down and had my face kissed by a happy fox, "Yes yes, you're welcome." I gave her a nose boop to divert the weird electric feeling her tongue was leaving over my face, "Say, where are the others?"

"Training, most likely." Akeno answered, "Though, Kunou is resting after the transfer. Her mother is still here as well. The Oni and Kurin are also with them."

"And Vali's team?" I was relived that just saying his name didn't bring that wave of anger anymore.

"La Fey and Kuroka are still here. The others have left to prepare." She replied.

"You wouldn't happen to know where that grandchild of mine went off to this time?" Wukong asked.

"Not Canada." I replied with a smile, "Best I can do this time."

"Bah. Suppose I should be getting back as well. Maybe I'll have time for one more lesson before you return." He smiled.

"Once I get a feel for my new tail, I'd love to, Sensei." I bowed to him, hand in fist, "Now, if you'll excuse us, I have some people to thank."


"bbbbbboooooooooooooossssssssSSSSSSSSSSSSS!" (thump), went Delly as we teleported into the underground training room. "I was so worried!" Followed by her doing her best to hug me while buried in my bosom.

Most of the big concrete chamber was a smoking wreck, with everyone showing various signs of hard training. Even Gasper was sporting a bit of battle damage to his nice dress. The weapon and magic users were in their own distinct groups, and even the Oni were in on the action.

I looked like home, and it made me smile.

With Delly's sparkling comet trail fading from the air, combat slowed down, then ceased, and everyone turned to Akeno, myself, and the new guardian of the Kuoh Shrine. I didn't even know where to begin, so I just sort of... waved at them.

The two Oni approached, and for a moment I thought they might save me from my little moment of awkwardness... Until they both went to one knee, "Kodori-sama. Congratulations on your recovery."

Having anyone bow to me outside of simple politeness or martial form was uncomfortable. But having two Oni who were centuries old do it, was on another level entirely. It didn't help that everyone in the room, from Rias, Sona, their peerages and all the way down to even Shinkage, bowed as well. Not to one knee, but a formal observance none the less.

Except Akeno, who was 'fu fu'ing at my discomfort, and Delly, who was still clinging to me as if I'd been away for years. Maki, best little sister, saved me from asking 'why the heck', by saying, "Yasaka-sama said you are the first one to grow a ninth tail in over a century."

My ninth tail, who I could already tell was going to be 'that crazy friend' flailed around behind me as if to say 'look at me!' "Oh..." I caught the newest tail before it threw me off balance, "Well, um, thank you? No need to bow, I mean, aside from the new tail, I'm still just me."

Ravel was first to drop formality, my ears just barely hearing, "Going to have to change her figure design again..."

"But I suppose while you're all looking this way..." I continued, "Let me introduce Sachiko." The big fox beside me put on a silly smile and flailed her tail around happily, "She'll be staying, when I leave.

"Is it wrong that I want to pet her?" Tomoe mumbled from the 'weapon users' group.

"It's good that you are leaving something behind, other than your wisdom." Sona said, "But have you truly recovered?"

I shook my head, since I honestly still felt a little weird. It might have been my new tail (that was pouting in my hand, since I stopped it from being silly). "Sensei..." Koneko started, "Do you still need rest?"

"No. I've been sleeping since Friday, and we have plans to keep up with." I gave Delly a pat on the back, then tugged her from her hiding spot, "And since I've attained something new..." I gave Sachiko a pat on the head, then stretched my arms over my head until my spine and chest popped a few times, "I have to learn what I can do with it."

"Just so long as you're think you're up to it." Rias smiled, "If you wanted a volunteer, I'd be happy to show you how far I've improved."

Considering the closest person to her was Ryuu, I was guessing Rias had really stepped up on her practise. I nodded to her, then looked at my hands, bands of pure black fabric wrapping itself around my fists. "Afterwards, there's a few people I'd like a word with." (in the background I heard Kuroka 'eep') "But sure."


It was an odd feeling, sparring with every single one of my students. There were no long drawn out fights, no super powered ultimate attacks, but each and every one of them showed me something new that they had learned since the last time I had sparred with them.

Some were mundane, such as Ruruko or Tsubasa. Who had come up with interesting variations of their martial art, meant to use more of their devil status to push a simple punch or kick into the realm of super human.

Others were flashy as hell, like Tomoe having learned some sort of technique from a scroll Wukong had given her. (Reflection of a blue moon on a lake?) Or Irina, who figured out how to change Excalibur Mimic in mid swing, so fast, that I almost ended up sent to the medical room before I realized what she had done.

Saji had come up with an entire collection of interesting effects that made me think I was fighting through a house of mirrors filled with teeth and tentacles (I had to re-summon my Miko robes after this one...eww)

Xenovia had become a pro with her collection of throwing knives. But not just throwing them, but kicking, punching, slashing, and even 'throwing' them by hitting them with her massive sword.

Kiba was still a cheatyface sword maker... And had become so adept with blade creation, he could simply point at me and fill the air in front of me with flying steel. Infinite blades, doing all the work before he even needed to get his hands dirty.

