Chapter Fourteen
They were standing on the Bifrost, Inari waiting patiently as Daichi said his goodbyes to the small group that had come to see him off. He had finished his training with Ullr two days prior and had immediately received word from his dad that Daichi had completed the goals set for him in Asgard and he would be coming to take him back to Japan. Gondul, Freyja, and Ullr looked on with matching smiles as Rossweisse latched on to Daichi, tears streaming down her face.
"I-I-I'm go-i-ing to m-miss yoooouuu!"
Daichi gave the adults a smile as he squeezed Rossweisse into his chest and shoulder.
"I'm going to miss you too, but I'm not leaving forever, dork. Heimdall already said he'd pick me up with the Bifrost, so I can come visit occasionally." He wrapped her up with his tails as well, using the tips to dry her cheeks and eyes. The native Asgardians all exchanged a glance before shooting matching questioning looks over at the always watchful bridge guard whose expression remained as stoic as ever.
"I-I know. But still!"
"Besides, without me here to distract you, you can finally finish graduating your academics early." He gave her a cocky smirk. "You're going to have to step it up with your Rune work if you wanna keep up with me." She gave him a light slap to the shoulder.
"Be nice. I'm still leagues ahead of you in magic." He chuckled as she finally eased up on the tears.
"Yep, but you're going to have to work to stay that way. I'm not well suited to studying Nordic Runes, but I'll be learning my native Youjutsu soon, so that might change." She glared at him, her eyes accepting his challenge as she squeezed him tighter. His tails came up and wrapped around their heads, hiding them from view as he leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips. It was only a light peck, but the message was clear as he whispered next to her ear.
"To remember me by. I'll come visit soon." Rossweisse was a silent, blushing mess as they gave each other one last squeeze and separated, his tails returning to lazily weaving at his back.
"Brat, I hope you plan to take responsibility for taking advantage of my Little Rose."
"Granny G, I'd never take advantage of my Little Rose. If anything, she's taking advantage of me!" He gave the older Valkyrie a big grin and a hug as she knocked her knuckles against his skull.
"Behave, brat, and don't get into trouble down on Midgard." At his smirk she corrected herself. "Or… at least, don't get into more trouble than normal."
"I can only promise to try."
"I suppose I'll have to accept that." She let out a sigh as he moved on to Freyja who swooped down and lifted him up in a giant hug.
"It's going to be much quieter around here with you gone, my little fox."
"You mean it's going to be a lot more boring."
"That's what I said." The pair shared chuckles as they held each other tight.
"I'm going to miss you, little fox."
"I'm going to miss you too, my goddess. I'll be back in a few months once I've gotten a handle on Youjutsu for a quick visit. Learning my native magic and setting up a supernatural bounty hunting gig will take a while, but I'm going to need to start acquiring more essence or my progress will stagnate." Freyja let out a sigh as she set him back down.
"I know. Text me once you've finished establishing the company and I'll send over a few of our posted contracts to get you started." He gave her a big grin.
"Thanks, Freyja." She simply smiled as he turned to Ullr.
With a quick burst of Touki he reached out and sack tapped the god who immediately fell to his knees clutching his groin with a groan of pain.
"That was for having me square off against the general and only pulling me out after he knicked the end off of one of my tails." Luckily it grew back thanks to liberal applications of healing runes and Senjutsu.
"Yea," Ullr grunted. "That's fair." Daichi was on a roll, venting his grievances as he glared at the god.
"I would have been fine if you hadn't just dropped me in there suddenly. I could barely keep up with his attacks! The only reason I managed as long as I did was luck and liberal use of Touki."
"But you did manage." He stated as he stood, shaking off the pain as if it hadn't existed. "It was a double lesson. There's always someone stronger, but if you push yourself you can survive anything. Those were the final things I wanted to make sure you learned."
"I know that, but I'm still pissed at you for it."
"Fine, fine." Ullr ruffled Daichi's extremely long hair which he had taken to tying up in a ponytail. "You did good, kid. You were a good student. Gimme a call when you hit six tails and I'll take you back out there to get even."
"You better believe it." Daichi growled, eyes narrowed as he envisioned ripping the dark elven general a few new holes.
"Take it easy, kid. Don't give your new teacher a bunch of trouble."
"Yea, yea. I got it, old man." The pair shared a fist bump.
"You are the hunter. Don't let the prey forget it."
Daichi returned to Inari's side where the fox god placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ready?"
Daichi gave one last wave to the group who all returned the gesture at various intensities.
"Yea… yea, I'm ready."
Inari gave Heimdall a nod and the two vanished in a flash of light.
The group stood there for a few moments longer until Gondul broke the silence.
