Despite Darren's wishes, his parents would be holding a small party for him. While his friends would be there, it also meant he would see cousins, aunts, uncles and possibly grandparents. With the party scheduled for the afternoon, Darren now found his morning free.
The sound of knocking now drew Darren's attention. A small smirk now spread across his face as he opened the door to see Hannah. "Hey Hannah how are you?"
"Eh not too bad," she shrugged. "Why did you want me to come over before the party?" Darren said nothing, hurrying the gynoid inside as he locked the door. "Needed your help with something," he said.
As the two moved inside his home, Hannah now opened a cupboard, gasping in excitement as she saw a bag of chips. "Sour cream and cheddar," she exclaimed happily. "Those are my fav!"
Darren glanced back, watching as Hannah's form began to shift. The plastic sheet of her skin faded to flesh, her monkey face reforming into human proportions as her green fur receded only to replaced by her familiar blond hair and clothes. Hannah now hungrily ripped open the bag, shoveling a handful of chips into her mouth.
"Really," Darren chuckled. "Your going to raid my kitchen for chips?"
"Hey," Hannah replied, her mouth full of chips. "I'm usually a Soul Drive so I don't have alot of snacks around the house. Remember, robots don't need food."
"I've noticed," Darren grinned. "Lately whenever I'm at your house I have to bring my own snacks."
Hannah shrugged, shoveling more chips into her mouth as the two friends made theirbway upstairs. Hannah now raised an eyebrow as she glanced around the house. "So wheres Steph?"
"Actually she's training," Darren replied. "With Akira."
"Seriously," Hannah gasped, to which Darren nodded. "Yep after the whole vampire thing she wanted to learn to fight. Plus Misaki and Ren are watching Sachiko and Raiden today so its just us."
"So what exactly is it you needed me for today," Hannah asked.
"I've been thinking about the vampire for the last couple of days," Darren said. "We honestly don't know much about them. That's why I'm going to ask Tatsu."
"So why do you need me around then," Hannah asked.
"Well," Darren replied. "I'm kinda vulnerable when I visit him. Kinda need you to watch me while I'm gone. You know, just in case my parents come home or something."
"Great," Hannah grumbled. "I get to be on corpse watch. Lucky me."
"I'm not dead," Darren chuckled.
"I know, I know," Hannah sighed. "Look, just be careful okay?" Darren nodded, giving Hannah a warm smile . Making the necessary symbols to access the Dragons Tongue, Darren took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he grasped the sword.
Opening his eyes and exhaling, Darren now beheld the meadow that marked the edges of Tatsu's heavenly domain. Taking a step towards the forest, Tatsu now noticed the celestial kitsune emerge. "Darren," he said. "I've been expecting you."
"I need to talk with you Tatsu," Darren stated, bowing respectfully. "There's a new threat that I need some information on."
"The vampire," Tatsu stated. "Yes, I am aware. There is another threat though, one that I fear may be even more fearsome than the vampire."
Darren paused, an even bigger threat? Not the kind of news he was looking for. Before he could speak, Tatsu raised a hand.
"First the vampire," he stated. "Yes, I am aware of her. Her name is Ann. She is psychotic to say the least. Her bloodluat and brutality know no bounds. Still, vampires have weaknesses. Sunlight, silver, and holy weapons can destroy them. The Dragons Tongue is quite capable of destroying her. Be wary of the child though, she may have the appearance of a child yet she is physically quite strong and skilled.
Darren thanked Tatsu, the information he had given would be valuable. Still, he needed to know what this other threat was. Tatsu understood, turning as he now beckoned a figure forward.
Darren watched as a fiery red kitsune now emerged from the woods as well. The kitsune was that of an eight tailed woman, adorned in a pink hikama of the samurai. "Darren," Tatsu stated. "This is Akane. The seventh wielder of the Dragons Tongue."
Darren bowed, surprised to meet yet another kitsune spirit. "Hello Darren," Akane said softly. Darren now studied the eight tailed kitsune carefully. She was smaller than Tatsu, perhaps no taller than his own mom. The kitsune though appeared far sunnier than the more serious Tatsu. A warm smile spreading across her vulpine features. Listening to Akanes light and airy voice, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was any kind of warrior.
"Akane and I were close in life," Tatsu stated. "I have never known a finer warrior than her. Together, we fought and won many battles. She even trained Jiro how to fight."
"Wait she taught Fukushu," Darren exclaimed.
Akane giggled, a high and girlish sound that surprised Darren. "Appearances can be deceiving," she grinned.
Darren now composed himself, as he gazed at the two kitsune. "Okay so what can you tell me about this other threat?"
Tatsu and Akanes expressions now became grim as they turned to Darren. "It appears the Normal have unleashed a dark force upon the world. Not just the vampire but.."
"A kumiho," Akane finished.
"Whats a kumiho," Darren asked.
"They are...cousins of the kitsune," Akane stated. "They were also responsible for my death."
Darren gasped, something strong enough to kill an eight tailed kitsune? "How?"
"It was the late 16th century," Tatsu sighed. "Akane and I were on a diplomatic mission to Korea at the time. As the lord of the kitsune I wished to broker a peace between our clans."
"Instead we were betrayed," Akane said. "The kumiho knew they couldn't kill a nine tail kitsune so instead they murdered me before declaring war on the kitsune."
"Cowards," Tatsu spat. "An illusion and a poison dagger driven into Akanes back. As I held my closest friend I cursed them. They had taken the heart of the clan. Therefore they would forever be forced to feed on the hearts of others. They became monsters, shunned by all races who beheld them."
Darren shuddered, not only at Tatsu's power but his vengeance and anger as well. "Darren," Tatsu stated. "The Normal have yet to release this monster upon the world. None know of the kumiho that the Normal have revived."
"We have a slight advantage in this situation," Akane stated. "We are able to discern the Normals actions. They are not to be taken lightly as you have seen for yourself. We fear that this is only the beginning of their next plan. If you are to survive we shall have to be united in all future endeavors."
Darren nodded, thankful for the assistance of kitsune yet also fearful. What other horrors would the Normal unleash on him as he sought to change the world.