I Got Reincarnated! - Kitsune Chronicles
~Chapter 9~ New and Old Friends
"Ahh~. So much to do, so little time." Kayo mumbled as she walked around the village to check on everyone and the process to their rebuilt village. Even if Rimuru was already going around with Shion, the goblins took a moment from their work to greet their kitsune leader. "Good morning, Lord Kayo! The build team has completed 7 more houses, at this rate we will all have homes well before winter." A handsome adult goblin came up and told her with a proud smile, his shirt stretched across his arm and chest nicely. It was visually appealing, so Kayo fought down a blush as she gave a small smile before answering.
"Wonderful news, I hope you're not pushing yourselves too hard. The tools were meant to ease your burdens, not make more. Stop by the pallor if your bodies hurt, we can get you loosened out in a jiff." She mentioned as Kurobe and Kaijin teamed up to forge up some very useful tools for building, so nearly all the goblins had a solid home for the winter that could keep them warm.
"Of course not, Lord Kayo! Um but... will Gobtha be working the pallor today?" the handsome goblin asked her, blushing and looking away was a clear sign that he had a crush on Gobtha. Kayo smirked as his chances were good as she pulled out one of her books about tasks she gave to the goblins. She opened a Massage pallor she trained the goblinas/goblins, how to do a massage to ease many of the hard-working bodies, and some even got 'Extra Lessons' before they met up with their loves at night.
"Hmm let me check, Yup. She's still training, but if you like to be her practice partner-"
"Yes!" He responded quickly and eagerly as Kayo was already penciling him in to be seen by her instead of just a random Goblin.
"Okay. Come by near lunch time and she will take care of you. Thank you for your hard work." Kayo told him and left him to get back to work as she heard his buddies tease him about his crush. Moving on, Kayo noted the beginnings of their streets along with some drainage systems on either side to divert rainwater. Greeted by some more goblins and offered food, she happily snacked as she checked on her runes and the tree line.
"I need to make another ring. I can see the village clearly now." Kayo sighed as she touched the rune carved into the tree and could easily see some young goblins playing as their parents were preparing their new home. Their pure laughter soothed the black Kitsune who sighed and went deeper into the forest.
"Hopefully we won't have to cut more down. I'm so sorry for hurting you. You've done nothing but protect us and yet we just cut your kind down..." Kayo said as she touched some of the trees, feeling for something the other trees had that set them apart from normal trees. The Kitsune had noticed some trees seemed more alive, with strong magicules running threw them.
When her fingers touched the right one, she stopped and pulled out her small chisel form her tails. "Forgive me, please protect the village." she spoke to the tree and started carefully carving the rune. She needed to get it just right and not make a mistake for the rune to work, not noticing that someone was watching her with a proud smile. "Okay, I'm done." Kayo sighed, relived once done and ran her fingers over the new marks, infusing her own power into them. "May you survive and thrive with us." she whispered to the tree and went to find another one, her magicule drain keeping her from sensing the person watching her as she kept carving trees around village until she passed out after completing her duty.
Souei appeared soon after and picked up the small kitsune into his arms. "You work too hard, Lord Kayo." he muttered to the sleeping kitsune as he took her back to the village to rest.
~Kayo's Mind~
No longer was it just a dark space within Kayo's mind, but a large white space with a large marble Roman like Gozebo at the center of a short colorful Rose Maze, draped in shear white veils at its only stairs across from the Kayo designated, Mother, as she and her other selves sat a large cherry wood table to sort through their thoughts. "Our network has been completed, but there seems to be a pattern forming." Planning pointed out, high lighting where the rune markers had been placed on a holographic overview of the known parts of the Jura Forest. The other Kayos were looking down at it as they sat at a round table, seeing the odd pattern forming in the selected trees.
"Is that a web?" Mother, asked as she was a bit worried and confused by the pattern of powerful trees.
"It would appear so, but as far as our knowledge of this world goes, there is nothing that can cast a 'web' like this. If anything, it may be a root system that is connecting all these trees together like this." Knowledge mentioned, frowning as she did not have enough data on the world around them, despite Kayo going out to explore, her duties to the village kept her 'grounded'.
"I know trees are alive, but... are they sentient?" Mother asked, curious as she looked at Knowledge.
"There are many kinds in both fiction and legends. It would not be impossible for there to be Dryads of lore and Treants of fiction." Knowledge explained and Kayo got a little worried. "I'M SO SORRY TREES!" Agape sobbed as she held onto her Rimuru plushie, her chair was a blue bean bag instead of the normal wooden high-backed chairs that had some soft black pillows to pad the hard seats. Lust patting her head as she was sat next to the little one, the other side of Agape was just and empty chair as Jester was sleeping.
