Well it's time to get onto the next installment of the story, I know that each update is slow and there's a number of factors as to why, but I will try to pick up the pace, I'm glad though that my work is continuing to be liked and I'm looking to make the best narrative I can as I push onward

With that time to get to!

Fate/Toaru belongs to Nasu and Kamachi respectively, LETS GO!

Chapter 5: Back to Back Madness

As the sprawling night wakes over the Japanese archipelago, the florescent lights of the city of science shone within the interior of its walls. Because of curfew laws all students and staff were required to be indoors by the late hours with only the sound of passing cleaning drones moving about the streets.

Within one of the many high rises, specifically a trio of dormitory apartment skyscrapers was the young unfortunate youth Touma Kamijou, but he was not alone, next him sitting upon the edge of his bed was a very foxy maiden.

"Ten years…" Touma uttered as he was thinking.

"…ten years had passed since we last saw each other, eh Tama?"

The beautiful fox girl gave a small smile as her large fluffy tail swayed back and forth, her fuzzy ears occasionally twitching.

"It really has been that long hasn't it, Touma." She replied gently.

"Honestly, through my tenure here in Academy City I sometimes thought I would never see you again." Touma dipped his head down as a myriad of thoughts flashed in his brain. "And yet, here you are."

"I ended up finding you, just as promised, you have no idea how happy I am." Tamamo said.

"Trust me the feeling is mutual…" The past decade Touma always wondered how a reunion would play out between them.

"…I never thought I would see you here of all places though."

Tamamo began to go to into thought, questions were flowing through her mind about her friend's new living arrangement. "What exactly is this place?"

"Academy City." Touma began to explain. "It's the most advanced city in the world ahead by twenty years, it's dedicated to the pursuit of science, in fact it's the central hub of scientific achievement."

"Humanity really has come far since the early days." Tamamo expressed interest. "There's no longer a need for gods."

Touma thought about that statement. The mention of gods in a society that is solely secular was odd to him but not to the degree it would have been considering who was next to him, not that Tamamo was a god anyway in his mind.

"As much as I'm happy to see you again Tama,

as much as I don't want it you can't be here,

a mystical being such as yourself is at risk in a city that denounces an existence like yours."

Instantly Tamamo's tail fluff began to frizz as a stern look crossed her face. Touma thought she was absolutely beautiful regardless of the expression but this one scared him.

"So that's it…"

Tamamo began to stand up right from her spot n the bed.

Touma followed suit to try and ease her but she faced him in a quick motion and began to march up on him causing him to back up.

"…I haven't seen you for ten long agonizing years.

Years spent ALONE with bipolar thoughts of whether you were still alive, or burnt to ash,

and you tell ME after I had just journeyed from my only sanctuary and found you at last,

TO JUST LEAVE?"

Touma found himself pinned back first, he was firm against the wall as his foxy companion poked her finger at his chest with authority befitting a Royal who had been greatly offended.

"Tama calm down, you got it all wrong!

I don't want you to go again, but you picked a helluva place to stay- this is Academy City, a city of advanced science, I can't imagine what would happen if your nature was found out ..."

Slowly, he put his hand to the one poking at him and held it gently, moving it aside, his expression drifting from nervous to one of apt concern and a little affection as he placed his left hand to her right shoulder.

"…I don't want to see you be put in danger again

especially here of all places, Tama I'm scared."

Tamamo's initial expression began to soften from the annoyance and slight anger, for a softer and gentler one as she placed her own hand on the one holding her shoulder.

"Touma I don't want to leave you…not again…I understand your concern because I feel the exact same way. I had thought many times that you had perished, but I had still held onto a modicum of hope that maybe, just maybe you were still alive."

As she spoke, small tears were streaming down her face, a whole decade of built up emotion finally let out as the dam finally broke from the many cracks built over that span of time.

All Touma could do was just embrace her, let her cry into her shoulder, petting her head to assure her it's gonna be just fine.

"I'm not going anywhere." She sniffles. "I'm staying with you, I won't take no for an answer."

"But you're not supposed to be here you're not even registered-" Touma was cut off immediately.

"I'll figure something out, I may be fragile but I'm far from stupid." Tamamo replied adamantly.

"I never said you were." Touma replied solemnly.

The two remained silent within each other's warmth, neither side really knew what else to say in this situation. For as heartwarming as it was to reunite with a precious someone, one problem comes up to tear them apart once more.

"You're really adamant about staying with me are you…"

Tamamo in her sniffling opened her tear stained eyes upon hearing her spiky friend break the proverbial silence.

She slowly backed up, still keeping her arms somewhat wrapped around Touma as she looked at a very gentle smile.

"…it really doesn't seem like I'll be able to change your mind, you seem of the stubborn sort, and honestly that's me as well."

Touma took his right hand and gently placed it over Tamamo's head gently to pet her, she closed her eyes as she took in the gentle sensation, her tail wagging back and forth in a sway like a lily.

Opening her eyes again, she once more gazed at his honest smile, yet there's still traces of pain from the past and it seemed there were fresh inner wounds as well.

While Tamamo was alarmed she kept it in and just enjoyed the moment, delighting in this show of affection.

"Alright Tama, you win." Touma conceded.

"Huh?" Tamamo responded by cocking her head to the side.

"Hehehehe, you get to stay with me, for as long as you like so long as there's a solution to be found."