Rias had indeed been training with Ryuu. A lot. It was rather frightening, but also extremely satisfying for her to finally take my advice.

Momo and Reya didn't have very much in the way of 'new', but certainly 'improved'. Their barriers were exponentially stronger than before, and not just limited to walls and ropes.

Gasper had... well, I wasn't sure. He called it 'a magic executable'. And with a single word and gesture, he filled the area around him with a literal magical minefield of respectably powerful effects.

Sona seemed to have been training with Akeno, and now her water bending was laced with lightning, and even more impressive, explosions. Since running electricity through water split the H from the 02. Magic, martial arts, and chemistry.

Koneko was just as strong and tough, but her ability to work with Ki was getting to scary levels. I hadn't even noticed when her and Kuroka had poked me with a delayed paralysis effect, and in combat, she could make it instant, even on me, with about 90 percent accuracy.

Kuroka hid behind the Oni. Which was new, since she usually wanted to spar with me.

Ryuu still kicked my butt, but I wasn't angry about it this time.

And Shinkage didn't fight me, but instead breathed fire at me. It was still mostly magic, and didn't even singe my hair, but it DID melt the concrete around me nearly instantly. (putting it at an instant output of at least 1000 C.)

Then there was Issei. We didn't actually spar...


"Sensei." He began as Asia finished healing me (and getting a headpat from my newest tail), "How did you beat Vali?"

"Angrily." I shook my head, though I smiled a little since thinking about him didn't make me angry anymore.

"He's still stronger than me. But it isn't his power that I'm losing to. He just seems to know what I'll do, before I do it."

"He does enjoy watching." I said, hearing Akeno laugh quietly from the sidelines, "You are his rival, so he's studied you."

"Assume you will lose the next time, unless you learn something new." He said, "Yeah. But what can I learn that's 'new'? I still can't get a handle on magic like the others. I'm terrible with a sword still. I can outpower his Divide, but then he just uses other things. Magic, speed, dirty tricks..."

"It sounds like you need to upgrade your philosophy a little." I replied, "Maybe for starters, stop calling out your attacks?" He gave me a 'huh' look, so I explained, "Even in Orario, a lot of the magic users give themselves away simply because they need to chant to cast a spell. Ryuu's overcome this somewhat by chanting really quietly. I made those gauntlets for Rias, so she didn't advertise her attacks with a magic circle."

"But how will that help me? I don't use magic really."

"Issei, your problem with combat, is that you are too honest." I said, "It's one of your best traits. But in combat, it's a huge liability."

"Like holding back a secret technique?" He said, "Like your crazy palm strike!"

"It's hardly secret now." I shrugged, "Anyone who's seen it once, and lives, might come up with a way to avoid it. Remember how Rias was reluctant to allow mixed classes with Sona's peerage? It's the same thing. And you have been advertised in EVERY rating game you've been in. Big flashy moves, super powered punches, underdog victories. Anyone with a TV hooked up to the devil's network knows what you can do as of your last game. Vali just happens to be powerful enough to use that knowledge."

He pondered that, then sighed, "But I'm not as talented as he is... He learns new things so fast, and I'm still flailing my arms around." He instantly put his hands up at me, "I mean, you've taught me so much! But..."

"On no. I get it. I really do. But, here's your first example." I smiled, "You wanted to know how I beat Vali, right? Try moving."

While we'd been talking, I'd done what I had with Vali, and even Rias when I had my 'serious talk' with her. I'd created a fox, and simply made it no more noticeable than the air. But, being 'mine' gave me control over it. Weight, density, permeability... Long practise with my creations allowed me to make them however I pleased, whenever I pleased.

So, before Issei could even blink, he was encased in what amounted to a fox made of hardened tar, that only flickered slightly as I changed it to become so. "This is what we are doing, to lure out our next enemy." I said, stepping forward while he tried to wiggle, "We are controlling the information the enemy sees. So that when they act, they will be like you are now." I let him go, catching him as he was suddenly without resistance to his struggling, "Tonight, your homework will be... hmm..." I ruffled his hair while I looked around, "Anyone know a really good ninja movie? Our Red Dragon Emperor needs a little inspiration on how to be subtle."


NOTES

Well folks, there we go. The actual conclusion to 'how Kodori got poisoned and got her ninth tail'.

Just a little more in the way of 'set up' for the end of the story, but we're almost there!"

So, a few people have asked 'what's next'. So, I'll put it in plain text. Barring a sudden apocalypse or something.

I finish this story, and mark it 'complete'.

I start a NEW story, picking up where Kodori lets off here, back in Orario.

I write about 'the fallout' of the dungeon going nuts, and Kodori's return.

I (maybe) write about the stuff in the ACTUAL books, (12-14), of Danmachi. Since I'm sure I can still work it in.

I take a VOTE someplace in all that, regarding where Kodori ends up next. (same as last time, before this DxD thing happened).

I mark the Return and Fallout story as Complete.

I YEEEEEEEET Kodori to the next story.

There it is. The 'plan'. :)

Daeore on Ko-fi, if you want to toss a coin to your writer.

Daeore on Inkitt, if you want to read my book, 'Were Too?'