"There, there. I'm sure they will forgive us for wanting to protect our home. I've told the goblins not to cut down certain trees so they should be safe from further harm. Maybe naming one to see if they are?" Mother suggested as she sighed, feeing so tired even in her mind and with a council to help with her work.
"It could work. Having a tree on our side would also be every interesting." Knowledge mentioned and wrote it in her book as Planner did the same. "Also the construction of the Hot springs is nearly done, and Shuna made a few rolls of the Hellmoth silk for us and wanted to know what color we would like." Planning mentioned as a little white fox popped up with the memory scroll in its mouth.
"Beni-Red!/Black!/Blue!" 3 Kayo's responded to the question but Knowledge, Lust, and Agape pouted as they realized their very different choices.
"Blue! Like big brother! Oh! Can she make us a Kimono!?" Agape asked egerly as she imaged herself in the light blue kimono with some pink cherry blossoms printed on it, a black obi around her middle looking very eger and cute.
"Red~ like Beni. Show him how well we could match and that I could be all his~." Lust purred as she showed herself in a very reveling 'kimono' lined with black fur and showing off Kayo's... assets.
"Black, it's basic and clean. Hides blood and can go with anything." Knowledge pointed out the benefits her choice as the 3 argued, with Planning and Mother not picking a color yet.
"Maybe, Purple? We have the stuff to make it, should be no problem for Shuna." Planning suggested to Kayo as the other 3 argued., making her sigh as she did like their suggestions. "True, in a modern world we could get all of them but only 1 can be first and there all good points... Maybe, we just let Shuna pick for us." Kayo suggested before the other 3 heard her.
"Yay! Let's ask Shuna!" Agape cheered as she had a cute Shuna doll in her arms now. Knowledge and Lust pouted but agreed.
"Okay well that's one thing done. Next item on the agenda?" Kayo asked as Planning looked at her book flatly and sighed as she read it before speaking out loud. "Lust, stop stealing my planner." She growled and ripped out a page and tossed it at the thirsty Kayo. "Hey! We waited 31 years already! We need to get laid in this lifetime!" Lust pointed out as she was ignored for the REAL next topic.
"Are we going to accept King Garzel's proposal?" Planning asked as two white foxes brought in a scroll and laid it on the table for Kayo to remember. The Dwarf king having sent it via his elf shadow to deliver to Kayo secretly. "Let's skip that for now. Next." Mother quickly suggested and the foxes took it away, tucked back into Kayo's Library of Memories that was semi connected to the 'exit' of the gozebo.
"We have to plant our garden and orchard soon now. The land has been conditioned and tilled to grow our research crops. As well as the manipulation of our Void Space to grow a controlled variant. Confirming that we can affect time on things while here." Planning mentioned as several foxes appeared, each holding a book about gardening, farming, and flowers then some more brought in some seeds and small trees that had been part of her time experiment.
"Okay good. Miss Eren's book really helped and Shizu did take some time to explain some things to me... I'm grateful for that." Mother softly remembered the woman who now had a statue within Kayo's mind/void space, as she had learned that the two were connected.
"Okay what's next? I'm going to my room if I'm not needed here anymore." Lust asked, getting board that she was not being listened to as Planning flipped to the next page and sighed. "Pick up the poles we ordered form Kaijin. Find some bees to gather honey and wax from. Get Shuna more flowers for her dyes and... kiss Benimaru?" she said with a blush as Lust grinned as she looked at Mother knowingly.
"Did Lust write that?" Knowledge asked, annoyed as she glared at the Horny fox who giggled and pointed to the real culprit. "Nope. Wasn't me this time~." she mussed as Mother spoke up.
"Not there you horn dog! On the cheek or forehead! Maybe the lips but not there!" Mother scolded, as Lust applied some Beni-red lipstick to her lips, looking in a mirror she summoned. "Hmm~ it's only a matter of time before we are *Beep* his big *Beep*-Hey! You're censoring me now!?" Lust asked, shocked that she couldn't say *Beep* and *Beep*.
"Don't make me send you to Horny Jail." Mother threatened as she bonked Lust hard with a Bonk baseball bat. "Moving on please?" Mother asked as Planning got to one of the last things as a white fox gave her the memory.
"We still have to deal with... Ares." Planning mentioned as the other Kayo's looked worried and, Agape was holding tightly on to her Shuna doll as she closed her eyes tightly from fear as another kayo appeared, only in ripped black and red clothing with black padded gloves on her hands.
~Rimuru's Room~
Slowly Kayo woke up from her council meeting, feeling tired from the magicule drain as she slowly sat up from the bed, golden eyes confused as she saw the familiar tent of her brother, and also...
"Master Kayo! Your awake!" Ranaga yelled happily as his tongue started licking Kayo's face, covering her in his saliva before she stops him by clamping his mouth shut. "Enough, Ranga. You got some serious dog breath going on." she accused as tried to get it off her face before she felt someone else wipe at her face with a cold cloth. Golden eyes popped open to look into the cool blue pools of the ninja Kijin, Souei.
