Chapter 15 – Sakurako's Other Form

Himawari's POV

"So…this is the camp Mom was talking about. It…really does look amazing. "Suitable for all players of any experience."…that's a relief since I am a bit rusty. *sigh* I just wish it wasn't all the way in Harajuku, though…"

"What are you mumbling to yourself about?" Sakurako said to me as we were walking to school together.

"H-Huh? Oh…n-nothing. Nothing that you need to know."

"Hmph. Well, whatever."

"What, you're not going to instigate me because I'm keeping secrets from you? Or beg me to let you copy my homework because you didn't do yours? Or make an insult towards my breasts and somehow justify it as being relevant to the conversation?"

"Lay off, okay? I'm not in the mood."

"Not in the mood?" I then thought of what could possibly get Sakurako of all people in a bad mood.

Oh, yeah…it's been a little over a week since Sakurako got her romantic feelings rejected. Never would've thought that Akari and Rise-senpai would be dating. She's probably still depressed about that…

"Hey…Sakurako. Sorry for…you know…you and Akari."

"Why are you apologizing?" Sakurako looked at me with an exasperated gaze.

"I'm just trying to be considerate."

"After you basically forced me to confess my feelings to everyone in the Student Council room? Yeah, that's REAL considerate, Himawari."

"Tch! W-Well…"

I didn't think she would still be mad about that…

"*sigh* Whatever…it's in the past now. As long as Akari's happy, I'm happy. I'm not going to pursue it any longer."

"W-Wow, Sakurako. That sounds…highly selfless of you." I said in disbelief.

"Would you believe that I'm trying to become less selfish? These recent events have opened my eyes to a few things. Becoming a better person in life wouldn't hurt that much, would it?"

"S-Sakurako…"

"…Are you sick or something?"

"That somehow felt both out of concern and an insult at the same time…" Sakurako said with a sweatdrop.

"W-Well, whatever. I'm just relieved that you're feeling better. And starting to become more normal, too…"

"Don't think I didn't hear that just now, you little…"

*TWITCH*

"Aaaah, damn~! Not again~!"

"Huh? What's going on with you?" I asked after seeing Sakurako twitching rapidly and clenching as if she had to pee.

"N-Nothing~! N-Nothing that…y-you need to know~! J-Just…*TWITCH* GAAAAH! J-Just go on…w-without me~! I-I'll catch up~!"

"Catch up? W-Wait, where are you going?! Sakurako!" I shouted as I watched her run off in a direction away from school. Baffled as all hell as to what was going on with her.

The hell was that all about?


Soon after that weird incident with Sakurako, I arrived at school and went straight to class. About to start another normal day of learning and whatnot.

"Morning, Himawari."

"Morning, everyone." I greeted my classmates.

"I see that it's just you today." Chinatsu said. "What, is Sakurako attempting to skip again?"

"*sigh* I don't know…she was acting weird on the way here."

"Weirder than normal? How is that possible?"

"Well, she was twitching repeatedly and clenching as if she was in pain. And before I could say anything about it, she ran off and said that she'd catch up. But here I am and she's still not here."

"Huh. That is weird…"

"Come to think about it, she's been doing that a lot lately." Sachiko said. "Shortly after Akari's birthday party."

"It's probably her trying to skip again." Aoi said. "I would do it, too…but Hiro won't let me."

"You're failing Literature hard, Aoi. No way am I letting you skip." Hiro said with an exasperated look.

"H-Hey, you guys don't think Sakurako's acting weird because of what happened between us?" Akari asked with a feeling of guilt.

"Don't worry, Akari. That's not the reason." I said. "From what Sakurako told me before she ran off, she's just happy that you're happy."

"R-Really? Well…that's a relief."

"It's actually pretty selfless of her. Took me by surprise when I first heard it."

"S-Sakurako being selfless? That's even weirder." Chinatsu said.

"Yeah…tell me about it."

Although…Sakurako did say that "recent events" are making her change like this. Was she really considering this all the way back to when Akari got injured?

