Cough... Sorry about the Ryou thing... I just watched the "Blame it on Ryou" episode just before I wrote the previous chapter and well... I had an inexplicable and hate filled dislike for Ryou at that moment. Can't really say why... I guess something about the entire intro for Ryou just rubbed me the wrong way. I was so blinded by sudden dislike for Ryou I wrote a slightly biased opinion of him. So sorry if I insulted any Ryou fans or if some readers didn't like it.

Kitsune in Japanese means fox or fox spirits... There are lots of Japanese legends on foxes and they're quite entertaining. You should try searching on the Internet to find some of these 'tails'. No pun intended.

Lady Inari is the all-mother of Kitsune. She is believed to be progenitor of the Kitsune and is often shown to be a white haired fox with ten tails. According to legend she often watches over her children and descendants. At least that's what my mother tells me... anywhoo.

Anyway thank you KevinEC for reminding me to post a spoiler warning label for my fic. I forgot all about it. I was getting around to posting it but never had a chance so here it is.

Warning: This fic may contain spoilers of the Tamers universe that you might not want to know. If you don't want me to ruin for you don't read this fic.

Gods that come and visit me while I'm asleep.
Forgotten memories and broken promises.
Powers beyond mortal strength and ken.
Deals with the devil.
And I thought life was boring.

Kaho felt her breathe get caught in her throat. She had seen many things in her long eventful life at the temple as a result she was fairly inured to surprises. Ruki lying on the floor looking more dead than alive and bleeding from a small bite mark on her right shoulders was a small surprise. It was however a completely utterly shocking and large surprise to Kaho to see Lady Inari.

Inari sat down beside Ruki and reached out to stroke her hair.

"Such a strong child this one is," Inari purred contently. Her head was that of a white furred fox and dressed in light blue and green robe. She was currently stroking Ruki's face lightly with her hands. Ten white foxtails were elegantly spread on the floor and she picked Ruki up into her arms gently. With a matronly smile she began hold Ruki's limp and unresponsive body.

"Lady Inari...." Kaho managed to say shocked. She bowed respectively and raised her head up.

"Ah, yes the keeper of the paths... Do not worry I won't remain here for long... It is within an ancestor's right to see her descendants is it not?" Inari said. Inari's eyes looked through Ruki's glassy eyes and searched Ruki's soul.

"Is she?" Kaho began. Inari stopped Kaho before she said anything else.

"Yes she is all right. She is strong and beautiful, as I expected. Just like her father in many ways... She's so different from us though. So serious and so driven to find her path in life that she will stop at nothing. Perhaps she realizes what she is missing?" Inari mused. The ten foxtails flicked as one in an even rhythm. Then the tails stopped moving and Inari's eyes widen for a moment. A smile slowly but surely spread across her face.

"My, my, my.... Perhaps she isn't so different from us after all;" Inari chuckled delightedly and turned to Kaho with a shark like grin.

"I don't understand," Kaho managed to say dumbly.

"Expect company soon dear... Plenty of male company that is. I don't think my cute little descendant even realizes it. She's a kitsune like us after all," Lady Inari laughed.

*****

Ruki didn't understand what was going on. Who was this Renamon she was looking into? Whose ever heard of a white furred Renamon with a human body? Was she hallucinating? The trip must have taken a lot more energy than Ruki thought. Descendant? What were they talking about? Kitsune? Okay that was it... she was going to sleep and there was nothing they could do about it. Obviously she was suffering from hallucinations and insomnia.

Ruki closed her eyes and once more fell into her dream world. The dream was far more pleasant this time.

Ruki dreamed that she was home again and in her room but the entire place looked bigger now. It was then that Ruki realized that she had shrunk quite a bit. Ruki looked down and stared at her hands. They were smooth and not callused by the years of training that Ruki had put herself through, in fact they were amazingly small. Ruki experimentally made a fist and then opened it a few times.

"Ruki!" Seiko's voice called out and Ruki turned around. There stood Seiko smiling with Rumiko hovering nearby the door.

"Grandma?" Ruki managed to answer. Ruki noted her voice was more... childish. Truth be told she sounded like she was little child again. Ruki found that her body was walking towards her grandmother Seiko awkwardly. Seiko picked Ruki up into her arms and carried her out of the room. They walked down the hallway where Ruki could see the cherry tree in its full splendour. It seemed to spring or summer again and the garden was blooming into a riot of life. The sun was low in the sky and ready to dip beneath the earth and let night come through. The residential area was quiet and the distant smell of earthy leaves was in the air.

