Stepping through the portal, Akira now gazed at the MacGregors backdoor. While the kitsune had only been training Nat for a couple of weeks, he was proud of the progress the young dhamphir was making. Not wanting to be spotted by the neighbors, and anxious to begin training, the kitsune now quickly made his way towards the door before knocking.
"Akira," Maris said warmly. "Good to see you. Please come in."
"I thank you Mrs. MacGregor," he replied formerly, giving the vampire a slight bow as he entered. Marisa chuckled softly, finding the formal mannerisms of the kitsune bemusing. "You know you can call me Marisa, Akira," she smiled. "And no need to be so formal. I appreciate everything you've done, you're a friend."
"I appreciate that Mrs. MacGregor," he stated. "Still, it is a token of respect. You have asked that I train your daughter and invited me into your home. It would be improper to refer to you otherwise."
Marisa simply nodded, giving the kitsune a warm smile as she guided him into her kitchen. After talking with the kitsune she was only beginning to understand their ways. Akira was very traditional in his mannerisms, a sort of old fashioned mindset, which Marisa found endearing. The kitsune was polite, respectful, with a protective air about him. During her interviews, she often felt as if she were talking with an uncle or even a serious minded older brother. For this reason, she felt completely at ease with the fearsome warrior.
"Is Natalia downstairs? We have much to learn today."
"Yes Nat is down in the basement," Marisa stated. "A few of friends stopped over just before you arrived. Hope you don't mind the crowd."
Akira nodded, curious about Nat's friends as he now descended the basement stairs. As he gazed at the rather large group, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Natalia?"
"Akira," Nat said quickly, rushing to the kitsunes side and pulling him towards the group. "Great I'm glad you're here. We've got some great news." Akira paused, the kitsune narrowing his eyes as his tails swished behind him. Who was this adult woman hanging around with a group of teenagers.
"Sorry haven't had a chance to introduce you," Nat blushed. "This is Sylvia and Tanya." Akira bowed, curiously gazing at the pair. Their was something different about them, he just couldn't put his finger on it.
"We're ghosts," Sylvia replied. "I'm guessing you could sense that." Akira nodded, watching as the teenage ghost now began to circle him, studying the kitsune carefully. "Wow," she stated in awe. "I thought you were a myth. I didn't think kitsune actually existed." Sylvia now reached out, grabbing one of Akiras tails gently as she ran a hand over it. "Wow it's so soft. Tanya come here, you have to see this. A real live kitsune and he's...kinda of fluffy."
"I try to maintain my hygiene," Akira replied in annoyance. The kitsune wasn't used to being petted like a common house pet, honestly it made him a bit uncomfortable. "Natalia can you please tell me what is going on?"
"Right sorry," Nat said quickly. "Anyway that hunter we were telling you about. Sylvia and Tanya found out where he is. We were going to go there and stop him."
Akita balked, gazing at the group of teenagers as well as the pair of ghosts. The kitsune recognized that this group of teenagers was formidable. A dhamphir, two wizards, a fairy, a demon, the son of a hunter, and another human. Couple this with the ghosts and Akira could see that the group was quite powerful. Sighing he realized something about them as well.
"You are not ready."
"What do you mean we're not ready," Amara asked. "We look pretty ready to me and we may never get another chance like this."
"Have you ever faced a hunter," Akira asked. Amara opend her mouth to answer before closing it. "No," she said softly.
"Hunters are quite dangerous as well as resourceful," Akira stated. "I have faced off with only two over my centuries of life. In both cases the fight was quite difficult."
"Well you did lose to me and Caleb," Spark added, causing the kitsune to frown.
"I was taken by surprise," he grumbled. "I was not prepared for the fight, I still want a rematch though fairy, when your partner returns from college." Spark looked to respond, only for Connor to throw his hand over his girlfriends mouth.
"Can you not get into a pissing match with him please," he groaned. Spark frowned, nodding before crossing her arms across her chest as she smirked at Akira. If the fox wanted a rematch, she would gladly accept. At the end of the day whether it was video games or a fight, Spark was super competitive.
"Mr. Akira," Rei said quietly. "Look, I understand why you would be concerned. We all are but look, Tanya has powers now and Sylvia, well, she's an impressive witch. Just watch."
Akira now gazed at the pair of ghosts, Tanya smirking as her body began to shift. A small set of horns protruding from her forehead as bat like wings sprung from her back. The ghost now smirked, watching as her curves increased as she struck a seductive pose. "A succubus," he asked.
"Yeah pretty impressive huh," Tanya smirked. "And I'm sure you're just head over heels for me." Akira chuckled, a small grin forming on his vulpine face. "Actually I prefer my girlfriend Ayami," he grinned. "She is a succubus too and no demon, your powers do not work on me."
"Wait you're dating a succubus," Miranda asked.
"Got any pictures of her," Miles added.
Akira sighed, the kitsunes shoulders slumping as he gazed at the group. It was now up to Nat to explain themselves. "Akira listen," she said earnestly. "We may only get one shot at this. This guy Kane, he's already hurt too many people. I know you think I'm not ready but I have to try. If he hurts anyone else and I know I could have stopped him, the guilt will just tear me apart."
Akira now took a breath, his vulpine face forming into a frown. "Very well," he sighed. "But, if things go poorly we leave. Is that understood? I will not watch you throw your lives away needlessly. We investigate yes but avoid an encounter if possible."
"Wait does that mean you're coming with us," Rei asked.
"Of course," Akira stated. "I will not let Mrs. MacGregor daughter face this challenge alone."
"Thank you," Nat replied happily as she hugged the kitsune. "Just one thing, can you not tell my parents what we're up to?"
Akira sighed in annoyance, he was already beginning to regret agreeing to this.