It…It wouldn't surprise me if that was the case…

"Well…it's Sakurako. I'm sure she'll show up when she feels like it." Aoi said. "In other news…have you guys heard that we're getting a new transfer student today?"

"Oh, yeah…there's been rumors surrounding that all of last week." Hiro said.

"What do you guys think she'll be like?" Akari asked. "You think she came from a big city like Tokyo?"

"Who knows…" Chinatsu said. "…But I'm hoping this transfer student will be easy to understand. The last one was a complete mess."

"Uh…I'M the last transfer student, Chinatsu." Sachiko said in a piss-off tone.

"Yeah, I know. You're still a mess."

She ain't wrong about that…

"Alright…everyone to your seats. Class is about to begin." The teacher said as she walked inside the classroom.

Once the usual morning stuff was out of the way (roll call, morning announcements, homework collection, and all of that), the big news that pretty much everyone was waiting for was about to be revealed.

"And finally…I'm sure most of you are already aware of this, but we have a new transfer student joining the class today."

At this point, excited whispers and chatters echoed throughout the classroom.

"Settle down, please." Sensei said with a stern tone in her voice before looking towards the door. "Okay. You may come in now."

The door opened and in came a girl who, at first glance, had all of us in a state of awe. Her long light-blonde hair, sky-blue eyes, and…let's say decently-sized chest…were all amazing to look at.

But the one main thing that caught everyone's attention was that…she had a set of fox ears on her head and a fake fox tail tapped to the bottom of her uniform.

Not really sure why she would wear such things on her first day…but whatever floats her boat, I guess.

"Kon'nichiwa, everyone. My name is Yuki Kitsune. I come from the small town of Yoshino. Hajimemashite." The girl said with a bow at the end.

K-Kitsune? Her last name is "Fox"?

I wasn't the only person who found her name and appearance weird. As other classmates were just as confused as I was.

"W-Well…it's a pleasure to have you with us, uh…Kitsune-san." You could tell by her tone that even Sensei found the whole thing weird. "For now, you can choose any open seat that's available."

"Arigatō, Sensei." Kitsune-san then looked for an open seat…but soon gained a puzzled look on her face. As if she was looking for something else. "Huh? Is she not here? I could've sworn that this was her class…"

"Do you know someone in this class, Kitsune-san?"

"Yes, I do. She's my cousin. Sakurako Ohmuro."

"HUUUUUUUUUH?!" This was something a lot of us couldn't believe.

"Sakurako's COUSIN?" Aoi asked in shock.

"Did you know about this?" Chinatsu whispered to me.

"I only know her sisters and parents. I never knew she had a cousin."

"Well…I haven't seen Ohmuro-san at all this morning." Sensei said. "Although, if I had to guess…she's probably trying to skip school again. She's honestly nothing more than a trouble…"

"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

She was then interrupted when a scream of absolute horror echoed through the entire room. As to who made that scream…

"Ah! Sakurako! Long time no see, dear cousin!"

"Yuki, what the HELL are you doing here?!" Sakurako shouted at her cousin with the most panicked face I've ever seen her have.

"Huh? Didn't your mom tell you? I was transferring to this city during the weekend. And attending this school beginning today."

"THAT'S what she was so determined to talk about?! Ugh! The ONE day when I leave home on time~!"

So, she didn't know that her cousin was transferring here? Why is she so panicked about it?

"*clears throat* So nice of you to finally join us, Ohmuro-san." Sensei said. "Never mind the fact that you're nearly 20 minutes late…just help your cousin find a seat."

"Y-Yes, Sensei."

"And Kitsune-san…take off those fake ears and tail. They're not allowed to be worn with the school uniform."

"Huh? Take them off?" Kitsune-san said with a puzzled look as she looked at her ears and tail. "Sensei…these are real."

"Wh-What?"

"Yuki, shut up!" Sakurako mumbled to her.

"Please stop playing games, Kitsune-san, and take them off already." Sensei said once more.

"But Sensei…I cannot take them off. They are a part of my body because…"

"YUKI!" This time, Sakurako covered up her whole mouth with her hands.