'That's weird... That cherry tree was destroyed on my birthday... I can't remember which birthday or how...' Ruki thought for a moment trying to grasp memories that she could scarcely remember. It was highly unusual that Ruki could not remember this part of her life.

"Ruki! Happy fourth birthday!" Rumiko said as she took Ruki from Seiko's arms into hers. Ruki fidgeted trying to remember what happen on her fourth birthday that was so important.

'What was so important about this day? Something happen I'm sure of it but what? Why can't I remember? I usually have an excellent memory;" Ruki tried once again to break through her memory deadlock in vain.

"The birthday dinner is all set up and your father should be home soon," Seiko said smiling happily. The door to the room was open and dinner was set on the table as promised. There were four distinct dinner seats set up and the food was ready. A chocolate cake was set in the middle of the food with four unlit candles in the middle of it. Ruki was set down on the right hand side of the table with a small but rather cute plate with a cavorting fox in front of her.

'Oh yeah I remember these plates... the disgustingly cute ones that... that my father bought for me... Father?' Ruki blinked in surprise. She tried to remember what her father looked like but the face of her father remained blank. Her head began to hurt even more as she tried to remember and found that she was getting frustrated.

"He's late... He's usually always on time..." Rumiko said worried and looked up at the clock that said six thirty on it.

Ruki frowned a bit and Seiko seemed to notice her granddaughter's reaction to the news.

"Don't worry Ruki-chan... Your father's a good man he'll come. He promised you after all," Seiko said and sat down at the table, "dear I think you should sit down and wait for a bit. He always comes you know that."

'... Father never came back... I don't even remember his name or what he looked like,' Ruki began to realize. It genuinely hurt Ruki to think about it both physically and emotionally. Why couldn't she remember her father's face? There must be a picture somewhere at home that she could look at.

"I guess I'm just being paranoid... but I just can't shake off the feeling that something happened to him," Rumiko answered. She looked at the clock on the wall and then sat at the table. Rumiko began to frown a bit and sigh.

"That's because he's not coming back..." Ruki said in her childish voice out loud to the two women. It surprised Seiko and Rumiko immensely and now that Ruki thought about it, she was always was a quiet child when she was young. Talking was not something she did very often in her family, even now.

Seiko was the first to recover from Ruki's statement.

"Don't be silly Ruki. He's not going to disappear on us. I think you've gotten Ruki paranoid with your worry Rumiko," Seiko said disapprovingly at both her granddaughter and daughter.

'That's because it's the truth... Father's never coming back home, he never came back and no one knows what happened to him,' Ruki thought bitterly. The fact that they never found out what happened to him or found his body left the mystery wide open. Was he still alive? Did he run away? Somehow Ruki very much doubted that but it nagged at her for some strange reason. This day was a day of ill things and strange happenstance that she couldn't explain or remember for the most part. Something happened today but why couldn't Ruki remember? The more she thought about it the more her head hurt to think about it. Thoughts swirled chaotically in her head and tears threatened to spill from her eyes for no reason.

"I'm sorry mom but it's just that... Oh I don't know," Rumiko said frustrated at her inability to put the feeling into words.

Ruki got up from the table and walked out into the hall. Rumiko called out to her but Ruki ignored it completely. Ruki looked out the hallway into the garden. The shoji-styled glass doors had been thrown back and the fresh warm air swept through the house. The garden was beautiful as the sun shed its last dying light. The hallway was exposed to the outside world and elements. Ruki always loved sitting on the ledge of the hallway during the springtime when it was warmest. The sun shone down on the spot she standing during the afternoon and the garden was a perfectly placed to make it seem like a scenic piece of nature had been transported into the city.

'These door don't offer much protection or insulation in the winter... it's always freezing when the snow falls in winter,' Ruki thought idly but the tears she kept in her eyes that refused to fall still remained. She didn't know why she was so sad. She was over her father's mysterious disappearance wasn't she? How can she cry over a man she doesn't even remember? Perhaps because it was a part of her life that was taken away from her and she was angry over it.

'Heaven help my father if I discover that the truth of his disappearance was because he ran away. He wouldn't live long enough to beg for mercy if he ever returned to home,' Ruki thought darkly and stared at the cherry tree blooming in the garden.

"Ruki! Come back to the dinner table!" Seiko voice rang out. Footsteps could be heard and Ruki knew that her grandmother had come to fetch her but she felt rooted on the spot and stared at the cherry tree. Something happened to the cherry tree but Ruki couldn't remember what it was. Then the tree began to sway and shiver in a non-existent wind. Ruki jumped back in surprise just as Seiko began to arrive in the hallway.

