Kimetsu no Yaiba: an Adventure tale, Part 1

Grrrrroooooooowwwwll!

Shiro winced as he heard that sound for what felt like the hundredth that afternoon. It wasn't coming from him, that he knew since he ate sometime before leaving Alderaan, but it was coming from the half-daemon who was walking after her while Stats was perched on his shoulder. Keith scowled, his arms folded while he grumbled in his throat...just like his empty belly.

"Stats!" Stats said.

"Oh please, I'm not starving!" Keith asked, irritably.

Guuuuuuuuurrrrrggh! His stomach bellowed.

"Okay, Keith, I get it!" Shiro said. "Stop with the noises, already!"

"You think I have any control over my stomach?!" asked Keith. "What am I gonna eat?!"

"I think you're forgetting something," said Shiro before he put a hand on his oversized backpack, which was sitting on his back. "I have a ton of food in my backpack! If you want something to eat, you just have to ask me!"

Keith blinked before he approached the backpack, opened it up, and began to search inside it, tossing out things like Shiro's Notebooks, his phone charger, his keys, water Bottle, his extra outfits, etc.

"Why do you have all this useless stuff, anyway?" Keith asked as he threw Shiro's hairbrush over his shoulder. "Where are those dried potatoes?"

"H-hey!" Shiro cried as trying to keep his balance. "Keith, no! Patience!"

Keith's face soon hit the soil, causing something to fall out of Shiro's backpack and hit his head. It didn't hurt, of course, mostly because Keith was still feeling the pain of being pulled into the ground. As he sat up and was about to get ready to give Shiro the yelling of a lifetime, he noticed the item that had fallen from Shiro's bag: a cup of instant ramen.

"Huh?" he asked before he picked it up. "What's this thing?" He then sniffed it. "...It smells like there's food in there." He then tried to bite it into the plastic covering but found his efforts fruitless. "Dammit, what is this? I can't get the food out!"

"It's a cup of instant ramen," said Shiro.

"Ramen?" Keith repeated. "How strange, Is this from your world, Shiro?"

"That's right," said Shiro. "I just have to cook the noodles, first."

"Cook them, how?" Keith inquired.

Tik-Tok Tik-Tok

"We have no idea where we going, do you?" Keith asks Shiro.

"Well, accordingly to Queen Astrid, she said we have to find the Kitsune". Shiro added

Suddenly the alarm starts ringing "Okay, three minutes are up" Shiro shouted, and immediately Keith slurps up a bowl of instant noodles ravenously.

"Tastes great! Shiro, this is good!"

"Oh yeah? I'm glad"

Shiro brought several things from Earth, including instant noodles that Keith find splendid. "Aren't you having some?"

"Sure, but I have been thinking," Shiro said

"Thinking about what," said Keith

"If we find the samurai, are you going to train with them," Shiro asked

"What, I thought that you were going to train you," Keith said

"No, I haven't forgotten but we train with them together," Shiro told him

"Please, only humans can work with samurai," Keith said

"What do I being a human have to do with be a samurai?" Shiro said, casts him an annoyed glare; irritably.

"Simple. Humans are better at causing problems than Daemons and Daemons are better at doing guidance and not fighting and stuff like that". Keith said. "Isn't that right, Stats"

Stats pause who on Shiro's shoulder eating fishcakes "Stats!"

"And you believe that," Shiro asked

"It's just the natural order of things like this aftermath of a battle?" Keith Answered

Keith pointed out an old battlefield, surrounded by a field of skulls robots, and crows in the background fleeing.

"Ok, but next time I'm picking the place to eat but seriously I think you do have the potential do something great, just like my commander said," Shiro said

"Commander, what that" Keith exclaimed, finally stops eating.

"Oh, I never told you about my life on Earth" Shiro beamed. "The place I come from called the Galaxy Garrison and they specialize in outer space".

"Outer space?" Keith and Stats asked, the former holding a mouthful of noodles.

"Yes. Humans went to outer space..." Shiro corrected, remembering his time where he witnessed the Garrison's first mission to Jupiter has got him into space travel, to begin with. "Oh yeah, did you know, we even went to the moon! Close to Saturn"

"The moon? How?!" Keith questions

"Using a rocket," Shiro answered

"A rocket? " Keith said.

Shiro stretches out his arms far apart to show how huge it is while makes funny gestures on the ground and fire shoots out from the bottom curls up and kaboom! raises his hand wildly in the air.

"What was that" Keith asked

"A rocket did I show the entire scene as I've described it, huge and all" Shiro explain

Not wanting to figure it out, Keith decides to continues eating, not listening anymore as he slurped up the last of the broth. "Ahh...hey, can I have some more?"

"Be interested in noodles rather than my space stories" Shiro said, folds his hands and sulks with annoyance. "But, Sure, I'll make you some more. Which flavor do you want? Beef or chicken?"

"Can I have both?" Keith asked, but before Shiro could go about making some more noodles, the sky suddenly turned dark.

"What?! It suddenly got dark" Shiro wondered, nervously.

"I don't know," Keith replied as he tossed the empty cup aside, "but it smells like trouble!"

A cyan vortex appears and twirls, closing in on them. It is almost four times bigger than them.

As it enlarges, it revealed several mini warriors clad in black Ninja kimonos descend from the swirl ambushing them.

The warriors quickly encircle Keith and Shiro and take them out.

Keith gets pulled back and knocked over. While Shiro is pulled by his arm. As he leans in to maintain his balance, someone pulls his jacket over his head and pulls him down.

Stats flies up from Shiro's shoulder, only to be quickly caught in a bag, only his head still protruding.

Falling from this humiliating thing, they fell into the ground, bound and blindfolded, surrounded by the warriors.

"Shiro, can you tell us more that space stories," Keith said.

After getting captured and blindfolded, they arrive at a small village that was made of wood and stone with steeply pitched thatched roofs. But each they have a projection of an enormous rune, the same as etched on the fire.

"Show yourselves, cowards!" Keith shouted, still blindfolded but upon getting unblindfolded. Shiro and Keith were greeted by the same image. It looms high above the great hall, the main building of the village along with the rest of the village.

Below its tapered point, rows of ninja troops with identities obscured with hoods and masks, flank either side of the village, let alone with a group of people looking closely down to them.

"On your knees" The smaller of the villagers ordered him to do. "I am Samson, the leader of this village.

The man is equally intimidating. Despite his small stature "You three have some explaining to do and if you don't answer all our questions, we're taking you to the galra!"

"Who are you? Where are the men who ambushed us?" Keith said, Aggressively.

"There are no men, well they are but we're the ones who truly ambushed you," Samson explained.

"Wait for a second, are you serious" Keith stares at them in disbelief with a 'what-the-hell' look to his right where Shiro stands as if he is looking for confirmation. "Seriously, there is no way that a bunch of tiny people took us down"

With gaps, the people fell dependent on Keith's comment, so much that the leader took Keith by his collar, all angrily and said "A bunch of tiny people, huh? The Galra have a field day with you!"

Leans forward in his bonds. Shiro addresses them and the court, repeating, "No, don't hurt him! He didn't mean it"

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Shiro and I came from another world. And this is Keith who didn't mean what he said" with that said the leader released Keith, but still stares at him in dismay.

"How do we know you're not spies? The Kitsune stayed out of the war so far. And we intend to keep it that way!"

"Wait, Kitsune" Shiro starts. Looking at their appearance now, they did have the description that Queen Astrid told them, fox ears and tails. The whole thing.

"This place is home to the Kitsune?!, The same people that Queen Astrid told us about" Keith Whispers.

"Ha! How could you possibly know her?" One of the people said?

"That is because we met her three days ago and save her kingdom, from a crazy spell that she was under". Keith explained.

"I seriously doubt that because no way that is true," he said.

