AN: Hello all! I hope you forgive my infrequent posting for a much detailed and longer chapter instead. Please let me know your opinion upon the differences. A few things to point out this chapter prior to reading: a) I would like to remind the reader that I write assuming only a few of Asami's men has dealt with and knows of Akihito's importance to the boss; b) I specifically withhold the fox impersonator's name for a reason; c) the fox god Inari is a Shinto spirit and thus my inspiration for this fic; and lastly d) don't assail me with flying objects when you read the literal cliffhanger at the end of this chapter. So thank you for reading and please enjoy!


Part 13:

He skid around a corner and threw himself against the stone surface, taking a moment to catch his breath. His heart was pounding a mile a minute against his ribcage as if trying to escape. There is something to be said about the thrill of the chase. He couldn't believe he got away. The feeling was exhilarating. He felt giddy being drunk on adrenaline.

The freezing cold on his bare torso did nothing to cool his ardor. This body he'd chosen seems to thrive on it, offering his powers flexibility in ways he'd never imagine possible. And all this time, he'd been restraining his usage. He felt laughter bubbling to the surface and tried as he might to staunch the sound with a hand over his mouth.

Shuffling noises a few blocks from his location caught his attention. The young man peeks around the corner. A singular floodlight a building away, the only illumination closest to him, did little to reveal his location. In fact, he counted on the fact that one needs a period of adjustment for their sight to transition from light to darkness that he felt secure in his hiding place.

His pursuers were like hounds after his scent, sniffing around every blind corner and dark hidey hole. Unlike the real deal, their scent of smell is worthless. Otherwise those foul humans would bathe themselves in those dreadful artificial smells.

There were three of them. Thugs in fine thread. His keen eyes caught a glint of metal. They were packing heat too like the others he took down. One even had it drawn despite the other two urging him to stow it away judging by their frantic gesticulations and what little he could overhear.

Perhaps they were order not to hurt him after all. The young man wonders briefly before he decides to err on the side of caution. This body may be the lover of that Asami fellow, but he wasn't about to assume those thugs out their give a shit. Those men from earlier (to whom he had enjoyed thoroughly kicking the crap out of) had pull guns on him too. Perhaps he should demonstrate to the remaining three what a creature like him is capable of. Then perhaps Asami might leave him be, or not. It matters little to him.

He'd given himself another week for this sojourn vacation before his den mates will notice he's gone missing. The young man wasn't about to cut his time short just because of a bad case of mistaken identity. He'll just have to go to another city that was not run by this Asami.

Alas, these guard dogs must be dealt with though.

The young man pulls his head back and scans his current surroundings. His eye sight may not be like he's use to in his other form, but he could see in the dark better than most humans.

Nothing but a large dumpster bin, a dozen wooden crates and cardboard boxes, all push up against a chain link fence in disarray. His eyes squinted in the dark. Ah, don't forget the rusty padlock and scurrying strays. He licks his chops at the scent of their fear. If he was in his other form, those oversize rodents wouldn't stand a chance. As a human though, he has no taste for them.

Anyhow, just his luck, the alley wasn't a thoroughfare. He's box himself in. How cliché could it get?

Now there were two choices in his book one in his situation could do: fight or flee.

Back at the Club, he had no choice really but to fight his way out. They were blocking his path after all. It was only courteous of him to clear it. Now this is a different matter.

The fun choice would probably be option one. This time though he could extend the fight by toying with them. However that means he could run the chance of actually getting caught, although it wasn't likely that any of those thugs could best him seeing as how the others couldn't last two minutes despite the waning level of his powers.

His mouth twisted into a caricature of a smile. His canines gleam even in the dark with the pale waxing moon providing the strongest source of light.

The young man closed his eyes and called forth his powers once more; brows creased with concentration as he focuses his energy and began chanting in a language long forgotten. Energy began pooling from his core and lashes out to his extremities like viperous cords. Beads of sweat budded on his expose skin and evaporate as the energy continues to build and crackle in discharge.

His ears twitch in alert. He could hear their steady footsteps getting closer. Those thugs were lingering half a block away and inching closer.

It shouldn't have taken this long. Something wasn't right. He had a suspicion as to the cause.

Without hesitation, he dispenses the pent up energy elsewhere and redirects it at the moon with a twirl of his wrist, channeling a response.

Like ripples on water, an image, just as transparent, appears with seamless edges. He opens his lids and bit out a curse.

There, before his eyes, like a movie projector screening on the surface of the moon, shows an image of another chase taken place miles away. The white blankness, roughen by billowing gusts of snowflakes, couldn't mask the silver creature frantically charging heedlessly into the barren terrain. Red droplets inked a trail behind him, marking his trespass clear as day.

The young man bit out another curse under his breath. He knew he should have put the damn brat in a cage and provided him with several weeks' worth of food. Instead, he'd been generous and deposits his counterpart near a nice residence. What was the fool thinking going out and about in the dead of winter?

He waves a hand to wipe the image in dismissal, his thoughts already redirecting another course of action now that option one was out of contention. He needs to rescue the fool before the brat gets them both killed. Anxious, he sends a brief prayer to Inari to watch over the both of them.