Hearing those words Tamamo's tail went stiff. The fur was frizzing out of sheer joy, once more the fox maiden began to cry, but they weren't tears of sorrow…

…no these were tears of happiness at the idea of being accepted into someone's life once again.

"Oh Tama don't cry." Said Touma as he wiped a tear from her face.

"M-M-M-Mikooooooon." Was all Tamamo could say before she pounced.

She latched onto Touma, who was surprised by the sudden action but laughed a very wholesome laugh as he embraced his childhood friend, lost but once more found.

Night continued on till it began to turn towards the colors of dawn.

Within a certain apartment complex, Touma Kamijou was soundly asleep in his bed, undisturbed and quiet. As soon as the golden rays of light from the ever present yet distant Sol began to shine through his closed eyes.

Ever slightly he stirred awake, blinking the blurriness from his vision.

'Morning…

…time to get through another day, hopefully my luck won't interfere too much…

…ah who am I kidding, it always does.'

Lifting himself up off his pillow only a little, he registered in a few moments that he wasn't alone in his bed, shaking the last vestiges of sleep from his eyes he looked to his side, needless to say he was stunned.

'I thought our reunion was just a dream.'

To say that Touma was surprised to see his childhood friend again was an understatement. Far from it in fact, he was utterly elated.

Thing was, he was always an unfortunate human being, he had the lingering feeling that what had happened last night was nothing more but a cruel dream, one born from his everlasting want to see Tamamo again, that she was ok.

And yet…

…here she was

She was laying on her side of the bed, a peaceful sleeping look on her face, her beautiful bubblegum locks spreading out like bright streamers.

Touma's eyes traveled from her face to her body, he soon remembered what had transpired in their meetup and needless to say his face went bright red.

It didn't help that she was wearing one of his pajamas which actually hugged her figure quite well. The only thing was, her top was not buttoned up all the way, leaving some generous cleavage.

'Don't stare, don't stare, don't stare…' Touma mantras to himself.

Slowly but surely, Tamamo stirred from her slumber. The sunlight shining into her eyes as they opened. Touma was honestly transfixed in that moment because it looked like the light of her eyes matched the rays of the sun.

"Good morning Touma." She said sweetly.

"G-Good morning Tama." Touma just barely let out.

Tamamo giggled at how tongue tied he was a bit, she knew she had that charm to her. It was funny and heartwarming to see someone she was close with have the reaction he did though, it made her happy.

"Well." Touma started as he clears his throat. "I should get started on breakfast."

"Let me!

I can cook and make a fantastic breakfast."

Touma was shocked, needless to say, he always independently cooked by himself, but now here was this bombshell of a girl offering to cook for him? Was his luck starting to turn around…

…ok that last line of thought was pushing it.

Touma's ears were hit with the sound of humming as he turned to face his kitchen. He hadn't even seen her move moments ago indicating how deep in thought he was.

Tamamo had already dawned an apron over her pajamas and was just in the midst of cracking a few eggs.

"You don't have a lot to work with from what I'm looking at, but I'm certain I can make something work." Tamamo said.

"I've always lived under a tight budget thanks to my low stipend. The only other source of income is the money my parents send me every month."

Tamamo had a look of pity on her face, she herself had never been forced to live so frugally in life, but that didn't mean she didn't have sympathy for her one and only trusted friend.

"Why don't you take a job to earn more income?"

Touma scratched the back of his head as he thought about it.

"I have played around with that idea, I really have, but I don't think I'll be able to keep a simple job even if it can help me pay the bills easier."

"Wait, why wouldn't you…"

Before she could say further, it quickly dawned on her, the answer was simple. His luck. Too many times she had seen how bad it can get before, so really it wouldn't be too far fetched to think Touma's abysmal luck would prevent him from getting much less holding a simple job.

"…oh, I see."

Touma held his right arm awkwardly as silence reigned supreme within the room. Neither side said anything really as the sounds of eggs cooking and cracking over the stove pot were heard.

Finally Touma broke that silence.

"Tama I…"

"I know what you're going to say." Tamamo quickly cut in.

"Huh?" Touma cocked his head in confusion

"I thought we talked about this, you agreed that I can stay right? That we can make something work, right? I already told you I don't care, you helped me, I'm going to help you, Touma I care for you, I'm willing to do what it takes to ensure comfortable living, for BOTH OF US."

Touma didn't know what to say, the fact that she made such a declaration rendered him speechless.

"Go take a seat, breakfast will be ready soon."

Nodding Touma took his place at the table. He didn't really have much thought about today since his mind was still taking in the fact that a long lost friend was right here in front of him, cooking in his kitchen.

"By the way, Touma."

Hearing her suddenly address him snapped him out of his head immediately.

"Uh yeah?"

"You looked at my boobs~." Tamamo said playfully as she spun around and covered her chest with her arms while having a mischievous grin.

"PFFT!! I did not!" Touma quickly denied.

Snickering, Tamamo refocused back on the breakfast she was preparing feeling real smug about her teasing.

In fact she was well aware of where Touma was staring despite not opening her eyes at the time, so she picked her moment perfectly to get him while he was distracted.

"Sigh…so tell me Tama." Touma asked. "When did you learn how to cook?

I remember you helping my mom years ago but I'd have thought that was it."

"You can call it a natural talent.

I actually wish to be a good wife someday." Tamamo said.

"A good wife?"

