Steph had watched anxiously as Fukushu spoke of humanity. For the Soul Drive she couldn't wrap her mind around his centuries of hatred. The kitsune seemed unable to change, mechanical in his perspective. Steph's programming allowed her to evolve, to gain a perspective on how to better serve humanity. Perhaps, she could help.
"Can I say something?"
The kitsune siblings turned, curiously gazing at the gynoid. Steph shifted nervously, although not programed to feel apprehension, she didn't like being the center of attention.
"I understand Mr. Fukushu's hatred of humanity," Steph stated. "I too have felt a certain amount of mistrust for humans."
"How can a robot mistrust humans," Fukushu scoffed.
"Soul drive," Steph corrected. "I possess a soul. I maybe mechanical in nature but I have feelings, hobbies, a desire to live and to serve."
Fukushu simply rolled his eyes. "Fine Soul Drive," he sighed. "Tell us, what experiences you have had?"
Steph furrowed her brow, she always disliked those that were dismissive of her feelings. Darren had always treated her with respect but far too often she had seen humans and others think of her simply as property.
"I recognize that look," Steph grumbled, taking a step towards Fukushu. The teenage kitsunes eyes growing widebas he gazed up at the gynoid. "You don't think much of me. I'm used to it. When I first met Yuriko I thought the same thing about her."
"Yuriko Harris," Fukushu asked. Steph nodded causing to teenage Fukushu to chuckle. "Soul Drive it appears your programming is faulty. I have always despised the Harris family, yet even I knew that the woman was a pure soul."
"And thats my point," Steph stated. "You see I was wrong. I believed humans feared and loathed me. I thought Yuriko was just another person that was disgusted by the idea of a machine with a soul. I thought it would only be a matter of time before she talked Darren into ending my existence. It took me along time to realize that wasn't the case. Darren showed me that."
"The Catalyst," Fukushu asked, to which Steph nodded.
"Yes him," Steph said. "Darren is special. Yuriko knew and so did Tatsu, why do you think he gave him his sword."
Fukushu's head spun quickly, his eyes growing wide as he gaped at Steph. "What did you say?!?"
"Your father gave Darren his sword as he died."
Fukushu now approached Darren, the teenage kitsune now finding himself staring eye to eye with Darren. "Is this true," he asked. "Did my father give you his sword?"
"Yeah," Darren stammered. "I..I tried to save him. We fought together trying to beat the Normal. We weren't strong enough. As I held him in my arms he gave me his sword, told me to keep it safe and to use it wisely."
Fukushu stepped back, his eyes wide as he appeared a bit pale. Kari and Kiko now stepped forward, looking between Darren and Fukushu. "Are we missing something?"
"Soul drive," Fukushu exclaimed. "Is this true?"
"Darren told me himself," Steph said. "I am programmed to discern if a human was lying. Darren wasn't."
"So can someone explain what is going on," Chisai asked.
Fukushu simply shook his head, a small smirk spreading across his face. Slowly he now approached Darren, causing him to pale slightly. "May I ask a favor? Can you unsheath the sword?"
Darren looked to Steph before turning to Fukushu. Slowly he now withdrew the sword from its sheath, surprised to see the blade emitting a soft glow.
"Father you sly fox," Fukushu grinned.
Fukushu now turned from Darren as he gazed at his siblings. "How many of you know of the legend of the Dragons tongue?"
"The legend," Kiko asked. "What the hell is that?"
"The Dragons tongue is the blade that guards the kitsune," Fukushu stated. "Forged from mystic steel and the tongue of a celestial dragon by ancient alchemists and smiths. The blade has been passed down through the ages. The protector of the kitsune wields it to protect the clan."
"Wait a minute," Kari said quickly. "Are you saying what I think your saying?"
"Father was the eighth wielder of the Dragons tongue," Fukushu said quietly. "In ancient times the lord and the protector were separate titles. Father united the titles when he became lord."
"Wait I'm the lord of the kitsune now," Darren exclaimed.
Fukushu shook his head as he continued. "No, father told me more than a century ago that when he passed, he wished that the titles be separate once more. I would inherit the mantle of leadership but the protector would be someone else. I had originally groomed Isao for that roll before his injuries. Instead I choose Akira, my greatest lieutenant."
"So than the sword belongs to Akira then," Darren asked.
Once more Fukushu shook his head, a small smile spreading across his face. "It appears our father had different ideas," he said. "It appears our father wished for you to protect our people. You, Darren, are now the wielder of the Dragons tongue and the protector of the kitsune."