"You were running a fever, Lord Kayo. I found you passed out in the forest and brought you to Lord Rimuru's tent." He told her before she could voice her question. Putting Kayo a bit at ease as she pulled away from him to not be so close and block out Lust who wanted to take a chance with the ninja.
"Thank you, Souei. I appreciate that. How long was I out?" she asked him as he gave her a cup of cool water to drink which she accepted without question, trusting the Kijin before he poked her forehead. "Ow! What was that for?" Kayo asked as she flinched from the 'attack' as blue eyes watched her with interest. "Master Hakuro said that you had a good sense for danger, but you couldn't even doge my attack." he told her, and Kayo rolled her eyes at him but knew it was his way of worrying by now.
"I'm a bit ill and the fact that I just woke up to are factors in my slow reaction. That and I trust you not to hurt me or poison my water. If you poison my food, well... to me that is one of the worst sins someone could do." She mentioned and poked his nose with her finger, shocking him. "Boop." she playfully added, a bit of jester coming out before disappearing as Kayo's head painfully throbbed, making her lean against the ninja's strong firm chest.
"Lord Kayo?" Ranga called to her and whined as he worried for the little kit who seemed to be getting very sick.
"I... I'm fine. I must have over worked myself with the runes." She mentioned to them, as they already knew of her precautions incase Rimuru needed to know. "Please don't. Your still so small. Allow us to protect you, Lord Kayo." Ranga pleased and gave her the eyes... the cute begging puppy dog eyes that Kayo said was adorable.
"Fine. No need to beg. I trust you too Ranga." she assured the tempest wolf and pet him where he liked to cheer him up.
"Would you like to meet up with Lord Rimuru?" Souei asked her as he let her think for a bit before just picking her up in one arm, shocked and surprised she wrapped her arms around his neck and got really close to him... he smelled like fresh cut hickory and spring water. He carried her in his arm and calmly wanted out of the tent with the tempest wolf as Kayo was trying to process this and push Lust into Horny Jail for her comments. Kayo's fox ears picking up on the Kijin's calming heartbeat in his chest it almost put her to sleep.
"Souei? Is something wrong? Ah! Kayo! What happened to her!?" Kayo yelped as she heard Rimuru yelling, her eyes having shut while Souei had walked over to them now popped open wide in shock as she looked at not only Rimuru but a worried Shuna, Shion, Dord, Gram, and Myrd looking at her worriedly in the ninja man's arms.
"I'm fine! Really! I just got tired from training." She lied, not wanting to worry them but Souei was not please by her answer. "I found Lord Kayo in the forest, outside the village. She has a high fever and a runny nose. She has also been skipping training and meals." She told them and Kayo looked at him shocked.
'Traitor!' she thought before sniffling as she looked at his chest, a bit embarrassed to see she had gotten snot on his cloths.
"Skipping... meals?" Shuna asked, looking horrified at the idea.
"Oi! Aren't you the one telling the goblins not to miss meals!? Don't go doing it yourself! Hand her over Souei" Rimuru scolded her as he hopped out of Shion's arms as Souei set Kayo down and she let go of him, very sure the Slime was just going to swallow her... and he did as he opened wide and pulled her in for a while to check on her as the others watched worriedly.
Analisis Complete!
Subject is suffering from a constant high magicule use and is on the brink of another tail splitting.
Extra Note: Subject also has a cold.
Kayo heard a woman's voice as she floated inside some deep blue water, even with air bubbles escaping her mouth she wasn't scared and felt her hot body cool slowly as something ran thew her body and she blacked out before Rimuru spit out a small fox Kayo into Shuna's arms.
"Shuna, look after Kayo for me please. Souei, show me where those runes are." The slime asked the blue Kijin who nodded as Ranga stayed with Shuna and Kayo who was back to having a restful nap as Shuna kept her on a light blue pillow nearby as she worked on weaving more hellmoth silk.
~Later~
"Ahh~ I'm so hungry." Kayo softly whined as she woke up, but not opening her eyes as she nuzzled into the silky soft pillow and under the pink blanket with sakura had been draped over her as she was sleeping.
"Lord Kayo?" Kayo's ear twitched as she heard Shuna's voice and one golden eye slid open to look at the pink Kijin who smiled with relief, a wooden bowl in her hands. "Oh, thank goodness. I brought you some food, to fill your belly. It's nothing heavy since YOU haven't been eating for the last few days." Shuna blurted out with a disappointed face as Kayo flinched, having hope the pinket would never know.
'She's too young to have a mother instinct.' She though before she tried to sniff the food that Shuna was offering her. Her nose was stuffy, and Kayo didn't recognize it, but it looked like some Japanese dish. It had rice, broth, some meat, vegetables and other things in it.