"Do we look like we're lying, Queen Astrid, told us about you, tiny idiots?" Keith said out loud.

"Keith, that was very rude," Shiro tells him, but he can sense the tension of him like embers awaiting the smallest spark to ignite.

"A slip of the tongue belies one's true intentions," the leader says. "We do not care about your intentions, but if you are spies for your so-called Empire, then we will not hesitate to spill your blood as well as your 'accomplices'. Who else is with you?"

"The samurai, but they disappeared many deca phoebs ago, how can you be certain?". Samson questions

"Because we're trying to find them so I can train to become one" Shiro answered

"I doubt that what is see was in your bag" Samson explain as two fox Ninja throwing things out of Shiro's backpack to look for something suspicious. "H-hey! Stop that! You can't just go rummaging through my things! what's with you people."

"Here it is! I found something" one of the ninjas said as he discovered something that might be extraordinary. The quintessence Crystal, causes the villagers to be surprised.

"Huh?! Priestess!" Samson said as he and the rest of the villagers bow to Shiro before untying him.

"We are sorry, you were right" Samson explains apologizing to Shiro "We didn't know who you are"

"That's okay but Please, please, rise. Thank you for letting us go but I am not a great being worthy of your worship. I'm only here to ask for your help and I was wondering if we can to know you as friends."

The Kitsune cheer and celebrate by hugging Shiro. But still, tie up Keith tries to leave but a Kitsune clings to him.

"I don't... usually hug strangers, but, uh... Man, you are cuddly." Keith said.

"Thank you." The Kitsune speaks in a contrastingly deep voice that shocked Keith.

Elsewhere on a plain, on a Battlefield, not too far from where our heroes were, a battalion of warriors, Orange, and white, face off against to fighting to the death, jabbing each other with spears and cutting each other down with swords. However, as the battle raged on, something appeared in the sky, where huge dark clouds appear and cover the sun. Soon the battalions are shrouded in semi-darkness. Thunder is heard in the background. The warriors of the red battalion lookup.

The first had the appearance of a young man about Keith's age, maybe a bit older. He had purple skin and red eyes. as well as long, black hair that was tied up in a braided ponytail, along with short bangs in front of his forehead. orange-colored armor spiked shoulder plates on his shoulders and had a black kimono underneath. There was a plate on his left bicep that had the kanji for "heaven" or "sky" inscribed on it, and he wore several light purple sashes around his waist and torso.

The second, who was sitting on a thundercloud, had a more reptilian appearance with a large, bald head that only had three strands of hair and a ponytail, just like the first demon. He, too, had some elaborate armor, only his was Black, and he had purple sashes around his body...as well as a fox pelt tied around his waist.

"Ready to hunt, Manten?" asked the first figure who was flying on wheels.

"Yes, Brother Hiten!" exclaimed Manten. "Start the hunt!"

Swings his pike, he shouted "Thunderbolt attack! Witness our power!" Long bolts shoot from his pike and annihilate the battalion.

"Restart battalion"

Listening to his commands, a group of men restarts the command. "Yes sir, restart simulation" suddenly the men reappeared, alive and well.

"They're all yours brother"

"You don't have to tell me twice," he said as opens his mouth and shoots out the fire...

Resulting in the battalion was annihilated by Martens' fire attack. "End training sequence" Hiten order the men.

The simulation turns into a big white square.

"Hahahahaha!" Hiten laughed. "Boy, wasn't that fun, Manten?"

"Aye, brother!" Manten grinned as he brushed the three strands of hair on his head. "Pitiful warriors."

Coming out to greets them as the elevator doors slide open. A little girl who resembles her older brothers but has a hairstyle in two ponytails with a small cow-lick on her right side.

She is dressed very similarly to her two brothers. On her shoulders, she has two red shoulder plates. She wears a white and black shirt, with purple pants. She has a yellow sash tied around her waist, and a matching pair of bracelets on each wrist. She also wears a Black pair of shoes.

"looks like my new programming was accessing," she said looking on her clipboard.

"It sure was, sister Sōten". Hiten began,
"I have so much power left over. This new simulation was so refreshing, it must be so nice to have a smart sister like you"

"Well I cannot take all the credit, the upgrades that I got from the Galra empire can make the perfect simulation," She said.

"That's true, after all, we are commanders" Manten compliment as he combing his three strands of hair.

"So what are you say, should we test it out on real people," Sōten said

"Yes, We'll look high and low until we find the right one to eliminate," Manten said as he caressing a fox pelt around his waist

The three chuckles evilly as their base echo in the light.

Back at the village, after being set free, Shiro and Keith were given the nicest room in the village, inside the Great Hall.

"Wow, these people know how to treat someone!" Said Shiro as he was looking at the room, the room had a queen-size bed. A medium-sized window and the door to the outside.

"Yeah, whatever" Keith said, Casually

"Why you sound like you sound like you don't want to be here," Shiro asks

"I don't...I just don't feel like being around annoying squirrels," Keith said

"They're not squirrels, They're foxes," Shiro said

"Not to me, they very annoying that's all" Keith said

Shiro began "Why do you, wait are you mad because they made you look like a fool!"

"What, no" Keith said.

His stomach is a different story. It rumbles and quakes, complaining around its emptiness, and to signify the point of jealousy.

"I guess hunger wasn't a problem for you again!" Shiro added.

"Will you just shut up," Keith said.

"Hello" He jumps when the door splits open, and a small fox enters. Dressed in a blue outfit and has a whitetail

"Hello, how are you," she said "I'm Katara"

"Well, hello Katara, I'm Shiro and this is Keith" Shiro introduce

"I know but it's nice to know you," Katara said "I'm here to tell you, the bathhouse is ready so follow me

Without a word, she tosses Shiro and Keith towels, and start to follow out of the room.

She leads them to a river containing hot water. Although Shiro felt disappointed that it wasn't a shower. Nevertheless, he needs it, he and Keith hadn't washed in days since they first left Arus, after all, they were the only place that has showers but it was still a place for cleaning so he wasn't bothered by it.

"We'll get breakfast started soon, in the meantime enjoy yourselves," Katara said, Politely

"Thank you," Shiro said

"You're welcome," Katara said, before leaving the crew with their own devices.

Setting aside the towel on a short bench just outside before going into the River. Shiro doesn't spare a thought for when he removes his clothes off himself, but he does pause, however, when he doesn't see Keith about taking off his clothes.

"Hey. Are you going to get in?" Shiro said

"What no, I just don't feel comfortable, into strange places, especially places like this one" Keith answered.

"Oh, really when was the last time you wash!" Shiro question.

Upon hearing that, a blush creeps over Keith, he didn't want to admit again. Shiro was right once again, he hasn't washed for a few days straight.

"How's the water, Stats," said Shiro.

"Stats" he cheers as he enjoys the water.

"Okay, you got a point. Just give me a minute," Keith said

With that, Shiro continued to remove the rest of his clothes and to support Keith's privacy as he went to rock to change out

"Okay, you can do this, you're taking a bath with your ridiculously beautiful friend or user and hopefully get out of this place before you were hunted". Keith said.

The flow of hot water starts the moment Shiro gets in, the massage of it, and the warm water was absolute heaven on his knotted muscles. He leans, pressing his mended shoulder into the cool stone, "this feels nice, the first time since my muscles begin to relax" he thought, ever since he lost his right arm to Mistress Centipeede, his muscles were incredible pain. Could the disease be coming out worse and worse than ever?

With a quick movement, Keith joins in, completely into the water. "Oh wow this is nice, this is good," Keith said, joyful for the first time or at least to Shiro that is.

"I know right as I told you a small village knows how to treat guests right with the lake situation". Shiro added

"Sweet I have to say, you're right well parsley right," Keith said.

