Nine Tails of the Yokai: Tail 2

Chapter 3

"I hate it when you call me princess."

"Hmm." Haru snickered, "Then imagine I'm the target this time. Princess."

She growled as she gathered a larger ball of foxfire. She threw it at Haru, letting her irritation add fuel to the foxfire. Haru barely had time to form a Kitsunebi shield before the foxfire hit, and ended up taking the brunt of the foxfire to the face.

"Priceless," Cassidy said with a laugh as she bowed to him sarcastically. She started back towards the manor, hitting his now crispy nude form roughly with her tails.

Haru felt the force of Cassidy's attack before he had time to defend himself. His kimonos were instantly vaporized. His tail and hair was singed and he stood dumbfounded as he looked at the place she had been. He felt her tail smack his bare behind only to fall onto his face in the ashen grass.

He wasn't sure how long he laid there before feeling the wind against his bare skin. He shifted to his fox form and made a run for the manor after Cassidy. His blonde and red fur was decorated with black tips now. He barely paid attention to where he was going once he reached the manor and ran into the dojo where Masato held his sword in hand.

Haru panicked and shifted back into his ayakashi form the moment he heard Masato's sword hit the tatami floor. Haru had never heard the Oni laugh to begin with. Unfortunately for Haru, the rest of the shogun, including Aiden walked into the dojo in that exact moment. They stopped dead and began to laugh at the sight.

Haru shifted back to his for form and ran to his home in the kitsune quarter before anyone could say a word. When he was in a hot bath, licking his wounds, he finally took a moment to think to himself.

"I'll never live this one down." He ducked his head under the water and surfaced. "But it was worth it." He cast a glance at a small white gold ring with an amethyst and kunzite he picked up on Earth while Cassidy was on bed rest.

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Cassidy waited patiently as Yuri finished placing a final hairpin in her hair. "There are a few things you need to know about tonight's ceremony. You will be presented to the ayakashi of the clans in this village. The Zashiki warashi will also be present."

"So, do I have to say anything? Or do anything special." Cassidy asked.

"Just bow like you have practiced, and thank everyone for their gifts. No one but the elders knows about your bond with the shogun. Traditionally all clans offer a mate to the Lady of the Yokai by presenting her with a ring. The clan who offers the most appealing gifts is the one you are expected to choose. I will document everything received later this evening." Yuri explained.

"How will they react if I accept all of their rings, including Aiden's?" Cassidy asked.

Yuri's hands fell to her lap and she caught her breath. "I don't know. It has never happened before."

"So be prepared for the worst. Got it. How much does this headpiece weigh?" Cassidy tried to balance her head, but even with the practice "crown" she had been using while her body fully healed this was something new.

"It's supposed to remind you of your duty to the ayakashi as their fated leader. It's the same one the first Lady of the Yokai wore, as well as those preceding you."

"A crown, Golden in show, is but a wreath of thorns. Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and sleepless nights. To him who wears the regal diadem." Cassidy Quoted.

"John Milton from Paradise Regained. Well said. Are you ready to face the ayakashi?"

"No, but I don't think I'll ever truly be ready. Not with the threat the Nagavashi pose. I'll never truly be safe until their Shogun is gone. It scares the hell out of me." Cassidy admitted as she tried to focus on keeping her head held high. "How can the ayakashi believe in me, when I can't even believe in myself? Everything's changed in so little time."

Yuri brushed one of her tails with one wing and her cheek with the other. "You can. You will. You have. I never doubted that you would be a great Lady of the Yokai. I have always believed in you even when you didn't believe in yourself. Now stand tall and knock them dead. Your tails will tell the story if anyone doubts your ability to use your powers. Kat will help you remain in control of you powers as well."

Cassidy took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she listened to Yuri. She looked into the mirror and stood from her stance on her knees that she was becoming accustomed to. "I can do this. I won't let that snake destroy everything I've come to hold dear. I promise."

"Good. Now knock them dead." Yuri said, grabbing the end of her cherry blossom kimono that followed like a train on a wedding dress.