"Thanks, what is this?" She asked Shuna before taking a shallow lick of the rice and almost instantly tasting ginger and lemon but there was something else, she didn't recognize in it. "It's soup to help you feel better since even Lord Rimuru can't cure a cold." Shuna giggled and picked up the spoon she had left with it and pulled some from the bowl to blow on it before offering it to the sick little fox to happily ate it.
"Hmmm~ so good~." Kayo praised as she really did like it and it was a new taste to her. "I'm glad you like it, Lord Kayo." Shuna blushed and she went in for another spoonful to feed the little fox who happily ate what she fed her.
"Hmm, Kayo." the fox corrected as she at the next spoon full. Confusing the pink kijin for a moment.
"Huh?"
"Just call me, Kayo. No need to add a title. You're a big help and a kind person, Shuna. I wish I could offer you more than just calling me by name." The fox reasoned and yawned widely as she looked at where she was. "I love this blanket; did you make it?" she asked as the pinket was still in shock.
"Y-yes Lor- Um Kayo. You can have it if you like. That was just a test I did for the dyes. It's not very good." She reasoned and got another spoonful for Kayo and blew on it before the fox could eat it. "I think it is. Don't put yourself down too much. Self-criticism is good but you have to believe in yourself if that yourself believe me when I say-ACHOO!"
Suddenly a green fireball shot out of Kayo's mouth as she sneezed, Shuna gasped and picked up Kayo hurriedly but the Blue flames disappeared as soon as they arrived, not harming anything.
"Pardon me." Kayo wheezed as Shuna was holding her tightly.
"Oh! I'm so sorry. That really scared me, are you feeling better?" she asked, and Kayo looked at the floor where the spilled soup with a small whine that made Shuna giggle. "I made more if you would like, K-kayo." Shuna used the foxes name casually, and Kayo nodded as she rested in her arms tiredly. "Yes, and can you feed me too?" the fox asked, the pinkett giggled and pet her head.
"It will be a pleasure." Shuna smiled brightly as she set Kayo back down to red on her pillow in her blanket she nuzzled into while she waited for Shuna. Kayo couldn't smell anything, and her head throbbed in pain slightly, there was a weird feeling she couldn't quiet place.
~Shuna~
Shuna was pouring some more soup for Kayo, and once done she turned to get back to her but something black caught her attention. "Huh? Kayo?" she called and went over to where she had seen a black fluffy tail disappear. Only she found some blue herbs that helped with cold right on the ground.
Confused she picked them up and looked for who could have left them but saw no one. So she went inside to make sure the herbs where safe before giving them to Kayo. As unknown to her, a black fox was hidden in the shadow of one of the fox statues the Dwarves had made, and then the black fox slipped away, back out of the village undetected.
~Later~
"Kayo, you really should rest more." Shuna worried over Kayo who was curled in her arms happily in her pink Sakura blanket. Having made it her mission to take care of the fox kit who was feeling a much better after being give the herbs.
"I will, but Gobta said that an envoy from the Lizardmen is here. It has me worried, if anything you don't have to come. I know your busy making the Hellmoth silk and stuff." Kayo reasoned as she was curious of the lizard men and what they wanted with their village.
"I'm not leaving you alone and sick. Lord Rimuru entrusted me to take care of you and you are a very dear friend to me, Kayo." Shuna told her as she pet the little fox who happily purred at the petting. Her 3 tails slowly wagging freely as they met up with Rimuru, Rigurd, Shion, Benimaru, and Hakuro just on the borders of the village.
Standing before them where serval green, blue and cream colored lizardmen with spears and very light armor.
'Hmm why are there so many? With only mid ranged weapons? Their at least orderly, but that may be bad for them or REALLY bad for them.' Kayo was thinking before she heard them start to bang their weapons on the ground making a horrible racket as she folded her ears and dunked inside the thin but cozy blanket until they stopped... then she peeked out to see a weirdly dressed lizardman riding a realist looking Yoshi.
In a flourish he jumped off the Yoshi and landed before them but two of the Lizarmen that had been in front of the platoon kneeled and Kayo, tensed before she noticed that their shields were really shiny. 'Are they going to blind us and then surprise attack?!' she questioned but was shocked to see that the two used the shields to direct the sunlight back at the oddly dressed Lizardman upward lighting.
"I am Gabiru of the lizardmen. You will serve under me. Consider this a great honnor." The one named, Gabiru, yelled and made a dramatic pose with his eyes to the sky and arms and legs spread. Kayo's eye twitched as she saw this 'performance' and kept her muzzle shut with all the comments she wanted to say and criticize there staging as it felt like they were preforming a children's play.
It didn't help that the platoon of other lizard men sat on the ground and clapped like excited children, looking up at their 'hero'.
