FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter-21- Casualties of War

Celestial Realm...

Evan Balmoral felt his stomach drop. The creature dropped to its knees, glaring up at him. Its eyes glazed over with a hue of vermillion. Blood ran down from its nose, joining the sanguine rivulets dribbling from its mouth.

The creature toppled onto its face. A large chunk of glass jutted from the back of the being's skull.

Evan felt his mouth become dry. He licked his lips and swallowed, but the sensation persisted.

"You are a fearsome warrior, Evan-san!" Tamae approached him, holding a spear with a bloody curved blade on its end. "I am so very impressed! Tamamo, too, would be most delighted with your ability to defeat the enemy."

Evan pursed his lips and nodded. "I've never watched the life drain out of someone before. I could see his eyes change from angry to lifeless. I know it's supposed to be muscles in the face, around the eyes and mouth, but it ... it really looked like its eyes went cold."

"That is the tenth kaiju you've slain. Why does this one bother you?"

"I was close to this one," Evan said. "Face to face. I watched him die, it was more personal this time."

"Until today I had memories of battles that I did not fight. Today, I make my own memories of feeling powerful and victorious."

Evan swallowed. "How can you enjoy this? It's not natural. Creating life is natural. Taking it is not natural."

"Bringing honor to my spirit is natural. Having purpose is natural. Defending a realm that feels like my home most certainly feels natural. Humans have fought to maintain their lives since life began. That is why we have adrenaline."

Evan offered her a weak smile. "You really are a Klingon, Tamae." He turned around, gazing down over a grassy hillside.

Spread out across the valley, he saw dozens of small skirmishes, where human hunters battled creatures with dagger-like claws and fearsome, deformed fangs.

"You are a brave, fearsome warrior," Tamae said. "If our enemy had a conscious mind, they would fear you. But we fight animals - anthropomorphic kaijin at best. They have only some human traits. Celebrate your victory. You are a hero, Evan-san, and you wield great power."

Evan sighed. "War is way more messed up and confusing than I thought. Storytellers have a way of romanticizing it in movies and comics."

"You have the power to slay them instantly, but avoid the aggression to use your power unless absolutely necessary." She smiled. "It is a great honor to fight by your side. Now, let us go and help our people."

Evan nodded and swallowed. He descended the hillside, heading into the valley of skirmishes throughout the area. "...Though I walk through the valley of death, I shall fear no evil."

Tamae shifted her naginata. She inspected a nick on the blade as they walked together. "What is that from?"

"The Christian Bible. Seems, uh, appropriate here. I'm not afraid of those things." Evan licked his lips again. "I'm afraid of closing my eyes if we ever make it home. I hope Tamamo survives, too - I'll want her to blur the details. I want to remember surviving this mess. But I don't want to remember the gore; I don't want to remember looking into the eyes of death."

"She will survive. She is a mighty nine-tail, Evan-san. And she will help you, so you can sleep at night. But, please, for now ... embrace your destiny as a hero of this battle. Do it so these warriors can return home to their families."

Evan nodded. "Crap, you're right. I'm sitting here debating morality, and my army is struggling to live through this crazy crap." He hurried through the grassy valley with renewed vigor. Evan clenched his hands into fists.

The nearest creature held its own against four hunters. It staggered back and flailed about. A chunk of glass emerged between its eyes, reminiscent of a unicorn. The creature lost its balance and dropped to the grass, twitching about.

Evan dashed past the group towards another skirmish. He grit his teeth upon approach.

Another creature, surrounded in front and back by two hunters, fell to the ground. Its entire head turned to glass. The being landed adjacent to another human hunter, nursing an injury, but alive. The wounded man looked up, relieved. He waved to Evan in passing.

Tamae pivoted on her ankle and turned towards another skirmish. She drove her blade into the back of a creature's head, causing it to drop to the ground in front of two hunters.

They moved over its body and quickly put a crudely fashioned wedge of wood into its head. Tamae waited until they had it secured.

She put her foot on the creature's shoulders and pulled on the spear handle, dislodging the curved blade at the end of her weapon.

She nodded to the hunters, pivoted and hurried after Evan.

Evan changed direction, heading towards another small skirmish between human hunters and one of the super-soldier creatures. But, before he could join to help, they brought the beast down to the ground. One of them wedged an arrow into its forehead.

Evan turned the other way, just in time to see one of the creatures eviscerate a human hunter with its claws. It lifted the man straight up into the air, so that the body sank down on the lengthy claws.

"No!" Evan shouted. He ran towards the creature, across the field.

A black woman jumped up onto the creature from behind and drove a metal pike into its head.

Evan never saw her coming. It was as though she appeared out of nowhere. She rolled off the creature as it fell to the ground. The woman stood up.

Evan reached her. He came to a halt, panting hard.

They both went to the body of the fallen hunter to see if he was still alive. The man drew his last breath, choking on blood. Evan heard the death rattles, coming from his lungs.

He turned away and cringed. "God! I wasn't fast enough!"

The woman put her hand on Evan's shoulder. "Mourn him later. I saw you - you saved two groups of people before you got to this guy. That's, what, five people who lived compared to one that didn't? Keep moving."

"I didn't even see you. It's like you came out of nowhere."

The woman grinned. "I was a hunter in Africa before I learned about hunting demons. Best in Kenya." She looked down at the white man, dead in the grass. "He was also from Africa. Cape Town. He sounded British. His name was Joshua. Mourn him later. Fight now."

Evan smiled weakly and nodded in admiration. "I didn't catch your name."

"I will tell you if we live." She reached for Evan's left hand. "You are married. Lucky girl." She turned away and hurried across the battlefield towards another skirmish and jumped into it.

Evan turned around, facing Tamae. "I honestly thought infantry battles were a man's world. Until now, that is."

Tamae smirked. "For the longest time, women weren't allowed in the trenches, because if a woman dies, men will stop to mourn her, making him a target."

"I thought it's because war is too bloody for women."

"Ha!" she erupted. "Men saw the bodies of their enemies, and the bodies of their allies. Meanwhile, women were put into tents as nurses, and saw allies die by the dozens all day and night.