"Alright, Rose. Come along, your boyfriend will be fine. We need to start planning out your Advanced Runic Studies so you can finally begin university."
"Yes, grandmother." Gondul's wings materialized and she lifted Rossweisse in her arms while turning to address Freyja and Ullr.
"My lord, my lady, by your leave."
"Of course, Gondul. Let me know if you need anything." Freyja gave her a smile while Ullr simply waved.
"Yes, my lady. Thank you." Then the pair took off and quickly vanished from sight.
"Heimdallr." Ullr spoke once Gondul was out of earshot. The wielder of Gjallarhorn did not respond, his eyes turned outward. "We need to have a chat, buddy." Heimdallr's voice rolled out, resonating and deep.
"You both should be more careful when allowing demigods to associate with our pantheon for extended periods." The pair in question shared a glance and a blink. In an unnatural show of emotion, Heimdallr turned and gave them a flat stare.
"He is now associated with our pantheon. The Dökkálfar gave him a name, and names hold power, no matter how minor it may be. You both know this. He is granted passage to Asgard when he wants it because he is now part of our family." He turned back to surveying the endless expanse beyond Asgard's protections. "The cannon fodder whisper of the Black Demon that haunts their forests, while the generals grumble about the Demon Fox that mock their attempts to slay him. Why you thought it was a good idea to move him to new areas every few weeks, I do not know. It only perpetuated the rise of his reputation."
"That's the most you've spoken in centuries."
"I don't even know why I bother." Heimdallr grumbled to himself.
"It should be fine. He won't be returning to the forests for some time, so the connection will eventually sever itself." Freyja reassured them.
Ullr glanced between the two, suddenly doing his best to remain inconspicuous without outright fleeing which Freyja instantly noticed.
"Ullr." She sighed. "What did you do?" He blinked.
"I didn't do anything." Heimdallr turned back around to stare at him accusingly.
"Fine! Fine! I did something! But it isn't what you're thinking!"
"Well? What is it?" Freyja was staring at him with narrowed eyes, presence threatening.
"I may… have… given him my blessing?"
Freyja face palmed while Heimdallr groaned.
"If he ever ascends, Hoori is going to be pissed."
"Nah, he won't have a hunting domain, or if he does it'll be minor."
"You gave him your main blessing?! That's even worse!" Freyja was pacing now, while Heimdallr had decided this was no longer his problem and had returned to staring out into the worlds. Ullr just shrugged in complacency.
"He was a good student. Given time and resources, he'll be an amazing god of Dominion." Freyja stopped and recomposed herself.
"I need to make plans." With that, she vanished. Ullr glanced over at Heimdall who was studiously ignoring him at this point.
"It can't possibly be as bad as she's making it out to be, right?"
"Not for you. Or really anyone but the Shinto, of which Freyja has been cultivating better relationships and ties between us with the help of Inari. The main consequence comes from having him split between two pantheons. The power of a potential future domain is secondary, considering you already hold the prime domain within our own, though it will ultimately matter little, considering he will hold a minor sway beneath you within our pantheon, and a major sway within the Shinto as they do not have a god based purely on Dominion." Heimdallr glanced over at Ullr who was looking very satisfied with himself.
"Maybe all those Shinto lay-abouts will finally get off their asses if a new god comes in and shakes things up. They've been very static over the centuries, and Dominion is always hungry, always improving, always expanding." Freyja popped back into existence next to them.
"Ullr, you caused this, so you're helping." She gripped his shoulder and they vanished before either god could react. Heimdall peered out, focusing down on Midgard as he watched the topic of their discussion stroll through the palace of the Kyoto youkai next to his father.
"Interesting times, indeed…"
Daichi's steps were completely silent as he kept pace next to Inari through Yasaka's palace halls. They were both soundless, their presence equally dispersed into the background making them invisible to supernatural senses. Inari covered them both with an application of Youjutsu, an illusion springing to life around them with a gesture to hide them from the eyes of the palace staff as they made their way to the throne room.
"Ullr and Freyja taught you well." Inari gave him an approving nod as he evaluated his spawn's abilities.
"Thanks, Dad. I'm guessing you didn't want me using Nordic runes for my own illusion to avoid detection?" He received a nod of confirmation in response.
"The Youjutsu I used will go completely undetected and be chalked up to a spike in background noise. Utilizing another pantheon's power system would send alarms ringing instantly."
"I see. Why are we sneaking anyway? Isn't this practically your own home?" Inari gave Daichi a raised eyebrow.
"Theatrics, m'boy, of course! Being a god is incredibly boring, we have to find our entertainment somewhere!" Daichi gave him a flat look before an idea crossed his mind.
