*HALT WHO GOES THERE!!!!*
Yuriko and the others paused as a cybernetic kitsune now stood before them. No one had even seen it approach, making Yuriko wonder where it had appeared from. The cyber kitsunes arm now began to transform, the metal forming into a rather large and foreboding cannon.
"Who are you," Yuriko asked.
"My designation is Murphy," he responded. "My sensors were alerted to an unauthorized portal in this vicinity. Please identify yourself?"
"My name is Yuriko Mishimura," she said. Yuriko now gestured to the others, not breaking eye contact with Murphy. "These are my friends. We've come to talk with Lady Shizen."
Murphy remained un moved, Yuriko noticing as a beam of light now washed over them from its ocular implant. "Scanning," he replied robitically. A small smile now cracked across the cyber kitsunes face as he looked at Yuriko.
"Apologies Yuriko," he said. "Security measures have been increased since your last visit. Please step forward while I perform a security scan of your companions."
Yuriko did as she was told, slowly moving forward as Murphy scanned the others. Things were proceeding quietly, Akira, Ayami, Rexie, and even Sachiko passing with little trouble. Yuriko noted how the cyber kitsune seemed to become more formal after scanning Sachiko, perhaps Shizen had already instructed these cyber kitsune of the kits nature.
"Lady Sachiko it is a pleasure to meet you," Murphy stated. "Is their anything I can get for you? A beverage? A snack? Perhaps transportation to the palace?"
"I'm a little thirsty," Sachiko replied meekly. "Can I have a soda?" Murphy smiled, the cyber kitsunes breastplate opening to reveal an ice cold bottle for the kit to drink. Sachiko smiled, taking the bottle eagerly. For the most part it seemed the security scans were proceeding quietly, until Murphy came to Fukushu and his family.
"Jiro," Murphy grumbled. "Lady Shizen stated that it was probable you would be returning. However, due to security concerns you will be under escort."
"I'd expect no less from my family," Fukushu scoffed. "So be it robot."
Murphy took little notice of Fukushu's slight, his ocular scanner washing over Abolith. Yuriko now began to fidget nervously as the cyber kitsune raised its arm cannon in her direction. "Abolith," he growled. "You are not authorized to be here. You have 30 seconds to depart or force will be utilized."
"No don't hurt my mom," Raiden exclaimed jumping in front of Abolith. "She hasn't done anything wrong! Why are you threatening her?"
Murphy paused, his beam now washing over the red and black kit. As the scan completed Yuriko noticed his eyes go wide as his jaw slackened. "Lord Raiden," he whispered. "My, my sincerest apologies. Please don't deactivate me. A security team was notified at the completion of Aboliths scan. I will inform them of the error. If you vouch for her than she may stay."
"Whats going on?"
Yuriko and the others turned, watching as the burly kitsune Chisai now approached along with several other kitsune. As the sevn tailed kitsune glared at his brother he now turned to Yuriko offering an apology. "Good to see you Yuriko," he said. "Mother mentioned you might be visiting soon. Just wasn't expecting you to have them with you."
"Good to see you to little brother," Fukushu grumbled. "Now tell your toy to back away from my beloved and my son."
Chisai now approached Murphy, patting the cyber kitsunes shoulder as he looked first to Abolith then Raiden. "Guess you must be Raiden," he smiled. "We haven't met before. I'm your uncle Chisai."
Raiden waved back shyly, pushing back against his mother as he gazed at the massive kitsune. "Why did Murphy threaten my mom?"
"Sorry about that kid," Chisai chuckled. "Your mom has um...never really gotten along with the family. I promise it won't happen again."
"It better not Chisai," Abolith growled. "Because next time I won't be so patient with your wind up toys."
"See your as pleasant as ever Abolith," Chisai grumbled. "And I suppose asking you to give up your weapon is out of the question?"
"Only if you can take it from me."