"Both of you are just wasting time at this point." Sensei said. Completely done with this whole conversation. "Either take off the costume or go to the Principal's Office."

"I can't take them off!" Kitsune-san yelled. "They are real and I'll even prove it to you!" She then faced Sakurako and started poking her all over her body.

"Y-Yuki, stop! What are you doing?!" Sakurako yelled in a panic.

"You've started the metamorphosis process yourself, haven't you? I'm going to prove to everyone that what we have is real."

"B-But I don't WANT people to know!"

"Alright, I've had enough of this nonsense!" Sensei yelled. "Both of you! Head over to the Principal's Office right this very…"

"Aha! I've found it!"

"YUKI, NOOOO!"

*POKE*

*POOF*

"*cough* *cough* Wh-What the…"

The entire room had filled up to the brim with smoke after Kitsune-san had poked Sakurako right in her neck. Some of the students quickly opened the windows to let all the smoke out. And even turned on the fan for extra help.

Once it all (eventually) cleared…we were left with an absurd sight.

There, at the front of the classroom, were Sakurako and her cousin. The former in particular…suddenly had fox ears on her head, a fox tail coming from the back of her skirt, and was now wearing a shrine maiden kimono that looked a little loose on her.

Just like her cousin.

"N…Nin~." Sakurako said with the BIGGEST blush of embarrassment I've ever seen her have.

"Oh. My. God." Aoi said after the whole room went dead silent.

And I don't freaking blame her.


Sakurako's POV

GAAAAAAAH! IT'S OVER! IT'S MOTHERFUCKING OVER! I TRIED SO HARD TO KEEP IT A SECRET BUT NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS! THE WHOLE DAMN SCHOOL KNOWS!

NO WAY CAN I GO ON LIKE THIS! I GOTTA END IT ALL! TODAY! RIGHT NOW! RIGHT THIS VERY FUCKING SECON-

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

"Sakurako. Are you in there? Please come out."

"GO AWAY, YUKI! I DON'T WANNA DEAL WITH YOU!" I yelled in absolute anger as I hid in the school's supply closet after having my secret revealed to the entire class.

"Well, at least we found her." I then heard Himawari's voice coming from the other side. Which only made me even more riled up.

"To think that she stayed in here all day…she must've been REALLY embarrassed." Hiro said.

"She even missed lunch." Sachiko added. "The only thing she likes about coming to school."

It's not the ONLY thing!

"YUKI, WHAT THE HELL?! YOU BROUGHT MY FRIENDS HERE?! HAVEN'T YOU HUMILIATED ME ENOUGH TODAY?!"

"But, Sakurako…they are only trying to help."

"She explained everything to us, Sakurako." Chinatsu added. "We really do want to help."

"SH-SHE TOLD YOU?! *whine* God, please kill me now~!"

"Sakurako…" I then heard a voice that made my entire mind and heart shatter to pieces.

N-No, no, no! I CANNOT let Akari see me like this! My will to live will only plunge even further!

"Sakurako, please…I may not fully understand what's going on with you, but seeing you all panicky and stressed isn't right. You've helped me through my own darkest moments and now I want to return the favor. So, please…come on out."

"A-Akari…"

Gah! How could I say no to HER?! My still-existent love for her will NEVER allow me to do that!

And so, after mentally fighting with myself and losing, I opened the closet door to see my cousin (still in her kitsune form) and my classmates.

Only it wasn't just them. Because I then noticed the third-years and Nishigaki were also part of the group.

I just got screwed, didn't I?

"Woah…she really DOES have fox ears!" Chitose said in amazement.

"And a tail!" Kyoko added.

"And the shrine maiden kimono…" Nishigaki said. "…Her body is so pre-pubescent that not even the smallest size can fit her. It's shocking."

"Wow, screw you too, Nishigaki." I retorted.

"This is rather bizarre…" Yui aid. "…Never did I believe that kitsune girls were actually real."