"While the men tucked into the trenches and made camp for the night," she continued, "women nurses were clamping their hands over bloody wounds, while their patients clung to their last breath. No, women saw the _worst_of wars. We knew how not to become attached when necessary."

Evan's jaw dropped. "When you put it like that."

"There," Tamae said, pointing to another skirmish, not too far away. "They need our help."

Evan broke into a sprint, alongside of Tamae, headed towards the next engagement.

X

X

Elsewhere Celestial Realm ...

Karla Loupe reached for a tree branch. A section of wood snapped free of the tree and flew through the air like a spear.

The makeshift javelin disappeared and reappeared in the head of her enemy. It flipped forward, carried by the momentum of the thin branch, pinning the creature to the ground.

The humanoid monster slid forward, along the makeshift wood pole, until its face met the ground. The thin branch stuck out of the back of its head.

Karla turned around, seeing Reno in the distance. She squinted her eyes.

A bolt of lightning reached from the sky and linked up with a creature. Unlike normal lightning, Reno's bolt stayed in place for several long seconds.

She turned away from the bright white fork of electricity. Her constricted pupils dilated to normal size again. Up ahead, she saw a creature dive at one of the human hunters.

Karla waved her hand, forearm tense and tight. The creature disappeared. She pivoted and waved her hand. The creature reappeared with its head in the trunk of a tree. Its body flailed briefly, and then stilled.

Three hunters across the grove worked together to take down another being.

"Biological weapons are just ... wrong. Not like this. Not people. They're just over-amped zombies." Karla deadpanned at the obvious realization. "My life has become a fucking zombie flick. Christ, Almighty, what the hell. I hate zombies. They're so lame!" She looked down at a shadow.

It grew in length on the ground in front of her.

Karla vanished. She appeared several feet away, facing where she once stood. A creature crashed to the ground, lying in her previous position. It had a metal arrow sticking out of its skull.

Karla turned her head, facing an androgynous looking person. She couldn't decide if the hunter was handsome or beautiful.

The hunter bowed with a sly grin.

She grinned back and replied with a curtsey. "That was close enough to feel like you rescued me. Thanks, babe."

"Don't mention it," the archer replied. At first blush, the hunter seemed female. She moved around one of the small trees in the grove and approached Karla. "I like your blouse. The whole outfit is cute."

Karla laughed. "Are you flirting with me?" She noticed the woman had an Adam's apple, but, upon closer inspection, she also had a bust line. "Or do you just like my fashion?"

"Both," the woman said in a faux feminine voice. "Be glad I'm a good shot. Because if I missed, that would have hit you."

"Well, then thank you..." Karla moved closer and cupped the woman's face with a saucy grin. "...For being an expert archer."

"Flirting on the battlefield seems a bit taboo, doesn't it?"

Karla nodded emphatically. "Yet, somehow, it seems carnal and sexy. What's your name, hero?"

"Jason." She paused and shrugged. "Jennifer."

Karla smiled. "Well, thank you Jennifer. You have a fantastic ass, too. Feel free to flirt some more with me, later on. I might just owe you a kiss of gratitude."

Jennifer grinned. "Yeah? I might just like that ... a lot."

"And by the way, you make a really beautiful woman, Jennifer. Keep up the great work."

Jennifer blushed. "I'm not all the way there, just yet. Still transitioning. Glad I got in on this call to arms before I go under the knife. I won't be walking much for a while afterwards."

Karla smiled. "Doesn't bother me one bit. We'll talk fashion and makeup later. And I still owe you that kiss."

"I'll look forward to it." Jennifer withdrew another arrow from her quiver, winked at Karla, and hurried off to find another engagement elsewhere in the grove.

Karla watched her go, calling after her, "Hate to see you leave; love to watch you go!" She turned around, looking for Reno.

Nevada stood over another creature, hunched over it. He discharged a beam from his hands, melting down the deformed monstrosity to sludge.

Karla waited until his lightning dissipated. She teleported across the grove and appeared adjacent to him. "Hey'a Nathan! How many zombies have you killed?"

"I lost count, Karla. I've never used my abilities this much. I feel like I should be getting tired by now, but every time I start to wind down, I just link up to the heavens for a quick recharge."

Karla laughed. "You know, that makes me wonder - what do you call the skies when you're in heaven?"

Reno blinked. "Hell if I know."

"I know right? I am getting such a rush by this! I haven't killed this many people ever! Even in the Middle Ages, where anything goes!"

"Karla..."

She clapped her hands together, excitedly. "And they're not actually people, so I don't feel bad about it! They're zombies."

"Zombies," said Reno, brows furrowed. "Yeah, okay, I'll buy that."

"I'm meeting a lot of singles, too. This is like ... Match Dot Com for warriors, hah! I'm so jazzed!"

"Right, so you're not weirded out by killing so many?"

"Are you?"

Reno shook his head. "Not really. I just wish it didn't take several moments of focused lightning to fry these things. I just want to zap them and move on. You'd be surprised, but lightning doesn't reliably stop their heart with one zap. Gotta char-broil these bastards."

"Keep at it, Top Cop. Looks like we still have a few hours of light left. Not sure how long a day lasts here, though. God I'm all worked up. I'm getting in touch with my testosterone and it's making me fucking horny as hell."

Reno broke out into laughter. "Are you serious?"

"Hell_yes_ I am!" Karla cracked her knuckles and grinned. "What? I'm a succubus. I like to fight and fuck. We have more testosterone than some men, babe. That's how I roll."

"Alright, well, right now, we've got 'zombies' all over the place. So let's clear this area, first." He rubbed at a day's worth of stubble starting on his chin. "What's the plan anyhow?"

"We're going to find the Archangel, Michael. He's often depicted wielding a sword in art, meaning his believers have faithfully empowered him to be a warrior. We'll need him."

"Like, an actual ... warrior angel with wings?"

"Yup. A lot of wings." Karla grinned. "Back to work! Remember to eat something. I packed that survival bar in your pack. They're a bit sticky."

