FSE

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"Why, should I trust you by words alone?" She wondered. "I will kill your grandson with or without your help madam. To be honest it really makes no difference to me either way." Stark replied moving towards the door. Nora was quiet for a moment and before she said anything Stark had vanished. "Good, riddance I don't need some beast-man to exact my revenge on my own flesh and blood." She mumbled sourly.

Stark stayed within earshot as she spoke that comment aloud before he actually leaving. He knew taking me on right now would be suicide so, he decided to find a place to prepare. Perhaps to find an alternate way of becoming a full fledge nine tails or even a Kyubi. The power of either form would be enough to bury me perminently. Sadly the process of ascending to either form isn't an easy thing to accomplish.

As he found a secluded area where he could train in peace then he got to work. Meanwhile back at my home I was soaking in a nice hot bath while everything else took place. Until Renka knocked on the door wanting to talk me for a moment. So I reached up to unlock the door for her and closed the shower curtain. She opened the door, walked inside and closed the door behind her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your bath my dear but, something pinged across my senses briefly. Not sure why I wasn't really scanning for strong energy signatures. Until something or perhaps someone popped up, the second I tried to track it, I lost the signal. When you're done in here love I could use your help." She informed moving towards the door. "Sure thing, I'll be out of here in a little bit okay, Renka." I replied.

"Thanks, oh and by the way nice hardware you've got there." She teased exiting the room. My face turned four shades of bright red in response to Renka's sudden remark. I finished washing, pulled the drain plug before stepping out and drying off. Once I dressed and hung up the towels I used before exiting the bathroom. From there I walked down the hall and found Renka in her room sitting on the bed.

"Hey, I'm ready when you are, Renka?" I said sitting down beside her on the bed. She smiled, turned to face me then took my hands into hers and we started focusing our powers. The first energy signatures we sensed was everyone currently staying in my home. From there we expanded or range slowly making sure not to do too much too quickly. Also we had to keep our selves from being noticed as we continued searching.

We spent a good while scanning as far as our powers would allow us to see clearly. "That's strange I could have sworn that signal was still in the area. What's killing me is it felt so bloody familiar I could almost taste it, Orion. Let's try again perhaps if we widen our search and just look for signals that just stand out. Instead of focusing on a specific type of strong energy signal." She said.

The moment she finished speaking, something instantly flashed across everyone's senses. As quickly as it had appeared it vanished just as fast though I recognized the energy signal. "It Can't Be He Should Be Dead." I stated as Renka looked into my eyes. "How in the world did he survive his punishment? I was told that appropriate measures were taken so he couldn't cause anyone further trouble." I pointed out.

"I don't know, Orion I'm just as surprised, perhaps my mother knows why." Renka replied sounding nervous. Though something about his energy signal seemed very different from our last meeting. By the time I stood up Vadel, Lilith and Kyuri entered the room. "Please, tell me that wasn't who I think it was Orion?" Kyuri wondered clearly frightened. I couldn't bring myself to lie, so I told them the truth.

"Sadly, it was Stark there's no doubt in my mind though I can't see how. Unless he some how he escaped before his punishment could be seen through." I replied looking at Lilith. She didn't know what to say on her behave she merely looked away. "Hey, I'm not angry at you Lilith I'm just surprised is all. I'll just have to train a bit more than normal with this new info." I informed giving Lilith a hug.

As I let go my mother called from downstairs summoning everyone for dinner. While we walked down stairs Vadel told me the Tribunal had gone back to their castle. They would be in touch should anything happen either way. In the meantime we had to watch our backs now that Stark has re-entered the picture. Plus my vindictive grandmother I especially have to keep looking over my shoulder.

Sitting beside Renka just wasn't enough so I decided to liven the mood up. I gave Kyuri an evil little grin then motioned towards Renka while her back was turned. She rolled her eyes but, didn't stop me from what I was planning on doing to her. Before Renka had a second to react I pulled her into my lap and start tickling her belly. Renka squealed childishly at the top of her lungs as my fingers ruffled her belly fur.

Kyuri sat there laughing at Renka's expense as I eagerly kept going moving along her sides. She finally was able to grab my hands and stop me from going any further. "Alright, you brat that's enough of that." Renka remarked looking at me. I gave her a mischievous smile as I took her hands into mine. She gave them a soft squeeze before climbing off the bed and rising to her feet.

I kept a hold of her wrist and gently pulled her back onto my lap and hugged her. "Renka what's wrong I'm only trying to lift your spirits and pay attention to you. So why are you keeping a safe distance from me lately?" I replied curiously. She didn't say anything right away that only concerned me and Kyuri. So I started to nuzzle against her cheek which she eagerly nuzzled right back.

"Orion I'm just worried a lot has happened in such a short space of time. That if this path continues you may not live much longer and that scares me." She replied. Kyuri snuggled up behind me and rested her head warmly on my shoulder. "Stark is out for blood this time around and he's not going stop until your dead. We've only seen a glimpse of what he's capable of and it's only going to get worse." Kyuri added.

