Tale of Two Tails

Chapter 9

As they entered the throne room, Eren turned to Armin.

"Don't say ANYTHING about me being a demon, or about the raven tengu sitting by that man. I have attached to this house, and in order to protect Levi, I must protect his half sister as well. Do not out here." Eren said over Levi's shoulder. Armin nodded as he kneeled in the center of the floor, two tails wrapping around his legs while the last one the farthest to the left, draped over his shoulder, covering his wound.

"What's this?" The emperor asked, seeing Levi standing next to the kitsune with a brown fox pretty much draped over his shoulders.

"A kitsune. They gain tails as they gain knowledge and power. So he's obviously strong. Potentially the one from a few weeks ago. The hunters said that the trees seemed to come to life. Kitsune are capable of illusions such as this. Kitsune are also very powerful, as we know."

"I see. So demon, what would you think of a... truce of sorts. Lend us your power to defend my lands, and you may keep your life." Armin sighed deeply.

"I see no problems with this arrangement, My Lord." The emperor smiled lightly.

"Good. You will stay here in my palace. Guards, arrange a cell for this de-"

"No." Armin said, flatly. "I refuse to be caged like an animal." The emperor narrowed his eyes.

"Well it just so happens that you are, so I suggest you get used to the idea." Eren automatically began gekkering, and Levi glared at him. "What is with that animal on your shoulders, son." Levi groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"A fox that I had found in my garden not too long ago. He's taken a liking to me and is highly intelligent. He alerted me of the oni before we even noticed it." The emperor just started at Eren.

"And what is he doing." He asked.

"Being pissy." Levi said flatly. Armin chuckled.

"Not exactly. He's saying that I will cause no harm, so I shouldn't be caged. That..." Armin paled and blushed. "Eren!" He nearly shrieked. Eren turned his head with a smile. "No. I am not repeating that! That's inappropriate!" Eren seemed to shrug.

"What did he say?" Levi asked. Armin shook his head.

"Something very rude about what the emperor should do with his opinions." Levi looked at Eren from the corner of his eyes.

"You've been listening to me rant too much."

"Well whatever that fox says or doesn't say, you WILL be staying in the dungeon-"

"You know." Armin said thoughtfully. "I noticed quite a few statues and charms and items of the sort of Inari-Kami. I would hate to be whoever decided to be disrespectful to one of Inari-Kami's loyal followers." Armin said. "By the scent that saturates the palace, I'd take a guess and say that you and your house indulge yourselves in tea quite frequently. It would be a shame if Inari-Kami decided to, I don't know, dry up all the tea leaves in your lands and all that enter your land." Eren looked to the kitsune, his best friend, in acceptive shock. His friend was incredibly smart, and he knew that this family, especially Levi, very much loved their tea.

"Are you threatening me?" The emperor said, arrows quickly being pointed at Armin.

"Not at all. But you do know that, to disrespect a zenko kitsune is to disrespect Inari-Kami, and therefore bring misfortune to your house. And since you are the emperor, it would also be to your land. All I am asking, is a simple room and access to your library." Eren now just stared in shock. Armin just lied! Inari-Kami would not curse an entire land, but it seems as though the humans didn't know that.

"Fine, we will find accommodations for you in the palace." Armin smiled and bowed.

"Thank you for such a generous offer My Lord. I will do what I can to serve you and your family." And so, Armin was treated for the wound on his arm and brought to an room used only when guests came to the castle. Levi had to go speak with his father on the matter of Eren.

"I can't believe he called you a vermin." Armin said as he sat in his new room.

"Fucking bastard." Eren responded.

"That happens to be my father you are speaking about." Mikasa said as she stepped into the room. Eren's ears dropped as he looked at his paws.

"Sorry Mikasa." Armin looked between the two.

"May I ask what's going on. From the beginning preferably. I haven't seen you in weeks Eren. Everyone's worried."

"I'm fine. I've attached to a household. And I plan on fulfilling my promises made."

"What promises?" Armin asked. Eren looked away, but Mikasa answered for him.

"My brother is nearing the age of marriage, which is 21 in human years. By then, or a month after, my brother needs to have found a wife. However, my brother's interests fall to males." Armin gasped.

"Eren! You're going to marry the prince!" Eren still didn't speak as he looked away and more pieces clicked in Armin's head. "You're going to bare his heirs." He said in slight disbelief. Eren nodded. "But Eren! Shouldn't you fall in love with him first! And he obviously doesn't know you're a-"

"We already have this all planned out." Mikasa said. "Eren was to enter Levi's dreams and slowly have Levi fall for his human form before revealing himself."

"But he already is. In the dream I visited last night, he was already married to my human form. So he obviously loves me as a human, even if he's never seen me before."

"How do you know it was you?" Armin asked. Eren looked him dead in the eye.

"I've looked in a mirror Armin. But it's not just that! The dream human-form of myself was wearing kitsune robes! MY kitsune robes!" Armin nodded.

"I see. So it's a predestined relationship. But how will he react to you being a demon?"

"It shouldn't be too bad." Mikasa said with a shrugged. "I'm half demon, and he spared you. Probably more so to keep Eren happy since he was guarding you from the hunters."

"True. But when's-" Armin began, but Mikasa interrupted him.

"The night the moon is not in the sky." Armin nodded.

"Alright. On that night, you need to stay in your own room. My tails are not a sign of strength, but knowledge and defensive magic. Eren's knowledge is in his fox fire, and he is much stronger than I when in his humanoid form. The demonic aura that will be unleashed then will be intense, and you are not used to it in such high doses yet. I wouldn't want to risk your well being, and since Eren has claimed your house, he won't want to hurt you either." Mikasa nodded. After that, they just talked and got to know each other.