Chapter Four

A pair of squeals sounded out as the two women practically jumped on him, squishing him between them as they collectively cuddled. Daichi had a look of desperation on his face, pleading with Inari to save him, though he was soon betrayed as the god raised his hands and backed away with a smile. It was some minutes later when he finally managed to wriggle free, citing a need for clothes and a desire for civilization. Inari procured a child sized black kimono with violet cherry blossoms adorning its design, the colors matching his hair and eyes. Sandals followed, and Daichi was quickly dressed by the pair of girls flanking him.

"Sera, Gabby," Daichi directly addressed the two, both of which looked surprised at his nicknames. "Don't give me that look, you've both been visiting me for years." His attempt at an arrogant and nonchalant appearance was crippled by his childlike looks. He mentally sighed in defeat as the pair looked seconds away from assaulting him again. At least he wasn't a baby, or toddler. That would have been infuriating.

"Anyways," he pressed on, not giving the pair an opportunity to press their attack. "Dad," he turned to address Inari, his own look of surprise at his moniker. Daichi ignored it.

"I've had a lot of time to think over the past three years, so I've come up with a plan to continue growing in strength. I need a place to learn and train. My ancestral memories," a convenient excuse to mask knowledge he technically shouldn't possess, "mention things that I need to know. Senjutsu, Touki, Kasha, Youjutsu, I want to learn these. Once I'm ready, I'll be able to continue the hunt and gain more tails in confidence."

Inari looked on in silence for a moment, giving the pair of women an opportunity to start getting handsy with his ears.

"I have someone in mind who can help you achieve your goals, though I'll need you to elaborate on what you mean by hunt." The last word accompanied a scrutinizing gaze. While Yako weren't necessarily malicious, it still paid to be careful before unleashing one upon the world.

"Bounty hunting, I believe is the correct term. Over the years, my visitors have vented on occasion about stray devils and exorcists," he gestured to Sera and Gabriel in turn. "I'm assuming I can be rewarded for taking care of other's problems, and it gives me the opportunity to continue my ascent. I doubt they are the only ones with problems as well. Monsters, in their myriad forms, from all pantheons and factions, are available for me to hunt, pursue, and kill."

Inari nodded in acknowledgment. Well-reasoned, with a focus on curbing and unleashing the child's impulses on the detritus and scum of their world. Great Wisdom indeed, but he was right. He needed a mentor. Yasaka was available, though she had recently become pregnant. Should his first choice not pan out, she would be an excellent alternative. Perhaps growing up amongst a pair of Zenko, with one as a potential little sister, would be more beneficial than he had previously considered.

However, she was the kyuubi of the East, and had responsibilities that would keep her from investing herself into his teaching. Perhaps in a few years when her child was learning as well. They could learn Youjutsu and Kasha together, meaning if his teacher could teach Senjutsu and Touki, he would benefit. By the time little Daichi had mastered those, the new Yokai princess would be old enough to begin her education.

He might have to call in his favor with Odin, but perhaps once Freyja spotted little Daichi she would volunteer. As the Norse goddess of nature and war, she was a shoo-in choice to teach the art of Senjutsu. Touki would follow and could be honed among the warrior halls of Asgard. Whether he could learn their unique form of runic magic would be entirely up to him and his teacher.

Decision made, Inari broke his thoughtful atmosphere and readdressed his… son. That would take some getting used to. It had been millennia since he had directly spawned a new kitsune. His eyebrow twitched in barely suppressed amusement as the pair of women had somehow managed to splay him out between them, Serafall getting his tails with Gabriel caressing his head and ears.

"I'll be bringing you to Asgard. Odin owes me a favor, though Freyja may simply volunteer after she sees you." A twinkle of mischief could be seen as Inari watched his new progeny get pampered by the girls, a look of irked tolerance on his face.

"In a few years, when I've grown a bit, the two of you will be the ones subjected to my ministrations." Daichi left the implications and double meanings hanging as he sprung from their surprised grasp. A look of victory was spread across his visage as he clutched Inari's robes.

"Sera, Gabby, I'll be sure to write and call you both. I'll miss you, but the next time we see each other I'll be very different. I'll have Dad give you my number once I have a phone." With those parting words and a mutual cry of denial, Inari and Daichi popped out of existence right as the women lunged for him. Both were left empty handed, with equally empty eyes as they shared a look of depression.

"He's going to come back a little monster." Sera muttered out. Gabriel nodded in agreement.

