As the movie finished, Sachiko found herself laughing happily as her and her friends exited the theater. "I havent had that much fun in years," she said happily.
Gail paused, giving the ghostly fox girl a curious look. "What do you mean years," she asked. "How old are you?"
Sachiko paused, a sheepish look crossing her teenage face. "Um older than 8," she said meekly.
"Cool so are you like our age," Ewart said hopefully. Sachiko shook her head, rubbing the back of her neck as she looked at her friends. "Actually I'm closer to 80," she sighed. "Kitsune age differently than humans. So even though I'm almost 80 years old that's like, 8 in kitsune years."
Gail, Pam, Stella, and Ewart appeared visibly confused as they tried to wrap their minds around different lifespans and maturity rates of different species. "So your like as old as our grandparents," Stella asked, to which Sachiko nodded.
"Yeah," she sighed. "Its kind of tough. I've had other friends over the years, like Henry. It was so strange watching him grow older as I stayed relatively the same. I wish humans had longer life spans. It always makes me sad when I have to say goodbye."
"Dont worry Sachiko," Pam said warmly, placing her hand on the girls shoulder. "We'll always be friends, and who knows, maybe science will figure out a way to extend the human life cycle."
Sachiko gave her friends a warm smile. She wanted to believe that, she had heard those words before. Unfortunately with all of humanity's progress only magic had so far extended the human life cycle. As she now went to speak, she paused. Something didn't feel right. Sachiko now transformed into her kitsune form, the white anthro fox girl now anxiously scanned the darkness.
"What is it," Gail asked nervously.
"Someone is out there," Sachiko whispered, her tail twitching. The four teens now began to huddle closer as their kitsune friend emitted a low growl. Narrowing her eyes Sachiko now watched as about a dozen figures slowly emerged from the shadows.
"Is your name Sachiko," one of the figures asked. Sachiko said nothing, anxiously watching as the figures began to move closer. "No reason to be alarmed little one," one if the figures said. "Your parents sent us. We're here to take you home."
"If that's true then my parents told you the password," Sachiko said. "So what is it?"
The figures said nothing, exchanging glancing looks at one another. "Your coming with us kid whether you like it or not."
Sachikos dander now stood on end, they were surrounded. She believed her magic and skills could get her out of this situation, but what about her friends? She wasnt sure she could keep them safe. As the group slowly approached, Sachiko realized she was running out of options.
A blinding flash of light now illuminated the darkness. Sachiko blinked as a cherub now flew forward, delivering thunderous right hook to the lead stranger. "If your going to take her your going to have to go through me!"
"Rexie," Sachiko gasped. Rexie turned, an impish smirk across her face. "You didnt think I'd let anything happen to you do you," she asked. "Now stand back while I show these goons a thing or two."
Sachiko now watched as her guardian cherub now began to deliver thunderous punches and kicks to their attackers. The kitsune child had no idea, Rexie had this much skill. The Normal now tried to defend themselves, frustrated by the cherubs actions.
"Oh enough of this," the lead attacker bellowed. Reaching into his jacket he now produced a vial of unholy water. Removing the cap he now flung it Rexie, a smug smirk crossing his face as Rexie screamed in pain.
Rexie lay crumbled beside Sachiko, the unholybwater having burned her like acid. "You've lost," the Normal growled. Rexie now began to smile inspite of the pain. "Oh I wasnt trying to stop you," she grinned, watching as a series of shadows began to take shape behind her attackers. "I was just stalling for time."
The Normal now stared at the cherub in confusion, unsure of what she was talking about. Before they could consider an answer they gasped as a sword blade pierced the face of their leader. Gasping in fright the remaining Normal turned to see a very angry six tail kitsune.
"Sachiko run," Akira yelled, freeing his katana as he now slit the throats of the two nearest Normal.
Sachiko turned, sprinting away with her friends and Rexie as Akira now faced her attackers. "Dont let her escape," one of them yelled.
Akira grinned menacingly, a ball of fire now emanating from each tail. "I'd worry about your own lives," he snarled, cleaning the blood from his blade. "None of you shall leave here alive."