"Yeah, Sir Gabiru!"
"You're the Best!"
"So cool!"
"You're on fire!"
They shouted cheerfully, and Kayo believed they were being truthful. Making her hold her muzzle shut tighter as she held back her old habit that she gained from working so much in her past life.
"Remember him well. This is the man who will be the next Chieftan of the Lizardmen! Bow down." One of the lizard men not holding the shields told them as Gabiru took a hero pose and Kayo wanted so badly to correct these poor, poor creatures that had clearly been living under a rock for to long. The non-goblins and Rigurd where not impressed or intimidated by this crude show, Instead Rimuru and Shion were angered by this vanity display that Shion nearly made the slime taller. So she had to give the slime over to Benimaru, but she did bow and apologize at lot for her blunder.
"Ahem. Forgive me. You called yourself Gabiru, yes?" Rigurd asked, gaining the attention of the named Lizardman. "This request to serve you is rather sudden..." he was saying before Gabiru interrupted him.
"Good grief. Must I spell it out for you? You've heard the news have you not?"
"What news?" Rigurd looked genuinely confused at what nonsense the Lizard could be talking about.
"The news that those Orc Pigs are invading the Great Forest of Jura." At that bit of news everyone paid attention to Gabiru seriously after that. 'You could have started with that, idiot. The lizardmen are doomed with this guy as their chief.' Kayo thought before he came out with more nonsense.
"I, Gabiru, will protect you weaklings form the threat of the Orcs! Weaklings!" He made that stupid pose again and looked at the muscle daddy that was Rigurd...
"Weaklings..." he looked to the evolved Benimaru and experienced swordsmen Hakuro.
"Weaklings?" He looked to the busty Shion and cute Shuna, the fox kit and slime didn't seem to register to him, as he turned to his 3 'advisers' in a sort of huddle. 'Yikes. I don't think they planned on seeing us. So what are we going to do with them Big brother?' Kayo thought as she looked at the slime that was now back in Shion's arms.
'I was thinking of forming a united front with the lizardmen but...I'm not sure I want him watching my back. What one should not fear a competent enemy, but an incompetent ally. I think that was said by Napolean, right? I don't remember it being in The Art of War.' Rimuru asked her as Kayo sighed, having finally been able to unlock her jaw. 'It's not, but I didn't agree with all of Sun Tzu's teachings. That and there is always more to war then just fighting and strategies. Like putting on a show but also knowing your audience as well as some improve.' Kayo started and Rimuru had to tune out her ranting as Gabiru called their attention.
"Ahem! I heard that there was those among you who have tamed Direwolves. I will have those of you who have, officers in my army. Bring them to me." The lizardman 'ordered', and even dared to beckon them with a clawed finger.
"Can I kill, Him?" Kayo and Benimaru asked as the same time. Benimaru with a smile and sparkles while Kayo was sending the lizard death glares as she came out of Shuna's arms and onto the ground. "Sure!" The slime answered only to be startled as both Benimaru and a transformed Kayo where being serious about their request.
"Wait, no! No! No!" he yelled for them to stop and they kinda reluctantly did, but Benimaru had to pull Kayo back to Shuna who worried for the kitsune.
"Kayo. Please don't fight. Your still sick." she warned the kitsune who grumbled and pouted as she sat on the ground, her ears twitching in annoyance as she heard the Lizardman laugh. "Worry not small one. I will take pity on you. Maybe may you and that pink one my pets. I promise to take good care of you." He mussed, trying to sound like a hero but really, he sounded like a creep. Getting the whole party very angry.
"Listen here you, over inflated hatching." Kayo started as she got off the ground and slowly approached the lizards with a dangerous aura, and Benimaru wasn't going to stop her this time, but Rimur called out to her pleadingly. "Don't kill him!" he yelled at her as she gave a disturbing grin, golden eyes glowing as the rest of the lizardmen cowered, but not Gabiru.
"Lord Rimuru? What's going on?" Shuna asked worried as Kayo took in a slow deep breath as she was just arm's length away from the smug looking lizard who casually looked down at the short kitsune. "Hell opening its gates. Benimaru cover Shuna's ears." Rimuru instructed as the older brother did so quickly, before Kayo started yelling... loudly.