"Mhm, that's what I want to be…

…it's something I find I can be happy with."

Touma could only ponder the words she said in earnest.

Wishing to be a good wife? In an era where the option to do so much more was in one's hands.

Tamamo certainly has quite a traditional mindset for someone who was his age, not that he actually knew how old the girl before him truly was right now.

A truth he would be ignorant of for some time.

"I hope you're very hungry,

it's a basic breakfast I could fix up with what you have in stock, we really need to fill your fridge."

Touma looked at the spread laid out on the table.

Steamed rice, miso soup, grilled fish and pickles, natto, tamagoyaki and some nori. A very simple breakfast but it smelled so good.

"Well this Kamijou is sorry for being poor and frugal.

But this is a really well made breakfast Tama." Touma praised.

"You have nothing to apologize for, I can't wait till you take your first bite."

The bleeding scent of dishes in front of him flowing through his nostrils very smoothly.

The rumble of his stomach approving and wishing to feast to the fullest.

He did not even notice his mouth watering which made his foxy companion giggle, snapping him out of it.

Once Tamamo took her seat both clapped their hands together giving grace to this meal.

"Thank you for the food!"

Slowly, Touma had taken some of the fish and upon tasting it he felt an explosion of flavor and texture. This was the best thing he had ever tasted in years.

Tamamo could only watch from her side of the table as Touma's manners went from simple and disciplined, to nearly piggish as he bit into every bite.

"Touma slow down you'll choke." She said laughing but also a little worried.

"Sorry, it's just that this is fantastic!

You really know your way around the kitchen Tama."

Hearing that made her beam, she always took pride in ensuring that her skills in the home remained top notch.

Upon finishing Touma suggested that after he got out of school.

Assuming he didn't end up in remedial class again, they could go shopping together so Tamamo could have non magical clothing to avoid the risk of his right hand.

Happily, she accepted the offer.

Come late afternoon Touma considers it to be a moment where he was actually…

…lucky.

He went to school after getting ready and bidding Tamamo goodbye and he actually made it on time much to the shock of his class.

Of course, this made everyone wild in the head thinking the end of the world was nigh, or something big was going to happen within the school or the whole city.

He of course tuned it all out, but it was not long till he was dragged into another round of the infamous Delta Force banter with his degenerate friends Pierce Aogami and Motoharu Tsuchimikado.

"Hey Kami what's got you all quiet?" The sunglasses wearing blonde said.

"I bet he has another girl in his mind." Aogami accused.

"It's always another girl,

Kami disease is spreading like wildfire and there's no stopping it!"

"Tsuchimikado!" Touma yelled, breaking his silence.

"How many times do I have to say Kami disease does NOT exist."

"Kami, Kami, Kami.

You can say and deny all you want but the evidence is clear."

The blatant idiotic accusations of his degenerate friends heated to the point that all three boys started brawling. Now this was so frequent that it was basically another day to the rest of the class, a sort of unofficial class tradition.

A tradition that was topped off by all three boys getting laid out by their stand in class representative Seirei Fukiyose.

Class began despite the episode that took place as the child sized pinkett teacher, Tsukiyomi Komoe stepped in unfazed.

Miraculously, Touma did not have to stay back for remedial classes in part because Komoe had to attend urgent business, that of course wasn't to say that the work required of him the following day would not get any lighter.

"I can't shake the feeling that things are gonna get crazy soon, I've never normally had this much luck, first being in time for class and now avoiding remedial? Something is definitely building up." Touma muttered to himself

When he got back to his apartment room he saw Tamamo sitting on the couch flipping through different channels.

Ultimately she decided to indulge in a magical girl anime when she saw Touma return.

"Welcome home Touma.

While you were out I thought I'd touch up the place a little."

"Wow it looks cleaner then I've attempted to make it." Touma commented as he looked at how spotless everything was. "You didn't have to."

"But I wanted to." Tamamo replied.

Touma only chuckled as he decided to make good on taking her shopping to which she was happy to oblige.

"Oh and Touma before we go."

Touma raised an eyebrow as Tamamo had a very inquisitive expression on her face.

"Do you mind explaining these."

As Tamamo said that she pulled out several magazines depicting various beautiful women, from supermodels to actresses to which Touma immediately sputtered at.

"Found these under your pillow, you dirty boy. Well it's not like you'll need these anymore when you have someone like me around." Tamamo said as she went to dispose of the contents.

The walk to the underground shopping center within District 7 was uneventful.

Touma and Tamamo, who had hidden away her foxy nature and managed to remanifest her spring mystic code, chatted and took the much needed time to catch up, sharing each other's experiences in the decade span they were apart.

Needless to say Touma would recount everything to her

Tamamo was a trusted confidant for him, yet she was wigging out as more then once Touma had been close to certain death.

Touma managed to calm her, but she was all the more willing to protect him as much as she could.

"You truly are the most unlucky man in existence." Tamamo said as she recounted the stories she was told.

"Oh don't remind me…" Touma lamented.

"Relax, today is gonna be a good day, I can feel it." Tamamo expressed with confidence.

Touma on the other hand copy only laugh in hesitancy as he knew that's not how things worked for him.

As they made it to the Underground Mall, it was bustling with students and the occasional staff. Tamamo looked around in curiosity at the various shops and goods lined along each side.

"Alright I think this clothing store should do." Touma proclaimed breaking Tamamo out of her head.