"Thanks. Not hungry yet, but I've got the things wrapped up in my back pocket."

"Stay alive, Top Cop." She blew him a kiss, looked around, and teleported back across the grove to the next skirmish in view.

X

X

Meanwhile San Francisco, California ...

Vincent pressed his hands against the inside of a window, looking out at a US Military vehicle in passing. "I liked the design of the Hum-V better. I thought it looked meaner than that thing."

Nichole folded her arms, standing at his side. "If they see us, they'll arrest us."

"We have to try. That's why we came all the way down the coast."

"Vincent, they have sophisticated equipment and satellite tracking. They'll find the bomb before we will."

"Yeah. I guess." He frowned. "I wanted to be the hero, though." His eyes narrowed, squinting at someone in the turret of another passing SUV. "He can see us."

"What?"

Vincent nodded towards the window. "The one driving by right now - that guy up in the turret has goggles on. Those are thermal. We've got a pair just like that - Falcon's guys use them as standard issue. He was looking around until they passed us, then he looked right at us and is staring back at us."

The SUV continued by.

Nichole tilted her head. "I thought they would arrest us."

"They have bigger fish to fry with looking for that dirty bomb," Vincent said. He sighed. "I wonder what I look like through thermal."

"Like any other person, I imagine."

"My body temperature never drops below ninety-nine point nine."

"You have a low-grade fever?"

Vincent shrugged. "That's normal for me. Has been for years. Since my 'thing' manifested. When I absorb concentrated radiation, I get up around one-oh-five. It's unhealthy, I know."

"Is that why you wanted to be wrapped in wet towels back at the power plant in Maryland?" Nichole asked. "I thought it was to protect you or something."

"Protect me, yeah - just from passing out. A few degrees hotter and I'd have been in trouble. A person's body can't handle that. If I had healing - cellular regeneration or whatever it's called, that would be different."

Nichole nodded with a frown. She looked back out the window for a moment. "I'd share it if I could." Parker turned to him and said, "You can't feel the radiation of the dirty bomb?"

"It's San Francisco," he said. "We're surrounded by Navy ships with nuclear power and nuclear weapons. Even the radiation in the Pacific that came from Japan in 2011 has a draw - it's a bunch of small things. I just ... need to be closer."

Nichole took a deep breath and sighed. "That's it, then. We have to take out one of those military guys and take their equipment from them."

"What?!"

Nichole put her hands on Vincent's shoulders. "Just hear me out. The people on those trucks driving around the city - they are practically kids. There are kids flying those jets that keep going over our head. They have the equipment to help you, but not the experience to make a difference."

"You're technically twenty-five, yourself, Nichole. No, we're not attacking one of those trucks. This place is crawling with the Coast Guard, National Guard, and the Army. The reason they can't find the dirty bomb is because it's shielded."

"Vincent..."

"I think they're hoping to get near enough that their equipment picks up something, so it's no better than me."

Nichole's motivated expression disappeared from her face. "Oh." She placed her hand on his back. "We have to do something. What about stealing a car, like we talked about, and going to the Parker Mansion? At the very least, you can shield your friends."

Vincent looked back at Nichole. A tired smile spread across his face. "You're onboard for that?"

"This is complicated for me, Vincent. But one thing is clear: I don't want to be the villain anymore."

Vincent put his arm around her and drew her close. "I trust you're doing the right thing, Nicky."

"I trust you, too, Vincent," she said softly, resting her head against his shoulder. "Let's go. Enterprise rental is directly behind us. You said that soldier saw us and didn't arrest us. So, let's take a chance and get on the road."

"You got it."

X

X

Celestial Realm...

Tamamo-no-Mae rubbed sweat from her forehead. She sheathed her sword. A wisp of heat spilled up, over the parry as it clicked into place within its case.

Tamamo turned to Sekhmet and bowed. "You are an impressive warrior."

"Where is this Heaven Cave, in which you spoke?"

"It is hidden in this region. We will find it." Tamamo pushed her fingers back through long vanilla locks of hair, pleased to see the white strands again after living in a host for so long. "I have a friend who can point us in the proper direction."

"Can she aid us in our fight?"

"No." Tamamo gestured for Sekhmet to follow her into a patch of woods. "This is the spirit realm equivalent of Shinoda."

The two ventured into the dense forest. They reached a small clearing lined with large flat green leaves, rustling in the breeze as if pensive.

Tamamo took one of the leaves in her hands. She trailed her fingers over fuzzy seedpods attached to the plant. The plant climbed up the side of a tree, dotted with flecks of purple in places.

"What is it?"

"Kudzu." She glanced over her shoulder at Sekhmet. "Japanese Arrowroot." Tamamo shifted her eyes back to the plant and drew in a deep breath. "We need you, Kuzu. Answer me, kudasai."

A woman's voice came from the trees. "I answer because I owe you a debt."

Sekhmet's ears perked up. She sniffed at the area. "Show yourself."

Tamamo held a hand up, gesturing Sekhmet to relax. "Kuzu-no-Ha, I seek to find the Ama-no-Iwato."

"You think I know its location?" asked the mysterious woman from within the forest.

Tamamo stepped back from the plant growing up the side of the trees. "Because you know the land. You know the forests. You know the cleverest of hidden places. And because I spoke to Inari, on your behalf, so that Inari-no-Kami would grant you a son for Abe no Yasuna."

An attractive white fox with many flowing tails stepped from the forest. She lifted her demure gaze, studying Tamamo and Sekhmet. "Why do you walk the forest in the image of a human?"

"So that I might properly wield the Little Fox Blade."

The white vixen widened her golden eyes. They were filled with a measure of fear. "You are fighting the kaiju, who were mighty enough to defeat the Jötnar?"

"Hai."

Kuzu-no-Ha frowned. "Deities were lucky to be imprisoned or otherwise trapped in their respective realms. The Jötnar rounded up our kind and captured us. But these new ... creatures - these kaijin ... they will slay any who stand in their way!"

Tamamo lowered to her knees, getting on the vixen's level. "I see you learned from the hunter who once captured you centuries ago. I am pleased you were able to evade capture this time."