Now then to address the matter at hand: a dead end, three thugs, and a gun drawn. What was a creature like him to do? He's already broken several rules, what was a few more? A mischievous thought briefly crosses his mind and he initiates it without hesitation.


A peel of laughter, haunting with an undertone of malevolence echoes down the alleyway. The members of unit three felt a chill ran down their spines. Simultaneously, two of them gave a shiver and look at each other nervously. The third member felt only renew resolve and remove the safety off his semi-automatic. That move caught the attention of the other two.

"Toyo! What do you think you're doing! Put that gun away!""

Said man, whose relative wiry frame according to his coworkers could rival a professional bodybuilder in size if he were only to eat more, ignore the command entirely. Both his hands remain holding his gun steady, keeping the barrel pointing towards the ground before him. His eyes scanning left and right while searching for anything out of the ordinary. Steadily they charge forward to where the laugh may have originated.

"Toyo, we were told not to harm the client. So put the damn gun away now!"

Toyo's sight never left the darken alley when he finally answer his friend and colleague.

"Fuck that, Ucchi. What does a secretary know anyways? That rogue client took out Kasaragi, Junpei and the others like they were pachinko balls. I ain't taking my chances."

It wasn't Ucchi but Mamoru who responded. Although they differ in age only by a year or two, he's been on the Club security team much longer than the others. His gravel voice though soft and reasonable, didn't detract the bite in his choice of words.

"That secretary is Asami-sama's right hand man, shithead. I won't cross Kirishima-san if I were you. If he says we dance around and cluck like a chicken, I'll not question it. So put the fucking gun away."

Toyo felt uneasy. The flood lights above them cast a circular concave dome of illumination. The trio stood within at what seems like a precipice into the dark. A loud bang followed by what sounds like the rattling of chains crept out from the blacken void. Scurrying patters of some four legged animal fades out. Then complete silence.

He could see that both his partners were just as uneasy, if not more so. The fact that they have yet to move beyond the reaches of the light spoke clearly of their resolve. Toyo was not of that mind set. Thus instead of following his colleague's advice, the tall man raise his gun up to eye level. By no means was he trigger happy, he just didn't want to be surprised like some victim in a bad horror movie.

"That little creep is toying with us. We have him cornered like a rat. I say we take him down hard and answer to the boss later."

Ucchi gave Mamoru a look that clearly spoke he's considering the idea. The other remains stalwart however and shook his head in negation. Feeling the beginnings of an argument brewing on Ucchi's side, Mamoru was about to remind the other of the task at hand when the underlining subject made the decision for them.

The clip clop stiffness of leather soles striking on pavement echoes out from the dark void of the alley. The steady cadence matches the steady gait of the intruder as he casually reveals his self and stops just at the perimeter of light. The severe brilliance casts long shadows on the other's bare upper torso as the darkness beyond weaves intricate patterns like claws refusing to relinquish their prize. With either hands resting inside his slack pockets, the young man progresses no further.

Mamoru was shocked by how young their target looks. The kid was probably in his late teens or early twenties. To be sure, he is a handsome specimen, enough so to resemble an employee rather than those perverted types who frequents the Club. It was no concern of his what manner of business these clients conducted; however, this pretty boy has managed to have the entirety of the security force activated on his behalf. Whether the boy was dangerous; the older man has his doubts. Their instructions were clear though and he's been around long enough to know who the top predator is. Mamoru stay his ground.

The same could not be said of Ucchi. As soon as the rogue client appears, the youngest of the three guards tore his gun out of its holster, removes the safety, and trains it on their target.

Despite having two guns drawn on him, the client merely acknowledges this affront with a roll of his eyes before he spoke in a conversational greeting.

"Technically speaking, I'm more vulpine than rodentia; however I can understand your common mistake."

Puzzle looks was the clients only response. The young fellow gave a long suffering sigh before continuing.

"As much as I would be bored in lecturing you fine looking thugs on the topic, I have somewhere urgent to be. So if you would please excuse me."

And just like that the rogue exaggerates his courtly bow of farewell and steps back into the shadows.

Toyo neither care nor want to understand what the boy's whole spiel was about, he was tired of being toyed by a minor. Emitting a low growl of frustration, the guard moves swiftly into the shadow, signaling his colleagues to follow. Only Ucchi gave chase, while Mamoru's instincts fought and won against his better judgment. He couldn't see beyond the dome but upon hearing the interactions, it was enough to have his breath arrested throughout.

An animalistic growl that put Toyo's earlier utterance to shame, shatter the night and send chills racing down his back. A scuffle of broken boxes, bones and shredded flesh slice it further. Piercing screams of pain soon follow. Two shots rang free, a thunderous crescendo. Neither hitting the targets flesh but ricochet off of something metal. A loud thud of two bodies falling haphazardly met with silence, a moment's respite before the lulling mixture of wet gurgles and labor breathing ends the ensemble.

In that moment, Mamoru knew his brief hesitation was what saved his life momentarily. He wasn't one of those people who get spook easily, but fear weigh heavy on his legs.