"Grandma... the cherry tree it's..." Ruki began but before she could say another word the tree burst into flames and an animalistic scream (or was it roar?) raged out from the tree. The tendrils of flames burned so hotly and so brightly that Ruki could feel it but surrounding vegetation and the house didn't burn. Flaming gout of fire boiled from the tree and a fox's head flying into the air towards the clouds could be seen. Its fiery orange red head had its maw open with sharp teeth lining the mouth. A howl erupted from the mouth of the fox and then dived downwards from the sky towards Ruki. The last words Ruki could hear were from her mother Rumiko.

"The pictures! They're being burned away! Every single one of them," Rumiko screamed in shock.

It was then that Ruki could see no more, it all became dark and the world became silent.

*****

"Hmm," Inari pondered for a moment unsure of what she had just saw. Ruki squirmed and sweated profusely. Ruki's face was set into grim sort of mixture of pain, sadness and fear.

"What is wrong with her?" Kaho asked respectfully. If it had been any other person but Lady Inari she would have demanded to know. It was highly unusual that Ruki would fear something, Ruki tended to set her mind to something and charge ahead with little thought that it might be a painful or messy outcome. Inari did not answer and her ten tails twitched with anticipation and then lowered in defeat.

"Alas my poor foolish descendant. Died without ever telling his daughter the truth but he tried before he died... How sad that she can never unlock her powers. No wonder she can never be at peace, after all how are you at peace when a piece of you is missing?" Inari managed to say finally. The eyes from the elegant fox headed lady seemed to sadden and a heavy sigh heaved from her chest.

Kaho sensed the waves of sadness radiate from Lady Inari and felt awkward in her presence. She had no idea what to say to Lady Inari to comfort her; Kaho was used to dealing with lesser spirits, servitors or messengers from the Gods not the Gods themselves. Lady Inari banished the sadness in one mighty effort and placed a determined eye on Ruki.

"Lady Inari, I do not understand what is going on. I know that Ruki is one of your many descendants but the strain of your presence is draining her of her strength. She is strong but not strong enough to support you indefinitely. I believe you must leave before you drain her completely and kill her," Kaho said as respectfully as possible. If there was anything that Kaho had learned over the years it was this, 'never ever piss off a God of the Spirit world unless you like the idea of living a life in hell'.

"Yes I know but all is not lost. Here in this child is a spark of the fire in all kitsune and perhaps one day she will be able return to spirit world and see us all... Now to keep my baka descendants in the spirit world from tormenting Ruki..." Inari trailed off and sighed. She placed Ruki carefully on the floor again and backed away. The body of Inari began to fade a bit and phase out here and there.

"I want you to know that you are to protect her Kaho..." Inari said, as she became more and more transparent.

"Protect her? If I try to protect Ruki she'll deliberately put herself in danger to prove to me that she can protect herself," Kaho said disbelievingly. This was going to be a problem for Kaho knew that Ruki hated receiving help in things that she believed she could take care of.

"It matters not! My other descendant will now undoubtedly know of Ruki and try to pull pranks on her thinking that Ruki can take it. Ruki could not possibly survive unless she awakens her potential. If you do not protect her, then I will blame you and put all responsibility on you if she is hurt in any way," Inari commanded Kaho in an imperious voice that brooked no argument. It was then that Inari disappeared into thin air and left Kaho standing by the door unsure. Ruki was still fast asleep and unaware of everything that had happen.

"Well... it looks like things won't be as boring as I thought it would," Kaho said out loud to the oblivious Ruki and sighed. It was going to be a long week.

*****

Ryou had finally finished packing his backpack. It had a few essential things that he would need and decided now was time to wake up his partner Monodramon. His parents were not going to happy to find that he had once again left home but Ryou tried not think about it. He didn't like worrying his parents but there was a possible battle to fight and he had no intention of missing it. Ryou's dreams had a tendency to be quite prophetic at times and he believed them without a doubt.

"Come on buddy. Time to rise and shine," Ryou whispered and shook Monodramon a bit. Sure enough the digimon stirred and grumbled a few choice words.

"There's no one to fight, so don't wake me up," Monodramon muttered.

"Well there might be one if you would wake up all ready," Ryou answered.

"Really?" Monodramon asked. The digimon was now fully awake and moving. Alert for his Tamer to tell him what he was going to fight.