"It's a reasonably affordable place and wow they are holding sales."

"Sounds like today is a lucky day." Tamamo responded.

Touma felt his spine shiver hearing that, today was actually the luckiest day he'd had thus far this month, which only meant one thing…

"Touma come on!"

Having heard Tamamo shout for him broke him from his thoughts.

"You want me to go in there? But I told you how to use my card and everything." Touma countered as he tried his hand to avoid a girl's clothing store.

"You did buuut I need you so I can model." She said with excitement.

'HUUUUH!??? She's modeling for me!?' The strangely fortunate teen shouted in his mind.

Now he was sure about his suspicions.

Gulping, he followed Tamamo into the store as she browsed the collection of clothes: from tank tops to bras, skirts, panties of many different designs.

Touma stood by her feeling nervous, he swore he could hear whispering from the various girls around them.

"Are you seeing this girl?"

"Wow she's gorgeous who is she?"

"Is that her boyfriend? He looks so plain."

That last comment made his head dip a bit but he suddenly heard Tamamo speak.

"You're not plain Touma."

"How did you…

…oh yeah. Fox."

"Mhmhmhmhm." Snickered Tamamo. "Well I think I have my selection, get ready."

Steeling his nerves he followed Tamamo as she slid behind the changing curtains. He felt his heart thumping as tried to kill his overactive imagination.

'Breath, breath, keep your cool.' He said in a mental mantra.

Not a moment later Tamamo would open the curtain and he would be met with a breath hitching sight.

There was Tamamo in a very mature lingerie of a maroon color, it looked to have some intricate designs along its edges and hugged her waist and chest perfectly.

Touma was completely caught in a state of frozen awe, his face red as a tomato.

This made Tamamo giggle as she hit various model poses in a graceful manner just enjoying the look on her friend's face.

"Sooo what do you think?"

"Huh? Oh!

You l-look, incredible." He stuttered a bit.

"Well here comes the next one."

Closing the curtain again, Touma finally released the breath he was holding. He shook his head to clear his mind and prepared for the next one, this time he would be ready.

"Here we go!" Tamamo quipped as the curtain was opened once more.

Needless to say, Touma found himself going from stern yet nervous to a look of, not shock but admiration.

What Tamamo was wearing was very much a slightly conservative yet very cute outfit.

She wore a pure white crop top shirt that exposed midriff that hugged her upper frame well, a V-neck at her front collar area which gave a generous window but wasn't over exposed along with a thin pink overcoat.

She wore a very decorative black pleated skirt that stopped at her knees. Circulating and running diagonal around the skirt were various floral patterns along vines, any leaves were tipped with little gem-like studs of varying colors.

Black leggings running from her feet to her lower knee and she wore on her feet were a pair of black leather buckled shoes.

"Wow." Was all Touma could utter.

"Well I'm glad you like it." Tamamo said happily.

Upon purchasing and changing into the clothes, the duo decided to take the rest of the day to explore as much of the city as they can.

Their little tour would last till nightfall, their last stop before turning in for the night was a diner called Joseph's.

"I haven't had this much fun since we were little." Tamamo said.

Touma smiled at the fact that he got to make his best friend happy, it warmed his heart.

"I'm so happy you're back Tama,

I missed you very much."

Tamamo looked at Touma with a sweet smile on her face as she hugged him, now not having to worry about getting stripped out of the blue because her mystic codes were magically crafted clothing.

Touma returned the hug and can only relish the fact that she's as warm as always.

"I'm glad to be back with you." Tamamo said in a manner that sounded like she wanted to cry.

Next thing Touma knew Tamamo pulled back just a bit till he was face to face with her, then before he knew it she gave him a light kiss on the tip of his nose.

'AGH!?'

His mind blanked and he just looked at Tamamo who was a little pink in cheeks, Touma was making all manner of noises just trying to form a coherent sentence which only made his friend laugh.

"Come on, let's go inside."

Nodding, Touma just followed behind her still processing what had just happened…

…yet deep in the recesses of his mind he couldn't shake that eerie feeling.

As they entered the diner Tamamo told Touma she was gonna use the bathroom and he should just get a table and wait.

Now as Tamamo left for the women's bathroom Touma looked in front of him and immediately saw a peculiar sight.

Up ahead in a booth was a chestnut haired middle school girl being hit on by a thuggish looking older guy.

Now whether it was out of pure idiocy, or a sense of heroism, or maybe even both Touma would try to help the girl being harassed but in his mind this was not that.

This…

…was a different matter.

'Oh no it's her, I should diffuse this quickly before it becomes too much.'

Meanwhile, Tamamo had just finished up in the bathroom, a quick wash of hands, a dry off and she was gonna meet Touma at a table he picked out in the dining area.

Upon stepping out and looking around she saw no one at all.

"Touma?"

She would do a walk around to find Touma only to turn up with nothing and she knows he would not just abandon her out of the blue, it didn't take much thought to come up with the most likely scenario.

"He's in trouble isn't he…"

Quickly walking out of the diner into the city night, she quickly looked around and called out to Touma at least two times before concluding he was not in the general area.

"Welp."

Closing her eyes and sniffing the air, she immediately caught a scent and the direction it was coming from.

'Alright Touma time for me to save your sorry butt from whatever you got yourself into.'

And just like that at inhuman speed she sprints in the direction of Touma's scent.