Then out of the tension, a whistled aria haunting in its clarity drifts towards him. Wearing an angelic expression alight with mirthful eyes, the rogue client cover from head to toe in splatters of blood (and Kami forbid, bits of flesh) casually walks forward. With both bloody hands in his pocket, the boy enters the circle of light. Without stopping his stride or interrupting his musical performance, the young man winks at the guard before swaggering past him and into the main road. The haunting melody leaving a trail behind as their distance widen, eventually lingering only within Mamoru's nightmares in years to come.

Mamoru thirst for breath as if he ran a marathon. The metal smell of blood permeated the air. His feet propel him forward to his fallen comrades, but fell short once his eyes adjusted to the darkness. The scene was gruesome in its entirety. In all his years, the guard's imagination upon hearing the carnage couldn't compete with the real outcome. His gag reflexes rear its ugly head. A shaky hand flew up to cover his mouth as he tries unsuccessfully to staunch the natural reaction. He pulls out his mobile phone with his other hand and speed dials his boss with clumsy fingers. He quickly wipes his mouth clean of his previous meal before attempting to talk.

"It's Ma—ma—mamo—ru of of of Unit th—three. S—send a medic ASAP!"


He loved dogs and them in return. Whether it is playing catch with a ball or a stick, mock wrestling, or jogging with them around the park, it was all fun and games. But this, this was insane. What could have been a cute beagle any other time is now barking and growling at him with an intensity one would often associate with a Rottweiler chasing down a burglar. So of all the rotten luck, Akihito couldn't fathom how he miss being track by such a domesticated animal. At the moment though, the category seem utterly ludicrous on his book. He should have taken that mangle fur heap from earlier as a sign. The thought of that poor rabbit being his own corpse charge his fox senses to go into panic overdrive.

He couldn't understand them. It kept insisting he burrow underground one moment then dart skyward in another. Deciding to give those conflicting resolutions the heave ho, Akihito ran towards the stench of the highway instead. His side ached terribly. That damn beast was closing in on him despite his initial lead. He could feel his energy literally being drain away. A few more meters and he would have meet his target. There, up ahead.

His plan didn't bear fruit as he skids to a stop sending the banked snow to scatter onto the road. Upon reaching his destination, Akihito takes a moment to catch his breath as he took in the barren scene. There would be no passing vehicles. There was at least five centimeters layer of sleet covering the pavement. Then it dawn on him, how grim his situation truly is. It was nightfall on a snowing wintry mountain. There would be no passerby. Even if there was, it would be few and far in between given the unused condition. Despite the slim chance, even if there was hope, while in his fox form, no one would give a moment's pause. He didn't have long to dawdle. Any moment now, the beagle would be at his heel. He could hear the excited barks coming closer.

Akihito's side hurt like the devil and he knew his stitches must have reopened upon his flight. The smell of blood will hinder his escape. Kami knows how sensitive his sense of smell of is, the beagle must have been giddy with it. He couldn't keep up the chase for long. His options were limited and being a mangled corpse isn't it.

With no time to think any further, Akihito back peddles before launching himself onto the icy road hoping his initial momentum can propel him down the sloping passage. Just in time too, the loud snap of jaws closing at his haunch tortured a piercing whine from his throat. The sound reverberates throughout the valley sending some perching crows to scatter. Those sharp canines nipped through his fur and tore a hole into his skin while in midair. Blood gush forth instantly.

Akihito grits his teeth and prepares his self for the hard landing. Tucking into a ball of fur quite literally, he absorbs the impact with a yelp, knocking the breath out of him. Disoriented, he unfurls to find his small body being propel down the slippery slope. He manages to turn his head around and witnesses the barking beagle disappearing as he rounds a corner on the mountain pass.

While mentally thanking the gods for his grand escape, Akihito releases a sigh of relief too soon. Turning his head around, the guardrail, the only barrier between the road and the mountain cliffs, was a meter away before impact. The speed of his descent was too great for him to follow the natural curve of the road. Not knowing whether his efforts will be in vain, he calls upon the last of his energy reserve and dug his claws into the ice. To further his attempt to slow himself down, he threw his tender underbelly onto the ice floor; flattening down as much as possible, further aggravating his wounds old and new. He ignores the biting sting; too focus on creating the maximum friction. It was no use; he wasn't slowing down fast enough.

His body slid beneath the guardrail and launches into open air sending chunks of banked snow to follow his freefall. Tears of remorse spring forth as memories of his friends, family, and Asami awash him moments before he lost into blissful unconsciousness.


Response to Reviewers:

Ore - That is a good question. I shall have to address that. Thank you for reading.

muumuu122 - The fox has hidden skills and Asami wouldn't be Asami if he didn't figure it out sooner. Thank you for reading.

chickie434 - Hmm, what will Asami do? I believe that question will be answered in a few chapters. As for Akihito, I hope you won't kill me for his present predicament.

hawk1891 - Thank you for following this fic so closely. I intend to update every few weeks or so depending how much time I can impart to make the chapters beefier. I hope you enjoy this update. My muse is cooperating nicely and is currently working overtime.