"Whoa relax. I'm not sure what were up against but let me assure you buddy that it's pretty powerful. I think we might be facing a mega level Sakuyamon. I had this weird dream last night and saw a..." Monodramon finished the sentence for Ryou.

"A white furred fox headed woman with a tail in a robe."

"... You had the same dream too?"

"Yup and I saw the other Tamers in it too."

"... I wonder if the others had the same dream as well."

"One way to find out! Go to Shinjuku and smack them around for the answer!"

"We don't want to fight them Monodramon!"

"Can't I kick one of them? Pretty please!"

"....."

Ryou decided to ignore Monodramon and shouldered his backpack. He placed his D-arc on his belt and opened the door. Monodramon frowned a bit but followed his Tamer out of the house. They walked into the dirt country road with early morning sun barely peaking through the trees. They both had a long journey ahead.

A dark figure watched Ryou and Monodramon leave from a distant. It smiled and followed after them. It prowled in the distance making sure the duo did not notice its presence. Sure in it's gait and powerfully built, it walked without making a sound. Though one had ask why it was wearing a fancy Italian business suit and a pair of expensive sunglasses.

*****

"Morning everyone! Guess what?" Hirokazu proclaimed as he charged into the dining room of the Makino household.

"No and what is it?" Renamon answered unimpressed by Hirokazu's excitement.

"Aw spoilsport. We'll I open for your praise and kudos when I tell you," Hirokazu gloated happily.

"Get to the point Hirokazu, if it has anything to do with finding Ruki then tell us!" Takato demanded.

"Sheesh you're no better than Renamon," Hirokazu stated.

"Hirokazu just tell us all ready will ya?" Kenta joined in, getting annoyed by his friend's antics.

"All right. I found the phone number to Ryou's place!" Hirokazu crowed.

"You didn't find out Ryou's phone number! Ruki's grandmother did!" Terriermon proclaimed when he entered the dining room with Jen.

"Well I was there when she found the phone number! Doesn't that count?" Hirokazu challenged but only ended up into a sort of strange staring match with the diminutive Terriermon.

"I'm going to call him right now," Jen stated as he pulled out a mobile phone. Everyone however began to crowd around him and that made Jen a bit nervous.

"Guys do you mind?" Jen asked as he tried to get some more room. He was beginning to get claustrophobic. The others backed off reluctantly and waited.

Jen could hear the phone ring a few times before it finally was answered.

"Ryou if this is you, young man, you are in deep trouble!" A woman's voice stated in anger.

"Ryou? I'm not Ryou ma'am," Jen answered taken a back and then had a sudden sinking feeling.

"Oh you aren't? Sorry but Ryou's gone missing... Again!" The woman said hysterically, "all he left behind was a message saying he needed to go off somewhere to save someone or something and would return in a few days... That's what he said last time around!"

"Oh boy..." Jen said. The look on his face told everyone in the room that they had just hit a dead end.

"Well look on the bright side! We know that Ryou would only leave his folks because it was possible world endangering or destroying!" Terriermon said cheerfully.

"That's what we're afraid of..." Juri said quietly.

A silence permeated the atmosphere as the depressing news came into light. The group became quiet and were left in their own thoughts.

"Perhaps then I can help?" A voice said. Out in the hallway standing at the entrance of the dining room stood a blonde haired boy no older than them dressed in an immaculate black business suit with sunglasses. He smiled as if he was the only person who understood a joke. Renamon jumped up in surprise at the stranger's silent approach, she didn't even sense him coming.

"Wonderful an Yamaki wanna-be," Terriermon stated in disgust.

"Terriermon!" Jen scolded but even he had to admit the stranger looked a lot like Yamaki from Hypos with a different haircut and at a different age. The stranger just chuckled in amusement and reached into his pocket.

"No, my name is not Yamaki. Don't worry I'm not insulted, here's my business card," the boy said. He produced a small business card and threw it to Takato in one fluid motion. The card landed on the table face side up and stated the following information.

Devil's Advocate Unlimited Abaddon

"I don't think I like the name of the business you just given... What do you want?" Takato said and looked at the blonde haired boy that called himself Abaddon. Takato felt very uneasy in Abaddon's presence.

"Mr. Matsuda... I believe that you are mistaken! It's not what I want... It's what you want particularly the location of a girl named Makino Ruki who disappeared recently," Abaddon stated innocently. There was a strange almost malicious aura around Abaddon that put no one at ease in his presence. He seemed to know some info on Ruki's location but was the group really desperate enough to deal with this guy?