"What you mean, do you still have a problem"

"Well kinda I just don't like talking about my past," said Keith

"Not like talking about your past," Shiro thought as he wondering that he has something to do with Allura again. He shouldn't be focusing on that, he should be focusing on the now.

"Hey, Keith," Shiro said, with a smile.

"Yes, Shiro"

"Come here"

"Ok, Why"

"Just come here"

"Mu, okay"

"Is this better"

"Closer"

"Okay I'm getting closer"

But soon as he got closer, Shiro splashes him with the water, "Hey, okay it's on" Keith said as he starts splashing water and soon they begin having fun and laughing.

After a quick fun time in the water, the next batch of heaven arrives with the Kitsune serve grill fish and White rice combined with sweet and sour chicken with a cup of lime tea. At their great Hall where the Kitsune sit inroads of long tables, small but hold a lot of great food of biscuits and grill fish.

To Keith and Shiro's stomach, it felt like a spoiled kid's feast. During every single bite, when the sweetness hits the tongue right, it makes you give up on any pretense of restraint to gobbles the food down.

Washed, and fed to satisfaction, they could not remember the last time that his basic needs were met, meaning when was the last time he ate something like this, he's already got used to eating her. Since being safe within the Garrison, he figures a realization that comes with a long sigh as he looks upon the dishes that will give it to him.

Everything seemed so different in comparison, and the mess hall he sits in surrounds by the Kitsune, rather than the boisterous din of spirited conversations. There were no officers ribbing one another, no cadets bragging to one another about their latest records. It made him so homesick, he misses his friends, he missed the cadets that are inspired by him so much, and he misses Adam, Matt, and Sam.

He misses him so much, so much and so lost in thought that he didn't notice that Keith nudge him on the shoulders "hey, what did with the sad look on your face".

Shiro smiles "Oh nothing I was just thinking about my home, feel so long since I arrived here in this world"

"Worry about it, as soon as we get done eating and getting the information we are leaving," Keith said.

Shiro pauses as he draws a sip from his half-finished tea. "What, you still want to leave."

"Yeah because why me when they start looking at me they're going to notice my eyes," Keith told him

"Oh come on Keith, I don't think that no one's going to care about your eyes," Shiro said

"Well they should I meant why do you still trust me if I am a dark daemon," Keith said.

Shiro sets his teacup back down on the table. 'How could I not? Who stood up me against Mistress Centipeede when they hardly knew me? Who, just yesterday, said they trusted me, and no one else? Was that a lie?'

"No. No, it wasn't, why do you enjoy twisting words," Keith said.

"No, I'm not!" Shiro Begin "and because a person isn't just a product of where they come from. It's also about what they do". He pulls out his sword from his bag, "and besides I knew I could trust you, you must believe that the trust goes both ways now, Keith I trust you as if you were part of my own body, that's why I'm starting to think there's more in you!"

Silence hangs now hangs in the balance, between Shiro and Keith "wow you're sure something else, I.."

Certainly, before he can answer the rest, a figure appears, it was tall but hardly Kitsune or monstrous, Keith frowned inwardly as got out his dagger.

The figure looked very much like an old man with long hair and glasses. He was clad in a shabby cloak and loose robes hung with a few small straps, packs, and unrecognizable instruments. Shiro searched the human's wake but detected no evidence of a Kitsune, nor did the man appear threatened Shiro thought, he looked kind pleased even.

The man was impossible to tell the odd arrival's overlapping attire ended and his skin began, that aged visage blended into the dirt-stroked clothes and his beard appeared but an extension of the loose threads covering his upper chest.

Hints of extreme climates other than the forest, of ultimate cold and humidity, were etching into that seamed face, a questing beak of wrinkles and scars, the eyes bordering it were a liquid light Brown, the man smiled through sand dust and beard, squinting at the sight of the crumpled form lying quietly alongside the tables of Shiro and Keith facing them.

Convinced that to Keith had been some kind of enemy-completely ignored unnecessary caution to the wind, the fact remains that he had experimented it also and unlikely assured that this stranger meant to him is going to bring Shiro, Shiro shifted his position slightly, trying to obtain a better view.

The sound produced by a tiny pebble he dislodged was barely perceptible to his ears and sight but the man whirled as if shot. He stared straight as Shiro's alcove, still smiling gently.

"Hello there" he called in a deep but surprisingly cheerful voice as he removed his hood, finally showing the familiar face, "Sam," Shiro said, completely in shock but none the less, felt something forthright and reassuring was in that voice, the association of a familiar person was possible to remaining isolated in this world.

Leaving his seat, Shiro made his way over to where the man stood and enjoyable hug him, "I'm glad you're here Sam, I never see you again". The man's joyful body was overrun by tears as started he hugs the man so tightly. Whispers of concern came from within the Kitsune.

After a quick hug back, the old man let go of Shiro before explaining himself, "I think you got me confused with someone else" upon hearing that shortly, the unconscious Shiro has suddenly gone back to reality.

"You're not," Shiro told the man, looking at his appearance now again, his hair was long and shaped in a ponytail, and let's not forget his beard, it was a different counter from the Sam he knew.

As if to confirm this opinion, Shiro blinked, stared upward when he transforms into the same Kitsune that they encountered when they first arrived in the village, Shiro blinked, stared upward uncomprehendingly, and muttered "you're the leader I thought that you were a friend of mine".

"That's okay, son" Samson instructed him as he sat back on his shoulders. "We Kitsune can change into humans". Explaining before transforming back into a human.

Shiro looked around, his gaze coming to rest on the elderly face that was once hovering his shoulder, Recognition did wonders never cease.

"Why did you transform into a human" a sudden remembrance made him look around face. "Well after everything does happen, I thought to make you feel comfortable". A sudden remembrance made look around embarrassing as the Kitsune was looking at them, slowly he got back to his seat.

Samson takes a seat across from him, leaning back. "Good. Now that we're all friends here, I imagine you have quite a story to share. I would like to hear it, Shiro."

"My story?" Shiro said.

"Yes. How you came to be here so far away from your home, and no less holding a very surprising object." He said, holding up the quintessence Crystal.

Shiro clears his throat. "Well, where to begin... Well it started with my boyfriend Adam who decided to go inside a building where go-lives"

He continues into his tales, started with that particular moment. Next, his first memory of mistress Centipeede, and when he first woke up Keith from his spell on the tree.

"Wait a minute," Samson said "saying you found this Daemon on a tree".

Shiro shakes his head "yeah I did, but I wasn't alone at that time, I met some friends Romelle, Stats, and Keith". He points over him who bridging out his dagger to an attack mode.

"Although Keith has been an attitude problem and can be can very untrustworthy at first, when you get to know him better, he can turn out to be a great friend"

Hearing every word that comes out from Shiro's voice was an amazement to Keith's eyes widen. he hasn't been called a friend in a very long time since he has been trapped in the tree.

Samson nods. "Very well. Continue."

Shiro goes on to give a cursory overview "and now I'm here looking for the samurai, I was hoping you could show me where they are".

An introspective frown did remarkable things to that sandblasted face. Samson appeared to ponder the man question, scratching absently at his scruffy beard.

"The samurai I haven't heard that name in a very long time" he answered

"Did you know them?" Shiro said.

"Well we Kitsune own the samurai our lives, a long time ago, a samurai saved our group from attack from wild animals and we promise if a samurai comes here, we would promise them shelter, but when I where I first heard the rumor of a reincarnated priestess, I could not believe it.".

Shiro hesitates. "I see."

Do not misunderstand. I am humbled, Shiro. That is what I am trying to say. I am kind of the one to take things based on faith. However, I cannot deny how auspicious your presence is, as though the universe has given us an answer to our plight." Samson said.

Keith blinks, taken aback. "If that was the case, then why were you so adverse from the start?"