"YOU COME INTO OUR FUCKING VILLAGE, AND DEMAND OUR SERVEICE!? BANGING YOUR LITTLE SPEARS AND FLASHING YOUR SHEILDS TRYING TO LOOK LIKE AN EPIC HERO!? YOU JUST LOOK LIKE A GOD DANMED ANNOYING FOOLS! UNDERLIGHTING ONLY WORKS ON IF YOUR AUDINCE IS BELOW YOU! NOT ON THE SAME LEVEL! FOOLS! USE SIDE LIGHTING ON YOUR BEST SIDE! ALL YOUR SHOWING IS HOW MUCH OF AN ASS YOU ARE, FOOLS! YOU HAVE SHOWN US ONLY HOW FUCKING ANNOYING YOU ARE I ALMOST WANT THE ORCS TO INVADE US! IF YOUR THE CHEIFTIAN THEN YOUR PEOPLE MAY AS WELL ROAST THEMSELVES ON AN OPEN FIRE AND SERV THEM SELVES TO THE ORCS! FOOL! ALL YOUR DOING IS SCARING YOUR ORC FODER INTO SERVICE! HAVE YOU NO SHAME OR GUILT!? FOOL! ALL YOUR DOING IT PUTTING ON A FLIMSY CHEAP SHOW THAT IS AN INSULT TO ACTING! CHILDREN CAN DO BETTER! FOOLS!"
Kayo ranted long and loudly that it created a kind of wind that pushed back the lizard men as she criticized them and made many of them tear up in fear, their only hope was Gabiru who was trying not to shake as he took the full force of Kayo's wrath.
"Yare yare dawa, you should have stayed in your egg. What a disappointment you are. Leave now and I will spare your life and any respect you still have from your people." Kayo hissed at Gabiru as her nails turned black and became encased in black flames, she took a few short breaths as her nose started to twitch.
"I... I will not be fooled by a Kitsune's mear illusions. I am the great-" He was saying before Kayo took a deep breath and sneezed a large blue fire ball at him.
"Lord Gabiru!" the other lizardmen cried out in shock and worry as Kayo sniffled and the flames died... but Gabiru had fainted form being inside the fox fire... and seeing and hearing his worst nightmares while inside it.
"Um... Did Lord Kayo mean to do that?" Shion asked as she was unsure if she should laugh or be worried.
"Kayo is sick with a cold. They work too much and wasn't even eating until today." Shuna sighed and pulled Kayo back into her arms in her little fox form to sniffle and rest some more. Benimaru noticed how his sister did not call Kayo, Lord anymore. "Lord Rimuru... when did my sister become so close with Lord Kayo... to just call him by name?" he asked the slime seriously, but Rimuru was a little confused, as was Shion and Hakuro... but the old man chuckled at his young master's confusion, already knowing the truth.
~That Night~
Kayo yawned as she lay in Shuna's arms, cuddled in her sakura blanket and feeling much better after having Shuna feed her and brush out her fur. Only Benimaru kept glaring at the fox but she didn't care for the moment, her head was fuzzy and her nose was stuffed. Her ears barely listing in on the meeting she wanted to attend but Shuna had given her something that made her sleepy.
"Lord Rimuru. Lord Kayo. I have some troubling news." Souei spoke up as the 'council' of the village had been gathered, it was mostly just the Kijins, Kaijin, Rigurd, Rigur, and four other Goblin lords where in the meeting with a few eavesdroppers at the window.
"I saw 200,00 Orcs. The main army is moving north along the river. Based on the movements of this army and a detached force." Souei reported and set some brown wooden Orc Mini figures on the swamp aera on large and detailed paper map of the Jura Forest, a small blue glass slime being placed where the village was along with a green wooden Rigurd figurine, A blue wooden Ranga figure and A red wooden Benimaru Figurine.
"I expect they will regroup in the marshlands east of here." Souei pointed to the squirrel skull Kayo had told him to use as the lizardmen's location. Rimuru almost found it funny if the situation had not been so dire.
"In the Lizardmen's Territory you mean?" Rigurd asked.
"Two hundred Thousand, Huh?" Rimuru asked as he tried to stay calm as he glanced at Kayo who had her eyes shut but her ears perked and listening. Her own Black Mini figure going unused for the moment as Souei didn't think Kayo would be included much in their plans as she was not in the best state, physically at least.
'What can make that many Orc's suddenly march to invade other's territories? They have to be motivated by something, or someone.' Kayo suggested to Rimuru who voiced her thought.
"Just what is it the Orc's are after?" he asked the room who also tried to figure out what it was that the Orc's wanted.
"Hmm, Orc's are not very intelligent monsters. If there is something behind this invasion or just instinct, we should suspect someone if backing them." Kaijin spoke up, as Benimaru had told him the Orcs had been wearing armor.
"Like a Demon Lord, perhaps?" Rimuru asked and everyone looked at him in silence. "Very likely. Why would Orcs clad in armor attack a village of warriors? And so soon after Beni rejected that Gelmud creep's 'kind' offer of a name." Kayo asked as the who room looked at her suddenly.
"Beni?" Benimaru questioned, confused by the nickname and the suddenness of it.
"The Orcs are just a means to an end, a tool, a weapon to cut down it's master's enemies, a puppet on strings with no free will of its own." Kayo yawned as she explained sleepily. "Well, there is no proof to base that on right now. It's just speculation at the moment." the slime reasoned as he pet Kayo's head as she had fallen asleep at last.