"I had one tail when the hunter captured me. I have come a long way since my youth."

Tamamo nodded emphatically. "Yes, you have! And now you are the only hope for the Shelf of Kami. I will pen a song in your name, Kuzu-chan. Please."

Kuzunoha's ears perked up. She sat on her haunches and wrapped her tails around her vulpine body. "I owe you a debt for my brilliant son, Seimei. I will help you. Do you recall my folly?"

Tamamo nodded. "The tale of your tail."

"Hai, Tamamo-sama. My son witnessed the tip of my tail. That is why I had to return to the forrest. But I do not regret my chance to make happy memories."

Tamamo nodded, not sure where Kuzu was going with her explanation.

The fox stood on all fours and faced nearest tree. "If you are as perceptive and clever as my son, I will lead you to your destination. Follow my tail through the forest and try to keep up."

"You have my gratitude."

Kuzu looked back at Tamamo with an expressive gaze. "Stay close. If you deviate, even in the slightest, you could draw the attention of the kaiju that infest our world. And if you lead them to the Heavenly Rock Cave, they will slaughter our beloved..."

Tamamo stood up, hands held out towards the fox, as if making a defensive gesture. "I would never. You have my promise. I am a fox, I know better."

"And your friend? Does she understand the way of clever stealth?"

Tamamo glanced back at Sekhmet. "Stay close. Stay quiet. We cannot afford to attract attention. Attacking the enemy could lead their kind to my kind."

Sekhmet frowned. The lioness and kitsune had an unspoken conversation with their exchange of glances. Finally, Sekhmet nodded. "I understand. I will keep my claws sheathed. I will step in silence."

Tamamo turned back to Kuzunoha and smiled softly. "I promise we will turn the hunters into the hunted, but not until you have delivered us to our destination, and returned safely to the forrest."

"First, answer me this: why? Why make our kind accessible to the kaiju?"

Tamamo tugged down on her gi, straightening the fabric. "I wish to appeal to Hachiman and Susanoo, for blessings and a trusty blade, respectively."

Kuzu nodded. The white fox turned about and leapt into the woods.

Tamamo dashed into the dense foliage, only able to see the tip of her white tail, up ahead.

Sekhmet followed close in silence.

Tamamo waved her arms out, pushing leaves and low branches away. She moved quick, barely able to see white tips as Kuzu disappeared through the dense forest several paces ahead.

Tamamo's heart raced in her chest, fueled by adrenaline, in an attempt to maintain the pace.

X

X

San Francisco...

Vincent parked the rental car by the front gates and shut off the engine. He unbuckled his belt, slid out of the car and came around, opening her door for her. "I've been thinking, Nichole."

"Yeah, I noticed you were quiet on the way here." She slid out of the car and stepped back.

"I'm just glad we didn't get pulled over. Anyway," he closed the passenger door and turned to face her. "You have all those abilities. You can help me stop Aris Falcon. You're incredibly powerful with all that you can do. You're like 'Syler' or 'Peter' from that old TV show, 'Heroes.' You're more powerful than anyone else, because you have so many abilities. You can help us shut that guy down forever."

Nichole frowned. "I have no idea what you're talking about. But you're right - I have a lot of different abilities. I'll think about it. I never wanted to go back there. But ... is that what you plan to do? Go down there?"

"He'll come after us with more of those creatures. It's just a matter of time before another earthquake happens, killing millions. We stop him, bomb or not, and we're heroes."

Nichole nodded and looked down. "The man created me. He'll undoubtedly have a way to stop me."

Vincent took her hands in his. "Nichole, you wouldn't be going there alone. We're talking about a team of supernaturals. You could help us wake up our friends. We could stop that guy from ever hurting anyone else. You'll never have to hide your face or live alone ever again."

Nichole nodded and rested her face on his shoulder with a sigh. "Why am I such an emotional cluster-fuck, now? I feel like I'm going through puberty, but I'm twenty-five. I mean, I'm supposed to be older, but now that we know I'm a clone, it explains why I'm not as old as I should be. I just ... my head is clouded with insecurities and hormones and fears I shouldn't be having."

Vincent brought a hand to her chin and lifted her head. Their eyes met. "Hey, hey ... you're not in this thing alone. We're a team."

"You're married."

"Topaz and Fox would be completely accepting of whatever happens."

"You don't get it, Vincent. I wouldn't want to share you with them."

"So join us. Join our family."

She shrugged. "I'm starting to like you. I rushed into things with Rufus, and now I'm rushing into things with you." She hid her eyes by pressing her face against his shoulder again. "What's wrong with me?"

"I'm sorry."

Nichole looked up, confused. "For what?"

"For confusing you. For kissing you."

"I kissed you."

He grinned. "Yeah, the first time. You said it was an accident. But I liked it, and I know I'm confusing you. I don't want to hurt you, or make you feel awkward."

Nichole reached up, cupped his face, and kissed him. It wasn't like before - this time, her kiss was full of desire, yet it had the same softness and unsure insecurity as before. But it had a confidence that their last kiss lacked.

Vincent returned the kiss, enjoying the sensuality of her lips against his own.

She released his face. Her hands made their way to his chest. After another moment to enjoy the kiss, she guided them apart and looked up at him. "We might be running out of time. Let's go inside."

Vincent nodded and walked around the rental. He stopped in front of the gates, looking up at them. He pushed on them but they were magnetically locked. "We could climb..."

Nichole scoffed. "Please." She moved around him, and put her hands on the left and right gate. She tensed up and pulled them apart, ripping the electric magnetic strip from the gate frames.

Vincent grinned. "For someone so strong, you're surprisingly gentle."

Nichole sniffed and looked away to hide an awkward smile. She snaked her hand into his. "For you, I guess." She looked back at downtown San Francisco. It seemed silent, lifeless in the distance. She swallowed and frowned.

"It was your home. The real you, I mean. Does it seem familiar?"

She shook her head. "It feels really stupid to be up here. I mean, Jesus Christ, there might be a nuclear bomb down there."