"Sorry about that, we've been getting attacked by the galra, many of our people have been lost including Shippo's father, Those three go around killing who stand in their way," Samson said

"Those three?" Shiro Wondered

"The Thunder siblings," he said

"The Thunder siblings who?" Keith asks Samson.

"Hiten, Manten, and Sōten? They are unruly, terrifying Galra, they happened targeting these lands ever since what happened to our previous group of Ninja". Samson explain

"I'm sorry about that" Shiro said.

With a smiley tune, Samson says, "don't blame yourself. They have been here for a very long time and if we have the samurai but last I do not know what happened to them"

"So what you're saying is we came all this way for nothing," Keith said, furiously

"Well no, the last time I heard about it they have been hidden them, they can only come when..." Samson said.

"Samson," said a Kitsune.

"Yes what is it," Samson said as he transforms back into Kitsune.

Running off from the Great Hall, Samson and the others start going outside. While Shiro and Keith stay behind.

A dark storm cloud appeared in the sky, to the Kitsune it rather is something dangerous, it turns out it was as a certain figure arrived.

"Hello," Manten said as he was examining his reflection in a mirror "so who wants to play," he said, showing off his lightning power.

The Kitsune looked on in horror, they have seen his terrifying power, more times as they can count, it's so powerful in back none of their ninja were able to stand against it.

"No one, I wonder if it has something to do with my hair", he wonders as he looks at his hair strands "If only I had a little more hair. I'd be popular like Brother Hiten.?"

"All right" Looking at down at the people, almost forgetting about his mission. "So who wants to become the next 'visitor' to visit our base".

However unknowing to him, he didn't notice something rustling within the group, "I gave you another one, you took our last group a few days ago" Samson said as he appears.

"Y-You...! Hah! Don't make me laugh. You know the rules, for those who don't follow the rules, get skin" he said this, slaps the pelt will look like a fox.

"Very well, we will send you one group" he said, defeated.

"Very good, only one of you are willing to apply" with that out of the way, Manten left the village in peace for now anyway. Upon hearing that request, the Kitsune ware weary by quite the panic.

"This is the fifth time they asked us to do this" one of the kitsune

"My sons never return from us," said A middle-aged woman kitsune

"My daughter is next," said a middle-aged man kitsune

"What are we going to do," another kitsune said.

Shiro had a bad feeling about this. He and Keith had seen the scene through the mess hall, looking at Manten sent shivers down the spine as they felt like their troubles were beginning again.

Unlike Twyla who was already proven to be a dangerous enemy in the past. Manten had already proven to be an enemy of the state. Who knows what his siblings are like, those who witness them never returned. The Kitsune were proof of that, no wonder they didn't trust Shiro or Keith in the first place, they witness loss at the hands of them. So what to do. What to do when.

Nighttime falls later, when everyone falls asleep, despite their uncertain, but Shiro's eyes stay wide awake as he was thinking about the day's events, he can't stop thinking of the Kitsune as silence cleaning the room.

"Hey, Keith" Shiro whispers to the next side of the room, where Keith sleep, but no response, because of course there isn't, Keith is laying on the floor. Restless, he pulls himself out of bed and out of the room.

The mess hall is dark, idle, as silent as a mountain top, going outside he plops onto the dirt-stroked steps.

"Can't sleep?" A certain figure says, in his human form.

"Samson, yeah" He slumps back, settling down next to Samson, "I can't stop from thinking what happened in the day"

"Don't be, we made our choice to live like this, in war, we have to make hard choices" he said.

Shiro scoffs that, "yeah I don't remind me". Rethinking about his situation back to Alderaan, when he was dealing with the possess Queen Astrid, he had a choice to finish her off but didn't, looking back to it, it was the right call but there comes a point where he has to take a life again. When he finished off Twyla with the help of Keith and Romelle.

"You know where I must be thinking, then we don't stand a chance perhaps maybe you're right" Samson question

"You don't know what I'm thinking, and besides you kind of remind me that person that I was talking about from the moment we met," Answered Shiro.

"Is this person, like very special to you?" said Samson

"Yes very much, he was like a father to me and it's hard I might never see him again," Shiro said

"I see"

"So how do we defeat them!" Keith said, appearing on the porch".

"Ha!" Shippo scoffed. "As if you stand a chance against them!"

"What was that?" Keith asked.

"You are a half-daemon, right?" Shippo asked. "I can smell the human in you."

"...Excuse me?" Keith asked, his voice dangerously low.

"Oh, no..." Shiro muttered.

"My father was a real daemon!" Shippo boasted. "If he couldn't defeat the Thunder Brothers, what can a stupid half-breed like you-"

"Shippo, that's enough!" Samson shouted, causing Keith and Shiro to look at him. "You have no right to say that about them!"

"Oh please, just because I'm a half-daemon doesn't mean I can't help," Keith said

"Keith," Shiro said.

Shippo growled before he sighed.

"Fine," he said. "I'm sorry."

"There," Keith said. "Was that so hard?"

"As long as you understand, In penance..." Shippo said as he reaches into his clothes and Surprisingly thumps a jizo statue on Keith's hand on the ground and sticks a charm on it. He somersaults in the air and lands.

"Hey, you!" Keith questioned.

"There!" Shippo exclaimed as he put a paper slip on the statue. "As long as the charm stays on, the jizo statue will not move!"

"Why you little runt!" Keith shouted. "Wait until I get my hands on you!"

"Shippo! will you please get the statue". Samson said.

"Hmph!"

"Keith, stop playing around!" Shiro said.

"Try telling that to him, I can't get it off!" Keith said as he was struggling to take his hand from under the jizo statue.

"Forgive me, Samson, I don't like better than you do, but I need you and your friend to sleep for a while!"

With that said, Shippo leaps up and hits the back of Shiro and Samson's necks in hopes of putting them to sleep, however, he was able to get Samson to sleep, seeing him transform back into his Kitsune. But Shiro was unexpectedly by it.

"That hurt!"

"Okay that was unexpected but think fast "he conjures a foxfire that pushes Shiro away before departure "I finally stop the Thunder siblings"

"Hey come back" Shiro shouted as he was going to his room to get his sword and chases Shippo.

"Shiro! Can you Peel off the charm first? Keith called after him. "Come back! Take the sutra off the statue, then chase that little runt! Shiro!"

Later on in the night, on patrol duty, the huge Galra, known as Manten was looking at himself in a reflection in a pond as well as looking for ingredients. "This mixer is going to be perfect"

While he was looking for the right ingredients he was unnoticed the attack of shuriken.

"He's not coming after me or witness me," a ascertain ninja thought as he looking back while running prove the grass.

However, he is proving wrong as Manten stamps in front of the scene, all mad like. "Hey are you the one who throws this at me"

Shippo froze before he slowly turned around, only to come face-to-face with Manten, who glowered down at him.

"Oh, what have we here?" he asked. "You are the son of the fox that my brother and I had slain!"

"Y-You...! Hah!" Shippo gasps as he notices the pelt on.

"Your father's fur is sooo warm!" Manten said as slaps the pelt.

"Why you...! How dare you do that to my father... Why...! WHY!!" Manten hits Shippo, which sends him flying off.

"Ooh" Shippo whimpered as he backed away, his heart racing in his chest and his tiny body quivering.

"...I...I know I said a lot...but the truth is...I'm too scared! But I'm a ninja who needs help...But who's gonna help me?!"

"Shippo! Get down!"

Shippo looked back, only to gasp and ducked down as a sword flew through the air, hitting Manten right through the nose!

"Hey, who throw that" Manten cried.

"Huh?" Shippo asked before he looked back and saw Shiro, who was holding his sword.

"What? Hey, you!" Manten said as tries to grab Shippo who is escaping, behind Shiro's back.

"Don't move! Or else I'll cut your neck" Shiro warned.

