Chapter 15

After three nights with no sign that the Yokai-gumi would launch another attack, Sir Integra decided on a plan to go on the attack. It all depended on them finding and defeating the Itto Clan quickly, to cut off the head of the snake. Hellsing had managed to defeat them at their own game of illusions, surely there would be unrest in the ranks. If they could defeat, or better yet, eliminate, them now then the others would disperse. Akiko was sure of this, England was not their home, her people were not their people; they had no true connection to the land or its gods.

However, Seras had her doubts. "But, what if they are desperate? I don't know anything about Yokai aside from what I've seen in anime, but I've seen a few documentaries on immigrants, and conquerors. It's only when they are desperate that they leave their lands, conquerors go to gain things; land or resources, that they are lacking. They might fight hard, if they believe that it is for their future." Everyone took this in, and all eyes returned to Akiko. The kitsune nodded, "That might be the case… I remember when I was young, the older yokai that my parents met would complain about how they were getting weaker. I thought that it was their age; they were centuries old. But, maybe things are changing in Japan. It's been a long time since I was there. We should ask Goro-san."

Seras went to fetch the tanuki, and he arrived in his human form wearing a suit and looking unhappy. Sir Integra looked at him and asked, "Tell me, what has happened in Japan recently? Could there be a reason that the Yokai would need to take England? We need to know in order to plan our counterattack." Goro scratched his chin as he thought, then nodded, "Yes, things have gotten worse in Japan. Unfortunately, the people are not as prosperous as they once were, not as fecund. Supernatural creatures like us are more than flesh. Humans have great psychic energy within; they rarely know how powerful it could be.

"Their knowledge, belief, and faith in creatures such as us helps to create an aura that sustains and empowers us. I suspect it is the same for Western creatures, though I'm not sure. Unfortunately, for decades Japan has been on the decline. Their people overworked and their social rules for mating has been crap. They're simply too shy to fuck, too tired to fuck from working too hard, or the women don't want to fuck the men because they're not interested. Along with a lot of other things.

"The point is, the population is dying out and weakening, as is their knowledge and belief in Yokai. With less people means a weaker aura. Some Yokai have power that can only be described in terms of 'godly', yet even they are growing weaker. Thankfully, the people have been successful in exporting their culture, Yokai are known throughout the developed world. Maybe not as in Japan, but in time, that knowledge can grow. Especially if someone enterprising could manipulate the people of a world into learning more about us. We're not desperate, yet. But, in about a hundred years, our existence could be threatened. For long-lived creatures like us, the clock is ticking," Goro explained.

Akiko nodded, "He's right. Things like anime and appreciation for Japan's myths and culture has helped Yokai that went to other nations. Plus, the populations are still growing in other countries. The United States would be too big, and Yokai prefer land like theirs. The United Kingdom is an island commonwealth, that must be why they chose to come here." Sir Integra nodded at all of this information. "I see… So it may not be as easy to drive them out as I thought… Would any of them be willing to negotiate?" she asked. Alucard took off his glasses, "Master, are you suggesting that you could hire these demons, shades, spirits, and false pagan gods to work for you?" He had a large smile on his face as he spoke.

"If they are willing to talk, I may be able to make arrangements with some of them. Thin the herd, so to speak. Not for all of them, of course, but hopefully enough to make a difference," the female knight explained. "Plus, they might possess valuable intelligence. We still don't know why the Itto Clan need 1080 Yokai exactly. We need to do some research on the significance of that number. Miss Itto, do you know of any rituals that may be used involving the number 1080?"

Akiko wracked her brain and thought hard before shaking her head. "I've never heard of anything involving that particular number. In Japan, 108 is the number of pressure points martial artists can strike, and the number of beads on Buddhist prayer beads and each has a prayer. On New Year, bells are tolled exactly 108 times to celebrate he renewal of the Earth. And I've heard that 10 is the number of completeness and completion. It seems significant, but I've never heard of anything involving multiplying 108 by 10," Akiko explained. All eyes turned to Goro, who shrugged, "I know as much as the kitsune does."

Sir Integra then looked at Goro, "Do you think that the Yokai-gumi know that you are with us?" Goro shook his head, "I doubt it. I wasn't even an official member; I just came because I wanted to find a busty blonde to fool around with and learned some things talking to others." Seras glared pointedly at the tanuki but said nothing. Sir Integra smiled then, "I have an idea."

The Next Night

Goro was dressed in a less than great way, with his clothes torn up and some blood on them as well. They had to sell the deception; it would be a risky gamble as is. IF they learned he was working with Hellsing, he was dead. He had to let Alucard give him a few scratches and bruises to make it look like he had been in a fight. That vampire bastard enjoyed it too much, but it worked. Goro looked like shit, any Yokai that saw him would buy that he had barely escaped with his life. He soon made his way to a nightclub in London that he knew some Yokai were using as a hideaway.

It was cool inside the club even with all the people dancing together. Some would credit that to a good AC system, but he knew the real reason. The club was favored by a trio of yuki-onna, snow women. They weren't hard to find, the yuki-onna wore short shorts and bikini tops despite the cold, their long legs and flawlessly pale skin was revealed for everyone. Concentrate on your mission, raccoon. Or I will introduce you to some of my favorite methods of torture, the vampire Alucard threatened in Goro's head. In order to keep track of him, Alucard was in constant telepathic connection with him.

Goro made his way to the yuki-onna trio and greeted them in their native language, "Konbanwa, ojosama." Good evening, Milady. The yuki-onna looked at him before one, a tall one with blue lips and icy blue eyes who seemed close to two meters tall, haughtily replied, "Koko de kitanai araiguma wan ani o shite imasu ka? Anata we inu ga kanda nanika no yo ni miemasu?" What is a filthy racoon like you doing here? You look like something a dog chewed up. They continued speaking in Japanese, "I attempted to rescue Lady Itto Akiko from the clutches of the Hellsing Organization. I was defeated, and barely escaped with my life." At the mention of the Hellsing organization, the tall yuki-onna looked at Goro and said, "Come with me."

Goro followed her into a backroom where he saw an even taller kitsune man meditating. He had bright red hair and piercing green eyes, he saw the resemblance to Akiko immediately. His face had the look of wisdom beyond his years, as well as cruelty. "This had better be good. I am not like Akira, Oyuki. Just because you are his favorite harlot does not give you any special favor with me," the kitsune said. Oyuki trembled as she said, "This tanuki attempted to rescue Akiko-dono, Aki-dono. He might have important information for us."

Itto Aki, the leader of the Yokai-gumi stood up and walked over to Goro. He glared into his eyes, his eyes pierced Goro's soul, just like Alucard's. "Tell me all you know."