"Trust me I've got more than just one target on the back of my head and it won't be the last. Right now I'd rather focus on the here and now instead of what may come in the future." I stated logically. I shuffled to the head of the bed while Renka and Kyuri cuddled against my sides. It didn't take long for us to fall asleep holding each other close. Even though I was asleep I still sensed Nubai enter and calmly leave the room.

Though she didn't go far considering her room was across the hall from Renka's. While everyone slept something brewed back at my grandmother's home. She had spent the better part of the evening making call after call, cashing in on debts owed. Most of the people she called all recommended one person for the job she wanted done. According to them he's never failed a mission over the last twenty years.

Nobody really knows his name let alone any of his aliases but, his reputation spoke for itself. So those that owed her a favor went to work getting in touch with him. The following evening her private phone started ringing off the hook. She picked it up and answers it sure enough it was him wondering about the job. Naturally she told him everything he needed to know about completing the mission.

Including the strange power that her target seemed to display during his visit. Once there was nothing left to say he told her that when she hung up the contract is confirmed. He made it especially clear that nothing would stop him not even her. She accepted his terms and kindly let him do what ever he needed to prepare. Despite signing her own grandson's and mother's death warrant she felt no guilt.

Sadly the hit man literally had no clue as to what he was getting himself into. Even with all the information Nora had provided him with just minutes ago. In his mind it didn't seem possible but, he's been on some strange hits in the past. So he merely filed the information away until new intel presented itself. Right now he had to study his targets until he knew the best time to strike.

He took the weekend to dig up any readily available data before going into the field. For the next two weeks he spent studying his targets and sadly didn't get much info. So he compiled what he was able to get into a workable time table. Sadly his actions hadn't gone completely unnoticed over the past couple weeks. Jaxal and Jecht had been watching him scope the place out from the shadows.

Though they decided to keep this information to themselves until he played his full hand. "So do you think our friend in the car will be back again tomorrow?" Jecht wondered. Jaxal didn't say anything right away as he watched the car drive off down the street. He took a deep breath and turned to face Jecht before finally speaking. "Hard to say but, I've got a weird feeling he's up to no good." Jaxal replied.

"So what do you two gentleman plan on doing should that one try something?" Nubai wondered jumping up into the tree. Both men were caught off guard as she stood on a nearby branch. They told her that should he return with ill intent in mind he'd be in for a shock. "Don't kill him boys capture him and make sure he's secure. I've got a feeling he's an assassin though I'm not sure who hired him." She informed.

Nubai slowly climbed down to the ground while both men remained were they sat. As she made her way back to the house another vehicle pulled out front of my home. This time around it was merely the mail man doing his job and wasn't a threat. "Jaxal, it ever bother you some of the missions we've had to do?" Jecht wondered. The older warrior kept his focus and waved his hand in a so-so fashion.

"That's what I thought so what's going on between you and Orion's birth mother?" Jecht asked. Jaxal stood up and stepped down to the branch Jecht sat on. He looked him in the eyes before flicking him firmly between the eyes. Jecht cursed loudly as the pain from the blow started burning like no tomorrow. "Ow! Jeez What I Do?" Jecht whined. Jaxal didn't say anything he just climbed out of the tree and sat down.

The mature red fox looked down to the ground looking at the older wolf with curiosity. <Deny, it all you want old friend but, you do find her attractive.> Jecht thought to himself. Meanwhile Nubai walked into the house her stomach was barking for food. It had been a few days since her last decent meal. With everything that has been going on these past few weeks she's been on edge.

The young grey fox vixen was lost in thought as she wandered into the large kitchen. "Where you've been hiding Nubai, I've been worried about you?" I wondered sitting at the kitchen island. She jumped in surprise as she turned to face me sitting there. "You know something I'd like to spend more time with you. Instead of just during training and meditation is that asking for too much, Nubai?" I wondered.

The guilt was very apparent on her face since she knew I was right in my assumption. She lowered her head as I walked over and calmly stood in front of her. "Nubai, relationships have never been a one way street it's all about give and take. So are you going to tell me why you've been avoiding me or should we go our separate ways?" I wondered acting very calm. She lifted her head to look me straight in the eyes.

They were filled with shock, confusion and questions as to where the subject was going. "Orion, you do what you think is right I'm not in a position to argue." She said submissively. I didn't say anything I simply guided her to a seat and cooked something. Nubai ate the meal I made for her while I sat next to her. When she finished I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and held her close.

Nubai instantly leaned into my chest then slid her arm around me also hugging me in return. We stayed like that for a good while before someone entered the kitchen. "Hey, sweetie would you and Nubai mind lending me a hand making dinner?" Mom wondered. Nubai looked up at me and agreed to lend me mother a hand making dinner. It would take us a while to cook dinner since there's a lot of people to feed.