"Shiro!" Shippo cried. "Don't do it!"

"Don't move! Shippo, come here. Hurry!" Shiro said, branching out his sword to attack mode.

"Hey, I heard about you, you're the one who attacked the swamp base over on Balto, the samurai" cried Manten as he glared at the cut stuck on his snout before he snarled and glared at Shiro.

"Okay, that's enough talking" Shiro shouted as he releases his sword at Manten's head.

"Darn it!" Shiro cursed. "I didn't hit him!"

"Huh...haaah...!" Manten gasped as he held his head...as the two single strands of hair fell from his scalp. "HAH?! N...no! My hair!"

"Watch out! Run!" Shippo said as he runs off with Shiro "My father was killed by that!"

Manten releases his lightning attack at them resulting in Shiro and Shippo falling onto the ground, sliding a distance away from the rift that was formed on the ground. However, Shiro is unconscious.

"Did I strike them dead?" Manten said.

"AAH! Shiro!" Shippo cried as he ran to his side. "S-Shiro! Are you okay?! Wake up!" He then gasped as he heard the sound of the grass rustling, causing him to look up and see the familiar shape of Manten's bald head. "Oh, no...!"

As Manten pulled the reeds away, he found Shiro lying in the grass...but no Shippo insight.

"Curses," he cursed. "The fox brat got away."

Upon hearing his voice, Shiro wakes up as footsteps are heard behind him. He turns around to see Manten hovering over him.

"There you are you're still alive," Manten said, examines Shiro's face and instantly blushes, "you are so... pretty! you probably make all the girls straight up dead with your hair and body"

Hiding away in the tall grass, "man that was close" Shippo said as he became lucky but it wasn't a good one when Manten carries Shiro off on his cloud.

"Let go of me," Shiro said, attempting to let go of Manten.

"Oh, no!" the little kit cried. "Shiro!"

He attempted to run after them, but then he stopped right in his tracks. "Shiro! You willing to help me, yet I abandoned you and ran away! Shippo said as he clenched his fist.

"I know that I have to save him...but I can't do it on my own! I'm just a kid! I don't stand a chance against the Thunder Siblings! What am I gonna do?!"

He then gasped quietly in realization.

"That's it!" he exclaimed before he turned and ran off.

A few hours later, in the morning, Samson finally woke up, his head feels like he's been sleeping on bricks indicated that he was still on the porch with Keith who has the jizo statue in his hands.

"Hey you're finally awake, can you peel off the charm!"

"Ok!" With that Samson trying to peel off the charm off the jizo statue. "Ohh... It's not working! Keith, I can't peel this charm off, I'm sorry".

"Damn that little runt!" Keith barked. "Wait until I get my hands on him! You all look like you know enjoying hunting whenever you feel like it!"

"Hunting is that what you think about us," Samson said, surprisingly.

"Well no duh, I mean you willing to give up your people to them". Keith said. "Just like the others, just like the others that I have seen who enjoy hunting down other half-breeds like me"

"I'm sorry that happened to you but we are not like them," Samson said.

Just then, sanding back on the porch once again. Shippo appears standing in between Samson and Keith.

"Oh, it's you!" Keith growled. "Back to take your lumps?!"

"Listen to me," Shippo said, still trying to act proud. "I'll take the statue off...but only if you promise not to hit me! Got it?"

"Wait a minute," Keith said. "Where's Kagome? Why didn't she come back with you?"

"Will you promise or not?!" Shippo said.

"Fine, we won't be mad at you" Samson replied.

"Very well," Shippo said as he peels off the charm from the jizo statue, which transforms into a mini statue. "Now listen quietly!"

"What!" Both Keith and Samson shouted so loudly.

"I already told you, Shiro got taken off by Manten!" Shippo cried as he held the bump on his head. "And You promised You wouldn't hit me!"

"This is bad, if your friend gets to take to Zarkon there's no telling what will happen" Samson explain to Keith.

"Then we go and hurry" Said Keith as he was going back to the mess hall.

"What were you thinking, going out to the Thunder Brothers all by yourself" Samson scolded

"I had to do something, our people have been suffering at the hands of the Galra for too long," said Shippo

Samson and Shippo lookup and finds Keith carrying Shiro's backpack over his shoulder.
"Now that you're both done talking, I need one of you to take me there!"

"I will, I will accompany you and as for you, I need you to prepare for the villagers, it's time for a change!" Samson said.

"You mean," Shippo said, Surprisingly

"Yes, you were right you know, I have given up on my people, they have been suffering for far too long," said Samson

"Thank you," Shippo said, hugging Samson "need for the hugs but you're still getting punished after all this is over"

"Huh?"

Meanwhile, in a mountainous area with dark thunderclouds all around, an old galra base sits on high...the Thunder Siblings' home. Here, Shiro lies on the floor, Now tied up, and struggles to get free, and the first thing a

he saw was Manten, stirring a bubbling pot of...something.

As he dropped another toppling stack of herbs to his potion in a pot.

"Thank you, sister" Manten said as he simultaneously scanned the material that gives it to him, putting in his pot. Stirring up the materials frantically. "Now, if you could please find Axle's forbidden spice--"

"Red spice," Sōten said in confusion.

"No, forbidden" corrected Manten, Still reading at a face clip, "it's an annual forbidden spice that came from Aolalx"

Misunderstanding, Sōten lifted to one of the shelves to get the spice that he wanted.

"Found it" Grumbled Sōten.

Manten sighed, rubbed his eyes, and said, "The flesh and blood of pretty, young women or men promote healthy hair, this man appears this-, this-"

Manten searched for a word until Sōten helpfully guessed, "this guy you have tied up" pointing over Shiro who was tied up and mouth covered, on a table which behind him was a giant cleaver lies next to him.

"That's right, as soon I'm going to boil him down into a potion and apply to my head"

"Wh-what? I'd rather be eaten than put on your head!!" Shiro thought as he clenches his fist.

"While you're are doing that, I'm going to continue my experiments on the fox people," Sōten said, looking over screens containing the taken people from the valley, "the empire has been focusing on human and Daemon relationships up till late"

"Well I heard that they been working on something, very powerful, something that could turn the tide of the war" Manten added

"Well, that would have been swelling, as long as we keep the foxs in line, our hold on them will be excremental to the war?" Sōten said

"Yes, don't you think so," Manten said.

Yes, he could not believe it, being all tied up he is, Shiro felt so much rage in him. Being forced to be taken onto experiments, that's something he has experienced before in the short while at least, he got himself a monster arm and now he's a trap into another situation that he might be killed.

Just in as the slide doors open and Manten yelped in fright as the doors revealing Hiten with his arm draped around the shoulder of a voluptuous, red-eyed vixen with long, black locks and nothing to cover her large breasts but a snake.

"Yo, Manten! Sōten! I am home". said Hiten.

"Hello, big brother," Sōten said.

"Brother Hiten!" Manten said, panicking.

"Hmm-hmm..." the woman that Hiten was petting chuckled. "So, that thing is your younger brother, Lord Hiten?"

"Who's that?" Hiten hummed as he noticed Shiro, who blinked at him.

"He's my prey!" Manten said, stands in front of Shiro with outstretched arms.

"Ah, relax," Hiten assured. "I have no use for that wench..." He then looked to his companion. "Not when I have this beautiful vixen...right, love?"

"Yes, Lord Hiten," the woman smirked.

"He seems more human. Maybe he'll be more receptive". Shiro thought.

"Hey, Manten. Have you completed your patrol" Hiten exclaimed?

"Huh? Errr... That's right". Manten said as clasps his hand and looks into the distance happily.

Upon looking at him, Hiten walks to Manten, leaving the vixen at the doorway.

Manten rubs his head and bows "Sorry, Brother! I...I found something interesting on patrol, but...