Vincent looked down at the distant view of the city. He turned the other direction and saw the Golden Gate Bridge, partially obscured with fog. "Yeah. You're right, it feels like giving up."

"Well, we're here, so let's make sure everyone's okay. We'll eat something, and maybe we can try looking for it again."

Vincent gave her hand a squeeze. "Yeah. You're right. Let's go and make sure everyone is safe. We'll grab some food; maybe I'll be able to function better after I eat. I just can't clear my head. I can't focus on the radiation. It just seems so far away."

Nichole walked with him up to the front door. To her surprise it was unlocked. She looked at Vincent with arched brows. "Is that normal?"

"I don't really know." Vincent walked in with her. They started walking through the first floor. It took more than ten minutes to check the area.

They headed upstairs and checked all the bedrooms. Afterwards, they searched the third floor. The house appeared abandoned.

Nichole awkwardly crossed her arms, placing her hands on either of her elbows, as though she were cold. "I don't get it. Nobody is here. There is food in the fridge. The place has power. Did they leave?"

"We opened every door except that locked one on the first floor."

"Yeah." Nichole frowned. "I couldn't rip it off its hinges. If you want me to try again, I could try and knock down the wall and go around it."

Vincent shrugged. "If someone was here, they would have come out when they heard us calling for them. That door leads down to the car garage and another gym. There are a few storage areas down there. They probably keep it locked to protect the car collection."

"It's your wife's house. You'd know."

Vincent shrugged. "I live in New Atlantis. I visit here. I feel better about knowing this place is abandoned."

Nichole smiled a bit. "Better? Can you focus better, now?"

Vincent chuckled. "I don't sense anything more than I did before. Just a general feeling of something radioactive, just floating around out there. I wish I knew where to look."

Nichole opened a bedroom door and walked across the guest room. She opened the curtains and looked out towards the city. "You know, there's another possibility."

"Yeah?" Vincent tilted his head. He walked into the guest bedroom behind her and approached, gazing at the city over her shoulder.

"The bomb came from San Francisco, but maybe it won't be used on this city."

"You think so?"

"If you were desperate enough to use a nuclear bomb, and if America was in your way, where would you detonate it?"

Vincent frowned and thought about it. "Chicago. It's the nation's capital, now. That's the quickest way to shock the Government, and throw the country into a state of panic and confusion."

"Is it possible?"

Vincent grinned. "Probably not. They have some of the best radiation sensors in the world; the last time I went to Chicago, Homeland Security stopped me twenty-five miles from the city limits."

She tilted her head. "Really?"

"Yeah. I was flying in on a chartered flight. DHS redirected the us. They forced us to land at a small airfield, and they searched the plane for radioactive material."

Nichole rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Where else would make a better target? What would a terrorist do?"

"NORAD is safe. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is miles underground. America is secure. But I still wouldn't use it on San Francisco."

"Mm, and why is that?"

Vincent looked back out the window at the city's buildings in the distance. "It's been evacuated. Who would they kill?"

Nichole nodded in agreement. "You're right. Just because the weapon was stolen from Alameda, it doesn't seem likely they would use it on San Francisco."

"So the military might be here because they followed it into the city but lost it." Vincent put his hands on her hips, looking at the city, over her shoulder. He saw her reflection in the window.

She remained silent, pondering.

"Nichole, what if you're right? What if it was successfully taken out of the city? It could be anywhere by now. That would explain why I can't sense it."

"Could you sense it with shielding?"

Vincent shrugged. "Nuclear reactors are shielded, but I can sense naval ships surrounding the city. It's hard to say."

Nichole sat down on the adjacent bed and huffed with frustration. "There's no sense in going back to Seattle. We're no safer there than here. We don't know where the stupid thing is. We have no way to track it."

Vincent frowned. He sat down besides her and took her hands into his. "Hey, I know this is upsetting, but we tried. All we can do now is stop Falcon, or whoever it is behind this mess."

"Without your friends to help us? I'm not doing it by myself, Vincent."

"We could go back and tear down his operation from the inside out, Nichole. Fox and Topaz would help us let everyone out of cryogenic stasis. Then we'd have a small army."

"Yeah, a small army of people that don't trust me, and probably hate me. I'm not going back without a plan. We need your friends. We'll find them. If they're not here, where would they be?"

Vincent shrugged. He flopped back onto the bed, rubbing at his eyes. "I don't know. Conner and Carmen should be here. They might be on the family island, but I have no idea how to get there."

"It'll be okay, Vincent."

"We're in a holding pattern," he said, tightening his hands into fists against his forehead. "We can't help find the bomb, we can't find my friends, and we can't attack Falcon yet. I feel useless!"

"Vincent..."

"No, I dragged you down here. I convinced you to come down here to be some sort of hero. Now we're stuck in an abandoned city. And there's a nuke out there in the world. And when it goes off, I'll blame myself for not being able to find it or stop it."

Nichole opened her mouth but couldn't find words to fix the situation. Instead, she leaned down and covered his mouth with hers.

Vincent relaxed immediately. Again, it was gentle and soft against his lips, nothing like Fox or Topaz. He brought his hands up and placed one on her cheek.

Nichole took his other hand and guided it to the hem of her shirt. Slowly, she maneuvered his hand beneath, and up along her stomach.

He trailed his fingers over her tummy. It wasn't taut and muscular like the twins'. It was smooth and soft. His hand glided up her washboard belly to the fabric and underwire of her bra.

Nichole reached a hand to her shirt and lifted the cup of her bra up so his hand could move beneath the undergarment.

Again, it was so very different than Topaz. Vincent's wife was muscular and tone.

Conversely, Nichole had curves Vincent wasn't used to. It was exciting to touch her. She was a fresh canvas, a new world to explore.

He began to roll her onto her back but she resisted.

"Should I stop?"

"No," she whispered, almost breathless from excitement. "I just don't ... not missionary. Been there, did that; I associate it with..." Nichole trailed off.

"Rue."

She shrugged. "I don't know if it was the bestiality, or ... maybe because it was a man I didn't want to sleep with, or because I had to lie to him the whole time."