"I don't know if a Demon Lord is involved, but..." Benimaru was thinking on her words and of what he knew so far.
"But?" Rimuru questioned, wondering where he was going with his thoughts.
"I think this makes it much more likely that an Orc Lord has appeared." He mentioned and the room fell quiet once he mentioned and Orc Lord.
"The unique monster that only appears once every century?" Rimuru asked, looking a bit worried.
"Yes. I can't imagine an ordinary Orc leading and army of 200,000." The red Kijin voiced as the room was tense before Souei gasped suddenly.
"What is it?" Rimuru addressed the Ninja who looked rather shocked as he put a hand to the side of his head, like he was listing to a communication device. "One of my body doubles I had scouting the aera has made an encounter." he told the slime leader who looked confused.
"An encounter?"
"They have requested an audience with you and Lord Kayo." he said as he looked at the sleeping little fox in Shuna's arms. "Kayo too? Who are they?" Rimuru asked, confused why someone would also want to meet Kayo, then again, she was his unofficial 2nd in command. "I already had my fill of Gabiru, so I rather not meet anyone weird or wake Kayo."
"I don't believe this one is... weird...but it is a highly unusual encounter. It's a Dryad." as soon as the ninja mentioned their race everyone one gasped, even Rimuru who blushed. "A Dryad!?" the slime seemed just as excited to meet a Dryad as he did and elf, Kayo's ears twitched as she slept, barely hearing much.
"Hasn't it been several decades since the last time a Dryad showed itself?" Ridurd asked the other Goblin Lords who were also taken a back. Rimaru was still unsure of meeting them, mostly because he would have to wake Kayo but Souei said something odd.
"They said they are an old friend of Lord Kayo's... and of Zorro's." the ninja mentioned, and Kayo's eyes opened open as she raised her head at the familiar name.
"A friend of my Father's?" she asked and a few of those around her gasped as Rimuru was confused. "Your father had a name?" he asked her and she nodded. "Yeah... she's a Dryad and an old friend? We should meet her." Kayo said as she slipped out of Shuna's arms and entered her oldest kitsune form that was just a head shorter than Shuna.
Her black hair tied back with a simple blue sting, the tips of her hair a pure white like her tail, her caramel-colored skin looked smooth and soft and her golden eyes sharper and filed with determination. Her nails having turned black and looked as sharp as claws, her feet bear as the Kitsune had a distaste for wearing socks. Of course, the kitsune was wearing a comfortable black Yukata with some blue and white orbs decorating it and a small slit for her tails to fit threw comfortably, a gift from the kijin princess, Shuna.
"Okay. Bring her here." Rimuru asked Souei as Kayo gave a chuckle. "She's always been here, big brother. Right under our feet." Kayo told him as suddenly in the middle of the table, a beautiful woman 'bloomed' in front of them. Shuna and Souei stood in front of Kayo as Benimaru and Shion did the same for Rimuru. "It's okay. She is an old friend." Kayo mussed as she set her hands on the two kijin in front of her as the dryad smiled at the little fox.
"Protector of the Jura Forest, Ruler of the Monsters and all who are loyal to them. Forgive me for this very late visit. I am Treyni, a Dryad. It's a pleasure to meet you." The beautiful Dyad introduced herself to them like a regal woman of nature.
"It's nice to finally see this from of yours, Treyni. Thanks again for protecting me. You wouldn't happen to know if my siblings and mother are okay, would you? Or even my father?" Kayo asked, looking worried and hopeful but the Dryad frowned sadly.
"Apologies, I don't know the location of your father. Your mother... is gone I'm afraid to say, but your siblings are thankfully all still alive thanks to you and your mother." she mentioned on a good note as Kayo seemed relieved to hear that at least her fox siblings where okay.
"So you two really do know each other?" Rimuru asked, Kayo didn't ever really mention her siblings, human or fox very much. "Yeah, I made my first den in her roots. She protected me from hunters and their hounds. Oh! Let me introduce you properly. Trenyi, this is my new big slime brother Rimuru Tempest. Rimuru, this is Trenyi." Kayo introduced them as the Dryad pet Kayo's head softly, her hand feeling very familiar.
"It's nice to meet you, Miss Trenyi. What brings you here?" Rimuru asked as he was unsure how to address her politely.
"I have come to request a favor." she told him honestly as Kayo was a little confused and jealous, she was asking her brother.
"A favor?"
"Rimuru Tempest, ruler of the monsters, I would like you to defeat the orc lord." She asked him and Kayo understood why she wasn't asking her... attack wasn't her specialty, and the kitsune doubted she could trick the Orc's into giving up somehow.
"Um? You're asking me?" Rimuru asked again, still very confused why she would ask him.