In the days that passed since dinner, Jaxal informed me of our visitor casing the house. I told him and to tell Jecht also not to do anything about him. Something told me why he's been coming around the house recently studying the place. The next thing I told him was to allow him to slip onto the property. Since my mother and I are probably his intended targets so, I'm going to give him what he wants.

"Nubai could you come into the study for a moment, Please." I said shouting out into the hallway. She stopped what she was doing and entered the hallway then finally the study. "Thanks, mind if I ask you a rather odd question?" I wondered. Nubai nodded and gave me the go ahead to ask my questions. "How good is your masking spell and can you take on the shape of another person?" I asked.

"It's fine and as for taking the form of another person it mainly depends on that person. Now my question for you is why the sudden interest?" She replied unsure of where the topic was going. Jaxal was more than happy to bring her up to speed on current events. Considering she and I have been spending some good quality time together. "I see so you want me to mask myself as your mother, good idea." She stated.

"Yup, while Jaxal and Jecht escort everyone else to a much safer location. While you and I deal with this small headache when he thinks the odds are in his favor." I pointed out. The following morning we made it so where our guest couldn't resist. Sadly this guy was a pro since he didn't bother to make an appearance. So we kept our bait out there hoping on the off change he'd take a bite.

Luckily enough he took the bait he slipped up and over the south wall weapons in hand. Nubai had shifted into her mask of my mother while he set up his gear. Figuring our new guest was a long range killer instead of the up close and personal kind. That wasn't the case this time around as he approached us. While we sat in the living room waiting for him to make the last move of his life.

The sound of a gun being cocked was the last thing our uninvited guest heard. Before he knew it Nubai used an afterimage technique and jabbed him in the stomach. He dropped to the floor like dead weight though I had to step in. Since Nubai was dead set on delivering a final crushing blow to his neck. I stopped her before she could even attack him, motioning her to back away from him.

"Nubai, he's no good to us dead let's tie him up and get some answers first. Afterwards we'll decide later what to actually do with him, sound fair to you, Hmm?" I pointed out. She snarled softly in response but, didn't argue and went to find some sturdy rope. We tied him up tight and made sure to search him thoroughly for any tricks or tools. When we finished I was shocked at much weaponry a single person can conceal.

By the time everyone returned home our new guest slowly began to wake up from his nap. When his eyes opened and adjusted to the light, he freaked out at what he saw. So bad he fell over in the chair he was tied to, Jaxal bent down and picked him up. "Jecht, I do believe you're a master at interrogation correct?" Nubai wondered looking at him. He nodded as he walked closer to our still rather stunned guest.

"Everyone why don't we leave the room and let Jecht do his thing in privacy." I stated looking around the room. They kindly did as I had asked of them but, I remained for a moment. Jecht looked at me in wonder as I waved him over towards me. He smiled then walked over to where I stood as I leaned forward a bit. Before I said anything I double checked to see if every one had cleared out of the room.

"Please, take him someplace else I don't want any signs or scent of blood in this house. Though be sure to get anything and everything you can from him, okay. Once you feel he's got nothing left to say or provide do as you wish with him. Also don't kill him I rather not have that on my mind, despite I won't be there to witness it." I informed whispering. Jecht agreed to my request the best he could and took our guest to a more private location.

Several hours passed while everyone went about things like it was any other day. While Jecht did what ever he needed to get all the information he could from him. He sang like a song bird giving Jecht all sorts of very useful information. When he had nothing left to say Jecht knocked him out and transported him somewhere. The location was far away from any prying eyes and he left him to the elements.

By the time he came around he had no idea where he was or how he got there. As he got to his feet and looked around to study his surrounding he sensed something. Clearly where ever he was he wasn't alone though the presence toyed with him. "Well, now human seeing as you're at deaths door, how's about coming with me to prolong your fate?" Stark asked stepping out from the shadows.

As Stark stood above the assassin with a smug grin, knowing what he said was a lie. The human was all too eager to accept and raised his hand towards the battle scarred kitsune. Stark reached down then carefully took the human's hand into his. Without any warning or anything Stark's eyes glazed over with an evil energy. Before the human could even reconsider his options his entire being was violently stripped away.

A black menacing ball of dark energy appeared as a strange transformation was about to began. Stark used the human's body, mind and spirit then took the energy extracted from it. He concentrated it into a small orb of some sorts and ate like a piece of candy. Waiting a moment while the power was properly absorbed into his being. Like a bolt of lightning the power surged and Stark's body began morphing.

His five tails expanding to nine tails before merging into one large single tail. While his body bulged and surged with new strength before returning to normal. The transformation was over just as quickly as it began and Stark was pleased. Taking a moment to look at himself, he still looked normal except his power had grown incredibly. "Orion, the odds are now in my favor and I'll be coming for you soon." He said confidently.

To be Continued.