"It wasn't bestiality if you were both werewolves."

She laughed in spite of herself and shook her head. "Shit. You're right. I didn't think of it that way."

Vincent scooted further up, to the middle of the mattress. He sat up, took her by the hips, and guided her to straddle his waist. He put his hands on the mattress, sitting up a bit more, and kissed her bottom lip.

She lifted her shirt up and off. Her bra came next. Nichole's breast was fuller, and rounder than Vincent had seen before.

He reached back, snagged two pillows and pulled them into place, so he could prop himself against them. Vincent put his hands on her hips, looking up at her feminine curves.

Nichole looked down at his face, watching his gaze. She leaned forward, until her breast met his face. She cupped beneath his chin, guiding his lips to the pink, pert nub.

Vincent's hands slid up her back, down her arms, and then he grasped her hips. His palms moved over her outer thighs.

"You're more sensual than I'm used to," she admitted in a soft tone. "Am I stupid for rushing into this?"

Vincent closed his lips over the perky cherry nip and flickered his tongue over the sensitive button. There was no point in responding; he didn't know what to say anyhow.

The flesh of her arms became textured with goosebumps. "Good a-answer." She sighed with delight, grinding her hips against the front of his pants. "God, what the hell is wrong with me for jumping into bed with another man like this."

Vincent brushed his lower lip against the hardened nipple in front of his face. He looked up at her and said, "We can stop if you want, but maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all."

"Wait, it's not a bad idea?" she said softly, almost murmuring the words. "How do you figure?"

"We've known each other a long time. You know me. You know I'm not here to hurt you. I'm supposed to gain your trust, but we've been over that. I have no hidden agenda. You know what this is. We trust each other."

She grinned at him with a chuckle. "Just ... don't talk. You're almost a bad boy when you don't say anything."

Vincent reached up, clasped her shoulders, and pulled her down until their lips met. He kissed her passionately, tongue dancing about against hers. His hands went to her backside. He pulled her hips against his, firmly grasping her rump.

She reached between them and unfastened her pants, and then his.

They worked together to kick off their pants and underwear.

Vincent paused to look her over. She was a little curvier than ... he shook his head, pushing the comparisons out of his mind. It wasn't right to compare them, and he knew it.

Nichole climbed back up onto his body, grinding herself against him. Vincent responded by arching his hips up.

She leaned over and thrust her tongue into his mouth.

Vincent reached his hand down, bumping into hers. They both had the same idea at the same time. With a guiding touch, flesh met flesh and she impaled herself upon him with a groan.

She felt more in control this time. But, again, he was more sensual and his touch was different than she had experienced in the past.

Nichole broke the kiss, speaking against his lips. "You touch me like you actually want me."

"You're a beautiful woman," he replied in a hushed tone.

"No, I mean ... you touch me like you want me to enjoy it. Like you want me to feel good."

"I_do_ want you to feel good."

"I believe you." She arched her hips up. It felt better than she thought it would. Nichole lowered herself against him again with a moan of pleasure. "God..."

"You feel ... so good. Soft. It's never been like this for me before."

Nichole nodded. "This has to be the most awkward thing ever," she said with a weak laugh. "We're talking about our past romps while having sex in your wife's house. What is wrong with me? But ... I like this. Just ... tell me I'm beautiful again." She grinned, wanting to get them away from comparing each other to one another's firsts.

"Y-yeah. You are beautiful, Nichole." Vincent reached up and drew her back down, kissing her again. They writhed against one another.

It was sweet. It was gentle. It was relaxed. Vincent felt as though it wasn't a competition with Nichole, like when he had to share Topaz and Fox.

It was just sex. Enjoyable, passionate sex.

There was no judgment. There was no wondering if he was good enough. There was no aggressive rutting, or trying to live up to some unspoken standard.

It was him nestled within her, and her writhing gently. He loved the sounds she made. The occasional off-rhythm gasps, and the heavy breathing.

He curled his toes, trying to hold back until he was fairly sure she got there first. And then ... sweet relief.

Vincent panted softly, hands on her hips. He leaned up as she leaned down and their lips met.

She rolled onto the bed besides him, pressing her thighs together. "That was unexpected." She reached for her pants but couldn't find them. Eventually, she drew back part of the covers from the bed and covered herself from the waist down.

Without thinking about it, she grasped a corner of the sheets and towel-cleaned herself.

Vincent sat up and wiped his face with his forearm. "I'll get us some water. Be right back." He slid off the bed, and left the guest room, shutting the door without thinking about it.

He turned down the hall for the stairs and bumped into Sinopa.

Vincent jumped back, horrified and undressed, except his t-shirt.

Sinopa pushed a bath towel into his arms, as if to help him cover up what little dignity he had left. She brought her free hand up and put her finger to his lips. "Shh."

Vincent swallowed a lump of awkwardness, falling into step behind the redheaded kitsune. "I don't even know what to say. We checked around and nobody was here. I thought..."

Sinopa took to the stairs first. In a soft voice, she replied, overtop of him, "I serve a deity that grants good harvests to farmers, children to praying women, and granted good health, prosperity, looks out for prostitutes, and is the patron of sword smiths. Just to name a few things."

"I just..."

She sniffed disdainfully. "Did I mention the fertility, the health and the prostitutes?"

"Sinopa, you're making me blush," he whispered, coming down the stairs with her, towel around his waist. "Thanks for bringing me a towel."

"Unless you wish to walk through your wife's house, dangling free. But, no, I said those things because I have seen my share of sex. I do not feel as ashamed as you most certainly feel right now."

"Topaz told me to do whatever it took to get her to trust me."

Sinopa laughed. She turned around in the foyer and looked up at him.

He stood with a posture of shame, silently, on the third stair.

"Vincent, I am not angry with you. I do not judge you and I do not consider you a cheat."

"You ... don't?"

"Heavens no. You're beyond devoted to both of my children. For you to let such a thing happen, especially with her on top, I knew right away that my daughter talked you into it. You blushed through the entirety of the act."

"I ... did?"