"Oh, yes. We're totally real." Yuki said. "Kitsune and humans have lived together in peaceful harmony for centuries. Helping each other throughout even the most troublesome of times."

"But aren't kitsune also responsible for screwing with humans and even killing them?" Chizuru asked.

"W-Well…yes. B-But that rarely happens nowadays. With some few exceptions."

"Exceptions like what?"

"Well…"

"Yuki, just stop. You're not making this any easier." I said with a facepalm. "Look, I'll…tell you guys all about this. But can we PLEASE do it someplace else? The thought of more people seeing me like this it too much for my mental psyche."

"You have a mental psyche?" Himawari asked. "It's usually you making OTHER people mental."

"Watch it, Boob-chan…" I retorted in a pissed-off tone.

"Well…the Student Council room wouldn't be a good place." Ayano said. "Considering that we're still super busy AND people will show up solely to see you in…THIS."

"What about the Doujin Club?" Aoi asked. "It's just me and Hiro there."

"*sigh* Sure, whatever. Let's just get this over with, nin~." I then quickly covered my mouth after realizing what just came out of my mouth.

"Nin?"

"I…I-It's nothing! Forget you heard that, nin~!" I then covered my mouth again. "Wh-What the hell?!"

"Aw~…it looks like your kitsune powers gave you a new sentence-ender." Yuki said. "It fits you so cutely, Sakurako."

"GAAAAAAAAAAH! My dignity just keeps fucking dying, nin~!"

"Although, the swearing doesn't really work with it."

"Kitsune-san…you're not really helping." Akari said with a sweatdrop.

And so…we as a group went to the Doujin Clubroom to get some privacy and to…get away from the rest of the school. Making sure nobody else saw me was the reason why I stayed in the closet the whole day.

I even missed lunch. I could eat a whole chicken right about now…

N…Not because I'm a fox girl! I just really like meat, okay?!

"So…from what your cousin's told us…your family is bounded with kitsune spirits?" Ayano asked me.

"*sigh* Yeah…it's been that way for generations. With every so often, a girl in our family gets reincarnated with the blood of the Kitsune Queen."

"AKA…our great great great great grandmother."

"S-Seriously?!" Everyone yelled in total shock.

"Long ago…our great great great great grandmother, one of the first-ever kitsune to be documented, met and fell in love with a boy while disguised as a shrine maiden." Yuki said. "Before they married, she revealed to her lover that she was a kitsune. And was next in line for the throne.

Despite knowing that, her lover still loved her. And the two married without any incident. It was one of the first marriages between human and yōkai."

"That actually succeeded." I added. Which resulted in Yuki elbowing me in the waist.

"What? You know it's true. Kitsune marriages usually don't last long."

"But our great great great great grandmother's is a rare exception! Please don't desecrate on the union that gave us these powers!"

"But I don't WANT these powers, to begin with! Why the hell was it only me that got stuck with them?!"

"Wait, it's only you?" Himawari asked. "Nadishiko and Hanako don't have any powers?"

"It's basically a roulette wheel when it comes to these powers. Before me and Yuki, the last kitsune girl was our great-aunt in the 60s."

"W-Wow…that's a huge gap." Akari said in amazement.

"And so, long story short…the powers ended up getting passed onto me. And for the past week or so, I've been trying SO hard to hide it. But then Yuki here managed to ruin all of my efforts in a single morning…"

"But this is a gift from our great great great great grandmother, Sakurako." Yuki said. "You should be more grateful that you got it."

"But like I said…I DON'T WANT IT!"

"Why wouldn't you want this power, Sakurako?" Sachiko asked. "I think it's pretty cool that you're part-kitsune."

"Plus, you look soooo cute as a little fox girl."

"Cool? Cute? Look at me! I look like something out of GeGeGe no Kitaro!"

"It could be worse." Nishigaki said. "You could've been an out-of-control monster that kills and eats everyone."

"B-But that's…" I then went dead silent. Wanting to end this conversation/confession already before it got…depressing.