"Yes, that's right." she confirmed it with a smile before Benimaru got between the slime and the dryad, not looking too pleased with the woman, and Kayo could guess why he was getting upset with her. "That's quite a selfish request from someone who just appeared out of nowhere. Trenyi the Dryad." He said her named accusingly. "Why have you come here? There are races far stronger than Goblins." He asked her as Kayo knew what he was really saying.
"Yes, that is true. If the Orge's homeland had been at full strength, perhaps I would have gone there." she said as she looked at the evolved orges where shocked that she spoke about their destroyed home.
"Thought. Even if I had done that, I still could not have ignored this Indvidual's existence and their connection with this growing little fox." She said as she looked at Kayo who tilted her head cutely, unsure of why she was included. "Should our settlement be attacked by the orc lord, the dryads could not hope to fight them alone or defend our lands. This is why I request assistance from someone strong and my dear young friend." she mused about the fox kit who looked to Rimuru.
'We are going to have to deal with the Orc's sooner or later. Having more allies wouldn't hurt, and our defenses are already kinda using the magicules of the Dryads and Tryants in the forest.' Kayo mentioned to the Slime who had noticed and taken over some of Kayo's burden with the defense grid around the village.
"So we really will be dealing with an Orc Lord?"
"The Dryads have knowledge of essentially everything that happens in this forest. So yes, the orc lord does exist." Trenyi mentioned as she picked up a potato chip... and ate it. Kayo briefly wondered if she would be worried as she thought of a certain egotistical antagonist of an old manga series.
"Give me some time to answer." Rimuru asked after giving it a bit of thought, and Kayo didn't object, even if she was fully willing to help the nature sprits. "We will back up the Kijin, but I don't want to go poking a hornet's nest for no reason. Let me take stock of the information we have before I answer." He mentioned and looked confident.
"Despite how I look, I'm the leader here after all. Will you join in on our meeting, officially?" The slime asked her and the forest sprit accepted. "Of course. Feel free to ask me anything, but first I believe I must give this to our young friend." Trenyi mentioned as in her hand, she held out a dark red pearl to Kayo who froze as she knew what that pearl was, and where it came from.
"Your mother would have wanted it to go to one of her kits, to make good use of it." she said and place it in Kayo's hands as tears fell down her face, her eyes glowed as she could feel the warmth form the jewel that was so familiar to her.
"What is that?" Rimuru asked and Shuna looked worried with Kayo's falling tears before Hakuro recognized the item grimly. "A Kitsune's Pearl. A rare and powerful treasure that is said to contain all of a Kitsune's power. They can only ever create one in their entire lifetime... This must be the pearl of Lord Kayo's mother." he mentioned as the room now understood why the little Kitsune was crying and even shaking.
"Kayo?" Shuna reached for her worriedly as she noticed Kayo start to shake badly before she melted into the shadows and left the room quickly, before she showed everyone a side of herself, she had been trying to hide. Her own laughter in her head and growling voice with a wide toothy grin and crazed golden eyes.
~Jura Forest~
'Swallow it.' Ares encouraged eagerly, Kayo held on tightly to the pearl, the power of her mother contained inside, the power of a 4 Tailed Fire Kitsune.
"I-I can't... this was mother's... I... I can't do it." Kayo whined; her vision blurry as she cradled the bright red pearl, it glowed in the dark just like her eyes with power. 'Do it~ or do you want them all to die too?' Ares asked, looming over the small Kayo who was shaking and having a hard time breathing.
"No... Rimuru. Benimaru. They won't let it happen..." Kayo called out the two she cared most about, trying to stop her shaking, even as Ares scoffed. 'Since when do you count on others? You're getting lazy. That stupid slime doesn't do all the hard work, you do. You just let him think he runs things, so you have a nice blue slimy shield if shit goes south.' she mentioned and then grinned. 'Benimaru~ hmm, now he has potential to be our new little pet. Lust will love that, and we get a new lap dog to do our bidding. We already have Souei and Ranga at our feet.' she went on as Kayo struggled to from words as she fell to her knees sobbing.
"N-no... stop talking... about them... like their pawns." she pleased with the wrathful side of her, the side that liked fighting, hurting... killing.
'That's what they are~. Hmm~ why not call out to them to save you? I'm sure they will come to rescue their little pet~. That's all you can do... lay at their feet and use them as shields.' Ares suggested as Kayo kept her jaw shut and her mind off, not wanting to call them for help as her body was becoming painful and tight.
"No... I... I want to get stronger. I will get stronger... I will protect those... I care about... No matter the cost to me." Kayo reasoned as she stopped crying. She looked at the powerful pearl for a moment longer before popping it inside her mouth like it was candy. The power started to surge threw her and burn her throat. The little wanted to scream but there was no sound coming from her lips as Ares looked on smugly before fading away as Kayo's tails started to split and her body changed painfully.