Fukushu now stepped between Abolith and Chisai in an attempt to diffuse the situation. "As much as I would enjoy watching you toss my little brother around beloved we did not come here to fight." Abolith sighed, giving Fukushu a slight nod as she glared at the massive grey kitsune.
As the group now began to walk towards the palace, Fukushu took in what was left of the city. The Normal had caused an incredible amount of damage when they attacked, parts of the city still not rebuilt and appearing abandoned. A forlorn expression crossing the nine tailed kitsunes face as he studied his homeland. "The streets seem quiet."
"Not as many of us anymore brother," Chisai said softly. "We suffered a heavy blow. Its taking time to rebuild. We lost so many young and healthy kitsune during the fight."
"You mean the children," Fukushu replied in a low tone to which Chisai nodded. "Far too many kits died in the struggle," Chisai said sadly. "Kiko has been encouraging our people to have children yet they are still in mourning. However, I believe things are about to change."
"Because of my son and Sachiko," Fukushu stated. "What has our mother told you."
"Everything," Chisai stated. "And I'm not the only one brother. Our people know too, look."
Fukushu now saw to where Chisai was pointing. Kitsune of every age now approaching Raiden and Sachiko, bowing before the two kits as a show of respect, handing them gifts, asking the two children to simply touch their hands or their infants foreheads. Both kits seemed confused by the display, their mothers casting the approaching kitsune with looks of confusion and anxiety.
"You do realize neither kit knows of their nature yet Chisai."
"And how long were you planning on keeping that a secret," Chisai asked. Fukushu simply shrugged, honestly he wasn't sure. He had been a pariah to his people for close to a century. While kitsune viewed time differently it was still enough time that sore feelings remained. "Our people are not ready to forgive me for my attack on our mother or the allies I choose."
"You give our people far too little credit Jiro," Chisai laughed. "Yes our people fear you. Yes they are uneasy in your and your beloveds presence yet they know of Raiden. They know what he is, what he will become. He, and Sachiko are the saviors of our people."
Fukushu simply nodded, believing his brother to be far to optimistic in his believes. As they now approached the palace square, he paused. Fukushus eyes falling on a series of marble statues. "Is that?"
"It was Aiyo's idea," Chisai stated. "A memorial of what happened and what is to come."
Fukushu now stepped forward as he gazed at the memorial. Standing before him was a marble statue of Tatsu. The celestial nine tail standing guard as a group of kitsune stood behind. These kitsune varied in ages and gender, a look of defiance upon there faces. As Fukushu approached he could see names enshrined upon the bases of the statues, naming all who perished in the Normals attack. What interested Fukushu the most though were two young kits standing in front of the monument.
These two marble kits stood before a gateway, smiling as they beckoned Tatsu and the other statues forward. Fukushu immediately recognized the kits, it was Raiden and Sachiko. A plaque at the kits feet inspiring the kitsune to persevere.
IN OUR DARKEST MOMENTS THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
"Mom and Kiko thought our people needed hope," Chisai stated. "Your son. Akiras daughter. They have given our people that. A belief that this is not the end but the beginning."
Fukushu was speechless, stunned that his son meant so much to his people. Glancing around he now began to notice other kitsune. Instead of the scorn he had grown so accustomed to he could see a look of respect.
"Our people know you were the one that abdicated leadership to Kiko," Chisai stated. "They appreciate your sacrifice. Your willingness to forego your own pride for their betterment. They may not agree with you brother but they respect you, appreciate you, and know that you will raise a son who will lead our people to greatness."
Chisai now turned from his brother, bending down to gaze at both Sachiko and Raiden. "Sachiko do you remember my brother Takeo's children?" Sachiko nodded, the two kits were a little younger than she was but she remembered having alot of fun with them.
"The kits are in the garden playing," he said. "Think you can introduce Raiden to his cousins?' Sachiko smiled, taking Raidens hand as they sprinted off towards the gardens.
Cgisai now turned, a wry smile now spreading across his face. "Well let's head inside. I'm sure we have plenty to talk about."