There's no way I can tell them that. No way in hell. They'll be less understanding if I did…

"*sigh* Look, I just want this embarrassing-as-hell day to end already. Just tell me how to put the ears and tail away, Yuki."

"Oh, right." Yuki then dug into her schoolbag and took out, I kid you not, a collar. With a kamifuda that had the kanji for "kitsune" attached on the side. "Just wear this and you'll be able to switch between human and kitsune at any time."

"Wh-Why is it a collar, though?! I'll look like a freaking dog!"

"Better a dog than a fox girl." Chinatsu said.

"B-But…*sigh* fine. Give me the damn thing."

I took the kamifuda collar and placed it around my neck. Soon after, the ears and tail disappeared. And the kimono changed back into my school uniform.

"So, you really can change between the two…" Yui said in amazement.

"Ugh! What a day…I just wanna go home and suffocate myself."

"Cheer up, Sakurako." Ayano said. "Tomorrow, we'll make it clear that you don't want to be bothered with these powers and everyone will leave you alone."

"Ha. Fat chance. These are the same people who laughed at Akari for losing an eye. No doubt in my mind that they'll do the same to me. And when they do, they'll pay with their damn worthless lives."

"Y-You're THEATENING them?!" Himawari asked in shock.

"Not a threat. A promise. Something I should've made a long time ago."

And without any context to what I just said, I grabbed my schoolbag and made my out of the room. Just completely done with this entire day.

And…if this keeps up…

No! No way! I'm not gonna think of that crap again! I promised her greatly that I wouldn't make the same mistakes I made in elementary school!

Sakurako Ohmuro WON'T be a damn pushover again!


Kyoko's POV

Wow…never would've thought that Sakurako would be a kitsune girl. It kinda doesn't fit her…

*sigh* Good thing I never told her that. Pretty sure she still hates me for what happened to Akari…

Shortly after Sakurako left while making that questionable threat, the rest of us decided to follow suit. Although, I went by myself. Mom won't be home for dinner so I have to stop at the store and get my own. It's a common thing…since her job often requires her to work late.

But on the bright side, it means I get to eat Rum Raisin before bed! Woohoo!

"Okay…I got cup ramen, bottle of soda, my precious Rum Raisin…" I said as I was now walking home after leaving the store. "…This should be enough for me. And to not have either Mom or Yui nag about eating healthy is the BEST."

*RINGTONE CHIME*

"Aw, geez…guess I spoke too soon." I then grabbed my phone from my schoolbag. "Hello?"

Now…what I was expecting was to hear my mom on the other end reminding me to eat a proper dinner.

"I'VE~…FOUND~…YOU~!"

Instead, what I did hear was worse than that. WAY worse.

"Wh-Wha…H-How?! I-I BLOCKED you from everything!" I yelled while stuttering in pure fear.

"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE ME, KYOKO~! I'LL ALWAYS BE IN YOUR LIFE~! AND SOON~…I'LL BE THERE TO END YOURS~! BETTER WATCH YOUR BACK…DEAR DAUGHTER~. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA~!"

The phone call suddenly ended after that laugh. But no way in hell did I find that funny. I was shaking in fear, my face was pale, and I…may or may not have wet myself during the call.

No way…no way, no way, no way, no way, NO WAY! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!

While still in a mental panic, I dialed the phone to call my mom. And said to her in maxed-out fear:

"M-Mom…h-he's back! H-He found us! H-HE'S COMING TO KILL US!"

Author's Note: Thanks to the surprise reunion with her cousin, Sakurako's family secret (that she isn't too fond of) has been revealed to her entire class. Quite possibly the entire school.

Meanwhile, an evil threat from Kyoko's past is back to haunt her once more. How will she handle it after originally believing that it was gone forever?

This was a chapter that I've been wanting to write for a while. With the idea of Sakurako being part kitsune being in my mind for even longer than that. As in…it was going to be in her own story back when the series was just multiple stories, but I never got that far.

Anyway…next chapter begins the rewrite of Kyoko's Shattered Heart. The story that…more or less…started the Inner Struggles series in the first place.

Thanks for reading. Later.