"But what? Don't tell me that you were more interested in fixing your hair" Hiten said that, clenches his fist and swings it backward, "failed to make sure no enemies make toward our stronghold"

Light emits from Hiten's palm in the vixen's direction. Loud noises and sparks fly. The vixen, now charred, plops on the ground backward.

"Brother! Sorry!" He said

"You're so hopeless! If you weren't my kid brother, you wouldn't have enough lives to survive!" Hiten said

"Who is he?! He's so frightening!" Shiro thought

A short while later, Samson changed into his human form while Keith carries Shiro's backpack over his shoulder, running onto a rock surface, then across a few pinnacles.

"We're getting close" Samson grinned. "We're this close to saving the people and your friend"

"Yep," said Keith, looking around. He and Samson were the only guys going into the base which was probably a good thing because the last time they need is another person getting taken.

"Hey, why are you doing this" Keith said, apparently having a lot on his mind. On Shiro of what he said to him before. Telling him that he has potential.

"Because of your friend, I once told him what we're doing and it probably made him think we're cowards," Samson said

"Well, I don't think in you're all cowards I meant, Shippo was willing to stand up to them, even Shiro". Keith said.

"Well, I suppose you're right," Samson said, he studied his thoughts on the matter, "we're almost there, over those edges, the base is nearby"

Back at the base, an alarm set off on schedule.

"Hey dummies, we got incoming" Sōten said, looking over the screen to see figures, certain ones. "What, the leader is coming here"

"They're leaving...?" Shiro whispered. "This is my chance to get out of here, then." using the cleaver to free himself, Shiro removes his tape and think about a plan for his escape, get out, free the people, find Keith and think of a better plan because barging in is not a great plan, especially in times of war.

"Won't what?" Sōten demanded.

"Well..." Shiro pauses "Won't be able to stop the armies of the samurai"

"W-why would I lie?" Shiro asked. "If you ask for an exchange, I'm sure he'll gladly exchange the quintessence Crystal for me!"

"You man! Take us to this Keith" Hiten said as picks up Shiro by his collar.

"However... If you've been lying, your pretty face will end up black and charred." Explaining himself as holds up Shiro's face, forcing him to see the vixen.

"He means it... he's willing to go for it!" Shiro thought

'Repair the troops for battle" Hiten order.

With that out of the way, Shiro hopes that his bib was enough, meaning by telling the siblings to believes they have an army, a big one, that's crazy but then again it's will have to do. Meanwhile back at the outside, Samson and Keith have arrived at the base.

"Th-there it is, Keith! The Thunder Siblings' hideout!" said Samson.

"So that's where they've taken Shiro?" the half-daemon asked.

"Yes, I just hope your friend all right" Samson nodded.

"Oh he is fine! he's got a tenacious streak in him". Keith asked

"Well, that kind of what worries me," Samson said.

Samson immediately clammed up, but then the clouds began to rumble, causing him to look up and gasp.

Keith and Samson fall onto the ground and tumbles away, luckily Keith lands right and looks up. Another lightning bolt appears. Keith grabs Samson in his Kitsune form and runs off.

Keith kneels on the ground and shields Samson and himself with his hand as the bolt hits the ground they were on before.

The ground shatters into pieces. Keith let go of Samson. They look up into the dark clouds.

"Humph, so you thwarted me! For someone yapping out loud in front of someone's front yard, you move fast. You must be the one...Keith the half-daemon". Hiten said. On top of the base with soldiers behind him.

"Keith, that's the older Thunder Brother, Hiten". Samson said.

"So he's the boss. Hey you! Where's Shiro?!" Keith shouted

"Relax, we haven't anything to him yet. Manten!"

Under his orders, Manten floats next to him on a cloud, holds up Shiro "Tadah!"

"Keith!" Shiro cried.

"Shiro!" Keith exclaimed as he stands up suddenly and yells his name. "he's still alive!"

"Ah," Hiten smirked. "By your expression, looks like the man spoke the truth. Hand over the quintessence Crystal! If you want to save the man, your master!"

KATHOOOM! lightning flashes across the sky......while Keith stared, dumbfounded.

"Umm...hi...?" he squeaked.

"Uh...okay," Keith replied. "I think there's been some big misunderstanding here. Shiro's not my master!"

"Oh, come on!" Shiro shouted. "What are you being so shy about?!"

"So, it was a ruse, after all, was it?" Manten asked as he grabbed Shiro by his hair, causing him to gulp.

"Um...maybe...?" he asked.

"But no matter we will get the crystal soon enough!" Hitan said.

"Hand over the crystal, let me think no!" Keith said

"What, You intend to abandon me?!" Shiro questioned.

"Abandon?! You make it sound like you and I are a weird item or ship!" Shiro questioned.

Which is more important?! Me or the quintessence Crystal?!" Shiro points out If you dare choose the Crystal, I'll rip your guts out!"

"Whatever! One thing seems true... You have the Crystal. I'm gonna kill you and take it" Hiten said, flies towards Keith.

Keith scoffed as he drew his Dagger. "Not in my lifetime, pal!"

"Thunderbolt attack!" Hiten points his pike at Keith with sparks flying. "Hah! I wonder just how long can you hold out against my strikes?"

But Keith gathers his strength and pushes Hiten away with his dagger. However, he grunted as he found himself getting pushed back, so much so that Keith had to hold up both hands just to try and hold his dagger up!

"You've got brute strength, at least. This is gonna be fun!" Hiten said, flies further away from Keith, and lightning flashes and thunder bellows in the background.

"Rrrgh...! Keith grunted as he felt getting pushed back, further. "Screw...YOU!"

SLASH! With a powerful swing, Keith managed to throw Hiten back into the air!

"Hmm... You want me to make sport of you, huh? Well, it's gonna be fun!" Hiten said as he managed to catch himself.

"Hah! Of all the fools who said the same thing, none are alive today!" Keith said.

"Should we attacked," a soldier Wondered.

"My brother has got it on his own," Manten said.

"Yes he does" Sōten looking at her screen, but one by one the screen suddenly shows static, "what the", trying to figure out the problem Sōten gets up from her chair to confront whatever problems within the base.

"We are in," a mysterious figure said...

"Excellent" Shippo said, right after Samson had left with Keith, he had riled up the villagers and they plan an attack.

"The only thing that's left is to rescue Shiro," Shippo said.

"Keith!" cried Shiro as he sat in Manten's cloud.

"Eeheeheehee!" laughed Manten as he clapped his hands. "What joy, Hiten! Allow me to assist you, brother!" He then opened his mouth, preparing to shoot out a lightning blast.

"Hey!" Shiro shouted. "That's not fair, ganging up on him!" he then pushed Manten over, causing his lightning blast to hit the ground...and not long after, he fell over, making a small crater in the earth!

"I did it!" Shiro cheered...only for the cloud that Manten was riding to disappear. "Uh...uh-oh...!" he then plummeted to the ground, screaming his head off!

"Oh, no!" Keith cried as he ran to help him. "Shiro!"

"Oh, no, you don't!" Hiten shouted as he attempted to hit Keith with his Thunder Pike, but he blocked it with his dagger. "Don't you dare turn your back on me!"

"Darn it!" Keith cursed. "Shiro! Just hang on, okay?! I'll be right there!"

"Hang on to what?!" Shiro questioned as he fell, only to bounce off of something and land on the ground on his rump. "Ow! Ugh...well...at least I landed on something soft...for a moment, anyway."

However, his small victory as Manten's troops stars pointing out their guns at him.

"Shiro" Keith shouted as pauses at the sight.

"You can't afford to worry about him now!" Hitan said as he attacks Keith who blocks his attacks.