XXX

He knew it…

…he had a feeling all day and he fucking knew it!

The whole day has been a string of good luck and now his misfortune has come back around to collect its due.

Here he was, running in the dead of night in the city of science from a bunch of street thugs.

'It's times like these why I even bother!!'

Just a few minutes ago at the diner he was looking to de-escalate a situation between a thug and a girl he had the displeasure of running into almost on a daily basis and he nearly got jumped by a possy.

Not only that but he straight up left Tamamo unaware back at the diner.

To make things more upside down, he was trying to save this gang of delinquents from the middle schooler they were harassing.

Bolting through the streets he finally found himself caught in the middle of a metal bridge.

"What was that about?"

Turning around to face the source of the voice was the very epicenter of the trouble that had erupted earlier.

XXX

Tamamo sped like a whirl of wind across the streets of the city.

Touma's sense was growing stronger so she knew she was closing in, but before she could quicken her pace she stopped abruptly to an unexpected sight.

Before her were a bunch of burned and electrified delinquents sprawled out on the ground before her feet.

'If I'm to garner a guess, whoever did this can wield electricity at high potency.'

After her brief analysis she sped off again to reach Touma.

Thanks to having his scent imprinted on her, she was able to track the same path he took and she heard a boom not too far away like a roar of thunder.

Quickening her pace, her eyes sharpened into a stoic predator-like gaze.

XXX

Touma had been nearly hit with what this bug zapper of a girl called a railgun. Though it was more like she didn't try to aim at him, instead she shot just to his left as if to make a point, and the scar in the concrete was a clear one indeed.

However, the spiky teen made a comment that triggered her and she charged up to send an electric blast this time aimed at him at one billion volts, such a high rate would normally fry someone to ashes and yet…

SHATTER!!

The sound of breaking glass rung out, the electricity was completely dispelled as if it never existed as the right hand of the object of her annoyance was up where it hit.

What happened next was rather quick in sequence.

Touma seemed to have mocked her which pissed her off to no end, in response she pooled her esper power into storm clouds forming overhead and in a literal flash a bolt of lightning would come down to fry the annoying high school boy.

But that didn't happen—

—Touma would have very much put his hand up to block the lightning.

Instead, almost instantaneously the moment the bolt came down to cast its judgment, an object flew right between himself and the strike and it was spinning rapidly making the electricity disperse throughout the metal portion of the bridge.

Both Touma and the electric tempered esper were stunned and before the latter could register what she was looking at, her senses kicked in to signify danger behind her and she spun around to see what it was—

—itwould be too late to react however.

'Huh?'

Turning around she was immediately blindsided by a speeding object, or rather a person.

Adrenaline shot through her from sudden shock that time looked like it slowed down just enough for her to catch some features in a 3 second interval.

'Pink locks…'

3…

'Golden brown glowing eyes with a predator look…'

2…

'A fist chambered back tight…'

1…

BAM!!

Almost immediately, as things sped back up the bug zapper found herself at the mercy of a huge missile right hook that would impress a certain spiky boy on the sidelines square in her face.

Now, Tamamo wasn't the type to be a striker as she was not particularly physically strong, but what she did have was her superior speed which made her strikes hurt just as much. The electric esper was careening back through the air and onto the concrete below where she lay still.

A couple of seconds later, Tamamo let out a controlled breath as she stood straight once more.

"You didn't have to do that Tama." Touma said still digesting what he just saw.

"SHE tried to hurt you Touma, but I will tell you now as long as I'm near you any stupid person will have to answer to ME."

"Can we at least get her to a hospital? Looks like you really floored her." Touma suggested.

Tamamo was inclined to agree given that she just pounded the face of one of the students of this city, but immediately felt an incoming presence to which she grabbed Touma much to his protest and bolted off the bridge.

Once they were out of sight, a tawny pig tailed girl about a year younger than the one strewn out on the ground had appeared out of nowhere landing right next to her limp form.

"MILADY!!" The teleport screamed as she immediately started shaking what seemed to be her friend.

A slight groan was heard from the downed older girl and she woke up to blurry vision and dizziness.

"Wha…Kuro-ko?"

"Milady, wake up!"

The pig tailed Kuroko helped her sissy as she called her sit up as her vision began to clear.

"Kuroko? What are you doing here?"

"That's what I want to ask you!

You were out past curfew and I got worried so I've been looking all over for you,

AND WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR NOSE IT'S BROKEN!!

YOU GOT INTO A FIGHT AGAIN DIDN'T YOU!?"

"What?" She placed her hand at her nose and immediately reeled back from pain, on top of that she saw stains of blood on her fingers from where she touched.

"How—?"

As she was about to ask, a flash of quick memories went through her head and it slowly dawned on her what had transpired.

"Milady?" Kuroko called to her as she saw her friend's face contort in anger with electricity buzzing around her so slightly yet it was clear as day what was present.

Great rage.

The following morning was unreasonably hot.

Apparently the electric tirade of that middle school girl, coupled with the blocking and dispersing of lightning by said girl and Tamamo, electrical equipment across District 7 was down temporarily across the board till the circuits were fixed.

With the lack of electricity very much means no air conditioning within a certain apartment, a fact that was very evident when Touma and Tamamo woke up sweating.

"Blegh." Tamamo uttered as she began to unbutton her blouse, making Touma immediately panic.