"Mm. What I saw of it, yes. You were nervous with her. You thought of your wife the whole time, didn't you?"

"Uh, actually, yes. I did. How ... How did you know that?"

Sinopa grinned somewhat. "Consider this about yourself: After twenty-five years in an intimate relationship, and after having children ... you were nervous in bed. I am sorry my daughter talked you into doing something that would cause an affliction of your heart and head, Vincent."

"I feel silly. I mean, Nichole is your sister-in-law. Well, sort of."

"Hai. But I doubt that woman is really Nichole. She does not act like Nichole. She barely sounds like Nichole, and she most certainly does not age like Nichole would have."

"Yeah, she's a clone or something."

"Your brother will be most pleased."

"Sinopa..." Vincent frowned.

She guided him to the kitchen. "I did not mean that to sound passive aggressive. I meant that Reno would be happy to know his_fiancée did not attack him in Falcon's lab. He will be pleased to hear that _his Nichole may still be somewhere. Now, you will take that girl the water you promised. If you tell her I'm here, she will feel awkward, or worse - betrayed. She may think you knew I was here and that you tricked her. We must proceed delicately."

"What do I do?" He followed her into the kitchen and used his free hand to open the refrigerator. He shifted the towel around his waist, pushing a fold down, so the towel held itself up around his waist.

"You have two options. You can leave and find the bomb. Or, you can try the basement door again and find your way to the shelter. Act surprised to see me. However, I will be sealing the blast doors again shortly, so make your decision soon."

Vincent turned from the fridge, eyes wide. "You _know_about the bomb?"

"Hai, Vincent-kun. Your brother touched the blade of Natalia's attacker. He saw the image of a mushroom cloud. A friend of Natalia's called Cybil Powalski, the oracle. He also saw San Francisco's destruction. It is imminent."

Vincent felt his mouth become dry.

"Vincent, you are either a fool to be on the third floor, or your immunity to radiation has evolved to an immunity of fire as well."

"N-no, I didn't think it would be here. I lost track of it. I thought someone took it out of the city. If it's still out there, I need to try finding it again. I came all the way from Seattle when they mentioned it on the news."

"Hai. I am surprised it has not yet detonated. I expected it shortly after it made the news."

"Why are you still here?"

"We have a bunker. We're protecting the mirror."

"We? Who is with you?"

"Kalen and Laura are helping me to protect the mirror. However, Kalen is in consideration of taking his chances. He feels compelled to leave and make preparations to awaken Natalia."

Vincent arched his brows. "Laura...?"

She nodded. "Laura. Yes, I understand she once had no control over her actions. She attacked you, but she only has her memories, and her new guilt. She is not that kaijin anymore."

"What is a kaijin?"

"The kaiju are what I call Falcon's creatures."

"She would shout that her name was LARA, and swipe her claws at me. She slashed my back. I died. I was revived but I had to learn how to walk again and everything."

"That was in the past, Vincent-kun. In fact, it is fair to say she was not a person at the time. She is, however, now a pleasant young lady, although she is still unsure of herself. She has been through as much psychological trauma as you, all because of Dr. Falcon."

Vincent wrapped his fingers around a bottle of water, closed the fridge and turned to Sinopa. "I understand. I'm not enthusiastic about sharing a bunker with her, but I will do my best to respect her."

"Good. I am glad."

He bit his lower lip. "But I'm not ready to make peace with that just yet. I can't. I died. She tried to kill Topaz. She nearly did. It's not the girl. I forgive the girl if she's like you say."

"So it is the event you cannot yet make peace with?"

"Exactly. It will take time."

"Mm. Please do not disrespect her. That is all I ask."

"Sinopa," he said, walking to the doorway. Vincent stepped into the hall. He turned back to the kitchen and frowned. "You know me well enough to know I would not treat anyone like that. I was bullied in high school. I remember how it made me feel. I will never make anyone feel bad like that."

Sinopa cracked a wan smile. "And the clone of Nichole that struck down your brother and put him into stasis? She went toe to toe with Karla, also. Will you continue to sleep with her?"

Vincent cringed. "I'm not going to white-lie my way through this whole thing with her. I won't gain her trust that way. And Topaz feels she would be a good person to either help, or I should gain her trust, and then ... end her. Well, I've made my decision. She can help. I'll tell her I ran into you. I'll tell her we spoke, and that you offered the bunker."

Sinopa nodded. She opened several cabinets. "Take what you wish before you come down. Everything else will be worthless after the fallout..."

"Sinopa, I can protect this house from radiation."

"I was speaking of food, not the home." Sinopa narrowed her eyes. "Please do not misunderstand me - I do not care what food is left in those shelves. Bring what you wish to save and eat. Kalen does not eat food."

"Right. And, uh, you said Kalen might leave soon anyhow, right?"

"Correct."

"You're upset with me," he surmised.

"I am upset, Vincent. I helped build this house into a home with Jonathan. And now a god-forsaken 'thermonuclear detonation' may very well wipe it clean from the face of the Earth. At best, it will be damaged beyond repair at the heart of a city that will be uninhabitable. So it is best to be flattened. I would prefer it, so that I do not feel the need to visit it with a heavy heart. Do you understand what I am losing?"

"I_tried_ to find the bomb. I can't sense it! Nichole has my power when I'm near. We _both_tried."

Sinopa approached him. She placed her hand on his wrist. "I do not blame you. I am upset the home I built for my children will be destroyed. I assure you, Vincent, my anger lies with Aris Falcon - I have reasons to believe Aris is behind the attack."

"Oh."

She placed her hands on either side of his face. "How are my children?"

"They're doing well. I miss them. They miss you. They miss the kids. They want to come home."

Sinopa nodded. "And soon they will. Meet the rest of us downstairs as soon as possible. Please, get dressed. Find clothing that will fit you in Topaz's closet. She has quite a few of your things there. Find something for your new friend in Nichole's old bedroom. Join us as soon as you can."

"Thanks."

Sinopa offered a wan smile and a nod. "Mm." She walked around him and headed down the hall towards the basement door.