"Shiro! Hang on until I get there!" He said to himself

But surrounded by soldiers isn't a good idea as they started to fire their guns since luckily, remembering his training back on Arus. Shiro twirled his sword to defend himself from the Galra troops' laser shots in a shower of sparks as he attacks the soldiers at high speed with impressive speed and agility with the sword.

So much in fact, that he doesn't need Keith to protect him. He can handle himself just fine. Jumping off the base Shiro landed on Manten in the hole and bounces off.

"Hey, a perfect touch down!" Shiro said.

However, an impending sense of dread soon overcame him as he heard a deep growl behind him, causing him to whimper as he glanced back and saw Manten, glowering down at him with darkened eyes.

"You bastard" Manten shouted as he gets up

"He's alive!" Shiro trips and falls resulting in him approaching him, stomping.

"Fox magic! Spinning top!" Samson said as he releases the top, which lands and spins on Manten's head. It gets bigger and steam comes out as it digs into his head. Manten collapses on the ground.

"Shiro hurry over here!" Samson said as he arrived at the edge of the hole.

"Samson!" Shiro said, climbing out, "you know such great magic!"

"Well..." Samson closes his eyes as sweat appears on his face. "You can't let your guard down yet, Fox magic is trickery but useful for fighting"

"Trickery? Then what's that?" Shiro turns to look at Manten in the hole with the top still spinning on his head.

"Owweee!!" he cried. "W...what is this?! Get it off!"

"It's all an illusion". Shiro said.

The top becomes smaller till its original size and falls off Manten's head. He picks up the top and gets up. "Damn! That foxs"

Suddenly, where the top spun was the spot was at Manten's last remaining strand of hair is. The strand quivers a little and falls off.

"Huh?!" Standing up.

"N-no!", rubs his head where the hair was "Gone! It's gone! My hair!"

Saddened by the loss, a ball of bolt starts gathering in his mouth as he looks to the sky "How dare you take my last strand of hair?!"

Manten releases blow after blow of bolt balls in various directions, which destroyed trees and shattered the ground. Shiro and Samson runoff. Small heaps of fire burn where the bolt hit.

Shiro hides behind a mound with Samson "It's as though we added fuel to the fire..."

"Where are you?! My hair potion candidate...and that old fox...!" Manten, stops near the mound where Shiro and Samson hides.

Where'd they go?!, Manten walks off

"What'll we do? If we're found, we'll be killed". That's when he spotted the sword cut that was still lodged in Manten's snout.

"I know we had to do, Samson do you trust me," he said, causing the older kit to look up at him.

"I do, what you need me to do!" he said.

Manten slows down and shoots another bolt ball at the mound which shatters, "Are you here?!" He said as walks over to the spot where the mound was an unconscious Shiro lying on the ground "You bitch! Did you think you could elude me?!" He said that as he picks up Shiro by his hair fluffy.

"Shut up, you skinhead!" Shiro said as he opens his eyes.

"Look, hair that you love!" As two bundles of Shiro's hair floats out and twirls around Manten's wrists as Another Shiro runs toward Manten.

"Two men?!"

I'm here to finish you!"

The Shiro who just appeared with his sword above Manten's nose. The hair of the Shiro that Manten is holding turns white. "Why, you're...a fox!"

"I'm gonna avenge my people suffering!" shouted Samson

"Samson, hold him down!" Shiro shouted as she thrust the sword toward his neck.

"If I can cut his neck...", he thought resolutely. "I can beat him!"

However, as he raises the sword, Manten blocks Shiro's attack which sends him to the ground and throws him down, grabbing the former by the throat while he pinned the latter under his foot.

"I'll choke you to death!" Manten shouted as grabs Shiro's neck

"Keith...!" Shiro gagged, weakly "L...let me go!"
 
"Shiro" Keith shouted as he turned in his direction, only to cry out in pain as he felt the blade of Hiten's Thunder Pike stab into his left shoulder!

"What the heck! Are you looking away for"

Hitan drags his pike downwards forcefully, sending him to the ground, resulting in the dagger to falls out of Keith's hand. Sticking into the ground a distance away from him. Keith, wincing in pain, tries to get up but is stopped short by Hitan who points his pike in his face.

"Hah! You're not what they said about you. I expected more of a fight! Weakling! How about I kill you slowly, one limb at a time?" Hitan said

"Shame of all these distractions, I have to take care of Shiro first." Keith thought, thinking about his injury

"Look, Manten...at this half-demon! He's given up!" Hitan told Manten.

Keith growled as he held his wound, blood seeping onto his palm.

"I'm having fun here, too, Brother! Look a liar man on the verge of death is irresistible!" Manten concurred, mockingly as he continued to squeeze Shiro's neck.

"Cut it out!" Samson shouted.

"Shut up!" Manten swings and punches Samson away, while still grabbing Shiro with the other hand. Samson lands and rubs his scratched cheek while glaring at Manten.

"Ha, haha! Mortifying isn't it you Kitsune shit, just you want, after I kill this boy you'll be next" He patted the fox pelt around his waist. "I'll fleece you. Just like I did your old friend".

Samson whimpered as he stared up at Manten, who went back to choking Shiro.

"Maybe I'll turn you into a hood. I'll use foxs we captured until both their fur falls off!" he said, cruelly as he squeezed tighter and tighter.

"Unforgivable," a recognizable voice said. "How dare you use my father as a symbol of fear"

It was Shippo and several villagers from the valley.

"Shippo" Shiro choked out. "Runaway...while you can...!"

But he didn't listen, "Everyone attack" Shippo shouted, under his orders, the villagers' leaps and bites into Manten's thick body

"You fools! Manten shouted as he grabs everybody's head, trying to pull out.

"We won't let go even if it kills us!" Shippo cried as he opened one eye to look at Shiro. "I already put everyone in danger in the first place...so how can I face my Father if I let you die before me?!"

"You Foxs... Release me! Or I'm gonna beat your head to a pulp!" Manten said as he tries to repeatedly remove everybody but everyone comes back to bite him anyway.

Given an opportunity with Manten's grip loosen, Shiro, put out his sword and stab him.

"Yes. He's killing him" Samson explained.

"He's what"

"Damn! I may not be the nicest guy around but you two are making me sick!" Keith stands and digs his fingers into his shoulder wound, "Daemon blood art, blades!!!"

Luckily Titan has taken aback but blocks the Blades of Blood with his pike handle.

"Fool! Where are you aiming?"

"Are you sure about that?" Keith said as he runs and grabs his dagger, which he throws at Hiten, who dodges but the dagger gets thrown to Shiro, with Keith's dagger in hand, Shiro sliced the daemon's neck?

"M-Manten!" Hiten screamed.

Catching his breath Shiro looked at the dagger, Keith's dagger, he must get it to him!

"Father..." Shippo said, holding onto the pelp

"Yes...I must get Shippo's father's body." Shiro said to himself.

While he was getting it, Hitan zooms towards Shiro who is holding Keith's dagger, Shippo's father's body, and his sword.

"Manten!"

"Shiro! Hurry and get away from there!" Keith yells anxiously

However sends a bolt at Shiro, sent them flying with the attack, Hiten lands near Manten! and holds up his brother's denigrating remains.

"Hey, are you alive?" he asked.

"I...I think I'm all right," said Shiro before he looked around, only to gasp. "Wait! Where's your dagger?! I had it in my hand!"

"Don't worry about that, I'm just glad you were able to fight back!" asked Keith. "And besides! Don't worry about such a thing! Even with a sword, no way would I lose to that beast! And besides, I think you can handle yourself"

"Yeah, I think you're right", Shiro said as reaches out his hand to Keith and smile back.

As for Hiten...he sat next to his younger brother's dead body as the thunder in the clouds began to rumble louder...as if resonating with his pain.

"Manten, how cruel, my little brother is dead" Hitan shouted in tears. Hot tears.

"He's crying," Shiro said to Keith.

