FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Dank, foul air suffocated Ryoushi as he trudged through the calves-high water, the only sounds he could hear were his heartbeat and the sloshing of water as he took every step. His torch barely lit enough of the passage for him to see anything, and in the moisture of the under passage's aqueduct system, even that was left up to question. His scarf was heavy and soaked through, his breathing heavy from the trudge through the water. His ears were perked up, keen for any sound out of the ordinary, though he knew he'd only have a moment's warning before his quarry would be on top of him. While normally the wards knitted into his scarf would keep his ears from being seen by most, their power had waned from being so near the city's barrier. For once, however, it worked in his favor, as now he would hear much clearer and farther than normal, even if the tunnel's echoes made it harder to pinpoint any sound's origins. Torch in one hand, short sword in the other, his eyes were trained on every inch of illuminated space he could see, watching for signs of his prey. Claw marks on the walls, scraping upwards towards the ceiling and into shadow... this is where it would be done. The ledge beside him, while too narrow to walk along, was wide enough to set the torch down as he snuffed it's fire, putting himself into total darkness. When his prey came for him, it would be from above and with little sound. Wringing out his scarf and setting on the ledge, Ryoushi inhaled and coughed on the dank, calling out once he'd got his breath. "I know you are watching me," he said. "Come out and let us end this. I've got somewhere I need to be once I wrap this up." For the longest moment, all he could hear was the carrying echo of his voice and the dripping of water from the ceiling. Time seemed to be at an excruciatingly slow pace, as if in slow motion as his prey came to him. Eight sharp eyes, trained on him from the darkness around him, gleamed in the shadows with the intent of a hunter who relishes the moments before the kill. Eight hard shelled legs clicked along the stone ceiling, a vicious grin of certainty on her lips. Inch by inch, she dropped behind him, silent and precise. Her breath was still, held anxiously as the hunter neared the prey, every moment passing with increasing adrenaline and anticipation for the strike. Setting down just behind him with silence, her fangs bared and poised to take that first glorious bite that would ensure her victory, she edged near him until she was all but atop him, his neck vulnerable and inviting. The hunter had finally caught their prey, and in a quick, white flash, pierced the flesh of their quarry, blood pooling and running from the wound, it's scent mixing with the smell of water and adrenaline.

As Ryoushi pulled his blade from the arachne's mouth, she crashed down into the water, clutching her mouth in agony as warm lifeblood poured from it and through her carapace covered hands. "H-How dare you, Kitsune! H-humans should be your prey, not..." With a sigh, Ryoushi sheathed his blade and put his scarf back around his neck, looking down to the obscured figure before him."Firstly, you were also trying to hunt me, Arachne. Humans have enough problems without you preying upon their children like a spider hunts the fly. And secondly..." Relighting the torch and holding it up so both prey and hunter could see each other's face, Ryoushi's face was nothing but tired and serious as the Arachne looked up in surprise. "I am a human, not a Kitsune. Next time, provided you live long enough for there to be one, study your prey in greater detail. For a spider, your hunting skills disappoint me." The arachne's eyes suddenly filled with anger as she tried to lash out at him, only to receive a swift knee to her stomach. "D-damn you... half-blood," she said as she coughed as much on her own blood as from having no air in her lungs. Pushing past the gasping creature, Ryoushi shrugged and started walking back towards the entrance he'd followed her through and back towards the surface, leaving her to bleed and die alone in the dark, just like her victims had. "I've heard it all before, creature. I've heard it all before..." Reaching the entrance, Ryoushi scaled the rope that led back to the surface, though no light could be seen from above, for which he was thankful. The wards on his scarf were weakening, and his fox ears were still visible as a result, leaving him in a bad position should anyone normal see him. Breathing heavily as he climbed out from the city well, he cast himself upon the ground and panted, heavy with sweat and water from his adventure. Beside the well, a lantern and candle ready for lighting, just as there was when he'd descended an hour ago. The arachne lay dying below, and the city's children were safe from her with none the wiser as to whom did the deed. Pulling himself off the road and lighting the lantern, Ryoushi set it atop the stone step beside the well and made haste from the scene, the scent of blood still on his blade and vest. Weary and exhausted, Ryu wished to find a soft spot and fall asleep. However, the events that had just transpired were still fresh, and he feared nightmares would plague him while still so alert.

A day ago, he arrived in the city, passing through the dispelling barrier as a mere traveler with none the wiser as to his true form. When night fell, he had to sneak out of the window of the inn he was staying at and climb down to the street, searching for the lantern left by his associate near the front door. Taking the lantern, he left it by the well and waited, the wards having weakened enough for his fox ears to reappear. When the arachne appeared from the well, she smiled at the defiant stranger, striding over to him with a gentle smile hiding a desire to kill. "My, my, my. What brings a kitsune to visit a lonely woman like myself at this late hour, hmm? Have you come to join me in my meals? They are ever so delectable... Or, is it that you've come to put an end to my feast? Do not be fooled by my youth, trickster. I am as skilled as any of my kind and would provide a great game for you to chase... So, shall you come into my parlor, or shall two dine this evening, hmm?" As Ryu stood there, he sighed and drew steel, the arachne getting a dangerous and excited look in her eyes, all eight of them, descending back down the well, inviting him to join her in her home if he dared. He followed and for an hour he was led along by her whispers and soft promises of death. Somehow she'd been enjoying herself quite a bit, until the hunter found the prey had tricked her. Now, near the gate to the city, Ryu stood around a store corner, watching the four guards who blocked his path. He gritted his teeth impatiently, anxiously waiting for his chance when a sudden female cry came from the opposite direction. Alarmed by the noise, three of the guards rushed off, leaving the other one to stay put. Shaking his head, Ryu seized on his opportunity and rushed past the distracted guard and into the darkness of the night, slipping into the shadow of the nearby trees before the lone guard could react.

Making his way down the forest path, Ryu sighed and spoke aloud, stopping as he closed his eyes expectantly. "You know, I thought you told me you were going to be discreet about the distraction you made for me." A lone figure stepped out from behind the trunk of a large tree, donned in white robes and a mischievous smile on her face. From under her robe, five beautiful fox tails appeared, waving as if with minds of their own. "Come now, Ryu, you should know better than to trust a kitsune completely, especially when it comes to tricking humans."

"Can I at least assume you've sated yourself on those poor fools? You had better have left them alive at least, despite being such a glutton."

"You needn't worry... Partner, hehe. I much prefer the life force of someone so young and full of life. They'll live, but won't feel great fro a couple days."

"Great, then that means you'll be coming for mine next, then? How much could one kitsune really need? You've five tails already, after all."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Don't you know it's rude to comment on a lady's age like that? So rude."

"Yeah, yeah. You'd just better make good on your end of the deal.