"Can I – "
"No. No scaring Yasaka or Kunou. There's a heavy negative stigma against Yako kitsune, so you need to make a good first impression to both of them and their court. The mischief can come later." Daichi sighed in defeat, shoulder slumping.
"I understand."
"Good. Once you've broken through to seven tails you can have free reign throughout the mortal world, but until then you need to play it safe."
"Got it. I'll need to spend some time setting up my company then so I can start building essence again. I feel like I'm only about halfway to my fifth tail."
"Yes. Mastering Youjutsu and Kasha will likely provide the essence necessary for your fifth tail's manifestation, but beyond that you'll need to take your essence and growth into your own hands. Once you successfully perform some services for Asgard, Freyja will be able to spread word and expand your reputation to other pantheons. It'll have a cascading effect, allowing you to progress at your own pace once you've established yourself and are regularly receiving a spread of bounty contracts."
"Sounds simple in theory. It will all hinge on my own abilities and success."
"Yes. Succeed and prosper, fail and fall to obscurity. Those are the doors, be silent for now." Daichi did as instructed, keeping his presence dispersed but paying attention as Inari dropped his illusion and flared his own presence. The guards at attention beside the doors instantly fell to a knee, Inari never pausing as the doors flung themselves open to allow them both entry to the hall. Yasaka was already rising from her throne at the opposite end of the room, the court rapidly bending head and knee as Inari paced to the front of the room. A young Kunou stood behind her mother clutching her skirt and peering around the edge to stare.
Yasaka stepped down from the dais and bowed her head at Inari's approach, Daichi going completely unnoticed as he trailed a step behind him, his presence still dispersed. Kunou finally popped out, running up to Inari with big wide eyes once she fully recognized him.
"Grampa!" She launched herself through the air and into his arms like a tiny golden missile where he deftly caught her, hoisting her onto his hip, his stride completely uninterrupted.
"Little Kunou, I see you've grown since I last visited. Yasaka, raise your head. It makes conversations difficult when half the people refuse to look at you when speaking." All of his words were said with a smile. Daichi muttered out from beside him.
"Grampa? I'm going to have to start calling you old man instead of Dad. That's just weird now." Yasaka's ears twitched, her eyes darting to finally lock onto the black haired kitsune beside the progenitor, widening as she finally registered his existence and the four weaving tails trailing behind him.
"You… Yako?" Her eyes returned to Inari with confusion. Daichi dropped his Senjutsu, presence returning to the low mutterings of the rest of the still kneeling audience. He muttered under his breath so only those closest could hear him.
"Did I manage to do it right, old geezer?" Inari snorted in response.
"Yes, brat. That was perfect. You've got a talent for the dramatic."
Kunou peeked around Inari's front, looking down from her perch to spot Daichi for the first time. With a gasp and a wiggle, Inari set her down where she practically teleported in front of Daichi. With starry eyes she looked him over.
"Big brother?!" Yasaka looked on in wary concern as Daichi glared at Inari who was snickering. "Big brother! Why is your fur black? And why do you only have four tails? Why not nine like me and my mommy? What's your name? Where have you been? Did Grampa find you?" Daichi dropped a hand on her head to make her stop talking.
"What's your name?"
"Oh! Kunou is Kunou!"
"Nice to meet you Kunou. I'm Daichi."
"Big brother Daichi!" She gave him a huge sunny grin that he couldn't very well refuse. This childlike Kunou was an unstoppable force of cute.
"Sure. My fur is black because I'm a different kind of kitsune than you or your mom. Both of you are very special, it's why you both have nine tails, and why I only have four at the moment." Kunou cocked her head in confusion.
"At the moment? Different? Special?" Yasaka cut in at this point.
"Kunou, why don't you wait and let Grampa explain everything."
"Oh. Okay Mommy!" She practically skipped back to Yasaka's side.
Daichi finally took a moment to full evaluate the golden fox in front of him. The first thing that struck him, surprisingly, were her piercing eyes. There was kindness there, but it was tempered behind wary caution and her regal bearing. She was undoubtedly beautiful as most powerful supernatural beings were, her golden hair shimmered and accented the sharp contours of her face. It was almost needless to comment on how explosive her chest was. Her breasts were massive and on display for the world to see with how loosely casual she wore her yukata. The rest of her was hidden from view behind that same garment, though her nine golden tails notably flickered and weaved behind her in similar patterns to her daughter. Inari spoke while Daichi surveyed the woman before him.
"Kunou, Daichi is a Yako kitsune. It means he's a different type than you, because you and your mother are Zenko kitsune. You and your mother are a bit special, even for Zenko though, since your family is born with nine tails. Most other kitsune have to slowly earn more tails over time. Daichi is very smart for his age, so he's earned three of his very quickly, so I've brought him to you and your mother so he can continue to grow more powerful."