"We'll have to step up our training. We can't have our little fox getting a big head and surpassing us." It was Serafall's turn to nod.

"We have to be strong enough to keep all the bimbos he's inevitably going to have crawling after him away." She pouted as the pair held hands, looking into each other's eyes.

"Gabby! All those Norse sluts are going to taint our little Daichi! We can't let them!" Gabriel had a look of intense focus as the pair talked.

"Valkyries are all female, and that old pervert Odin is going to corrupt him. We can't let Freyja get a jump on us either!" The two nodded in mutual understanding.

"We'll declare war on the Norse!"

A pair of tiny fists bopped them both on the head as Daichi popped back into existence with a cell phone in hand.

"No declaring wars! I need training, it's only a few years! Behave yourselves!" Daichi stared at them imperiously, pointing at each woman in turn.

"The next time I see you, you both better be healthy, happy, and close to ascending. I'll have at least four tails by then, so keep up!" His little arrogant declarations were adorable, though the pair took his words to heart. Daichi leaned forward, planting a kiss on their cheeks.

"Don't worry, I'll have barely started puberty by the time I'm done in Asgard. Nobody will be able to 'taint' me, you weirdos. I'm a Yako anyway. It's my job to taint others." With a pointed look and a smirk at Gabriel, Daichi pulled out three pieces of paper, placing two in the hands of the still stunned silent women in front of him. With a small pulse of magic and a wave goodbye, the third lit up, whisking him away from the two once more.

A minute passed in silence, then two.

"That brat!" Serafall shouted out, tossing her hands in the air.

"I'll show him!" Gabriel struck a pose, fist shaking threateningly at the spot Daichi was previously standing.

"He called us weirdos!"

"He said he was going to taint others! I knew we shouldn't have let Odin and Azazel visit!"

The two shared a look.

""Damnit! I wanted his virginity!""

Daichi shuddered briefly as he trekked along the Bifrost, a premonition of doom hovering over him before he dismissed it. He had a Valkyrie to corrupt, and a Nordic goddess to claim. Odin and Freyja had been on the outs for a while because of the old man's perversion. As far as Daichi was concerned, she was the new world and he was Britain and Spain coming to claim and conquer. His Yako side would need to be exercised over the course of his studies after all.

Approaching the colossal palace, Daichi continuously took in his surroundings. He had to pass through the main thoroughfare of the city in order to reach the gates. His father told him he would be let in upon his arrival, but that there was no rush, as he had some business to discuss with Odin before Daichi arrived.

Several large buildings caught his eye as he passed through, most notably what appeared to be the halls of Valhalla in the distance. It was a bustling city, filled with men and women reminiscent of what he imagined a more modern society of Vikings would look like. He could see Valkyries swooping through the air, and the occasional Einherjar taking a trip away from Valhalla. Even the normal citizens were built strong and beautiful, though they were a mix of many different races and species.

It was much like any modern city to be found on Earth, or Midgard, depending on who you asked. Cafes lined the street alongside shops and markets. Taverns were spread in regular intervals along the thoroughfare, all packed to the brim despite the early nature of the day. Daichi took it all in as he continued making his way down the path. Half an hour later, he finally managed to push his way out of the last crowd standing before the palace gates. Walking up to the guards, he addressed the Valkyrie on the left, the Einherjar on the right eyeing him suspiciously.

"Hello Miss," he played to his apparent adorable current appearance. "My Dad told me to tell the nice lady at the front gate when I got here." He twitched his ears and flicked one of his tails as the other waved languidly. In conjunction with his innocent eyes, it nearly caused the poor woman to break down in cute overload. She bent over, exposing a good amount of cleavage despite her armor.

"Hello there, cutie, could you tell me who your dad is?" She was still a professional, despite nearly crumbling in his first assault.

"His name is Inari Okami. He said he was meeting with Mister Odin." Daichi continued playing with the poor woman. His Yako side was eating it up, basking in the possibilities for troublemaking. It was only years of discipline that kept his target from squealing in delight.

"Yes, you're correct, your dad is here. Would you like me to take you to him?" Daichi nodded in faux excitement.

"Yes, please!" He reached up with both arms, the universal sign for children asking to be carried. The Valkyrie never stood a chance, swooping down to scoop him up, placing him high on her waist as she turned to pass through the gates.

"I'll return shortly, Berg." She called out over her shoulder. The man simply shook his head and waved her off.

"Got it, Heska. I'll cover for you." Daichi gave him a shit eating grin over her shoulder, getting a thumbs up from the Einherjar in response.

