The reunion between siblings was brief. After returning to his proper age, Fukushu exited the room, finding an anxious Abolith waiting for him. The assassin trembled in his arms as he comforted her before they left the palace. "I take it you were worried?"
Abolith glanced upwards, noticing the impish smirk on Fukushus face. "Of course," she scoffed. "Now wipe that grin off your face beloved. We are still surrounded by enemies."
"I don't think we will have to worry about them anymore," Fukushu said quietly. "Still, it is best we depart immediately. Some of my people may still hold a grudge for my actions." As the two made their way towards the edge of town they paused, their eyes narrowing at the figure blocking their path.
Shizen, the nine tailed celestial goddess of the kitsune, stood before her son. A calm and serene look upon her vulnerable face. Abolith and Fukushu tensed, remembering how the prodigal son had nearly taken her life. Abolith now moved in front of her beloved, her grip tightening on her weapon.
"I know what you did my son."
Fukushu remained expressionless, unsure of what his mother had in store for him. Slowly the vixen moved to the side, Fukushus eyes going wide as he gazed at the two young kits he had rescued when he arrived.
"I wanted to thank you Fukushu," she said softly, slowly approaching her son. "Your actions saved these two. Your father would be proud of you."
Fukushu now gave Abolith a slight nod, the assassin stepping to the side as the celestial nine tails hugged her son. "You have been gone too long," she sighed. "But I am happy you are here. I have always loved you Fukushu and I am proud of your choices here today. I know it cannot be easy watching Kiko and the Catalyst ascend into positions of power. You have done well."
"Jiro," Fukushu responded, his voice choked with emotion. "You may call me Jiro mother."
Shizen gazed up at her son, a warm smile on her face. "Stay safe and return soon Jiro," she smiled, wiping a stray tear from his eye. "You are always welcome here."
***************************
It had been a whirlwind of emotions for Darren for the past month.
Tatsu's funeral was both beautiful and mournful, the divine kitsune entombed in the sacred hall of his ancestors. Darren had been devastated by it, he had tried so hard to save Tatsu but had ultimately failed. No one blamed him for this, if nothing else the kitsune and his friends considered him a hero. Still, Darren ultimately thought he could do better.
Kiko's ascension to leadership and Darren being named protector went surprisingly smooth. Despite tradition, the clan recognized that Kiko was best suited for leadership. While tradition dictated that it was the eldest child or male heir, both those options were seen as poor. The clan had no desire to see Fukushu ascend to leadership.
Darren being named protector was also surprisingly smooth. At first dubious about a human protecting them, when they discovered Tatsu himself had bequeath his sword to the boy they accepted. Stories and legends now grew from Darren's actions in defense of the clan. While he could appreciate the admiration, he couldn't help but notice the dubious facea mixed among the crowd.
Honestly Darren couldnt blame them, he was a skinny 13 year old kid, his 14th birthday wasn't for another month. Worse, Darren wasn't exactly the greatest fighter either. While he had given the kitsune a tremendous gift in the form of his cyber kitsune (they were named Atlas, Arthur, and Murphy), he was still just a kid. A kid who didn't know the first thing about sword fighting.
Darren now found himself gazing out at the world as he so often did now, Tatsu's sword laying in his lap. Between lessons with Yuriko and Akira he wondered if he was really worthy of being the Catalyst.
"You doing okay?"
Darren turned, a small grin spreading across his face and Hannah and Misaki approach. "Yeah I'm fine," he sighed.
"You're an awful liar," Hannah stated. Darren simply frowned, glancing up atbhis girlfriend who nodded in agreement. "Great I'm getting double teamed," he chuckled. "Since when did you two become besties?"
"Been that way for awhile," Misaki smiled. "But we are worried about you. You seemed stress."
"That obvious."
"Duh," the teenage Soul drive and part kitsune exclaimed. Darren smiled, taking a deep breath as he stood. "Sorry to worry you," he said. "I don't know. I guess, I'm just worried about living up to what this whole Catalyst thing is."
Misaki and Hannah now began to reassure Darren he was doing his best. He had already changed things for the better in so many ways. Still, Darren felt doubts creeping over him. Especially as he now approached Akira for more sword training.
"Welcome guardian," Akira stated with a bow. Darren bowed in return despite cringing at the title. He didn't feel much like a guardian yet Akira told him it was a tremendous honor.
The lessons Darren now underwent were grueling. Despite the magic contained within the sword, Darren was still a novice. True the Dragons Tongue allowed him to keep up but he was still learning. And learning in swordmanship meant many bumps and bruises.
Darren collapsed to the ground, groaning as he rubbed a sore spot on top of his head. "You're improving guardian," Akira said cheerfully.
"If you say so," Darren grumbled, groaning as he now stood. Taking a deep breath testament and teacher now faced off once more to continue the lesson.
"Is this what you consider training my old apprentice?"
Akira and Darren turned, their mouths hanging open as they gazed at the nine tailed kitsune. "Lord Fukushu," Akira asked. "What brings you here?"
Fukushu now approached, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at the teenage Catalyst. "The Dragons Tongue contains many secrets," he started. "The spirits of the previous wielder reside within that blade to guide the current holder."
"Tatsu's spirit is in my sword," Darren exclaimed causing Fukushu to nod.
"Few know the secrets of the blade," he stated. "My father taught me these skills. Now, I shall teach them to you, as well as improve on your.....rudimentary swordmanship."
Darren simply gaped as Fukushu withdrew his blade. "Let us begin Catalyst. It is time I teach you MY skills."