"Calm down you good I'm wearing one of my bras,

though if you want me to take that off~."

Hearing that made Touma cover his nose to avoid a bleed out.

"Hehehe." She laughed.

"Well since today there is no air conditioning

may as well air out the futon on the balcony, care to lend a hand?" Touma offered.

"Of course."

Taking the Futon and bringing it to the balcony they were met with what might be the strangest sight yet.

"Hey that's weird, I don't remember already putting one out to hang." Touma said, confused.

"Idiot, that's not a futon that's a nun." Tamamo corrected.

"Wait what!?"

The two were slightly on edge as flashbacks to a decade ago to that horrible day came through their minds.

"She's just a little girl, at least 14." Tamamo deduced as she quickly put a shirt on to not look indecent in front of a young cloth member, even if she did have a low opinion of churches.

Suddenly the nun began to stir, silver hair framing her shoulders as her eyes opened to reveal a gleaming emerald.

"Hungry."

"Huh?" Mouthed the occupants.

"I'm really hungry, please feed me." Said the young nun innocently.

"What should we do?" Tamamo asked.

"We can't just leave her like this, let's bring her inside." Touma suggested.

Nodding, the pair hoisted the little silver nun up onto the safety of the balcony and ushered her inside.

Not long after Index was chowing down on a spoiled salad since the refrigerator was down, much to the disgust of the duo that had taken her in.

"Uh…might we get your name?" Tamamo asked the new strange guest.

"Index." She said cheerfully.

"Index?" Touma parroted questioningly.

"It's short for Index Librorum Prohibitorum." Index explained.

"List of Prohibited Books?" Tamamo translated inquisitively.

"Yes you're exactly right."

"That sounds more like a title than a name." Touma added.

The following conversation mainly centered on questions of Index's origins: where she came from, how she got to Japan and Academy City.

"So you're being chased?" Tamamo said.

"Yes, some very bad magicians are after me…

…wait, you both are very non-skeptical of the things I'm telling you." Index said in suspicion.

"We actually know about magic Index, especially the gal next to me." Touma said as he gently petted her head making her lean comfortably on his shoulder.

"I think I can see why. Tamamo was it? You're a witch aren't you?"

"Picked up pretty quick, but I'll tell you now I don't have a magic name and I don't really need one, but I'm guessing you yourself have one."

Index nodded and answered.

"Dedicatus545."

"The dedicated lamb protects the knowledge of the strong." Tamamo replied. "Are you able to perform magic yourself?"

"No, I don't have any magic whatsoever." Index said in an almost disappointed tone.

'She's lying, or maybe she doesn't know her mana is sealed for some reason,

there's something about her that is making my tail frizz if it was ever visible.'

"So why are these magicians after you?" Touma said, finally asking the big questions.

"Well I'm the holder of 103,000 magical grimoires."

Touma looked around but didn't see any books to speak of.

"They're all in her head, every text is within her memory, Index I'm guessing you have perfect memory?" Tamamo replied.

"You're very observant and yes that is the case."

"Is there anything we can do to help you?" Touma offered.

"No, I really should get going to the nearest church, I don't want to impose on you anymore then I've already done."

Having said that, Tamamo immediately stood up and walked over to Index.

"You seem like a good girl and I'm not gonna let you fend for yourself,

so I'm coming with you."

"I don't want to drag you or your friend into Hell with me." Index responded.

"Trust me Hell can't touch me." Tamamo said confidently.

"I'm coming." Touma immediately spoke.

"No Touma, you stay here, we don't know what we're dealing with and you mainly have your hand, I can take care of myself."

Touma was hesitant to let her go off Index alone but he trusted her greatly so he relented this time.

Tamamo walked up to him and whispered in his ear, he was surprised at first but then nodded understanding what was being said.

"I'll be back soon once I know Index is in safe hands."

Once they left the apartment complex Tamamo was immediately on the alert, she can detect vast swaths of mana in one direction and a decent amount in the other.

'So they're here, they must've been watching us for a bit.'

"Come on Index I'm gonna make a quick stop somewhere before we move on, stay close." She instructs the nun.

Nodding, the silver sister followed close behind her escort.

As they moved Tamamo felt the greater mana presence following them, but the other was staying behind.

'Likely to keep an eye on Touma.'

As the pair moved Tamamo began discreetly laying out various talismans around the surrounding areas where they walked.

Once they stopped, Tamamo ushered Index to an alleyway to the young girl's confusion.

"Index, do you trust me?" She said gently.

Index thought about it for a moment before nodding. Right then and there Tamamo immediately let go of her true self, to which Index's eyes widened.

"Before you say anything, all I ask is that you stay still. This will take a bit of time."

Nervous Index asked why.

"I can sense a curse in you."

Hearing that made Index freeze up a little.

"Just relax, I'm going to attempt to remove it."

Index obeyed and kept still as Tamamo began to make low chants as mana pooled to her hand through a talisman.

Not a moment later, the great yokai halted her efforts early and pushed Index out of the way as her other arm shot upwards and over her head formed her primary weapon.

The Eight Folds Blessings Mirror of Amaterasu.

The mirror immediately shielded her from an oncoming strike from a long katana like blade, a nodachi.

"Index! Go back to Touma! Run now!" She ordered as the surprised nun quickly stood up and bolted away back to the apartment high rises.

'Hopefully Touma followed my instructions.'