Vincent carried his bottle of water upstairs. He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to awkwardly explain his chance meeting with his mother-in-law. He hoped Nichole would be understanding.

X

X

Celestial Realm...

Tamamo broke free of the dense forest, one hand back, on the sheath of her sword to keep it from snagging on a branch. She stumbled from the forest, into soft ankle-high grass. Tamamo opened her stance and maintained her balance.

Sekhmet stepped through on Tamamo's heels. She moved left, so as not to collide with Tamamo, and came to a halt at the kitsune's side.

Tamamo looked up at a boulder in place over the doorway of a cave. Her amber eyes lowered to the white fox. She bowed deeply. "You have saved our kind."

"Hmph. Have I?" Kuzu asked.

"Hai! Just as surely as I changed the way in which I lived my life after finding love. Arigato, Kuzu-no-Ha."

The white fox lowered to its chest while keeping its hindquarters up, returning the bow. "We all know the legend of how the sea god once upset the sun goddess. Can Susanoo's temper be trusted?"

Tamamo nodded. "Hai. When the seas calmed, along with his temper, he knew the deep grief he caused his sister. When learning he could be of use, and that his temper could bring about help instead of hindrance, he focused his aggression on the eight-headed dragon, Yamata no Orochi. He returned to his sister, bearing the gift of a sword found within the tail of the dragon."

Kuzu stood up. "Yes, I know the legend of the Kusa-nagi no tsurugi. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps Susanoo has learned how to focus his impetuousness to become productive."

Tamamo smiled.

Kuzu furrowed her brows, adding, "Or ... perhaps his sister was wise enough to send him to slay the dragon. Perhaps she saw the elderly couple in need, and saw a clever way for her brother to burn off his hot blood."

Tamamo eyed the white fox for a moment. A smile found her face. "You are wise, Kuzu-chan."

"You are older than I can imagine, and I respect you, Tamamo-sama ... but, please, address me properly, kudasai."

Tamamo bowed deeply to Kuzu. "Kuzu-no-Ha. You bring honor to the Shelf."

Kuzu bowed her head and darted back into the forest, behind Sekhmet.

"You called her wise," said Sekhmet. "I do not follow. Did she say something that gave you an idea of how to proceed?"

Tamamo smiled. "Like most men, Susanoo can be a turbulent sea, crashing against the rocks. He does not consider anything but what lies in his path."

"Your point?"

Tamamo's ears perked up from her hair with an expression of amusement. "Kuzu suggests I give Susanoo direction. Like a great flood, he is a force to be reckoned with ... if we can channel his flowing temper. No matter how destructive he can be, we will get the most use from him if we guide him from battle to battle."

"He is the god of the ocean?"

"Hai, as Kuzu said." Tamamo tilted her head. She looked over Sekhmet, wondering if her lore was written by inattentive human men, or if the lioness simply had a short attention span.

"Water becomes dirty and diseased when it stagnates. Do not be worried, Tamamo. I will claw a trench, and you will guide him through it. We will channel his mighty 'male augustness' in the right direction."

Tamamo replied with a smile. "Then all that remains is this boulder."

Sekhmet approached the enormous rock and heaved her back against it, but could not budge it. "This is far to heavy for the two of us to..." Sekhmet narrowed her feline gaze, studying Tamamo's expression. "...What?"

Tamamo nodded to the boulder. "You spoke of digging a trench."

"It was a metaphor."

"It is more than a metaphor. We will dig a hole in front of the boulder, shaped like a trench. The boulder's weight will carry itself into the hole, rolling into the trench. First, we will need two logs to keep it stable, and then we dig. We can tie the logs with vines from the forest."

"I suggest you use my Khopesh as an axe."

Tamamo withdrew her blade from its sheath. The metal crackled to life, channeling fire along its curved metallic surface. "Are you ready to get your claws dirty?"

"I would prefer you not to use your fire sword, lest we burn down the forest."

"Yes; pardon my overzealousness." Tamamo returned her blade to its case. She reached for the lioness' Egyptian Khopesh.

"Let us discuss a shape for this trench you envision." Sekhmet unsheathed her claws. The lioness's ears laid back. "I will find vines suitable to for the logs you bring down."

"Very well."

Sekhmet paused and glanced back at Tamamo. "The woman referred to you as 'older than she can imagine.' I was under the impression that your kind have been mentioned in Japan as far back as the 4th century. At least by the Western calendar. Surely, she must realize such is far from old."

Tamamo offered a mysterious smile. "I was married to a Chinese emperor nearly eleven hundred years before the birth of Christ, in the Western calendar. I already had nine tails by that time."

Sekhmet narrowed her gaze, curious of Tamamo. "You were already an ancient kitsune three thousand years ago? Were you born in China?"

"No. I was born in Japan. That is why I returned, for my love of the land." She sized up a tree and glanced down at the decorative Egyptian weapon on her hand. "I left before my first tail. I lived in the Kingdom of India for a time. It is where I learned math. Be thankful, as we will now engineer a way to move the boulder. I went to China much later."

Sekhmet stepped into the neat line of trees, peering into the forest. She canted her head from left to right. "So what are you? Kyubi no Kitsune? Or Hu-li Jing?"

Tamamo shook her head. "If you're speaking of Chinese foxes, I prefer the term Jiu Wei Hu. However, I am Japanese. And, as a worshipper and servant of Inari-no-Kami, I am a Kyubi no Kitsune. We are honor bound servants, which differentiates us from what the Japanese call nogitsune."

"So, it seems you really are impressively aged."

Tamamo smiled back at Sekhmet. "Hai, but you are still older ... I think." Her smile broadened. "At least in appearance."

Sekhmet grimaced with a snarl and walked deeper into the woods to find suitable vines. "I am not the young redhead you pretend is your little sister. I am a warrior."

Tamamo smiled inwardly, listening to the grumbling taper off. She drew back the khopesh and chopped into the tree. Tamamo's thoughts turned to Sinopa. She actually missed the dysfunctional friend they had.

Almost as much as she missed Sinopa's adorable grandson.

X

X