The Beginning of the Fourth Heir

Riyui in Kyoto

Chapter 3

Yui-chan heads to Kyoto all alone with nothing but a short sword to protect herself. She has no idea that in this place lives the great yokai among great yokai, Hagoromo-Gitsune. In fact, she already sensed a presence who is familiar to her, the very person whose responsible for her failure 400 years ago.

"Ibaraki-Douji! Shokera! Bring that intruder to me." she commanded.

"As you wish, Hagoromo-Gitsunesama." they replied and went in search of the intruder. They spotted a little girl with long balack hair. She reminded them of a princess they have captured 400 years ago in Osaka castle. The Kyoto Yokai looked at her as if she's a tasty meal. They brought the girl who looks quite terrified.

"Please don't kill me!" the girl said. She was in the verge of tears when Hagoromo-Gitsune approached her. The fox spirit tried to touch the girl but she sensed an overwhelming aura within the child. Instead of scaring her and eating her liver, Hagoromo-Gitsune's motherly side took over. She embraced the child while looking at her subordinates.

"No one touches this child but me." she declared. This girl has the look of a human but has a soul of a yokai. I'd bet the future of both humans and ayakashi alike is now in her hands, she thought. She decided to train the girl in the art of combat.

"Really? You'll teach me how to use a sword? But I thought you're going to eat my liver." Yui-chan said. Hagoromo-Gitsune chuckled.

"You're such a very special child. Why would I do that to you? Anyway, let's start our lesson. We're wasting daylight." she said.

Hagoromo-Gitsune didn't show any mercy when it comes to training Yui-chan. By the time they're done, the child was lying on the ground. She was panting heavily so the fox spirit gave her a break.

"Wow. I didn't know you're this strong. I wish I could become strong just like you, Hagoromo-Gitsune." she said. Hagoromo-Gitsune chuckled and gave her a pat on the head.

"But of course, dear. You can even be stronger than me if you put your mind to it. Now, let's get some rest. We have a busy day for tomorrow." she said. Yui-chan agreed and made dinner for the Kyoto Yokai.

One night, Hagoromo-Gitsune was sitting on the roof of Nijo castle when Shokera woke her out of her reverie. The vassal was skeptical about letting that human child roaming around.

"Hagoromo-Gitsunesama, pardon me for the intrusion. I'm just about to ask you why you let that human girl live. Don't you want to eat her liver?" Shokera asked.

"Shokera, there's more to that girl than meets the eye. Don't you see? She looks like a human but underneath that frail exterior lies a yokai. It's only a matter of time before that yokai awakens. I'm telling you, Shokera, that girl is destined to lead the strongest Hyakki Yakko the world has ever seen. My destiny is entwined with hers. Fate brought her to me." Hagoromo-Gitsune explained.

"If that's what you think..." Shokera said and left his mistress alone.

For three months, Yui-chan became stronger. During her sparring with Ibaraki-Douji, her yokai form was awakened. She easily defeated the older yokai. Hagoromo-Gitsune was surprised and amazed by her foster daughter's performance.

"Yui-chan, I must say, you've impressed me these past three months. As proof of your combat excellence, I'll give you this." Hagoromo-Gitsune said and handed her a fan.

"A fan? What will I do with a fan?" Yui-chan asked.

"It's no ordinary fan. It's the Fan of the Two-Tails. It will protect you."

"Thank you. I'll take care of it." the girl said.

"Are you sure you're leaving, Yui-chan? You could stay here with us." Kyokotsu suggested but Yui-chan shook her head no. 

"I would love to, but I can't. I haven't reached the end of my journey yet. But, don't worry. I won't forget you." she said.

"Be careful, Yui-chan. May our paths cross again." Hagoromo-Gitsune said. Yui-chan smiled and went back on her journey. She's on her way to Magnolia, the land of wizards.