Moving away from her thoughts, she turned to face the assailant standing before her, weapon drawn and trained directly at her direction.

"I'm guessing you're one of the magicians chasing that little nun?"

The woman before her spoke not a word back, she was of a look that was a mixture of caution, surprise and curiosity.

"Never seen a fox before?

Judging by the vast amounts of mana exuding from you I can guess you're a powerful foe…"

Narrowing her eyes Tamamo examined the swordswoman before her who's clothes could be best fit for a call girl.

"…oh yes, I can sense it in you, a stigma I believe, that makes you a saint."

The sword wielder tensed, this creature was analytical no doubt.

"I am Kaori Kanzaki of the English Puritan Church,

tell me, what is a fox spirit doing in this unholy city?

Do you seek the library yourself?" Said Kanzaki

Tamamo sneered.

"The reason I'm here is none of your business,

and I must say for a saint of a church organization you dress like a slut."

Kanzaki was not gonna let that insult slide, she needed to get past this fox and potentially capture it for the church to deal with—

"Nanasen."

'Steel wires and hundreds of them.'

the wires converged on Tamamo and rubble rang out in heaps around where she stood.

Kanzaki remained on guard in case she didn't actually hit her mark—

—rightfully so as a fast spinning object launched in her direction which she immediately dodged.

"Malediction, Boundless Sunshine!"

Kanzaki suddenly found herself glowing and it faded not long after, she couldn't recognize what she was hit with but had to keep her cool.

As the smoke and debris cleared, she was beset upon by Tamamo who was hitting her nonstop with her flying divine mirror to which Kanzaki had to bat away with sword strikes.

each time the mirror reared its way around Tamamo matched its movement with her body like it was an extension of herself.

Finding an opening, Kanzaki kicked Tamamo right in the abdomen, sending her a few meters back.

'Ok…bitch hits hard.

Just got to outlast her.'

As she watched Kanzaki and what her next move was, she felt the air heat up around her.

"Red Lotus Flames."

Suddenly a mass of flames encircled her and multiple explosions began to go off from the enclosed area.

"Freezing Wave!"

In response, Tamamo had the fire dispersed by a massive wave of ice that barreled its way to Kanzaki, tearing up the ground below as washed from the alley to a nearby street completely clear of people.

All throughout the engagement, if one were to pay close enough attention they would notice blurs constantly butting against each other with a bright flash in between.

Thus far, Tamamo and Kanzaki were running side by side at similar speed with either trying to hit the other with their respective weapons.

Tamamo of course was purposely avoiding Kanzaki as she was leading her to a personal minefield of elemental talismans.

The saint would find herself running over one and Tamamo would make a simple hand seal. What would follow would be an eruption of fire, clouds of sub zero ice, or holes would be made in the earth.

While Kanzaki was able to avoid the worst of these she was still taking some level of damage from the barrage of surprises.

"Crafty, very befitting of the fox's reputation." Kanzaki said monotonously, yet despite that she was getting a little frustrated.

"I hate to lose, especially to some slutty dressed saint." Tamamo responded.

Tamamo was not unharmed in the initial onslaught either as she had various cuts and bruises on her.

'While my mana reserve is very high the benefits of siphoning off a saint of all people is something that cannot be passed up.

supply on her is incredible but she will eventually fatigue should things drag.'

Meanwhile Kanzaki was of her own thoughts.

'My mana…

…feels like it's draining out of me, but why?'

After mulling it over a thought crossed her mind.

'That glow from earlier, could this be it? Judging by its nature it's some form of curse. Damn, she's basically using me as a battery charger.'

"Tell me…"

Kanzaki was snapped out of her thoughts as she heard Tamamo's voice.

…what are you and the church after chasing Index with all those grimoires in her head?"

"So you know."

"Sweet girl but she's quite the chatterbox, but I'm expecting an answer from you,

and I can drag this out all day and then some." Tamamo declared with not a hint of mischief, but cold eyes.

"To outlast me as you siphon my mana?" Kanzaki finished.

"From what I understand Saints are akin to walking magical nukes,

while my mana is nothing to sneeze at,

the fact that you're under my curse puts me with the long term advantage."

Kanzaki was in thought, yet she didn't want to humor this pagan entity of her mission, but at the same time she is seeing that this yokai had no ill will towards Index.

"You want to know why me and my partner are after Index?

Fine I'll tell you.

Index was chosen to be the holder of all 103,000 magic grimoires, thanks to her perfect memory…"

As she recounted her face was that of grimace and pain.

"…but it came with a price, as a result 80% of her brain is filled with the knowledge of the grimoires, leaving only 20% to hold any further memories…."

Tamamo listened intently to the tale being spun as she gaged the truth.

"…as a result whenever she has a year's worth of memories stored in her brain she starts to suffer, and it will only get worse unless she gets her memory wiped every year."

Kanzaki could only think back on the times she's been with Index along with her fellow church member Stiyl Magnus.

They were Index's friends and they cared deeply for her that it pained them every time to have to take treasured memories from her just so she can live.

Tamamo stayed very quiet as the story sunk in for her, she didn't say a single word.

"Well now you know, so it would be in best interest not to interfere with matters of the church Yokai, it seems you don't hold any ill will to the Index so—"

"ARE YOU STUPID!!?"