"I guess so" Keith said

"...Rest assured...we will finish the as one, my fallen brother!"

On that, Using his long nails, he digs through to the remains of Manten, getting through the heart, removing it.

"He's eating the heart," Shiro said, disgusted

"No. Hiten is synthesizing his brother's magic into his own body. Shiro, Keith you must be very careful. He now has the power of tenfold now" Samson said.

"Well that's comforting," Keith said

A huge light appears behind them. Keith picks up Shiro, Samson, and the pelt of Shippo's father and leaps out of the way. It was Hitan's mega-bolt attack at them, which created a hole in the ground they were on.

"You...dared...to kill my dear kid brother. I won't let you get away with it!" He said

"Lord Samson, are you all right," Shippo said coming up to the crater.

"Don't worry about me I'm alright, our people" Samson asked

"Don't worry, the Ninja are protecting them, all the people that were taken" Shippo Answered

"Wow, I guess I was wrong about you guys, I think that I owe you an apology," Keith said

"That's okay, we thought you were a half-wit," said Shippo

"Shippo," Samson said.

"The power of the thunderbolt staff is increasing! More magic combined into one is a formidable force!" Keith thought "This means I got a real fight on my hands, here"

"Shiro!" he said, not taking his eyes off of Hiten. "Take Shippo and the others and get as far as possible!"

"Shiro, wait!" Samson cried. "How is Keith gonna fight without his weapon?!"

Shiro gasped in horror before she looked to where he had accidentally dropped Keith's Dagger!

"You're right!" he cried. "He doesn't have his weapon!"

"Father's fur..." Shippo said.

"Shippo, I'm sorry I should have done more". Shiro said

"Don't be, Manten is destroyed, Sōten is who knows where, and Shiro and Keith help us. But now, his brother Hiten..." Shippo said.

"Stay here, Keith getting tired". Shiro said.

"His opponent can move through the air with ease," Samson said

"Hiten can hover... that's it, all I have to do hit the target," Shiro said, looking at Hiten's hover shoes. "Everyone, I need you to stay here"

"Wait, take my father's skin," Shippo said

"Are you sure, Shippo?" Shiro asks

"I'm sure, it will protect you and I already pay my debts to my father" Shippo hummed, thoughtfully before his eyes went wide.

"Ok" soon, Shiro was off, planning to attack Hiten and save Keith from his rampage.

"Oh man, I can feel the pain and it's crazy," Keith thought, as he grimaces in pain as Hitan plan the final attack.

"Die, you excuse of a warrior" Hitan Shouted

However, his left wheel is suddenly broken by Shiro's sword.

"I got him!" Shiro shouted.

Hitan pauses in midair as he gets suddenly punch by Shiro. Who gathered all his strength to finish up that move.

"He did it, now I can't finish him off," Keith said.

"Are you stupid?!" Hitan said bolts from the pike surge at Shiro but Keith use his own sheathe to Dodge the attack

"Shiro, finish him off," Keith said

"There is no way you two are going to finish me off that easily," Hitan said as he shoots a burst of a bolt from his mouth at Shiro and Keith. A loud explosion is heard among the Kitsune and the air is filled with smoke with Shippo's father's body is tossed into the air.

"He can use Manten's power as well...!" Samson. "Both of you get out of there now"

But it was too late, Shiro and Keith are already consumed by it with Shiro lay unconscious amidst flames, with Keith as the witness and the survivor.

"Shiro, Shiro" Keith called as he looked to the flames.

"Serves you right! It Looks like he is dead, the one they called the samurai". said Hiten with a malicious smirk.

"Why you...!" Keith said, stands up and pushes back him "Unforgivable!" yells and punches Hitan.

"Why you...! You're just a half-demon! Yet he's fighting like a real demon!" Hiten growled.

"I refuse to die until I kill you!" Keith growled.

"Has the blood going to your head since the samurai has been killed? Stop acting so stupid over some silly man! I'll teach you the pain and sorrow of one who has lost his only dear, little brother!" Hitan said as he runs and attacks with his pike, who blocks with his sheathe but a crack is Forming

"It's going to break!" Samson said as more cracking sounds.

"I've won!" he yelled.

Keith struggles to hold back Hitan. Suddenly a throbbing sound is heard and his dagger flies towards them.

"The sheathe has summoned the weapon!" Samson exclaimed.

Keith throws the sheathe away and raises the dagger and swing it downwards at Hiten violently. Hiten holds up his pike to block, but he and his pike are slashed into two by Keith, leaving him stares at Keith in shock, and falls on his knees.

"I've lost...! To a half-demon... Lost" Hitan thought as his body disintegrates.

"Damn... If only I had defeated Hiten earlier..." Keith replied

"You did, you saved us" exclaimed Samson as he walked over.

"...It doesn't matter," Keith replied. "So what if I defeated an enemy? It doesn't mean anything, now that Shiro is...is..." He then bit his lip and looked away. "Dammit...if only I had finished Hiten sooner!"

"Keith..." A Mysterious voice said.

"Shiro..." Keith said as see Shiro became engulfed in the blue light and look at Keith with serene and contented expressions.

"Keith... Thanks for everything and I know that you were going to be okay."

"Ohh... Those are the soul of Shiro is bid a final farewell." Samson said

"What?!" Keith gasped in shock as the glow suddenly blows upwards

"Wait! Don't go!" Keith shouted as he runs towards to grabs Shiro's hand

Shiro is shocked by Keith's gesture as the blue light zooms upwards and twirls into the shape of a fox, stares at the disappearing light, "Shiro! Huh?!"

Keith is still holding onto Shiro's hand, Shiro is normal again.

"Yes..."

"Huh?! You're alive?"

"Go where?"

The blue glow finally disappears into thin air.

"Looks like father is going into the Afterlife," Shippo said

"Yes he is," Shiro said

Shiro notices Keith's hand on his, blushing "Umm..."

Keith scoffs and throws off Shiro's hand, embarrassed, "why'd you get so sappy on me?! If you're gonna die, die! If you're not, don't die! Just be clear!"

"Ok, where's Sōten? You guys have her, right?"

"No, she disappears right at the moment since her brothers died"

"Shiro, Keith our people are save that's all that matter"

Afterward, in a dark building, two soldiers were delivering Sōten to her fate. To the way a man, dress in a maroon armor accented with dark gray over a black space suit "Sir, I can explain"

"I don't want excuses! I want the samurai" Zarkon commanded

I found one, Lord Zarkon! I did! Hiding among the location that we were guarding.

"Get to the point!" He yells at her

It got away... Wait. Lord Zarkon, forgive me, please. I will not fail you again.

"No one fails me twice, take her away.

"No, no, no, no, no"

"Bring me, Haggar"

In the daytime, The village was finally back to his normal state. The people were finally free and reunited with their loved ones, however, it wasn't a happy time for a certain person.

"Keith...What's the matter? Why are you so angry?"

"I think he's embarrassed that he misunderstood something in the heat of passion. That boy is still very naïve". Samson said

"Is that it?" said Keith

"Well now everything is said and done I have something important to tell you, Shiro and Keith, you both have a difficult task ahead of you, as you all know our planet at war and the only way to stop this war is to defeat Zarkon" Samson Explain

"Okay, so how do we do that" Shiro asks

"You must train in your magic"

"Don't worry we will but before we go" Keith said

"Yes, anything that you need"

"Can I hit Shippo?" Keith said

"What"

"You want to hit him oh come on Keith, he saved us"

"Yes, yes! I'm a very good kid"

You only act as a good kid when it's convenient. Shippo?! Keith said, pronouncing him in a deliberate manner

"Shiro, Samson he's being mean!"

"Keith, we need to talk about this"

"Still so young...! Still young indeed"

Young or not, Shiro and Keith have made new friends on their journey continues.