Heska babbled constantly to the child in her arms, pointing out landmarks and important buildings as they crossed to the main palace. He acted appropriately awed, which wasn't entirely faked. Visiting the seat of power of a mythological pantheon was rather surreal for his human half after all.

Upon arrival, Heska carried him up to the room where the gods were meeting. Strolling through the door, she bowed as best she could with the burden on her waist.

"My lords and lady, I've brought the boy." Daichi took the opportunity to slip his hand beneath Heska's breastplate, using her substantial assets to prop himself up while tweaking her nipple. Heska's face blushed an incredible crimson as the young boy copped an 'unintentional' feel directly in front of her bosses.

"Hi, Dad. I made it!" Daichi's face was nearly splitting in glee as Odin grinned with a surreptitious nod of approval followed by a discreet thumbs up from his place at the head of the table. His Yako side was in hysterics while Inari simply sighed, shaking his head, fully aware of what was occurring. Freyja watched all of this with mild amusement, though her eyes still sparkled when she looked over Daichi's adorable appearance.

Giving the glorious flesh beneath his hand one last squeeze, flicking the now rather prominent nipple with his nail on his way out, Daichi pasted his innocent expression on his face as he was let down from Heska's hold. He turned and giving a slight bow.

"Thank you for escorting me, Miss Heska. I'll remember you and your kindness!" Heska simply nodded in response, not trusting her voice with her current level of embarrassment as she beat a hasty retreat. Daichi waved at her retreating form, then made his way to the front of the room.

"Hi! You must be Miss Freyja. It's nice to meet you!" Daichi struck a small formal bow as Freyja addressed him.

"Hello, cutie. You must be Daichi. How did you know about me?"

Daichi glanced at Inari and Odin.

"Well, my dad told me before we came to Asgard that I'd be learning Senjutsu from really pretty lady, so the first person I thought of was you. One time when Mister Odin visited me, he said you were the prettiest lady in Asgard, because your boobs were the biggest and best." Daichi kept his innocent child expression pasted on as Odin began waving his hands behind Freyja's back in a panic. Daichi could practically see the tic mark of irritation on Freyja's face as she slowly turned to Odin.

"N-now, Daichi, you can drop the act. There's no need to go this far, right?" Odin tried to defuse the situation. Daichi cocked his head, remaining a vision of childlike purity as Freyja glanced back at him.

"But that's what Mister Odin said when you came to see me with Mister Azazel. Mister Azazel seemed to disagree though. He said Gabriel's boobs were probably better and you nodded and said he had a point."

Bloodlust was palpable at this point as Freyja gripped Odin's skull with a single hand, lifting him up. With her other hand she ripped open a portal and an icy wind blew through the room.

"You dirty animal! Tainting this poor child's mind with talk of perverted fantasies! It appears you need to cool off for a bit!" And she hurled him through, the portal snapping closed and leaving the man trapped in Hel's frozen wastes. Dusting her hands off she turned back to her guests.

"Now that he's been temporarily taken care of, shall we get down to business?" A congenial smile graced her lips. Daichi nodded as if affirming something mentally.

"Dad, you were right. Miss Freyja is very pretty. It looks like you won't have to use that favor Mister Odin owed you either since he's not here anymore." Daichi stated as if the woman in front of him had not just ripped a hole in reality, and tossed the leader of the Norse pantheon through like a misbehaving child to be disciplined.

Freyja snorted.

"Smart kid, Inari. I'll train him. He's in good hands." She scooped him up and placed him on her lap where he promptly leaned back against massive soft clouds of bliss, ears twitching in enjoyment. Freyja started stroking his ears unconsciously.

"If he's fast, it'll take him three to four years to feel nature energy and gain a basic ability to manipulate it, and another two or three to master it in conjunction with Touki under my instruction." Freyja elaborated. Inari nodded.

"He's very intelligent. Probably more than is good for him currently, so that's likely accurate. He'll potentially have a mating season at least once towards the end of his stay here. The first one can be… enlightening and stressful." This comment was directed to the child in her arms. "You can either allow him to mate if you have a volunteer or lock him away for a week while he gets his impulses under control. I'll leave it to your discretion." Freyja nodded as Inari stood.

"Thank you, Freyja. Regardless of everything else, I appreciate this."

"It's no problem at all. I'm looking forward to spending time with Daichi." She graced the fox god with a genuine smile. Soon after, Inari popped out of existence and Freyja turned her smile on the boy in her lap.