That blurt immediately cut Kanzaki off and threw her for a loop. She told this inhuman existence her story, bearing what she can in hope that an understanding can be reached and she had the nerve to call HER stupid?

"First and foremost that is NOT how brain memory works at all,

second of all the fact that the church can just fabricate such lies makes me sick! Third and final gripe is, I'm amazed a magic user of your caliber can't even notice the curse placed upon Index, likely by the same church that you work for."

"I WILL NOT HAVE YOU EVOKE SUCH LIES AND SLANDER THE PURITAN CHURCH!!" Kanzaki yelled back.

"Suuure you can keep believing these whimsical tales rather than try to take anything with at least a pinch of salt!!

But since this is a questionably dressed woman of the church carrying a huge sword talking to a pagan beast such as myself you won't listen from the get go!"

Having had enough of the lip that this beast was giving her, Kanzaki in her rage charged at Tamamo, who only responded by taking her mirror and creating copies to launch right back at the saint at high speeds.

Each projectile was blocked or deflected by the saint's martial sword skill, but this allowed Tamamo the opportunity to rush at her and send a series of snap kicks all along her upper staggering her.

Kanzaki would quickly correct her balance and swing her blade at the fox only for Tamamo to quickly duck underneath and leg sweep her opponent off her feet.

The eastern saint would be on her back for a moment until she jumps back to her feet and plants her sword into the concrete as wires sprang up this time laden with ice magic.

"Ice Serpent Fangs!"

Tamamo immediately countered with her fire talismans.

"Sakura Petal Flames!"

The clash of opposing elements created an explosion of steam around the ruined area, Tamamo relied on her heightened senses to track her opponent though Kanzaki was not a slouch either.

Just as they were about to continue their little dance of death it was interrupted by a bright flash of light way back towards the apartment high rises.

"Touma…you did it!" Tamamo shouted out towards that direction as she bolted back to him.

Kanzaki in a state of confusion and shocked horror followed closely behind.

Touma was panicked, he had just gotten out of a fight with the magician Stiyl Magnus as he linked back up with Index who ran to meet him.

They were confronted on sight and Touma led Index back to the room to keep her out of harm's way.

Needless to say, he wasn't expecting to fight against a witch killing fire demon that he only managed to put out in part of dampening the rune cards strewn across the 7th floor complex.

During it he was given the same rendition story Kanzaki would give Tamamo a few blocks away.

Once he knocked Stiyl out after that hectic battle he then proceeded to do what Tamamo had instructed him too in whisper.

He had to put his right hand…

…in Index's mouth.

Needless to say, having told her that was the only fast way they were gonna break her curse the young nun pounced on him and started biting down on his head like a piranha.

He did manage to calm her down and have her see reason but the embarrassment was present. Nonetheless she did as told albeit keeping her eyes closed as soon as that awkward exchange he managed to touch the curse shackle placed on Index and destroyed it.

What happened next was the current situation going on right before his eyes.

"Index snap out of it!!" He called out to her.

Index wasn't listening though, upon destroying the curse Index immediately exploded with power. Her voice was almost robotic as she entered John's Pen mode, a defensive mechanism that protects the library within her.

Needless to say, John's Pen zeroed in on Touma as the primary threat and started firing beams of pure magic power at him.

The only thing between himself and certain death was his right hand.

"Touma!"

Hearing the familiar voice of Tamano he slowly turns his head and faces her while keeping the beam at bay.

Kanzaki, who had just shown up, was completely stunned at the display happening before her.

"What did you do!?"

"I'd be more worried about your friend over there!" Tamamo shouted as she pointed at the downed Stiyl Magnus.

"Tama!!"

Hearing Touma scream for her, she looked in his direction to see that Index in her John's Pen mode had upped the power output to surpass the negation effect of his right hand.

The force was starting to tear at his hand signified by the bursts of blood and Tamamo was quick to act as she summoned her mirror and launched it right at the beam hitting it at an angle.

This would send the beam skyward all the way into orbit where a satellite would be in its path which led to its immediate obliteration.

"NOW TOUMA!!" Tamamo shouted.

Now free to move he dashed towards Index, stuck out his right hand and just like that John's Pen began to fail as light feathers began to fall around the area.

Touma caught Index as she fell into his arms unconscious.

"Thank goodness it's over."

Tamamo walked up to him and put a hand to shoulder signifying that he did good.

"So what do we do now?" She asked.

"We—"

Touma was cut off from answering as Tamamo yanked him out of the way of an incoming feather that, had he stayed in that spot, would have landed on him.

"what was that about?"

Tamamo kept her eyes on the falling light feathers just to be sure one was not coming down directly to them.

"Those feathers, they're deadly

I'd rather not be under them as they fall around here." She explained.

Nodding, Touma picked up Index and left to go find somewhere to settle for a little, especially with the apartment now wrecked from Touma's fight with one of the magicians.

"Keep your eyes sharp above you and don't let a single feather land." Tamamo instructed.

"Right."

And with that the two made it to safety at a place that Touma recommended.

His teacher's apartment.

AN: YESSSSSS!! Finally it's done, oh I've been putting this off for so long now I do have my reasons and they were of the personal sort but YEEAAAAHH!!

Anyway as you can see the Index arc was cause short and considered that Tamamo was involved it made sense that she would initiate things earlier than expected

Hope you like the chapter and more will be on the way as consistently as I can

Next chapter

Bloody Shadows

Bye!