"Oh. I see. That makes sense. So big brother Daichi is going to be living with us for a while?"
"If your mother says it's okay, yes, Daichi will be staying with both of you while she teaches him Youjutsu and Kasha." Kunou immediately rounded on her mother, eyes wide as she put on her best puppy dog face.
"Can he stay, Mom? Please!"
"When did I become a pet?" Daichi muttered under his breath, Inari thumping him on the head faster than anyone could notice. Yasaka gave a sigh, addressing Inari.
"If he's with you, and you're vouching for him, I'm assuming he isn't… a normal Yako?" Inari shook his head in response.
"No. I'd never endanger you or Kunou if he was. He's a bit mischievous, and I have no doubt he'll become more…" he glanced down at Kunou who was paying close attention to the conversation. "…more interested in girls than normal in a few years, especially since he's already gone through his first heat, but he's not needlessly violent." He glanced over at Daichi who was intentionally looking studiously disinterested and bored as he surveyed the area. "He's a devious and cunning little - " he cut himself off as he caught his words, glancing back and Kunou for a moment. " – little fox, but he's not mean-spirited or evil by any means."
"I see. If he has your confidence, then I'll trust your word and take him into my care."
"I appreciate it, Yasaka."
"Nonsense, old man. We're the closest thing to divine foxes still around, so we're practically family. This can't even be counted as a favor." She gave the god a warm smile which he returned.
"I knew I favored you for a reason." He turned to Daichi. "Behave, squirt. Try not to seduce either of them too quickly, as well. You need to be able to support them and bring something to the table in the relationship before I'll give you my blessing for these two." Daichi gave him a deadpan look.
"Geezer, if you aren't careful, you're going to end up with a bunch of new little grandchildren running around simply out of my spite." Inari ruffled Daichi's hair.
"I know you aren't so irresponsible. Plus, you need to develop a few more years. Once you manifest your seventh tail, I'll let you run wild."
"Your words, old man. I've got a court full of witnesses too." They shared a mutual grin.
"Learn quickly, Daichi. I have plans that you and your future company will be able to help with."
"Yea, yea, pops, I got it. Scram already so I can get to work on Youjutsu." Inari gave Yasaka one last wink before he turned and took a step, vanishing the next instant. The court gradually came back to life as the Youkai in attendance returned to their feet. Yasaka gestured for Daichi to follow her as she returned to her seat, Kunou standing on her left and Daichi flanking her right.
"Silence." The court obeyed. "As you all undoubtedly just heard, I'll be taking Daichi as my new charge and student for the foreseeable future. Treat him as you would Kunou. That'll be all for today. We will reconvene tomorrow after I settle our new guest." The crowd did as instructed, chattering between each other in excitement as they filed out of the hall. Once the last of the masses had departed, leaving only Yasaka's closest advisor and the three kitsune, did someone speak up.
"Kunou, why don't you go play while I show Daichi around and help him get settled into a room?"
"Okay, mother!" She scampered off giving Daichi an excited wave as she went. Only once she was out of earshot did Yasaka turn to Daichi.
"Alright, Yako. I know Inari vouched for you, but we still need to set some ground rules." Daichi smiled impassively at her.
"I won't corrupt your innocent little girl. My pranks are almost entirely harmless, you can ask Freyja herself if you'd like, since she's the one that's been taking care of me for the last few years. In fact, I'll even promise to protect her and treat her well, as if she was actually my little sister. She's adorable, it's no fur off my tails." Yasaka looked him over with a critical eye before relaxing and giving him a genuine smile.
"I see. Inari was right, you are special. Follow me, I'll get you situated in the room next to mine and Kunou's, then show you the kitchen, library, and my study. We'll start your education tomorrow."
A/N:
Pretty long chapter this time. Getting closer to the first original arc of the story where we'll get to see Daichi run around hunting down bounties. Lots of action and relationship cultivation and development in the near future!
Ashzaroth – I'm mostly letting the story run its course, though at the current pace we'll likely be hitting canon within the next ten chapters, though that's only a guesstimate since I might get caught up in an arc and spread it over more chapters, so don't take that number as a solid answer.
Reader0007 – Overkill meant that he was already being trained by two gods, adding in a third for skills he was already learning with the current two would be a disservice to the story. A pointless character addition just to have her be associated with the MC. In this story, Yahweh and God are the same entity. Allah is separate.
Dxl – I'm not so sure something like that could work within the defined power constraints of canon. Everything is pretty cut and dry as far as power separation is concerned.
